Hoverbarges have been used for payloads ranging from 50 to 450 tonnes with designs commissioned up to 2,500 tonnes.  Hoverbarges have been predominantly been used over relatively short distances, however, with the right traction unit or self-propulsion they are capable of operating over much longer distances.

Hoverbarges have been developed in many countries on the back of the development of the hovercraft in the Solent (UK) in the 1960s.  Many of the successful projects have been overseen by Dan Turner, who as previous Technical Director of Mack-Ace, Hovertrans and Hoverfreight, has designed and delivered more than 20 hoverbarge projects over 40 years.  Dan’s geographical reach has included North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 

Projects and studies have covered the high arctic, swamps, tundra and many beaches in developing countries.  It is fair to say that the low infrastructure requirements for hoverbarges make them attractive in some of the least glamourous locations around the world!!

Staff from Argo have supported Dan with structural, mechanical, weights and naval architecture support through three different employments across 20 years.  Argo staff have been involved in all successful operating hoverbarge projects over the past 20 years.

Argo have developed a fleet of hoverbarge designs that consists of hover trailers, modular and transportable hover platforms and larger payload monocoque hoverbarges.  The latter may require fabrication or shipyard assembly in-country, close to the intended route.  The outline standardised designs in this range of trailers, modular and monocoque hoverbarges are available off the shelf. 

Argo can also develop bespoke designs of hoverbarge for projects to meet specific functional requirements.