Why Marine Contractors Fund the Barge Before the Check
Marine contractors fund the barge before the check when mobilizing equipment on water costs a fortune weeks ahead of the first pay application, port authorities pay on government cycles, and every project demands its own bonding documentation. One $13.5M marine contractor doubled net profit from 7% to 14% on the CONTROL system.
The specific ways marine contractors lose cash, pulled straight from what makes this trade different.
Port Authority Pay Cycles
Ports and government owners pay on their process, which routinely runs 60 to 90 days behind the work. Your barge charter and crew boat run on 30-day terms.
Barge Mobilization Recovery
Floating equipment to the job is one of the largest costs in the trade, and it earns nothing by itself. Mob and demob priced as their own lines keep the project paying for its own logistics.
Per-Project Bonding Documentation
Every marine project wants fresh financials, WIP schedules, and bonding paperwork. Clean monthly statements turn bonding from a fire drill into a formality.
International Vendor Payments
Specialty marine gear and parts often come from overseas vendors on wire terms. Currency timing and prepayment belong inside the cash forecast.
The CONTROL chapters that solve this for marine contractors specifically.
Why do marine contractors run out of cash on government work?
How does a marine contractor keep bonding capacity ready?
What profit margin should a marine contractor target?
