Covered barges that will transport coal between two Oregon ports for shipment to Asia are closer to reality after the Morrow Pacific coal export project signed letters of intent with two Portland manufacturing firms.

The two Portland companies, Gunderson Marine and Vigor Industrial, are in line to construct the 20 barges at a price tag just over $70 million.

The East Oregonian reports ( http://bit.ly/PWavji) the project calls for Port of Morrow barges to take the coal to the Port of St. Helens, where the coal will be loaded onto Asia-bound ocean liners.

In a press release, the companies say Gunderson Marine is expected to construct 15 of the barges for a bid of more than $55 million and Vigor Industrial is will build five barges at over $20 million.