Florida-based Crowley Maritime Corp has purchased two new Jones Act product tankers.
The ‘Pennsylvania’ and ‘Florida’ were bought from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (AKPS) and are scheduled for delivery in September 2012 and March 2013 respectively.They will mark Crowley’s re-entry into the Jones Act tanker market since the company’s last tanker was sold in 2011.The 45,800 dwt tankers will be capable of carrying nearly 330,000 barrels of a wide variety of petroleum products and chemicals. Once delivered, the vessels will operate in the US coastwise trade.“Crowley is thrilled to partner with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and to take delivery of these new Jones Act tankers,” said Crowley’s chairman, president and CEO Tom Crowley. “We are bringing the best available technology to our customers, who understand and appreciate safety and operational excellence. This is yet another example of our ongoing investments in new equipment and technology to meet the current and future needs of our customers.”“Putting these vessels into service continues our commitment to offering a wide variety of solutions for the safe and reliable transportation of petroleum products and chemicals for our customers,” said Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. “As one of the largest independent operators in the US, we have a proven reputation for providing economical, reliable service while adhering to the most stringent safety and environmental protection standards. This tradition is certain to continue with the delivery of these two new tankers.”“We are pleased to partner with a first class owner and operator like Crowley. Both APSI and Crowley share deep commitments to run safe and efficient operations, and I am confident that this transaction will bring significant value to both parties for years to come,” said Kristian Rokke, AKPS president and CEO.Powered by the first Tier II large-bore engines - MAN B&W 6S50MCs - the speed of the ‘Pennsylvania’ and ‘Florida’ is expected to average around 14.5 knots. In addition to being double hulled with segregated ballast systems, safety features also include water and CO2 firefighting systems, as well as a foam water spray system. Crowley has a long history of shipping petroleum products and chemicals by tanker and articulated tug barge (ATB). Until last year, the company owned and operated Jones Act product tankers.
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