Crowley Purchases Two New Jones Act Tankers
By Anuja Abraham
Crowley Maritime Corporation’s petroleum and chemical transportation group announced today that it has purchased two new Jones Act tankers, the Pennsylvania and the Florida, from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA. The tankers, scheduled for delivery in September 2012 and March 2013, mark Crowley’s re-entry into the Jones Act tanker market since its last tanker was retired in 2011.
The addition of these new tankers also positions Crowley to now offer an even more diverse fleet of petroleum and chemical transportation vessels to its customers. The 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 U.S. 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 on-going 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 U.S., 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.
