The following is the text of a news release from Crowley Maritime Corp.:
(PHILADELPHIA) — Crowley Maritime Corp. took delivery of Texas, the second of four new Jones Act product tankers, today from Philly Shipyard Inc., the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. The 50,000-deadweight-ton, 330,000-barrel Texas joins sister ship Ohio, which was received by Crowley in October, as the first tankers to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning Crowley has the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future. The remaining two product tankers by Philly Shipyard (formerly known as Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc.) for Crowley are under construction with planned deliveries in 2016.
“We are excited to close out 2015 with the addition of this technologically advanced vessel to our fleet of U.S.-coastwise product tankers,” said Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum and chemical transportation. “We constantly strive for ways to enhance the services we provide to our chemical and petroleum customers. The introduction of vessels like Ohio and Texas, with their advanced technology and environmentally friendly fuel options, prove that we are innovating the industry and we are doing it with American-built Jones Act vessels.”
“We are proud to deliver another ship to Crowley and the first under our new name, Philly Shipyard. The Texas, like our 21 previously delivered vessels, continues the long tradition of men and women building quality vessels in Philadelphia,” said Philly Shipyard President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik. “As we continue to build the eight ships in our backlog, we are always looking for more skilled men and women to add to our team.”
The new 50,000-dwt product tankers are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel-efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements. The vessel is 600 feet long and is capable of carrying crude oil or refined petroleum products.
Crowley’s Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering subsidiary Jensen Maritime is providing construction management services for the product tankers. Jensen now has an on-site office and personnel at the Philadelphia shipyard to ensure strong working relationships with shipyard staff and a seamless construction and delivery program.