The 50,000 DWT Ohio. Photo: Crowley Maritime Corp.
Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. says it has taken delivery of its first LNG-ready Jones Act product tanker from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (APSI).
The tanker, named Ohio, is the first of four 50,000 DWT product tankers under construction for Crowley with planned deliveries through 2016. The vessel is also significant because it is the first time a product tanker has been constructed with consideration for the future use of LNG for propulsion.
“We are excited to offer our customers cutting-edge technology available in these new tankers, which not only embraces operational excellence and top safety, but also offers the potential to be powered by environmentally friendly LNG in the future,” said Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum and chemical transportation. “Adding these new Jones Act tankers to our fleet allows us to continue providing our customers with diverse and modern equipment to transport their petroleum and chemical products in a safe and reliable manner.”
“We are proud to have Crowley as a repeat customer at the shipyard and to deliver another quality tanker to them. This vessel continues our strong history of building ships here in Philadelphia,” said Steinar Nerbovik, president and CEO, APSI.
The 600-foot Ohio has a carrying capacity of 14.5 million gallons of crude oil or refined products, with a design based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design incorporating fuel efficiency, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements.
The four tankers were ordered in 2013 by a joint venture between Crowley and APSI. In September, APSI announced that it sold its interest in the joint venture with respect to that vessel, and each vessel to follow, to a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC).
In addition to the Crowley tankers, APSI has also started construction of the first two of four additional 50,000 DWT tankers for a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan with planned deliveries between November 2016 and November 2017. The shipyard also has contracts for two 3,600 TEU containerships for Matson Navigation Company, which are planned to be delivered in 2018.
At the end of the year, APSI intent to change its name to Philly Shipyard, pending shareholder approval.
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