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Jacksonville, Florida-based Crowley has been awarded a contract for the operation and maintenance of six U.S. government-owned Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) vessels for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command.
The contract will be carried out by Crowley’s Government Solutions business unit and provide for crewing and sustained support for the deployment of equipment and supplies required for U.S. military operations around the world. Crowley will also ensure extensive maintenance between deployments to enhance the vessels’ mission readiness.
Maritime Prepositioning Force ships strategically position military equipment and supplies at sea—including tanks, ammunition, food, water, cargo, hospital equipment, petroleum products and spare parts—to ensure their availability for rapid delivery ashore when needed for war, humanitarian disasters or other mililtary operations.
The contract awarded to Crowley covers an initial one year period and includes options for four additional years that could bring the maximum value of $343.3 million.
Crowley currently operates more than 20 vessels for the U.S. Government and have done so for more than 20 years.
“Crowley is proud to continue serving the U.S. military’s logistics needs through the successful operation and maintenance of Maritime Prepositioning Force vessels,” said Shiju Zacharia, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley Government Solutions. “We are honored that the U.S. government continues to see Crowley as a high performing, reliable source and strategic partner throughout its operations and supply chain and allowing us to demonstrate our commitment to our military across the globe.”
According to MSC’s website, MPF ships are organized into two Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MPS) squadrons, each comprising four to six MPF ships as well as additional prepositioning ships. Each MPS squadron carries enough equipment and supplies to sustain more than 16,000 Marine Corps and Navy personnel for up to 30 days.
Under the referenced Maritime Prepositioning Force contract award, Crowley will operate and maintain the following six vessels:
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