Crowley Christens Second LNG-Ready Product Tanker

is the second of four LNG-ready Jones Act tankers for Crowley Photo: Philly Shipyard

Crowley Maritime Corp. has christened its second LNG-ready product tanker for use in the Jones Act coastwise trade.

The 50,000 dead-weight-ton (dwt), 330,000-barrel-capacity Texas is the second of four new Jones Act product tankers ordered by Crowley. The vessel joins sister ship Ohio, which was christened in November. The tankers are the first to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning the option to convert to liquified natural gas for propulsion in the future. 

The four vessels are being constructed by Philly Shipyard (formerly known as Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc.), with construction management services provided by Crowley’s subsidiary Jensen Maritime. The two additional product tankers have planned deliveries later this year.

All are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design. Texas is 600 feet long and is capable of carrying crude oil or refined petroleum products. 

“Crowley welcomes this industry defining, LNG-Ready vessel into service,” said Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager for Crowley’s petroleum services group.  “Not only will this be a high -performance vessel capable of meeting or exceeding our customers’ petroleum transportation needs within the U.S.-Coastwise trade, it will do so in a way that is more environmentally friendly than those that have come before her.”

The ceremony, taking place at the South Florida Petroleum Terminal (The Public Dock) in Fort Lauderdale. was attended by a small group including representatives from SeaRiver Maritime, the vessel’s charterer, with Doris Evans, wife of vice president of planning for Crowley’s petroleum services group Eric Evans, performing the tradition of christening the vessel by breaking a bottle of champagne across the hull. 

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up