Philly Shipyard Delivers Second LNG-Ready Tanker to Crowley

MT Texas. Photo: Crowley Maritime Corp.

Jones Act shipbuilder Philly Shipyard says it has delivered the second of four LNG-ready product tankers to Crowley Maritime Corporation, marking the first new vessel delivery under its new name.

Philly Shipyard, formerly Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, announced Wednesday that it has delivered the 50,000 dwt, 330,000 barrel capacity Texas. The Jones Act-qualified, 600-foot tanker has a carrying capacity of 14.5 million gallons of crude oil or refined products.

Texas joins sister ship Ohio, delivered to Crowley in October, as the first vessels to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s “LNG-Ready Level 1” approval, meaning the vessel was built with the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future.

All are based on a proven design from South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) and built for fuel efficiency, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements. The remaining two product tankers being built by Philly Shipyard for Crowley are under construction with deliveries in 2016.

The Texas marks the 22nd vessel built by the shipyard formerly known as Aker Philadelphia and the first delivered under its new name. In addition to the Crowley tankers, the yard has also started construction on four 50,000 dwt tankers to be delivered to a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, along with two two 3,600 TEU containerships for Matson Navigation Company.

“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’s 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 Texas and its three sister ships were first ordered in 2013 by a joint venture between Crowley and Philly Shipyard, but the shipyard in September agreed to sell its stake to a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation upon delivery of the ships.