Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. took delivery of Texas, the second of four new, Jones Act, LNG-ready product tankers, from Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSINC), the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA.
The 50,000 dwt, 330,000-barrel-capacity Texas joins sister ship Ohio , which was received by Crowley in October, as the first ever tanker to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning Crowley has the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas propulsion in the future.
The remaining two product tankers being built by PSINC 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,” s aid 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.”
“The Texas, like our 21 previously delivered vessels, continues the long tradition of men and women building quality vessels in Philadelphia, ” remarked 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 new 50,000 dwt product tankers are based on a 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.