Crowley Adds Third LNG-Ready Product Tanker

Florida-based shipping company Crowley Maritime Corporation took delivery on April 15 of a product tanker Louisiana, which is the third of four newbuilds having a potential for future conversion to LNG propulsion. 

Designed by South Korean Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD), the four Jones Act product tankers are being built for the company by Philly Shipyard (PSI) in Philadelphia.

The 50,000 dwt Louisiana is to be christened in New Orleans on May 5, according to Crowley. The vessel is capable of carrying 330,000 barrels of product.

With its length of 600 feet, Louisiana has the capacity to transport crude oil or refined petroleum products, as well as various chemical cargoes.

“Milestones like today show we can deliver solutions that reinforce the value of the Jones Act vessels and American-built and American-crewed trade,”  Rob Grune, Crowley’s senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, said.

“We are proud to deliver another Philly-born tanker, the shipyard’s fifth tanker for Crowley and 23^rdvessel in total,” Philly Shipyard’s President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik remarked.

Louisiana joined sister ships Ohio and Texas, which were delivered in October and December 2015, respectively. They were the first tankers to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, allowing the conversion to LNG propulsion in the future.

Crowley’s fourth tanker is under construction at PSI and its delivery is planned for the third quarter of 2016.