Crowley takes delivery of LNG-fuelled ConRo vessel

The new ConRo ship will join its sister vessel El Coquí, which was delivered in July, in providing logistics services between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the statement, Crowley claims that this latest milestone marks the final chapter in construction of the company’s US$550 million investment in the two newly built Commitment Class ships and associated port upgrades.

As with El Coquí, Taíno will be operated by Crowley’s global ship management group. It is scheduled to make its maiden voyage to San Juan on 8 January 2019 from JAXPORT.

According to the statement, the new Crowley vessels are built specifically for the Puerto Rico trade. They are 219.5 m long, 26 500 dwt, and can transport up to 2400 TEUs at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

Tom Crowley, Company Chairman and CEO, said: “I want to congratulate and thank all the men and women at Crowley and VT Halter Marine who helped to bring these marvellous new ships to life.

“They are shining examples of maritime innovation and craftsmanship available right here in the US thanks to the Jones Act.

“From a business standpoint, Taíno and El Coquí are key components of our integrated logistics offerings that are bringing speed to market and creating a competitive advantage for our customers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

“With our own vessels and proprietary transportation and distribution network, we’re reducing friction and complexity while increasing the velocity of customers’ goods moving to market and reducing their landed costs.”

VT Halter Marine President and Chief Executive Officer, Ron Baczkowski, added: “VT Halter Marine is proud to be part of the Crowley Commitment Class project.

“We applaud Crowley Maritime Corp.’s vision, leadership, and commitment to provide technologically advanced and environmentally friendly ships to support its Puerto Rico trade.”

Construction was managed in the shipyard by Crowley Solutions. This team included naval architects and engineers from company subsidiary Jensen Maritime.

Paul Doell, National President of AMO, the union that represents the licensed officers aboard the Commitment Class ships, said: “The men and women of American Maritime Officers stand with Crowley in celebrating the Taíno's commencement of service in the Jones Act Puerto Rico trade.

“We're proud to be part of Crowley's expanding cargo service between the mainland and Puerto Rico and the ongoing innovation under the US flag as America’s next-generation fleet of LNG-powered vessels continues to grow.”

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/20122018/crowley-takes-delivery-of-lng-fuelled-conro-vessel/