AMO Currents - New AMO jobs as Crowley purchases two Jones Act tankers from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard

AMO Currents - Posted: August 28, 2012

New AMO jobs as Crowley purchases two Jones Act tankers from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard

Crowley Maritime Corporation has purchased two new Jones Act tankers, the Pennsylvania and Florida, from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The ships are scheduled for delivery in September 2012 and March 2013, the company announced.

American Maritime Officers will represent all licensed officers aboard both ships, which will be operated by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning.

"AMO looks forward to the new jobs for our membership and the expansion of the Jones Act fleet," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "Crowley's purchase of the new tankers from Aker will bring proven capacity and lasting opportunity to the U.S. domestic trades."

In its announcement, Crowley noted the purchase marks the company's re-entry to the Jones Act tanker market and positions Crowley to offer an even more diverse fleet of petroleum and chemical transportation vessels. The tankers will each be capable of carrying nearly 330,000 barrels of a wide variety of petroleum products and chemicals. Once delivered, both ships will operate in U.S. coastwise trades.

"Crowley is thrilled to partner with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and to take delivery of these new Jones Act tankers," said Crowley Chairman, President and CEO Tom Crowley. "We are bringing the best available technology to our customers, who understand and appreciate safety and operational excellence. This is yet another example of our on-going investments in new equipment and technology to meet the current and future needs of our customers."

The two Veteran Class tankers built at Aker are each 45,800 deadweight tons at a length of 183.2 meters (601 feet). Powered by the first Tier II large-bore engines, MAN-B&W 6S50MCs, the speed of the Pennsylvania and the Florida is expected to average 14.5-plus knots. In addition to being double hulled with segregated ballast systems, safety features also include water and CO2 firefighting systems, as well as a foam water spray system.

"We are pleased to partner with a first-class owner and operator like Crowley. Both APSI and Crowley share deep commitments to run safe and efficient operations, and I am confident that this transaction will bring significant value to both parties for years to come," said Aker Philadelphia Shipyard President and CEO Kristian Rokke.