Alt-fueled Workboats: Building the Business Case
Thereâs no energy shortage when it comes to projects promoting the viability of alternatively fueled marine vessels (alt-fueled vessels).Consider just a few examples:Crowley Maritime Corp will take delivery in 2023 of an electric tugboat, dubbed eWolf, built by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala.The Hydrogen One towboat, using methanol-to-hydrogen technology, is being developed by its owner Maritime Partners.Master Boat Builders and Robert Allan Ltd. announced last fall the creation of a new battery hybrid, the ElectRA 3000-H, designed for U.S.
Leading the Charge
Alternatives to fossil fuels are emerging throughout the maritime universe, and vessels working in U.S. rivers, waterways and harbors are at the cusp on this trend. While the alternative fuels spectrum is wide, battery power and electrificationâa technology that has seen a decade of shipboard applications alreadyâis particularly suited for smaller vessels.Crowley Maritime Corp will be taking delivery of a completely electric tugboat, dubbed eWolf; the boat- which will include kit for advanced vessel control tied to an electric propulsion system from ABBâŚ
Two Texas A&M Students Earn Crowley Scholarships
Crowley Maritime Corp. has awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to Mavry Sepulvado and Andrew Hubert of the Texas A&M University Maritime Academy. The recipients earned the scholarships based on their academic performance, cadet shipping experience and interest in pursuing a career at sea.Sepulvado, a senior from New Caney, Texas, is pursuing a degree in marine transportation. He is a first-generation college student and serves as treasurer for the Triathlon Club. Sepulvado served his sea term aboard the Crowley-managed tanker Golden State.
Crowley Takes Delivery of New Compact Escort Tug
Crowley Maritime Corp.âs ship assist and harbor escort services group has taken delivery of Apollo, a powerful and maneuverable tugboat with the most compact size in the U.S.The tugboat has completed final outfitting at shipbuilder Diversified Marine Inc. in Portland, Ore., and will deploy soon to serve the San Francisco Bay. Like its sister tug operated by Crowley, Hercules, the Apollo was designed by Robert Allen Ltd. to be the nationâs most powerful tug under 80 feet at 78âŚ
Two Great Lakes Maritime Academy Cadets Awarded Crowley Scholarships
Crowley Maritime Corp. awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) cadets Tristan Barnett and Jackson Dagata for their achievements and interest in maritime careers.Named in honor of former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas B. Crowley Sr., the scholarship benefits promising maritime students. While earning their bachelorâs degrees at GLMA, both Barnett and Dagata also participated in Crowleyâs cadet shipping program whereâŚ
Crowley Tug Running on Cleaner-burning Biofuel
A Crowley ship assist and escort tug serving the Bay of San Francisco is now running on cleaner-burning biofuel, in line with Crowley Shipping's commitment to sustainable operations that decrease the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas impacts of maritime operations.The Veteran, a 6,800-horsepower tug with a bollard pull of 182,000 pounds, received its first bunkering of 24,000 gallons of low carbon biofuel on March 9 in San Francisco, where Crowley has operated tugboats since 1906.Veteran joins Crowleyâs Vision/650-10âŚ
Crowleyâs Skoglund to Lead Mergers and Acquisitions Team
Crowley Maritime Corp. has appointed Trish Skoglund as corporate director of mergers and acquisitions, guiding strategic investments that create sustainable growth and accelerate the companyâs competitive advantages.In her newly created role, Skoglund will contribute to all aspects of strategic acquisitions, and she will collaborate with Crowleyâs business units to identify growth opportunities that best maximize the companyâs diverse capabilities and offerings, the company said.
Crowley Awards Scholarships to Four Maine Maritime Cadets
Crowley Maritime Corp. has awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to four cadets at the Maine Maritime Academy in recognition of their achievements, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based shipping company announced Wednesday.The honorees earned the scholarships based on their academic performance, financial need and interest in pursuing a career at sea. The scholarship recipients are:Megan Doucette, a senior from Bangor, Maine, is majoring in marine transport operations. She sailed during a sea term aboard the Crowley tanker Louisiana.Nickolas LewisâŚ
Crowley Signs Up to Inmarsatâs Fleet Xpress
Crowley Maritime Corp. has agreed a contract to install Fleet Xpress from satellite communications provider Inmarsat on a majority of its vessels.The 128-year old Florida-headquartered business owns, operates and manages a diverse fleet of close to 200 vessels, including conventional and dual fuel (LNG) containerships, tankers and articulated tug-barges, and ship assist and offshore services tugboats, and various other types of barges.The deal was signed following trials in Alaska on Aframax tankerâŚ
Crowley Charters Newbuild Tug from Brusco
Crowley Maritime Corp said Friday its marine services group has entered into a bareboat charter with Brusco Tug and Barge for an all new RApport-design tractor tug to serve Pacific Northwest and California ports, performing ship assist and harbor escort work.The vessel, which Crowley will rename Hercules after delivery next week, was designed by Robert Allan Ltd., and constructed by Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore., for Brusco. The 82-foot, 6,000-horsepower tug is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516E (2240kw@1,800rpm) U.S. EPA Tier IV-compliant engines.
Fitzgerald to Rejoin Crowley as COO
Crowley Maritime Corp. announced today that Ray Fitzgerald, who began his career with Crowley and most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, and chairman of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC), will rejoin the company March 1 as chief operating officer reporting to Tom Crowley, company chairman and CEO. He will be based at the companyâs headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.Fitzgerald will lead the team of Crowleyâs four senior vice presidents and general managers: Rocky SmithâŚ
Crowley Realigns Its Marine Services Group
US-based Crowley Maritime Corp. announced on Wednesday that it has realigned its marine services organization and introduced new leadership.In a move that aims to provide better support to customers, Crowley Marine Services, part of the companyâs shipping arm, will now be comprised of three distinct, yet interrelated business segments: offshore services, ship assist and tanker escort and engineering services â those provided by Crowley and subsidiary Jensen Maritime Consultants.Jeff AndreiniâŚ
For Fireboats, The Heat is On
These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities. When they do, they want âmore bang for their buck,â combining multiple missions â and the equipment that makes it all possible â onto one hull. Thatâs a tall order on the typically compact patrol boat style hulls that tend to be big on performance, but short on space for equipment that can demand a significant physical footprint. One such shipbuilder stepping up to plate to deliver on a raft of promises is Gulf Coast-based Metal Shark. Significantly expanding its presence in the fireboat market with a diverse range of fireboats currently in production for multiple customersâŚ
INSIGHTS: Michael G. Johnson
Sea Machines Robotics CEO & President.Michael Gordon Johnson is a marine engineer, an accomplished entrepreneur and sector leader with a primary goal of building progressive and sustainable innovation for modern society. He is the founder of Sea Machines, a Boston-based tech company that is a leading provider of autonomous control and intelligent perception systems for marine vessels. Johnson earned a marine engineering degree from Texas A&M University before starting a career focused on complex projects in offshore oil and gas, marine transportation and salvage.
Crowley Awards Scholarships to Four Cal Maritime Students
Crowley Maritime Corp. awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to four California State University Maritime Academy (CMA) cadets at the Containerization and Intermodal Instituteâs Connie Awards last night in Long Beach, Calif.The recipients earned the scholarships based on their academic achievement, financial need and their interest in pursuing careers at sea.Spencer Hoffman, a third-year student from Loomis, Calif., is currently a junior studying marine transportation. He serves as a cadet ambassador for the academy.
Crowley Orders New ATB for Enhanced AK Service
Crowley Fuels has signed construction contracts to build a 55,000-barrel, articulated tug-barge (ATB) that is specifically designed to serve the Western Alaska market with delivery of clean fuel products.The 410-foot ATB will have enhanced performance features for the demanding river and sea conditions of Western Alaska, an area that depends on safe and reliable marine delivery services during the short open-water season. An ATB consists of a tugboat and barge that are connected from the bow of the tug to a notch in the stern of the barge by a hinged connection systemâŚ
Shipbuilding Interview: Ron Baczkowski, VT Halter
VT Halter in Pascagoula, MS has been on a strong run, capped by its winning the high-profile contract to build the U.S. Coast Guardâs next generation of icebreakers. Maritime Reporter recently spoke with Ron Baczkowski, President and CEO, VT Halter Marine, for insights on the shipyardâs recent success and future prospects. Globally, the shipbuilding industry has gone through some âinterestingâ times of late. How has it looked from your perspective?The shipbuilding market and activity at VT Halter during the past 12 months has been dynamic.
Zier Joins Crowley Offshore Services
Crowley Maritime Corp. has appointed Jonathan Zier manager of business development in Houston.Zier will assist customers globally with marine transportation projects such as sealifts and beach-landings, as well as offshore and coastal towing and installation of rigs, spars and other structures. He will also be responsible for providing solutions for alternative energy projects such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, offshore wind power generation, and other projects requiring offshore or coastal equipment and expertise.Zier will report to Johan SperlingâŚ
Crowley Christens LNG-Powered M/V Taíno
Event heralds new era of world-class supply chain service. Crowley Maritime Corp. christened the U.S.-flag combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ship MV Taíno today in San Juan, where the companyâs investments have ushered in a new era of world-class supply chain services in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade. Clara Crowley, daughter of Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley and board member Christine Crowley, served as the shipâs sponsor and broke the ceremonial bottle of champagne on the bow of MV Taíno at the companyâs Isla Grande Terminal before several hundred employeesâŚ
Jensen Maritime Provides Design for Shaver's New Tugboat
Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp.âs Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, has provided the detailed design for Shaver Transportation Companyâs new, Z-drive tug â Samantha S. The multi-purpose tug was built at Diversified Marine Inc., in Portland, Ore., and is operating along the West Coast. The tug is ABS-classed and carries a FFV1 firefighting notation.The 112-foot by 44-foot tug has a 22-foot draft, was built for escort, ocean towing and ship assist, and has firefighting capabilities if needed. The tug features a raised pilot house and a squared forward end.
Crowley Promotes King and Stewart
Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced the promotion of Tiffanny King and Jeannie Stewart to the positions of vice president of People Services. While each has different areas of focus, both will ultimately support Crowleyâs mission of ensuring high-performance and employee development across the company. King and Stewart report to Carl Fox, senior vice president, corporate services, in Jacksonville, where all are based.In her new position, King has responsibility for human resources, compensation and employee health and well being.
Crowleyâs LNG-Fueled ConRo Completes Maiden Voyage
The second of Crowley Maritime Corp.âs new combination container/roll-on roll-off âConRoâ ships - MV Taíno, one of the first of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) - completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Friday morning, Jan. 11. MV Taíno, which departed Jan. 8 from its mainland homeport of Jacksonville, Fla. (JAXPORT), is the second of two ConRo vessels constructed for Crowley. Sister ship MV El Coquí began its first-in-class service in July 2018.The shipsâŚ
Jensen Maritime Designs New Tier IV Tractor Tugs for Foss
Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp.âs Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, has provided the detailed design for an initial four, with an option for six additional, Tier IV tractor tugboats being built by Nichols Brother Boat Builders for Foss Maritime.The 90-short ton bollard pull tugs are based on Jensenâs popular Valor tugboat design, of which 9 have been successfully built and deployed to date and an additional five remain under design/construction. Once delivered, the Foss tugs will be deployed along the U.S.