Crowley Now Operating Tanker Prudhoe Bay

Crowley Petroleum Transport, Inc., a Long Beach, Calif.-based subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corporation, is now operating the tanker Prudhoe Bay chartered to ARCO Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BP Amoco. The Prudhoe Bay, formerly the Arco Prudhoe Bay, is a 70,000 DWT steam tanker with a capacity of 478,000 barrels. There are 13 epoxy-coated cargo tanks on the ship, which is 810 ft. long with a 105 ft. beam and a maximum draft of 44 fet. Prudhoe Bay is currently trading on the West Coast, primarily in Puget Sound. Crowley, the largest independent operator of petroleum barges and tankers on the West Coast, also owns and operates the 40,000 dwt tankers Coast Range and Blue Ridge. Each offers 300,000 barrels of capacity. Rockwell Smith, Vice President of Crowley Petroleum Transport, said, "We are pleased to take over the operation of the Prudhoe Bay from ARCO Marine and operate it on behalf of BP Amoco. Our long experience in oil transportation operations on the West Coast enables us to provide the highest levels of safety and efficiency for BP Amoco. We are honored by their trust in the quality of our operations." John Ridgway, Regional Manager of BP Amoco Shipping (USA) said, "Complementing BP Amoco's stringent shipping requirements, Crowley's excellent track record in the safe and environmentally diligent operation of clean oil tankers and barges gives us great confidence in the continued effective operation of the vessel in BP Amoco service." Crowley began operating the Prudhoe Bay on April 17 in Anacortes, Wash.