Crowley vessel management unit building record tug-barges

Crowley vessel management unit building record tug-barges Jacksonville, Fla.-based Crowley Maritime Corp.'s Vessel Management Services subsidiary said Thursday it has signed a contract for three 330,000-barrel articulated tug-barge (ATB) vessels that will be the largest in the company's history and the fastest in their class.
   The Jones Act vessels will be operated in the U.S. coastwise trade by Crowley's petroleum services segment. The order, placed with VT Halter Marine Inc. and Dakota Creek Shipyards, will bring Crowley's ATB fleet to 17, joining the company's 10 185,000-barrel and four 155,000-barrel ATBs.
   'Not only will they be able to carry 330,000 barrels of product safely, but we also expect them to do so quickly, to the tune of 15.1 knots,' said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, technical services.