Crowley sells two Jones Act tankers

Kinder Morgan continues expansion in domestic tanker busness.    Crowley Maritime said it has sold two Jones Act tankers, the Pennsylvania and Florida, to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
   Crowley will continue to manage the vessels with no changes in crewing or operations. The tankers have been under long-term charter transporting gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and crude oil since being placed into service in 2012 and 2013.
   “This transaction helps Crowley maintain a healthy balance in our capital program,” said Tom Crowley, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We have invested more than $1.5 billion in new, U.S.-built tank vessels in recent years, giving us a fleet of 17 articulated tug barges and four new 330,000 barrel tankers being delivered in 2015 and 2016. We are committed to continuing to provide safe and reliable petroleum transportation to our customers.”
   Under the new ship-management agreement with Kinder Morgan for the Pennsylvania and Florida, Crowley will continue to utilize sailors from the American Maritime Officers Union and Seafarers International Union.
   John Schlosser, president of Kinder Morgan’s terminals segment, said the deal is part of his company’s continued expansion into the Jones Act tanker market.
   In December 2013, Kinder Morgan entered into the Jones Act tanker business by acquiring American Petroleum Tankers, which had a fleet of five ships, and State Class Tankers, which had four on order.