Crowley moving locations in Oakland

Crowley moving locations in Oakland    Crowley Maritime Corp. said Wednesday it is relocating its tugs in the Port of Oakland to Berth 9 effective Friday.
   The move, eight miles away from Crowley’s previous terminal at 10th Avenue, will allow Crowley to provide faster service upon receiving a customer’s ship assist request, the company said. Crowley tugs will be based closer to most customer operations and will be able to work with greater ease in the expanse of the Outer Harbor. Tugs will no longer need to sail through the Oakland Estuary to reach most vessels.
   “The move is part of Crowley’s continuing improvement and quality service initiatives in the Bay Area,” said Joel Klenck, vice president, ship assist and escort services. “The new Berth 9 facility will enable us to be more responsive to customers and require less notice from them to accommodate their ship assist requirements.”
   Crowley operates harbor towing services in Oakland, San Diego and Los Angeles, Calif., as well as Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. Tugs in Valdez, Alaska and North Puget Sound assist large tankers and provide both tethered and untethered escort services.