• 25 Jul 2018

Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that it has taken delivery of El Coquí, one of the world’s first combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships powered by LNG, from shipbuilder VT Halter Marine Inc. 

El Coquí is the first of two Commitment Class, LNG-powered ConRo ships being built for Crowley’s shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Operated by Crowley’s global ship management group, El Coquí will make its maiden voyage to San Juan later this month from Jacksonville (JAXPORT), its dedicated US mainland port.

Construction of sister ship Taino is well underway at VT Halter Marine’s shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., and she is scheduled to enter service later this year.

The new Crowley ships, built specifically for the Puerto Rico trade, are 219.5 m, 26 500 deadweight t (DWT), and will be able to transport up to 2400 twenty-ft-equivalent container units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of 22 knots. A wide range of container sizes and types will be accommodated, including 53 ft by 102 in., high-capacity containers, up to 300 refrigerated containers, and a mix of about 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro decks. This type of shipboard garage is offered exclusively by Crowley in the trade. (See news of March 2017 at http://www.conferenzagnl.com/negli-usa-nave-combinata-conro-gnl-al-mondo/).

“This delivery represents another milestone in our unwavering commitment to Puerto Rico and the Jones Act,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO. “We have dedicated significant time, effort and more than US$550 million, which includes these new ships, to transform our Puerto Rico shipping and logistics services to world-class standards. We thank the men and women at Crowley, VT Halter Marine and other partners, who have dedicated themselves to bringing this magnificent new ship to life.”

Rob Mullins, chief executive officer of VT Halter Marine. “We are proud to be a part of Crowley’s long-standing legacy in transportation services, and recognize the important role these vessels will play in enhancing supply chain services for Puerto Rico shippers.”

Construction of El Coquí, which is named for the popular indigenous frog on the island, has been managed in the shipyard by Crowley’s solutions group, which includes naval architects and engineers from company subsidiary Jensen Maritime.

The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between US ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned and operated by United States citizens or permanent residents. Also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the law is vitally important to maintaining a strong US maritime capability.

Sourcee:  Crowley