Crowley to Operate First Double-Hulled, Environmentally Friendly Barges in Western Alaska Waters

Crowley today announced its plans to construct two double-hulled, combination deck cargo and tank barges for service in Western Alaska. The vessels, fittingly named DBL 165-1 and DBL 165-2, are scheduled to be delivered in April and May of 2011, and will be home ported in Nome, Alaska. The double-hull barges will be used for shallow draft operations and beach landings for the delivery of fuel and cargo to the remote communities of Western Alaska.

The hull was rigorously designed for use in Western Alaska, with the highest priority given for the safety of the personnel and the environment. Adding to the double-hull feature, the barges will be fit with Tier II pumps and generators, electric winches and deck machinery to lessen the potential of hydraulic oil spills. The vessels are classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for the carriage of Grade A petroleum products.

The company is bringing the safer double-hull vessels to Alaska without any regulatory requirement because, as Crowley's Vice President of Alaska Operations, Craig Tornga, puts it, "It's just the right thing to do."

"Our reputation rests on our service to Western Alaska and along the Arctic Coast, and we're making the commitment to protect Alaska's environment by choosing to build double-hull barges versus single hulls."

The completed sister barges will have a length of 165 feet and a breadth of 52 feet. Total tank capacity is 272,270 gallons (6,482 bbls.) at 95%, with the ability to achieve a draft of less than four feet while carrying approximately 90,000 gallons (2,142 bbls.) of product. The barge is designed to allow loading by a portable bow ramp and fixed crane, and can accommodate deck loading of 3,000 pounds per square foot.

The vessels' concept design was developed by Crowley's Vessel Management Services team, which worked closely with Crowley's Alaska operations. Dakota Creek Industries, in Anacortes, Wash., is building the barges, and Crowley's Jensen Maritime is providing the engineering support to the shipyard for the final detailed design.

"The delivery and deployment of these barges gives Crowley the opportunity to better serve the Alaska market with the enhanced design features that are built into these vessels," said Tornga. "This exemplifies our commitment to moving petroleum and petroleum products efficiently and safely."

Crowley plans to retire some older fuel and freight vessels in Crowley's Alaska transportation line with the delivery of the DBL 165-1 and DBL 165-2.