Crowley Petroleum Articulated Tug-Barge – Tug & Barge leader from WA to AK!
Crowley Maritime Corporation, a Tug & Barge leader from WA to AK , is a U.S.-owned and operated marine solutions, transportation and logistics company providing services in domestic and international markets through its operating lines of business: deep sea petroleum transportation, petroleum transportation, distribution, sales in Alaska, Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services, Latin America liner services, logistics, and marine contract solutions.
Crowley has proven itself as an innovator and leader in petroleum and chemical transportation through the development of an unrivaled articulated tug-barge (ATB) fleet which includes the newest and most sophisticated U.S.-flagged ATBs. Crowley’s innovative and industry leading ATBs are the result of years of research, testing and partnering with customers, all of which have helped design and build vessels that provide an innovative, environmentally friendly solution to the world’s petroleum transportation needs.
The primary services offered by Crowley Maritime include:
- Shipping and Logistics
- Alaska Fuel Sales and Distribution
- Petroleum and Chemical Transportation
- Harbor Ship Assist and Tanker Escort
- Global Ship Management
- Marine Salvage, Wreck Removal and Emergency Response
- OPA 90 Compliance
- Marine Solutions
- Project Management
- Heavy Lift Barge Transportation
- Ocean Towing
- Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Vessel Design and Construction Management
- Project Logistics and Global Freight Management
- Liquefied Natural Gas
Crowley Maritime Corporation was founded in 1892, by Thomas Crowley. He acquired one 18ft Whitehall boat to provide transportation of personnel and stores to ships anchored in San Francisco Bay. Whitehall was later joined by two others serving the Bay twenty four hours a day. In 1906, Crowley’s fleet played a significant role in ferrying passengers and their belongings out of San Francisco following the great earthquake. Crowley then purchased tugs of his own and entered competition with Shipowners and Merchants Tugboat Company, operators of the Red Stack tugs. With a diverse fleet of vessels, the motto “Anything, Anywhere, Anytime on Water” was adopted.
No Matter the Conditions, Crowley is There
In 1913, Crowley became the General Manager of and later purchased the Red Stacks. Not many years later, Crowley began transporting coal and other commodities to Australia and South America. Crowley entered a partnership that operated two steam schooners and three steel ships. In 1923, the company expanded into Puget Sound with lighter services and established a tugboat service in San Pedro. The Company also provided tug, launch and barge services in San Francisco Bay along with heavy lift and derrick barge services.
By the World War 2 era, Crowley began to build and operate terminals to improve the efficiency of petroleum distribution. Construction of the company’s first sea going oil barge was completed in 1947. In the early 1950s, Crowley began hauling gasoline southward to Mexico and brought molasses northward on the return trip. After Wold War II, the Company replaced all of its surviving steam tugs with war surplus diesel equipment.
Crowley Tug Coastal Reliance Underway
In 1963, Crowley completed the first Arctic sealift of oil industry cargo around the perimeter of Alaska to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The transport of 187,000 tons of cargo to Prudhoe Bay was the largest commercial sealift in maritime history. Crowley was called on by oil industry officials to help tame the waters of Cook Inlet, Alaska by rafting tugs together to supply the necessary horsepower to set the oil exploration platforms and furnishing a supply boat and crew boat services.
Crowley Tug Warrior En Route to Next Job
In 1985, Crowley continued its emphasis on services in Alaska by establishing means to store, transport and sell petroleum products from tank farms at Nome, Kotzebue and Captain’s Bay. Purpose-built tug Avik was designed to serve in the company’s oil transportation and distribution fleet in Alaska. Crowley deployed the first double hull tank barge dedicated to Alaska service, the barge 180-1 was designed to carry both deck cargo and about 12,000 barrels of refined petroleum products. Later Crowley acquired the assets of Yukon Fuel Company, Northland Vessel Leasing and the stock of Service Oil and Gas, Incorporated.
Their vessels differ from many competitors’ in that they are designed to operate and perform at service speeds of up to 12 knots– performance not seen in ATBs prior to Crowley. Additionally, Crowley’s ATBs consist of hydrodynamically efficient tank barges coupled with high-horsepower tugs, allowing for improved maneuverability and sea-keeping. Vessel cargo systems are designed to provide maximum flexibility and cargo integrity while also allowing for transfer rates of up to 20,000 to 30,000 barrels per hour, depending on vessel class.
Crowley’s Fleet Utilizes Vessels of All Shapes & Sizes
Today, Crowley owns and operates 17 ATBs, which include 155,000-barrel, 178,000-barrel and 327,000-barrel capacity tank vessels at 96%, with each vessel having been chartered to leading companies in the petroleum and chemical industries. Additionally, Crowley operates a number of Jones Act tankers on behalf of other owners which trade both domestically and internationally.
In 2013, Crowley celebrated its 60th anniversary of service to the people and businesses of Alaska. Over the years, Crowley has consistently provided unique solutions to Alaska’s logistics and marine transportation challenges. As Crowley reflects on its history of service in business development and protecting the Alaskan environment, it also sets its sights on another 60 years of growth and success.
Wherever You Are, Trust Crowley for Your Fuel Needs While Underway
