Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Aug 21, 2012 10:10AM EDT
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s petroleum and chemical transportation group has purchased two 45,800-deadweight-ton tankers Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has been building on spec for the Jones Act domestic trade.
Crowley is scheduled to take delivery of the tankers Pennsylvania and Florida in September 2012 and March 2013. The ships mark Crowley’s re-entry into the Jones Act tanker market after its last tanker was retired in 2011.
Crowley has long been active in transporting petroleum products and chemicals by tanker and articulated tug-barge units in the Jones Act trades. As of next year, Crowley will own and operate 17 ATBs, which include 155,000-barrel, 185,000-barrel and 330,000-barrel capacity tank vessels.
Aker Philadelphia said it will receive $90 million for each ship, plus an additional amount, expected to exceed $35 million per vessel, based on each ship’s performance in the market. The variable component is payable on an annual basis over the life of the vessel and will be adjusted to reflect charter rates and other factors.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JosephBonney.
