Crowley to Build Two Additional Avik Class Tugboats for Petroleum Distribution Fleet in Alaska

(Anchorage, Alaska; Feb. 1, 2008) – Crowley Maritime Corporation’s technical services group has awarded a construction contract to Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore., to build two new, 76-foot Avik class tugboats, to serve in the company’s oil transportation and distribution fleet in Alaska. The first tug of similar type named the Avik was delivered to Crowley on June 2, 2004, and was put into service shortly thereafter with much success. These two additional tugs will follow the design of their predecessor closely with delivery dates within the first quarter of 2009.

The tugs will handle barges transporting fuel and general cargo to communities in Alaska where shallow water and lack of docking facilities is common. In those cases, tugs and barges make a beach landing to load and unload cargo.

“We understand the Alaska market and its dependency on seasonal deliveries,” said Craig Tornga, vice president, petroleum distribution, Alaska. “The first Avik class vessel has proven its worth in this market and we are looking forward to deploying additional tugs of this type to serve our Western Alaska customers.”

With the addition of these two new Avik class tugs, Crowley will be able to more efficiently serve the Western Alaska communities. One tug will work Bristol Bay and the lower Kuskokwim coast, and the other new tug will be deployed on the Yukon River. These purpose-built tugs are designed for both shallow water and ocean towing operations and are the first step in the company’s plan to modernize its Alaska river operations fleet. Replacing two existing tugs (Kantishna and Twilite), the Avik class tugs will feature a raised bridge for improved visibility, an electric Markey Single Drum tow winch for coastal towing and fendered push knees for river or beaching operations. They will be powered by three Caterpillar C18 diesel engines generating a total of 1,362 HP. Each of the tugs incorporates environmentally friendly features such as engines that meet IMO emissions requirements, on board holding tanks to retain treated sewage, electric deck machinery instead of hydraulic and fuel tanks surrounded by void spaces to minimize the chance of fuel spills.

Crowley’s petroleum distribution group, which is headquartered in Anchorage, transports, stores, distributes and sells various bulk fuels and packaged petroleum products throughout the state from the North Arctic Slope to South Central Alaska, coastal communities, and inland communities, including those along the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. The company also provides freight transportation via combination fuel and freight barges, and sells gasoline from retail stations. 

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in San Francisco in 1892, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation, logistics and emergency response services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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