Rella Joins Crowley as Director, Contract Services

(Houston; March 30, 2005) – Joe Rella has joined Crowley’s ship assist and escort services group as director of business development, LNG. In his new role, he will be responsible for growing the company’s participation in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry – a new area of focus for Crowley. Rella is based in Houston and reports to Rob Grune, Crowley’s vice president and general manager of ship assist and escort services.

“Although LNG currently accounts for only about 1 percent of natural gas used in the United States, it is expected that LNG imports will continue to grow in the near future as consumers become more aware of its benefits and availability,” Grune said. “I look forward to the positive impact Joe will have as he works with all of Crowley’s operating teams in developing this niche market, whether it be ship assist work, transportation, infrastructure development or consulting.”

Rella brings almost 10 years of sales and marketing experience to Crowley and a wealth of knowledge in the maritime industry, including a marine engineering degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and an MBA from Springhill College in Mobile, Ala. Rella previously served as port engineer contracted to the U.S. Navy for the conversion of the USS Inchon. He also served as director of sales and marketing for Atlantic Marine in the ship/offshore repair and conversion industry.

Rella is licensed as a USCG 3rd Assistant Engineer, Unlimited Horsepower.

Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in 1892, is primarily family- and employee-owned and is engaged in worldwide logistics, liner shipping services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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