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Cape Starr: Crowley Expands Strategic Military Support

Crowley’s 130 Year Support of U.S. Military Readiness Expands with Cape Starr Launch

Senior military leaders from the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) visited roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel Cape Starr, a Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force Vessel, as it was loaded with military vehicles last month. Cape Starr is managed by Crowley to provide strategic lift for the U.S. joint force.

Cape Starr, which operates under the leadership of Captain Kevin Wood, is staffed by a highly skilled crew of members from the American Mariners Organization (AMO) and Seafarers International Union (SIU).

It is one of many vessels operated by Crowley Government Services and purchased using Crowley’s role as vessel acquisition manager (VAM). The VAM program, which is awarded by federal contract, provides an integrated program with MARAD to leverage commercial practices from companies like Crowley. The program allows the military and federal government to benefit from commercial acquisition and conversion process to capitalize high-quality ships for the U.S. fleet.

Photo by Brien Vorhees

Tours with Military Leadership

Captain Reed Koepp, Joint Base Andrews deputy commander and Naval Support Activity Charleston commander, welcomed Rear Admiral Kristin Acquavella, U.S. Transportation Command chief of staff, to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., for a mission briefing and tour. During the visit, Acquavella toured the Cape Starr. Later in the month, Army Lieutenant General Jered Helwig, deputy commander of U.S. Transportation Command, toured the Cape Starr in Panama.

This delivery of military equipment is part of Turbo Fusion, a government-designed, multimodal operation that also tests large-scale movement in contested environments.

Cape Starr is currently deployed following activation from Norfolk, Va., supporting a TRANSCOM mission focused on strategic sealift and global readiness operations.

Crowley’s Role with Cape Starr

Through Crowley’s government services team, the company has continued a partnership with the U.S. government that spans a century.

Crowley marine solutions include everything from best-in-class naval architecture and marine engineering to chartering, vessel management and port operations. Together they deliver powerful integration supporting warfighter readiness.

Besides vessel management, the company provides chartering, vessel towing and escort, port operations and range services, naval architecture and marine engineering, environmental compliance, foreign military sales and maritime technology. These services are integrated with Crowley’s global logistics and commercial capabilities, offering quick response and agility.

Crowley’s global ship management team delivers comprehensive operational, technical, crewing, and project management services to ship owners, operators, and marine logistics customers, in both private and public sectors. As a trusted third-party manager, we treat your vessels and projects with the same care, safety, and reliability we’ve upheld for our own fleet for over a century.

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