Crowley Maritime Corporation has signed a long-term time charter with Shell providing for the building and operation of a new, U.S.-built, LNG bunker barge.
According to Tucker Gilliam, vice president, Crowley Shipping, the new bunker barge will extend Crowley’s commitment to deliver cleaner, innovative solutions to help the shipping industry continue on the path to decarbonization.
“Orders for ships fueled by liquefied natural gas continue to rise, and the vessel will provide Shell an innovative and reliable service to meet demands for more sustainable energy sources.”
Upon construction, the barge will be the largest Jones Act-compliant vessel of its kind, helping to expand current network capacity and meet demands for cleaner energy.
The 416-foot-long barge will feature advanced technologies in cargo handling capabilities and increased transfer rates, including a state-of-the-art solution from Shell and Crowley Engineering Services to flexibly deliver LNG to various types of LNG containment systems.
The transformative design will offer capacity for 12,000 m3 (3.17 million gallons) and product supply equipment to fully serve ocean carriers.
The vessel becomes the second Jones Act-compliant bunker barge Shell has under long-term charter in the U.S. It is expected to be deployed to serve LNG-fueled ships that call on ports on the U.S. East Coast starting in 2024.
