Crowley contracts for large, fast ATBs

Maritime Corporation's Vessel Management Services subsidiary has signed a contract with VT Halter Marine Inc. and Dakota Creek Shipyards to build three articulated tug-barge (ATB), 330,000-barrel tank vessels, the largest in the company's history and the fastest in their class.

The new vessels will be delivered in yearly intervals between the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2013. Once received, the three new Jones Act ATBs will be operated in the U.S. coastwise trade by Crowley's petroleum services segment. These three new vessels will bring Crowley's total ATB fleet to 17, including four 155,000-barrel and ten 185,000-barrel ATBs. The new ATBs will feature the latest systems technology and double-hull construction for maximum safety and reliability.

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