Arctic Directory: Crowley to operate double-hulled barges in Alaska

Crowley Maritime Corp. said Sept. 30 that it plans to construct two double-hulled, combination deck cargo and tank barges for service in Western Alaska. The vessels, fittingly named DBL 165-1 and DBL 165-2, are scheduled to be delivered in April and May of 2011, and will be home ported in Nome, Alaska. The double-hull barges will be used for shallow draft operations and beach landings for the delivery of fuel and cargo to the remote communities of Western Alaska. The hull was rigorously designed for use in Western Alaska, with the highest priority given for the safety of the personnel and the environment. Adding to the double-hull feature, the barges will be fitted with Tier II pumps and generators, electric winches and deck machinery to lessen the potential of hydraulic oil spills. The vessels are classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for the carriage of Grade A petroleum products. “The delivery and deployment of these barges gives Crowley the opportunity to better serve the Alaska market with the enhanced design features that are built into these vessels,” said Craig Tornga, VP of Crowley’s Alaska operations “This exemplifies our commitment to moving petroleum and petroleum products efficiently and safely.”