Oil Patch Bits: Crowley adds two new barges to Western Alaska fleet

Crowley Maritime Corp. said May 10 that it is leading the way in building and operating double-hull petroleum barges for coastwise and river transportation in Alaska, christening two new petroleum tank barges, the 165-1 and 165-2, and adding to its environmentally friendly fleet in Western Alaska.

Crowley is the only company bringing the safer double-hull vessels to Alaska without any regulatory requirement, because as Crowley Senior Vice President and General Manager Rocky Smith said, “It’s just the right thing to do.”

“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 Bob Cox, Crowley’s vice president of petroleum distribution. “This exemplifies our commitment to moving petroleum and petroleum products efficiently and safely.”

The 165-1 and 165-2 will depart this week for their home port of 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.