Crowley Petroleum Transport takes over operation of ARCO tanker for BP Amoco

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Crowley Petroleum Transport Inc., a Long Beach, Calif.-based subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corp., said May 9 that it is now operating the tanker Prudhoe Bay chartered to ARCO Products Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BP Amoco.

The Prudhoe Bay, formerly ARCO Prudhoe Bay, is a 70,000 dead weight ton steam tanker with a capacity of 478,000 barrels. The 810-foot ship, with a 105-foot beam, has a maximum draft of 44 feet and 13 epoxy-coated cargo tanks. The Prudhoe Bay is currently trading on the West Coast, primarily in Puget Sound.

Crowley, the largest independent operator of petroleum barges and tankers on the West Coast, also owns and operates the 40,000 dead weight ton Coast Range and Blue Ridge, each of which has 300,000 barrels of capacity.

Rockwell Smith, vice president of Crowley Petroleum Transport, said: “We are pleased to take over the operation of the Prudhoe Bay from ARCO Marine and operate it on behalf of BP Amoco. Our long experience in oil transportation operations on the West Coast enables us to provide the highest levels of safety and efficiency for BP Amoco. We are honored by their trust in the quality of our operations.”

John Ridgway, regional manager of BP Amoco Shipping (USA), said: “Complementing BP Amoco’s stringent shipping requirements, Crowley’s excellent track record in the safe and environmentally diligent operation of clean oil tankers and barges gives us great confidence in the continued effective operations of the vessel in BP Amoco service.”

Crowley began operating the Prudhoe Bay on April 17 in Anacortes, Wash. The company placed a new crew on the vessel, including six individuals who had previously served on the ship, among them the captain, chief mate, two assistant engineers and the bosun.

Crowley Petroleum Transport was formed in 1997 to manage and operate tankers in Jones Act and other tanker trades. Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corp., founded in 1892, is primarily a family- and employee-owned company engaged in integrated logistics, marine transportation and related services.