Crowley Launches LNG-Powered ConRo Ship at VT Halter Marine

Crowley Maritime and VT Halter Marine launched Crowley’s new Commitment Class ship El Coquí, one of the world’s first combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships powered by LNG in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Putting the ship into the water on Monday was the first in a series of milestones expected to be achieved this week as part of Crowley’s $550 million project to expand and modernize the company’s shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Fueling the ships with LNG will reduce emissions significantly, including a 100 percent reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM); a 92 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx); and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of more than 35 percent per container, compared with current fossil fuels.

The U.S. Jones Act requires vessels in domestic waterborne trades to be owned by American citizens, built in the U.S. and crewed by US mariners, thereby supporting investment in maritime infrastructure and more than 500,000 jobs and $100 billion a year in annual economic output.

El Coquí will now proceed through the final topside construction and testing phase before beginning service in the U.S. Jones Act trade during the second half of 2017.