Jacksonville, Fla.-based Crowley Maritime Corporation announced Monday the firm's Vision/650-10, the last of 10 Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs) in the 650-series new-build program, has been delivered by V.T. Halter Marine in Pascougla, Miss.
The Vision/650-10 is now ready to enter service, Crowley said, and will transport petroleum products between US West Coast ports. The ATB, which has a capacity of 185,000 barrels, will be operated by Crowley's petroleum services group.
According to Crowley, the Vision/650-10 incorporates many unique features, including a fixed-tank cleaning system, complete cargo heating system and the ability to carry EZ chemicals.
The 650-class barges are 27,000 deadweight tons, 587 feet in length, 74 feet wide and 40 feet in depth. When coupled for operation the tug and tank vessel measure 689 feet. The fully loaded draft is 30 feet.
The vessels can make 12 knots, powered by Twin Screw Wartsila electronically controlled engines, which generate more than 10,500 horsepower.
In making the announcement, Crowley highlighted additional features of the 650 class including the latest systems technology and double-hull construction for safety and reliability.
"Barge 650-10, like its sister vessels (650-1 through 650-9), is also certified by ABS to comply with the International Maritime IMO Green Passport program. All of Crowley's ATBs are built under the ABS SafeHull program for environmental protection. This program puts the vessel design through an exhaustive review to identify structural loads and strengthen the vessel structure," the Crowley announcement said.
Crowley already has nine 650 class ATBs capable of carrying 185,000 bbls and four 550 class ATBs capable of carrying 155,000 bbls. These vessels are Jones Act-qualified, all having been built in the United States, owned by US Citizens and crewed by US merchantmen. The firm also has three larger, Jones Act-qualified ATBs, known as the 750 class – each with 330,000 barrels of capacity – are under construction, with the first scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011.
