Anchorage-based Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. has chosen maritime services company Edison Chouest Offshore to provide marine tanker escort and spill prevention and response support in Prince William Sound.
Edison Chouest Offshore, which is based in Louisiana but has a strong Alaska presence, takes over duties that were previously handled by Crowley Marine Services.
“We are honored to be the successful bidder, and appreciate the great responsibility,” ECO Alaska Senior Vice President and General Manager Rick Fox said.
Alyeska cited ECO’s safety record, in-depth experience and technical capability, management systems and equipment options as important considerations in its decision to issue the new contract.
“The scope of Alyeska’s SERVS contract matched both our capabilities and our desire to expand our work in Alaska. It’s a perfect fit for us,” Fox said.
ECO is a family-owned company founded in 1960. It operates a fleet of more than 200 vessels, ranging from 87 to over 360 feet in length.
The new contract, which includes the Valdez Narrows through Hinchinbrook Entrance, calls for a transition plan of about 24 months.
“Our commitment is to build the most experienced vessel operations team and shoreside operations and management personnel possible to fully protect Alaska,” Fox said. “We are also committed to hiring more Alaskans and to implement an aggressive Alaska Native hire and development program in Alaska and especially in and around Prince William Sound.”
