Crowley Maritime christened its largest and fastest articulated tug-barge (ATB) 'Legacy/750-1', yesterday in New Orleans, as part of the company's new vessel-building program.
The 750-1 barge was built by Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Mississippi, while the 'Legacy' tug was constructed by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Washington. '750-1/Legacy' is the first of three US-flagged, 750-class ATBs to be built for Crowley. Two more – 'Legend/750-2' and 'Liberty/750-3' – are currently under construction for delivery between the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2013.
The 750-Class barges are 45,000 deadweight tons, 600 feet in length, 105-feet, six-inches in breadth and 54-feet, three-inches in depth. The fully loaded draft is 35 feet. The high-capacity tank barges are able to carry up to 330,000 barrels of petroleum products, while the tugs can generate speeds of 15 knots or more.
Once completed, all three ATBs will be operated in the Jones Act US coastwise trade by Crowley's petroleum services group. The three vessels will bring Crowley's total ATB fleet to 17, including four 155,000-barrel and ten 185,000-barrel ATBs. '750-1/Legacy' will be operated by Crowley for Marathon Petroleum under a long-term charter arrangement.