Crowley Maritime launches LNG Con-Ro newbuild

US-based VT Halter Marine has launched the second of two new Commitment-class combination container/roll on-roll off (Con-Ro) ships for Florida-based Crowley Maritime.

The 225.5-metre by 32.0-metre by 17.9-metre Taíno will be fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). A sister ship, El Coquí, was launched in March.

Each is powered by a single Man 8S70ME-GI marine engine, producing 26,160kW at 91rpm. Running speed is 22 knots.

Taíno and El Coquí can transport up to 2,400 TEU and a mix of 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro-Ro decks.

The container sizes and types the ships can accommodate range from 20-foot standard to 53-foot high-capacity units and up to 300 refrigerated containers.

Crowley officials said fuelling the ships with LNG would reduce emissions significantly, including a 100 per cent reduction in sulphur oxide and particulate matter, a 92 per cent cut in nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by more than 35 per cent per container, compared with current fossil fuels.