Crowley Maritime has shared the launch footage of its second Commitment Class ship, Taíno, one of the world’s first combination container-roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The launch of the ship in Pascagoula, Mississippi, marks the latest achievement in Crowley’s transformation and modernization of its shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Taíno will now continue through the final topside construction and testing phase before beginning service in the US Jones Act trade in 2018.
She will join sister ship, El Coquí, which was launched earlier this year and is now in final testing prior to entering service in early 2018.
Tom Crowley, Chairman and CEO of Crowley, said: “Monday’s launch represents another momentous achievement for the men and women at Crowley, VT Halter Marine and other partners, who have dedicated themselves to designing and building this pioneering ship as well as sister ship, El Coquí.
“We appreciate their hard work, and look forward to putting these modern, environmentally-friendly ships into service for our customers and the people of Puerto Rico.”
Learn how LNG, dubbed the 'fuel of the future', can work for shippers and ports in the technical paper 'Driving Innovation: LNG Support Services' by Christer Sjodoff, Group Vice President, GAC, Dubai, UAE
Construction of both El Coquí, named after the popular indigenous frog on the island, and Taíno, the name for native Puerto Ricans who lived off the land, is being managed in the shipyard by Crowley’s solutions group, which includes naval architects and engineers from company subsidiary Jensen Maritime.
Taíno, like El Coquí, will be able to transport up to 2,400 TEU and a mix of nearly 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro decks.
A wide range of container sizes and types can be accommodated, ranging from 20-foot standard, to 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, high-capacity units, as well as up to 300 refrigerated containers.
Fueling the ships with LNG will reduce emissions significantly, including a 100% reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter.
It also reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 92% and a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) of more than 35% per container, compared with current fossil fuels.
John Hourihan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Puerto Rico services at Crowley, commented: “The added speed and efficiency provided by these high-performing ships will benefit customers shipping goods between the mainland and the island.
“Cargo for businesses and consumers will be able to dependably reach markets at peak time, whether it is dry, refrigerated, or breakbulk, such as vehicles and other rolling stock.”
