Jensen Maritime Consultants, Crowley Maritime Corp.’s Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, announced that the company has been awarded a new construction management contract for four new 330,000-barrel, Jones Act product tankers, being built by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI), for Crowley. With construction scheduled to begin in January, Jensen is already establishing on-site offices and personnel at the Philadelphia shipyard to ensure strong working relationships with Aker staff and a seamless construction and delivery program.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and The American Waterways Operators (AWO) have renewed for three years a 2010 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to promote environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) performance through ACC’s Responsible Care and AWO’s Responsible Carrier Program. With a volume of 68 million tons in 2012, chemicals account for roughly nine percent of total barge traffic.
When Joseph H. Pyne joined Dixie Carriers in 1978, little did he know the maritime juggernaut he would help to create. When he took over as president in 1984, the company owned about 20 boats and 50 barges, with a value of about $35m. Today, after nearly 30 years, 50 acquisitions, it has a market cap well in excess of $4B, and its fleet hovers around 350 boats and 950 barges, commanding approximately 35% of the U.S. market.
The economic recovery continues to offer new opportunities for the U.S. maritime industry and the U.S.-flag fleet, and I am excited that our nation’s international shipping community has capitalized on these opportunities and is poised to expand even further. Recently, at the inaugural Tradewinds Jones Act Forum, I discussed the changes affecting the coastwise U.S.-flag maritime industry -- also known as the Jones Act fleet.
