Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (February 2020)

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ATBs “Entry into the U.S. LNG transportation vessel market has been a strategic interest of our organization. As domestic natural gas continues to rise, LNG has quickly become both a clean and competitively priced fuel alternative.” – Todd Thayse

The Vane Brothers ? eet The Vane Brothers ? eet of 130 vessels also includes two of 130 vessels also includes two

ATBs (6,000-horsepower tugs – Brandy-ATBs (6,000-horsepower tugs – Brandy- wine and Christiana – and 144,000-barrel barges wine and Christiana – and 144,000-barrel barges

DS 141 and DS 143) that have been in service since 2007.DS 141 and DS 143) that have been in service since 2007.

Credit: Fincantieri

In the coastwise trades, privately held Crowley Mari-In the coastwise trades, privately held Crowley Mari- time is a well-known name. Crowley says, “We maintain 4,200-horse- 4,200-horse- time is a well-known name. Crowley says, “We maintain an extensive ? eet ranging in size from 20,000 deadweight power Elizabeth power Elizabeth an extensive ? eet ranging in size from 20,000 deadweight tons(DWT)to45800DWTThisenablesustooffera AnneClassvesselsthat Anne Class vessels that tons (DWT) to 45,800 DWT. This enables us to offer a Anne Class vessels that tons (DWT) to 45,800 DWT. This enables us to offer a have been ? tted with an innova- wide range of transportation options to our petroleum and tive Beacon Finland JAK-400 Hydralok AT/B coupling chemical customers.” Its ATBs range in size from 155,000 system.” Towing winches (found on six other Vane tugs barrels (the “550” class) through 327,000 barrels (the “750” built at St. Johns) are removed when the tugs are con? g- class). The larger units trade within the U.S. Gulf and play ured for pusher capability. a vital role in bringing re? ned products into Florida, domi-

The newbuild tugs can work with existing barges that nated by runs into Tampa, Port Everglades and Jacksonville have been modi? ed. Referring to the JAK-400, Vane says, (Crowley Maritime’s home base). Its medium sized ATBs “This system allows the ATB tugs to be securely linked to are active in the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, but also move 50,000-barrel 500 series barges,” and explains further that products from re? neries to terminals in the Paci? c region. two barges (both built in 2009) were modi? ed as ATB barg- The “550” class ATBs ply routes along the West Coast. es at Lyon Shipyard in Virginia. “The success of our retro? t Kirby Corporation, perhaps better known for its in- program has afforded us the ability to improve the opera- land barge ? eets, also operates ATBs, in the Gulf/Atlantic tional performance of our existing ? eet of Elizabeth Anne and along the Paci? c coasts, with barge capacities reach-

Class tugs and 50,000-barrel barges,” Captain Iuliucci says. ing 185,000 barrels. Its recent newbuild Paul McLernan, “The recent addition of these tug/barge combinations has linked to the barge Kirby 155-02, has been trading be- been well received by our customers, crews and regulators.” tween ports in Texas and the southeastern U.S.

February 2020 34 MN