Crowley has raised the U.S. flag on and commenced operation of the American Energy, the first domestic liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier to transport U.S.-sourced natural gas to Puerto Rico. This milestone service will provide Puerto Rico with increased access to the reliable supply of U.S.-produced LNG, helping address the Commonwealth’s ongoing power needs.
In a multi-year agreement to transport LNG for energy company Naturgy to its LNG facility in Penuelas, Puerto Rico, Crowley’s American Energy has a capacity of 130,400 cubic meters (34.4 million gallons) per voyage.
American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers onboard the American Energy.
“AMO is proud of our role in helping to prepare this ship for service and operating it for Crowley now that the American Energy is underway,” said AMO National President Willie Barrere. “Our members have the recent experience and training to make this new U.S.-flag trade a reality.
“This historic partnership strengthens the energy supply for the people of Puerto Rico and the businesses of the Commonwealth, and expands the roles AMO and Crowley have been serving with distinction for many years,” Barrere said. “American citizens from Puerto Rico sail as U.S. merchant mariners in Jones Act trades and work in logistics, freight and terminal operations supporting the vessels that reliably deliver cargoes from the U.S. mainland, and have for decades. We’re excited to help build on this tradition of service.
“AMO officers have been operating LNG carriers of various classes for more than two decades,” Barrere added. “With our level of experience and STAR Center’s premier LNG training program, AMO is well-positioned to expand the presence of American mariners in LNG transportation, both here at home in domestic trades like this one, and in new trades as the Trump administration develops new agreements and markets for American energy.”
The LNG carrier, which will exclusively serve Puerto Rico in accordance with the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996, has a CAP 1 rating, certifying its high rating for safety, vessel condition and regulatory requirements.
“The arrival of American Energy marks a significant step in delivering energy reliability to Puerto Rico for the benefit of all its citizens,” said Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón. “The partnership between Crowley and Naturgy offers a plentiful U.S. LNG source that will greatly enhance the vitality of our island and fuel greater opportunity for our businesses through a consistently reliable power to thrive and prosper.”
The 900-foot-long (274-meter) LNG carrier builds on Crowley’s greater than 70 years’ presence in Puerto Rico, where it currently operates a full-service marine terminal in San Juan for its vessels, including two LNG-fueled ships, and logistics services. Crowley also annually delivers more than 94 million gallons of small-scale LNG annually from its LNG Loading Terminal in Penuelas, as well as providing ocean delivery and land transportation using ISO tank containers.
LNG is a lower-carbon fuel which emits less greenhouse gas (GHG) compared with diesel and other traditional energy sources.
“We are proud and privileged to expand U.S. LNG availability in Puerto Rico in partnership with Naturgy,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO of Crowley Corporation. “LNG is an ample, reliable energy source available in the U.S. that provides a more resilient and lower-emission option as part of our nation’s energy portfolio for quickly serving the growing power needs of Puerto Rico while supporting American jobs, American energy production and U.S. national security.”
Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the American Energy, here in Port Arthur, Texas in February, included Chief Mate Boren Chambers, First Assistant Engineer Sean Sullivan, Third A.E. Jace Chouinard, Second Mate Adam Durrua, First A.E. Robert Mullarky, Captain Lane Frisbie, Captain Mike Gasior, Second A.E. Ben Richards, Chief Mate Chalmers Pierce, Chief Engineer Evan Park, Third Mate Nick Defuria, Third A.E. Chris Annino and Chief Mate Jack Tragert.