Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, has received approval from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to operate the CS Anthem tanker under the Tanker Security Program (TSP).
The CS Anthem, a U.S.-flagged, 49,990-metric-ton, medium-range tanker, is crewed and managed by Crowley under a bareboat charter through the joint venture. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers on the CS Anthem. The vessel joins Crowley-managed tankers Stena Imperative and Stena Impeccable in the Tanker Security Program, replacing the Stena Immaculate – all of which are under contract with AMO.
On March 10, the Stena Immaculate was struck while at anchor by the 459-foot Portuguese-flagged containership M/V Solong off the east coast of the United Kingdom. No injuries were reported among the 23 crewmembers of the Stena Immaculate after all had been brought ashore from the site of the incident, where both ships were burning in the North Sea. The AMO-led Stena Immaculate crew also included one engineering officer represented by the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association working under a pass-through agreement.
One crew member from the Solong died in the accident and both vessels involved were eventually towed to shipyards in the region.
Through the TSP, CS Anthem and its crew will support MARAD’s mission to ensure fuel transport readiness for the U.S. Department of Defense, while advancing the nation’s strategic sealift capabilities.
“The addition of the CS Anthem demonstrates our commitment to strengthening U.S. maritime security and providing reliable, U.S.-crewed tanker capacity in support of national defense,” said Tucker Gilliam, vice president of fleet operations for Crowley Shipping. “Together with Stena Bulk, we are proud to continue advancing solutions that serve both commercial and government energy transportation needs.”
The Crowley Stena Marine Solutions joint venture combines Crowley’s leadership in U.S. flag operations and mariner crewing with Stena Bulk’s global tanker expertise, delivering agile, reliable and secure solutions for government and commercial customers.