Crowley Maritime Corporation’s petroleum services division has once again been honored by Marathon Petroleum Company (MPC) with its annual Elite Vessel Award, which is given to tank vessel operators who demonstrate commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence.
To earn the recognition, the five Crowley ATBs chartered by MPC – including the Courage/650-5; Achievement/650-8;Legacy/750-1; Legend/750-2; and Liberty/750-3 – had to meet a series of standards, including zero Coast Guard-reportable injuries, no significant vetting issues and zero vessel-generated product quality incidents for the year. All five were similarly recognized last year.
This year’s honor, the 2014 Elite Vessel Award, was presented during a luncheon held at Crowley’s headquarters in Jacksonville by MPC’s George McAfee, Ph.D., head of commercial development, marine division, and Gregg Qualls, logistics commercial manager, marine division. Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, accepted it before an audience of MPC executives and Crowley employees. Guests of honor included Captains Phillip Wright and Calvin Paterson, Courage/650-5 and Legacy/750-1, and Chief Mates John Crawford and Robert Cope, of Achievement/650-8 andLegend/750-2.
“We appreciate MPC’s recognition of Crowley’s safety measures,” said Grune, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. “Our captains and crews aboard these vessels are exemplary environmental stewards who strive for operational excellence each and every day. Without them, this Elite Vessel Award would not be possible.”
“This award recognizes Crowley for its operational excellence with outstanding safety and reliably performance,” said McAfee.
Crowley is one of the largest independent operators of petroleum barges and tankers in the United States, specializing in the safe and reliable transportation of domestic bulk petroleum and chemicals. The company owns and operates 17 articulated tug barges (ATBs) ranging in size from 155,000 bbl to 330,000 bbl capacity. Additionally, Crowley provides tanker management services for other U.S. companies.