High-tech transportation: last frontier leading the way in worldwide shipping innovation

Alaska Business Monthly, August, 2006 by Nicole A. Bonham Colby

Innovation: Heft and Bulk

Operating its Alaska office from 525 C Street in Anchorage, global marine giant Crowley Maritime Corporation is among the companies leading transportation innovations. Earlier this year, the company awarded an Oregon shipbuilder with a contract to build two Heavy Lift Series 400-foot by 105-foot deck barges, with the first delivery in early 2007. While the vessels will serve the offshore energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico, they are also suitable for Alaska where the company serves the North Slope.

"We are proceeding with these new Heavy Lift Series deck barges based upon requests from our customers for modern U.S.-flag barges to support the deepwater exploration projects in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere," said Tom Crowley, Jr., chairman, president and CEO, in a company press release. "As offshore development leads to larger structures headed to deeper, more remote locations, the need for barges to transport topsides, jackets, and associated equipment to these locations creates an opportunity for Crowley to continue our traditional leadership role in the large barge market."

"The design of these new barges gives us flexibility in deployment based upon customer and market requirements," said John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager, Marine Services. "Our customers will be well-served by the stronger deck strength and the latest engineering on these barges."

Whether it is a new product or revamped plan or process, transportation operators in Alaska waters are finding new ways to lessen the margin, minimize the risk, and ensure the security of cargo and freight movement in the Great Land.