Crowley has accepted delivery of Venture, a new chartered tug that will undertake ship-assist and escort operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The 82-foot vessel was built in the United States by Diversified Marine at its shipyard on the Columbia River. It is Jones Act compliant and purpose-built to assist large vessels operating within the San Pedro Bay port complex.
Venture is powered by two Caterpillar 3516 engines compliant with US Environmental Protection Agency Tier IV requirements. The propulsion system generates more than 6,000 horsepower.
Equipped with azimuth stern-drive thrusters, the tug can deliver up to 95 tonnes of bollard pull. Crowley said this combination provides the power and manoeuvrability required to assist some of the largest vessels calling at North American ports.
Venture expands Crowley’s West Coast tug fleet
“Venture strengthens our ship assist and escort capabilities in Los Angeles and Long Beach, providing the capacity and performance to help advance trade through this key corridor,” said John Ara, Vice President of Marine Services at Crowley.
“Its advanced manoeuvrability and powerful engines allow us to meet the demands of some of the largest vessels calling on the West Coast, while supporting our commitment to safe, efficient harbour operations,” he added.
Venture will join the Tier IV-compliant tugs Athena, Apollo, Hercules and Artemis in Crowley’s West Coast fleet.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form the busiest container port complex in the United States. Escort tugs support the continuous movement, docking and departure of vessels carrying cargo through the gateway.
