Crowley Deploys CS Anthem To Replace Damaged Tanker In U.S. Defense Program

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has approved Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, a joint venture of Crowley and Stena Bulk, to operate the tanker CS Anthem under the Tanker Security Program.

The decision comes almost six months after a tragic incident in which one of Crowley’s tankers in the program, the Stena Immaculate, was badly damaged when struck by a containership off the U.K. coast.

The CS Anthem is a U.S.-flagged medium-range tanker with a deadweight of 49,990 metric tons. Built in 2017, it was previously operated by India’s Scorpio and registered under the Marshall Islands flag.

The ship was recently transferred to the U.S. flag and now has Jacksonville, Florida, as its homeport. Crowley manages and crews the vessel under a bareboat charter through its joint venture with Stena Bulk.

The CS Anthem joins two other Crowley-managed vessels, the Stena Imperative and Stena Impeccable, which are already part of the Tanker Security Program. The Anthem will directly replace the Stena Immaculate, which had nearly identical characteristics at 49,729 deadweight tons and was also built in 2017.

The Tanker Security Program, run by MARAD, ensures that the U.S. Department of Defense has reliable access to American-crewed, U.S.-flagged tankers to transport fuel supplies in times of national need. The program is considered critical to strengthening America’s strategic sealift capabilities.

The replacement became necessary after the Stena Immaculate was severely damaged in a major accident. The tanker had been anchored off England’s east coast after delivering jet fuel when it was struck by the containership Solong. The collision caused a fire that quickly spread across both ships.

Crowley’s crew responded immediately by activating fire suppression systems, which helped limit the damage, before they were safely evacuated. Despite their efforts, the collision claimed the life of one crewmember from the containership.

The Stena Immaculate survived the fire with some of its cargo intact. Another tanker took on the fuel, and the damaged vessel was later towed to Great Yarmouth, U.K., where it remains docked. The containership Solong has been dismantled in Belgium, and its captain is now facing trial over the fatal collision.

Reference: Crowley

Source: Maritime Shipping News