On 8 March 2021 Crowley achieved a significant milestone in its 55,000-barrel articulated tug-barge (ATB) newbuild project with the launch and christening at Greenbrier Marine of Qamun, a double-hulled petroleum barge specifically designed for the Alaska fuels market.
The 350ft vessel was sponsored by Natalie Meidel, wife of Rick Meidel, vice president and general manager of Crowley Fuels Alaska, who carried out the long-standing maritime tradition of breaking a ceremonial bottle against the ship.
The barge will be paired with the tug Aurora, which has been launched and is nearing completion at Master Boat Builders Inc., in Coden, Ala. Delivery to Crowley is expected in April 2021.
A small group of representatives from Crowley and Greenbrier came together for a small, private launch at Greenbrier’s facility in Portland, Ore.
All attendees participated in a short, socially distanced christening ceremony on the barge deck and rode the barge into the water as it was launched. This was the first time a launch had been observed at Greenbrier Marine in this way. Due to ongoing COVID-19 protocols, launch attendance was limited for health and safety.
Qamun’s construction continues a Crowley-Greenbrier relationship that has produced 10 previous, heavy deck-strength barges since 2007 to support offshore energy and other industries.
