- Crowley raises the U.S. flag on American Energy, the first U.S.-flagged LNG carrier transporting U.S.-sourced LNG to Puerto Rico.
- Multi-year agreement with Naturgy ensures regular LNG deliveries to Penuelas, Puerto Rico.
Crowley has officially launched operations of American Energy, marking a milestone as the first domestic LNG carrier dedicated to transporting U.S.-sourced liquified natural gas (LNG) to Puerto Rico. The multi-year agreement between Crowley and Naturgy will ensure regular LNG shipments from the U.S. mainland to Naturgy’s facility in Penuelas, Puerto Rico, helping address the island’s power demands.
“The entry into service of American Energy marks a significant step for fuel supply reliability in Puerto Rico for our energy grid, which will greatly benefit our people,” said Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón. “This partnership is an initiative to act using existing regulations to increase access to a U.S.-based LNG source that expands our options for the stabilization of our energy grid, as we work towards providing our residents and businesses a more consistently reliable power generation source.”
American Energy: A Game-Changer for LNG Transport
The 900-foot (274-meter) vessel American Energy is U.S.-flagged and operates under the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. It boasts a CAP 1 rating, the highest certification for safety, vessel condition, and regulatory compliance.
With a capacity of 130,400 cubic meters (34.4 million gallons) per voyage, the LNG carrier significantly enhances Puerto Rico’s access to lower-carbon, reliable energy. Each delivery of LNG aboard American Energy provides enough power to supply 80,000 homes for a year, offering a cleaner alternative to diesel and other traditional fuels.
Crowley’s Expanding LNG Commitment
Crowley has been a key player in Puerto Rico’s logistics and energy supply for over 70 years. In addition to American Energy, the company:
- Operates the Isla Grande cargo terminal in San Juan.
- Runs two LNG-fueled container ships for cargo transport.
- Delivers over 94 million gallons of LNG annually via its LNG Loading Terminal in Penuelas.
- Provides ocean and land-based LNG transportation using ISO tank containers.
By deploying American Energy, Crowley and Naturgy are strengthening Puerto Rico’s energy resilience, ensuring a stable LNG supply, and contributing to a lower-emission energy future for the island.
“We are proud and privileged to expand U.S. LNG availability in Puerto Rico in partnership with Naturgy,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO of Crowley Corporation. “LNG is an ample, reliable energy source available in the U.S. that provides a more resilient and lower-emission option as part of our nation’s energy portfolio for quickly serving the growing power needs of Puerto Rico while supporting American jobs, American energy production and U.S. national security.”
“This contract strengthens our presence in the global LNG market, particularly in the United States, and allows Puerto Rico to obtain a stable and competitive energy supply route,” said Jon Ganuza, general manager of supply and wholesale markets, Naturgy.
American Energy will be crewed by U.S. mariners and provide regular service from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Puerto Rico.
“AMO is proud to be a part of this historic partnership that benefits the people of Puerto Rico,” said American Maritime Officers National President Willie Barrere. “U.S. Merchant Mariners, many of whom were born in Puerto Rico, sailing on Jones Act vessels, have been reliably delivering goods to the Commonwealth for decades. Now we will deliver LNG fuel to power the residents and further strengthen the bond between Puerto Rico and our U.S. seafarers.”
“The SIU is tremendously excited about providing crew members for the American Energy,” said David Heindel, president of the Seafarers International Union (SIU). “Our members have a long, proud history of working aboard LNG vessels, and our affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland, regularly conducts U.S. Coast Guard-approved curriculums that help prepare mariners for this kind of work. We congratulate Crowley, and we look forward to helping safely operate the newly reflagged ship.”
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Source: Crowley
