- Copán, the second LNG-powered vessel in Crowley’s Avance Class, has entered commercial service from Jacksonville, Florida (JAXPORT).
- Designed for fast, efficient cargo transport with lower emissions, the 1,400-TEU ship enhances service across the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic.
- Copán supports Crowley’s focus on sustainability and reliable logistics, especially for time-sensitive goods like food and pharmaceuticals.
Crowley’s second Avance Class vessel, Copán, has officially commenced commercial operations from the Port of Jacksonville, Florida (JAXPORT), enhancing the company’s ocean shipping speed and capacity for the Caribbean Basin.
Named after one of the most iconic Mayan archaeological sites in Honduras, Copán is built to handle rapid and frequent cargo deliveries using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cleaner-burning fuel alternative. This design supports Crowley’s environmental goals while increasing service reliability for its shipping lanes between the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic.
LNG-Powered Vessels Designed for Efficiency and Sustainability
The Avance Class vessels — pronounced “ah-bahn-seh” in Spanish, meaning “advance” — are engineered for agility and low emissions. With a 1,400-TEU capacity, including room for 300 refrigerated containers, Copán is well-equipped to transport perishable and critical goods such as pharmaceuticals, fresh food, and consumer products.
“Copán and its sister ships continue our investments to innovate our frequent and fast ocean carrier capabilities to meet the critical needs of customers in the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic,” said Brett Bennett, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. “These vessels build on Crowley’s decades-long commitment to diverse and robust supply chain solutions in the Caribbean Basin while advancing LNG as a solution in the maritime industry’s ongoing energy transition.”
Blending Cultural Heritage with Modern Maritime Innovation
Beyond its technical features, Copán carries cultural significance. Named after the ancient Mayan city near the Honduras-Guatemala border, the vessel symbolizes the rich history and enduring legacy of Central America. The original Copán site, known for its public squares and stages of development before its decline in the 10th century, lends a powerful heritage backdrop to the modern ship.
The launch of Copán follows the April deployment of Quetzal, the first Avance Class vessel. Two additional ships are slated to begin operations later this year under charter with Eastern Pacific Shipping, further strengthening Crowley’s LNG-powered fleet and sustainable supply chain initiatives.
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Source: Crowley
