Crowley has been awarded a US Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) charter contract to operate Stena Polaris, an ice class tanker serving the bulk fuel needs of the US Department of Defense (DOD).
Crowley's government ship management group has completed the conversion of the ship to meet government and military service standards, including registration as a US-flag vessel.
The tanker will transport necessary fuel for defence operations in the Arctic and Antarctica regions. When not operating in those regions, the vessel will transport fuel for defence services in the Mediterranean Sea.
Crowley has partnered with DNV and the US Coast Guard to verify that the vessel meets the applicable standards to support its missions safely and effectively. Enhancements include adding at-sea refueling capabilities for the military.
The tanker, now US-flagged with US mariners, is set to enter service this week.
The conversion was completed at Fincantieri Marine Repair near downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
The contract, which carries a one-year term with multiple option years, has a potential cumulative value of more than US$98 million.
