Maiden voyage of Crowley’s first ‘avance class’ vessel
The shipping line Crowley, headquartered in Jacksonville FL (USA), has launched its first ‘avance class’ containership, the “Quetzal”, thus marking a new chapter in sustainable regional shipping operations.
The LNG-powered vessel began service on 11 April in Santo Tomás (Guatemala), offering space for up to 1,400 teu, including 300 refrigerated units. Three sisterships will follow in 2025, all chartered from Eastern Pacific Shipping and built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
The new class (pronounced ah-bahn-seh, in a Spanish way, which means advance) is designed for agile services between the USA, Central America and the Dominican Republic, transporting perishables, breakbulk and consumer goods. The vessels, equipped with dual-fuel engines, meet the highest emissions standards by reducing methane slip and cutting SOx, CO₂ and Nox emissions. Crowley says the fleet represents a strategic investment in clean, efficient supply chains that benefit both regional economies and global environmental goals. (ah)