Crowley delivers for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)

Friday, Sep 04, 2009

Crowley has safely and successfully transported one of seven new electrical transformers slated for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). The transformer arrived on the island Tuesday, following its journey from Mumbai, India to the U.S. mainland. The transformer will be installed at the Buen Pastor electric sub-station to provide improved electric service to island residents.

The transformer, which sailed from Crowley's Jacksonville, Fla. terminal, weighed approximately 145,000 pounds and required Crowley personnel to draw upon their longstanding knowledge and expertise in project management and logistics to handle the oversized, out-of-gauge cargo.

Approximately 20 feet long, 12.5 feet wide and 14 feet high, the transformer was carried on a specialized piece of equipment called a double drop low-boy for Seven Seas Shipping USA Inc., an independent non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC).

The transformers were manufactured in Mumbai and were transported to Savannah, Ga. Crowley coordinated the logistics and transportation of the transformer from Savannah to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Six more transformers are scheduled to be delivered at later dates.

"Crowley was awarded the business mainly due to the excellent and sincere customer service that was provided to us during the inquiry and quotation request phases," said Hansel Dsouza, general managerof Seven Seas Shipping.

Roberto Lugo, vice president of Puerto Rico services, reinforced Crowley's long history and commitment to the people of Puerto Rico.
"Whether its transformers, other specialized equipment for industry, day-to-day household and retail merchandise or agricultural products, Crowley is always ready to provide solutions to companies who do business in Puerto Rico," Lugo said. "We are pleased to be able to deliver this transformer to the electric company who plans to use it to continually improve service to customers on the island."

Seven Seas Shipping, operating since June 2008, specializes in over-dimensional cargo movements between the U.S. and India in collaboration with its agency partner, Aquarius Maritime PVT, based in Mumbai. Aquarius is a pioneer and expert in the exportation of heavy lift cargo from India.

Crowley Puerto Rico Services Inc. and its predecessor company have been serving the Puerto Rico market since 1954, longer than any other carrier in the trade. The company, with some 200 Puerto Rico employees, has the most weekly sailings between the island commonwealth and the U.S. mainland than any other shipping line.

Source: Maritime Executive