Commitment class sister ship Taíno is one step closer to joining El Coquí in service between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, following completion of her first speed trial.
“As part of the testing and commissioning phase of her construction, Taíno recently notched a top speed during speed trials of more than 24 knots,” said Cole Cosgrove, vice president, global ship management. The ship is now back at VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Miss., where the shipbuilder will continue the final construction, testing and commissioning process before delivering Taíno to Crowley later this year.The ability to attain high service speeds can be attributed to several design elements.
First, an innovative, specially-designed bulbous bow (shown below) allows the ship to efficiently cut through the water. 
Second a state-of-the-art LNG-fueled main engine cleanly produces over 26 megawatts of power to drive the streamlined hull. Third, a computer-optimized, high efficiency 24-foot diameter propeller (shown below) translates the power from the LNG-fired main engine into thrust.
Taíno will join El Coquí as the world’s first ConRos powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), to operate within the Jones Act Puerto Rico trade. The ships can each carry approximately 2,400 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers in a wide range of sizes and types – including 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, high-capacity containers and 40-foot high cube refrigerated containers. Additionally, each ship has an enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro deck that can carry cars and larger vehicles safely without exposing them to the environment. This type of shipboard garage is offered exclusively by Crowley to the trade, ensuring the highest quality movement of vehicles and rolling stock available in the market.
Details, photos and videos of the ships and related projects for the Commitment Class project can be found at conro.crowley.com.
Crowley has served the Puerto Rico market from the 85-acre Isla Grande Terminal since 1954, longer than any other carrier in the trade. The company, with 300 Puerto Rico employees, offers more weekly sailings in the market than any other shipping line.
