Crowley Maritime Corp. christened the U.S.-flag combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ship MV Taíno today in San Juan, where the company’s investments have ushered in a new era of world-class supply chain services in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade.   

Clara Crowley, daughter of Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley and board member Christine Crowley, served as the ship’s sponsor and broke the ceremonial bottle of champagne on the bow of MV Taíno at the company’s Isla Grande Terminal before several hundred employees, customers and dignitaries. It was the first time a container ship had been christened in San Juan in recent memory.  

 “We are thrilled to christen this magnificent new ship here with our employees, customers and people of Puerto Rico, whom she will serve for many years to come,” said Tom Crowley. “Taíno is a source of pride for us all and in particular the men and women who built and/or crew her, many of whom are Puerto Rican.” 

Today Crowley offers perhaps the coolest update yet in the development of two new Commitment Class, combination container/roll-on roll-off “ConRo” ships for the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico trade: The first loads of frigid liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been safely and successfully transferred into the first ship, El Coquí.

An important feature of Crowley’s new Commitment Class ships El Coquí and Taíno is the modern vehicle transport decks, which will allow cars, trucks and other heavy equipment to be safely and securely shipped between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.