Crowley Maritime 125th anniversary: 64 years of history in Alaska.

• Author: Stapleton, Rob
• Position: Corporate 100 - Company overview

Contributing to the growth of Alaska over the past sixty-four years, this year Crowley Maritime celebrates its 125th year of successful operations worldwide.

Starting with a Whitehall Rowboat purchased by Thomas Crowley in San Francisco, the company was founded in 1892 as a family- and employee-owned marine service and solution company that now employs 5,300 people worldwide with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.

Founder Thomas Crowley is the grandfather of current Chairman, President, and CEO Thomas B. Crowley Jr., who was elected to his leadership. This change marked only the second time in one hundred years that the leadership of the company changed.

Company officials acknowledge that many of the Alaska challenges met by Crowley and its support teams have added to the company's innovative approaches to provide transportation and support for improving the state's infrastructure.

"What we have learned in Alaska we have used globally; what we have learned globally we have used in Alaska," reflects Bob Cox, vice president of Crowley Petroleum Distribution, Inc. "We are innovators; we engineer solutions to meet the challenges."

Crowley has embraced a team approach, which has led to the company's portfolio of success, experience, and profitability.

"At Crowley, it's not what you know, it's what you share," says Bruce Harland, vice president, Crowley Maritime. "Known for quality, reliability, with a reputation of environmentally sound services in Alaska, Crowley's best assets are its people."

Multiple Lines of Industry Support

In addition to its Alaska fuel distribution centers the company operates six lines of business that span from Latin America to Alaska offering diversified transportation, petroleum distribution, and contract and technical services.

The company also offers services as a third-party logistics provider with supply chain management and offers materials and shipment tracking technology.

Energy support services are offered with shore-based services, ocean towing, marine engineering, and offshore construction support. Alaska energy support services also offers specialized cargo transport with CATCO units for transportation across roadless tundra areas of the Arctic and remote crude oil storage, all with environmental safety and quality assurance.

Alaska Beginnings

Known as a quality company whose professionalism and innovation has benefited the development of petroleum exploration and distribution in Alaska, Crowley has...