Crowley Quetzal, the newest LNG-powered container ship, has successfully embarked on its first commercial voyage, marking the beginning of a new era in the company’s maritime operations between the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic.
With a capacity of up to 1,400 TEUs, the vessel is the first in a series of four Avance-class ships designed to increase the speed and frequency of deliveries. Fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Quetzal offers a significant reduction in harmful emissions, including CO₂, NOₓ, and SOₓ, while eliminating particulate matter compared to conventional marine diesel.
The Avance-class vessels are purpose-built to transport a wide variety of cargo—from perishable goods and pharmaceuticals to retail products and essential supplies. Each ship features 300 reefer plugs and is equipped with advanced ME-GI engines by MAN Energy Solutions, which minimize methane slip and make these ships among the most environmentally efficient in their category.
Crowley Quetzal commenced operations on April 11–12 at the port of Santo Tomás, Guatemala. Built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea, the Avance-class ships will be delivered in 2025 to Eastern Pacific Shipping and operate under long-term charters with Crowley.
The launch of Quetzal underscores Crowley’s commitment to sustainability and its support for the maritime industry’s energy transition.
