News and Media

(Jacksonville, Fla.; Nov. 30, 2001) – Bahia State Governor Csar Borges this week signed the government service order in Ponta da Laje, Brazil, for construction of a new marine terminal dedicated to the Ford Amazon manufacturing complex in Bahia, Brazil. Crowley Logistics, Inc., will manage all of the operational activities at the new facility, which is Ford’s only private port facility in the world. The terminal will primarily handle Ford’s inbound vehicles to Brazil and outbound vehicles assembled at Ford’s Amazon plant.

Crowley will also assist Ford in overseeing the port development during the construction phase to ensure that the facility meets both Crowley and Ford’s high quality standards. Crowley’s scope of services will include operations design, planning and implementation, as well as terminal operations management. Functions Crowley will perform include vehicle handling, staging, port security, yard operations, pre-delivery inspection, vehicle damage repair and port administration.

Construction company Odebrecht is currently positioning equipment for a January ground breaking for the multi-million dollar facility. The marine terminal, which is scheduled for completion in 2002, will feature a berth with a 42.5-foot draft, a 42-acre vehicle yard and a five-acre container yard.

“This authorization moves Crowley further toward providing Ford with a world-class port operation to support its Amazon manufacturing enterprise,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, logistics. “We are pleased with the progress of the project and are poised for the next phase of this exciting partnership with Ford Motor Company.”

During the construction authorization ceremony, Ford Brazil President Antonio Maciel Neto stressed the importance of the new terminal for the Ford Amazon Project. Luc de Ferran, Ford Brazil vice president; Mauro Correia, Ford Amazon program manager; Celso Salles, Ford Amazon implementation manager; Port Captain Fabio Ruiz; and Iron Mendes, Crowley project manager, also attended the ceremony.

Crowley has a longstanding relationship with Ford. The company regularly ships Ford vehicles and parts throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, and provides logistics services for Ford in support of its Venezuela and Colombia manufacturing operations. Crowley was granted Q1 status by Ford in 1998 and was recently awarded the Silver Award for Supplier Excellence in Venezuela.

Crowley Logistics, headquartered in Jacksonville, is a subsidiary of Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in 1892. The privately-held corporation, is primarily engaged in worldwide logistics, liner services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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