Campbell Transportation Renames Towboat After CFO’s Wife

Houston, Pa.-based Campbell Transportation Company held a renaming ceremony February 27 for the mv. Christie Lee, one of the towboats Campbell added to its fleet through the 2023 acquisition of NGL’s marine assets.

The renaming ceremony was held at Pier 21 in Galveston, Texas.

The 2,600 hp., twin-screw towboat was built in 2015 at Sneed Shipbuilding in Channelview, Texas, and originally was named the Kay Ellen. NGL then renamed it the mv. Steve N. Brian. The towboat measures 87 feet by 32 feet and features a pair of Caterpillar 3512 main engines.

Now called the mv. Christie Lee, the vessel is named after the wife of Daniel Kulbieda, Campbell’s chief financial officer.

Speaking at the ceremony, Campbell CEO Peter Stephaich celebrated the fine February weather along the Gulf Coast as he welcomed guests to Galveston. Dan and Christie Kulbieda then acknowledged the crew of the mv. Christie Lee, which is led by Capt. Matthew Fitzpatrick. Next, the Rev. Charlie Stiernberg of Seamen’s Church Institute led the group in a prayer of blessing for the vessel and crew. Christie Kulbieda then climbed aboard the mv. Christie Lee and broke a bottle of champagne over the rail, officially christening the vessel into the Campbell fleet.

“The christening was a truly amazing and special day for me, Dan and our family,” Christie Kulbieda said. “I am excited and honored to have this vessel named after me and to have my namesake associated with such an amazing crew and running with the Campbell flag. Campbell’s sound values and standards reflect the values we instill in our daughters and live by as a family. We are incredibly thankful for this opportunity and for the wonderful celebration.”

Dan Kulbieda said, “I am honored and truly appreciative for the opportunity and privilege to name a Campbell boat. It gives me great pleasure to name this boat after my beautiful wife, Christie Lee. She is very much like this powerful workboat that provides reliable service to others 24/7, 365 days a year. In Christie’s case, she unselfishly provides service and support to her family and community every day.”

The mv. Christie Lee is one of 25 vessels in Campbell’s growing Gulf Coast fleet. The vessel will serve along the Gulf Coast and throughout the Lower Mississippi River, dedicated to the company’s tank barge service. Campbell also operates line haul and harbor vessels on the Ohio River for a total fleet of more than 60 inland towboats.

Caption for top photo: The 2,600 hp. mv. Christie Lee was built in 2015 by Sneed Shipbuilding. Campbell Transportation acquired it in 2023 as part of its purchase of the assets of NGL Marine.