Jacksonville, Fla.-based liner shipping and logistics firm Crowley Maritime Corp. will provide transportation services supporting U.S. Department of Defense activities in the U.S. and Canada.

The Department of Defense Freight Transportation Services (DFTS) contract is one of the largest logistics contracts awarded by the U.S. government, running for a base performance period of two years, with a potential to extend for five additional option years, for a total value of $2.3 billion.

Awarded by the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), the program encompasses all forms of truck transportation to include less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload, expedited, and refrigerated services. Delivery locations will include vendor facilities, Defense Department warehouses or depots, and U.S. military installations.

Regardless of duration, the contract will provide more than 70 new employment opportunities in the local Jacksonville community, Crowley said.

"We are proud of our past work together with the U.S. military, and look forward to this next chapter of our service to the armed forces," Frank Larkin, senior vice president and general manager for logistics and commercial services, said in a release. "This award is a testament to the entire Crowley team's focus on moving beyond ocean transportation to crafting complete supply chain solutions for all our customers."

Crowley Maritime is owned by holding company Crowley Holdings Inc., and provides marine solutions, energy, and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico Liner Services, International Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services, and Technical Services.

Offered within these operating lines of business are: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing, and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response through its 50-percent ownership in Ardent Global; vessel management; vessel construction, and naval architecture through its Jensen Maritime subsidiary; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution, and sales.