Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, held a ceremonial keel laying yesterday morning for Ship 018, the 14th product tanker being built at the yard.
Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that support the vessel during construction before the section of the ship was lowered into place. These coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels. The small ceremony was conducted with the most recent class of the shipyard’s Apprenticeship Program and two apprentice graduates who have risen to the position of supervisor. The Apprenticeship Program is a three year, accredited program administered by the shipyard that provides a combination of classroom and on-the-job training to create the next generation of shipbuilders.
Since starting its first vessel eleven years ago, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has completed the construction of 16 ships, twelve product tankers and four containerships, and has two additional product tankers currently under construction. The shipyard recently began construction of the first of two aframax tankers for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. These 115,000 ton vessels will transport Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sounds to the U.S. West Coast.
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a member of the Norwegian-based Aker family of global companies, leaders in global growth markets including energy technologies, energy resources, maritime technologies, seafood and marine biotechnology.
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Source: Aker Philadelphia, April 3, 2012