General Dynamics NASSCO said it has started the construction of a second “ECO” tanker to be built for American Petroleum Tankers at a steel cutting ceremony at NASSCO’s San Diego-based shipyard.
NASSCO began construction on the first tanker in September 2014.
Each of the five 50,000 deadweight ton product carriers will be LNG-conversion ready and will hold a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. With a specialized ECO design, the tankers are more energy efficient and incorporate environmental protection features, including a Ballast Water Treatment System.
Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO said, “The construction of the first tanker for American Petroleum Tankers is well underway at NASSCO and we are pleased to begin construction on a second tanker for the company.”
The five-tanker contract will also help sustain NASSCO’s workforce of nearly 3,200 and will add approximately 300 more jobs in the near future.
“This second tanker marks another milestone in our fleet expansion adding five state-of-the-art vessels constructed and delivered by NASSCO,” said Rob Kurz, vice president of Kinder Morgan Terminals and president of American Petroleum Tankers, a Kinder Morgan subsidiary .
The new construction and operation of the new vessels are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports to be built, crewed and owned by the U.S.
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Press Release; Image: General Dynamics NASSCO