NASSCO begins construction on third commercial product tanker

General Dynamics NASSCO, which is a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has announced that construction has started on its third product tanker. The tanker is being built for a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. – SEA-Vista Newbuild II LLC – and was ceremoniously started by SEACOR’s Gregory Doyle, who pressed a button that cut the first piece of steel. The vessels were designed by a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) – DSEC.

The tankers are 610 ft long each, and are a continuation of the ECO MR tanker design. They include environmentally friendly features, such as a ballast water treatment system and have lower emissions. In addition to this, the vessels will have dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines, and are capable of having LNG fuel-gas systems and tanks installed at a later date. Furthermore, they provide fuel efficiency through the inclusion of a G-series MAN ME slow-speed engine and optimised hull form.

Kevin Graney, the Vice President and General Manager of NASSCO, said: “We are pleased to begin construction on another tanker for our customer and partner, SEA-Vista […] These tankers represent the evolution of new, innovative green ship technology, offering our customer a competitive advantage.”

A spokesman for SEA-Vista said: “The tankers will play a key role in offering SEA-Vista's customers the most modern and fuel efficient vessels available as they address their Jones Act transportation requirements for the movement of their current and projected crude oil and refined product volumes in the US”

This follows NASSCO’s recent announcement that it has successfully delivered its first LNG-fuelled containership to TOTE Maritime.

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/19102015/nassco-begins-construction-on-third-commercial-product-tanker-1489/