Third ECO tanker starts construction

General Dynamics NASSCO held a steel cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction of a third ‘ECO’ tanker for American Petroleum Tankers (APT).

LNG ready

As part of a five-tanker contract, the new ECO tankers are part of a commitment to design, build and operate innovative and increased energy efficient and fuel-saving products. Each of the five 50 000 DWT product carriers to be constructed by NASSCO will be LNG-conversion ready and will carry 330 000 bbls of cargo.

APT President Rob Kurz, NASSCO General Counsel Matt Luxton, Mrs. Patty Luxton, and NASSCO General Manager Kevin Graney.

“This is an exciting time in the US maritime industry. These Jones Act product tankers demonstrate implementation of state-of-the-art design technologies that achieve world-leading fuel efficiencies and also represent new jobs in our shipyard,” commented Parker Larson, Director of Commercial Programs for NASSCO.

Workforce opportunities

This contract will help to sustain and grow NASSCO’s workforce of nearly 3800 personnel. NASSCO began construction on the first tanker under the current contract in September 2014.

“We are very pleased to be commencing construction of our third ECO Class tanker at NASSCO. These world class vessels will be a welcome addition to the APT fleet as we continue to strive toward providing our customers with the highest level of service,” added Rob Kurz, President of APT.

US Jones Act

The new construction and operation of the new vessels are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring ships carrying cargo between US ports to be built, crewed and owned by the US.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/07042015/nassco-kicks-off-third-eco-tanker-546/