The vessel is the final ship in an eight-ship ECO Class tanker programme to be constructed at NASSCO. The vessel has been built for American Petroleum Tankers (APT) and – like the other seven vessels – will offer 33% increased fuel efficiency and cleaner shipping options. General Dynamics NASSCO first announced the keel laying for the vessel in September 2016.
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) served as the principal speaker for the event. Linda Rankine – the vessel’s sponsor and wife of Bill Rankine, Manager of Marine Chartering and Operations for CITGO – christened the Palmetto State by breaking a bottle of champagne on the ship’s hull. Thousands of shipbuilders, their family and friends, as well as members of the community, attended the ceremony.