SAN DIEGO – On October 23, 2015, General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for the third ECO tanker, the future Garden State, for American Petroleum Tankers (APT) currently under construction at the company’s shipyard in San Diego. The Honorable Greg Cox from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors served as the ceremony’s honoree.
During the ceremony Supervisor Cox authenticated the keel of the ECO tanker by welding his initials onto a steel plate. The steel plate will be permanently affixed to the ship’s keel and will remain with the vessel throughout its time in service.
The ECO tanker is the third of a five-tanker contract between General Dynamics NASSCO and APT, which calls for the design and construction of five 50,000 deadweight ton, LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The 610-foot-long tankers are a new “ECO” design, offering improved fuel efficiency, and include the latest environmental protection features, including a Ballast Water Treatment System.
“As we lay the keel for this Jones Act-qualified tanker, we are reminded of the hard work by hundreds of NASSCO shipbuilders who constructed this ship piece by piece – and our commitment as a company to design, build, and deliver high-quality, forward-thinking products for our customers. When delivered, these tankers will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly tankers—anywhere in the world,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager for the San Diego-based shipyard. “On behalf of NASSCO shipbuilders, I thank Supervisor Cox for his longtime support and understanding of NASSCO and San Diego’s working waterfront and U.S. maritime industry.”
“NASSCO is building America’s shipping fleet and I congratulate them on another great project,” said Supervisor Cox. “They support San Diego’s economy by providing good-paying jobs for our residents.”
The five-tanker APT contract, along with NASSCO’s current backlog, is helping to sustain and grow its current workforce of more than 4,000 highly-skilled individuals.
The ships were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of Busan, South Korea. The design incorporates improved fuel efficiency concepts through several features, including a G-series MAN ME slow-speed main engine and an optimized hull form. The tankers will also have dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines and the ability to accommodate future installation of an LNG fuel-gas system.
The construction and operation of the new vessels are aligned with the Jones Act, which requires that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards.
For more information about General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), visit www.nassco.com.
For more information about American Petroleum Tankers, visit www.kindermorgan.com/business/terminals/apt.cfm.
