By Mark Edward Nero
On Oct. 23, General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for an ECO tanker, the Garden State, which is now under construction for American Petroleum Tankers at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard.
During the ceremony, San Diego County Board of Supervisors member Greg Cox authenticated the keel of the tanker by welding his initials onto a steel plate; the plate is to be permanently affixed to the ship’s keel and 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 American Petroleum, 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 of a new design that is expected to have improved fuel efficiency, and include the latest environmental protection features, including a ballast water treatment system.
“When delivered, these tankers will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly tankers anywhere in the world,” NASSCO Vice President and General Manager Kevin Graney.
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 people.
The ships were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering 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.
