The following is the text of a news release from Philly Shipyard:
(PHILADELPHIA) — Philly Shipyard Inc. (PSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA, held a ceremonial keel laying Thursday for the fourth product tanker in a four-vessel order for American Petroleum Tankers (APT), a Kinder Morgan Inc. subsidiary.
Keeping with long-held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks before the 650-ton unit was lowered into place in the dry dock. Representatives from Philly Shipyard and Kinder Morgan were in attendance to place the coins as a sign of good fortune and safe travels. Philly Shipyard representatives included the 15 new hires that began orientation on Jan. 9. This first orientation class of 2017 included 10 new apprentices, one transportation worker, one machine operator, one shipbuilder, and two interns.
When completed, the product tanker will be 600 feet long and capable of carrying 50,000 tons of crude oil or refined petroleum products. The Tier II 50,000-deadweight ton (dwt) tanker is based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel-efficiency features, flexible cargo capability and the latest regulatory requirements. The vessel will be constructed with consideration for the use of LNG for propulsion in the future.
Philly Shipyard has delivered 25 ships in its 17-year history, including the first product tanker for APT in December 2016. The three remaining product tankers for APT are currently under construction and have planned deliveries throughout 2017. Also under construction at the shipyard are two 3,600-TEU containerships for Matson Navigation Co. Inc. with planned deliveries in the third quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019.
