Philly Shipyard’s US-based operation has started building the final tanker in a four vessel order from American Petroleum Tankers (APT), a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.
A keel laying ceremony was also held to commemorate the beginning of vessel construction, which will be able to carry 50,000t of crude oil or refined petroleum products.
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Totalling 600ft in length, the Tier II 50,000dwt product tanker will be built based on a Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design.
The vessel design will also feature various fuel efficiency capabilities, have flexible cargo capability and comply with the latest regulatory requirements.
The tanker will also be powerable by liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future.
Philly Shipyard president and CEO Steinar Nerbovik said: “The shipyard is a place where you can be a part of something big, and we are always looking for additional skilled men and women to join our family.
“The new hires participating in Keel Laying have joined over 1,100 other shipbuilders to continue the proud legacy of building and delivering ships right here in the city of brotherly love.”
So far the company has delivered 25 ships, which include delivery of the first product tanker to APT in December last year.
The three remaining product tankers for APT are currently under construction and are expected to be delivered throughout the remainder of 2017.
Furthermore, Philly Shipyard is building two 3,600 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containerships for Matson Navigation Company.
