Americas News
U.S. Shipyard Building "LNG-Ready" Product Tanker
U.S. shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO says it will design and build an product carrier designed to be "LNG-ready," or capable of being converted to run on liquefied natural gas, for SECOR Holdings Inc. [NYSE:CKH] subsidiary Seabulk Tankers Inc.
The 50,000 deadweight-tonne (dwt) vessel is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the contract includes an option for a second ship.
Because it will be built in San Diego, the vessel will be able to carry cargo between U.S. ports under the Jones Act.
A continuation of the ECO MR tanker design, the ship will provide high fuel efficiency and a ballast water treatment system.
Along with six other tankers that NASSCO is now under contract to build, the new tanker is being designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of South Korean's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which has developed ECO designs with optimised hull forms and slow-speed main engines.
"NASSCO remains committed to bringing the most economical and environmentally sound technology to Jones Act owners and operators," said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.
"We are very pleased to extend our partnership with SEACOR through a third and potentially a fourth ECO tanker.
"This follow-on order is a clear indication that NASSCO is the shipyard of choice for Jones Act tankers."
Det Norske Vertitas (DNV) said earlier this year that LNG-ready designs may be a good option for ship owners who are waiting to see whether the fuel becomes an affordable and viable option.
