US shipyard lays keel for two tankers

APSI says that the construction of the new tankers, which has been valued at $400m, will create more than 1,000 jobs.

Kristian Rokke, president and CEO of APSI, said: “This is an important milestone, rich in tradition that excites the shipbuilder in each of us. Together, we are part of something special – constructing another quality vessel born here in Philadelphia that will serve the needs of our customer and the US Jones Act market for decades to come.”

The two Liberty Class vessels are scheduled for completion in 2014 and when built will measure 820ft long and be capable of carrying 115,000 tonnes of crude oil. They will mobilised to transport Alaskan North Slope oil from Prince William Sound to the US West Coast.

In the 14 years since its inception, APSI has completed 17 vessels for the Jones Act market. It has another Aframax tanker on order and is working on the second of two 46,000dwt tankers for Crowley.