Aker Philadelphia Shipyard begins construction on its ninth product tanker


PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 29, 2008) – Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS) began construction today on Hull 013, the ninth product tanker in a series of twelve to be built for American Shipping Company (Oslo: AMSC).  When completed, the 46,000 dwt vessel will be 600 feet in length and be capable of transporting the equivalent of 14 million gallons of liquid product.

Construction officially began at 7:00 this morning when two Aker Philadelphia employees, Jesus Sabando and Alan Oreszak, made the initial cut utilizing the yard’s state of the art plasma cutter.  The employees were chosen to represent Aker Philadelphia Shipyard based on their contributions to the shipyard’s Employee Suggestion Program; a program initiated a few years ago to seek suggestions from employees on ways to improve production.  Jesus Sabando, a Shipbuilder, submitted six improvement ideas which were all researched, approved and put into practice in the yard.  Alan Oreszak, a Tool Crib Attendant, submitted a suggestion to improve safety, the foremost value at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, which has since improved the safety and well being of all employees in the yard.

Currently there are three other vessels under construction at the yard as part of its historical build program.  The yard that recently celebrated its ten year anniversary has now successfully delivered nine ships and has four others under construction.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market.  It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a member of the Norwegian-based Aker family of global companies, leaders in global growth markets including energy technologies, energy resources, maritime technologies, seafood and marine biotechnology.

By Professional Mariner Staff