The following is the text of a news release from Philly Shipyard Inc. (PSI):
(PHILADELPHIA) — Philly Shipyard Inc., the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA, held a ceremonial keel laying Wednesday for the second 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 most recent recipients of the company’s Safety Team of the Quarter award, who were recognized for exemplifying safe operation during the first quarter of 2016.
Later this month, PSI will also celebrate the grand opening of a new training academy. Philly Shipyard has invested in the academy as part of a strategy to grow and develop its work force. The academy will provide customized training for all levels of production personnel, ranging from new hires to experienced shipbuilders. The facility will also be home to the shipyard’s apprentice program.
Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard’s president and CEO, said, “With shipbuilding milestones like keel laying and facility milestones like the opening of our training academy, we continue to propel our organization into the future. Both are significant milestones in the plan to maintain our position as both a premier shipyard and employer.”
When completed in 2017, the product tanker celebrated Wednesday will be 600 feet long and capable of carrying 50,000 tons of crude oil or refined petroleum products. The Tier 2 50,000-deadweight-ton (dwt) product tankers are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel-efficiency features, flexible cargo capability and the latest regulatory requirements. The vessels will be constructed with consideration for the use of LNG for propulsion in the future.
Philly Shipyard has delivered 23 ships in its 17-year history. The four product tankers for APT are currently under construction and have planned deliveries in 2016 and 2017. Also under construction at the shipyard is one 50,000-dwt product tanker for Crowley Maritime Corp. with a planned delivery during Q3 2016 and two 3,600-TEU containerships for Matson Navigation Co. Inc. with planned deliveries in Q3 2018 and Q1 2019. For more information on the shipyard and its projects, visit www.phillyshipyard.com.
