The following is text from a news release from TOTE:
(SAN DIEGO) — A special event to christen and launch the world’s first LNG-powered containership, built by General Dynamics NASSCO for TOTE, will be held at the shipyard Saturday, April 18.
The ship’s sponsor, Sophie Sacco — wife of Michael Sacco, president of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO — will christen the ship with a traditional champagne bottle break over the ship’s hull. Fireworks will commence immediately upon the christening and launch of the ship.
The name of the ship will also be revealed during the ceremony.
As part of a two-ship contract signed in 2012 with TOTE, when completed the 764-foot-long Marlin-class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships of any kind in the world powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The vessels will operate on LNG, which will significantly decrease emissions while increasing fuel efficiency as compared to conventionally-powered ships. The LNG-powered ships will also include a ballast water treatment system, making them the greenest ships of their size anywhere in the world.
