Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA, held a ceremonial keel laying for the fourth of four product tankers that it is building with Crowley Maritime Corporation (Crowley).
The next generation 50,000 dwt product tankers are based on a 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.
Representatives from APSI and Crowley were in attendance to place the coins on one of the keel blocks before the unit was lowered into place in the dry dock and sign the keel block as a gesture of good fortune and safe travels. On behalf of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, upcoming graduates of the shipyard’s apprenticeship program placed the ceremonial coins.
“Together we celebrate this important milestone for our vessel and our apprentices by wishing good fortune to both. Empowering fine people and building a solid core of skilled employees is part of our long-term plan to maintain our position as a premier shipyard and employer,” Steinar Nerbovik, APSI’s President and CEO, remarked.
The upcoming graduation class will add 24 skilled shipbuilders to the workforce, bringing the shipyard’s apprentices to about 10% of its current workforce.
APSI has three additional 50,000 dwt tankers under construction for Crowley and two for Kinder Morgan. The shipyard also has contracts for two additional product tankers for Kinder Morgan and two 3,600 TEU containerships for Matson Navigation, fulfilling its backlog through 2018.