NASSCO: LNG-ready Independence takes on sea trials

General Dynamics NASSCO sent the first ship in a series of ECO-class tankers for the SEA-Vista fleet for sea trials and testing along the San Diego coastline. 

The ship, named the Independence, is a 610-foot, 50,000 deadweight-ton, and LNG-conversion-ready product tanker with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity.

The construction of the vessel began in November 2014 and the launch took place in December last year. The Independence set sail for sea trials at the beginning of the week.

“While out to sea this week, crews will test a number of the vessel’s functions,” NASSCO said in a brief update.

The Independence, built for SEA-Vista, a partnership between Seacor Holdings and Avista Capital Partners, will be operated by Seabulk Tankers.

The vessel was designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of Busan, South Korea.

LNG World News Staff