Spotted: Ready for Float Out

In today’s spotted we present you with General Dynamics NASSCO’s Hull 551, also known as the Lone Star State.

General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for Lone Star State, the first ECO tanker for American Petroleum Tankers (APT) under construction at the company’s shipyard in San Diego on March 6, 2015.

San Diego’s First Lady Katherine Faulconer authenticated the keel of the ECO tanker by welding her initials onto a steel plate during the ceremony. The steel plate with her initials will be permanently affixed to the ship’s keel and will remain with the vessel throughout its time in service.

The ECO tanker is the first of a five 50,000 deadweight ton tankers being built by GD NASSCO for APT. The tanker series features LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The 610- foot-long tankers are a new “ECO” design, offering improved fuel efficiency, and include the latest environmental protection features, including a ballast water treatment system.

World Maritime News Staff; Image: GD NASSCO