USA: Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Holds Keel Laying Ceremony for Product Tanker

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, held a ceremonial keel laying this morning for Ship 017, the 13th product tanker being built at the yard.

Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that support the vessel during construction before the section of the ship was lowered into place. These coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels. The small ceremony was conducted with representatives of the shipyard’s Union Management Safety Team. Team members are comprised of the shipyard’s management and its union, the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council, and meet often to improve and implement shipyard health, safety and environmental (HSE) policies and practices, and address any other issues that may impact shipyard safety. Involvement of the Union Management Safety Team is one of the many ways Aker Philadelphia Shipyard keeps focus on safety and its ultimate goal of zero incidents.

Since starting its first vessel eleven years ago, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has completed the construction of 16 ships, twelve product tankers and four containerships, and has two additional product tankers currently under construction. The shipyard recently formalized a contract with SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. to build two Aframax tankers which will transport Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sound to the U.S. West Coast.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a member of the Norwegian-based Aker family of global companies, leaders in global growth markets including energy technologies, energy resources, maritime technologies, seafood and marine biotechnology.

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Source: akerphiladelphia, October 25, 2011