The following was released on May 7 by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard about the laying of the keel for a ninth product tanker that will be operated by SIU-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group.AKER PHILADELPHIA SHIPYARD HOLDS
CEREMONIAL KEEL LAYING
Apprentices selected to represent the shipyard by laying the coins
PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 7, 2009) – Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS), a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, held a ceremonial keel laying today for Ship 013, the ninth vessel in a series of 12 product tankers being built at the yard. When completed, the 46,000 dwt tanker will be over 600 feet long and transport petroleum products on the West Coast.
Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that supports the vessel during construction before the first 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 Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and OSG America. On behalf of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, the next class of graduating apprentices attended the ceremony, and three of those graduates, Brian Garrett, Brandon Walls and Bryan Aber, placed coins for the yard.
Initiated in 2004, the three-year Apprenticeship Program was designed to develop the next generation of shipyard leaders. Since its inception, 168 apprentices have been hired and the program has maintained a 71 percent retention rate. Of the current graduates, special recognition was given to Brian Garrett who graduated from the current class with the highest overall average (93%), Brandon Walls, for having the highest Penn Foster average (95%), and Bryan Aber, who had no injuries during his entire employment with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
When construction is completed, the vessel will be sold to American Shipping Company, who in turn will bareboat charter the vessel to OSG America for use in transporting petroleum products.
The yard currently has three other product tankers under construction in the series of twelve and ten more apprentice classes at various stages of the process. For more information on Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, as well as a photo from today’s keel laying ceremony, please visit www.akerphiladelphia.com.
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.
American Shipping Company (AMSC) owns and leases world-class quality vessels for operation between ports in the United States. When the current series of twelve tankers is completed in 2011, AMSC will own the most modern product tanker fleet in the United States; and it will be the first company in the United States to own shuttle tankers for use in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
###
Printer Friendly Page