The Seafarers-contracted fleet recently added new tonnage as the double-hulled tanker Overseas Boston entered service.Built by union members at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, the Overseas Boston is the sixth in a series of at least 12 Jones Act product carriers being constructed for operation by Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG).
Like its sister ships, the newest diesel-powered tanker has a length of slightly more than 600 feet and a beam of approximately 105 feet. It can transport more than 332,000 barrels of petroleum products and features a “cruising speed” of 14.6 knots.
SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and Vice President Contracts George Tricker attended a naming ceremony Jan. 22 at the shipyard for the Overseas Boston. The vessel began sailing later that month.
The first three ships in the “Veteran Class” – the Overseas Houston, Overseas Long Beach and Overseas Los Angeles – were delivered in 2007. The next two – Overseas New York and Overseas Texas City – joined the fleet in 2008.
In a message delivered at the naming ceremony for the Overseas Boston, OSG President and CEO Morten Arntzen noted that the new ship “represents OSG’s strong commitment to the Jones Act and to the renewal of the U.S.-flag fleet. It reflects our promise to maintain and operate a modern, high-quality, double-hull tanker fleet, which will be built and operated to the highest safety and quality standards.”
The Jones Act is a law which stipulates that movements of waterborne cargoes between U.S. ports are conducted by vessels crewed, built, flagged and owned American. The law’s numerous proponents often point out that the Jones Act has bolstered U.S. national security while also generating substantial economic benefits.
For instance, defense experts have noted that the Jones Act helps maintain a manpower pool of loyal, well-trained, reliable American civilian mariners
capable of helping meet the nation’s strategic sealift needs.
The vessels themselves can play a defense role, too – most of the ocean-going vessels in the Jones Act fleet are militarily useful. Another of the law’s benefits is evident at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and other American yards. Specifically, Jones Act construction provides 76 percent of all commercial U.S. shipbuilding opportunities, thereby preserving a viable domestic shipbuilding base.
According to the Maritime Cabotage Task Force – a broadbased coalition dedicated to promoting cabotage laws – the Jones Act helps account for 123,000 jobs directly related to maritime activity and another 200,000 jobs related to domestic waterborne commerce.
The act has an annual economic impact of approximately $63 billion.
In addition to the new-build program at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, double-hulled tankers for the Jones Act trade are being constructed at NASSCO in San Diego.
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