General Dynamics NASSCO issued the following news release on March 25. It can also be viewed here.
General Dynamics NASSCO Christens and Launches Final Ship in ECO Class Tanker Program
On Saturday, March 25, General Dynamics NASSCO christened and launched into the San Diego Bay the Palmetto State – the final ship in an eight-ship ECO Class tanker program to be constructed at NASSCO.
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) served as the principal speaker for the event. As the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Linda Rankine christened the ship with the traditional break of a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull. She is the wife of Bill Rankine, manager of marine chartering and operations for CITGO. Thousands of shipbuilders, their family and friends, and members of the community attended the celebration.
A product of advanced technology, innovation, and strong manufacturing, the Palmetto State and her sister ships have earned the title as the most fuel-efficient tankers to service the Jones Act trade. With their sleek “ECO” design, the tankers offer 33 percent increased fuel efficiency and cleaner shipping options.
NASSCO is the only major shipyard on the west coast of the United States conducting design, construction and repair of commercial and U.S. Navy ships. In the past decade, NASSCO delivered 29 ocean-going ships to government and commercial customers—including the world’s first LNG-powered containerships. In the past two years, NASSCO processed more than 120,000 tons of steel.
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