When a representative of local non-profit Philabundance made the ceremonial first cut of steel on Aker Philadelphia Shipyard’s latest product tanker, it signaled another milestone for the leading U.S. commercial facility. Since the shipyard was reconstructed 10 years ago from the ground up on the site of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Aker has delivered 10 ships. When the current series of 12 tankers is completed in 2011, Akers’ parent company, American Shipping Company, will own the most modern product tanker fleet in the U.S. and will be the first company in the country to own shuttle tankers for use in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
”Our greatest strengths are our state-of-the-art production facilities and a dedicated workforce of nearly 1,300 people,” said Jim Miller, President and CEO of Aker.
The latest vessel, Hull 014, will be 600 feet long and carry refined petroleum products. To recognize the start of the vessel’s production late last month, Aker employees and union representatives collected over 1,500 pounds of non-perishable foods for Philabundance, a leading hunger relief organization in Greater Philadelphia.
There are currently four vessels under construction at Aker, which only a few days before wrapped construction of the Overseas Boston, an MT-46 Veteran Product Tanker that will transport petroleum products. The company will focus on securing new orders in 2009, with shuttle tankers and container ships remaining important prospects. The yard targets producing ships within the Jones Act, the U.S. statute that regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. ports, for domestic shipping.
Source: Jim Miller, President and CEO of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard
Writer: Joe Petrucci
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