New ECO Tanker Marks NASSCO’s Seventh Ship Delivery in 13 Months

The MT Garden State is the third ECO-class tanker delivered to APT in the last year, and the seventh ship overall delivered by the San Diego-based shipyard. Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO

General Dynamics NASSCO has delivered the latest ECO Class tanker to its longtime customer APT, marking the American shipbuilder’s seventh ship delivery in just over a year.

The tanker, named Garden State, was delivered to American Petroleum Tankers during a special signing ceremony held on Monday. The tanker is one of three classes of ships delivered by the San Diego-based shipyard since June 2015, and its seventh ship delivery overall. The deliveries have included lead ships for three separate classes constructed for four customers, including the U.S. Navy and commercial shipping companies.

In the past 13 months, NASSCO has delivered the world’s first two containerships to be powered by liquefied natural gas – the 764-foot-long ships—the Isla Bella and the Perla del Caribe. Both vessels are currently service the Puerto Rican-Jacksonville Jones Act trade route, and are considered to be the cleanest cargo-carrying ships anywhere in the world.

NASSCO has also delivered four ECO Class product tankers within the same time period, including three for APT and one for a partnership between SEA-Vista LLC and SEACOR Holdings, Inc. The new “ECO” design allows for 33 percent increased fuel efficiency with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. NASSCO currently has under construction four remaining tankers under contract between the two companies.

Last June, NASSCO also delivered first Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) to the U.S. Navy as part of the original Mobile Landing Platform program. The USNS Lewis B. Puller was built with a 52,000 square-foot flight deck, stowage and accommodations spaces for up to 250 personnel. The ship was also designed to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters. NASSCO is currently constructing the second ESB and is under contract to build a third.

“In the past year, NASSCO shipbuilders have delivered seven ships – or the equivalent to 100,000 tons worth of steel,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager for General Dynamics NASSCO. “Among the seven vessels delivered, three have been lead ships: the world’s first containership powered by liquefied natural gas, the U.S. Navy’s first Expeditionary Sea Base and the nation’s most fuel efficient product tanker. We are proud of the diverse design and build portfolio we have delivered during the course of this year.”

For its commercial work, NASSCO partners with DSEC—a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of Busan, South Korea—for access to state-of-the-art ship design and shipbuilding technologies.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up