NASSCO begins construction of tanker

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Thursday began construction of the third ship in its series of nine product carriers.

The shipyard is scheduled to lay the ship's keel in November and deliver the ship to U.S. Shipping Partners in the fourth quarter of 2009.

In August 2006, General Dynamics NASSCO received a $1 billion contract from U.S. Shipping Partners to build the nine ships, which are designed to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act trade between U.S. ports. The ships will be double-hulled, 183 meters (600.4 feet) LONG and can carry up to 49,000 tons of cargo.

U.S. Shipping Partners previously said the third ship would be named Sunshine State, in honor of the state nickname of Florida. 

Source: American Shipper