Aker Philadelphia Shipyard holds naming ceremony for second Aframax tanker constructed for Exxonmobil Marine Affiliate
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, held a naming ceremony for the second of two tankers being constructed for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. (SeaRiver), Exxon Mobil Corporation’s U.S. marine affiliate. Political guest speakers included Governor Tom Corbett, Governor-elect Tom Wolfe and Lt. Governor-elect Michael Stack III, the company said in its press release.
The 800-foot, 115,000 deadweight ton (dwt) tanker was formally christened and given the name Eagle Bay by its sponsor, Mrs. Claire Madden, wife of Andy Madden, Vice President, ExxonMobil Supply and Transportation Company. During the ceremony, Mrs. Madden blessed the ship and its crew, and in keeping with long-held shipbuilding tradition, broke a champagne bottle against the ship.
“We are pleased to come together to bring the second Liberty Class vessel to life among our partners and distinguished guests here today,” remarked Steinar Nerbovik, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard President and CEO. “It’s another reminder of positive impact that domestic energy production has throughout the United States.”
After delivery, the tanker will transport Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sound to the U.S. West Coast. Eagle Bay is equipped with double hull protection, the latest navigation and communications equipment, and energy efficient engines. The first Liberty class vessel, Liberty Bay, was delivered to SeaRiver in June 2014.
APSI has delivered 19 ships in its 15 year history. Also under construction at the shipyard are four 50,000 dwt tankers for Crowley. The shipyard also has contracts for two product tankers for Philly Tankers and two 3,600 TEU containerships for Matson Navigation which will be delivered in 2018.
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is majority-owned by Converto Capital Fund, which in turn is majority-owned by Aker ASA. Aker is a Norwegian industrial investment company that creates value through active ownership. Aker's investment portfolio is concentrated on key Norwegian industries that are international in scope: oil and gas, fisheries and biotechnology, and marine assets. Aker's industrial holdings comprise ownership interests in Aker Solutions, Kvaerner, Det norske oljeselskap, Aker BioMarine, Ocean Yield and Havfisk.
