| Print | Close Window | AMO Currents - Posted: August 28, 2008 |
AMO fleet expands as U.S. Shipping takes delivery of new ATB
American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers working in the U.S. Shipping fleet, which continues to expand with new tankers and ATBs.
The Galveston/Petrochem Producer will enter service in September under a long-term charter to a major oil company, U.S. Shipping announced. The third ATB in the series is scheduled for delivery in November of this year and the fourth ATB in August 2009. The first ATB in the series, Freeport/Chemical Transporter, is currently operating in the Jones Act trades.
"U.S. Shipping's ambitious construction program is adding tonnage to the Jones Act fleet and creating new opportunities for AMO members in the commercial trades under long-term charters," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "These are very positive developments both for AMO and for the American maritime industry."
Construction began in July on the third in a series of nine product carriers being built for U.S. Shipping at NASSCO in San Diego, Calif. The shipyard is scheduled to lay the ship’s keel in November.
The 600-foot, 49,000-deadweight-ton product carrier is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009. The ships in the series will have a cargo capacity of 331,000 barrels each, and are designed to carry petroleum and chemical products in the Jones Act trades. The first is slated for delivery in early 2009.
U.S. Shipping has secured charters for four of the nine new tankers being built. Two of the charters are with major oil companies and the other two are with Military Sealift Command. The MSC time charters cover petroleum product transportation in support of the U.S. military, replacing two T-5 tankers expected to reach the end of their service life in 2010.
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