AMO Currents - <i>Pelican State</i> christened for Jones Act trades; construction begins on fifth tanker in series

AMO Currents - Posted: June 2, 2009

Pelican State christened for Jones Act trades; construction begins on fifth tanker in series

The M/T Pelican State, the second in a series of Jones Act tankers being built for U.S. Shipping Partners at NASSCO in San Diego, Calif., was christened Saturday, May 30. The ship’s delivery is slated for June 4 — nearly nine months ahead of schedule.

“Like her sister ship, the Golden State, the Pelican State will be a valuable addition to the Jones Act fleet,” said Frederick Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, at the christening.

U.S. Shipping will operate the Pelican State between the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts under a long-term charter from Marathon Oil. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers working in the U.S. Shipping fleet.

Named for the State of Louisiana, the Pelican State follows the Golden State in the State Class of product carriers. Each of the ships is 600 feet long with a capacity of 331,000 barrels. Now under construction at NASSCO are the Sunshine State and Empire State.

NASSCO announced this week it had started construction on the fifth product carrier in the series, the Evergreen State. The shipyard is scheduled to deliver the ship to U.S. Shipping Partners in the third quarter of 2010.