AMERICAN PETROLEUM TANKERS

M/V Sunshine State Delivered to Crowley

Crowley took delivery of Sunshine State, a 331,000-barrel, double-hull oil and chemical tanker, from General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, Calif. for American Petroleum Tankers LLC. The Sunshine State is the first vessel Crowley has taken delivery of since the company was contracted by APT to handle the shipyard construction management and the overall vessel management, crewing and operation of the company's growing fleet. The Sunshine State measures 600 feet by 106 ft by 39 ft and has the capacity to carry 331,000 barrels of product. It has a single screw, slow speed diesel plant propulsion system with speeds of 15 knots. APT's fleet includes the Golden State, which was delivered in January 2009 and is on long-term charter to BP, and the Pelican State, which was delivered in June and is on long-term charter to Marathon. The Sunshine State is going to be chartered to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. The vessel will be delivered to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. in Pascagoula, Miss. Two other sister vessels, the Empire State and the Evergreen State, which will both be charted to the Military Sealift Command, are scheduled to be delivered to Crowley in 2010. (www.crowley.com)

MISC Looks for Takeover Targets

MISC Bhd, the world's largest carrier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), is on the lookout for takeover targets to help it grow amid softer shipping rates, according to a report on http://www.btimes.com.my. In 2003, the firm bought American Eagle Tankers (AET), a crude oil transportation company, from Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines for $445 million. An analyst from a foreign research house said that if MISC were to buy, it will be to support AET to grow its petroleum business.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum Garners USCG Award

Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC’s (MAP) Marine Transportation group has received the U.S. Coast Guard’s prestigious William M. Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence. Accepting the silver award on behalf of MAP Marine Transportation was Bruce Tilton, manager, Marine Transportation. “This is indeed an honor, and we are truly thrilled to receive this award, says Tilton. “Because this is the U.S. Coast Guard’s premier national award, recognizing marine environmental excellence

USCG Accepts Benkert Award Nominees

The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting for applications for the biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert, Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence. The program recognizes corporations and businesses involved in marine facility or vessel operations that have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievement in protecting the marine environment. It also encourages innovations in operations, maintenance, cargo handling, refueling, training

Nordic American Tankers Mull Expansion Plans

Nordic American Tankers Ltd. is considering expanding its fleet by ordering new vessels or buying second-hand. The company's Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.16 for the fourth quarter of 2012.  They are assessing expansion plans including ordering of new vessels from shipyards or buying second hand vessels at historically low prices.  The level of the declared dividend should be seen in the context of a planned fleet expansion

Aker Philadelphia’s 9th Product Tanker

On March 10, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS) launched Ship 013, the ninth product tanker in a series of 12 to be completed by 2011. The 46,000 dwt vessel was floated off of its blocks and was transferred by tug from the Building Dock to the Outfitting Dock, where it will remain for the next few weeks as it undergoes continuous testing and commissioning in preparation for its upcoming sea trials. When completed, the 600-ft long vessel, to be named the Overseas Martinez

AWO Members Win Benkert Award

The USCG has honored AWO members Crowley Marine Services, Inc. and Southern Towing Company with the William M. Benkert Award for excellence in marine environmental protection. Benkert Awards for the year 2000 competition were presented in four categories: large and small vessel operating companies, and large and small marine facility operators. AWO member Crowley Marine Services, Inc., headquartered in Seattle, won the large vessel category

DeepStar Names New Co-Chairs to Contributors’ Advisory Panel

Peter M. Lovie, P.E., vice president of business development for American Shuttle Tankers L.L.C., Houston, has been appointed to co-chair the Contributors’ Advisory Panel of The DeepStar Project, DeepStar Project Director B. John Sheets, of ChevronTexaco Exploration and Production Technology Co., has announced. ”Peter Lovie has been a tireless advocate for Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel technology in recent years and has broad experience with other systems through

Senesco Marine Signs Contract For 140,000-Barrel DH ATB

In a move that will change Senesco Marine’s focus and provide continuous work for the next three years, officials at the shipyard announced they have signed a contract with New Jersey based U.S. Shipping, LLC (USSHIPLLC), the largest American Flagged petroleum/chemical carrier in the United States, to build a 140,0000-barrel double-hulled chemical AT/B with tug that can double as a 150,000-barrel double-hulled petroleum AT/B. U.S

Coast Guard Recognizes Industry's Environmental Excellence

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the award recipients for the 2012 Biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert, Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence at the American Petroleum Institute Tanker Conference in Orlando, Fla.   The winner of the Osprey award went to APL Co. Pte. Ltd. based out of Singapore in the large vessel category. The winners for the Gold award went to AEP River Operations based out of St