NASSCO Begins Construction of Third Product Carrier Ship

General Dynamics NASSCO 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 ports.  The ships will be double-hulled, 183 meters (600.4 feet) in length and can carry cargo weighing up to 49,000 tons.
U.S. Shipping Partners previously announced that the third ship will be named , in honor of the state nickname of .