American Petroleum Tankers Llc News

1. Ocean Ships, Inc., Houston, Texas, is being awarded a $10,461,769 modification for the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-13-C-3333) to exercise the second option period of this contract for the operation and maintenance of two Mobile Landing Platform ships, USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn. These ships support the Military Sealift Command’s prepositioning fleet by transferring rolling stock and other cargos in-stream with other ships via ramp connections, as well as landing and deploying air-cushion non-displacement craft by means of inclined decks. Work will be performed worldwide, and work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015.

Today General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), delivered the fifth ship of its State-class product carriers to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, a joint venture of the Blackstone Group. The ship is named Evergreen State, in honor of the state of Washington. A christening ceremony for Evergreen State (Hull 505) was held to commemorate the ship’s entrance into the U.S. Fleet. The ship’s sponsor was Carol Kurz, wife of American Petroleum Tankers’ Chief Executive Officer Robert Kurz. Carol Kurz broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the ship’s side in front of an audience of about 200 who had gathered at the shipyard to witness the ceremony.

On July 13, General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), delivered the fourth ship of its State-class product carriers to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, a joint venture of the Blackstone Financial Group.  The ship is named Empire State, the state nickname of New York. NASSCO began constructing the Empire State in January 2009.  At a length of 600.4 ft, the double-hulled ship has a cargo capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels.  The Empire State will be used initially to carry refined petroleum products for the Department of Defense under a commercial charter.

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.

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), delivered the third ship of its State-class of product carriers to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, a joint venture of the Blackstone Group. The ship is named Sunshine State, the state nickname of Fla. NASSCO began constructing the Sunshine State in August 2007. At a length of 600.4 feet, the double-hulled ship has a cargo capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels and will be used to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act service between U.S. ports. “Completed 11 months ahead of our original schedule and under budget, the Sunshine State is the third product carrier NASSCO has delivered this year and reflects greatly upon the skilled shipbuilders in San Diego…

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), laid the keel of the fifth ship of its State-class product carriers.  The ship will be named Evergreen State, the state nickname of Washington. NASSCO began constructing the future Evergreen State last May.  The ship will be double-hulled and have a cargo capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels.  It will be used in Jones Act service, carrying petroleum and chemical products between U.S. ports.  The shipyard anticipates delivering the vessel to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, in the fourth quarter of 2010.  (www.nassco.com)

The Settlement agreement recently approved by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge in New York became effective July 28, clearing the way for an investor group led by The Blackstone Group to terminate their relationship with U.S. Shipping and to retain Crowley Maritime Corporation to manage five U.S.-flag petroleum tankers for the newly renamed company, American Petroleum Tankers LLC. The five tankers, two of which are in operation and three of which are due for delivery from shipbuilder NASSCO in San Diego through 2010, were to be owned by a joint venture controlled primarily by affiliates of The Blackstone Group and U.S. Shipping Partners. U.S. Shipping filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 earlier this year.