Aker Philadelphia Shipyard holds ceremonial keel-laying, yard apprentices attend
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS), a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, has held a ceremonial keel laying for Ship 018, the 14th product tanker being built at the yard.
The small ceremony was conducted with the most recent class of the shipyard’s Apprenticeship Program and two apprentice graduates who have risen to the position of supervisor. The Apprenticeship Program is a three year, accredited program administered by the shipyard that provides a combination of classroom and on-the-job training to create the next generation of shipbuilders.
Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that support the vessel during construction before the section of the ship was lowered into place. These coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels.
Since starting its first vessel eleven years ago, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard has completed the construction of 16 ships, twelve product tankers and four containerships, and has two additional product tankers currently under construction. The shipyard recently began construction of the first of two aframax tankers for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. These 115,000 ton vessels will transport Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sounds to the U.S. West Coast.