Article Posted on : - Jul 14, 2010

The first product tanker built by General Dynamics NASSCO. A file photo.

SAN DIEGO (BNS): General Dynamics NASSCO has delivered the fourth ship of its State-class product carriers to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, on Tuesday.

The Empire State ship was jointly developed with the Blackstone Financial Group and GD NASSCO.

The construction of the Empire State ship was started by the NASSCO in January 2009.

The double-hulled ship has a length of 600.4 feet (183 meters), with a cargo capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels. It will be initially used to carry refined petroleum products for the US Department of Defence under a commercial charter by US Navy.

The Empire State ship was constructed at the General Dynamics NASSCO's full-service ship construction and repair yard situated on the West Coast of the United States.

In August 2006, General Dynamics NASSCO had received a $1 billion contract from US Shipping Partners to build nine product carrier ships, which are designed to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act trade between US ports.