Posted:
July 15, 2010
The M/T Empire State was christened at General Dynamics NASSCO Wednesday, July 14 and will enter service this week under Military Sealift Command charter.
The Empire State is the fourth ship in the State Class series of tankers, which are operated for American Petroleum Tankers LLC (APT) by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning (Crowley) and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
"It's a good day for the AMO and everybody involved," said Steve Klokker, chief engineer aboard the Empire State. "More jobs for the unions - both AMO and the SIU. It's a good crew that's ready to take out a good ship."
The Empire State is one of two tankers in the State Class series that will replace T-5 tankers as they reach the end of their service lives as primary fuel transportation vessels in the MSC fleet. The sister ship of the Empire State, M/T Evergreen State, is under construction at NASSCO.
"It's good to know we have two good ships coming to work for us. They have a tall order to fill," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of MSC, citing the excellent service provided to MSC by the T-5 tankers.
As a U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged ship, Rear Adm. Buzby pointed out, the Empire State provides more jobs for American mariners, and said the ship will be "going to work on Thursday under a short-term charter before we had even planned."
In his presentation during the christening ceremony, APT Chief Executive Officer Robert Kurz noted that the Empire State and its sister ship "will play an important role in our nation's defense" for many years to come.
For their role as primary fuel transportation vessels for the military, both the Empire State and Evergreen State are equipped with four at-sea fueling stations on deck, a special modification made at the shipyard for the ships' work under MSC charter, said President of General Dynamics NASSCO Frederick Harris.
Harris commended all members of the team involved with the State Class series and the NASSCO staff for their work and professionalism in completing the ship nine months ahead of schedule and under budget.
The other three product tankers in the State Class are operating in the Jones Act trades under charters to major energy companies.
New AMO jobs as M/T Empire State christened for service under MSC charter
The M/T Empire State was christened at General Dynamics NASSCO Wednesday, July 14 and will enter service this week under Military Sealift Command charter.
The Empire State is the fourth ship in the State Class series of tankers, which are operated for American Petroleum Tankers LLC (APT) by Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning (Crowley) and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
"It's a good day for the AMO and everybody involved," said Steve Klokker, chief engineer aboard the Empire State. "More jobs for the unions - both AMO and the SIU. It's a good crew that's ready to take out a good ship."
The Empire State is one of two tankers in the State Class series that will replace T-5 tankers as they reach the end of their service lives as primary fuel transportation vessels in the MSC fleet. The sister ship of the Empire State, M/T Evergreen State, is under construction at NASSCO.
"It's good to know we have two good ships coming to work for us. They have a tall order to fill," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of MSC, citing the excellent service provided to MSC by the T-5 tankers.
As a U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged ship, Rear Adm. Buzby pointed out, the Empire State provides more jobs for American mariners, and said the ship will be "going to work on Thursday under a short-term charter before we had even planned."
In his presentation during the christening ceremony, APT Chief Executive Officer Robert Kurz noted that the Empire State and its sister ship "will play an important role in our nation's defense" for many years to come.
For their role as primary fuel transportation vessels for the military, both the Empire State and Evergreen State are equipped with four at-sea fueling stations on deck, a special modification made at the shipyard for the ships' work under MSC charter, said President of General Dynamics NASSCO Frederick Harris.
Harris commended all members of the team involved with the State Class series and the NASSCO staff for their work and professionalism in completing the ship nine months ahead of schedule and under budget.
The other three product tankers in the State Class are operating in the Jones Act trades under charters to major energy companies.