NNS lays Keel For First Of Nine Double Eagle Product Tankers

On April 22, Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Tenneco, laid the keel for Despotico, the first of nine double-hulled commercial product tankers the shipyard is building for two different customers.

It is also the first commercial ship the company has built since 1957.

Despotico is the first of four tankers to be built for Eletson Holdings of Piraeus, Greece. The keel is made up of part of the inner bottom assembly of the ship.

It consists of the lower forward bulkhead of the engine room, the lower section of the pump room, sloptank, aft cargo tank, fresh water wash tankers and aft ballast tanks. The total weight of the unit is approximately 280 metric tons, and it is approximately 80 percent pre-outfitted. The ship is scheduled for delivery in January 1997. In addition, NNS is building five Jones Act Double Eagle product tankers for Hvide/Van Ommeren.

During its 110-year history, Newport News Shipbuilding has built approximately 800 ships, including both commercial and naval vessels. For more information on NNS Circle 83 on Reader Service Card