General Dynamics NASSCO Christens and launches final ship in ECO Class Tanker Program

General Dynamics NASSCO has christened and launched the Palmetto State – the final ship in an eight-ship ECO Class tanker program to be constructed at NASSCO.

Congresswoman Susan Davis served as the principal speaker for the event. As the ship’s sponsor, Linda Rankine christened the ship with the traditional break of a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull. She is the wife of Bill Rankine, manager of marine chartering and operations for CITGO. Karen Herrmann, NASSCO’s Manager of Planning, served as the trigger honouree, and Shari Flippin, Marine Chartering Manager for CITGO, was the first shore removal honouree.

More than a thousand shipbuilders, their family and friends, and members of the community attended the celebration.

President of General Dynamics NASSCO, Kevin Graney said: “What began nearly five years ago as a concept to design and build the Palmetto State and her sister ships involved nearly 4,000 individuals coming together for one common purpose. Saturday night’s celebration highlighted the contributions and milestones achieved by the thousands of men and women who worked to bring this program – and other programs at NASSCO – from concept to delivery.”

For more information visit www.nassco.com

17th April 2017