BP names 3rd Alaska double-hulled tanker

BP has formally named the third of its four double-hulled Alaska-trade tankers, the Alaskan Navigator. The ceremony was held Nov. 12 in San Diego at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., which is building the tankers for BP Oil Shipping Company USA.

BP said the Alaskan Navigator is scheduled to be delivered later in November. It will carry oil from Alaska to West Coast ports, including BP refineries in Los Angeles and Cherry Point, Wash.

Caroline Shorten Conn, spouse of Iain Conn, BP group executive officer, is the ship’s sponsor. She officially named the Alaskan Navigator and broke a ceremonial bottle of champagne across the ship’s hull.

First ship delivered in 2004

BP said the four ships are being constructed sequentially in NASSCO’s 1,000-foot graving dock in San Diego. The first ship, the Alaskan Frontier, was delivered to BP Shipping in August 2004. The second ship, the Alaskan Explorer, was delivered in March 2005. Construction on the fourth ship is continuing, with delivery in 2006.

BP said the 941-foot double-hull ships have a beam of 164 feet and a 1.3 million barrel capacity.

The double-hull construction has been designed for a life of 50 years; the deck structure for a life of 35 years.

“The Alaska-class ships are the most environmentally friendly tankers ever built,” BP said, using seawater instead of oil to cool and lubricate their propeller shafts, thus eliminating accidental oil leaks from the drive train.

Cargo piping, normally installed on the deck, is inside the cargo tanks, to reduce the risk of small spills, the company said.

BP’s Alaska fleet is operated by the Alaska Tanker Co. of Portland, Ore., which is 25 percent BP owned.