A General Dynamics subsidiary has handed to TOTE Maritime the world’s first Marlin-class cargo ship that runs on liquefied natural gas two months ahead of schedule .
General Dynamics said Friday General Dynamics NASSCO collaborated with TOTE, the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping to design, build and commission the Isla Bella containership under a contract it secured in December 2012 to build two LNG-powered vessels.
“Successfully building and delivering the world’s first LNG-powered containership here in the U.S. for coastwise service demonstrates that commercial shipbuilders, and owners and operators, are leading the world in the introduction of cutting-edge, green technology in support of the Jones Act,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of the NASSCO subsidiary.
The route of the 764-foot-long vessel will be between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Jacksonville, Florida.