Aker Philadelphia ASA eyes potential ship orders

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. Photo by Klaus Ottes

Deal could mean up to four tanker projects for L-19 members

LOCAL 19 MEMBERS employed at the Aker Philadelphia shipyard are hopeful that a non-binding term sheet for the construction and sale of up to four product tankers leads to additional work.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA, the parent company of Aker Philadelphia Inc., reported that the term sheet was signed with an undisclosed potential buyer for two to four product tankers with delivery in 2015 and 2016. A press release by the parent company said the term sheet is subject to definitive documents and the fulfillment of certain closing conditions, including, but not limited to, securing commitments for financing.

Local 19 was chartered as a shipbuilding and marine lodge in 1914. The lodge constructs vessels covered under the Jones Act, which requires that ships traveling between two U.S. ports be built in the United States and owned, flagged, and crewed by U.S. citizens.