By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 12 -- Polar Discovery, a new double-hulled, Endeavour class tanker, was delivered last week to Polar Tankers Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips.
Classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, the new vessel joins sister ships Polar Endeavour and Polar Resolution in the ConocoPhillips US flag fleet carrying crude oil from Alaska to the US West Coast and Hawaii.
Endeavour class vessels have double hulls with 10 ft of space between the inner and outer hulls, two independent engine rooms, twin propulsion and steering systems, a bow thruster, and state-of-the-art navigation systems.
"We are committed to operating and maintaining the safest and most environmentally sound vessels available," said Antonio Valdes, general manager of ConocoPhillips' marine division. "The Endeavour class tankers are outstanding vessels."
Avondale, La.-based Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, which built Polar Discovery, successfully completed sea trials significantly ahead of its revised delivery date.
"The shipyard in Avondale is to be commended for. . . unparalleled workmanship and dedication to deliver this fleet," Valdes said.
ConocoPhillips has ordered two more Endeavour class tankers, which currently are under construction at the Avondale yard. They are scheduled for delivery in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and ConocoPhillips said its entire US flag tanker fleet would be double-hulled by 2008.