US-based Philly Shipyard (PSI) has delivered the American Endurance, the first of four 50,000 dwt product tankers being built for American Petroleum Tankers (APT), a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.

The American Endurance is part of a USD 568 million agreement signed between Kinder Morgan and Philly Tankers in August 2015. Under the agreement, Kinder Morgan said it will take assignment of contracts for the construction of four new 50,000 dwt, Tier II tankers to be built at Philly Shipyard (formerly known as Aker Philadelphia Shipyard).

Featuring a length of 183 meters and a width of 32.2 meters, the American Endurance has a carrying capacity of 14.5 million gallons of crude oil or refined products, according to the shipyard.

The next generation product tanker is based on a Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design that incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements, Philly Shipyard said.

The vessel was constructed with consideration for the use of LNG for propulsion in the future and has also received LNG Ready Level 1 approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

“Today’s delivery of our 25th vessel, aptly named the American Endurance, is a profound symbol of the shipbuilding legacy we have continued since re-opening in 1997. In collaboration with American Petroleum Tankers, we are proud of our contributions to renew the current tanker fleet with a more modern and environmentally friendly design,” Philly Shipyard said.

The shipyard said it has commenced construction of three other 50,000 dwt tankers for APT, with the deliveries planned in 2017.