AHL building three new tankers

AHL building three new tankers AHL Shipping Co. said it would build three shallow-draft, 49,000-deadweight-ton tankers for the Jones Act coastal trade.
   The tankers will go on charter to Shell Trading (US) Co. in 2009 and 2010.
   AHL President Richard Horner said the tankers would employ modular construction that allows different facets of construction to be conducted by different shipyards. Hull construction and final assembly of the vessels will be conducted at Mobile-based Atlantic Marine Alabama LLC, but several other shipyards and specialty companies, who are under contract with AHL, will participate in the vessels’ construction.
   “We’ve contracted with key shipbuilding experts including, but not limited to, Aker Yards Marine Inc., Louisiana Machinery LLC, R&R Marine Shipbuilding Inc., and Ship Construction Strategies Inc.,” Homer said.
   San Antonio-based AHL operates a fleet of four tankers in the Jones Act coastal trades.