California-based shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO has delivered the company's first ECO Class tanker, the Lone Star State, to American Petroleum Tankers (APT).

The ECO Class tanker is the first of five 50,000 deadweight-ton, LNG-conversion-ready product tankers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity NASSCO is building for APT.

"The delivery of this new vessel symbolizes the future of American shipping: innovative, cost-effective, and green. The Lone Star State, along with the four others we are currently building for APT, will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly tankers—anywhere in the world," said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

"These tankers are 33 percent more fuel efficient than the previous five tankers built by NASSCO for APT. "

The 610-foot-long tankers were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) based in Busan, South Korea.

The design incorporates improved fuel efficiency concepts through several features, including a G-series MAN Diesel & Turbo ME slow-speed main engine, a Ballast Water Treatment System and an optimized hull form. The tankers will also have the ability to accommodate future installation of an LNG fuel-gas system.