NASSCO launches world’s first LNG fueled containership

APRIL 20, 2015 — Shipbuilder GD NASSCO hosted a milestone event, Saturday, April 18. The launch and christening of the Isla Bella, the world’s first LNG-fueled containership, was also the 100th launch at Nassco’s San Diego shipyard. More than 3,400 shipbuilders, their families, and others attended the special event at the San Diego-based shipyard. The ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Sophie Sacco—wife of Michael Sacco, president of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO— christened the ship with a traditional champagne bottle break over the ship’s hull.

The ship is the first of two 3,100 TEU, 233.0 m LNG fueled Marlin Class Jones Act containerships on order for TOTE which will deploy them on its Puerto Rico services.

The launch also marks a milestone in marine diesel history. Isla Bella’s main engine is the world’s first dual-fuel slow-speed engine, an 8L70ME-GI built by Korea’s Doosan Engine, under license from MAN Diesel and Turbo.