Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, ceremonially cut the first steel for a commercial ship being built at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in Barrio Logan on May 8.

The eight-term congresswoman — who formerly held seats on the state Assembly and San Diego school board — pressed a button to put a mechanical cutter into action.

The steel piece will become part of the fourth ECO tanker to be built for American Petroleum Tankers. The business has five tankers on order. The tanker’s operator will be able to convert the ship to liquefied natural gas propulsion when it determines the time is right.

It was the second ceremony at the General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) shipyard in four days. On May 5, NASSCO laid the keel for another ECO tanker being built for SEA-Vista LLC.
 

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