Keel laid for US Navy fleet oiler Thurgood Marshall

General Dynamics NASSCO has laid the keel of the future USNS Thurgood Marshall, a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler (T-AO) ordered by the US Navy.

The ship honours a former US Supreme Court Justice and famed civil rights activist.

Like its John Lewis-class sisters, the vessel will be designed to transfer fuel to the navy's operating carrier strike groups. It will also have the ability to carry a load of 162,000 barrels of oil, maintain significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability, and a speed of 20 knots.

Upon completion, Thurgood Marshall will have a length of 746 feet (227 metres), a beam of 106 feet (32.4 metres), a maximum draught of 33.5 feet (10.2 metres), a displacement of 24,818 tons (22,515 tonnes) and a crew complement of 125 including 99 civilian mariners. Two Fairbanks-Morse/MAN 12V48/60CR four-stroke diesel engines drive conventional propellers to deliver a speed of 20 knots and a range of over 6,140 nautical miles.

Once in service, the vessel will be operated by the Military Sealift Command to provide diesel fuel and lubricating oil and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores, and potable water to US Navy ships at sea, as well as jet fuel for aircraft. The ship will also boast the capacity to carry up to 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, and aviation capability courtesy of a helicopter deck.