Future US Navy oiler to honour civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall

US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has confirmed that a future US Navy replenishment oiler will be named USNS Thurgood Marshall after 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.

The vessel will also have a double hull that protects against oil spills as well as strengthened cargo and ballast tanks.

Construction will take place at General Dynamics NASSCO’s facilities in San Diego, California.

The future Thurgood Marshall will be the seventh oiler in the John Lewis-class.