Pre-Purchase Survey, Project Resurrection, Construction to Delivery & Operational Oversight

Alternative Marine Technologies (AMTECH) was engaged to perform a pre-purchase survey of the partially completed American Phoenix while the vessel was in bankruptcy proceedings. Following acquisition of the unfinished hull, AMTECH was involved in the construction and resurrection of the project through completion, delivery, and subsequent operational oversight.

The American Phoenix is a 49,000 DWT U.S.-flag Jones Act chemical/product tanker measuring approximately 616 feet in length with a beam of 105 feet and a design draft of 36 feet. Cargo capacity is approximately 330,000 barrels. The vessel features diesel-electric propulsion with twin screws and twin rudders, providing redundancy, maneuverability, and flexibility compared with conventional single-screw designs. It was the largest vessel ever launched in the State of Alabama at the time of its launch.

Project Background and Pre-Purchase Survey

Construction of the vessel began as part of a multi-ship program at the Alabama Shipyard / Atlantic Marine facility in Mobile under a modular “virtual shipyard” approach. The project stalled when the original developer entered bankruptcy. The unfinished hull, reported as substantially complete, was sold through bankruptcy court proceedings.

AMTECH was asked to conduct a pre-purchase survey to assess the condition of the partially built vessel, identify remaining work, and evaluate technical and commercial viability prior to the acquisition.

Construction Completion and Delivery

Upon purchase, AMTECH supported the resurrection of the project and was involved through the remaining construction phase. Completion work was performed at the Mobile shipyard (then operating as BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama, the former Atlantic Marine / Alabama Shipyard facility, and now Alabama Shipyard). Remaining scope included outfitting, systems integration, installation of the pilothouse and other topside elements, machinery commissioning, coatings, and final acceptance work.

AMTECH attended through the building phase for inspections, quality assurance, and coordination with the shipyard and classification society. The vessel was launched in 2011 and delivered in 2012 as a modern, double-hulled Jones Act tanker suitable for chemical and petroleum product trades. AMTECH supported the transition into commercial service.

Operational Oversight

Following delivery, AMTECH provided operational oversight of the vessel. This included technical guidance on daily operations, systems performance, maintenance strategy, and Class compliance, drawing on knowledge gained during the survey and construction phases.

Subsequent Sale

After a period of operation under the acquiring owner, the owners decided to sell the American Phoenix to another Jones Act owner. The vessel has continued in U.S. coastwise service.

Project Significance

The American Phoenix project required technical assessment of a stalled, partially completed newbuild, coordination of remaining construction in a U.S. shipyard, and support through delivery into Jones Act service. AMTECH’s role spanned the pre-purchase survey, construction completion and inspections, delivery support, and post-delivery operational oversight—demonstrating the firm’s ability to manage complex vessel resurrection and lifecycle technical support for specialized domestic tonnage.