General Dynamics NASSCO Lays Keel of Third Product Carrier

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today held a keel-laying ceremony for its third product carrier. The ship is being built for U.S. Shipping Partners and is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009.

NASSCO began construction of the ship in July. It will be 600 feet long and have a cargo capacity of 331,000 barrels. The ship will be used in coastal trade, carrying petroleum and chemical products.

U.S. Shipping Partners previously announced that the ship will be named Sunshine State, the state nickname of Florida. Sunshine State will be part of the “State” class of product carriers, all of which are named after state nicknames. The previous two ships are Golden State and Pelican State, named in honor of California and Louisiana, respectively.

General Dynamics NASSCO employs more than 4,800 people and is the only full-service ship construction and repair yard on the West Coast of the United States. In addition to the PC vessels, the San Diego shipyard is building dry cargo-ammunition ships for the U.S. Navy. More information about NASSCO can be found at www.nassco.com.