US Navy: Keel laid for John Lewis-class oiler USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg

February 17, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The keel for the US Navy’s future USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212), a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, was authenticated at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard on February 13, 2026.

Illustration; Credit: General Dynamics NASSCO

Keel laying authentication ceremonies are a centuries-old tradition marking a significant construction milestone where a ship transitions from design to reality.

The ship’s namesake, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was an advocate for justice who served on the U.S. Supreme Court for 27 years. The keel was authenticated when the ship’s sponsor, Jane Ginsburg, daughter of the late Justice, welded her initials onto a steel plate. This plate will be permanently affixed to the ship’s hull, remaining with the vessel throughout its entire service.

“This keel laying marks the first of many significant milestones for this ship and we are excited to bring this vessel to the Fleet,” said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office.

John Lewis-class replenishment oilers are a critical component of the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force. These 227.3-meter vessels are engineered to provide robust support, with the capacity to carry up to 162,000 barrels of diesel ship fuel, jet fuel, and other cargo.

Operated by the Military Sealift Command, these ships enable the navy’s warships to remain at sea for extended periods, providing the fuel, supplies, and provisions necessary to sustain global missions.

Recently, NASSCO started construction of the future USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214).