The US Navy’s fifth San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock USS New York set sail from Northrop Grumman Shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana to be formally commissioned in New York.

The ship’s bow stem was constructed from 7.5t of steel recovered from World Trade Center’s twin towers site after the 9/11 attack. It was christened ‘New York’ to honour the 9/11 attack victims in that city.

After being formally commissioned, the USS New York will be based in Norfolk, Virginia, where its primary role will be to defend against terrorism across the globe.

The amphibious assault ship can carry up to 800 marines and can move at a top speed of over 22kt and has a full displacement capacity of 24,900t.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems of New Orleans, Louisiana, was awarded the contract to build USS New York in 2003.