Litton Avondale Industries of New Orleans (USA) laid the keel of the M/V Polar Discovery the third of three Millennium Class tankers being built at Avondale to carry crude oil from Alaska to the West Coast of the United States. The Millennium Class "next generation" tankers are the first new crude-oil carriers being built for the Alaskan trade in compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

The Millennium Class tankers are being built to meet and/or exceed existing and proposed environmental regulations. The tankers are being built with double hulls that exceed regulatory minimums, double independent engine rooms, twin propellers and twin rudders. The Millennium Class vessels will have all cargo, fuel and lubricating oils isolated from the ship’s side by ballast tanks or void spaces. The vessels will meet pending regulations for air emissions from engines. The ships are also being painted with tin-free anti-fouling paint in deference to proposed regulations.

M/V Polar Discovery and her sister vessels of the class are 272.69 M long by 46.2 M wide by 26.3 M deep (894.7’ x 151.6’ x 86.29’). The vessel is powered by twin 11,060 KW (15,000 BHP) slow-speed diesel engines. The ship has a 2206 KW (3000 HP) bow thruster. The design speed is 16.5 knots loaded and 17.5 knots in ballast. The Polar Discovery will be equipped with the latest electronics to ensure safe and efficient operation.