- Transport on Line - hiltunen.htm

BUSINESS

Status of the world fleet in 1996

Lloyd's Register has released its 1996 world fleet statistics. Ships
over 100 gross tons increased by 17.2 million gross tons last year to 507.9
million gross tons, with a total of 84,264 vessels. Of those, 45,097 were
cargo vessels of 482 million gross tons and 740 million deadweight tons.
Average age of the fleet was 19 years, with cargo vessels averaging 18
years. Bulk carriers and containerships were mostly under 15 years, while
general cargo ships and tankers were over. Some 25.9 million gross tons
of ships were completed, with Japan and South Korea accounting for 68 percent.
Of the new ships from Japan, 4.7 million gross tons were bulk carriers,
2.4 million gross tons were tankers and 800,000 gross tons were containerships.
South Korea built 2.7 million gross tons of tankers, 2.1 million gross
tons of bulk carriers and 1.0 million gross tons of containerships. Some
778 vessels of 9.3 million gross tons were deleted from the world fleet,
either by scrapping or loss. Deletions averaged 26 years, with 36 percent
of the vessels lost being general cargo vessels and 32 percent of those
scrapped being oil tankers. Panama had the most ships, 6,105 at 82.1 million
gross tons, which is 16 percent of the world's vessels. They average 18
years. Of those ships, 28.1 million gross tons are bulk carriers, 20.9
million are tankers and 8.0 million are containerships. Liberia was next
with 1,684 ships at 60.0 million gross tons, with an average age of 12
years. The Greek fleet numbered 1,743 ships of 27.5 million gross tons
and 24 years. Japan had the youngest fleet, with 9,399 ships of 19.2 million
gross tons. Of those, 5,569 were cargo ships of 17.9 million gross tons
and averaging nine years. The U.S. fleet was oldest, 470 ships of 10.5
million gross tons with an age of 28 years.

Basil Papachristidis not negligent in Red Sea Tanker Fund case

A High Court in London on 30 April found that Basil Papachristidis and
two firms associated with him were not grossly negligent in advice he gave
to the Red Sea Tanker Fund. The fund alledged that Papachristidis was negligent
in the purchase of the Ardent, a deal that collapsed in the late 1980s.
Papachristidis said that the situation resulted from losses in the tanker
market, which itself bottomed out in 1991. The court found that while there
was evidence of negligence, Papachristidis and the two businesses were
not at fault due to contractual immunity, making them not liable when acting
on behalf of the company.

I.T.W.F. suspends rights of Russian union

The International Transport Workers' Federation has suspended the ability
of the Water Transport Workers' Union of Russia to negotiate collective
agreements for members aboard open-registry, or "flag of convenience,"
ships. The decision, made in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, was announced late
25 April. The move was taken for "blatant violations" of the
federation's policy on such vessels.

Indonesia and the Philippines working on common port tariff

Indonesia and the Philippines are currently working on a common port
tariff agreement. At present, ships registered in the two countries calling
at each others ports will be charged a uniform U.S.$0.04 per gross ton
and a dockage fee of U.S.$0.02 per gross ton per day. The rate has applied
to an Indonesian-registry ship since last year, which sails to Palawan,
the Philippines, regularly. In the Philippines, the common tariff would
apply at Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Jolo, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga,
and in Indonesia, to Bitung. The rates would be effective two years.

Dutch surveyors/consultants combine

The marine surveying and engineering consultancy firm of Touw Holding
has bought Expertise-en Ingenieursbureau De Beijer, which has similar operations.
The newly acquired firm will continue to operate two offices at Maasbracht
and Rotterdam in the Netherlands until mid-1998, when operations are consolidated
at Touw's facility in Rotterdam.

Resolution to support the "Jones Act" introduced

Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., chairman of the U.S. House of Representative's
Rules Committee, and Rep. Joseph Moakley, D-Mass., the committee's senior
Democrat, introduced a resolution 23 April to support U.S. cabotage laws,
or the U.S. Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (46 U.S. Code 883).

New operator/broker to start

Pacific Carriers Ltd.'s PCL S.A. has announced a joint venture with
Metall Und Rohstoff Shipping AG. Pacmur Shipping Ltd., based in Hong Kong,
will broker, charter and operate ships with an initial capital of H.K.$500,000/U.S.$65,000.
The firm will focus on Hong Kong, Russia's Pacific coast and South Korea.

Miami Cruiseship Services gets cease and desist order

The South Florida Regional Office of the Department of Banking and Finance
issued an emergency cease and desist order against Miami Cruiseship Services
on 25 April for violating the Florida Money Transmitter Code (Florida Statute
560). It is the first time action has been taken under the code, enacted
in 1994. The firm's principals, Albert and Carlota Douk, formerly Albert
and Carlota Efergan, and the firm's registered agent were served. The company
offers service primarily to foreign citizens working on cruise ships, and
allegedly transfered funds on behalf of those employees illegally. An eight-month
inquiry led to the order. The Money Transmitter Code requires businesses
that handle services from check cashing to foreign currency exchanges register
as a money transmitter. Failure can result in administrative action and
fines as much as U.S.$1,000 per day, in addition to possible criminal charges.

Esso France forms tanker operating subsidiary

Esso France has set-up Green Tankers to operate two tankers it is time-chartering.
Esso France's last two tankers, the Alsace (278,726-dwt tanker built in
1974) and the Picardie (274,467-dwt tanker built in 1976), were sold recently
to Bergesen d.y. A/S, removed from the French register and renamed the
Berge Charlotte and the Berge Helene, respectively. Green Tankers, at Rueil
Malmaison, France, near Paris, will oversee the operation of the two.

Third person being investigated for insider trading in APL/N.O.L. deal

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating a third
person for possible insider trading of APL Ltd. shares following its recent
announcement to be bought by Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. A civil suit has
been filed against Raymond Lum Kwan Sung in Singapore. He was said to have
made U.S.$1.2 million in the deal by purchasing 190,100 APL shares, allegedly
through insider trading. Also, the person being investigated in the deal
who was originally said to be in Zurich, Switzerland, has been identified
as Abdul Ismail of London. Ismail, and Bobby Ong Congqin, are suspecting
of making U.S.$1 million APL options. Congqin and Ismail alledgedly bought
the options before the 13 April annoncement, and after the deal, APL stock
increased 39 percent. The options entitled the two to buy APL shares at
a deep discount.

CF Sharp Crew Management cleared of charges

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has cleared CF Sharp
Crew Management Inc. of illegal recruitment charges. It had previously
been reported that the administration had suspended the license of the
firm for two years and imposed a fine for violations of Philippine labor
codes and P.O.E.A. regulations. Five executives of the firm were said to
have resigned over alledged illegal recruitment pratices relating to supplying
400 crewmembers for Louis Cruise Lines. Reportedly, the crewmembers said
Louis Cruise Lines was forced to drop Rizal International Shipping Services
for its personnel requirements after complaints from employees of delayed
salaries and benefits. It has been alledged that Rizal International Shipping
Services then used legal actions to get the contract, won by CF Sharp Crew
Management, dropped.

Investigation into Mississippi River dredge finds racial bias

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Complaint
Investigations has found that African-American crewmembers of a U.S. Army
Corps of Engineer dredge based at Memphis, Tenn., were subject to racial
slurs and discrimination in personnel practices. The report on the Hurley
is the second such report against the Army Corps of Engineers this year.
In February, the corps agreed to pay U.S.$800,000 in damages and revise
personnel policies to settle a discrimination case by personnel in Pittsburgh.
In Memphis, the investigation found that the only black crewmember of the
Hurley who had not recently filed a discrimination complaint was the only
one promoted last year. A second crewmember, who had filed a complaint,
was promoted, but the report concluded this was "a shield." The
two were the first black crewmembers in 64 years of operations aboard the
Hurley and a precessor, the Burgess, to transfer from seasonal to work
for the full year. In 1996, the Hurley's crew was 22 full-time and 25 seasonal
employees. All but two of the former are white, and the majority of the
latter are black. White crewmembers frequently used racial slurs and told
racist jokes. The master of the Hurley, Jimmy Nation, was cited by the
report for promoting Roger D. Conrad in 1994. A white crewmember, Conrad
had "exhibited alcohol problems for an extended period of time while
occupying a position in the pilot house." In addition, investigaors
said Conrad was an "abusive supervisor" who used "harsh
and unmistakably racist" language. The report concludes Nation "placed
his trust in an individual with a known alcohol abuse problem but lacked
confidence any African-American employee could handle such responsibility."
Conrad resigned from the corps last year. The Burgess was lasted used in
1993, but former crewmembers told investigators that crew areas were segregated
by race. For example, white crewmembers slept forward in semi-private quarters,
but black crewmembers slept 10 to 12 in each cabin aft. The African-American
crewmembers of the Hurley are seeking monetary compensation, training for
advancement and punishment of white crewmembers who engaged in racial discrimination.
The corps reportedly began discussion of a settlement on 30 April. No disciplinary
action has been taken so far. The Hurley, a 90-meter/300-foot long dredging
vessel, works on the Mississippi River from late spring to fall from Cape
Girardeau, Mo. The rest of the year it is in Memphis.

Valdez may no longer tax tankers

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and affiliated companies have reportedly
withdrawn proposed legislation that would remove the ability of Valdez,
Alaska, to tax tankers. However, the taxes may still end, as the Valdez
City Council will likely repeal the tanker tax.

Gorthon Lines demerger approved

Shareholders of Bylock and Nordsjofrakt approved a plan to demerge Gorthon
Lines on 29 April at an annual general meeting. Shares of Gorthon Lines
will be transferred to shareholders of Bylock and Nordsjofrakt.

Lawrence Graham to open Ukrainian office

The law firm Lawrence Graham will start an office in Ukraine to offer
assistance to vessels in Black Sea ports. The office in Mariupol will open
12 May. It will be managed in cooperation with a local firm, Maritime Business
and Legal Services.

Compulsory pilotage near the Confederation Bridge to be studied

Canadian Transport Minister David Anderson has appointed Robert C. Milne
to investigate the proposed establishment of a compulsory pilotage area
for ships near the Confederation Bridge. The area was recommended by Canada's
Atlantic Pilotage Authority following a study of navigation near the new
bridge, linking New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. As planned, any
foreign-registry vessel and any Canadian-registry ship of more than 1,500-gt
would have to take aboard a pilot licensed by the authority or who has
a pilotage certified by the authority. Fishing vessels would be exempt.
Milne is president of Marinpro Inc., which specializes in consulting, shipping
and port management and transportation services.

Wallenius Lines renames three subsidiaries

Wallenius Lines has renamed three foreign subsidiaries. Effective 1
May, Helsinki Motorships Oy will become Wallenius Lines Finlamd, Mann Motorships
Ltd. will become Wallenius Lines U.K. and Motorships Sarl will become Wallenius
Lines France.

Nordic American Shipping changes name

Nordic American Shipping A/S is changing its name to Ugland Nordic Shipping
A/S. The change reflects the fact that the Andreas Ugland Group has a 42
percent stake in the line.

T.M.G. names Atlantic Coast agent

Transportacion Maritima Grancolombiana S.A. has appointed Trans-American
Steamship Agency Inc. as its agent for the Atlantic Coast.

Columbus Line opens new U.S. east coast facility

Columbus Line U.S.A. Inc. has opened a new service facility in Philadelphia.
Service teams will be assigned to each customer of the line in the region,
with the customer's sales representative part of the group.

APL moves Eastern Region facility

APL Ltd. has moved its Eastern Region ocean consolidation facility to
100 Central Ave., Building 40C, South Kearny, N.J., 07032. The telephone
is 201-955-3400.

P&O Nedlloyd names agent in Sri Lanka

P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. has chosen P&O Nedlloyd Keells
as its agent in Sri Lanka.

Stolt Comex Seaway stock listed

Stolt Comex Seaway S.A.'s stock has been listed under "SCS"
on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

ROUTES AND SERVICES

Vapores Suardiaz starting Le Havre to Casablanca ro/ro

Vapores Suardiaz S.A. will start a ro/ro service from Le Havre, France,
to Casablanca, Morocco, shortly. Calls will be made every two weeks with
the Fleur-de-Lys (Cypriot-registry 5,273-dwt ro/ro built in 1982, operated
by Denval Marine Consultants Ltd.), which can carry 530 vehicles. Calls
may also be made at Setubal, Portugal, and Vigo, Spain.

Three lines to service Tasmania

P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd., South Pacific Shipping and Tasman
Express Line Ltd. reportedly are cooperating on a service to Tasmania,
Australia.

Hyundai, N.Y.K. and Siam Pactra International adding Manila

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd., Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd. and Siam
Pactra International is adding Manila, the Philippines, to its service
between Japan and Bangkok, Thailand. With three loops, the Clipper Service
has three 650-TEU containerships, the Dragon Service has three 1,000-TEU
ships and the Phoenix Service has three 800-TEU ships.

LEP International offering LCL service from France to Mauritius

LEP International Ltd. is starting a less-than-containerload service
between France and Mauritius. Working with C.G.M. Sud at Marseilles, France,
and Mediterranean Shipping at Rouen, France, LEP International will consolidate
cargo from the Paris area at Garonor, France.

Corsica Ferries announces new service between Italian ports

Beginning 29 June, the Corsica Express II (French-registry 280-dwt passenger
ferry built in 1996, operated by Corsica Ferries) will begin a new service
between two Italian ports. The vessel, operating under Sardinia Ferries,
will sail the four-hour route from Civitavecchia on the mainland to Golfo
Aranci on Sardinia.

CANALS, PORTS AND TERMINALS

Port of Singapore Authority to operate Fuzhou facilities

The Port of Singapore Authority has received a 50-year concession to
manage and operate two existing container terminals and a new deep-water
facility at Fuzhou, China. The contract was awarded to P.S.A. with two
Hong Kong firms on 25 April. The consortium will operate the Daijiang and
Qingzhou terminals and a new facility near Minjiang, with Fuzhou Port Authority
having a 51 percent stake and the P.S.A. consortium the rest. Within the
P.S.A. side, P.S.A. will have 70 percent through its Sealion Huanan Pte.
Ltd., and Pacific Industries and Development Ltd. and Ranki Development
Ltd. will have 15 percent each.

New investments at Port Klang, Calcutta

Kelang Container Terminal Bhd. will invest 78 million Malaysian ringgit/U.S.$31
million this year at Port Klang, Malaysia. Forty-five million ringgit/U.S.$18
million will be spent to replace the port's three oldest cranes, while
16 million ringgit/U.S.$6.4 million will be spent on developing a back-up
area at Berth 11 on 10 hectares/25 acres. Another 17 million ringgit/U.S.$6.8
million will be spent on new equipment, including straddle carriers. The
Calcutta Port Trust as committed 4.77 billion Indian rupees/U.S.$133 million
over the next five years for development at the Indian port.

New Yokohama terminal operator

Yokohama Terminal, a new firm formed by 19 port handling businesses,
will begin stevedoring operations on 12 May at Yokohama, Japan. It will
lease two container terminals from the Yokohama Port Authority for a year,
renewable in April. Intitial investment is set at 1.6 billion Japanese
yen/U.S.$13 million, at the Honmoku A7 and Daikoku C2. Each of the 19 will
solicit its own customers and offer service with its own equipment. The
new company is backed by three entities, including the Yokohama Container
Terminal cooperative union, which invested 30 million yen/U.S.$240,000.
The other two each invested 10 million yen/U.S.$80,000. Yokohama Terminal's
first customer is Toto Kaiun K.K., which will operate three 499-gt, 80-TEU
capacity ships with three calls per week.

United Thai Shipping opens container terminal

United Thai Shipping Corp. has opened a new container terminal on the
Chao Phaya River in the Samutprakara Province of Thailand. It will handle
150,000 TEUs annually, with the first ship to arrive being the Halla Liberty
(South Korean-registry vessel operated by Dongnama Shipping Co. Ltd.).
It discharged and loaded 700 TEUs.

Sinagpore, COSCO sign long-term agreement

The Port of Singapore Authority signed a long-term agreement with China
Ocean Shipping Co. in Beijing on 28 April. P.S.A. will provide stable prices
and dedicated terminal services to COSCO, in return for COSCO using the
port as its regional hub.

Tasmania passes port legislation

Tasmania has approved new laws which will remove regulatory authority
from ports and will set-up the ports as commercial firms subject to the
Corporations Act. The Port Companies Act and the Marine Safety Authorities
Bill were passed last week. Tasmania will retain a stake in the ports,
but ship regulations and safety activities will be transferred to a new
government entity, the Marine and Safety Authority.

First all-weather covered transshipment facility in Europe at Amsterdam

Amsterdam Port Management and Waterlandse Havenbedrijven B.V. will begin
operations at the first all-weather, covered transshipment terminal in
Europe by the end of the year at the Port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The structure, which will cost 14 million Dutch guilder/U.S.$7.2 million,
will be designed to handle moisture-sensative general cargo, on the northwest
bank of Westhaven. Three vessels will be worked simultaneously at the 55,000
square meter/66,000 square yard facility, which will also have 13,000 square
meters/16,000 square yards of warehouse space and 20,000 square meters/24,000
square yards of storage for ro/ro cargo. Equipped with overhead traveling
cranes, the new terminal will be capable of hanlding 500,000 tons of cargo
annually. Waterlandse Havenbedrijven will transfer operations at Vlothaven
to the new structure.

Sumitomo, Yukong Line to operate new distribution center near Pusan

Sumitomo Corp. and Yukong Line Ltd. agreed 29 April to build a distribution
center near Pusan, South Korea, by the end of September 1998. An equal
joint venture, capitalized at 1.2 billion Japanese yen/U.S.$9.5 million,
will operate the facility. The center, which will cost two billion yen/U.S.$16
million, will have 21,000 square meters/25,000 square yards of space. The
venture will begin operations in July using a Yukong Line warehouse until
the new six-floor structure is completed.

Diamond State Port replacing refigerated facility at Wilmington

Diamond State Port Corp. is demolishing its original refrigerated warehouse
at the Port of Wilmington, Del. The 70-year-old facility will be replaced
by a 9,720-square meter/108,000-square foot facility costing U.S.$14.4
million. It will open in December.

Tianjin gets E.D.I.

An electronic data interchange facility began operations 25 April at
Tianjin, China. It is the first Chinese port to be equipped with an E.D.I.
system for international containers. Some 10.07 million Chinese yuan/U.S.$1.21
million was spent on the system, using software from Sweden.

Tug raised from Panama Canal, vessel transits limited

The San Pablo II (Panamanian-registry 322-gt tug) was raised from the
approaches to the east lane of the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal
at 0020 28 April. The tug, involved with dredging work, sank on 21 April.
The east lane of the lock was reopened at 0400 28 April. Due to the backlong
of vessels and the closure of the area during the salvage, the number of
vessel transit reservations was reduced with 12 ships being accepted. Relatedly,
a higher fee was implemented, from U.S.$0.26 per net ton to U.S.$0.69 per
net ton.

Lake Maracaibo Channel to be dredged

Under an emergency plan, the depth of Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo Channel
will be deepened to 12 meters/40 feet. However, of two available dredgers,
one is being repaired and one is working at half capacity. As a result,
two dredgers have been chartered and are sailing from China. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which designed the channel, will oversee the dredging
operation. Four tankers have run aground in the channel since February.

Cotonou hit by one-day strike, Koko not operating

The Port of Cotonou, Benin, was idled 28 April after clerical workers
struck. The employees were protesting government plans to replace the port's
managing director and his staff. Operations returned to normal the next
day. The Port of Koko, Nigeria, has stopped operating following fighting
in the area that have killed 19 people.

Slowdown at Brazilian port

Dockworkers at the Port of Salvador, Brazil, have slowed their work
as part of a job action. Each gang is reportedly handling only four containers
per hour.

St. Lawrence Seaway section briefly closed by bomb threat

The South Shore Canal, the first 20 kilometers/12 miles of the St. Lawrence
Seaway for inbound vessels from Montreal, was closed at 0952 30 April after
a bomb threat. The threat apparently involved two bridges that crossed
the section as well as two rail bridges. The section was reopened at 1146,
apparently after nothing was found.

More on Evergreen Marine's Port Coco Solo

Evergreen Marine Corp.'s new U.S.$200 million Port Coco Solo in Panama,
which will open in September, is being completed in two phases. The first
phase will be finished by July and involves a 324-meter/1,060-foot pier
with three cranes on the 20-hectare/50 acre area. The second phase, tentatively
set for completion by the end of January, will add a 312-meter/1,020-foot
pier and two more cranes. The facility will handle 100 million TEUs annually.

Evergreen to invest in Chinese container depot

Evergreen Marine Corp. has received Chinese Investment Commission approval
to spend U.S.$5.5 million on an inland container depot at Shenzhen, China.

Dalian Container Terminal to get new cranes

A U.S.$30 million order was placed 30 April for four post-Panamax container
cranes and 13 35-ton yard cranes for the Dalian Container Terminal at Dalian,
China. The cranes will be manufactured by Samsung Corp. and Shanghai Zhenhua
Port Machinery Co.

Lisbon to extend quay length

The Port of Lisbon, Portugal, plans to extend the quay at the Alcantara
Terminal for U.S.$5.9 million. Money has already been marked for dredging
at the terminal to a uniform 13 meters/43 feet, with usable quayside of
300 meters/980 feet to 640 meters/2,100 feet. The quay will now be extended
20 meters/65 feet.

New berths open at Nagoya, Colombo

A berth designed for bulk carriers larger that Panamax size has opened
on the eastern side of the West 4 District at Nagoya, Japan. The No. 93
berth is 350 meters/1,150 feet long and 14 meters/46 feet deep with three
cranes. Two are 4.6-ton super gantry-type. A new 2.2 billion Indian rupee/U.S.$37
million petroleum berth opened at the Island Breakwater at the Port of
Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 28 April. The berth, funded in large part by a Japanese
"soft loan," can accomodate 60,000-dwt ships. The berth has a
depth of 14 meters/50 feet and was built by Penta-Ocean/Wakachiku with
nine pipelines laid by NKK Corp. It was designed by Japan Port Consultants.

Fourth gantry delivered to Port Everglades

A fourth gantry crane has been delivered to Port Everglades, Fla. The
the 46.0-meter/151-foot, tall crane arrived 20 April on the Dock Express
10 (7,071-dwt, 154-meter/504-foot ro/ro built in 1979, operated by Dockwise
N.V.). In order to unload the 1,300-ton crane, part of the Intracoastal
Waterway was temporarily closed. The U.S.$9.3 million crane can move 35
to 40 TEUs per hour.

Maine terminal operator gets I.S.O. 9002

Merrill's Marine Terminal at Portland, Maine, has received I.S.O. 9002
certification. It is reportedly the first stevedore north of Baltimore
to receive the designation, and one of only seven in the United States.

SHIPYARDS AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS

Eighteen killed in Alang

At least 18 people were reportedly killed on 22 April in an explosion
at Alang, India. The explosion was aboard an Aframax tanker being scrapped.

European Union approves aid to shipbuilders of three countries

The European Union last week approved state aid of U.S.$1.6 billion
to shipyards in Germany, Greece and Spain. In addition, existing state
aid rules are being extended to the end of 1998.

Chinese shipbuilding in 1996

China exported U.S.$1.3 billion worth of vessels in 1996, up 95 percent
from 1995. The 1.6 million tons, or 85 percent of all ships built, was
up 130 percent, according to China State Shipbuilding Corp.

Kvaerner Kimek to close

Kvaerner Kimek A/S, bought by Kvaerner A.S.A. in 1990, will be closed.
The shipyard, in Kirkenes, Norway, has laid-off two-thirds of its employees
and has lost money for seven years. Kvaerner estimates that it would be
another two or three years before the yard could operate with all employees
and cover its losses.

Newfoundland Dockyard to be sold to St. John's Dockyard

Marine Atlantic Inc. will sell the land and assets of Newfoundland Dockyard
Corp. to St. John's Dockyard Ltd., it was announced 25 April. The agreement
will enable St. John's Dockyard to form a new operation, hire employees
and bid on repair work.

New shipyard venture in Romania

Daewoo-Mangalia Heavy Industries, a new joint venture shipyard, has
been formed in Romania. The yard is located at the 2 Mai Mangalia Shipyard
near Constanta, Romania. It will have an annual capacity of six to eight
ships, up to 115,000-dwt. In addition, the yard will repair or convert
100 to 200 vessels each year. The new venture comes after Daewoo Heavy
Industries Co. Ltd. took a 51 percent stake in 2 Mai Mangalia.

Thyssen abandons plans with Caneco

Thyssen AG has dropped a proposed alliance with Caneco, the Brazilian
shipbuilder. However, Thyssen may be in discussions with another shipyard
in the country, Maua, regarding leasing part of its facility to build four
500-TEU capacity ships with Omar Peres.

Optiomi sells stake in Finnyards

Optiomi has bought the 39.1 percent stake in Finnyards Ltd. held by
Hollming Ltd. It is the second largest stake, after UPM-Kynnene's 47.9
percent. The Finnish government has 13 percent.

Tanker waste treatment facility to operate in Bahrain

Bahrain is planning to establish the first facility in the Middle East
to treat oil tanker waste. The plan, which was recently approved by the
Bahrain Ministry of Oil and Industry, involves using U.S. technology to
recycle waste from tankers calling at Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard
Ltd. The waste will be converted into usable petroleum. Middle East Environment
Services Co. will begin operating early next year and will be owned by
local investors and a U.S. business.

Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering gets I.S.O. 9002

Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Co. has received I.S.O. 9002
certification, after an audit by Lloyd's Registers Quality Assurance Division.
The certification applies to the yard as well as the firm's container repair
facility at Mina Sulman, Bahrain.

Kvaerner, Boeing to study offshore airbase for the U.S. Navy

A unit of Kvaerner A.S.A. and Boeing Co. will conduct a feasibility
study for the U.S. Navy on developing the world's first mobile offshore
airbase. The project, if built, could be worth U.S.$5 billion. Kvaerner
and Boeing were chosen over Brown and Root and McDermott International
Inc. As envisioned, the structure would have a 1,600-meter/5,300-foot runway,
large enough for use by the U.S. Air Force's C-17A Globemaster III, and
accomodations for 10,000 troops. The world's largest mobile offshore platform,
it would have three semi-submersible platforms linked by two bridges. The
base would be assembled at sea for each deployment. The study will likely
take 18 months.

Ingalls to construct up to 17 vessels for Edison Chouest Offshore

Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc. will build up to 17 offshore supply vessels
for Edison Chouest Offshore Inc. Under an agreement, the shipyard will
build 10 73.2-meter/240-foot vessels for U.S.$40 million. There is an option
for seven more, making the total contract worth up to U.S.$70 million.
Each vessel will be more than 3,000-dwt, and are committed to long-term
contracts for work in the Gulf of Mexico. Edison Chouest Offshore is providing
materials for construction, and the first vessel's keel will be laid in
June. More than 500 employees will work on the contract during peak production.

Letter of intent signed for three ships at Gdansk

Zygmunt Solorz, owner of POLSAT TV, has signed a letter of intent on
financing the completion of three ships at Stocznia Gdansk S.A. The three
were ordered by Schoeller. Details are being worked out, with a plan likely
to be announced by mid-May.

Croatia to build 10 ships for NOVOSHIP

Five Croatian shipyards will reportedly build 10 vessels for Novorossiysk
Shipping Co.

ICB Shipping orders 158,000-dwt tanker

ICB Shipping A.B. has ordered a 158,000-dwt tanker from Daewoo Heavy
Industries Co. Ltd. It will be delivered in the first quarter of 1999.
The ship will be built at Okpo, South Korea.

Tsuneishi in bulk carrier deal with First Steamship

First Steamship Co. has ordered a 73,000-dwt bulk carrier from Tsuneishi
Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for delivery in the first quarter of 1999. Marubeni
Corp. was an intermediary.

Cido orders two pure car carriers in Japan

Cido Shipping Co. Ltd. has ordered two 5,100-vehicle capacity pure car
carriers from Kanasashi Zosensho. They will be delivered in March and May
1999. Each will be 170 meters/558 feet long with a Panamax beam and Mitsubishi-developed
UE-series 16,800 brake horsepower diesels for 20 knots.

Qiuxin Shipyard to build tanker for Rederi A.B. Heron

Qiuxin Shipyard has received an order from Rederi A.B. Heron for an
8,500-dwt tanker for caustic soda, chemicals and oil products. It will
have a capacity of 9,200 cubic meters/12,000 cubic yards with a length
of 115 meters/377-feet, a beam of 18.25 meters/59.88 feet and a 7.10-meter/23.3-foot
draft. The ice-strengthened, double-hull tanker, to be delivered in the
second half of 1998, will have Warsila medium-speed diesels of about 5,000
brake horsepower.

Precious Shipping confirms two more ships with Cheung Ku Marine

Precious Shipping Co. has confirmed orders with Cheung Ku Marine Industry
Co. Ltd. for two more 18,600-dwt bulk carriers. The order is now for eight,
two of which have been delivered. The latest will arrive in October 1998
and January 1999.

INCAT Australia in first Italian deal

INCAT Australia has completed its first vessel for Italian interests.
The 86-meter/282-foot "wave-piercer" can carry 800 passengers
and 200 vehicles. The Australian$52 million/U.S.$41 million vessel was
to leave Australia this week.

Argentine yard finally completes combination ship

Astilleros Fontec in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has finally delivered
the Pu Glory (11,423-dwt, 800-TEU capacity combination ship) to Glory Shipping.
Sri Lankan interests ordered three such vessels from Astilleros Argentinos
Rio de La Plata S.A. (ASTARSA), with the first two delivered after five
years. The third ship experienced delays in outfitting, before ASTARSA
was declared bankrupt. Astilleros Fontec leased some of the yard and agreed
to complete the Pu Glory, classed by RINA.

Stolt Inspiration delivered

The Stolt Inspiration, the third of seven 37,000-dwt chemical tankers
being built by Danyard A/S for Stolt Parcel Tankers Inc., has been delivered.
The ship has 42 integral cargo tanks and four deck cargo tanks of stainless-steel.
Propulsion is by medium-speed diesel-electric equipment.

Kvaerner Fjellstrand delivers Flying Cat, launches another ferry

The St. Gabriel, the first 40-meter/130-foot single-deck Flying Cat
ferry built by Kvaerner Fjellstrand (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., has been delivered
to Sea Angels Ferry Corp. The vessel is 75-dwt. The seventh of 10 catamarans
ordered by Sembawang Mulpha, the Water Jet 3, was launched by Kvaerner
Fjellstrand on 29 April. The Singaporean$7 million/U.S.$4.1 million ferry
can carry 286 passengers and will be operated in the Philippines by Water
Jet Angels Fast Ferry Corp.

Sea Empress repaired

Harland and Wolff Holdings P.L.C. has completed repairs to the ship
formerly known as the Sea Empress (Liberian-registry 147,273-dwt, 275-meter/900-foot
single-hull tanker built by Astilleros Espanoles S.A. in Spain in 1993;
owned by Alegrete Shipping Co. and operated by Acromarit (U.K.) Ltd). It
left the shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, recently with the new name
Sea Spirit. Likely costing around U.S.$30 million, some 3,000 tons of steel
was replaced at 22 tons per day. A two-shift, 10-hour system was used employing
500 workers. The ship ran aground late Feb. 15, 1996, 180 meters/600 feet
off St. Ann's Head near Milford Haven, Wales. Ruptured cargo tanks spilled
about 72 million liters/19 million gallons of oil, or more than 65,000
tons, effecting hundreds of miles of coastline. The ship was refloated
late 21 Feb., 1996, with 12 tugs. The Sea Empress was on charter to Dreyfus
Energy and was carrying 139.7 million liters/36.75 million gallons of North
Sea light crude in 17 tanks from Hound Point, Scotland, to a Texaco Inc.
refinery in Wales.

Oil Tracer completes lengthening

Tees Dockyard Ltd. has completed lengthening the Oil Tracer (2,425-dwt
offshore supply vessel built in 1982) for O.I.L. Ltd. The vessel arrived
21 Feb. where a 12-meter/39-foot section was added amidships. Another three
meters/10 feet for four meters/13 feet was added at the stern.

Details of sale of repair dock to Falkvarv

Schichau Seebeckwerft AG has announced the details of its sale of a
repair dock, which has not been used in three years, to Falkvarv A.B. at
Falkenberg, Sweden. It will be cut lengthwise to get it through a 29-meter/95-foot
lock, then re-welded at Bremer Vulkan Verbund AG.

Crowley Maritime announces ship names

Crowley Maritime Corp. will name its three new 2,100-TEU capacity containerships
the Sea Cougar, the Sea Jaguar and the Sea Lynx. They will be used between
the U.S. east coast and South America. The 21-knot ships will be delivered
in June and July. -- Steve Schultz - Whitefish Bay, Wis., U.S.A. - sschultz@execpc.com

"When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's
skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not
willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang"
- Herman Melville from "Moby-Dick; or, The White Whale," Chapter
114, Paragraph two

EVENTS, INCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS

Two killed by toxic fumes on ship off Poland

Two citizens of Cape Verde were killed 29 April after being overcome
by toxic fumes aboard the Blue Bird (St. Vincent and the Grenadines-registry).
The ship, 10 kilometers/six miles east of Wladyslawowo, Poland, radioed
Polish Ship Salvage Co., which in turn contacted authorities. A helicopter
evacuated the two crewmembers, who later died. The ship was sailing from
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Gdynia, Poland.

Fishing vessel crewmember in critical condition in New Jersey

A 42-year-old man aboard a fishing vessel was airlifted off by the U.S.
Coast Guard on 29 April. An HH-65A Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard
Air Station Cape May, N.J., hoisted the man aboard, 128 kilometers/60 miles
northeast of Cape May. The man had been struck in the head by fishing equipment,
and a rescue swimmer treated the man before he was lifted aboard. He is
in critical condition at Atlantic City Trauma in Atlantic City, N.J.

U.S. Coast Guard conducts two medical evacuations

A crewmember of the Aslan (Turkish-registry 121-meter/398-foot containership)
was taken off the ship due to acute abdominal pain at 2000 20 April, about
360 kilometers/225 miles east of Hampton Roads, Va. Ahmet Demir, a 24-year-old
Turkish citizen, was hoisted aboard a U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk helicopter
from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C. An HC-130H Hercules also
took-off from the station. Demir was taken to Norfolk Sentara Hospital
in Norfolk, Va., where he was reported in stable condition. A helicopter
from the Coast Guard's lead ship of the U.S.C.G.C. Reliance (WMEC 615)-class
Medium-Endurace Cutter evacuated a crewmember from the Hesperus (Norwegian-registry
41,287-dwt tanker built in 1973, operated by Bergesen d.y. A/S) on 30 April,
280 kilometers/275 miles southeast of Bermuda. The 23-year-old Philippine
citizen was suffering from severe stomach pain and the ship, which had
sailed from Tampa, Fla., for Gibraltar, contacted the Coast Guard. The
person began complaining of pain just after 2000 29 April, and is now at
a hospital in Bermuda. Assisting the HH-65A Dolphin was a Hercules from
Elizabeth City.

Philip R. Clarke sets another Great Lakes record

The Philip R. Clarke (U.S.-registry 12,342-gt, 9,372-nt, 234-meter/767-foot
bulk carrier built in 1952, owned and operated by USS Great Lakes Fleet
Inc.) has set another new U.S. cargo record on the Canadian/U.S. Great
Lakes. On 28 March, the ship loaded 25,325-nt of salt at Fairport Harbor,
Ohio, for Toledo, Ohio, five tons more than a record set in 1987. On 26
April, the ship loaded 27,621-mt of salt at Fairport Harbor.

Bulk carrier arrested after mortgage bank refuses to pay

The Merkur (Turkish-registry bulk carrier) has been arrested. The ship
was repossessed last year but later released. Now, the mortgage company,
Halk Finansal, has refused to pay U.S.$50,000 to Marine Risk Management,
which arrested it the first time after Bursaliglu defaulted. Some money
was paid in April, but the balance is outstanding. The Merkur is at Durban,
South Africa, and was loading cargo for the Far East.

Crews secure payment, assurances

The crew of the Swiecie (Liberian-registry 12,333-dwt dry cargo ship
built in 1971, operated by Euroeast Agencies N.V.) has secured back wages.
The Polish crew struck aboard the ship at Gdynia, Poland, on 22 April.
However, the ship will now leave Gdynia soon, as it has now been detained
by port state control after defects were found aboard. The crews of three
other ships that also began a protest the same day - the Marian Buczek
(Liberian-registry 12,129-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1974, operated by
Martec S.A.), the Major Sucharski (Liberian-registry 12,120-dwt dry cargo
ship built in 1973, operated by Martec) and the Ursus (12,312-dwt dry cargo
ship built in 1972, operated by Euroeast Agencies) - were given assuraces
they would be paid soon.

Bulk carrier videotaped dumping oil in the Baltic

An aircraft of the Finnish Frontier Guard recently videotaped the Mentor
(Cypriot-registry 22,247-dwt bulk carrier built in 1973, owned and operated
by Atlantis Management Inc. with registered owner Maval Navigation) dumping
waste oil overboard in daylight outside Finnish territorial waters. The
oil formed a slick 37 kilometers/23 miles long. The Mentor was sailing
from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Argentina.

Greece locates three Turkish fishing vessels in territorial waters

Greek Coast Guard vessels on 28 April escorted two Turkish-registry
fishing vessels out of Greek territorial waters. A third was assisted to
Molyvos, Greece, with engine problems. The three were located early in
the day near Molyvos, and two crewmembers of the vessel taken to the port
were detained. They were later acquitted by a misdemeanor court, after
they said the vessel was swept into Greek waters by currents.

Nine stowaways found aboard the Zim America

Of nine men who arrived in Canada as stowaways aboard the Zim America
(Israeli-registry 47,986-dwt containership built in 1990, operated by Zim
Israel Navigation Co. Ltd.) the morning of 1 May, only one has been allowed
to stay. The group, ranging in age from early 20s to mid-40s, included
three Egyptian, three Moroccan and three Romanian citizens, and were discovered
before the ship docked at the Halterm facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada. A Romanian citizen, who hid in a container loaded with sugar, claimed
refugee status. He will be allowed to live in Canada pending a hearing.
The other eight were declared economic migrants and will be returned. The
Zim America had sailed from Livorno, Italy, and departed Halifax for New
York.

Bahamian-registry vessel under inspection at Guantanamo Bay

On 24 April, a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment aboard the
U.S. Navy's Cyclone-class Patrol Boat U.S.S. Chinook (PC 9) boarded the
Marshall (Bahamian-registry), 61 kilometers/38 miles south of Jamaica.
The ship was escorted to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for an
inspection by the Coast Guard's Hamilton-class High-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C.
Gallatin (WHEC 721). The inspection has so far found three kilograms/seven
pounds of cocaine hidden behind panels. The inspection is continuing.

VESSEL TRANFERS

Mosvold Shipping to buy two V.L.C.C.s

Mosvold Shipping A/S will buy two very large crude carriers built in
the mid-1970s, subject to financing. The ships will then be upgraded. Mosvold
Shipping plans a two-for-one share issue, by issuing 29.7 million new shares,
to finance the deal.

Overseas Shipholding buys rest of four tankers

Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. has bought the remaining 20 percent
stakes in four tankers on charter to British Petroleum P.L.C.

Nordstrom and Thulin tanker sold to U.S. interests

The Nord Jahre President (97,000-dwt tanker built in 1979) has been
sold by Nordstrom and Thulin A.B. to U.S. interests for U.S.$31 million.
The sale will generate a profit of 21 million Swedish kroner/U.S.$2.1 million.
The ship will be delivered in August.

L'Orme No. 1 renamed

The L'Orme No. 1 (Canadian-registry 9,128-dwt, 5,391-gt, 3,221-nt, 122.13-meter/400.69-foot
motor tanker built in 1974 by Marine Industries at Sorel) has been registered
in Panama and renamed the Tradewind Ocean-Pan. It was sold to Venezuelan
interests recently and left Quebec on 21 April for the Atlantic Ocean.

CASUALTIES

One dead, nine missing after tanker grounds off South Korea

The Cheuk Yang (South Korean-registry 998-gt tanker built in 1961) ran
aground and capsized early 27 April off Chindo Island, South Korea, at
34 degrees 19.10 minutes north, 126 degrees 07.5 minutes east. The ship
is now partially submerged, with only a section of its bow visible. Of
the crew, one person was killed and nine are missing. The engineer, Kim
Ha Bok, 50, was rescued. All are South Korean citizens. The Cheuk Yang
carried 800 tons of liquified petroleum gas for producing vinyl chloride,
and while the cargo tanks are apparently intact, the fuel tanks ruptured,
spilling Bunker C. The ship was sailing from Japan to Kunsan, South Korea
and was reportedly turning around when it struck a rock. A three kilometer/two
mile exclusion zone has been formed around the ship.

French Navy ship sinks off Cherbourg; two dead, three missing

The French Navy La Prudente-class Port Netlayer La Fidele (Y 751) exploded
and sank the morning of 30 April off Cape Levy near Cherbourg, France.
Two persons were killed and three are missing. About 12 people were injured,
four of them seriously, and they were rescued along with other survivors
by three Navy vessels, two lifeboats and a helicopter. The La Fidele was
carrying about 1,400 hand-grenades to sea where they were to be destroyed,
and the explosion aboard the ship was heard 30 kilometers/19 miles away.
The grenades, totaling about 500 kilograms/1,100 pounds, were for use against
enemy divers. As six civilian weapons experts were working at the stern,
the explosion occurred. A machine primed the grandes before they fell overboard
and exploded. The La Fidele had 16 crewmembers and the six civilian experts
aboard. Since November, the Navy has conducted five other operations to
destroy 9,450 grenades. The La Fidele, launched by Ateliers and Chantiers
La Manche at St.-Malo, France, on 26 Aug., 1968, was commissioned 10 June,
1969. The vessel, displacing 626 tons at full load, was based at Cherbourg
as a mooring-buoy tender with a 25-ton pivoting gantry crane on its bow.
The 43.5-meter/143-foot ship had a widened stern at the main deck level.

Three kiled in fishing vessel sinking off California

On 18 April, the fishing vessel Lindy Jane sank 11 kilometers/seven
miles north of San Nicholas Island, Calif. Two U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A
Dolphin helicopters from Coast Guard Air Stations Los Angeles and San Diego
rescued three people who were pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Tanker capsizing off Kobe kills two crew

The Shoei Maru No. 7 (Japanese-registry 198-gt, 2,554-dwt chemical tanker
built in 1995, operated by Gouda Kisen K.K.), carrying 420 tons of glycerine,
capsized shortly after leaving Kobe, Japan, late 27 April. Japanese Maritime
Safety Agency divers found the bodies of two of the four crew trapped in
the vessel, with the other two having been rescued. Some of the ship's
fuel spilled.

Four killed in Ocean Trader fire

Four people have now died as a result of a fire aboard the Ocean Trader
(Singaporean-registry 15,162-gt, 27,340-dwt tanker built in 1979, owned
and operated by Ocean Tankers (Pte.) Ltd.). The fire, at 1820 23 April,
was at Berth 7 of Mobil Corp.'s terminal at Pulau Pesek near Singapore.

Forty-seven rescued as platform sinks in the Gulf of Mexico

The Pool Ranger IV (U.S.-registry 214-gt self-elevating ("jack-up")
platform built in 1977) capsized and sank 27 April at 29 degrees 06 minutes
north, 89 degrees 53 minutes west, in 12 meters/40 feet of water. All 47
people aboard the rig, at the Freeport McMoran Sulphur Platform in Grand
Isle Block 9, were rescued. A light sheen of oil was found on the water.
Reportedly, the platform capsized as the crew attempted to correct a three
degree list by filling ballast tanks.

Tow lost off Florida, seven rescued

The tug Sampson and the tug Maluka, with two 40.8-meter/134-foot barges,
sank 23 April, 48 kilometers/30 miles east of Delray Beach, Fla. The Sampson
was towing the other vessels. A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin helicopter
from Coast Guard Air Station Miami rescued four persons from the tow, while
a second Dolphin rescued the remaining three. A utility boat from Coast
Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, Fla., took the survivors to shore, while
the Coast Guard's "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Chandeleur
(WPB 1319) establshed a safety zone in the area. A salvor has been hired
to recover the barges.

Ro/ro holed while docking in Canada

The Kent Atlantic (Norwegian-registry 10,522-gt, 2,640-dwt ro/ro built
in 1973, operated by Swan Shipping A/S) struck the knuckle of a pier at
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, while approaching a berth on 29 April.
The ship was holed 20 meters/66 feet aft of the port bow.

Containership aground off Germany

The City of London (Cypriot-registry 17,414-gt, 25,329-dwt containership
built in 1983, operated by H.W. Janssen) ran aground 30 April off Buoy
52/54 in Neufeld Roads after leaving Hamburg, Germany.

Salvage of Vikartindur cargo progressing

Salvage of cargo from the Vikartindur (German-registry 8,633-gt, 907-TEU
containership built in 1996) continues. The ship had an engine failure
at 1200 5 March, 10 kilometers/six miles off southern Iceland in a storm.
It was able to restart its main engine but at reduced power. The ship drifted
towards land until its anchor took hold about 2.7 kilometers/1.7 miles
off the coast. At 1900, the anchor broke and the vessel ran aground at
2100 at 63 degrees 43.9 minutes north, 20 degrees 52.4 minutes west. The
Icelandic Coast Guard lead ship of the AEgir-class Fisheries-Protection
Ship attempted to attach a towing line, but the ship was hit by heavy seas
and one crewmember was lost overboard. Another suffered a broken leg. The
19 crewmembers of the Vikartindur were rescued by an Icelandic Coast Guard
Super Puma helicopter. Vikartindur was sailing from Torshavn, Faroe Islands,
to Reykjavik, Iceland, with 2,900 tons of cargo in containers. Forty containers
were lost overboard and the ship developed a 40 degree starboard list.
The vessel had 350 tons of fuel aboard. Fifty-nine containers were removed
with one of the ship's cranes by Titan Maritime Industries Inc. A 2.5-ton
piece of steel was cut from the crane's pedestal to counter the list and
the crane was then brought to vertical using heavy equipment, including
a bulldozer pulling on a 100-ton tackle. Once the wedge cleared, the pedestal
was re-welded and the crane was attached to a generator on shore. It has
not yet been decided if the ship will be salvaged.

OBITUARY

Makoto Namba, 46; Top Japanese sailor who led Japan's America's Cup
efforts

Makoto Namba, the first Japanese sailor to become one of the top 10
in world yacht racing, fell overboard off Japan during a race on 23 April
and is presumed dead. The Japanese Maritime Safety Agency conducted a 72-hour
search. He was 46. At the time, Namba was the skipper of the Escape One,
a 14-meter/45-foot yacht in the Sail Osaka '97 race, 2,400 kilometers/1,500
miles from Hong Kong to Osaka, Japan. Namba and the other 12 aboard were
leading 40 yachts in the race and was steering at sunset when a 6.1-meter/20-foot
wave hit the vessel. He was not wearing any safety gear, and was able to
hold on to the boat for only a few seconds. Namba was involved in the first
Japanese attempt to win the America's Cup, in 1987, and was a mainsail
trimmer on Nippon, Nippon Challenge's 1992 yacht. In 1995, he was the skipper
and worked with John Cutler of New Zealand, who was hired as a tactician
and helmsman. The yacht was eliminated in the semi-finals. Namba competed
extensively in the international match-racing competitions. A native of
Kyoto, Japan, he began sailing as a student at Kyoto Sango University,
and after graduating, was a sail maker. He is survived by his wife, Mikiko,
and a son, Gaku, both of Kyoto.

(AT) LAST...BUT NOT LEAST...

U.S. Navy to christen guided-missile destroyer

The U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Guided-Missile Cruiser Donald Cook
(DDG 75) will be christened at 0945 3 May at General Dynamics Corp.'s Marine
Division/Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship is named for U.S. Marine
Corps Col. Donald G. Cook (1934 - 1967), who was posthumously awarded the
U.S. Medal of Honor while a prisoner of war in Vietnam from December 1964
to December 1967. Then a captain, he died in captivity. Sen. Patrick J.
Leahy of Vermont will be the principal speaker. Laurette Cook, widow of
the ship's namesake, will be the sponsor. Cdr. James F. McCarthy, a native
of Milwaukee, is the prospective commanding officer. The ship will join
the U.S. Atlantic Fleet with a homeport of U.S. Naval Station Norfolk,
Va., when commissioned in 1998. DDG 75 was authorized fiscal year 1993,
ordered 21 Jan., 1993, and laid down 7 July, 1996.