CROWLEY, HAMBURG SUD DISCUSS COMBINING U.S./SOUTH AMERICA OPERATIONS

   Crowley American Transport Inc. and Hamburg Sud said Thursday they have entered into discussions to combine their resources, services and
operations in the U.S./South America trades.
   The two companies said they expect to conclude discussions during the
third quarter of this year.
   Jacksonville-based Crowley American Transport, a subsidiary of Crowley
Maritime Corp. in Oakland, provides containerized and roll-on/roll-off
service between Canada, the U.S. and countries in Central America, South
America and the Caribbean, including service between the U.S. and Puerto
Rico.
   Hamburg Sud, parent company of Columbus Line, has been on an aggressive buying binge since the early 1990s. The German company’s recent
acquisitions include South Pacific niche carriers South Pacific Container
Line and South Seas Steamship Co. and the Europe/East Coast South America trade of Transroll de Navegacao. Transroll was acquired by Hamburg Sud subsidiary Alianca — which had previously been acquired by the German company.