INTERMARINE SHIP FLIES U.S. FLAG

INTERMARINE SHIP FLIES U.S. FLAG    Intermarine said its U.S. operating company, Industrial Maritime Carriers Inc., has placed one of its seven Century-class heavy-lift vessels, the 'Industrial Challenger,' under the U.S. flag.
   The ship, built in 2000, is enrolled in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement program, sponsored by the U.S. Maritime Administration and the U.S. Defense Department's sealift readiness program.
   Intermarine intends to place a second Century-class vessel, the 'Industrial Endeavor,' under the U.S. flag later this year. Both ships will operate regularly in the U.S./South America trade, which has been historically strong for Intermarine. The carrier will also seek opportunities for the ships to operate to other worldwide destinations.
   The 8,000-deaweight-ton Century-class ships have about 400,000-cuft bale, tweendecks adjustable to three positions, 16.5-know service speed and 400-metric-ton lifting capacity — the largest self-sustaining lift capability in the U.S. merchant marine, Intermarine said.
   New Orleans-based Intermarine provides ocean transport as well as inland heavy haul transportation services for breakbulk, specialized project and heavy-lift cargoes.