Foss acquires American Cargo Transport

Foss acquires American Cargo Transport Foss Maritime Co. is continuing to expand, announcing Wednesday that it has acquired U.S.-flag carrier American Cargo Transport (ACT) from Jore International.
   ACT, like Foss, is based in Seattle, and will retain its current employees and operate as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary. ACT operates the integrated tug barge units 'Thunder/Lightning' and 'Strong/American' as well as conventional towed barges.
   It operates regular sailings between ports such as Houston and Lake Charles, La., and ports in the Caribbean and Central America. It also handles large amounts of military and government food aid to other countries in Latin America, Africa and Middle East.
   The integrated tug barges that ACT operates are configured to handle a mix of cargo. The 'Strong/American,' for example can carry a combination of containers, heavy-lift, breakbulk, temperature-controlled, roll-on/roll-off, and oversized cargo simultaneously; the 'Thunder/Lightning' can carry 70,000 barrels of liquid cargoes in lower tanks and 380 TEUs in the enclosed deck space and upper open deck.
   'America Cargo Transport is a very logical fit for Foss, both in terms of its focus and its culture,' said Gary C. Faber, Foss president and chief operating officer.
   This is the latest in a recent string of deals by Foss. In July 2006 it expanded into the U.S. East Coast with the acquisition of Constellation Tug Co., and in September it said it would provide marine logistics and full-service naval architecture with the acquisition of Harbor Marine Group.