U.S. CONGRESS, SHIPBUILDERS URGE FOCUS ON DOUBLE-HULL TANKERS

   The U.S. Congress and major U.S. shipyards urged the U.S. tanker industry to focus on constructing double-hull tankers to comply with the 2015 deadline imposed by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
   The warnings were issued at an oversight hearing Tuesday by the House
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
   While U.S. shipbuilding capacity is more than adequate to replace the
U.S. flag single-hull fleet, "the clock is ticking," said Cynthia Brown,
president of the American Shipbuilding Association. "If orders are not
placed within the next two years, there may not be adequate eligible
tonnage … to carry our nation’s oil."
   Brown said "some oil companies are purposely delaying replacing their
ships" in hopes of ultimately being relieved of the double-hull law.
   "Our message in Congress is short and simple," said Rep. Rodney P.
Frelinghuysen, R-N.J. "Use double-hull tankers and don’t look to Congress
to modify the current phase-out contained in the Ocean Pollution Act of
1990."
   Brown and others credited Mobil, Hvide Marine, American Heavy Lift,
which have had 10 double-hull tankers built in U.S. shipyards. American
Heavy Lift has received four tankers from Avondale Industries in New
Orleans, and Newport News Shipbuilding has built one tanker for Mobil and
five for Hvide at its Newport News, Va., shipyard. Additionally, Arco is
having three ships built by Avondale, the first is scheduled to enter the
Alaskan oil trade next year.
   Exxon, whose Valdez created a major oil spill near Alaska more than a
decade ago, was singled out as lagging the other major companies. "Exxon
has yet to introduce a new double-hull tanker into the American fleet,"
Brown said. "Instead, it is seeking to bring the single-hulled Valdez,
renamed (the) Mediterranean, back into Alaskan waters, and continues to
seek waivers to the double-hull law."