CHAMBER OF SHIPPING PLANS ENVIRONMENTAL HANDBOOK FOR SHIP OPERATORS

   The Chamber of Shipping of America has announced a cooperative effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to write an environmental handbook for seagoing vessels.
   The chamber has received a grant from the EPA to fund a portion of the effort.
   The book will address long-standing concerns in the ocean transport
business, such as oil and chemical pollution, in addition to newer
environmental concerns, such as air pollution and contaminated ballast
water.
   Joseph J. Cox, president of the Washington-based Chamber of Shipping, said his organization will draw information for the handbook from members and other government agencies.
   The handbook is expected to be ready for the EPA by mid-2000. Cox said the handbook will be valuable tool for American and foreign shipowners whose ships call at U.S. ports.