INTERMARINE SWITCHES TO U.S. FLAG

INTERMARINE SWITCHES TO U.S. FLAG    Intermarine, the multipurpose shipping company based in New Orleans, has changed its vessel policy and will put two of its ships under the U.S. flag.
   Industrial Maritime Carriers, Inc., Intermarine’s U.S. operating company, is finalizing the placement of one of its seven 8,000-deadweight-ton “Challenger class” heavy-lift vessels under the U.S. flag. The ship is currently sailing the Bahamas flag.
   The company will also put a second ship of the same type under the U.S. Flag in the second quarter of next year.
   The multipurpose ships will be enrolled in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement program of the U.S. Maritime Administration and Department of Defense.
   Intermarine said that the first ship, the “Industrial Challenger,” should begin flying the U.S. flag in December or early January.
   “Although we have in the past questioned the viability of U.S.-flag vessel operations, a closer examination of the large spectrum of U.S. flag issues has led us to rethink our position,” said Roger Kavanagh, president of Intermarine. “These new considerations along with the events of Sept. 11 and their aftermath have driven us to go forward.”
   In 1997, Intermarine operated a US-flag vessel under charter for several months. However, this is the first time that Intermarine purchases a vessel and reflags it under the U.S. flag.
   Intermarine said that it has been encouraged by developments within the Maritime Administration.
   The company intends that both vessels will be regularly operated in the U.S. to South American trade, while at the same time seeking opportunities to carry commercial and government cargoes from the U.S. to other worldwide destinations.