MSC AWARDS $26-MILLION SHIP CONTRACT TO AMERICAN OVERSEAS MARINE

MSC AWARDS $26-MILLION SHIP CONTRACT TO AMERICAN OVERSEAS MARINE    The U.S. Military Sealift Command has awarded a $26-million contract to American Overseas Marine Corp. of Quincy, Mass., to operate and maintain a Maritime Prepositioning Force ship, the USNS Sgt. Fred W. Stockham.
   The Stockham, formerly the USNS Soderman, was acquired by the Navy in 1993. The former containership was converted to roll-on/roll-off cargo operations and used to carry Army equipment. The vessel is undergoing shipyard conversion to carry Marine Corps equipment, such as a fleet hospital, combat construction equipment and an expeditionary airfield. It will be ready to transport this cargo in 2001.
   MSC, the ocean transportation provider to the Defense Department, operates about 110 noncombatant Navy ships, which are located around the world.