MTMC AWARDS NEW OCEAN SERVICE CONTRACT

MTMC AWARDS NEW OCEAN SERVICE CONTRACT    The U.S. Military Traffic Management Command has released its new ocean service contract covering both container and breakbulk transport for Defense Department shippers.
   The contract, Universal Service Contract No. 4 (USCO4), becomes effective March 1 and concludes Feb. 29, 2004. The $317-million contract involves the movement of more than 100,000 containers and about 300,000 measurement tons of break bulk.
   MTMC, the Alexandria, Va.-based surface transportation logistics unit for the armed forces, had extended its previous contract, USCO3, six months beyond its expiration on August 30, 2002.
   U.S.-flag carriers to receive guaranteed minimum cargo volumes under USCO4 are APL, Maersk Line Ltd., Lykes Lines, P&O Nedlloyd, Central Gulf Lines, and American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier, Other U.S.-flag carriers, such as CSX Lines, TransAtlantic Lines, Van Ommeren Shipping (USA), and Matson Navigation Co., are named in the contract, but are not entitled to guaranteed minimum volumes.
   In specific trade lanes, MTMC has also listed six foreign-flag carriers: Crowley Liner Services (Central/South America), Polynesia Lines (South Pacific), Toho Shipping (various niche trades), Hamburg Sud’s Columbus Lines and Hyundai American Shipping Co. (Far East), and Samskip (Iceland). There are no guaranteed cargo volumes for these carriers.