NORASIA CHARTERS 800-TEU SHIPS FOR NEW PACIFIC LINK

   Norasia has chartered three containerships of about 800-TEU capacity for
its new transpacific service.
   The capacity of the Estoril, Tema and Oporto is below the 1,400-TEU
intake of vessels mentioned by the carrier when it announced its new
service.
   "As we are newcomers to the Pacific, we were not looking for 1,400-TEU
ships for the first sailings, but for smaller units," a spokesman for
Norasia said.
   The carrier plans to build up the service to a higher capacity, Norasia
said. The shipping line’s new 1,400-TEU ships will be deployed in Asia at
the end of June.

   A news item in the May 26 Shippers’ NewsWire reported that Norasia has
chartered three containerships for use in a new transpacific service.
   Arjun Vikram-Singh, general manager, Asia for Norasia, said the vessels,
of about 900 TEUs, were chartered merely to "phase in" the service. The
vessels were chartered for a single voyage, after which the shipping line
will use 1,400-TEU vessels, as previously announced, said Steve Toppings,
general manager, North America.
   The shipping line will redeploy 1,400-TEU vessels from its transatlantic
CEX service to its new Pacific service at the end of June as planned,
Vikram-Singh said.
   Norasia has confirmed seven vessel charters for its transatlantic
service, to replace the five vessels being moved to the new Pacific service.