U.S. GULF/SOUTH AMERICA BREAKBULK CARRIERS JOIN FORCES

U.S. GULF/SOUTH AMERICA BREAKBULK CARRIERS JOIN FORCES    Four breakbulk carriers in the U.S. Gulf/South America trade have formed American Caribbean Express Services (ACES), a shipping services company.
   The four lines are Associated Transport Line, GGE Express Line, Signet Shipping Co. and Smith & Johnson Carriers.
   ACES comprises six departments: documentation, customer service, vessel operations, traffic, equipment control and accounting.
   Sales, marketing and pricing will continue to be performed by each individual carrier.
   The lines have entered into various joint service agreements over the past few years to expand the number of sailings offered and to enhance the lines ability to transport project cargo as well as containers.
   The joint service agreements include:
   * The Colombia Express, created by Associated Transport Line and Smith & Johnson Carriers, to provide weekly service to all Colombian ports, using two multipurpose 5,000 dwt vessels with heavy-lift capability. The service provides five-day transit time from Houston.
   * The North Coast Express, started in January by Associated Transport Line and Signet Shipping, to provide weekly service from New Orleans and Houston to Trinidad, Venezuela, Guyana and Surinam.
   * The West Coast Express, started in early 1999 by Associated Transport and GGE Express Line, provides fortnightly service to all energy and mining ports of Ecuador, Peru and Chile, as well as regular northbound service to Mobile, Gulfport, New Orleans, Houston, Tampico and Vera Cruz.
   ACES will be managed by Scott Ranson, who was chief financial officer of Associated Transport Line, and previously vice president of finance and administration of Colonial Marine Industries Inc.