WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN LINES FORMS U.S.-FLAG COMPANY

   Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line said Wednesday it has formed a new U.S.-flag shipping company, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier to handle U.S.-flag preference cargoes.
   The new company will time charter three vessels from Automar
International Car Carrier, who was awarded a transfer of operating rights under the U.S. Maritime Security Program from Crowley American Transport. The vessels receive U.S. subsidies to participate in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement program, providing vehicle carrying capacity to the U.S. government in times of national emergency.
   Wallenius Wilhelmsen said the ownership and management of ARC is
essentially the same as the AAC/NOSAC joint service, which has been
operating in the transatlantic for a decade.
   The vessel Tanabata, pure car and truck carrier, will be brought under
the U.S. flag to complement three U.S.-flag vessels used in the AAC service.
   ARC’s primary U.S. ports of call will be Baltimore, Charleston, S.C. and Brunswick, Ga.