MSC Public Affairs
MSC PAO 05-25
For more information, contact:
Marge Holtz or Gillian Brigham
(202) 685-5055
August 29, 2005

MSC awards fast sealift ship operating contract

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command has awarded a $26 million contract to Maersk Line Ltd. of Norfolk, Va., subject to the availability of fiscal year 2006 funds, for the operation and maintenance of eight fast sealift ships. These ships -- the fastest cargo ships in the world, traveling at speeds of up to 30 knots -- are used for the rapid deployment of U.S. military equipment or humanitarian aid supplies to contingency sites around the world.

The contract is valued at $26 million for its initial year and includes four one-year options that, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to $135 million. Under this contract, Maersk will be responsible for providing qualified ship officers and crews to operate the ships, as well as the technical support and supplies needed to maintain them.

The ships that fall under this contract are USNS Algol, USNS Altair, USNS Antares, USNS Bellatrix, USNS Capella, USNS Denebola, USNS Pollux and USNS Regulus. Ordinarily, these ships are maintained pierside in reduced operating status at U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports. When needed, they can be activated and underway in less than 96 hours, ready to deliver the supplies needed for military or humanitarian crises anywhere in the world.

On an average day, MSC operates more than 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world.

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