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News Carnival Conquest is the first in a new series of ships for the line and becomes the 18th vessel in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet. The 2,974-passenger Super- Liner will depart Italy on a 16-day transatlantic crossing in late October. TEN Takes Pentathlon Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) has taken delivery of the Pen- tathlon, the third in a series of four new double hull suezmax tankers. The com- pany said a major Russian oil company has employed the vessel on a reposition- ing voyage. TEN is scheduled to receive the fourth suezmax sister ship, the Triathlon, before the end of 2002. "TEN continues to build one of the youngest and most efficient oil tanker fleets in the world," said Nikolas P. Tsakos, presi- dent and CEO. "The Pentathlon repre- sents the continuation of our fleet's full transition to safe and efficient double- hulled vessels. Northrop Grumman and Kockum/HDW Partner Up Northrop Grumman Corp. has signed a cooperative agreement with Kockums AB and its parent company, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), under which Kockums will join a team assembled by Northrop Grum- man's Ship Systems sector to compete for the U.S. Navy's Focused Mission Vessel Study. This study is expected to result in the development and construc- tion of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), one element of the DD(X) family of sur- face combatants planned for construc- tion by the Navy during the next quarter century. Kvaerner, RGI to Estab- lish Yard Joint Ownership Aker Kvaerner and Aker RGI have entered into an agreement to establish a joint ownership for their wholly owned shipyards in Germany, respectively Kvaerner Warnow Werft and Aker MTW. Among other conditions, the agreement is dependent on approval from Aker Kvaerner's and Aker RGI's lenders. The aim is to implement the new ownership by the end of 2002. Aker Kvaerner will own 40 percent of the two yards. In Finland improvement initia- tives continue at Kvaerner Masa-Yard's facilities at Helsinki and Turku. The two yards have already improved their oper- ation, with positive results so far this year. At present the yards are engaged in the construction of four cruise-ships. The Norwegian owner Color Line November, 2002 recently confirmed an agreement of intent for a new cruise-ferry order for delivery in 2004. Kirby Buys Coastal Boats, Barges Kirby Corporation signed an asset purchase agreement with Coastal Tow- ing, Inc. to purchase seven black oil tank barges and 13 inland towboats. The transaction, estimated at $17.1 million in cash, is being financed through Kirby's operating cash flow and available credit under Kirby's bank revolving credit agreement. Kirby and Coastal have also entered into a Barge Management Agreement whereby Kirby will serve as manager of the combined black oil tank barge fleet, which will include Coastal's 51 remaining barges and Kirby's 65 barges, for a period of seven years. In a related transaction, on September 25, 2002, Kirby purchased from Coastal three black oil tank barges for $1.8 million in cash. (800) 913-0062 Foam Filled Marine Fenders Marine Guard The Ultimate Protector for Ships, Harbor Craft, Wharves & Piers. • Construction complies with United States Navy and Coast Guard Specifications. • Core consists of closed-cell, resilient, energy absorbing foam, covered with a protective, seamless polyurethane elastomer skin. Filament nylon tire cord reinforcement is continously wound in the skin for added strength and durability. Will not mark or scratch vessel hulls. • Constructed with integral swivel end fittings, internally connected with a heavy duty chain. • Easy to install with very little maintenance. • Light weight and extremely buoyant with a lower reaction force than either hard rubber or pneumatic fenders. (Almost 40% higher energy absorption than pneumatic fenders.) URETHANE PRODUCTS CORPORATION 9076 Rosecrans Avenue Bellflower, CA 90706 Phone (562) 630-4982 • Fax (562) 630-6974 Stocking Distributors: Waterman Supply Company 910 Mahar, Wilmington, CA 90744, U.S.A. 1-800-322-3131 Tel (310) 522-9698 • Fax (310) 522-1043 Anchor Marine & Industrial Supply, Inc. 6545 Lindbergh, Houston, TX 77087, U.S.A. 1-800-233-8014 Tel (713) 644-1183 • Fax (713) 644-1185 Circle 328 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com 11