BethShip W i n s $ 3 4 Million Contract

Bethlehem Steel Corporation's BethShip, Sparrows Point Yard, was awarded a contract by the Maritime Administration (MarAd) for work on three Ro/Ro vessels acquired to upgrade its Ready Reserve Fleet. The contract, worth approximately $34 million, calls for activation, upgrades, modifications, repairs, sea trials and deactivation of the Cape Rise, Cape Ray, and Cape Race, formerly the Saudi Riyadh, Saudi Makkah and the G&C Admiral, respectively.

David Watson, president of the shipyard, explained that the vessels will be reflagged to U.S. flag, U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) regulations. The contract also includes several options, which, if exercised, would increase the contract value to $45 million. The yard is currently completing work on five vessels: two ready reserve vessels (RRF) - the Cape Washington and Cape Wrath - are undergoing reflagging and general repairs and refurbishments; a third RRF, the G. T. S. Callaghan, is undergoing general repairs; the Dolphin Lines' cruise ship S.S. Seabreeze and Union Carbide and Chemical Corporation's Chemical Pioneer, operated by Marine Transport Lines, are undergoing drydocking, general repairs and cargot a n k painting. For more information on Bethlehem Steel Corporation,