MarAd Approves the Sale of Vessels

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) has approved the sale and transfer of five vessels under section 9 of the Shipping Act, of 1916, as amended. On December 12 2007, MarAd approved an application filed by Rowan Companies, Inc., of Houston, TX. for the transfer of the mobile offshore drilling unit Hank Boswell (Official No. 1183234), to Marshall Islands registry and flag.

On December 27, 2007, MarAd approved an application filed by Mobro Marine, Inc., of Green Cove Springs, FL, for sale of the freight barge MB 5500 Official No. 1080955, and the transfer of said vessel to Construction Norberto Odebrecht, S.A. a Venezuelan corporation, and transfer of said vessel to Venezuelan registry and flag. On January 15, 2008, MarAd approved an application filed by Western Overseas, Inc., of Toledo, OH, for the sale of two vessels-the tug SEABUL MAGNACHEM, Official No. 580102 and the barge SCC 3902, Official No. 580101, both to Snow Drop Company, Limited, a British Virgin Island corporation, and the transfer of said vessels to Mongolia registry and flag. MarAd also approved an application filed by Verde Metals LLC, of Brownsville, TX, for the sale of the tank barge DBL 152 Official No. 644380, and the transfer of said vessel to Panamanian registry and flag.