MarAd Offering Tankers for Sale; Issue Ruling

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) has two tankers up for sale, for the limited purpose of their reconstruction for sale or charter to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country for use as oilers. Both vessels, Henry Eckford and Benjamin Isherwood, are located at the James River Reserve Fleet, Fort Eustis, Va. MarAd also issued a ruling denying Apex Marine Ship Management Company's request for confirmation. The ruling states upon properly being document under the U.S.-flag, an existing foreign-built vessel may be qualified immediate participation in the U.S.-Israel grain trade consistent with the terms of a 1998 Side Letter issued by the Israeli Government. Liberty Maritime Corporation opposed the request. In addition, Park Place New Orleans of Las Vegas, Nev. has requested to sell passenger vessel Queen of New Orleans to Canadian Riverboat Enterprises, Ltd.