FARRELL LINES ADDS TWO U.S.-FLAG SHIPS

FARRELL LINES ADDS TWO U.S.-FLAG SHIPS

   Farrell Lines said that it will add two U.S.-flag containerships to its fleet.

   The vessels — the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware Bay — will be used on Farrell’s U.S./Mediterranean service.

   New York-based Farrell secured the 2,400-TEU vessels through a long-term time charter agreement with First American Bulk Carriers. The ships were built in 1985 and operated under charter until recently with Lykes Line as the Tillie and Tyson Lykes.

   Richard F. Gronda, president of Farrell, said the new ships will replace two 1,200-TEU vessels in its fleet, the Argonaut and Resolute. These two older vessels will be used by the carrier for cargo preference project sailings and periodic Defense Department voyages.

   The new ships will increase Farrell’s capacity by 20 percent. “This past year we actually exceeded the capacity of our fleet and on several occasions went into the charter market to get that extra capacity,” said James E. Bambrick, executive vice president and general manager for Farrell.

   The Chesapeake Bay begins service with Farrell at the Port of New York and New Jersey on Jan. 23. The Delaware Bay joins the Farrell fleet on Feb. 16.

   These vessels, along with the Enterprise, Endeavor and Endurance, will participate in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program.