Joint Venture to Construct Second Jones Act Vessel

Monday, December 11, 2000

Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines LLC (PHTL), the joint venture of The Pasha Group and Van Ommeren Shipping (USA) LLC, announced today they have exercised their option with Halter Marine for the construction of a second U.S.-built Jones Act Pure Car and Truck Carrier. According to George W. Pasha, IV, president and CEO of PHTL, "The response we received when we announced our plans for deployment of the first vessel in the Hawaii/Mainland trade was well beyond our expectations and the second vessel will only better serve this market."

The Hawaii/Mainland trade currently generates over 150,000 vehicles per year. A second vessel, which will be a sister ship to the 13,000-DWT vessel under construction at Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Mississippi, will enhance the service offering of PHTL by providing increased frequency and superior reliability. This first vessel has a capacity for 4,300 vehicles and Pasha notes, "PHTL's second ship will enable the line to handle a significant segment of this market. Our clients will enjoy this augmented capacity, which will not only meet the needs of the auto shippers by handling peak shipping periods more effectively, but also allow the shipment of heavy and high rolling stock and other cargoes."

The new 579-foot vessel will have ten decks, including three hoistable and three strong decks, and a 100-ton stern ramp. Combined with the sister vessel, the two ships will provide weekly service between Hawaii and two California ports.

Halter Marine is a division of Friede Goldman Halter, a world leader in the design and manufacture of vessels and equipment for the maritime and offshore energy industries. PHTL has submitted on December 7, 2000 a Title XI financing application for consideration by the U.S. Maritime Administration. The current vessel under construction at Halter Marine is on budget and ahead of its scheduled Spring 2002 delivery.

Based in Corte Madera, California, The Pasha Group is a transportation and logistics company with more than 50 years' experience in the transportation of vehicles, offering expertise in point-to-point logistics, terminal operations, distribution management and information tracking systems. Stamford, Connecticut-based Van Ommeren Shipping (USA) LLC is a well-recognized ship owner established in 1839 and currently operates four U.S. flag vessels in the U.S. preference trade and three vessels in the international market. Combining their respective expertise in PHTL, Pasha will again assume the responsibility for marketing, terminal operations and documentation, and Van Ommeren will assume responsibility for vessel operations.