Aker gets six more OSG tankers

Aker American Shipping ASA and Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. have signed an agreement in principle whereby Aker American Shipping subsidiary, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, will construct up to six additional Veteran Class MT-46 Jones Act Product Tankers (three fixed plus three options. These 46,000 dwt tankers will be transferred to another subsidiary, American Shipping Corporation, which will bareboat charter them to subsidiaries of OSG for initial terms of 10-15 years.

For Aker American Shipping the full transaction is valued in excess of $700 million reflecting the higher rates and longer terms. The agreement in principle is subject to, among other conditions, approval by the boards of directors of Aker American Shipping and OSG, preparation and agreement of final documentation, and relevant government approvals.

OSG also announced that a time charter agreement has been signed between OSG and BP for one more of the prior order of ten 46,000 dwt Jones Act commercial product tanker being built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. Of the original 10-ship order announced in April 2005, the BP charter brings the number of vessels OSG has chartered out to customers to nine. The first ship, the Overseas Houston, is scheduled to deliver to Shell and begin trading the week of February 26, 2007.