Aker???s USA business splits in two

Aker American Shipping Inc. has decided to split its two divisions into separate companies. One would continue to operate the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard while the other would continue to buy ships produced at the yard and lease them to charter operators. ???The split is an aggressive measure to further advance businesses in the U.S. market,?? Leif-Arne Lang?øy, chairman of Aker American Shipping, said in a statement.

Dave Meehan, president and chief executive, will become president of the shipbuilding company, which has produced seven commercial vessels since it started in 2000 and is now delivering three ships a year.