Military Sealift Command Invites Offers To Operate Nine 25,000-Dwt Tankers

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) has asked for offers 'by February 4, 1974, from ship operators interested in running' the nine 25,000-deadweight-ton diesel-powered tankers being built for long-term charter to the Navy. The charter period on which offers must be based are for an initial period of five years, with the MSC to retain an option to extend the charter for two-year periods through a total of 23 years, a notice explained.

Offers must be filed on the basis of all nine vessels, five of which are being constructed at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, and the other four by Todd Shipyards, San Pedro, Calif. The first of the nine is due for delivery next June and the last Iby late December 1974, MSC said.

The proposals are to be evaluated on the basis of total fixed price per diem, management staff of the operator, and the experience of the potential operator.

These nine tankers are the first of the buildand- charter arrangements which MSC has initiated as a means of acquiring new tonnage for long term without the expense of going to Congress for appropriations to build its own vessels. MSC acquired use of a roll-on/rolloff vessel under similar terms, and Falcon tankers built four vessels for use by MSC.