Sulphur Carriers, Inc.; Notice of Application for Permission Pursuant to Section 805(a) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, and Article II-13 of Waterman Steamship Corporation's Operating-Differential Subsidy Agreement, Contract MA/MSB-450 for Operation of the M/V SULPHUR ENTERPRISE in the Coastwise Trade of the United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket S-911]

Sulphur Carriers, Inc.; Notice of Application for Permission

Pursuant to Section 805(a) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as

amended, and Article II-13 of Waterman Steamship Corporation's

Operating-Differential Subsidy Agreement, Contract MA/MSB-450 for

Operation of the M/V SULPHUR ENTERPRISE in the Coastwise Trade of the

United States

Notice is hereby given that Sulphur Carriers, Inc. (SCI), a U.S.

corporate affiliate of Waterman Steamship Corporation (Waterman), by

letter dated September 15, 1994, requested written permission pursuant

to section 805(a) of the Act and Waterman's Operating-Differential

Subsidy Agreement (ODSA), Contract MA/MSB-450, to operate the U.S.-flag

M/V SULPHUR ENTERPRISE (Vessel), for and on behalf of Freeport-McMoran

Resource Partners (Freeport)--a principle phosphate fertilizer producer

in the United States--in the coastwise trade of the United States. The

requested permission is to amend a previously approved section 805

permission for the M/V NORDIC LOUISIANA.

On September 27, 1991, the Maritime Administrator granted written

permission, pursuant to section 805(a) of the Act and Waterman's

Operating-Differential Subsidy Agreement, Contract MA/MSB-450, for

operation of the British-flag M/V/ NORDIC LOUISIANA for and on behalf

of Freeport in the coastwise trade of the United States, as authorized

by Public Law 102-100. The permission was for a period of four years,

or until a replacement vessels for the M/V NORDIC LOUISIANA, enters

service, whichever is sooner. The replacement vessel M/V SULPHUR

ENTERPRISE is expected to be delivered on or about September 23, 1994.

Because of the short time frame of this notice, one party who

expressed an interest previously in this matter will be contacted

directly.

Any person, firm or corporation having any interest (within the

meaning of section 805(a)) in SCI's request and desiring to submit

comments concerning the request must by 5:00 PM on September 22, 1994,

file written comments in triplicate with the Secretary, Maritime

Administration, together with petition for leave to intervene. The

petition shall state clearly and concisely the grounds of interest, and

the alleged facts relied on for relief.

If no petition for leave to intervene is received within the

specified time or if it is determined that petitions filed do not

demonstrate sufficient interest to warrant a hearing, the Maritime

Administration will take such action as may be deemed appropriate.

In the event petitions regarding the relevant section 805(a) issues

are received from parties with standing to be heard, a hearing will be

held, the purpose of which will be to receive evidence under section

805(a) relative to whether the proposed operations (a) could result in

unfair competition to any person, firm, or corporation operating

exclusively in the coastwise or intercoastal service, or (b) would be

prejudicial to the objects and policy of the Act relative to domestic

trade operations.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.804

(Operating-Differential Subsidies)).

By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

Dated: September 16, 1994.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.

[FR Doc. 94-23343 Filed 9-16-94; 1:23 pm]

BILLING CODE 4910-81-P