Kadampanattu Corp.; Notice of Application for Temporary Written Consent Pursuant to Section 506 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as Amended, for the Temporary Transfer of the M/V STRONG/AMERICAN to the Domestic Trade

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket S-920]

Kadampanattu Corp.; Notice of Application for Temporary Written

Consent Pursuant to Section 506 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as

Amended, for the Temporary Transfer of the M/V STRONG/AMERICAN to the

Domestic Trade

Notice is hereby given that Allen Freight Trailer Bridge (ATFB), by

letter of April 25, 1995, requested written consent pursuant to section

506 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (Act), to temporarily

transfer during the year commencing October 31, 1995, the construction-

differential subsidy (CDS) built, M/V STRONG/AMERICAN, exclusively to

the domestic trade for a period not to exceed six months in any year

period. The M/V STRONG/AMERICAN is an integrated tug barge unit, built

in the United States with the aid of CDS, and owned by Kadampanattu

Corp., an affiliate of ATFB.

ATFB states that it operates a weekly RO/RO barge service between

Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, utilizing two RO/RO

barges owned by Kadampanattu Corp., the JAX-SAN JUAN BRIDGE and SAN

JUAN-JAX BRIDGE. Each of these barges will require regulatory

drydocking and repairs prior to February 28, 1996.

AFTB explains that the M/V STRONG/AMERICAN has a capacity

equivalent of 56 percent of the RO/RO barges to be drydocked. The

STRONG/AMERICAN will require drydocking at considerable expense before

it can be [[Page 26475]] placed in service, and without the requested

waiver, such funds will not be expended. AFTB explains that the waiver

sought herein would allow AFTB the necessary flexibility to complete

drydocking and repairs to the RO/RO barges without disrupting the

weekly service which is currently provided to the shipping public.

Any person, firm, or corporation having any interest in the

application for section 506 consent and desiring to submit comments

concerning Kadampanattu Corp.'s request must by 5:00 p.m. on May 30,

1995, file written comments in triplicate, to the Secretary, Maritime

Administration, Room 7210, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,

Washington, DC 20590. The Maritime Administration, as a matter of

discretion, will consider any comments submitted and take such action

as may be deemed appropriate.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.800

Construction-Differential Subsidies (CDS))

By order of the Maritime Administrator.

Dated: May 11, 1995.

Murray A. Bloom,

Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.

[FR Doc. 95-12093 Filed 5-16-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-81-M