Pricey ro-ros

Four US ro-ro operators have between them scooped charter contracts from the US government worth $300m for only eight months work.

US domestic shippers can look forward to a major payday from Uncle Sam

The contracts call for the supply of sea and intermodal freight services between the US West Coast and Hawaii and Guam.

Horizon and Matson both snagged contracts worth $100m, while Pasha and American won deals worth $60m and $40m respectively.

Work on all four charters is expected to start in the middle of next month and run until November 2009.

The four contracts were placed by the US Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force base, Illinois.

“This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received,” the US Transportation Command said.

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