Lykes gets involved in security programme

LYKES LINES has been given the go-ahead by the US Department of Transportation to operate five US-flag containerships in its new Maritime Security Programme. The ten year contract begins on October 1 this year. The ships will receive a government subsidy amounting to $145m (R870m) for the 10-year contract term, to offset the cost of operating under the US flag. They will operate on the Transatlantic route. MSP was created to provide the Department of Defence with ready access to a fleet of modern and efficient commercial US-flag ships that could be made available in times of war or national emergency. This new contract represents an increase in Lykes Lines’ participation in MSP. It currently operates five US flag ships in a single loop on the Transatlantic.