Ecuador Award06-036B

[FoodAid/FFP/images/ifb-header.html]

06-036B Award
Ecuador
Sept. 18, 2006

IFB No. EC-FFP-06-036B
30,000 MT Bulk Wheat to Ecuador

Vessel: U.S. Flag Bulk Carrier Barge "HTSC-1"
U.S. Flag Tug "MOKU PAKU"
Owner: Hawaiian Sugar and Transportation
Cargo: 30,000 MT Min/Max Bulk Wheat (SWW)
Loading: 1 SB 1 SP NORPAC
Discharging: 1 SB Manta, Ecuador and
1/3 SB (including Rio Guayas) Guayaquil, Ecuador
Frt Rate: $75.30 per MT Basis New Port Guayaquil
Plus $13.00 per MT on quantity of cargo for there Guayaquil Berths
Plus $5.00 per MT on cargo for Manta
Plus $5.00 for 2nd disport

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

06-036B Tender
Ecuador
Sept. 7, 2006

Freight Tender:  Ecuador / Food For Progress / Bulk Wheat

UNIVERSAL SHIPPING COMPANY, INC. AS AGENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ECUADOR, REQUESTS OFFERS OF U.S. AND NON U.S. FLAG GEARED VESSELS (U.S. FLAG GEARLESS VESSELS WILL BE CONSIDERED PROVIDED OWNERS SUPPLY DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT AND GEAR TO EFFECTIVELY MAINTAIN DISCHARGE RATES STATED BELOW PER PROFORMA CHARTER PARTY AND FREIGHT TENDER TERMS) FOR THE CARRIAGE OF BULK WHEAT FINANCED UNDER THE FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS:

1.   IFB NO. EC-FFP-06-036B

2.   COMMODITY:  WHEAT IN BULK

3.   QUANTITY/LAYDAYS:

-APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MT WHEAT IN BULK (SOFT WHITE WHEAT)OFFERORS SHOULD CONSIDER OFFERING VESSELS TO CARRY A RANGE OF TONNAGES IN THE EVENT THAT THE QUANTITIES PURCHASED ARE MORE OR LESS THAN THE QUANTITIES STATED IN THIS TENDER.  CONTRACTED QUANTITY TO BE ON A MIN/MAX  BASIS.

-LAYDAYS:  NOVEMBER 1-10, 2006
OFFERS SUBMITTED UNDER THIS INVITATION ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CANCELING DATE NO LATER THAN THE LAST CONTRACT LAYDAY AS ABOVE, AND THE VESSELS WHICH ARE OFFERED WITH A CANCELING DATE BEYOND THE LAYDAYS SPECIFIED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

- IF CONTRACTED ON PART CARGO BASIS, OWNER IS TO PROVIDE  ITINERARY OF VESSEL.  ANY ADDITIONAL COMPLETION CARGO MUST BE STOWED IN SEPARATE HOLDS, MUST BE COMPATIBLE AND NON-INJURIOUS TO ECUADORS FOOD FOR PROGRESS WHEAT CARGO AND MUST BE DETAILED IN OFFER OR APPROVED BY CHARTERERS/USDA 
IF CONTRACTED AFTER FIXTURE OF ECUADORS CARGO.  VESSELS ITINERARY AND GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY OF COMPLETION CARGO(ES) WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY ECUADOR/USDA IN APPROVAL OF SUCH PART CARGO(ES) IN ORDER NOT TO UNDULY IMPEDE DELIVERY OF ECUADORS FOOD FOR PROGRESS BULK WHEAT CARGOES.

-OWNERS TO PROVIDE 14 (FOURTEEN) DAYS PREADVICE OF VESSEL
READINESS TO LOAD.  THE 14 DAY PREADVICE MUST BE RECEIVED BY CHARTERERS AGENT NO LATER THAN 11:00 AM (WASHINGTON DC TIME) ON THE BUSINESS DAY IT IS GIVEN. PREADVICE RECEIVED AFTER THAT TIME WILL COUNT AS RECEIVED ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.

4.   LOADING: 1/2 SAFE BERTH(S) EACH 1/2 SAFE U.S. PORT(S) OR CANADIAN TRANSHIPMENT POINTS.

5.   DISCHARGING: 1/3 SAFE BERTHS (INCLUDING RIO GUAYAS),GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR AND/OR 1 SAFE BERTH, MANTA, ECUADOR. VESSEL RESTRICTIONS AT DISCHARGE PORTS WITHOUT GUARANTEE FROM CHARTERER ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A)  GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR
  -NEW PORT:  MAXIMUM ARRIVAL DRAFT:  32 FT, MAXIMUM
  -LOA:  210 M
  -OTHER BERTHS IN GUAYAQUIL:  MAXIMUM ARRIVAL
   DRAFT:  23 FT, MAXIMUM LOA:  180 M

B)  MANTA, ECUADOR
-MAXIMUM S.W. ARRIVAL DRAFT:  33 FT

IT IS OWNERS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VESSEL MEETING ALL BERTH RESTRICTIONS AT THE DISCHARGE PORT(S).  ANY LIGHTENING REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF VESSELS FAILURE TO MEET BERTH RESTRICTIONS AT THE DISCHARGE PORT(S) IS FOR OWNERS TIME, RISK AND EXPENSE.

6.   TERMS:

(A)  LOADING TERMS:  THE CARGO IS TO BE LOADED ACCORDING TO BERTH TERMS WITH CUSTOMARY DESPATCH AT THE AVERAGE RATE AS DELINEATED BELOW BASED ON VESSEL'S CONTRACTED QUANTITY. THE RATES ARE BASIS TONS OF 2,204.6 POUNDS PER WEATHER WORKING DAY OF 24 CONSECUTIVE HOURS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS EXCEPTED, EVEN IF USED.  SATURDAYS PER BFC SATURDAY CLAUSE.

     BULK CARRIERS:

     VESSEL CONTRACTED QUANTITY             LOADING GUARANTEE

     =========================                     =================

          0 - 9,999.99 MT                                              4,000 MT PER DAY      

          10,000 - 19,999.99 MT                                  5,000 MT PER DAY

          20,000 - 29,999.99 MT                                  6,000 MT PER DAY

          30,000 39,999.99 MT                                 7,500 MT PER DAY

    TANKERS:   
    VESSEL CONTRACTED QUANTITY               LOADING GUARANTEE

     =========================                    =================

          0 - 9,999.99 MT                                               4,000 MT PER DAY

          10,000-19,999.99 MT                                     5,000 MT PER DAY

          20,000-29,999.99 MT                                     6,000 MT PER DAY

          30,000 AND ABOVE                                      7,500 MT PER DAY

MULTI-DECKERS: THE LOAD GUARANTEE SHALL BE 3,000 MT PER DAY. LASH/SEABEE BARGES:  THE LOAD GUARANTEE SHALL NOT APPLY.

(B) DISCHARGING TERMS:  THE CARGO IS TO BE DISCHARGED, FREE OF RISK AND EXPENSE TO THE VESSEL (FREE OUT DISCHARGE), AT THE AVERAGE RATE OF 2,500 MT FOR BULK CARRIERS AND TANKERS, 1,500 MT FOR MULTIDECKERS INCLUDING LINER VESSELS PER WWDSSHEX EIU.  FOR LASH/SEABEE BARGES THE DISCHARGE GUARANTEE SHALL NOT APPLY.

(C )DEMURRAGE/DESPATCH IS APPLICABLE AT LOAD AND DISCHARGE PORTS.  OWNERS ARE TO SPECIFY DEMURRAGE/DESPATCH RATES IN THEIR OFFER.  DESPATCH RATES MUST BE ONE-HALF OF DEMURRAGE RATES QUOTED.

                      (D) LAYTIME IS NON-REVERSIBLE
                             -LAYTIME ACCOUNTS ARE TO BE SETTLED DIRECTLY BETWEEN

OWNERS AND COMMODITY SUPPLIER(S) AT LOAD PORT(S). LAYTIME CALCULATION, OVERTIME AND TRIMMING TO BE IN ACCORDANCE TO ADDENDUM NO. 1 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN EXPORT GRAIN ASSOCIATION, INC. F.O.B. CONTRACT NO. 2 (REVISED AS OF AUGUST 1,1988) CLAUSES NOS.1-10 INCLUSIVE, (HEREINAFTER "N.A.E.G.A.") REGARDLESS OF TYPE OF VESSEL. FURTHER THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS TO N.A.E.G.A. WILL APPLY:

ANYWHERE THE WORD "BUYER" APPEARS, THE WORDS "VESSEL OWNER" SHOULD BE SUBSTITUTED IN ITS PLACE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL CHARTERERS OR CCC BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES INVOLVING THE CALCULATION OF LAYTIME OR THE PAYMENT OF DEMURRAGE OR DESPATCH BETWEEN THE VESSEL OWNERS AND THE COMMODITY SUPPLIER(S).  ANY/ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN VESSEL OWNERS AND THE COMMODITY SUPPLIER(S) ARISING OUT OF THIS CONTRACT RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF LAYTIME ISSUES SHALL BE ARBITRATED IN NEW YORK SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF THE SOCIETY OF MARITIME ARBITRATORS, INC.

   -DISCHARGE PORT LAYTIME ACCOUNTS ARE TO BE SETTLED

DIRECTLY BETWEEN CHARTERER AND VESSEL OWNER.  VESSEL OWNER IS TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT SIGNED DISCHARGE PORT LAYTIME STATEMENT TO CHARTERER'S AGENT, UNIVERSAL SHIPPING CO., INC. FOR APPROVAL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF COMPLETION OF DISCHARGE. DISCHARGE PORT NOTICE OF READINESS AND DISCHARGE PORT STATEMENT OF FACTS, BOTH SIGNED ON BEHALF OF CHARTERERS AND VESSEL OWNER ARE TO BE PRESENTED WITH SIGNED DISCHARGE PORT LAYTIME STATEMENT.

   -UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL CCC BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

RESOLVING DISPUTES INVOLVING THE CALCULATION OF LAYTIME OR THE PAYMENT OF DEMURRAGE OR DESPATCH BETWEEN CHARTERER AND THE VESSEL OWNER.  ANY/ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN CHARTERER AND VESSEL OWNER ARISING OUT OF THIS CONTRACT RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF LAYTIME ISSUES SHALL BE ARBITRATED IN NEW YORK SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF THE SOCIETY OF MARITIME ARBITRATORS, INC.

7.   VESSELS MUST BE CAPABLE OF SELF-DISCHARGE WITH VESSELS GEAR OR OWNER SUPPLIED SHORESIDE GEAR (CRANES AND/OR SWINGING DERRICKS WITH MINIMUM 9.8 MT S.W.L. CAPACITY) AND/OR WITH VACUVATORS INCLUDING ALL NECESSARY VACUVATOR PIPES AND SUPPORTS FOR PIPES AND/OR WITH MARINE LEGS INCLUDING ALL NECESSARY SUPPORT EQUIPMENT.  OWNERS TO PROVIDE AT THEIR EXPENSE ALL NECESSARY MOTIVE POWER/FUEL TO OPERATE ALL DISCHARGE GEAR AND/OR VACUVATORS AS WELL AS TECHNICIANS IN THE CASE OF VACUVATORS AND MARINE LEGS TO OVERSEE THEIR OPERATION.  DISCHARGE GEAR PROVIDED BY OWNER/VESSEL MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING THE GUARANTEED AVERAGE DISCHARGE RATE AS SPECIFIED ABOVE.    NOTICE OF VESSELS READINESS TO DISCHARGE MAY NOT BE TENDERED BEFORE VESSEL IS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH DISCHARGE GEAR/ EQUIPMENT.  TIME USED, FOR GEARLESS VESSELS, TO ASSEMBLE/PREPARE DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR DISCHARGE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM LAYTIME USED.  ANY TIME LOST AS A RESULT OF BREAKDOWN OF VESSELS GEAR AND/OR VACUVATORS AND/OR MARINE LEGS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM LAYTIME USED.VESSEL AND DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT/GEAR MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS/REGULATIONS OF THE APPLICABLE ECUADORIAN PORT AUTHORITY.

MECHANICAL OR HYDRAULIC HATCH COVERS FOR VESSELS OR RAIN TENTS FOR ALL HATCHES ARE REQUIRED.  OPENING AND CLOSING OF HATCHES TO BE CARRIED OUT BY VESSEL'S CREW FREE OF CHARGE TO CHARTERERS. 

VESSELS AND TUG/BARGE COMBINATION MUST HAVE ALL OPENINGS TO CARGO SPACES AND HATCH COVERS SUITABLY SEALED WITH TAPE OR BY OTHER MEANS TO ASSURE WATER TIGHT INTEGRITY.  THE SEALING SHALL BE DONE TO THE SATISFACTION OF NCB SURVEYOR AS ATTESTED BY CERTIFICATION OF SPECIAL SURVEY.  ALL OF THE ABOVE TO BE PERFORMED AT VESSEL'S TIME, RISK, AND EXPENSE.  SPECIAL

SURVEY CERTIFICATE WILL BE REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF FREIGHT PAYMENT. SEALING OF HATCHES/OPENINGS AND SPECIAL NCB CERTIFICATE IN NO WAY DIMINISHES OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY TOWARD THE CARGO.

TUG/BARGE TOW ARRANGEMENT TO BE INSPECTED/CERTIFIED BY THE SALVAGE ASSOCIATION PRIOR TO LOADING, AT OWNERS TIME/RISK/EXPENSE.  COPY OF SAID CERTIFICATION TO BE SUBMITTED TO CHARTERERS AGENT AT TIME OF TENDER NOR TO LOAD.

8.   OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VESSEL ARRIVING AT DISCHARGE BERTH(S) AND PORT(S) WITH AN ACCEPTABLE SAFE ARRIVAL DRAFT AND MUST MEET ALL BERTH/PORT RESTRICTIONS.  ANY LIGHTENING REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF VESSELS FAILURE TO MEET BERTH AND DISCHARGE PORT RESTRICTIONS IS FOR OWNERS ACCOUNT.  OWNERS TO BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL COSTS IN REACHING SAFE DRAFT.  IN CASE PARTIAL LIGHTENING, THEN LIGHTERAGE TO BE FOR OWNERS' TIME, RISK AND EXPENSE. IF OWNERS INTEND TO LIGHTEN AT BERTH(S) OTHER THAN THE GRAIN TERMINAL, OWNERS SHALL CERTIFY IN THEIR OFFER THAT THEY HAVE OBTAINED AUTHORIZATION FROM THE APPLICABLE ECUADORIAN PORT AUTHORITY. VESSEL MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICABLE ECUADORIAN PORT AUTHORITY.

9.   VESSEL MUST BE ABLE TO BE FUMIGATED WITH AN ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE PREPARATION IN-TRANSIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE USDA/FGIS FUMIGATION HANDBOOK AND VESSELS THAT CANNOT BE SO FUMIGATED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  AT FINAL LOADING PORT,COMMODITY SUPPLIER WILL ARRANGE AND PAY FOR IN-TRANSIT FUMIGATION PERFORMED BY A CERTIFIED APPLICATOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE USDA, FGIS FUMIGATION HANDBOOK.  FUMIGATION MUST BE WITNESSED BY FGIS,USDA, AND THE ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE PREPARATION MUST BE CONTAINED IN PACKAGING AS DESCRIBED IN THE FUMIGATION HANDBOOK.  DUST RETAINERS MUST BE USED.  FOR TWEENDECKERS AND BULK CARRIERS (INCLUDING PUSH-MODE ITB),  THE RECIRCULATION METHOD OF FUMIGATION WILL BE USED.  FOR TANKERS, SURFACE APPLICATION WILL BE USED.   TWEEN-DECK VESSELS WILL BE CONSIDERED PROVIDED THEY ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR IN-TRANSIT FUMIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH FGIS FUMIGATION HANDBOOK.  OFFERS OF SUCH TWEEN-DECK VESSELS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF A LETTER FROM FGIS, USDA, STATING THAT THE VESSEL CAN BE FUMIGATED UNDER THE FGIS IN-TRANSIT FUMIGATION PROCEDURES.  IN ADDITION, TWEEN-DECK VESSELS ARE ACCEPTABLE ONLY WHEN A CERTIFIED APPLICATOR STATES THAT THE VESSEL HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE SUITABLE FOR FUMIGATION AND SUCH WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM CERTIFIED APPLICATOR SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH OFFER.

 10.  AT THE DISCHARGE PORT AND UPON INSPECTION BY GOVERNMENT/RECEIVERS INSPECTORS, IF CARGO AND/OR VESSEL IS FOUND TO BE INFESTED, AND PROVIDED CLEAN BILLS OF LADING WERE ISSUED, FUMIGATION COSTS, IF ANY, ARE FOR OWNERS (VESSELS) ACCOUNT, AND TIME USED IS TO COUNT FOR U.S. FLAG VESSELS; AND NOT TO COUNT FOR NON U.S. FLAG VESSELS.

11.  FREIGHT RATE TO BE QUOTED PER METRIC TON BASIS VESSELLOAD/FREE OUT ONE LOADING PORT TO ONE DISCHARGING PORT. ADDITIONAL FREIGHT CHARGE MUST BE STATED FOR ADDITIONAL LOADING PORT(S) AND WILL BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING LOWEST LANDED COST IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE COMMODITIES ARE LIKELY TO BE LOADED AT MORE THAN ONE PORT.

 12.  FREIGHT OFFERS SHOULD NOT CONTAIN A "DETENTION RATE". FREIGHT OFFERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED NON RESPONSIVE SOLELY BECAUSE A DETENTION RATE WAS GIVEN HOWEVER THE RELATED CHARTER PARTIES AND LINER BOOKING CONTRACTS MAY NOT CONTAIN A DETENTION RATE.

 13. NON U.S. FLAG VESSELS MUST BE REGISTERED HIGHEST IN LLOYDS OR EQUIVALENT AND MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 20 YEARS OLD.

14.  NON-VESSELS OPERATING COMMON CARRIERS (NVOCC) MAY NOT BE EMPLOYED TO CARRY U.S. OR FOREIGN FLAG SHIPMENTS.

15.  ONLY OFFERS OF NAMED VESSELS WITH FULL PARTICULARS PROVIDED WILL BE CONSIDERED.

16.  ANY EXTRA INSURANCE ON CARGO AND FREIGHT DUE TO VESSELS AGE, CLASS, TYPE, FLAG, CONFIGURATION OR OWNERSHIP OF THE VESSEL IS TO BE FOR OWNERS ACCOUNT, BUT NOT TO EXCEED  NEW YORK MARKET RATES FOR U.S. FLAG VESSELS AND LONDON MARKET RATES FOR NON U.S. FLAG VESSELS.

17.  CARGO SHALL NOT BE LOADED INTO DEEP/WING TANKS AND OTHER SPACES WHICH ARE NOT DIRECTLY ACCESSIBLE TO GRAB DISCHARGE.

18.  U.S. FLAG APPROVED FREIGHT RATE(S) WILL BE REDUCED TO A LEVEL NOT HIGHER THAN THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION FAIR AND REASONABLE RATE IN THE EVENT THAT ORIGINALLY APPROVED VESSEL IS SUBSTITUTED BY A LOWER COST VESSEL.

ONE WAY RATE MUST BE QUOTED IN ADDITION TO ROUND TRIP RATE FOR U.S. NON LINER VESSELS WHOSE DATE OF ORIGINAL "REPEAT" ORIGINAL (NOT REBUILT DATE)CONSTRUCTION EXCEEDS 15 YEARS FROM DATE OF FIXTURE.

FREIGHT RATE FOR U.S. FLAG VESSELS OFFERING BASIS FULL CARGO BUT LOADING LESS THAN A FULL CARGO, THE LESS THAN FULL CARGO FREIGHT RATE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REDUCTION TO MEET ANY REVISED MARAD FREIGHT RATE GUIDELINE DUE TO VESSEL LOADING OTHER ADDITIONAL CARGO.

OFFERS OF U.S. FLAG VESSELS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THE VESSEL OPERATOR HAS NOT PROVIDED THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION WITH THE VESSEL COSTS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF THE OFFER.

U.S. FLAG VESSELS OFFERED SUBJECT TO MARAD APPROVAL WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  IF MARAD APPROVAL OF VESSEL IS REQUIRED, SAME MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE SUBMISSION OF OFFERS.

19.  OFFERS RECEIVED SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO WARRANT THAT THE OFFERED VESSEL IS FREE FROM ANY LIEN AND ENCUMBRANCE FULLY INSURED AND ENTERED IN A P AND I CLUB.

20.  OFFERS OF NAMED VESSELS ONLY, NO VESSEL SUBSTITUTION IS PERMITTED WITHOUT CHARTERER'S/USDA'S APPROVAL.

 21. ISM AND ISPS CODE COMPLIANCE.  CARRIER GUARANTEES THAT THIS VESSEL IS REQUIRED BY THE ISM (NON SELF-PROPELLED BARGES ARE EXEMPT), AND ISPS CODE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (1974) AS AMENDED (SOLAS) COMPLIES FULLY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE AND THE INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITIES SECURITY (ISPS) CODE AND WILL REMAIN SO FOR THE ENTIRETY OF HER EMPLOYMENT UNDER THIS BOOKING NOTE.  UPON REQUEST, CARRIERS TO PROVIDE SHIPPERS WITH A COPY OF THE RELEVANT DOCUMENT OF COMPLIANCE (DOC) AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE (SMC) IN REGARD TO THE ISM CODE AND THE INTERNATIONAL SHIP SECURITY CERTIFICATE (ISSC) IN REGARD TO THE ISPS CODE.  CARRIERS ARE TO REAMIN FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL CONSEQUENCES FROM MATTERS ARISING AS A RESULT OF THE CARRIER OR THE VESSEL BEING OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE ISM AND ISPS CODE.

 22. SUBSTANDARD VESSELS: SECTION 408 OF THE COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998, PUBLIC LAW 105-383 (46 USC PARAGRAPH 2302(E)), ESTABLISHES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1999, WITH RESPECT TO NON-US FLAG VESSELS AND OPERATORS/OWNERS, THAT SUBSTANDARD VESSELS AND VESSELS OPERATED BY OPERATORS/OWNERS OF SUBSTANDARD VESSELS ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE CARRIAGE OF GOVERNMENT IMPELLED (PREFERENCE)CARGO(ES) FOR UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER SUCH SUBSTANDARD DETERMINATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ELECTRONICALLY.  AS THE CARGO ADVERTISED IN THIS IFB IS A GOVERNMENT IMPELLED (PREFERENCE) CARGO, OFFERORS MUST WARRANT THAT VESSEL(S) AND OWNERS/OPERATORS ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED TO CARRY SUCH GOVERNMENT IMPELLED (PREFERENCE) CARGO(ES).

23.  WAR RISK PREMIUM:  CARRIERS SHALL INCLUDE ALL ACTUAL AND ANTICIPATED WAR RISK INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN THEIR OFFERED RATES.  OWNERS BEARS THE RISK OF ANY INCREASE IN WAR RISK PREMIUMS.

24.  OFFERORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION AS LISTED BELOW AND IN THE FORMAT AS FOLLOWS:

A.   VESSEL NAME, FLAG, YEAR BUILT, VESSEL TYPE, DWT, HOLDS, HATCHES(SIZES), GEAR, LOA, BEAM, SPEED, CLASS, OWNERS NAME, SALT WATER ARRIVAL DRAFT AT DISPORT
B.   CARGO
C.   LOAD/DISCHARGE PORTS
D.   LOAD/DISCHARGE RATES
E.   LAYDAYS
F.   ETA AT LOAD PORT
G.   FREIGHT RATE PER MT AND ADDITIONAL FREIGHT FOR ADDITIONAL PORT(S)
H.   DEMURRAGE-DESPATCH
I.   TRANSIT TIME AND PORTS OF CALL IN TRANSIT, IF ANY
J.   COMMISSIONS
K.   TERMS
L.   REMARKS
M.   NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF CONTACT PERSON.

25.  ALL OFFERS AND SUBSEQUENT AWARDS OF CONTRACTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985 AND ALL APPLICABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGULATIONS PURSUANT THERETO.

26.  OFFERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BASIS CURRENT ECUADOR GOVERNMENT PROFORMA CHARTER PARTY FOR FOOD FOR PROGRESS BULK WHEAT (NORGRAIN 89 ADAPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ECUADOR SEPTEMBER 2006) AND THIS IFB.

27.  FREIGHT PAYMENT:  PLEASE NOTE PROVISION IN CHARTER PARTY CLAUSE 46 REGARDING PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC TRANSFER.     

28.  BROKERAGE COMMISSION IS PAYABLE BY OWNERS ON GROSS FREIGHT, DEADFREIGHT, AND DEMURRAGE TO UNIVERSAL SHIPPING, CO. AS FOLLOWS:  2.5 PERCENT IF THE FIXTURE IS ARRANGED WITHOUT OWNER'S BROKER AND IF OWNERS' BROKER IS INVOLVED, 2/3RDS OF 2.5 PERCENT IS PAYABLE TO UNIVERSAL SHIPPING AND 1/3RD OF 2.5 PERCENT IS PAYABLE TO OWNERS' BROKER.

29.  OFFERS TO BE RECEIVED BY:
          UNIVERSAL SHIPPING COMPANY, INC.
          2300 CLARENDON BLVD., SUITE 1004
          ARLINGTON, VA 22201
          TELEPHONE:  202-298-6100 OR 703-522-5780
          FAX:  703-522-9417

U.S. AND NON U.S. FLAG OFFERS WILL BE OPENED IN PUBLIC AT UNIVERSAL SHIPPING CO. OFFICE AT 1200 HOURS WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME,TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, AND REMAIN VALID UNTIL CLOSE OF BUSINESS WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006.

OFFERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE.  ONLY OFFERS WHICH ARE RESPONSIVE TO THIS TENDER WILL BE CONSIDERED, AND NO NEGOTIATION IS PERMITTED.  CHARTERERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY OR ALL OFFERS. 

IF A FAX OFFER IS CONNECTED TO OUR FAX MACHINE BEFORE 1200 HRS WASHINGTON,D.C. TIME, AS PRINTED ON OFFER (BASED ON EASTERN STANDARD/EASTERN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, AS APPROPRIATE) AND CONTINUES TRANSMITTING PAST 1200 HOURS UNTIL COMPLETION, CHARTERERS WILL CONSIDER THE OFFER AS IF IT HAD COMPLETED TRANSMITTING BEFORE 1200 HOURS, HOWEVER, CHARTERERS WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY FAX OFFER WHICH CONNECTS TO OUR FAX MACHINE AFTER 1200 HOURS.

OFFERS SUBJECT OPEN WILL BE CONSIDERED IF LIFTED LATEST BY 1000 HOURS WASHINGTON, D.C. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006.