Nicaragua Award07-045B

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07-045B Nicaragua Award
October 23, 2007

IFB No. NI-FINCA-FFP-07-045B
Charterer:  FINCA International
Vessel Owner:  Teco Ocean Shipping
Vessel:  U.S. Flag BARBARA VAUGHT, P1
Cargo:  15,000MT Min/Max Bulk Wheat
Loadport:  SB, 1 SP Miss River
Discharge Port SB Corinto, Nicaragua
Frt Rate:  $144.87 per MT basis 1/1
                   Plus $5.00 for additional loadberth
                   Plus $10.00 for 2nd discharge berth
Laydays:  November 20-30, 2007

Best Regards,
Sherry Sons
Universal Shipping Company
2101 Gaither Road, Suite 275
Rockville, MD  20850
Tele:  301-330-0063
Fax:  301-330-0083
 

07-045B Nicaragua Tender
October 11, 2007

Freight Tender: FINCA International - FFP /Bulk Wheat to Nicaragua

UNIVERSAL SHIPPING CO., INC. AS AGENT FOR FINCA INTERNATIONAL 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. NI-FINCA-FFP-07-045B

2. COMMODITY: WHEAT IN BULK
QUANTITY: APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MT WHEAT IN BULK
LAYDAYS: NOVEMBER 20-30, 2007

-OFFERORS SHOULD CONSIDER OFFERING VESSELS TO CARRY A RANGE OF
TONNAGES IN THE EVENT THAT THE QUANTITIES PURCHASED ARE MORE
OR LESS THAN THE QUANTITY STATED IN THIS TENDER. CONTRACTED
QUANTITY TO BE ON A MIN/MAX BASIS.

-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.

-IN ORDER TO MEET PROGRAMMED DELIVERY DATES FOR THIS
MONETIZATION PROGRAM,FINCA INTERNATIONAL REQUIRES THAT CARGO
ARRIVE AT DISCHARGE PORT NOT EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2007
AND NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 10, 2007. PLEASE KEEP THESE DATES IN MIND WHEN SUBMITTING OFFERS FOR THIS TENDER.

-DUE TO URGENT NEED FOR CARGO IN NICARAGUA, ALL OFFERS MUST
STATE VESSELS CURRENT POSITION AND ITINERARY WITH ETA BASIS
LOADPORT.

-IF CONTRACTED ON PART CARGO BASIS, FINCA INTERNATIONAL
CARGOES MUST BE FIRST OUT AND OWNER IS TO PROVIDE
ITINERARY OF VESSEL. ANY ADDITIONAL COMPLETION CARGO MUST BE
DULY SEPARATED, MUST BE COMPATIBLE AND NON-INJURIOUS TO
FINCAS FOOD FOR PROGRESS WHEAT CARGO AND MUST BE DETAILED IN
OFFER OR APPROVED BY CHARTERERS/USDA IF CONTRACTED AFTER
FIXTURE OF FINCA CARGO. VESSEL'S ITINERARY AND GEOGRAPHIC
PROXIMITY OF COMPLETION CARGO(ES) WILL BE TAKEN INTO
CONSIDERATION BY CHARTERER/USDA IN APPROVAL OF SUCH PART
CARGO(ES) IN ORDER NOT TO UNDULY IMPEDE DELIVERY OF
FINCAS FOOD FOR PROGRESS CARGO(ES) TO NICARAGUA.

-OWNERS TO PROVIDE 14 (FOURTEEN) DAYS PREADVICE OF VESSEL
READINESS TO LOAD. THE 14 DAY PREADVICE MUST BE RECEIVED BY
CHARTERER'S 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.

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

4. DISCHARGE PORT: 1/2 SAFE BERTHS CORINTO, NICARAGUA
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.

5. 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
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
MULTIDECKERS: 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; 2,000 MT FOR TANKERS; AND 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.


6. GEAR REQUIREMENTS:
VESSELS MUST BE CAPABLE OF SELF-DISCHARGE WITH VESSELS ONBOARD GEAR OR OWNER SUPPLIED SHORESIDE GEAR (CRANES AND/OR SWINGING DERRICKS WITH MINIMUM 9.8 MT S.W.L. CAPACITY SUITABLE FOR CLAMSHELL DISCHARGE AND INCLUDING PROVISION OF CLAMSHELL) 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. ANY TIME LOST AS A RESULT OF BREAKDOWN OF VESSELS GEAR AND/OR VACUVATORS AND/OR MARINE LEGS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM LAYTIME USED. NOTICE OF VESSELS READINESS TO DISCHARGE MAY NOT BE TENDERED BEFORE VESSEL IS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH DISCHARGE GEAR/EQUIPMENT. VESSEL AND DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT/GEAR MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS/REGULATIONS OF THE APPLICABLE NICARAGUAN PORT AUTHORITY.

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 MARINE LEGS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM LAYTIME USED. VESSEL AND DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT/GEAR MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS/REGULATIONS OF THE CORINTO 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 HATCHES' COVERS SUITABLY SEALED WITH TAPE OR BY OTHER MEANS TO ASSURE WATER TIGHT INTEGRITY. THE SEALING SHALL BE DONE TO SATISFACTION OF ATTENDING NCB SURVEYOR AS ATTESTED BY CERTIFICATION OF SPECIAL SURVEY. ALL OF THE ABOVE TO BE PERFORMED AT VESSELS 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.

7. TWEENDECKERS WILL BE CONSIDERED PROVIDED OWNERS PROVIDE PROOF, TO BE SUBMITTED WITH OFFER, THAT THEY HAVE OBTAINED APPROVAL FROM THE PORT OF CORINTO PORT AUTHORITY FOR THIS FINCA INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT.

8. LIGHTENING , IF REQUIRED, TO BE AT VESSEL OWNERS TIME RISK AND EXPENSE. LIGHTENING IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE TERRITORIAL WATERS OF NICARAGUA. LIGHTENING VESSEL(S) MUST MEET ALL TENDER AND APPROPRIATE PORT AUTHORITY REQUIREMENTS. COST OF LIGHTENING TO BE STIPULATED IN THE OFFER (REFER TO CLAUSE 66 OF PROFORMA C/P). IN THE EVENT LIGHTENING IS NOT PERFORMED AT THE DISCHARGE PORT, SAID LIGHTENING COSTS SHALL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE FREIGHT.

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 SIUTABLE 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 RATES TO BE QUOTED PER METRIC TON BASIS VESSEL LOAD / FREE OUT DISCHARGE BASIS 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 RESPONSIVLE 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. DATE OF ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION, NOT REBUILT DATE TO GOVERN.

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/OR 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'S COST PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF 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 CHARTERERS/USDAS 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 REMAIN 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 BEAR 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/DISCHARGE 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 FINCAS BULK WHEAT/NICARAGUA/FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROFORMA CHARTER PARTY (OCTOBER 2007) WHICH ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM UNIVERSAL SHIPPING CO.

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

28. CHARTERERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY AND/OR ALL OFFERS.

29. A BROKERAGE COMMISSION IS PAYABLE BY OWNERS ON GROSS FREIGHT, DEADFREIGHT, AND DEMURRAGE. TWO-THIRDS OF 2.5 PERCENT TO BE PAID TO UNIVERSAL SHIPPING AND ONE-THIRD OF 2.5 PERCENT TO BE PAID TO OWNERS' BROKER, IF OWNER'S BROKER IS INVOLVED IN THE VESSEL FIXTURE, OR A FULL 2.5 PERCENT TO BE PAID TO UNIVERSAL SHIPPING IF THE VESSEL FIXTURE IS ARRANGED WITHOUT OWNERS' BROKER.

30. OFFERS ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY SEALED LETTER, OR BY FAX NO. 301-330-0083 AT UNIVERSAL SHIPPING CO., 2101 GAITHER ROAD, SUITE 275, ROCKVILLE, MD 20850 NO LATER THAN 1100 HOURS WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 AND ALL OFFERS MUST REMAIN VALID THROUGH CLOSE OF BUSINESS WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007.
IF A FAX OFFER IS CONNECTED TO OUR FAX MACHINE BEFORE 1100 HRS WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME, ACCORDING TO TIME AS PRINTED ON OFFER (BASED ON EASTERN STANDARD/EASTERN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, AS APPROPRIATE) AND CONTINUES TRANSMITTING PAST 1100 HOURS UNTIL COMPLETION, CHARTERERS WILL CONSIDER THE OFFER AS IF IT HAD COMPLETED TRANSMITTING BEFORE 1100 HOURS, HOWEVER, CHARTERERS WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY FAX OFFER WHICH CONNECTS TO OUR FAX MACHINE AFTER 1100 HOURS.
U.S. AND FOREIGN FLAG OFFERS WILL BE OPENED AND READ IN PUBLIC AT THAT PLACE AND TIME.
NO PHONE OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ONLY OFFERS WHICH ARE RESPONSIVE TO THIS IFB WILL BE CONSIDERED AND NO NEGOTIATION IS PERMITTED.
OFFERS "SUBJECT OPEN" WILL BE CONSIDERED PROVIDED SUBJECT IS LIFTED BY LATEST 1300 HOURS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007.