December 14 - During a call at the Port of Rostock, Intermarine's US-flagged heavy lift ship Ocean Titan was visited by Capt. William H. Suggs, United States Naval Attach

Captain Suggs monitored the loading of three port gantry cranes using the ship's own gear and received information about the ship's features and capabilities; and exchanged opinions with the ship's master and chief engineer about the role of US-flagged vessels working in support of US economic interests, including US job creation and federally-supported projects.

Ocean Titan was in Rostock to load port cranes and equipment from the Liebherr factory which are set to be delivered to different Californian ports. The cranes were purchased by the respective port authorities underTransportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery ("TIGER") grants. Being purchased with US grants, the cargo is "impelled cargo"; that is, the cargo is required by law to be carried by a US-flagged vessel.

Ocean Titan is an 8,000 dwt tweendecker and part of Intermarine's modern multipurpose and heavy lift fleet consisting of 21 ships including five ships sailing under US-Flag registry. With its two cargo cranes, Ocean Titan is able to load pieces of up to 400 tonnes.

Captain Suggs said: "Cargo ships under US-Flag registry play an important role in supporting the President's National Export Initiative. Today's economy needs reliable solutions to cover the transport requirements of global trade."

Stefan Zinecker, CFO-Europe of Intermarine: "The visit of Captain Suggs on board our ship underlines the important role of specialised merchant shipping on both sides of the Atlantic. Loading Liebherr cranes in Germany on one of our US-Flag ships is the result of combining the premium services we render to our clients in Europe and our commitment to our US-Homeland business. This shipment once more shows that we are able to create value for our European industry clients by offering them the transport solutions they need."

In the pictures below we see a 60 tonne crane undercarriage passing the ship's rail while loading; a 60 tonne crane undercarriage under the hook of the ship's cranes; plus in the group picture taken in the hold of the ship, (left to right): Stefan Zinecker (CFO-Europe, Intermarine), Captain Suggs (US naval attaché to Germany), Marko Habiecht (port captain, Intermarine Europe), Yorck Niclas Prehm (chartering, Intermarine Europe).