Great Western Steamship Company ("GWSC"), U.S. Lines Limited ("USL") and Maruba Line announced that they have concluded a Vessel Sharing Agreement
("VSA"), which will be known as the "Americas Alliance." They will jointly operate a weekly, fixed-day service between Shekou/Hong Kong and the L.A./Long Beach gateway.

Initially, the service will commence with five (5) 2,100 TEU vessels, with each line contributing tonnage to the VSA. The service will commence on 27 February with the sailing of the Oder Trader from Shekou.

Upon launch of the new VSA, GWSC, USL and Maruba are in discussion to quickly introduce new services in markets that they presently do not serve, so as to continue to meet the shipping requirements of their respective customers. This will be accomplished through the deployment of additional tonnage and the strategic cooperation with other carriers.

The parties are also discussing the implementation of a service to commence in the second or third quarter of 2006 from South and North China ports to the U.S. East and Gulf coasts, which would include service to the West Coast of South America.