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EXCLUSIVE AGENT FOR MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS IN THE COUNTRY OF JAPAN Ace Media Service, Inc. 12-6, 4-chome, Nichiike Adochi-ku, Tokyo 121 Japan TEL: +81-3-5691-3335 FAX: +81-3-5691-3336 For information about advertising from Japan contact Mr. Akio Ishii Pictured on the (Over: Kvaerner-built Sea Launch Commander was selected as one of MR/EN'S GREAT SHIPS of 1997. Read up on ail 15 ships honored this year, starting on page 45. 24 Far East Update Despite tumultuous financial markets, Far East shipyards remain atop the commercial shipbuilding mount. China, propelled by low employ ment costs, leaps to No. 3. — by Alan Thorpe, international editor 45 GREAT SHIPS OF 1997 This year's roster of Great Ships includes a U.S.-built tanker; a refined sugar carrier; a double-ended combi ferry; and an assembly and command ship designed to transport and assemble rockets for offshore site launching. Newport News Shipbuilding brought American Progress from computer screen to sea. 8 22 27 28 31 33 62 70 73 78 81 81 81 82 87 88 91 Marine Finance Workboat '97s Post-show wrap-up. Market Report: Seaborne trade to grow 3.8 percent. Ship Repair & Conversion: Repair and conversion players continue to grapple with quantity and quality issues. Software Solutions Ship & Boatbuilding Technology: Using high-tech tools to aid efficiency. Marine Literature Review Japanese Maritime Review People & Company News Products Showcase Bunker Fuel Monitor Recent Ship Sales Index Fleet Valuation Ferliship's New Contracts Buyer's Guide Advertiser's Index Professional/Classified Advertisements Subscriptions: One full year (12 issues) SI 8.00 in U.S.; outside of U.S. S96.00 including postage and handling. For subscription information, contact: Dale Barnett, fax: (212) 254-6271. MARITIME AND ENGINEERING NEWS 118 East 25th Street New York, NY 10010 (212) 477-6700 ISSN-0025-3448 USPS-016-750 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechanical, photocopying, recording or oth- erwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. No. 12 Vol. 59 Founder: John J. O'Malley 1905 - 1980 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News is published monthly by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rates at Waterbury, CT 06701 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send notification (Form 3579) regarding undeliverable magazines to Maritime Reporter/Engineering News, 118 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0970700. Printed in U.S.A. Publishers are not responsible for the safekeeping or return of editorial material. © 1996 Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Member INTERNATIONAL® Business Publications Audit of Circulation, Inc. 2 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News