April 29, 2004

(Houston, TX---) The 149,535 dwt bulk carrier Cape Africa has encountered difficulties off South Africa while on passage with a cargo of iron ore. The vessel is owned by U Ming Transport Co, is registered in Taiwan and is dual classed by China Corporation Register of Shipping and ABS. At owner’s request, an ABS surveyor has been on standby to attend the vessel at the first opportunity but has not yet been able to board. As a consequence, ABS has no first hand knowledge of the circumstances of the casualty.

The Cape Africa is classed XA1, Bulk Carrier, , XAMS, XACCU by ABS. It completed Special Survey Number 2 in October 2001. The last annual survey was completed in Taiwan on 26 October 2003. The vessel is subject to the Enhanced Survey Program for bulk carriers but is not required to comply with the IACS S31criteria until July 2006.

Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

For more information, contact:
Stewart Wade,
ABS
1-281-877-5850
or swade@eagle.org