IOS To Purchase of Platform Supply Vessel

P/R International Offshore Services ANS (IOS), which is a 50/50 joint venture between Farstad Shipping ASA and P & O Australia has entered into an agreement to purchase a platform supply vessel, design UT 755L, from Consensus Foss KS (Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskipsselskap). The vessel is under construction at Aker Brattvaag. IOS will formally take over the vessel immediately after delivery from the yard in December 2002. After the delivery of the above vessel IOS will operate a fleet of 17 vessels and have three vessels on order for delivery in 2003.