Hvide Marine Towing News

ConAgra Inc., the second largest U.S. food manufacturer, has agreed to sell American Commercial Lines LLC (ACL) its large U.S. inland barge fleet and operations. Financial terms of the deal, which ConAgra said was part of ongoing series of strategic divestments, were not announced. ACL will acquire 930 owned and chartered barges, nine chartered towboats and one dry dock, the companies said in a joint statement. The deal includes Peavey Barge Lines, Brown Water Towing Inc. and Superior Barge Lines, Inc. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval but is expected to be completed in the next 30 days, the companies said. Greg Heckman, president and CEO, ConAgra Trade Group, said, "Our decision to sell the barge company is a strategic one.

Hvide Marine's subsidiary, Hvide Marine Towing, has been granted certification in the American Waterways' Operators' (AWO) Responsible Carrier Program. RCP is a voluntary program outlining strict standard of conduct and compliance for the towing and barge industry, addressing quality and safety systems for operations and management. Certified since 1997, Hvide Marine Towing's certification verifies the harbor and offshore towing company's continued compliance with the safety standards outlined by the RCP Code.

Hvide Marine Incorporated reported a net loss of $20.1 million or on revenues of $86 million for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. In the year-earlier period, the company had net income of $3.9 million on revenues of $100.1 million. Results in the current quarter and year-to-date have been adjusted to reflect the consolidation, as of September 30, 1999, of Lightship Tankers, LLC, a 50.75 percent-owned subsidiary, which was previously accounted for under the equity method. On an operating basis (results from operations before interest and taxes), the company had an operating loss of $6.2 million during the 1999 quarter versus operating income of $19.0 million in the 1998 quarter.