BP to Charter New Product Tanker from U.S. Shipping Partners

U.S. Shipping Partners L.P announced that it has entered into a long-term charter agreement with BP for a new double-hulled product tanker being built for U.S. Shipping Partners' tanker joint venture by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego. This vessel is due for delivery in early 2009 and will be employed by BP in the U.S. domestic coastwise trade. The ship is the first in U.S. Shipping's new series of nine vessels.