1.
SV SHIP IN DOCK
0.03

2.
SV PAN DOCKYARD
0.09

3.
SV & CU MRS.YILMA DERESSA LAUNCHING SHIP
0.21

4.
SV MRS.DERESSA AND SPECTATORS
0.25

5.
CU MR. DERESSA
0.27

6.
CU NAME OF SHIPS 'QUEEN OF SHEBA' AND 'LION OF JUDAH'
0.33

7.
SV CROWD
0.37

8.
SV TWO SHIPS
0.41



Initials PBS/S/BHH/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AT THE VEROLMEN SHIPYARDS AT ROZENBURG IN HOLLAND TODAY (MONDAY) TWO CARGO SHIPS BOTH WITH A REGISTERED TONNAGE OF 6,000 WERE LAUNCHED. THE VESSELS, 'QUEEN OF SHEBA' AND 'LION OF JUDAH', HAVE BEEN BUILT FOR THE ETHIOPIAN SHIPPING LINES.

EACH OF THE SHIPS HAS ACCOMMODATION FOR 52 CREW, AND AMONG THE FACILITIES ARE A HOSPITAL, A COMFORTABLE LOUNGE AND AIR CONDITIONED CABINS. THEY WERE BUILT SIMULTANEOUSLY TO SAVE COSTS.

THE SHIPS WERE LAUNCHED BY MRS. YILMA DERESSA, WIFE OF THE ETHIOPIAN MINISTER OF FINANCE.

AFTER THE LAUNCHING THE KEEL WAS LAID OF A NEW OIL TANKER OF 33,000 TONS, ALSO BEING BUILT FOR THE ETHIOPIAN SHIPPING LINES. THIS VESSEL WILL BE USED TO TRANSPORT OIL TOT HE REFINERY AT ASSAB, AN ETHIOPIAN PORT ON THE RED SEA.

TODAY'S LAUNCHING WAS PERFORMED SHORTLY AFTER DAWN WHEN THE TIDE WAS HIGH.