In a statement the New York-quoted shipbuildingconglomerate described the deal between affiliate American Overseas Marine(AMSEA) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) as a “modification” of an awardissued four years ago.

“Under the terms of themodification AMSEA will provide services including crewing, engineering,maintenance, procurement and provisioning,” it said, adding: “Initially awardedin 2010, the contract has a potential value of $238m overseven years.”

Other details were notdisclosed but market sources who are active in the US-flag shipping segment tellTradeWinds that the deal appears to represent the execution of a one-yearoption since the initial fixed-price contract was due to conclude this month.

AMSEA,