Based on the anticipated space requirements of both shippers and consignees in North, Central and South America Maruba Lines is pleased to announce the inaugural voyage of their new vessel deployment in the USWC North/South trades. The initial vessel will depart Manzanillo, Mexico on July 1st on a voyage from Manzanillo to Oakland, California. Following the port call in Oakland the vessel will proceed to Long Beach and Ensenada, Mexico before returning to Manzanillo. The service will operate on a bi-weekly basis during the startup phase and will eventually provide a fixed day weekly service with connections in Manzanillo with three different vessel strings that will provide links to a full range of ports in Central and South America.

This is the third of three new services that Maruba has initiated during 2005. The other two services are the Americas Alliance providing weekly service from Shekou and Hong Kong to Long Beach and the S.E.A.S. service providing weekly service from a full port range in Asia to the East Coast of South America. Maruba is in discussions with current vessel partners that are expected to result in additional services during the 2005 timeframe which will be announced shortly.