SIGN 'CAR FERRY'; STEEL PLATES LOWERED INTO POSITION; CRANE; FITTERS; VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION WORKS; BARGE.




Initials IF/VS/MGT/AE/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TO ENSURE THE CONTINUOUS PASSAGE OF EXPORTS AND IMPORTS TO AND FROM ZAMBIA, THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RHINE BARGE NOW BEING BUILT IN THE SHIPYARD OF AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND.

THE BARGE WILL NOT COST JUST OVER ONE AND A HALF MILLION DUTCH GUILDERS OR ABOUT GBP1,500 STERLING. THIS WILL COME OUT OF THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT EMERGENCY FUND. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATE THIS MONTH, AND PUT INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

DESIGNED TO CARRY CARGOES OF ALL KINDS, THE RHINE BARGE WILL HELP TO MAINTAIN A REGULAR FLOW OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES, MARKING ANOTHER STEP IN ZAMBIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN SHALLOW WATERS, THE RHINE BARGE WILL ALLOW FOR RAPID AND EASY LOADING AND UNLOADING. NOW IN ITS FINAL STAGES THE BARGE WAS INSPECTED LAST MONTH (JULY) BY MR. STANLEY, THE PRINCIPAL OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF ZAMBIAN WATERWAYS AND HARBOURS.