Exxon-Mobil fleet has broad registration

Insight on the News, April 29, 2003 by Prem Nair

I am writing with respect to "The Prestige's Oozing Crude Sparks Debate" [the watchers, Feb. 18-March 3]. In this article a Coast Guard insider is quoted as saying, "For instance, only one of Mobil Oil's fleet of 30-plus tankers is U.S.-flagged [in keeping with the Jones Act], while others carry Liberian, Bahamian or other flags."

This statement is not accurate. Of the 32 ships greater than 16,000 deadweight tons in which Exxon Mobil affiliates have an ownership interest, the flag makeup is as follows: United States (14), Marshall Islands (9), United Kingdom (2), Bahamas (2), Chile (2), New Zealand (2) and Canada (1) for a total of 32 ships.

Prem Nair
Public Affairs Adviser
Exxon Mobil Corp.
Fairfax, Va.