But the US-flag shipowner is emphasising continuity even as it confirms the developments previously reported in TradeWinds. (For details, follow first two links to recent articles in right column [see note below].)

An announcment yesterday on Crowley's website cites chairman, chief executive officer Thomas Crowley Jr as underscoring the continuity of relations with commercial and government customers and with its unions.

Crowley said: "Business entities will remain separate with respect to contracting and procurement, technical, operations and finance. Collective bargaining agreements currently in place with our various labour partners for these entities will also remain intact. What will change is an organisational structure that now complements Crowley's corporate safety and quality vision, ensuring consistent implementation of procedures and policies across similar business entities."

The statement apparently has special reference to the upcoming renewal of Crowley's management contracts with the US Maritime Administration (MarAd) for the Ready Reserve Force (RRF). In addition to its original RRF business, Crowley picked up that of several other companies as a result of corporate acquisitions since the last round of contract awards. But these units must maintain independence in respect of certain functions if Crowley is to retain the lion's share when US companies are awarded new RRF contracts at the end of July.

Crowley subsidiaries with RRF operational or agency contracts include Crowley Liner Services, Marine Transport Lines (MTL), Mormac and Intrepid.

The four subsidiaries all have different exclusive collective bargaining agreements with different US labour unions.

Crowley also has management of seven containerships that comprise the US-flag fleets of CP Ships and P&O Nedlloyd. The seven vessels currently receive $14.7m in annual operational subsidies under the US Maritime Security Program (MSP), rising to $18.2m per year at the beginning of October. US government records show that Crowley's Washington lobbyists lobbied Congress for last year's MSP renewal even though Crowley does not directly participate in the programme.