THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501270030
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Regarding ``Looming sea-lift crisis'' (letter, Dec. 27): In my capacity as public-relations consultant for Evergreen since 1975, I would like to clarify a few points.
Evergreen is a Taiwanese-owned ocean carrier founded 26 years ago and is privately held. The carrier began its regularly scheduled U.S. service in 1975 to provide a direct link between Atlantic Coast ports and the Far East. The port of Norfolk was on its original itinerary and continues today as a link with the carrier's 11-year-old, two-way, round-the-world services and other trade. We know this has played a significant part in the staggering growth of Hampton Roads and the Virginia economy over the past two decades.
Evergreen abides by the same domestic and international rules and regulations as they pertain to environmental, safety, regulatory and anti-trust laws. Most of these are established by U.S. agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission. As most ocean carriers charge similar rates, Evergreen believes its cargo base is attracted by the quality of service rather than by any perceived bargain.
In addition, Taiwan is far from being a Third World country. Its people enjoy a quality standard of living.
The unfortunate market reverses that may have impacted the fortunes of any carrier that suffered financial problems were well-documented and had nothing to do with Evergreen or any of its foreign-flag or American-flag competitors.
BARBARA SPECTOR YENINAS, president
BSY Associates Inc.
West Caldwell, N.J., Jan. 6, 1995 by CNB