Hereby JSC Latvijas kuģniecība (Latvian Shipping Company - LASCO) informs that today, 3 May 2007, a festive naming, blessing and launching ceremony of already sixth LASCO's newbuilding m/v Usma took place at 3.Maj shipyard in Croatia, evidencing the successful continuation of LASCO Fleet Renewal Programme. The shipyard has two reasons to celebrate today. First, it is the day when, in 1945, the City of Rijeka was liberated from Axis occupation. And it is in commemoration of 3 May 1945 that the shipyard was named 3.Maj in 1948. The second reason is the launching of already sixth newly built tanker Usma ordered by JSC Latvijas kuģniecība. This time, the honour of being the ship's Godmother was entrusted to Mrs. Irena Pumpura, the spouse of Mr. Uldis Pumpurs, Chairman of LASCO Supervisory Council. LASCO's newbuildings, ordered to implement the Company's strategic objective (fleet renewal), are named after Latvian regions and towns. Thus, the first four newly built tankers delivered by the Croatian 3.Maj have been named Ance, Jurkalne, Puze and Targale. The fifth ship scheduled for delivery in May, in her turn, has been granted the name of Ugale. At present JSC Latvijas kuģniecība fleet comprises 28 tankers, 2 LPG carriers, 5 reefer vessels and 1 Ro-Ro/general type vessel, as well as three tankers (Blue Star, Green Star and Maria M) time chartered in from other ship-owners. For detailed information: Marita Ozolina-Tumanovska Head of Public Relations Department Phone: 67020120, 29287169 E-mail: marita.ozolina@lscgroup.lv