U.S. Shipping Partners L.P. Agrees to Acquire Double Hulled Product Tanker

U.S. Shipping Partners L.P. Agrees to Acquire Double Hulled
Product Tanker 


EDISON, N.J., July 8  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On July 5, 2005, U.S. Shipping
Partners L.P. (the "Partnership") agreed to acquire from Wilmington Trust
Company (the "Trustee") the motor vessel GUS W. DARNELL for an aggregate
purchase price of $25 million.  The vessel is a Jones Act coastwise double
hulled product tanker, built in 1985, capable of carrying approximately 240,000
barrels. The vessel was built for use by the Military Sealift Command of the
U.S. Navy as part of a fleet of six vessels, which they have used primarily to
deliver jet fuel to various locations in the world.  The transaction will be
financed utilizing available cash and the Partnership's existing credit
facilities.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041101/USSPLOGO )

Upon delivery from the Trustee, expected to take place in September 2005, the
vessel will be placed in drydock in Singapore for approximately 35 days and
will be available for charter by November 2005.  The vessel will be renamed
upon delivery.  This acquisition is expected to be accretive to the
Partnership's distributable cash flow per unit once the vessel is available for
charter.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including
satisfactory inspection of the vessel.

"This vessel's acquisition will constitute an attractive addition to our fleet.
 In addition to being double hulled and fully compliant with OPA 90
regulations, vessels in this size range are in high demand.  Market conditions
are currently tight and we expect strong interest in chartering the vessel,"
said Paul Gridley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

About U.S. Shipping Partners L.P.

U.S. Shipping Partners L.P. is a leading provider of long-haul marine
transportation services, principally for refined petroleum products, in the
U.S. domestic "coastwise" trade.  U.S. Shipping Partners L.P. is also involved
in the coastwise transportation of petrochemical and commodity chemical
products.  For additional information about U.S. Shipping Partners L.P., please
visit http://www.usslp.com/ .

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" as defined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  All statements, other than statements of
historical facts, included in this press release that address activities,
events or developments that the company expects, believes or anticipates will
or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on certain assumptions made by the company based on its experience and
perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future
developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the
circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company, which
may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied or
expressed by the forward-looking statements. Such assumptions, risks and
uncertainties are discussed in detail in the Partnership's filings with the
SEC. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041101/USSPLOGODATASOURCE: U.S. Shipping
Partners L.P.



CONTACT:  Albert E. Bergeron, Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Shipping

Partners L.P., [phone]



Web site:  http://www.usslp.com/ 

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