International Shipholding Corp - SERIES A

International Shipholding Corp was originally founded as Central Gulf Steamship Corporation in 1947. Central Gulf was privately held until 1971 when it merged with Trans Union Corporation ("Trans Union"). In 1978, International Shipholding Corporation was formed to act as a holding company for Central Gulf, LCI, and certain other affiliated companies in connection with the 1979 spin off by Trans Union of its common stock to Trans Union's stockholders. Through its subsidiaries, it operates a fleet of U.S. and International Flag vessels that provide international and domestic maritime transportation services to commercial and governmental customers under medium to long-term time charters or contracts of affreightment. As of December 31, 2014 it owned or operated 54 ocean-going vessels. Its segments include Jones Act, Pure Car Truck Carriers, Dry Bulk Carriers, Rail-Ferry, Specialty Contracts, and Other. Its Rail-Ferry segment faces competition from companies who transport cargo over land rather than water including railroads and trucking companies that cross land borders. The Company's operations between the United States and foreign countries are subject to the Shipping Act of 1984, which is administered by the Federal Maritime Commission, and certain provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, all of which are administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies, and certain other international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including international conventions and laws and regulations of the flag nations of its vessels.