single-hull, high speed car ferries from Fincantieri Cantiera Navali Italiana SpA for $200 million.

The ships, which were deployed in the Irish Sea, the English Channel and in Scandinavia, will carry at least 800 seated passengers and 175 cars, said Bloomberg business news service.

Two will be delivered to Genoa, Italy-based Sea Containers Italia SpA in early 1997, two in early 1998 and two in late 1998, the company said Tuesday.

They will be called SuperSeaCats.

The previous generation of ships, SeaCats, had half the car carrying capability.

The SuperSeaCat programme had been delayed because a proposed design failed to meet speed requirements, said Sea Containers president Mr. James Sherwood.

The ships will be 100 metres long with a deadweight of no less than 340 tons and a speed of no less than 37.8 knots with engines running at 90-percent power.

CUNARD REACHES SETTLEMENT OVER QE2 Cunard reaches settlement over QE2 A settlement has been reached in the legal proceedings between Cunard Line Ltd. and passengers who sailed aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in December 1994, following her major refurbishment.

In the settlement Cunard will fully refund paid cruise fares and provide travel credit to the value of 100 percent of paid cruise fares.

In addition transatlantic passengers will receive a $5,000 travel credit and those on the Christmas cruise will receive a $2,000 credit.

Cunard chairman and chief executive Mr. Peter Ward said: "We believe this settlement provides appropriate compensation and reconfirms Cunard's commitment to our passengers.'' He added: "Passenger reaction to the refurbished QE2 has been very positive since the work was completed.'' RCCL RULES IN SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN RCCL rules in southern Caribbean Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will become the dominant force in southern Caribbean cruising when over half of its fleet begin operating out of San Juan in the winter of 1996/97.

The five ships will have the capacity to carry 300,000 passengers per year and will offer six different itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. Of those five ships three will be megaships and two of those are the newest in the world.

Royal Caribbean's executive vice president of sales, marketing and passenger services Mr. Rod McLeod said: "The southern Caribbean's importance as a destination has grown through the years.'' "Though other cruise lines will be offering an impressive number of San Juan departures, Royal Caribbean's five ships, six itineraries and annual capacity for 300,000 passengers will make us the market leader by any definition.'' Royal Caribbean's fleet will also be one of the youngest with its average age being eight years versus the 13-year average offered by its nearest competitor.

Ships operating out of San Juan will include the Monarch of the Seas , the Splendour of the Seas , the Legend of the Seas , the Nordic Empress , and the Song of Norway .

KLOSTER LINE FORCES TO SELL TWO SHIPS Kloster line forced to sell two ships Bermuda-registered Kloster Cruise was forced to sell two of its ships during this last week in order to meet credit obligations.

The company, which had total debts of $850 million, sold the Star Odyssey and Royal Odyssey for a total of $110 million to an "unidentified American financial investor''.

Kloster will continue to operate the ships under a lease agreement and were given an extendible five-month option to buy the ships back at the same price.