registered for sale 290,594 Class A shares worth an estimated $16.8 million, the company announced yesterday.

The executive targeted December 14 as the planned sale date, with Salomon Smith Barney enlisted to complete the disposition, according to a Form 144 filing released last week by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sea Containers has businesses in three main areas: passenger and vehicle ferry services in the English Channel and neighbouring ports; ownership and management of hotels and resorts; and the leasing of cargo containers.

The company has 16.8 million shares outstanding. A Form 144 only shows a filer's intent to sell the shares. Actual verification of the sales, if and when they occur, would be provided in a subsequent filing.

Recently, Sea Containers shares had fallen by $0.44 to $19.06.