The United States Lines has applied for government subsidy to enlarge the container capacities of three new ships delivered and put into service only last year.

The company estimated it will cost $125,000 each to install permanent ballast and extended bulwark protection on the American Lancer and the American Legion, and $130,000 for the same work on the American Liberty.

The reconstruction would raise the ships' capacity, in terms of 20-foot container equivalents, from the present 1,000 to 1,200, or about 16 percent, U.S. Lines said.