BRIEFS

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Shipping lines defend rates Hitachinaka ready for opening Taiwan drags feet on pilot law MSC bolsters Wallaby route Bidvest declares Safren holding Hanjin newbuilding makes fleet among industry's youngest Anson names latest P&O Nedlloyd newbuilding Northwest adds to services EU bans hush-kitted planes Continental/Teamsters to resume talks GECAS signs contract for 30 A320 family aircraft TNT launches Price Check competition

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NOVEMBER 20, 1998
Chance of alliance K&N and Nedlloyd 'not great' Plea for new technology instead of rails Problems at British Midland ASG in the black again United Parcel Service unwraps 'community.ups.com' Greenpeace protest against Nedlloyd

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Home

US: EU uses standards as trade weapon
APL's move could drive rates down in Atlantic
Kelly reaches out to textile importers
FedEx shippers get early gift from pilots
Asian trade imbalance won't be easing soon for carriers
Supreme Court case could enhance Customs' clout
Roberts Express joins ranks of truckers offering real-time Internet tracking
Rail joint-venture between Sweden, Norway and Denmark is called off
Asian ship crews win $1 million in back pay, unions say
Bombardier and Power Corp. to build mass transit railcars in China
Finland and Sweden studying the end of duty-free sales aboard their ferries
OTR Express launches new intermodal logistics department

Transportation

UP predicts better year after road to recovery
British truckers weigh tax exile
Norfolk Southern agrees to back CN-IC merger
Hoffa seen in driver's seat for election
EU strikes aimed at state rail privatization

Maritime

Sea-Land Service to charter five post-Panamax ships
MOL merges nonbox fleet with Navix
Philadelphia immune to Kvaerner woes abroad
Investment bankers take new interest in junk bonds
Kvaerner rocket venture set for blastoff next fall
Massport names Michael Leone as director of Port of Boston
Users face more delays in '99 as Panama Canal gets facelift
China's Port of Qingdao increases container volume
Cartagena launching anti-smuggling effort
Halifax operator orders two mega-cranes
Hong Kong eases registry fees, procedures

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Home

US: EU uses standards as trade weapon
APL's move could drive rates down in Atlantic
Kelly reaches out to textile importers
FedEx shippers get early gift from pilots
Asian trade imbalance won't be easing soon for carriers
Supreme Court case could enhance Customs' clout
Roberts Express joins ranks of truckers offering real-time Internet tracking
Rail joint-venture between Sweden, Norway and Denmark is called off
Asian ship crews win $1 million in back pay, unions say
Bombardier and Power Corp. to build mass transit railcars in China
Finland and Sweden studying the end of duty-free sales aboard their ferries
OTR Express launches new intermodal logistics department

Transportation

UP predicts better year after road to recovery
British truckers weigh tax exile
Norfolk Southern agrees to back CN-IC merger
Hoffa seen in driver's seat for election
EU strikes aimed at state rail privatization

Maritime

Sea-Land Service to charter five post-Panamax ships
MOL merges nonbox fleet with Navix
Philadelphia immune to Kvaerner woes abroad
Investment bankers take new interest in junk bonds
Kvaerner rocket venture set for blastoff next fall
Massport names Michael Leone as director of Port of Boston
Users face more delays in '99 as Panama Canal gets facelift
China's Port of Qingdao increases container volume
Cartagena launching anti-smuggling effort
Halifax operator orders two mega-cranes
Hong Kong eases registry fees, procedures

web site

Home

US: EU uses standards as trade weapon
APL's move could drive rates down in Atlantic
Kelly reaches out to textile importers
FedEx shippers get early gift from pilots
Asian trade imbalance won't be easing soon for carriers
Supreme Court case could enhance Customs' clout
Roberts Express joins ranks of truckers offering real-time Internet tracking
Rail joint-venture between Sweden, Norway and Denmark is called off
Asian ship crews win $1 million in back pay, unions say
Bombardier and Power Corp. to build mass transit railcars in China
Finland and Sweden studying the end of duty-free sales aboard their ferries
OTR Express launches new intermodal logistics department

Transportation

UP predicts better year after road to recovery
British truckers weigh tax exile
Norfolk Southern agrees to back CN-IC merger
Hoffa seen in driver's seat for election
EU strikes aimed at state rail privatization

Maritime

Sea-Land Service to charter five post-Panamax ships
MOL merges nonbox fleet with Navix
Philadelphia immune to Kvaerner woes abroad
Investment bankers take new interest in junk bonds
Kvaerner rocket venture set for blastoff next fall
Massport names Michael Leone as director of Port of Boston
Users face more delays in '99 as Panama Canal gets facelift
China's Port of Qingdao increases container volume
Cartagena launching anti-smuggling effort
Halifax operator orders two mega-cranes
Hong Kong eases registry fees, procedures

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MOL, Navix Agree to Merge to Make Biggest Line in Japan Sea-Land to Launch Australia Service P&O Nedlloyd Posts $7 Million Profit During 3rd Q. FMC to Discuss Rules for Ship Reform Act

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No EU dumping duty on steel, but CVD to continue Kandla Port sets new records Better future for Croatia Line EDI facility at all major ports by January-end

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Oil markets look to OPEC meeting Plans for global energy exchange hatched for December U.S. refinery cuts likely Rumours of new mega merger in oil industry Fujairah newcomers encounter testing times - Shell coming soon Company News and Updates

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Mitsui OSK and Navix to merge Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines and Navix Line are to merge next April to create one of the world's largest shipowners in an attempt to blunt the impact of the Asian economic crisis. Cezanne still aground in Panama Newly-built containership CGM Cezanne was still hard aground yesterday in the Panama Canal despite three days of intensive efforts to shift her. Starcraft told to halt part of its ferry fleet Troubled Starcraft Ferry Corp, Manila's biggest river ferry operator, has been forced by the maritime authorities to suspend the operations of a number of its ferries. Profit is pegged back at Keppel Philippines Keppel Philippines Holdings, which controls the Philippines' largest shipyards, maintained its consolidated profit for the first nine months of 1998 at Peso65.7m ($1.6m), compared with Peso64.9m last year, writes Alec Almazan, Manila. Mixed views on 'inescapable merger' "This is a monstrously large company," said one Hong Kong-based broker. Minoan and Samsung seal ro-pax ferry deal CRETE-based Minoan Lines yesterday signed contracts with Samsung Heavy Industries for the construction of a series of up to four ro-pax ferries for its services linking Greece with the port of Venice. Ukraine plans expansion of fleet GOVERNMENT and private businesses are holding talks on ways of financing a huge new Volga fleet of sea/river tankers to serve the Caspian Basin oil industry. Channel ferry fares set for 25% rise in 1999 Next year's Channel ferry fares look set to rise 25% to compensate for the loss of duty-frees.

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NOVEMBER 20, 1998
Taranto denies Evergreen pull-out TARANTO Port Authority has firmly denied rumours that Evergreen was pulling out of its transhipment terminal project at Molo Polisettoriale. EC outlines aid to offset duty-free ban THE European Commission has specified the instruments available to member states to offset the consequences of the abolition of duty-free sales. South Korea rejects European accusations SOUTH Korean officials have rejected EC accusations that aid from the IMF is being used to undercut shipbuilding prices. SCI proposes lng joint venture SHIPPING Corp of India has proposed a joint venture with Petronet LNG. Buss bids for Hamburg terminal BUSS, the Hamburg terminal operator, is negotiating with city authorities to set up a specialist steel terminal. Bremen fails to identify BV culprit NO agreement has been reached by Bremen city parliament as to who was to blame for the collapse of Bremer Vulkan shipyard. EC proposal limits seafarers' hours EUROPEAN seafarers would have minimum working hours under a Directive proposed on November 18 by the European Commission. Chilean ferries hit by berthing hike CHILE'S National Association of Shippers has criticised a massive increase in docking fees for ferries. Safety fears prompt Asian owners' switch ASIAN shipowners have switched their agm from Jakarta to Singapore because of fears about spiralling civil unrest in Indonesia. Finnish newbuildings to fly Dutch flag TWO roro ships on order for Finnish owner Rettig Oy Bore are to be placed under the Dutch flag after delivery from Aker Finnyards' shipyard next autumn. Penguin to provide ferry link SINGAPORE'S Penguin Boat International has won a S$35m ($22m) contract to provide a ferry service between the Singapore mainland and nearby island Pulau Tekong. Call for Euro currency corrective mechanism A CALL has been made for a "corrective mechanism" to compensate for the Euro overvaluation against the currencies of shipbuilders in Japan, South Korea and China. Holyman fuels takeover speculation HOLYMAN, the struggling Australian transport group, has fuelled take-over speculation with a public declaration of the company's "valuable core business". SCT declines comment on terminal tragedy SOUTHAMPTON Container Terminals has declined to comment on news that an employee was killed last night when he became entangled in the wheels of a straddle carrier. P&O Ports forges deal with MUA P&O Ports, Australia's largest stevedore, has foreshadowed hundreds of redundancies as part of an in principle labour agreement with the MUA. New Brazil/Europe 'mega-pool' imminent BRAZILIAN lines Transroll and Alian'a are close to concluding a new pooling arrangement with European and US container lines on the Brazil/Europe trade. Pallas controversy continues to rage CONTROVERSY continues to rage in Germany over the bungled efforts to salvage the general cargo vessel Pallas.

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NOVEMBER 20, 1998
Transeurop Shipping Line en tête pour la reprise du trafic Sally Deux candidats se sont présentés pour prendre la relève de Sally Line à Ostende. Il s'agit de l'opérateur britannique HR Transport et de l'armement slovène Transeurop Shipping Line (TSL), de Koper. Ce dernier semble avoir le plus de chances de l'emporter: un pré-accord en ce sens aurait été signé cette semaine à Londres. Cet armateur opère avec le manutentionnaire OCHS (Ostend Cargo Handling Services) et est propriétaire des anciens ferries de la RTM "Prins Albert" et "Prinses Marie-Christine", vendus l'année dernière par les liquidateurs de l'armement d'Etat belge. Le "Prins Albert" a été affrété par Sally pour la ligne Ostende-Ramsgate, mais le "Marie-Christine" doit encore passer un mois en cale sèche. Touax: le fluvial sur trois continents Le Groupe Touax (siège à Paris), se présente notamment comme le seul opérateur fluvial positionné à la fois sur les marchés d'Europe, d'Amérique du Nord et d'Amérique du Sud. En 1997, les activités fluviales ont représenté 44% du chiffre d'affaires total qui s'est élevé à 342 millions de FRF pour un résultat net (consolidé part du Groupe) de 67,4 millions de FRF. La voie vers le shortsea reste semée d'embûches "Les volumes augmenteront quoi qu'il en soit. Tentons d'agir en conséquence." C'est avec ces mots que le conseiller en transprot Honoré Paelinck a conclu son intervention en tant que premier orateur du débat organisé mercredi dernier à Anvers par l'Académie Royale Belge de la Marine" sur le thème "Shortsea: une alternative!". La discussion a principalement permis de dresser l'inventaire des obstacles qui doivent être supprimés pour parvenir à un transport shortsea à 100% efficace et qui peut véritablement contribuer à l'élimination des files de plus en plus nombreuses côté terrestre. Le port de Rotterdam en ébullition Le port de Rotterdam doit faire face à deux problèmes sociaux: celui des pensions et une énième réorganisation de European Bulk Services (EBS). Les syndicats FNV Bondgenoten et CNV Bedrijvenbond disent que le budget qui doit financer les pensions des ouvriers portuaires, voulant profiter du règlement pour les plus de 60 ans, est insuffisant. L'ex-président du syndicat, Joop Verroen, déclare que le soi-disant puits des pensions n'existera que d'ici quelques années et qu'il y a encore suffisamment de temps pour trouver une solution. Un porte-parole du FNV, par contre, prévoit de fortes grèves si les employeurs ne décident pas immédiatement de coopérer afin de trouver une solution globale au problème des pensions.

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NOVEMBER 20, 1998
Royal Caribbean To Start Marketing New Super Liner Royal Caribbean International (RCI) will reportedly begin marketing its state-of-the-art new liner currently under construction, Voyager of the Sea, in January next year. Mitsui OSK, Navik To Merger To Survive Competition Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and Navix Line Ltd. will reportedly merge next April, creating one of Japan's biggest shipping firms with revenues comparable to industry leader Nippon Yusen KK. Brazil Ships Face $2M In U.S. Fines Fines imposed on Brazilian shipping lines by the U.S. could amount to $2 million a year and possibly five times as much if a dispute over alleged discrimination is not solved.

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NOVEMBER 20, 1998
Asian yards gut Europe EUROPEAN YARDS are on the warpath over claims that Far Eastern builders are being propped up by government generosity. Temperatures are likely to rise further with the latest figures showing Europe is losing market share. Creditors accuse Blasco of hiding ships offshore AN ARGUMENT over ship valuations has flared... ITF in the firing line Bulk bond bargains P&I chief jumps ship Back in business

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A Justice Department antitrust official invited captive rail shippers and small railroads to bring the department evidence that the nation's major freight railroads are monopolizing or attempting to monopolize transportation. If captive rail shippers and shortline railroads "are victims of wrongful practices, they can contact the antitrust section," said Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Nannes. He cautioned that every case depends on facts and circumstances. The first opportunity for the Justice Department to bring an antitrust action against railroads could come when the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issues a decision in the so-called bottleneck case. The Clinton Administration's signing of an international treaty to reduce emissions believed to be causing global warming has transportation firms, their unions and many shippers distressed. If the Senate ratifies the Kyoto protocol, nearly 1.6 million American jobs could be lost as American firms lose their international competitive edge, according to the AFL-CIO. "We're confident the Senate will reject an agreement that dramatically stifles the American economy, undermines job growth, sends fuel prices skyrocketing and exempts certain developing nations from its requirements," said American Trucking Associations President Walter McCormick. The nation's largest nonunion LTL carrier, Overnite Transportation, is making an unprecedented move to save company jobs in the upcoming slack winter season by eliminating some contract carriers from its daily mix. Instead, Overnite will use its own over-the-road drivers and is competing for truckload backhauls at what are expected to be bargain, spot-price rates for shippers. Senior Vice President John Fain called the move the "perfect opportunity" for sales and operations to work together. The "shippers' voice" was noticeably absent from the National Industrial Transportation League's opening rail panel at its 91st Annual TransComp meeting in San Diego. In a panel discussion entitled, "Railroads' Vows of Service: for Richer, for Poorer, in Sickness and in Health," a shipper audience heard from government, the railroads and organized labor. FRA official Charles White suggested that there is more the Surface Transportation Board could do to change a shipper perception of bias. But shippers were represented on the panel by a consultant - rubbing some attendees the wrong way. FedEx and its pilots were told by federal mediators to tone down the public rhetoric and focus on issues of negotiating a settlement. FedEx management and union negotiators from the FedEx Pilots Association have not met formally since talks broke down Oct. 30, although the National Mediation Board has had contact with both sides. Neither has shown any willingness to compromise since the union opted not to accept FedEx's contract proposal to a membership vote. Saying that proposal no longer is "economically feasible," FedEx management has withdrawn it from the table. A deal with the pilots looks anything but imminent. U.S. ports move mountains of cargo but they need to do it better financially, operationally and intermodally, said the Maritime Administration in a report to Congress. Ports are trying to navigate through tough storms, with some of the worst weather yet to come, said Marad. A recent survey of "big-player" logistics companies found substantial growth over the past three years but concluded that such growth may be difficult to sustain. Although the study continues to find growing interest in outsourcing logistics services, it also found a growing negative impact by third-party providers on companies' key performance measures. In addition, 17 percent of those surveyed said outside providers had a negative impact on costs and 43 percent of users cancelled contracts in 1998, up from 37 percent in 1997. Two independent divisions of Computer Associates International announced new warehouse management software systems: Acacia Technologies' beta version of Warehouse Boss 6.0 for AS400 systems and MK Group's MK Warehouse Optimizer for Windows NT. The new software from Acacia adds functionality in receiving, reporting and tracking, shipping lanes, assembly management, location capacity management, replenishment planning, and pick and drop. The MK Warehouse Optimizer is based on the warehouse component of MK-Manufacturing and is "targeted toward people with high-volume operations that do a lot of orders per day with multiple lines per order - 4,000 to 6,000 orders per day," said Jim Coker, vice president of MK Logistics product strategy. The euro is just weeks away from its debut and European Union nations are promoting the advantages of doing business inside their borders. The latest incentive comes from Flanders, Belgium, which launched a campaign to attract U.S. businesses with distribution activities. Eleven European nations will begin the first phase of the euro switch in January and by 2002 all currency transactions must be in the euro.