TSA Meets Requests from Hong Kong Shippers Transpacific Stabilization Agreement lines have agreed to meet demands from the Hong Kong Shippers' Council (HKSC) to give details of terminal handling charges (THC) and extend the notice period of future rate increases. The THC has been under attack from shippers who contend that the charge in Hong Kong exceeds carriers' terminal handling costs. They further alleged that terminal costs have been reduced in recent months, and that TSA lines' THCs be correspondingly reduced. The HKSC requested an across-the-board 30% THC cut and extension of an advance notice period of increases for consultation with the shippers' body.
TSA carriers agreed that they would consider making shippers known details of how the THC is calculated and extend the notice period from 30 days to 45-60 days to help shippers prepare for rate increases.
Another 6,600-TEU Vessel for Maersk The ninth newbuilding in the series of large post-Panamax container vessels, built by Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd. for A. P. M'ller, has been named ''Skagen Maersk. ''
The new containership has a length of 347 metres, a width of 43 metres and a height of 24 metres from keel to deck. The draft is 14.5 meters fully loaded and the container capacity is approximately 6,600 TEUs.
After delivery in mid September, the Skagen Maersk will enter Maersk Line's service between Europe and the Far East.
EU Threatens Legal Action of US Harbor Tax European Commission Vice President Sir Leon Brittan has warned the U.S. government that the European Union would resort to a legal action of the U.S. harbor maintenance tax (HMT) on imports unless the U.S. ceases to collect the tax by January 1, 2000.
While the HMT, which had been enacted in 1986 to pay for channel and harbor maintenance, was held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on March 31, 1998, the ruling applied only to the tax on exports from the U.S and the tax is still collected on imports. In a recent letter to U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Mr. Brittan said that this tax would directly and significantly affect the profit and loss account of EC shipping lines, which will be asked to bear a disproportionate burden to finance activities that benefit the entire U.S. economy. He warned that if the HMT continues to be levied on imports after January 1, 2000, the EU intends to initiate World Trade Organization panel action against the tax.
Attica and Strintzis in ferry supergroup ATTICA Enterprises is poised to acquire about 38% of the stock of Strintzis Lines in a move which will effectively unite two of Greece's largest ferry operators and create one of the most powerful groupings in Europe.
Lloyd Werft at Bremerhaven . . . Lloyd Werft at Bremerhaven has started to repair the collision damaged cruise liner Norwegian Dream in its large floating dock. The severely damaged bow section will be completely removed with the help of a floating crane. A new bow section has been sub-ordered to SSW Fahr- und Spezialschiffbau at Bremerhaven. The bulbous bow had been pushed out of its centre line postition to the port side. The containers of the Ever Decent had already been removed from the forecastle deck at Dover.
Hunterston fuels growth as Clydeport hits record GLASGOW port services group Clydeport has reported record interim results powered by strong volume growth at its key Hunterston port and positive results from its property division.
Sakhalin Shipping faces bankruptcy RUSSIAN Far East shipowner Sakhalin Shipping is on the verge of bankruptcy, according to Russian financial reports.
New Cyprus minister vows tough stance on shipping AVEROF Neophytou, who took over responsibility for shipping in a Cypriot government reshuffle last week, has pledged to maintain and possibly reinforce a noticeably steelier policy which the island's maritime administration has been taking towards substandard ships this year.
Megan Tudball elected youngest Baltic Exchange director MEGAN Tudball, of Casu Investment has become the youngest Baltic Exchange director in the company's history.
Howard Smith scraps firefighting agreements Salvage company Howard Smith has cancelled memoranda of understanding with a number of British fire brigades following a legal ruling over the involvement of land-based fire authorities in fighting fires on ships.
BMT buys surveyor Murray Fenton British Maritime Technology, the acquisitive maritime and engineering consultancy, has purchased London marine surveyors Murray Fenton & Associates.
Logistics providers overlook start-ups When someone calls the toll-free line of stethoscope.com, owner Paul Paresky answers it himself. His Boston-based start-up also handles its own logistics needs, such as order fulfillment and shipping, instead of hiring an outside service provider.
Ocean cargo imbalances produce added costs for shippers After years of failing to make general rate increases stick, ocean carriers are succeeding with a new revenue producer -- the equipment-imbalance surcharge.
Hong Kong Customs officials net largest haul of pirated video discs
Capstan hires former HP executive
Machinists at Boeing accept new labor contract
Transit Group forms new logistics division
Armstrong to publish Who's Who in Logistics Software & E-commerce
Maritime
Revisions make bill far less onerous Legislation in California that would have imposed costly restrictions on shipowners' ability to discharge ballast water in state waters was significantly scaled back this week after heavy lobbying from carrier and port interests. "Essentially they gave us everything we wanted," said Ken Levin, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
Strikes may disrupt movement of cargo Cargo movement at Indian ports could be delayed by strikes over issues such as privatization and higher wages. Ship movement at all 12 of the country's major ports was affected Wednesday by a one-day strike by harbor pilots seeking higher pay.
Insurance
More insurers talk to clients on Web: survey In just six months, the percentage of insurers offering electronic feedback forms on Internet sites has soared to 62% from 25%, an industry survey reports. During the same time, the percentage of insurance companies providing e-mail for their customers has jumped to 62% from 29%, according to the survey by Ivans Inc., a Greenwich, Conn., company that provides electronic communications services to more than 500 insurance and health-care firms in the United States and Canada.
Demand for coverages increases The number of employees suing their employers has risen steadily in the last few years. This has led to growth in the sales of employment practices liability insurance as well as a demand by employers for reliable, fast background checks on job applicants. "More and more insurers are entering the employment practices liability insurance market," which generates more than $200 million in premiums, said Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute in New York.
Logistics providers overlook start-ups When someone calls the toll-free line of stethoscope.com, owner Paul Paresky answers it himself. His Boston-based start-up also handles its own logistics needs, such as order fulfillment and shipping, instead of hiring an outside service provider.
Ocean cargo imbalances produce added costs for shippers After years of failing to make general rate increases stick, ocean carriers are succeeding with a new revenue producer -- the equipment-imbalance surcharge.
Hong Kong Customs officials net largest haul of pirated video discs
Capstan hires former HP executive
Machinists at Boeing accept new labor contract
Transit Group forms new logistics division
Armstrong to publish Who's Who in Logistics Software & E-commerce
Maritime
Revisions make bill far less onerous Legislation in California that would have imposed costly restrictions on shipowners' ability to discharge ballast water in state waters was significantly scaled back this week after heavy lobbying from carrier and port interests. "Essentially they gave us everything we wanted," said Ken Levin, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
Strikes may disrupt movement of cargo Cargo movement at Indian ports could be delayed by strikes over issues such as privatization and higher wages. Ship movement at all 12 of the country's major ports was affected Wednesday by a one-day strike by harbor pilots seeking higher pay.
Insurance
More insurers talk to clients on Web: survey In just six months, the percentage of insurers offering electronic feedback forms on Internet sites has soared to 62% from 25%, an industry survey reports. During the same time, the percentage of insurance companies providing e-mail for their customers has jumped to 62% from 29%, according to the survey by Ivans Inc., a Greenwich, Conn., company that provides electronic communications services to more than 500 insurance and health-care firms in the United States and Canada.
Demand for coverages increases The number of employees suing their employers has risen steadily in the last few years. This has led to growth in the sales of employment practices liability insurance as well as a demand by employers for reliable, fast background checks on job applicants. "More and more insurers are entering the employment practices liability insurance market," which generates more than $200 million in premiums, said Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute in New York.
Logistics providers overlook start-ups When someone calls the toll-free line of stethoscope.com, owner Paul Paresky answers it himself. His Boston-based start-up also handles its own logistics needs, such as order fulfillment and shipping, instead of hiring an outside service provider.
Ocean cargo imbalances produce added costs for shippers After years of failing to make general rate increases stick, ocean carriers are succeeding with a new revenue producer -- the equipment-imbalance surcharge.
Hong Kong Customs officials net largest haul of pirated video discs
Capstan hires former HP executive
Machinists at Boeing accept new labor contract
Transit Group forms new logistics division
Armstrong to publish Who's Who in Logistics Software & E-commerce
Maritime
Revisions make bill far less onerous Legislation in California that would have imposed costly restrictions on shipowners' ability to discharge ballast water in state waters was significantly scaled back this week after heavy lobbying from carrier and port interests. "Essentially they gave us everything we wanted," said Ken Levin, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
Strikes may disrupt movement of cargo Cargo movement at Indian ports could be delayed by strikes over issues such as privatization and higher wages. Ship movement at all 12 of the country's major ports was affected Wednesday by a one-day strike by harbor pilots seeking higher pay.
Insurance
More insurers talk to clients on Web: survey In just six months, the percentage of insurers offering electronic feedback forms on Internet sites has soared to 62% from 25%, an industry survey reports. During the same time, the percentage of insurance companies providing e-mail for their customers has jumped to 62% from 29%, according to the survey by Ivans Inc., a Greenwich, Conn., company that provides electronic communications services to more than 500 insurance and health-care firms in the United States and Canada.
Demand for coverages increases The number of employees suing their employers has risen steadily in the last few years. This has led to growth in the sales of employment practices liability insurance as well as a demand by employers for reliable, fast background checks on job applicants. "More and more insurers are entering the employment practices liability insurance market," which generates more than $200 million in premiums, said Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute in New York.
The Suez Canal Authority has announced that it will introduce surcharges on transit tariffs through the Egyptian canal for most major cargo vessels, effective July 15.
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