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PSA-led consortium picked for major Japanese port privatisation
[SINGAPORE] PSA Corp has come out on top in the contest for the New Hibiki Port greenfield container terminal project on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu.
MPA extends discounts for container ships
Austal Ships named Australia's top exporter

Air and Land Transport

Blood clotting killed 25 travellers at Tokyo airport
[TOKYO] Twenty-five people including a US pilot have died over the past eight years at Tokyo airport after suffering blood clots caused by cramped airline seating, a Japanese doctor said yesterday.
Chinese airlines strive for mergers to be painless
British man in Sydney court over ecstasy haul
S Korea to build domestic airport
Better planning leads to fewer missed X'mas gifts
US car sales forecast to fall 7.7% in Dec
Log Book

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Shipping News

PSA-led consortium picked for major Japanese port privatisation
[SINGAPORE] PSA Corp has come out on top in the contest for the New Hibiki Port greenfield container terminal project on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu.
MPA extends discounts for container ships
Austal Ships named Australia's top exporter

Air and Land Transport

Blood clotting killed 25 travellers at Tokyo airport
[TOKYO] Twenty-five people including a US pilot have died over the past eight years at Tokyo airport after suffering blood clots caused by cramped airline seating, a Japanese doctor said yesterday.
Chinese airlines strive for mergers to be painless
British man in Sydney court over ecstasy haul
S Korea to build domestic airport
Better planning leads to fewer missed X'mas gifts
US car sales forecast to fall 7.7% in Dec
Log Book

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AMR Research sees future in trans-Atlantic cooperation for exchanges European online trading exchanges should capitalize on the work already done in their intended field in the United States instead of building from scratch, according to analysts with Boston-based AMR Research Inc. Seaway traffic tails off as year ends Shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway tailed off sharply in the last two months of 2000, so that what had been a strong year turned into one just slightly below the traffic of 1999. If you can't beat 'em, embrace 'em Rapprochement may be in the making. Freight railroads are looking less askanace at passenger lines like Amtrak, viewing them as vehicles for obtaining much-needed public funding for rail infrastructure. Safmarine takes over Safbank service P&O to sell shares in bulk shipping subsidiary, Associated Bulk Carriers Shipyard to convert military reserve vessel to teaching ship Cargo expansion on track at Milan's new airport New, wider containers ship to Port of Miami HK logistics operator quits bid for airport center, backs Shenzhen instead South Seas Steamship begins operation under Columbus Line name

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MOL plays the name game Infrastructure needs back on track Chongqing's exports soar ABX LOGISTICS steps up Far East expansion in Japan Pacer looks to list GeoLogistics receives Hong Kong award Singapore Airlines tops FT ranking

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Shahi Shipping successfully transports reefer containers Hanjin joins GALEX Service - To induct 1,000-TEU ship Anti-dumping duty on TMBA imported from China to continue Pak imports Indian tea despite high prices Cotton yarn exports to China, Russia up Apeda plans marketing facility for floriculturists in Europe Iraq signs oil-wheat swap deal with India 'ETS continuance, in isolation, may hit exporters' 10 apparel parks on anvil to propel exports Concor wants to handle Nepal's box traffic Air fares to Europe, US to go up from January 1 Government to restore Sugar Export Promotion Act: Minister Pepper output projected at 79,000 tonnes Battery makers present case for lower lead basic duty Forex reserves surge by $ 160 m Toiletries duty cuts sought Rs 1,300-cr FDI proposals cleared Govt may consult legal experts on anti-dumping cases SC upholds Cegat's stand on rice bran, oil meal Scrap SAD for inputs imports, urges Assocham Spices Board to participate in Dubai expo

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DECEMBER 28, 2000
Singapore steady between holidays Rotterdam bunker market today South European bunker markets hit by bad weather Crude back down as exports resume from Ceyhan New posted prices for Ecuador Dec. 28 Mexican bunker prices

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Freightliner: growth in volume France: ro/mo with new technology as of 2002 La Poste vs private firms: the score is 1:1 KLM lifts weight limit BAWC increases fuel surcharge Fraport = Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide Iberia and Air Europa postpone deadline for takeover negotiations LanChile's cargo fleet grows CH, BRD & NL: joint radar renewal BIFA launches air cargo home study program US rail: less full-wagon trade Ceske Drahy: reform DSB Gods becomes Railion Denmark BNSF and Matson: new service Hupac: higher volumes

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Commodore files for Chapter 11 TOUGH conditions in the world cruise market claimed another victim yesterday as Florida niche operator Commodore Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection and abruptly suspended its cruise operations for this weekend. Osprey sells tankers to Fredriksen John Fredriksen's Frontline and Overseas Shipholding Group have snapped up two Osprey Maritime VLCCs as the Singapore company raises cash to fund a $77m debt prepayment obligation. Crowley to buy MTC for $80m IN A move that could have a significant long-term impact on the US Jones Act trades, Crowley Maritime Corp is to purchase Marine Transport Corp in a deal valued at close to $80m. Munich Re sees fall in disaster losses ECONOMIC and insured losses from natural catastrophes went down sharply in 2000, Munich Re said yesterday. But the reinsurer warned that this should not be misconstrued as a general downward trend of natcat losses. Quemoy lines seeks direct links with China Thirteen shipping lines based at Quemoy island off the coast of Taiwan have expressed interest in operating passenger and cargo services between Quemoy and Xiamen on mainland China's east coast from January 1. Salving of grounded Lagik to go ahead SALVAGE work on the German coaster Lagik, which is blocking the river Nene near Port Sutton Bridge, is to go ahead after the owner washed his hands of the ship, opening up the potential for prosecution. Sharing as a last resort THE vessel-sharing agreement announced for the Australia/US west coast trade has been formally discussed on and off since early 1998, and has been on the minds of senior management on the trade for much longer than that. PSA Corp to be first foreign port developer in Japan Singapore's PSA Corporation looks set to be the first foreign port developer in Japan, having been selected as the preferred negotiating company for Hibikinada container terminal at Kitakyushu port.

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DECEMBER 28, 2000
Le commerce maritime mondial a atteint 5,23 mia. de t en 1999 Le commerce maritime mondial a poursuivi son ascension en 1999 pour atteindre un nouveau chiffre record de 5,23 milliards de tonnes. Il s’agit de la quatorzième hausse consécutive en termes absolus. La croissance annuelle est retombée l’année dernière à 1,3%, le rythme d’expansion le plus bas depuis 1987, mais devrait remonter à 2% en 2000, indique la “Revue des transports maritimes 2000” publiée par la CNUCED. La SNCF accepte-t-elle vraiment la libéralisation? Les déclarations officielles des principaux responsables du réseau ferroviaire français peuvent laisser penser que le principe de la libéralisation est maintenant accepté. Bien des indices conduisent néanmoins à constater que la démarche préconisée à Paris ne correspond pas à ce que souhaitent les instances européennes. On note en effet des divergences qui portent tant sur le calendrier que sur le contenu de la libéralisation elle-même. Cette attitude tranche avec celle affichée par les principaux clients français du mode ferroviaire. “Il n’y a qu’une voie à suivre pour Gand” “Tout tourne autour des gens et du savoir-faire, des gens et de leur savoir-faire.” Ainsi on pourrait résumer en quelques mots le message qu’André De Wilde nous transmet dans cette interview organisée à l’occasion de sa retraite en tant qu’administrateur délégué de l’Entreprise portuaire communale de Gand. Pas de rhétorique pompeuse sur les bonnes performances du port, le jeu de la concurrence, le traitement de parent pauvre de Gand par rapport à Zeebrugge et Anvers et le besoin urgent d’investissements, même s’il ne peut accepter que les dossiers traînent en longueur comme c’est le cas pour la mise en service du Kluizendok, le remplacement des ponts bascules sur la Westsluis à Terneuzen ou l’aménagement d’une nouvelle écluse maritime. Il n’a pas non plus parlé des chevaux de bataille européens comme le short sea et le transport intermodal. Selon lui, l’avenir du port de Gand réside dans un travail en profondeur, des investissements dans les gens, des investissements dans le savoir-faire et la prise en compte de la réalité économique.

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DECEMBER 28, 2000
Osprey to get $106m for two VLCCs Frontline and OSG strike a deal to buy VLCCs while Osprey takeover battle rages. Attransco buys 9% Norden stake Shareholding stake aims to cement growing business relationship. Swan sails for Cayman Islands New managing director lined up for rescue of bankrupt reefer company. Commodore files for Chapter XI Cruise company suspends operations as it fails to strike a deal with the banks. Nomadic cuts debt with ship sale Struggling Norwegian reefer owner sells Green Crystal to main shareholder. Tanker rates hit Chinese Petroleum Corp Loss encourages Taiwan oil company to press ahead with VLCC orders. DSND declares charter options Grimstad offshore specialist continues Finnish charter deal.