BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Gulf shippers brace for Iraq war amid insurance concerns
A US-led war against Iraq will have a limited fallout for ports and shipping agencies in the Gulf region but a catastrophic effect on insurance companies, shipping sources said.
S'poreans among those in the running for APL Asia position
MAJOR management restructuring at Neptune Orient Lines may lead to a Singaporean being named to one of the top posts at its liner company, APL.
Russian freighter sinks in Bosphorus
A Russian freighter with 14 crew on board sank in the Bosphorus on Monday, leaving two people confirmed dead and 10 others missing, the Russian maritime emergencies coordination centre said.
Seas still far from safe from pirates
I REFER to your report 'Patrols help cut pirate attacks in Malacca Straits' by Beth Jinks .

Air and Land Transport

Airbus sees India buying 222 planes over next 15 yrs
EUROPEAN aircraft maker Airbus is expecting India to buy some 222 aircraft over the next 15 years, and hoped to sell about half of them, including a current 43-plane deal.
US air traffic delays tumble last year
4 Asian freight carriers to set up Internet portal
US Airways Q4 loss narrows to US$794m
Northwest to shut down four aircraft maintenance stations
Log Book

web site

Shipping News

Gulf shippers brace for Iraq war amid insurance concerns
A US-led war against Iraq will have a limited fallout for ports and shipping agencies in the Gulf region but a catastrophic effect on insurance companies, shipping sources said.
S'poreans among those in the running for APL Asia position
MAJOR management restructuring at Neptune Orient Lines may lead to a Singaporean being named to one of the top posts at its liner company, APL.
Russian freighter sinks in Bosphorus
A Russian freighter with 14 crew on board sank in the Bosphorus on Monday, leaving two people confirmed dead and 10 others missing, the Russian maritime emergencies coordination centre said.
Seas still far from safe from pirates
I REFER to your report 'Patrols help cut pirate attacks in Malacca Straits' by Beth Jinks .

Air and Land Transport

Airbus sees India buying 222 planes over next 15 yrs
EUROPEAN aircraft maker Airbus is expecting India to buy some 222 aircraft over the next 15 years, and hoped to sell about half of them, including a current 43-plane deal.
US air traffic delays tumble last year
4 Asian freight carriers to set up Internet portal
US Airways Q4 loss narrows to US$794m
Northwest to shut down four aircraft maintenance stations
Log Book

	web site

OOCL companies become members of C-TPAT programme CP Ships 2002 fourth quarter profit slips to US$34m GAC Group embarks on worldwide cost reduction plan Orient Express starts India, Bangladesh, Myanmar service CSI expands beyond megaports to Gothenburg PSA head to leave after 37 years at corporation's helm China Southern considers launching Australia cargo service New Boeings to add cargo capacity on Asian KLM routes UAL reports US$1.5b fourth quarter loss in 2003

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Growth China ports 35 per cent China's top 10 container ports averaged unprecedented growth of 35 per cent in 2002 - collectively handling 7.832 million more Teu than in 2001, and show no signs of slowing. USFreightways 4Q EPS Cont Ops 50c US Freightways beat Wall Street's consensus earnings estimates of 46 cents a share for the fourth quarter and $1.52 a share for the year. Dutch union wants Rotterdam port legislation According to the Rotterdam union FNV Bondgenoten port legislation must be introduced nationally in the Netherlands to enforce the same regulations and protection for port labour and port employment conditions as in Germany and Belgium. Shanghai's port reforms to boost efficiency The Shanghai Municipal Port Bureau and Shanghai International Port Group were officially established to separate the administrative and corporate functions, which were previously handled by the same authority. U.S. 'help' at German ports Five U.S. officials at the North Sea port of Bremerhaven are to support checks carried out by their German customs agents on containers heading across the Atlantic.

	web site

SCI profit doubles to Rs 76.22 cr. in Q3 SRTEPC organises exclusive exhibitions in Tanzania, Kenya Indian chilli gets 'too hot' for neighbours to compete with Steel exports to US record spectacular 13-fold increase Tripartite pact on Dhamra port project signed MbPT in competition with itself! - Yet another sugar loading record set Vizag Port sets slew of new records - Handles 6.53 lakh t. coking coal in Jan. Paradip Port handles record 2.24 m. tonnes cargo in Jan. Concor posts profit of Rs 68.86 cr. in Oct.-Dec. FIATA World Congress from Sept. 29 at Bali Maersk India & Concor form 'Star Track Terminals Pvt. Ltd' to manage venture - Foundation stone laid for new CFS at Dadri, Noida Govt notifies 4 SEZs - Cochin SEZ area extended Oil prices fuel inflation Seminar urges tax cut on cigarette-grade tobacco Forex reserves rise to $ 73.205 bn Chemical sector logs 6.2 pc growth in April-Nov. 2002 Scabal bags prestigious Capexil award for 4 years in a row 'Cooling India' meet on Feb. 6-7 Industry captains being trained in Japan Meet on healthcare quality today Airshow reveals role of Indian cos in producing Airbus aircraft Minister sees India emerging as Super Power

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Baltic bunker market update Daily bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents Venezuela oil imports Italy to ban single hulls for heavy oils Crude supply tight if war Algeria: Skikda New port closed Crude and Platts knock down Fujairah IFO indications Great Belt suppliers grumble IPE Achieves record breaking start to the year A Russian review Gibraltar numbers softer in the wake of bearish crude Bunkersea ready to start deliveries in Peru Rotterdam softens with crude this morning Brazilian prices hold steady, avails change Uruguay market update The Sheep keeps Hong Kong quiet

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Hays plans to sell logistics units Exel: new facility in Middle East Iberia orders A340-600s New terminal in Iran Boeing appoints team for new commercial airplane development program

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Rolls-Royce develops the world's most powerful waterjets Royal Navy guard for civilian vessels Broström's travel agency grows

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Budget boost for Navy shipbuilding Pentagon comptroller says shipbuilding is a "good news story" for DoD U.S. sues Newport News Says Navy should not have been charged for Double eagle work

	web site

Iraq unlikely to pose threat to shipping in the Persian Gulf says UK commander Iraq will not be able to disrupt shipping in the Persian Gulf if the US leads a strike against the country, Rear Admiral David Snelson, commander of British naval forces in the Persian Gulf region, said yesterday. Tsakos joins contenders for American Eagle Tankers Tsakos management in Greece has confirmed that Tsakos Energy Navigation is likely to be a contender for aframax specialist American Eagle Tankers, if it is put up for sale by Neptune Orient Lines. Run-off agency hires top team at Commodore IN A sign of the growing importance of insurance run-off business, a top team with expertise in both marine and non-marine has been hired by Lloyd's managing agency, PRO Syndicate Management, which has the powerful backing of its parent, Swiss Re. Bad news for Newport as government files writ ALMOST a decade after major US shipyard Newport News Shipbuilding began an ill-fated attempt to break into the commercial market, its ambitions have returned to haunt it in the shape of a lawsuit filed by its biggest customer and financial lifeblood - the US government.

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Tanker manager tried to end charter Political tension over Scandlines Infinitely more problems for RCCL Stemnitsa is ice classed, says ABS Japan, Brazil poised to tighten knot Newport News accused of mischarging US maritime budget reflects security Salazar named Canal Minister Rail more urgent than Messina bridge Security force for Karachi port IMO to help Jordan run authority New SAR scheme for Bay of Bengal Icebreakers restricted in Baltic Stinnes mops up Andrew Weir service Nacala rail link re-opens Suez responds to Arab boycott Seafarer remittances under threat Ice prompts closure of Vyborg link Drifting bulker taken in tow Cyclone closes Australian ports Eight perish in Black Sea sinking Korean restructure is essential Sohmen adds Iino Kaiun stake Cruise expansion for Marseilles UASC to transfer to Dubai

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
24-hour rule a boon for ports? Anti-terror advance manifest filing rules could also help U.S. ports double or even triple their productivity, industry executives say. Trade security may isolate countries Cargo-security programs may squeeze developing nations out of the global trading system, an international development official warned. Asia-Pacific airlines plan cargo portal Four of the largest air-freight carriers in the Asia-Pacific region said that they plan to launch an online venture for booking and tracking cargo. Customs 'encouraged' by 24-hr. compliance Homeland defense big winner in Bush budget Automakers say manifest rules would disrupt U.S.-Canada auto trade Marad OKs loan guarantees for Matson ships Contship adds Aussie-Asia services Forwarders press for advance-filing options CSXWT promotes China execs Maersk unit plans India box station TSA taking Operation Safe Commerce applications Bahrain adopts Bolero trade platform

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
China Shipping aims at Asia/Europe trade top spot China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) is to establish a hub at Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) linking the Middle East to China and the Indian sub-continent. K Line dry-docking cuts capacity on Pacific strings Patrick upbeat after solid first quarter Lines split Vietnam THC from ocean rates Innovative intermodal terminal to boost volumes says RCA Sub-continent to SE Asia link a cost-effective solution for cargo CSXWT shuffles China staff

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Minerva to pull tankers off ice-bound sailings Greek owner says tankers will not return until Finland dispute is resolved. Yard accused of $72m fraud Newport News in the dock over Double Eagle tanker costs. Samskip teams up with ESCO Icelandic owner buys into Estonian Shipping Co's liner operations. Repairs stretch out for Infinity Third cruiseship sailing cancelled as vessel gets its bearings. Smit prepares for tax hit Dutch salvage giant sets aside "several million" euros after European Union ruling. Greek capesizes fall foul of inspectors Paris MOU lists 120 detentions for December. KOTC plans Gulf shuttle Kuwait will offer tanker liftings from Khor Fakkan during Iraq war. Sovcomflot to scrap Vyborg ro-ro service Russian owner to focus on new Kiel to St Petersburg route. Trio pull out of Korean shipping fund But official launch still set to go ahead on Thursday. Panamax loadings to boost Mersey Docks UK ports and shipping group says new Saudi steel exports from Sheerness could increase volumes by 0.5m tonnes. AM Best boost for West of England Strong growth and return to profitability secures P&I club's A rating. Two bodies from Strelets found in Black Sea Rescuers also locate bow of sunken Russian cargoship, five of whose crew were still reported missing. Diver blamed for Spanish barge spill Minister says mistake was small but explanation is needed. BV brings virus experts in-house French class society steps up battle against disease on cruiseships with purchase of Aquarism. Coastguard investigates fate of crewman in Seattle FBI joins probe into case of Romanian missing from Costamare boxship. Thoresen buys again Chairman Chandram Chandratat says company now medium league player. Venezuelan exports on the mend Three tanker fixtures in two weeks lead market observers to speculate that things are returning to normal. Daewoo inks $200m in tanker orders Korean yard wins orders for a VLCC and three suezmaxes from Angelicoussis, Tapias and Montanari.

	web site
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Justice Department accusesNSS of mischarging tanker costs ATA: U.S. air cargo rose 3.7% in 2002 DOT rushes rule to keep cross-border explosives shipments moving Barthco picks management dynamics' rate automation software U.S. Customs certifies MSSI as vendor, service center Shipping industry falls in line with 24-hour rule APL logistics, Carmichael link up with joint brokerage service KMZ Rosenmann holds telecommunications import compliance seminar Law firms, Pinkerton hold cargo security seminar Schneider Logistics names Detampel director of business development FTAA ministerial meeting to be held in Miami Bush administration releases 2002 subsidies enforcement report CSX World Terminals relocates Chang to Shanghai