BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

World-Wide Shipping bids for rest of Bergesen
HONG Kong's World-Wide Shipping tycoon Helmut Sohmen has bid 10.3 billion Norwegian kroner to take over the remainder of Norwegian shipping major Bergesen.
M'sia to screen seafarers for Sars symptoms
MALAYSIA has joined Singapore and Hong Kong in screening seafarers for symptoms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome with a leading protection and indemnity club recommending shore leave be restricted in affected areas.
S'pore bunker fuel prices take a beating
SINGAPORE's bunker fuel prices have plunged in recent days amid speculation the war in Iraq is nearing its end.
KS Tech buys 25% stake in Ezra in $7.82m deal
IN a new partnership of niche players, Singapore-listed oil and gas industry supplier KS Tech has acquired 25 per cent of local offshore support vessel builder and operator Ezra Holdings.
Coalition forces find 1 of 2 Iraqi vessels
COALITION naval forces operating in the Arabian Gulf have captured one of two Iraqi vessels suspected of laying mines in and around Iraqi waters, the US Navy's Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain said.
Shell won't use tankers with ballast water in cargo holds
ROYAL Dutch/Shell shell8 Group, the world's No 1 user of chartered oil tankers, said it will not hire vessels that carry ballast water in their cargo holds because of the pollution risks.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay faces gravest situation in 26 years
JUST a month after announcing bumper profits, Hong Kong's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways warned yesterday it was facing its gravest situation in 26 years because of the Sars virus and the Iraq war.
Macau airport's March passenger traffic slumps
No rating change to Aussie, NZ airports: S&P
China Eastern profit plunges 84%
Airlines' slump to stay till at least 2005

Strait Talk

Hotly contested race for top IMO post now on
THE next couple of months look set to see an unprecedented level of lobbying for the three aspirant successors to International Maritime Organization secretary general William O'Neil.

web site

Shipping News

World-Wide Shipping bids for rest of Bergesen
HONG Kong's World-Wide Shipping tycoon Helmut Sohmen has bid 10.3 billion Norwegian kroner to take over the remainder of Norwegian shipping major Bergesen.
M'sia to screen seafarers for Sars symptoms
MALAYSIA has joined Singapore and Hong Kong in screening seafarers for symptoms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome with a leading protection and indemnity club recommending shore leave be restricted in affected areas.
S'pore bunker fuel prices take a beating
SINGAPORE's bunker fuel prices have plunged in recent days amid speculation the war in Iraq is nearing its end.
KS Tech buys 25% stake in Ezra in $7.82m deal
IN a new partnership of niche players, Singapore-listed oil and gas industry supplier KS Tech has acquired 25 per cent of local offshore support vessel builder and operator Ezra Holdings.
Coalition forces find 1 of 2 Iraqi vessels
COALITION naval forces operating in the Arabian Gulf have captured one of two Iraqi vessels suspected of laying mines in and around Iraqi waters, the US Navy's Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain said.
Shell won't use tankers with ballast water in cargo holds
ROYAL Dutch/Shell shell8 Group, the world's No 1 user of chartered oil tankers, said it will not hire vessels that carry ballast water in their cargo holds because of the pollution risks.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay faces gravest situation in 26 years
JUST a month after announcing bumper profits, Hong Kong's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways warned yesterday it was facing its gravest situation in 26 years because of the Sars virus and the Iraq war.
Macau airport's March passenger traffic slumps
No rating change to Aussie, NZ airports: S&P
China Eastern profit plunges 84%
Airlines' slump to stay till at least 2005

Strait Talk

Hotly contested race for top IMO post now on
THE next couple of months look set to see an unprecedented level of lobbying for the three aspirant successors to International Maritime Organization secretary general William O'Neil.

web site

Shipping News

World-Wide Shipping bids for rest of Bergesen
HONG Kong's World-Wide Shipping tycoon Helmut Sohmen has bid 10.3 billion Norwegian kroner to take over the remainder of Norwegian shipping major Bergesen.
M'sia to screen seafarers for Sars symptoms
MALAYSIA has joined Singapore and Hong Kong in screening seafarers for symptoms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome with a leading protection and indemnity club recommending shore leave be restricted in affected areas.
S'pore bunker fuel prices take a beating
SINGAPORE's bunker fuel prices have plunged in recent days amid speculation the war in Iraq is nearing its end.
KS Tech buys 25% stake in Ezra in $7.82m deal
IN a new partnership of niche players, Singapore-listed oil and gas industry supplier KS Tech has acquired 25 per cent of local offshore support vessel builder and operator Ezra Holdings.
Coalition forces find 1 of 2 Iraqi vessels
COALITION naval forces operating in the Arabian Gulf have captured one of two Iraqi vessels suspected of laying mines in and around Iraqi waters, the US Navy's Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain said.
Shell won't use tankers with ballast water in cargo holds
ROYAL Dutch/Shell shell8 Group, the world's No 1 user of chartered oil tankers, said it will not hire vessels that carry ballast water in their cargo holds because of the pollution risks.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay faces gravest situation in 26 years
JUST a month after announcing bumper profits, Hong Kong's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways warned yesterday it was facing its gravest situation in 26 years because of the Sars virus and the Iraq war.
Macau airport's March passenger traffic slumps
No rating change to Aussie, NZ airports: S&P
China Eastern profit plunges 84%
Airlines' slump to stay till at least 2005

Strait Talk

Hotly contested race for top IMO post now on
THE next couple of months look set to see an unprecedented level of lobbying for the three aspirant successors to International Maritime Organization secretary general William O'Neil.

	web site

Canada to require 24-hour advance customs notification in 2004 Construction begins on US$29m Mingzhu interchange to Yantian Hatsu Marine to add seventh vessel to fleet this summer CXIC-Ningbo starts container production UPS retail arm begins rebranding across US New director of properties for Port of Long Beach Atlas delays filing annual report, cuts ground staff Martinair Cargo appoints two GSAs for South Pacific region Jeff Ruffolo elevated to senior PR position with China Southern

	web site

DPG accessible for plaints related to shipping sector Russian decision on tobacco tariff may hit exports Consignments worth Rs 180 cr marooned at Gulf ports Mumbai Port exceeds traffic target, posts Rs 1.5-cr. operating surplus in 2002-03 CBEC keen on introducing ACS - Mixed reactions from CHAs FFFAI to redefine role of CHAs - 16th Biennial Convention in Hyderabad-Eminent industry stalwarts to voice their views Postpone VAT till irritants are sorted out: AIAI chief Cenvat claims: Textile trade given more time for declaring stocks, excise registration TEA allowed to issue CoO Imports under sensitive tariff lines rise by 12 pc in April-November Industry anticipating post-war business in Iraq rebuilding Three schemes to boost spice exports cleared IMC organises seminar, business contacts with Botswana IT team CII to hold annual session on April 11

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
Falling East Coast markets remain quiet Gulf markets quiet, still some avails problems Heavy demand in Panama as prices continue to tumble Daily bunker market from Praxis Energy Agents France declares "ecological zone" off its Med coast Eyes peeled for US inventory data Oil prices consolidate as OPEC basket hits middle of range St Petersburg: Demand picks up as prices dip below Rotterdam Cargo bounce renders Fujairah numbers little changed EU single-hull legislation: Overview of most relevant measures Hong Kong still dry as numbers plummet through the floor Great Belt remains quiet despite halt in price slide Rotterdam firmer this morning

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
Bergesen out of Norway within two years Navion formally transferred to Teekay Seven new ships to Stena Bulk - and there is more coming

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
MARAD job for Roberson New Associate Administrator for Administration

	web site

Sohmen-Pao lines up new-look Bergesen board World-Wide Shipping yesterday said it was close to finalising the new-look boardroom of its bid target Bergesen as it pledged to keep the headquarters of the historic Norwegian group in Oslo. Takeover 'biggest in shipping history' LEADING shipping financiers HSBC, who masterminded the Hong Kong-based Sohmen family's huge $1.4bn swoop on Bergesen, claimed the takeover is the largest in the history of shipping, writes Jerry Frank . CMA CGM and MSC join forces on Pacific TWO of the world's biggest liner shipping companies are to join forces on the Pacific with a combined string of huge containerships, writes Janet Porter. Tanker owners ready for Opec cuts TANKER owners are steeling themselves for an anticipated cut in oil supply on the news that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has called an emergency meeting to discuss production levels.

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
Arison named Seatrade personality Sacked employees must 'stay away' Wake steps up, Buckley retires Santos dispute goes to arbitration Polish waterway slowly clearing Canada to follow US manifest lead CCTV upsets Bridgetown customs ACL loss prompts Halterm sacking Transparency would hit smugglers Major fruit deals in north Europe Beira boxes held stolen goods Closing time at Flender Werft Europe to specify 'sensitive' areas EU plans MARPOL revision Dockers injured in war protest US Customs ruling hurts shippers Master, pilot rapped over grounding Gulf: Jordan counts cost to trade Gulf: seafarers seek war allowance Meyer Werft sweats on Pelni choice SARS: Malaysian ports ban seafarers Gulf war boosts boxes by rail

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
Report may doom maritime trust fund A private sector freight transportation advisory council has formally opposed the creation of a new trust fund to pay for maritime infrastructure. Suzuki to lead "K" Line America Toshio Suzuki succeeds Yoshio Iinuma as president and chief executive of the Japanese company's U.S. operations. Flowers to lead UPS Americas Veteran manager to oversee 50 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean. CMA CGM, MSC in trans-Pac agreement FMC fines totaled $2.45M in 2002 Hong Kong opens trade e-filing KLM drops war surcharge, resumes Mid-East flights Northwest to cut fuel surcharge Good beginning: Odyssey Logistics launches with Hercules Kitty Hawk launches San Francisco service Japan Airlines cuts flights Fight over Bangladesh cargo preference rule Profit for Alaska Railroad

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
French and Italians strike Pacific deal CMA CGM and MSC announced today that they intend to start a joint Pacific service in the second half of next year using ten 8,000TEU newbuildings. Docenave return raises optimism at Suape The troubled Brazilian port of Suape has announced the return of regular calls from Brazilian carrier Docenave, now in a partnership with MOL. Yang Ming and K Line to launch new Asia/Med string Canada to adopt 24-hour manifest rule within a year Gaspar Straits piracy subsides for the time being US Government adds SARS to quarantine list

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
CMA CGM and MSC tie up alliance Transpacific hook-up hints at deepening relationship for boxship hermits. Buckley goes as gherkin grows Baltic Exchange chief who fought Swiss Re erection but lost is to retire. Iranian Gulf ports reopen Two facilities on the border with Iraq resume operations after nearly two weeks. Sohmen-Pao sees Asia LNG opportunities Bergesen's Jan Haakon Petersen (left) puts away the golf clubs. First Iraq-bound grain cargo diverted Bulker barred from Umm Qasr plays waiting game with naval ships in Kuwait. Diamant captain convicted over Dover Strait clash Jean Ramakers fined for failing to keep proper lookout in fog following collision off UK last year. Nenaco goes back to Panay island port Philippine ferry owner targets higher revenues from new call at Dumaguit. Hansa Treuhand declares Hanjin options Second boxship duo nudges Korean yard up against 2003 order target. Canadian owners back box security drive Shipping Federation chief Richard Le Hir welcomes advance cargo-reporting rule, but is concerned over delay. Numbers up at Shih Wei Taiwanese bulker owner increased profits and revenues in 2002. Frontline takes an order break John Fredriksen led company plans to steer clear of newbuilding yards. Sohmen crowned new VLCC king Fredriksen finally toppled from his perch, but it took the Bergesen-World-Wide tie-up to do it. Pilot and captain rapped over Jody F grounding Freak weather was direct cause, New Zealand authorities say, but key personnel criticised. US aid ships sail for Iraq Two handysize bulkers have sailed from Galveston with the first of many food aid shipments. APL faces up to anti-war protests Demonstrators picket US owner's Oakland operations, accusing it of war profiteering. US yard takes toll on ST Marine Costs related to the acquisition of former Halter Marine facilities hit bottom line at Singapore firm.

	web site
APRIL 8, 2003
Med Shipping, CMA CGM to deploy 8,000-TEU ships in pacific Marad appoints Roberson to Associate Administrator Samudera sees 84% jump in net profit for 2002 Chinese-Polish launches multipurpose ship "K" Line, Yang Ming add Asia/Med service Bayer Diagnostics picks Exel to manage U.K. air freight Schneider National names Aurig VP, Regional Sales Ryder names Greene Senior VP for strategy Consulting groups partner to market trade database UPS picks flowers as President of Americas region