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Shipping News

Iraq war will not deter shipping from Persian Gulf
WHILE war jitters have gripped much of the world, shipping companies trading in the Persian Gulf say it will be mostly business as usual regardless of whether war is unleashed on Iraq.
Rail link to help Darwin capture slice of Asian trade
THE new Port of Darwin is 'on-track' to take a slice of Australia's Asian trade volumes through faster connections as a long-awaited rail link to the rest of the continent nears completion, according to the territory's head.
APL adds 2 China ports to service
NEPTUNE Orient Lines container arm APL has added two Chinese ports to its expanded capacity Mexico Asia Express service.
Seaman to face murder charge in killing of master
CHINA is going to charge a Chinese seaman with murder for allegedly killing his ship's captain and dumping his body overboard in the Malacca Straits.
S Korean shipyards forecast record year
WITH its No 5 shipyard reporting a substantial order for container ships, South Korea's shipbuilding industry is forecasting a record haul this year, cementing the country's place as the world's foremost builder.
Kwai Chung terminals' throughput up in Feb
THE Kwai Chung container terminals, which handle two-thirds of sea cargo in the world's busiest port of Hong Kong, handled 8.7 per cent more containers in February than a year ago.

Air and Land Transport

JAL faces US$7m lawsuit for alleged safety breaches
ASIA's largest carrier Japan Airlines is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit over allegations it broke aviation safety rules by allowing pilots to fly while sick.
Emergency landing for SIA plane in Auckland
70,000 jobs lost if Iraq war begins: US airlines
Frankfurt airport to begin iris scan checks
Alitalia to up fares on higher fuel costs
Korean Air to resume flights to Amsterdam

Port Shots

Portshots
A new navigation channel which handles 100,000-ton vessels has been launched at Zhanjiang, a port city in South China's Guangdong province.

web site

Shipping News

Iraq war will not deter shipping from Persian Gulf
WHILE war jitters have gripped much of the world, shipping companies trading in the Persian Gulf say it will be mostly business as usual regardless of whether war is unleashed on Iraq.
Rail link to help Darwin capture slice of Asian trade
THE new Port of Darwin is 'on-track' to take a slice of Australia's Asian trade volumes through faster connections as a long-awaited rail link to the rest of the continent nears completion, according to the territory's head.
APL adds 2 China ports to service
NEPTUNE Orient Lines container arm APL has added two Chinese ports to its expanded capacity Mexico Asia Express service.
Seaman to face murder charge in killing of master
CHINA is going to charge a Chinese seaman with murder for allegedly killing his ship's captain and dumping his body overboard in the Malacca Straits.
S Korean shipyards forecast record year
WITH its No 5 shipyard reporting a substantial order for container ships, South Korea's shipbuilding industry is forecasting a record haul this year, cementing the country's place as the world's foremost builder.
Kwai Chung terminals' throughput up in Feb
THE Kwai Chung container terminals, which handle two-thirds of sea cargo in the world's busiest port of Hong Kong, handled 8.7 per cent more containers in February than a year ago.

Air and Land Transport

JAL faces US$7m lawsuit for alleged safety breaches
ASIA's largest carrier Japan Airlines is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit over allegations it broke aviation safety rules by allowing pilots to fly while sick.
Emergency landing for SIA plane in Auckland
70,000 jobs lost if Iraq war begins: US airlines
Frankfurt airport to begin iris scan checks
Alitalia to up fares on higher fuel costs
Korean Air to resume flights to Amsterdam

Port Shots

Portshots
A new navigation channel which handles 100,000-ton vessels has been launched at Zhanjiang, a port city in South China's Guangdong province.

web site

Shipping News

Iraq war will not deter shipping from Persian Gulf
WHILE war jitters have gripped much of the world, shipping companies trading in the Persian Gulf say it will be mostly business as usual regardless of whether war is unleashed on Iraq.
Rail link to help Darwin capture slice of Asian trade
THE new Port of Darwin is 'on-track' to take a slice of Australia's Asian trade volumes through faster connections as a long-awaited rail link to the rest of the continent nears completion, according to the territory's head.
APL adds 2 China ports to service
NEPTUNE Orient Lines container arm APL has added two Chinese ports to its expanded capacity Mexico Asia Express service.
Seaman to face murder charge in killing of master
CHINA is going to charge a Chinese seaman with murder for allegedly killing his ship's captain and dumping his body overboard in the Malacca Straits.
S Korean shipyards forecast record year
WITH its No 5 shipyard reporting a substantial order for container ships, South Korea's shipbuilding industry is forecasting a record haul this year, cementing the country's place as the world's foremost builder.
Kwai Chung terminals' throughput up in Feb
THE Kwai Chung container terminals, which handle two-thirds of sea cargo in the world's busiest port of Hong Kong, handled 8.7 per cent more containers in February than a year ago.

Air and Land Transport

JAL faces US$7m lawsuit for alleged safety breaches
ASIA's largest carrier Japan Airlines is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit over allegations it broke aviation safety rules by allowing pilots to fly while sick.
Emergency landing for SIA plane in Auckland
70,000 jobs lost if Iraq war begins: US airlines
Frankfurt airport to begin iris scan checks
Alitalia to up fares on higher fuel costs
Korean Air to resume flights to Amsterdam

Port Shots

Portshots
A new navigation channel which handles 100,000-ton vessels has been launched at Zhanjiang, a port city in South China's Guangdong province.

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APL boosts Mexico-Asia service to slake growing demand BAF set to rise US$37 on FEWAF lines in April Darwin's new US$800m rail link set to boost Asian trade Ecu-Line undertakes Darwin service evolution First half results at Port of Tauranga up 18 per cent El Al chooses Transnautic Aero as Far East cargo services GSA Dora Kay elected TIACA president CMA CGM, Virgin Express show interest in new airline

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Reliable Freight Forwarders keeps it simple & straight Asian Seafarers meet deplores curbs on movement at foreign ports IFLN global conference in Singapore from March 31 G. S. Sahni assumes office as DG Shipping Govt begins process of inviting int'l tenders for infrastructure projects - JNP, Cochin Port modernisation Indamex service now upgraded with bigger, faster vessels Carpet exporters target 10 pc growth in 2003-04 US seeks greater market access for agri-goods Egg processing trade hopes branding will boost export prospects India expects favourable WTO ruling in bedlinen row with EU Krishnapatnam port invites bids for development work MoPT invites EoIs for building world class cruise terminal MbPT Officers' Assn felicitates S. R. Kulkarni Kolkata Port racing ahead to 3rd place in cargo handling Cochin Port poised to close 2002-03 with record handling of 1.6 lakh TEUs IATA objects to Heathrow charges Karnataka to announce new textile policy Stamp duty to be rationalised Gail, Ficci to hold gas buyers' meet Kerala plans AEZs Budget proposals will help textile industry brace for post-quota era: ICMF chief Rajya Sabha passes Customs Tariff (A) Bill SEZ to come up in New Gurgaon this year L. M. Singhvi opens IMC's Indian Diaspora Centre Stopping post-dated cheques a penal offence: SC WTC, Mumbai, releases book titled Key to Exports OTAL gesture to abandoned children Foreign partner's stake in SCI may be raised

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MARCH 12, 2003
Low demand despite low prices on US West Coast East Coast markets come off, good avails Gulf Coast markets inactive OPEC reassures markets World crude output up again Tanker hits cargoship in Baltic Gibraltar's distillate indications follow South European line MGO levels in Piraeus softening sharply IFOs drop off in Korea as crude falls slightly New Saudi posted prices, markets firm Fos: Port workers' strike ends Prices firm across the board in Brazil Weekly African market report from GAC Rotterdam softens with crude

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MARCH 12, 2003
Dora Kay elected president of Tiaca Hamburg Süd is taking over Kien Hung CMA CGM Scandinavia AS founded United Pacific Corp. has slashed a thousand jobs Exel signs contract with Sun Microsystems

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MARCH 12, 2003
Amended Port directive votet through Parliament Efforts to sell MarineProvider Stolt-Nielsen hit by guarantees

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Bollinger delivers OPA '90 barge to K-Sea Second of four under contract for Staten Island based operator Gray joins Seabulk Offshore Tidewater veteran becomes Senior VP-International MARAD to help fund states to use ships as artificial reefs Congress makes funding available

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MARCH 12, 2003
American Association of Port Authorities taps Oberstar as top port person Hyundai and Kia transfer vehicle logistics to new company Intermodal up, carloads down in weekly rail freight totals Port of Portland hosts hearing on air service for small communities Mitsui wins ISO14001 nod for all divisions/vessel fleet

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Alstom searches for marine partners in bid to cut debts STRUGGLING energy and transport equipment manufacturer Alstom revealed yesterday that it was looking for partners for Queen Mary 2 builder Alstom Marine as part of a revamped drive to restore profits and reduce debt. Solomon Islands pushes ahead with register despite fears for reputation SOVEREIGN Ventures, the Singapore company negotiating with the Solomon Islands to run an open register, belongs to the same owner as Cambodia Shipping Corp, the former operator of the disgraced Cambodia Register. Germany's Hatlapa buys two Hamworthy UK arms GERMAN marine equipment manufacturer Hatlapa Uetersener Maschinenfabrik has bought Hamworthy KSE's UK-based starting air compressors and Schilling rudder business. BHP Billiton has $327m kitty for Trinidad gas BHP Billiton is to spend up to $327m developing an oil and gas field in offshore Trinidad, expanding its push into petroleum production.

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MARCH 12, 2003
Port pickets fail to stop loading Law firm doubts ISPS implementation ABS: security challenge is immense Marina changes charging scheme Overtime compensation unclaimed Hamburg Sud takes over Kien Hung Filipino crew took on illegals Feeders vow to keep servicing Iraq Paul Martin to sever ties with CSL HK Capesize operators join forces Cocaine haul on Cunard's Caronia Volgotanker shrugs off tariff cut Newcastle to address vessel delays Chinese ore demand doubles rates UK agency seeks comms data access QM2 float-out delayed Korea plans second shipping fund Cosco signs up for LNG venture HMM faces legal action over N Korea

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MARCH 12, 2003
Forwarders slow to book online Airline cargo executives pleaded with freight forwarders to use online booking services to help them cut costs. Charges sink Descartes results The logistics software provider said flat sales and more than $100 million in charges widened its fourth-quarter loss from a year ago. Airlines levy cargo security charges, but spending details are sketchy Even as airlines levy surcharges to cover added security spending, cargo executives are hard-pressed to say exactly how much their carriers spent on security in 2002. S&P 500 will drop American Airlines parent as shares slide No change for TACA fuel charge South Korea punishes Hyundai Merchant Marine Port Newark project will add 100K TEUs Correction Canadian PM candidate will give up control of CSL UPS service speeds trade payments Jury awards Evergreen $16.6M in Asiana suit Marad to aid states' reefing programs Turnaround for Martinair

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MARCH 12, 2003
Design changes cause two-year delay to Yangshan Phase 1 of Shanghai's multi-million dollar deepwater port at Yangshan will be delayed by two years due to a change in the design, an official said today. US watchdog: Maritime infrastructure needs massive investment to beat 'severe access problems' The US House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has warned that the country's maritime infrastructure risks disruption and stagnation unless it receives multi-billion dollar investment. HMM faces prosecution after illegal transaction scandal Ten billion dollar costs for 24-hour rule HMM scrapes into profit on back of divestments Supply/Demand equilibrium boosts charter rates Crewing costs scupper Matson newbuild spree CSXWT signs into second northern China terminal venture Second-tier NSW terminals ramp up plans European Parliament has hurt shortsea shipping, say shippers PSA, Mitsui Engineering settle multi-million dollar dispute

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MARCH 12, 2003
Crude and confusing Oil prices edge down on Saudi pledge, but uncertainty reigns over supply-demand dynamics. Broken cracker bites PDVSA Venezuelans say shutdown of gas production at El Palito should be temporary. Norsk Hydro trades up Hyundai wins order for Norwegian group's biggest LPG carrier. Navrom posts weaker profit in 2002 Poor last quarter dents Romanian shipowner's results. Minoan ferry goes for $67m Samsung high speed ferry fetches less than target price. Tanker holed in Baltic Collision with cargoship tears hull of ballasted vessel. Alstom seeks allies to bolster shipbuilding French group's boss Patrick Kron outlines new action plan to raise cash in face of massive losses. Delmas to push up prices in Middle East Imbalance between African and Persian Gulf trade has severely eroded freight rates, French line says. Survival instinct drives Asian cape pool Declining long-term charters prompt Hong Kong and Taiwanese operators to eye spot market switch. Skeggs scraps boxship sale New Zealand owner to keep Pacifica unit after bids failed to match expectations. Poland to recapitalise Stocznia Gdynia Yard finances may be put on an even keel with $25m of telecom shares. Profits slip at Cosco Shipping Guangzhou Ocean Shipping's listed heavy-lift and ro-ro operation sees earnings dip in 2002. HMM facing financial probe Korean regulators rap shipowner over alleged misstating of debt. Hanjin stock comes under pressure Shares in one of Korea's two largest shipping firms falls close to 15% over accounting worries. Passengers evacuated from UK ferry Lifeboat called in to help Pentland Ferries vessel after it grounds off Orkney Islands. PSA under fire over Yemen sackings Dismissed workers at Aden box terminal protest against redundancies in wake of Limburg blast. Caronia caught in coke sting UK customs officers swoop on three passengers on Cunard liner and recover 20 kilos of drug. Spartan initiates Maritrans coverage Securities house says "undervalued" US operator is set to benefit from OPA 90. Tidewater's haemorrhaging continues The defection of former senior staff to rival operator Seabulk Offshore continues unabated.

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MARCH 12, 2003
RCL adds Hong Kong/Cambodia/Thailand link NYK Reefers, Star Reefers in joint New Zealand/U.S. operation Evergreen, Lloyd Triestino, Hatsu widen cooperation Box club carriers review need for adjusted vessel figures Hoemann named top U.S. commercial vehicle safety attorney Viasafe opens manifest processing center at Northern border FMC reviews 14 OTI applications, revokes 5 licenses U.S. imports of goods up 15% in January Descartes Group reports $138 million loss for fiscal 2003 Bremen ports' traffic improves 10% in january CSX World Terminals signs contract with port of Yantai European dockworkers' union supports port directive amendments