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Shipping News

MISC to lay off 40% of workers in revamp push
MALAYSIAN International Shipping Corp has pushed ahead with its restructuring efforts, cutting its non-executive staff by up to 40 per cent.
Keppel Cebu cleared of oil spill charges
A Philippine unit of Singapore's Keppel Group has been cleared of oil spill charges by the Philippine Coast Guard.
HK terminals' container traffic in Dec up 12.7%
CONTAINER traffic at Hong Kong's main terminals jumped 12.7 per cent in December, the biggest single month rally after reversing a negative trend last June, Hong Kong's Port and Maritime Board said yesterday.
32 Tunisian sailors dead in two sinkings in a week
TUNISIA has suffered two ships sinking in a week, with the loss of life reaching 32 Tunisian sailors, according to officials.
Fewer delays along Baltic sea lanes
ICE-related shipping delays were easing at most Baltic ports on Tuesday, though conditions were said to be more hazardous towards St Petersburg with up to 40 vessels trapped, port officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Ryanair expects 35% jump in revenues
EUROPE's second-biggest budget airline Ryanair sees revenues for its 2002 fiscal year rising 35 per cent as the group expands in Europe, chief executive Michael O'Leary said.
US airlines stop child discounts on Europe routes
Lufthansa wage talks end, raising prospect of strikes
Reports cite security lapses at Paris airports

web site

Shipping News

MISC to lay off 40% of workers in revamp push
MALAYSIAN International Shipping Corp has pushed ahead with its restructuring efforts, cutting its non-executive staff by up to 40 per cent.
Keppel Cebu cleared of oil spill charges
A Philippine unit of Singapore's Keppel Group has been cleared of oil spill charges by the Philippine Coast Guard.
HK terminals' container traffic in Dec up 12.7%
CONTAINER traffic at Hong Kong's main terminals jumped 12.7 per cent in December, the biggest single month rally after reversing a negative trend last June, Hong Kong's Port and Maritime Board said yesterday.
32 Tunisian sailors dead in two sinkings in a week
TUNISIA has suffered two ships sinking in a week, with the loss of life reaching 32 Tunisian sailors, according to officials.
Fewer delays along Baltic sea lanes
ICE-related shipping delays were easing at most Baltic ports on Tuesday, though conditions were said to be more hazardous towards St Petersburg with up to 40 vessels trapped, port officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Ryanair expects 35% jump in revenues
EUROPE's second-biggest budget airline Ryanair sees revenues for its 2002 fiscal year rising 35 per cent as the group expands in Europe, chief executive Michael O'Leary said.
US airlines stop child discounts on Europe routes
Lufthansa wage talks end, raising prospect of strikes
Reports cite security lapses at Paris airports

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Conterm Hong Kong expands its Italian services with Genex World Shipping Council obliges industry to comply with 24-hour rule Horizon Services upgrades system for 24-hour rule NES export system for UK Customs to be begin in October Pitney Bowes, Neopost reach licencing agreement Hactl total throughput rises 20pc in 2002 to highest ever China Northern and Xinjiang Airlines adopt CSA code domestically Rod Eddington to be AEA chairman this year

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JANUARY 15, 2003
Lufthansa faces strike threat Deutsche Lufthansa and the union Verdi representing cabin and ground staff at the airline ended a fourth round of pay talks without a result, prompting the union to threaten short strikes by the end of the week. Cast launches new website Cast, the transatlantic shipping line, has re-launched its website, offering more facilities and ensuring customers can easily find the information they need. DHL backs Air Hong Kong expansion DHL Worldwide gave its backing today to Air Hong Kong's (AHK) intention to acquire six new Airbus A300-600F General Freighters. Hungary's Malev awaits privatisation again Hungary's beleaguered Malev Airlines is preparing for privatisation for the third time in a decade, this time trying to become profitable by stepping up efforts to join a global alliance and renewing its fleet. Singapore Airlines new chief executive Singapore Airlines named Mr Chew Choon Seng to take over as chief executive when Mr Cheong Choong Kong retires in June 2003. Shipping laws dispute between continents An urgent and unified response by Asia to the threat of increasing regionalisation of shipping regulations by the European Union (EU) and the United States is being urged by Asian ship owners. Deutsche Post wants Sinotrans-stake Deutsche Post confirmed today its interest in buying a stake in logistics firm China National Foreign Trade

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JANUARY 15, 2003
Tight avails remain on Gulf Coast Heavy demand leaves East Coast ports congested Sale agreed for El Paso's Florida bunker operations Prices power upwards in Rotterdam as product stocks dry up Daily Bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents (Wednesday) US crude stock draw supports escalating oil prices Chinese crude production up for 2003 Non-Opec should pump more Suez indication increase initiates fixing surge Weekly African market report from GAC Brazilian market update from Petrobras Company E-mail update Venezuelan port activity update Post-Prestige proposal could sink European bunker industry Mike Marco joins OceanConnect Brent crude hits 2-year high, dragging bunkers higher Cause and effect - Korean IFOs rise, demand drops Bullish crude continues to push up Piraeus indications Rotterdam bunkers surge on crude and tighter avails Daily Bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents

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JANUARY 15, 2003
Inttra announces integration of Transaxion software Deutsche Post expands into Italy Airbus announces healthy results for 2002 Port of Kiel aiming at Baltic Sea hub function Port Le Havre and Maersk France endorse new terminal project

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JANUARY 15, 2003
Austal unveils RAN patrol boat concept Austal Ships has announced some details of its proposed design for the Royal Australian Navy's Armidale patrol boats New head of Seabulk Offshore Seabulk International, Inc. has appointed Larry D. Francois as president of Seabulk Offshore, the company's offshore marine services subsidiary

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JANUARY 15, 2003
DOT announces next round of funding for transportation security grants Customs opens C-TPAT to ports/marine terminals Portland maritime clubs looking for 'Old Salt' nominations Port of Seattle works new deal with Northland Services Airports council taps Lindsey as first woman chairman

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US team inspects Turkish ports in readiness for war with Iraq US team inspects Turkish ports in readiness for war with IraqAMERICAN logistics and security experts have begun surveys of facilities at two Turkish ports slated for use in the event of a military strike against Iraq, writes Bill Sellars in Istanbul. Cenargo files for Chapter 11 in last ditch bid for survival Michael Hendry's Cenargo International has filed for voluntary protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy code following the company's failure to meet an $8.5m interest payment on its junk bond issue. Reinsurance rates set to bite warns broker Marsh SHIPOWNERS are caught in a reinsurance bind, as marine markets face a capacity crunch, writes James Brewer. IACS to offer regulatory assistance to failing flags THE International Association of Classification Societies plans to offer troubled flag states the chance to improve the control they exert over shipowners.

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JANUARY 15, 2003
CSL's Martin in the spotlight Mexicans feel cash crunch PacifiCats to go under the hammer Dover in Boulogne cat talks Australasia box service: 33 not out Venezuelans set up emergency plan US security award disappoints Korean chemical carriers concern Maersk Sealand monopolises Jaya Foreign legion lands in Venezuela Bids sought for Hanjin box terminal Suape says cabotage stays Carriers urged to meet US demand Maltese pilots back at work Strong krone leads to job losses Lanka privatisation pays dividends New man Choi to revive Hanjin Yards clear decks for double-hulls Loaded livestock carrier detained Murder suspect in custody Crew member dies after piracy raid Courageous wreckage recovered Korea to boost domestic shipping

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JANUARY 15, 2003
Hong Kong dithers on box security The world's largest container hub appears to be backtracking again on implementation of tighter security measures for containers bound for the United States. European ports brace for disruptions Widespread job actions and strikes are planned by union dockworkers later this week and next week. GAO report calls for air cargo security plan 3PL market still fragmented: Study Canadian lines demand port security funding Lufthansa facing strikes after pay talks fail Evergreen adds Yantian call Lloyd Triestino enters North Atlantic Susan Murray, Commonwealth Business Media VP, dies Portion of Houston Ship Channel reopened Rickmers names Janssen Con-Way names Trott VP of planning

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JANUARY 15, 2003
QE2 bugged Cockroaches and mold found on flagship Cunard cruiser. IACS unveils New Year resolutions Meetings with European Commission and IMO prompt new initiatives for 2003. Cenargo files for Chapter XI Ferry operator seeks protection of US courts to negotiate bond default. Agelef mum on PDVSA charter Apparent withdrawal of suezmax Astro Canopus is 'private matter.' Brazilian blast Petrobras says no one injured in tanker explosion. Owners eye double hull panamax bulkers But yards prefer the lure of tanker dollar. Frontline storms ahead But John Fredriksen's tanker giant knows the strong rates won't last. Arab maritime industry "under-performing" Arab shipping federation bemoans high insurance costs and governmental restrictions. COSL signs up for supply ships CNOOC's Hong Kong drilling and shipping unit is investing $80m in eight new vessels. Golar LNG newbuilding suffers fire Daewoo says vessel for BG charter will be delayed. Japan holds Oskar Wehr boxship Wehr Muden one of 31 vessels detained by port state control officers in December. Seafarer drowns in pirate attack Ship hijacked and crew set on with guns and knives in Indonesian waters. Indian investors snub Wartsila offer Finnish ship-engine maker gains only an extra 1% of Indian subsidiary's shares. Thoresen continues fleet renewal Thai handysize owner snaps up 1985-built bulker, as $27m plus buying spree continues. Earnings holding up at BCL Bermuda owner's one-ship operation brings in useful $3.5m net profit in first nine months of 2002. Veteran Marco to advise OceanConnect Former McQuilling broker Mike Marco is stepping up his role at online bunker fuel supplier. Faroe Islands joins IMO Tiny Danish dependency joins the ranks of UN maritime body. Spill restricts Houston canal traffic Leaking barge delays large ships on strategic southern US waterway.