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Shipping News

Treat feeder charges differently, urges RCL
AS neighbouring ports continue to offer more competitive rates, PSA Corporation should offer an 'open and transparent' rate package that differentiates between mainline and feeder container operators, said the chairman of Regional Container Lines yesterday.
2 more ship orders being considered
WITH an eye on promising growth in the intra-Asia trade, Regional Container Lines said yesterday it is considering closing another deal for two more container ships in the coming weeks.
17th century wreck found off Belgium
BELGIAN maritime researchers said they had discovered the preserved wreck of a 17th century merchant ship off the coast of Belgium.

Air and Land Transport

Swiss abandons plan to set up regional unit
SWISS International Air Lines said yesterday it will ditch plans for a separate regional unit aimed at saving 20 per cent of regional operating costs, to appease pilots' unions worried about job cuts.
Virgin Atlantic eyes ex-Concorde users
June the best month for SIA since Sars outbreak
Turkey air crash: crew error likely
BA sees Iberia as key to consolidation within Europe
ANA may lower fares if Narita airport cuts fees

Features

All set for cut-and-lift
ONE of the biggest salvage operations ever mounted gets underway later this week, as experts use a cutting cable to slice through the wreck of the car-carrier Tricolor which went down after a collision in the English Channel in December.

web site

Shipping News

Treat feeder charges differently, urges RCL
AS neighbouring ports continue to offer more competitive rates, PSA Corporation should offer an 'open and transparent' rate package that differentiates between mainline and feeder container operators, said the chairman of Regional Container Lines yesterday.
2 more ship orders being considered
WITH an eye on promising growth in the intra-Asia trade, Regional Container Lines said yesterday it is considering closing another deal for two more container ships in the coming weeks.
17th century wreck found off Belgium
BELGIAN maritime researchers said they had discovered the preserved wreck of a 17th century merchant ship off the coast of Belgium.

Air and Land Transport

Swiss abandons plan to set up regional unit
SWISS International Air Lines said yesterday it will ditch plans for a separate regional unit aimed at saving 20 per cent of regional operating costs, to appease pilots' unions worried about job cuts.
Virgin Atlantic eyes ex-Concorde users
June the best month for SIA since Sars outbreak
Turkey air crash: crew error likely
BA sees Iberia as key to consolidation within Europe
ANA may lower fares if Narita airport cuts fees

Features

All set for cut-and-lift
ONE of the biggest salvage operations ever mounted gets underway later this week, as experts use a cutting cable to slice through the wreck of the car-carrier Tricolor which went down after a collision in the English Channel in December.

web site

Shipping News

Treat feeder charges differently, urges RCL
AS neighbouring ports continue to offer more competitive rates, PSA Corporation should offer an 'open and transparent' rate package that differentiates between mainline and feeder container operators, said the chairman of Regional Container Lines yesterday.
2 more ship orders being considered
WITH an eye on promising growth in the intra-Asia trade, Regional Container Lines said yesterday it is considering closing another deal for two more container ships in the coming weeks.
17th century wreck found off Belgium
BELGIAN maritime researchers said they had discovered the preserved wreck of a 17th century merchant ship off the coast of Belgium.

Air and Land Transport

Swiss abandons plan to set up regional unit
SWISS International Air Lines said yesterday it will ditch plans for a separate regional unit aimed at saving 20 per cent of regional operating costs, to appease pilots' unions worried about job cuts.
Virgin Atlantic eyes ex-Concorde users
June the best month for SIA since Sars outbreak
Turkey air crash: crew error likely
BA sees Iberia as key to consolidation within Europe
ANA may lower fares if Narita airport cuts fees

Features

All set for cut-and-lift
ONE of the biggest salvage operations ever mounted gets underway later this week, as experts use a cutting cable to slice through the wreck of the car-carrier Tricolor which went down after a collision in the English Channel in December.

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Key initiatives being introduced for HK logistics industry Xerox takes GT Nexus initiative CN close to UTU labour agreement USF Logistics Services gets ISO nod FedEx launches stock repurchase GAC appoints new Philippines cargo manager CMA CGM launches new Mediterranean service Caution urged in approach to tanker regulations Hactl sees June tonnage fall in strong second quarter EasyJet dumps cargo for passengers Austrian Airlines joins Cargo Portal Services

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MoS may rescind proposed ban on ageing oil tankers Mercator Lines to transport MRPL crude MSC all set to commence liner service from Mundra box terminal - First ship, MSC Camille arriving tomorrow MSC to move Africa service from JNP to Mumbai Port Kolkata Dock System starts Internet banking facility for port users Box terminal will reach full capacity, earn profit in 4 years, says MICT CEO JNPT reassures users of adequate action soon No export wheat movement by road after July 31 ISO award function at CONCOR's Mulund office today Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report places India on No. 2 slot CII-organised debate on Cos (Amendment) Bill, 2003, today Textile export policy in for revamp Go all out to widen markets, Textile Minister urges exporters Petronet likely to double Dahej LNG terminal's capacity Jaswant announces series of tax reform measures ...sees positive signals to rapid economic growth DGFT seeks fresh data from exporters drawing over 15 pc DEPB rates IMC engagements for next week Standard Bank team from S. Africa studying Indian banking system

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JULY 16, 2003
Gulf Coast rebound suppressed as markets slip back Supply concerns continue to support East Coast markets US crude stocks fall, products soar to normal inventory level Weekly US oil inventory data have delivered a big surprise to the market and have once more run sharply contrary to expectations. Montreal little changed, market quiet GAC: Weekly African market report High and wobbly numbers not tempting buyers to Piraeus Korean bunker market moves into holiday on a relaxed note New Saudi posted prices, markets firm Rotterdam records 10% rise in bunker sales Capt. Cornelius de Keijzer, Senior Policy Advisor and bunker co-ordinator for the Rotterdam Municipal Port Management (RMPM), told Bunkerworld that they belive the rise in turnover in Rotterdam was caused by favourable prices in the port and the introduction this year of two 2 so-called "mega-barges". Lubmarine warning on high sulphur fuels Despite an imminent new world-wide sulphur cap of 4.5 per cent, and lower regional limits of 1.5 per cent or less, there are areas of the world where fuel sulphur content is climbing. Owners and engineers need to pay attention to the possible effects, says Lubmarine's technical manager. Prompts still tight in Rotterdam

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JULY 16, 2003
CaroTrans International opens Charlotte NC office TACA: fuel surcharges unchanged Lufthansa: New intercontinental destinations from Munich Transfracht launches additional seaport trains U-Freight relocates to new office near Chicago

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JULY 16, 2003
More oil through Butinge Huge oil finds in Iran Charter extension for Havila

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JULY 16, 2003
Stakeholders celebrate start of Austal cat construction Key stakeholders involved in the landmark project to build a 192ft high-speed ferry for Milwaukee-based Lake Express LLC attended a recent ceremony to celebrate the start of the vessel's construction at the Austal USA Thrust bearing problem forces cruise cancellation Celebrity Cruises is canceling its July 22 cruise on Millennium to replace a thrust-bearing unit in the ship's port propulsion system. Warning on high sulfur fuels Despite pending sulfur caps on fuel in some regions, high sulfur fuel can crop up elsewhere, leading to headaches in selecting the correct lube oil Raj leaves VTH Anil Raj has resigned as president and chief operating officer of VT Halter Marine.

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JULY 16, 2003
Port of Seattle expects jump in cruise numbers for next year DOT awards six airlines new cargo flights to Hong Kong TSA filling screener ranks with part-time employees CBP inspectors seize guns from vessel calling Portland ChevronTexaco charters tanker from Stelmar Shipping Ltd.

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ExxonMobil in talks with Qatar over giant LNG deal ExxonMobil is discussing a huge liquefied natural gas project with Qatar which could result in a fleet of giant newbuildings being required to ship LNG to the US. Container port computer system crashes again A NEW computer system serving two top UK container ports and the air courier industry has crashed for the second time in six weeks after going live. Wages bombshell stuns UK owners UK SHIPOWNERS have expressed outrage over allegations that they are knowingly paying foreign seafarers less than their legal entitlement . IMO tiptoes towards phase out compromise International Maritime Organisation administrations were last night reported to be feeling their way towards a compromise on controversial proposals from 15 European Union administrations looking to accelerate further the phase-out of single hull tankers, writes Hugh O'Mahony.

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JULY 16, 2003
Zim signs up with Kingston Canal authority signs for freight US seizes arms container Mayor presses for import fee Box traders blame NCC for THC Rotterdam pumped up on bunkers Box terminal plans thrown out Norway tow approaches the Channel Spain asks for more Prestige aid Hanjin Pen resale 'breaks contract' Port Klang invests in property State oil co resumes domestic rivalry Huff and puff at Bluff Havila buy boosts Bourbon supply NZ set for coastal barge service Kenya to sue Al Najat agents MEPC: 'sensitive area' report today Sovcomflot signs $91M German loan Mercator strikes major oil deal Caracas deal too "fat" to swallow

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JULY 16, 2003
Bonner says trade act rules due soon The Customs Commissioner said that proposed rules for advance electronic reporting of cargo data should be published within the next several days. Trade deal could give Hong Kong edge in China logistics A new free-trade agreement gives Hong Kong logistics companies the right to set up wholly owned units on the mainland. Judge rejects Deutsche Post counter-subpoenas McBride new Lake Charles port director Polar Air Cargo taps Tang Air Canada resumes daily Asia service CSR protests U.S. shore leave rule Marad opens waterways Web site Gaughan named chief maritime advisor in Iraq Austrian Airlines Cargo joins Cargo Portal Services China Shipping adds Qasim service Maersk Logistics, TradeCard team up

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JULY 16, 2003
Good Hope Express alliance split as Chileans enter partnership with French Chilean line CSAV has left the Good Hope Express (GHE) alliance and started operating on the Far East-South Africa-South American trade - with a new partner, CMA CGM. Germany/Russia feeder JV deepens Eurogate's Baltic liaison Charter rates pursue upward spiral Two-year delay to Westerschelde terminal following court ruling Major delays, as Hurricane Claudette hammers Texan ports Investment to double Rio Grande's annual capacity Industry will pay for US port security shortfall NSICT fights surcharge, blames delays on ocean carriers Pacific National and Australian unions manoeuvre over rail reforms Battle looms over skinny Nauru trade OSC contracts Boeing to secure the container supply chain

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JULY 16, 2003
Frontline to vanish in Bermuda triangle? Legal rival seeks to 'wind down' tanker giant over $8m judgment. No mess in Texas Houston quickly shipshape as Claudette passes. Q Ship picks Hyundai Big aframax order from Qatar owner goes to Korean shipbuilder. RCL confirms Japanese orders Thai feeder operation gets 2005 delivery dates for two $30m boxships at Mitsubishi. Jambo bunker fuel removed Smit completes pumping of oil from sunken German cargoship off Scotland. Now for the cargo. Croatia agrees Viktor Lenac lifeline Government sanctions cash injection to keep creditors of struggling yard happy. Knightsbridge hangs on to cash Owner builds $6m reserve to trade tankers in change of dividend policy. Navion extends suezmax charter Tsakos Energy Navigation gets maximum rate for one-year hire of Silia T. Narrow loss for Baltic Shipyard St Petersburg shipbuilder will not pay dividend for 2002 after ending year in red. Cosco hails "excellent performance" Chinese giant says freight volumes were two-thirds more than expected in first six months of 2003. Unithai seeks privacy Thai bulker player will de-list shares as owner Fred Tsao offers to buy out small investors. Thoresen buys third bulker in a month Expanding Thai owner brings fleet to 30 ships with latest second-hand deal. Maersk fined for sanction busting Danish shipping behemoth pays the price of dealing with Cuba despite strong military ties. Stelmar fixes ChevronTexaco charter New York-listed Greek tanker player ties up more modern tonnage on period employment.

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JULY 16, 2003
Last of four Europe/West Indies ships delivered to CMA CGM Sinotrans requests exemption from rate notice period Carriers suspend U.S./Australasia conference EC allocates 9-million-euro payment after "Prestige" oil spill Stelmar Shipping gets tanker contract with ChevronTexaco "OOCL Montreal" makes maiden call IMO begins tanker talks as EU threatens own action Atlas Air names Dolan COO Austrian Airlines Cargo joins Cargo Portal Services Great Lakes carriers float better on western coal in June FMC assesses $7.9 million penalty against Hong Kong NVO Advance manifest review leads to weapons seizure in Portland, Ore. Hong Kong logistics firms welcome China's opening Genco Distribution System acquires Iogistics WTO: Japan apple import quarantine measures unfair to U.S. Customs upholds non-quota classification for dairy protein blends Evans to lead oil business delegation to Russia DOE funds Advent software in Snezhinsk, Russia Modern Freight expands facility in Dubai BAX Global names Lear, Wolfman as import directors German and Russian port operators set up feeder carrier Kingston port secures five-year hub deal with Zim Traffic down 4% in June at main Hong Kong terminals