BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

PSA's cost-cutting must not affect port efficiency
PSA Corporation's cost cutting, retrenchment and divestment exercise may help sustain price competitiveness and re-gear the bottom line for a public listing, but will fail to keep shipping lines in Singapore if efficiency, productivity and connectivity are compromised.
Greenpeace stages anti-war protest in Antwerp
THE environmental group Greenpeace has launched an anti-war operation in the Belgian port of Antwerp in a bid to block ships loaded with war materials from heading to the Gulf.
Tighter security measures in place at M'sian ports
MALAYSIAN Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik said Malaysian ports are safe from any smuggling activities, including weapons by terrorists, as security measures have been tightened up.
Double hull tanker isn't the cure-all
I REFER to your report 'Latest incident a warning on ballast tank checks' by David Hughes .

Air and Land Transport

War could see Qantas slash 2,500 jobs: report
QANTAS Airways flew into heavy turbulence yesterday when a local newspaper reported that the airline had plans to cut 2,500 jobs in the event of a protracted war against Iraq, angering unions who have not been told about it.
CAL shareholder to sell part of stake by end June
British Airways suspends service to Venezuela
Northwest, American, United match US$3 fare increase
Canada's airlines praise 42% cut in domestic security tax

Newbuilds

Superliner gets power boost from Rolls-Royce
THERE has been talk recently of laying up some offshore support vessels.

web site

Shipping News

PSA's cost-cutting must not affect port efficiency
PSA Corporation's cost cutting, retrenchment and divestment exercise may help sustain price competitiveness and re-gear the bottom line for a public listing, but will fail to keep shipping lines in Singapore if efficiency, productivity and connectivity are compromised.
Greenpeace stages anti-war protest in Antwerp
THE environmental group Greenpeace has launched an anti-war operation in the Belgian port of Antwerp in a bid to block ships loaded with war materials from heading to the Gulf.
Tighter security measures in place at M'sian ports
MALAYSIAN Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik said Malaysian ports are safe from any smuggling activities, including weapons by terrorists, as security measures have been tightened up.
Double hull tanker isn't the cure-all
I REFER to your report 'Latest incident a warning on ballast tank checks' by David Hughes .

Air and Land Transport

War could see Qantas slash 2,500 jobs: report
QANTAS Airways flew into heavy turbulence yesterday when a local newspaper reported that the airline had plans to cut 2,500 jobs in the event of a protracted war against Iraq, angering unions who have not been told about it.
CAL shareholder to sell part of stake by end June
British Airways suspends service to Venezuela
Northwest, American, United match US$3 fare increase
Canada's airlines praise 42% cut in domestic security tax

Newbuilds

Superliner gets power boost from Rolls-Royce
THERE has been talk recently of laying up some offshore support vessels.

web site

Shipping News

PSA's cost-cutting must not affect port efficiency
PSA Corporation's cost cutting, retrenchment and divestment exercise may help sustain price competitiveness and re-gear the bottom line for a public listing, but will fail to keep shipping lines in Singapore if efficiency, productivity and connectivity are compromised.
Greenpeace stages anti-war protest in Antwerp
THE environmental group Greenpeace has launched an anti-war operation in the Belgian port of Antwerp in a bid to block ships loaded with war materials from heading to the Gulf.
Tighter security measures in place at M'sian ports
MALAYSIAN Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik said Malaysian ports are safe from any smuggling activities, including weapons by terrorists, as security measures have been tightened up.
Double hull tanker isn't the cure-all
I REFER to your report 'Latest incident a warning on ballast tank checks' by David Hughes .

Air and Land Transport

War could see Qantas slash 2,500 jobs: report
QANTAS Airways flew into heavy turbulence yesterday when a local newspaper reported that the airline had plans to cut 2,500 jobs in the event of a protracted war against Iraq, angering unions who have not been told about it.
CAL shareholder to sell part of stake by end June
British Airways suspends service to Venezuela
Northwest, American, United match US$3 fare increase
Canada's airlines praise 42% cut in domestic security tax

Newbuilds

Superliner gets power boost from Rolls-Royce
THERE has been talk recently of laying up some offshore support vessels.

	web site

Terminal to boost Shanghai's throughput by 1 million TEU CSCL to call at Cat Lai Matson raises surcharge as fuel costs go up Danzas enters Middle East and Caspian region markets EGL records marked net income turnaround in Q4 Teo Ser Luck handed a promotion by Menlo Worldwide Asian Terminals moves Manila office to city's port area Cathay Pacific's freight volume decreases in January m-o-m Deutsche Post acquires Dutch company RP Holding Dragonair's expands European cargo sales coverage

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
Bad expectations Salvesen Shares in Christian Salvesen, the UK-based logistics company, fell to an all-time low when it warned full-year profits would be 20 per cent below market expectations. Contship Containerlines with direct passenger sales Seeking to capitalise on the ever-growing demand for cargo ship travel, international container shipping line, Contship Containerlines is offering passenger voyages directly to the public. ABX Logistics in Mexico ABX Logistics Mexico was was launched in January 2003, and now has offices in Mexico City, Veracruz and the capital's international airport, and a team of 30 staff. TPG and unions agree TPG and the unions have reached an agreement on a first collective labour agreement (CLA) for new mail deliverers. Port Klang to develop distribution centre Malaysia's busiest seaport, Port Klang, will develop a RM1 billion (S$461.6 million), 400-ha 'free zone' distribution centre to boost its transhipment hub status through cargo consolidation and logistics activities. British Ports optimistic Bias towards contract work and a wide geographical and cargo spread helped Associated British Ports to a creditable 7 per cent rise in full year pre-tax profits to 139 million pound ($221 million).

	web site

Disinvestment Ministry clears SCI move to buy 2 VLCCs for Rs 640 cr. Maersk Sealand to launch new weekly direct service to Far East & US West Coast ex-JNP Container Terminal - First call at Nhava Sheva (JNPCT) will be on March 4 Millers allowed to export 1.7 m tonnes sugar to China Bangladesh slashes duty on Indian rice India Luxembourg to expand ties in steel sector Exports of truck, bus tyres total 2 lakh in December Jute exports may register 47 pc rise Seafood exporters gearing up to face dumping charges levelled by US Australian curbs on Indian farm, marine products to go Exports to Australia register 19 pc growth during April-Oct. 2002 Spurt in iron ore traffic at Haldia, KoPT on rising Chinese demand New record in coal discharge at Chennai Port Need to coordinate supply chain logistics stressed Exporters told to invoice in appreciating euro CII puts GDP growth at 5.4 pc WTO urged to provide greater market access to non-farm sector Govt increases export prices of rice by Rs 50-100 a tonne Seminar on Taiwan International Machine Tool Show on Feb. 21

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
European PMs votes for exemption of pilotage from Port Directive Iraqi mass-destruction weapons sent to sea on bulk carriers? Concordia loss EUR 15.3 million

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
EC trust busters swoop on tanker owners Inspectors have made surprise visits to offices in "several" countries. Iraq hiding weapons at sea? A British daily says Iraq's WMD's are aboard three cargo ships in the Indian Ocean

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
President's budget holds $184 million for Corps' Portland District projects Lykes adds two new vessels as part of ship replacement program Transportation marketing group looking for 'Tranny Award' entries Union Pacific teams with CSX for rail/truck moves into Mexico Coast Guard cutter helps nab 5,775 pounds of pure cocaine

	web site

Caution over Iraq 'arms ships' GOVERNMENT sources on both sides of the Atlantic yesterday discounted reports that Iraqi weapons of mass destruction had been sent afloat to avoid detection by UN weapons inspectors and are presently on the high seas in a number of cargoships. Carnival shifts tonnage as P&I deadline looms A BATTLE royal is raging at the 11th hour in the 2003 protection and indemnity renewal round - although some big changes of portfolio have already been agreed. Legal wrangles blight Tricolor salvage PAYMENT procedures covering the cost of removing the sunken Tricolor were only agreed following an extraordinary series of ship arrests, Lloyd's List has learned. Brussels swoop on Norwegian tanker giants BRUSSELS swooped on an unspecified number of Norwegian chemical tanker companies yesterday in what could become a protract- ed price-fixing and cartel investigation.

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
Teekay in the money Charleston secures security grant Nomadic needs funding agreement Durban slot system a great success Bosporus problems halt tankers Caution over mystery ships UAE traders prepare for cost hikes Java hub port on the cards Daewoo equity up for grabs Tricolor to be cut up for scrap Three to appear in Prestige probe Hopes fade for Tor I seafarers Algerians seek port work solution SCI bidders worried by VL purchase Chennai seeks hub role NZ cat speed request rejected French builders in crisis talks Danish cargo ship sinks in Med

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
Iraq may be hiding weapons at sea U.S. and British intelligence are tracking three cargo ships suspected of carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. EGL earnings surge The forwarders benefited from the diversion of Asian imports from ocean to air because of the West Coast port shutdown last fall. Long Beach traffic dips 3 percent Container volume dipped to 334,346 TEUs in January, primarily because of Maersk Sealand's shift last August to the nearby Port of Los Angeles. Lufthansa, British Airways hike fuel surcharge Profit increases for British ports operator UPS' Asia-Pacific president to retire Russia, Oil Cos. must find export compromise: Yukos Dragonair expands Euro cargo sales TradePoint merges with Trans-Euro U.S. developer buys Asian, French logistics centers Emery Forwarding opens HK facility TPG snares Volkswagen deal

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
No holiday hangover as charter market index recovers its buoyancy Post-Chinese New Year and the charter market is beginning to show signs of life with 189 ships fixed in January and the average length of fixtures gaining. Lines restructure services as Venezuelan trading collapses Exports from Venezuela are forecast to halve as a result of a sharp contraction in the economy and suffocating exchange rate controls imposed last month. FEFC responds to surcharge transparency challenge Rhine ports merger aimed at developing new business Australian produce outlook worsens Rapiscan smoothes transit of US boxes at Port Klang Bad debts scare prompts Puerto Cabello discounts EU Ports Package tightens transparency requirements

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
Stolt, Tokyo Marine, Odfjell, Jo Tankers in EC probe Chemical tanker owners' offices raided by European officials in price-fixing inquiry. St Lawrence Seaway sets new tolls Charges to go up next season, but hike is below inflation. Shipping body slams Canadian budget Industry body asks: would maritime industry get more money if ships could vote? RCL rebuffs war talk Cruise line admits being clobbered by triple-whammy of war, economy and illness but says business still solid. Grindrod cashes in on growth South African shipping group logs record returns and promises more to come. Azov Shipping hands over fleet to state Ten-year lease of bulkers and ro-ros from Ukraine's property fund comes to an end. MOL steps up the pace in Vietnam Ship agency Vijacont to be renamed MOL (Vietnam) Co to work exclusively for Japanese giant. Belships sells tanker stakes as losses grow Norwegian owner disposes of shares in two OBOs as it puts faith in dry bulk to turn around deficit. Nomadic swings back into the black Norwegian owner sees improved fortunes in reefer rates. Unnamed ships tracked over Iraqi weapons UK paper says intelligence forces are monitoring three cargoships. Reborn Seyang Shipping in the money Restructured South Korean bulker owner turns around losses in 2002. Awilco board split on buyout offer Members ask Anders Wilhelmsen group to reconsider but it refuses. Spanish officials to explain Prestige decisions Spain to investigate why damaged tanker was turned away from coast. Bumper year at ABP UK and US ports operator posts another huge profit, despite slight fall in volumes at 21 British terminals. Daewoo shares to be sold off State debt agency and bank to offload 69.6% yard stake to foreign investors. Kuok no longer Malaysia's top tycoon PCL owner slips to second on latest rich list, as shipping features strongly among financial elite. Higher cargo volumes lift Auckland New Zealand port sees interim EBIT and revenue up 8% as box numbers top 330,000-teu. Grupo TMM offers share sweetener Group entices more bondholders to extend repayment by giving them chance to buy depositary stock. PTP set to break even early Malaysian container port expects to be in profit twelve months ahead of schedule. Teekay raises $144m in fresh funds Aframax giant's sale of Premium Equity Participating Security Units proves popular with investors. Malaysian owners in boxship tie up MISC, MSC and PDZ ink MOU for regional liner service linking Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.

	web site
FEBRUARY 19, 2003
Weakley to Great Lake carriers: don't panic over down iron ore shipments Hanjin group names Cho Yang-Ho chairman WSC reviews U.S. Customs' advance cargo information "strawman" EC commissioner calls on industry to "restore confidence in shipping" Carriers switch Florida ports on U.S./West Coast South America service Listed arm of China Shipping expects higher profit Teekay raises $144 million in convertible securities Cosco takes delivery of new tanker Delmas raises Med/West Africa rates Menzies Aviation finishes upgrade of Sydney cargo terminal Cisco systems to help Deutsche Post implement IT systems U.S. Customs disburses $329 million in 2002 under byrd amendment Ryder partners with first industrial realty trust Tradepoint Systems merges with Trans-Euro U.K. ministry of Defense picks Savi tracking solution ABX opens operations in Mexico Sartomer implements Chemlogix transportation management system Long Beach container trade dips in January Shanghai Port/A.P. Moller venture handles first ship