BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Pipavav port set for major upgrade?
PLANNED upgrading of India's privately-run Pipavav Port, in which PSA Corporation holds a stake, could involve 11 billion rupee worth of investment to transform the predominantly bulk cargo facility into a modern container terminal, according to a senior port official.
Box volumes at S'pore's ports up 7.3%
SINGAPORE's ports enjoyed 7.3 per cent container throughput growth and 2 per cent total cargo growth in the first nine months of this year, figures released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore show.
Pact signed on tighter checks of US-bound cargo in EU ports
THE European Union agreed with the United States to tighten scans of US-bound containers at seaports to prevent weapons smuggling by terrorists.
Patrick Corp's annual profit up nearly 50%
AUSTRALIAN transport group Patrick Corp posted a near 50 per cent rise in annual profit yesterday due to a surge in shipping volumes through its ports and strong earnings from discount airline Virgin Blue.
AP Moeller chairman, 90, to retire next month
MAERSK Mc-Kinney Moeller, rated as Denmark's richest and second most powerful man after the prime minister, retires next month, aged 90, after almost 30 years at the helm of the country's biggest private enterprise, shipping and oil group AP Moeller-Maersk.

Air and Land Transport

Hong Kong, Australia fail to sign new air agreement
QANTAS Airways will have to postpone plans to carry passengers to Europe from Hong Kong, while Cathay Pacific Airways won't be able to fly between Sydney and the US, after aviation officials from Australia and Hong Kong failed to agree on a new air services agreement.
India opens its big cities to Asean airlines
Qantas discount unit to start ticket sales in Feb
Emirates plans A380 engine order
China Airlines may join SkyTeam
Airline bodies hit out at regulatory costs

web site

Shipping News

Pipavav port set for major upgrade?
PLANNED upgrading of India's privately-run Pipavav Port, in which PSA Corporation holds a stake, could involve 11 billion rupee worth of investment to transform the predominantly bulk cargo facility into a modern container terminal, according to a senior port official.
Box volumes at S'pore's ports up 7.3%
SINGAPORE's ports enjoyed 7.3 per cent container throughput growth and 2 per cent total cargo growth in the first nine months of this year, figures released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore show.
Pact signed on tighter checks of US-bound cargo in EU ports
THE European Union agreed with the United States to tighten scans of US-bound containers at seaports to prevent weapons smuggling by terrorists.
Patrick Corp's annual profit up nearly 50%
AUSTRALIAN transport group Patrick Corp posted a near 50 per cent rise in annual profit yesterday due to a surge in shipping volumes through its ports and strong earnings from discount airline Virgin Blue.
AP Moeller chairman, 90, to retire next month
MAERSK Mc-Kinney Moeller, rated as Denmark's richest and second most powerful man after the prime minister, retires next month, aged 90, after almost 30 years at the helm of the country's biggest private enterprise, shipping and oil group AP Moeller-Maersk.

Air and Land Transport

Hong Kong, Australia fail to sign new air agreement
QANTAS Airways will have to postpone plans to carry passengers to Europe from Hong Kong, while Cathay Pacific Airways won't be able to fly between Sydney and the US, after aviation officials from Australia and Hong Kong failed to agree on a new air services agreement.
India opens its big cities to Asean airlines
Qantas discount unit to start ticket sales in Feb
Emirates plans A380 engine order
China Airlines may join SkyTeam
Airline bodies hit out at regulatory costs

	web site

Joint venture aims at opening China's logistics map OOCL chief picks up top Long Beach award Maersk McKinney to quit AP Moller P&O Ferries proposing cutbacks HMM opts for Shanghai as Chinese HQ New technology boost for west Australia border security Swiss cuts loss by half in third quarter Mercury set to seal cash lifeline deal with Allied Lufthansa Cargo launches price and customer campaign Austrian makes LMG the French connection

	web site

TICC making steady progress in Ahmedabad - Stuffs 3 own hub boxes at ICD-Sabarmati Exports of herbal products may touch Rs 3,000 cr. by 2005 IMC, Turkish team sign MoU to promote trade ties Indo-US trade ties improves steadily Port Pipavav plans to develop modern container terminal Chennai Port Trust wins coveted ISO 9001:2000 certification Chennai Port sets new single-day record in iron ore handling HPCL planning to set up SBM facility at Visakhapatnam Port JNPT opens bulk gate for movement of boxes to Mulund CFS 3 technical bids received for 10 duty-free shops at airports Forex reserves cross $ 93 billion Self-certification scheme for duty drawback extended to garment units Centre may reduce import duty on capital goods to 15 pc next fiscal 'Focus Africa' programme a boon for exporters Govt simplifies I-T refund procedures Primary steel makers considering dual pricing in domestic market IFFCO Kandla gets FAI award for 2002-03 Fieo holds talks with Sudan trade team R. R. Sud elected DCCAA chief DHL-CIAe awards presented to top apparel exporters

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Houston prices start to slip back Oil falls as US crude build overshadows product draws Although elements in the DOE and API reports are supportive, it is not enough to prevent a correction following yesterday's rather overdone rally on both crude and oil products. We take a more detailed look at the US stock data. Weekly report on key US oil inventory data Piraeus IFOs soften quietly - for the time being Korean bunkers still suffering from domestic and export markets Chemoil confirms withdrawal from Istanbul bunker market Competition from Black Sea ports is a major factor behind Chemoil's decision to withdraw from Istanbul. "This growth raises a question whether Istanbul can sustain its demand in future years", the company said. The company also criticised the Turkish government for turning a blind eye to the use of single-hulled floating storage. New Saudi posted prices OPEC turns blind eye to soaring oil price, talk of new cuts Crude prices at 8-month high after surprise rally The rally seems to have taken most of the market by surprise, and was triggered to a large extent by hefty fund buying as selling interest after Monday's profit taking evaporated. Rotterdam firms with crude

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Swiss Board approves new structure Vote on Port Package in European Parliament could go either way Ethiopian with new flights to CDG DHL daily Germany/Turkey general cargo truck service from January APL Logistics posts third quarter 2003 earnings

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Stena ro-ro's reflagged to Sweden Russia refers to IMO on tanker safety Finnlines takes sold vessels on TC

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Bollinger delivers its 100th USCG vessel Production and relationship milestone Derecktor launches AMHS fast ferry M/V Fairweather starts trials

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Port of Everett issues SEPA paper on its harbor improvement plans Shanghai-based metals company signs vessel contract with Mitsui Crew of HORIZON DISCOVERY honored for rescue efforts Random security checks slated for U.S.-bound air cargo flights Con-Way Logistics inks deal with Eugene firm

	web site

US set to force 'smart' box plan on wary liner industry DESPITE liner industry misgivings, the Bush Administration's Department of Homeland Security is to push ahead with plans to force the introduction of new 'smart' containers into the US trades. Conferences are not price-fixing cartels say EU's 'five wise men' THE European Commission's review of liner shipping has taken a dramatic twist with a panel of experts challenging the popular perception that conferences are rate-setting cartels. High noon for knife-edge port services vote LOYOLA de Palacio has mounted a robust defence of her controversial port services directive, which faces a final cliffhanger vote at noon today in the European Parliament.

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
AP Møller awaits Rasmussen AP Møller-Maersk could embark on a new course under its new chairman Michael Pram Rasmussen, Fairplay has been told P&O Ferries takes on easyJet P&O Ferries says it will take on low-cost airline rivals with its new 'Light Night' package Turku workers walk out MORE than 1,300 workers at Kv'rner Masa-Yards' facility in Turku, Finland went on a half-day strike today in protest against job losses Have your say! DO you have experience of PSC corruption? Has the reputation of PSC been irretrievably tarnished? Or is Swift overstating the case? Have your say to letters@fairplay.co.uk Chemoil pulls out of Istanbul GLOBAL bunker supplier Chemoil is to close its operation in Istanbul despite being market leader in the Bosphorus for the first half of 2003 Top level calls for Prestige probe SPAIN'S national ombudsman has stepped up calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the Prestige disaster after new reports attacked Madrid's handling of the incident Minoan ferry limps home after blaze UK seafarers 'furious' over P&O axe Kremlin tightens grip on oil exports German master fined for spill China's fuel needs to soar Navy vessel mistaken for terror ship Han Sung rumoured to be bankrupt

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
U.S. wants upgraded box security But ocean carriers take wait-and-see stance on Washington's offer of expedited clearance for anti-terror 'smart boxes.' Lufthansa cuts Germany rates World's largest airfreight carrier looking to regain market share. Bilateral pacts to aid FTAA: Zoellick The United States' top trade official defended Washington's pursuit of individual deals even as representatives meet to discuss the encompassing Free Trade Area of the Americas. Port of NY/NJ gets dredging funds China move won't disrupt apparel imports Support for security nominee Loy Security is government responsibility, says IATA chief Cops bust Frankfurt air-cargo theft ring Yellow selling notes to finance Roadway deal Injunction bars Israel transport shutdown Air-cargo portal adds Australia market Taiwan airline resumes Delhi service At TransComp: Shippers expect transport costs to rise

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Ports directive: third-largest party grouping confirms its vote A day before the Ports Directive vote, the third-largest party grouping has finally confirmed its support, while the rapporteur on the dossier warned of the consequences of a 'no' vote. Hansung Shipping bankrupt Hansung Shipping announced bankruptcy yesterday, and Choi Pung Nam - president and CEO - is believed to have fled. US food importers reassured over FDA rules Rotterdam plans to forge barge terminals network Top Chilean port volumes rise 24% to 397,752TEU Top tier of charter ships riding high Dubai Port Authority wins Constantza terminal contract Peru to invest US$30million in ports Heller at the tiller of EWS Railway Department of Homeland Security seeking security innovations NWA phase out PSV service

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
P&O man gets the nod at Carnival Arkinstall wins new maritime affairs role at merged group. Shareholders green light Alstom plan Cornered investors agree to bailout proposal despite its heavy dilution. RCL completes bond offering Cruise line wins coupon of 6.875%. Houston shipyard picked up for Pemex contract Lonestar Marine to take on closed First Wave facility in Harborside. Karahasan sailors finally go home Turkish crewmen hone ping-pong skills during six-month confinement. Attica doubles profit Strintzis Lines stakeholding helps boost returns for Greek ferry owner. Japan holds 65 ships in October Big names like NYK, Evergreen and China Shipping crop up on detention list. Finnlines sells and charters in five Ro-ro owner boss Antti Lagerroos off sick for rest of year. K Line moves into Italy and Belgium Japanese giant setting up joint venture agencies to widen base in Europe. Passengers evacuated after fire on Minoan ferry Crew extinguishes blaze on truck before Knossos Palace docks in Heraklion. EMTA pushes up Cyprus rates again Container lines to raise cost of shipping from northern Europe next January. Big field assembles for Estonian ferry tender Race for state-subsidised Baltic islands service attracts 15 interested parties. Family wages war for control of Hyundai Founder's brother and daughter in-law (left) lock horns in ownership battle for once great chaebol. Halim Mazmin profit slides Malaysian owner reports lower returns but is confident on year-end figures holding up. Shreyas profits shredded Higher costs hit Indian owner's result in first six months of 2003. Shipping disappoints at Patrick Australian operator says Tasmania service hit by market over-capacity. Profits jump at Chuan Hup Offshore vessel operating unit spin-off boosts bottom line at Singapore shipbuilder and owner. Austal inks mini cruise ship Aussie fast ferry specialist to build "live-aboard adventure vessel" for domestic operator. Dickinson calls it a day at USMR Efficiency focussed ship repair executive retires from United States Marine Repair.

	web site
NOVEMBER 19, 2003
Asia/southern Africa carriers raise rates "K" Line sets up another two agencies in Europe APL's average rates declined slightly in October Inchcape names Boaz VP of U.S. Gulf sales TSA air cargo security plan includes inspecting foreign planes Lufthansa Cargo launches pricing strategy in German market Intermodal, LTL providers poised for pick up in business Yellow-Roadway deal clears another hurdle RailAmerica names Conklin COO U.S., EU agree to cooperate on container security, customs CITA reinstates quotas on 3 China textile categories Congress holds hearings on financing of U.S. ports' infrastructure Charleston plans new box terminal