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Shipping News

UBS cuts container demand forecasts
INVESTMENT bank UBS has cut its container demand forecasts for the remainder of this year and 2004 due to the Sars-induced slowdown, but is confident that rate restoration will continue despite rising capacity on key trades as the summer peak season approaches.
Austal Ships seals multihull ferry deal
IN a signi-ficant coup for Australian shipbuilding, Western Australia's Austal Ships has won a contract to build the world's largest high-speed, multihull ferry for European operator Fred.
Greek coast guard probing ship laden with explosives
THE Greek coast guard yesterday questioned the crew of a ship carrying 680 metric tonnes of explosive material to determine any possible terrorist or criminal link.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ vulnerable to takeover if alliance rejected
AIR New Zealand Ltd said it will be vulnerable to takeover if regulators block a proposed alliance with Qantas Airways Ltd because the country isn't big enough to support three airlines.
Kenya breaks air links with Somalia
BA rejects Virgin's 5b offer for Concorde jets
Baghdad airport to reopen to commercial airlines soon
Batavia Air to fly Pontianak, Kuching route
China Air sales drop by NT$4.2b

Features

Swiss Int'l may reduce fleet, cut jobs on falling demand
SWISS International Air Lines Ltd, the national carrier, may become the latest European airline to ground planes as losses mount and passenger numbers decline.

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Shipping News

UBS cuts container demand forecasts
INVESTMENT bank UBS has cut its container demand forecasts for the remainder of this year and 2004 due to the Sars-induced slowdown, but is confident that rate restoration will continue despite rising capacity on key trades as the summer peak season approaches.
Austal Ships seals multihull ferry deal
IN a signi-ficant coup for Australian shipbuilding, Western Australia's Austal Ships has won a contract to build the world's largest high-speed, multihull ferry for European operator Fred.
Greek coast guard probing ship laden with explosives
THE Greek coast guard yesterday questioned the crew of a ship carrying 680 metric tonnes of explosive material to determine any possible terrorist or criminal link.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ vulnerable to takeover if alliance rejected
AIR New Zealand Ltd said it will be vulnerable to takeover if regulators block a proposed alliance with Qantas Airways Ltd because the country isn't big enough to support three airlines.
Kenya breaks air links with Somalia
BA rejects Virgin's 5b offer for Concorde jets
Baghdad airport to reopen to commercial airlines soon
Batavia Air to fly Pontianak, Kuching route
China Air sales drop by NT$4.2b

Features

Swiss Int'l may reduce fleet, cut jobs on falling demand
SWISS International Air Lines Ltd, the national carrier, may become the latest European airline to ground planes as losses mount and passenger numbers decline.

web site

Shipping News

UBS cuts container demand forecasts
INVESTMENT bank UBS has cut its container demand forecasts for the remainder of this year and 2004 due to the Sars-induced slowdown, but is confident that rate restoration will continue despite rising capacity on key trades as the summer peak season approaches.
Austal Ships seals multihull ferry deal
IN a signi-ficant coup for Australian shipbuilding, Western Australia's Austal Ships has won a contract to build the world's largest high-speed, multihull ferry for European operator Fred.
Greek coast guard probing ship laden with explosives
THE Greek coast guard yesterday questioned the crew of a ship carrying 680 metric tonnes of explosive material to determine any possible terrorist or criminal link.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ vulnerable to takeover if alliance rejected
AIR New Zealand Ltd said it will be vulnerable to takeover if regulators block a proposed alliance with Qantas Airways Ltd because the country isn't big enough to support three airlines.
Kenya breaks air links with Somalia
BA rejects Virgin's 5b offer for Concorde jets
Baghdad airport to reopen to commercial airlines soon
Batavia Air to fly Pontianak, Kuching route
China Air sales drop by NT$4.2b

Features

Swiss Int'l may reduce fleet, cut jobs on falling demand
SWISS International Air Lines Ltd, the national carrier, may become the latest European airline to ground planes as losses mount and passenger numbers decline.

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Fourth road link from HK to Shenzhen on the way K Line to give Europe a Kess Homy lays out welcome mat for new companies to Qingdao Management changes at Horizon Lines Puget Sound ports receive security funding EC to set up panel to scrutinise transport accidents Aeroterm to build cargo centre at S California airport Frontier Airlines to shut El Paso maitenance facility Astar Air Cargo welcomes Blanchard, Godly aboard

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ONGC plans to enter shipping sector - May buy fleet of VLCCs, Suezmax tankers Anti-dumping duty on strontium carbonate from China withdrawn Textile industry now has competitive edge in global market India, Thailand may sign free trade pact soon Talks to cement economic ties with Singapore to take place next month LCSs for petro goods exports to Nepal specified US-Asia Panama Canal route to witness trade boost - 7 USEC ports may sign MoU with ACP by end-July Air freight cargo at Kolkata grounded on commission row CONCOR-CCTL pact raises a few questions - By S. R. L. Narasimhan Sanjeeb Halder assumes charge as new CGM, Concor (SR) Forex reserves up by $ 343 million Finance Ministry circular clarifies on IT services liable to 8 pc tax 7 road corridors to be multi-laned in 2003-04 Forex reserves touch $ 82.421 billion DTA units get forex facility for SEZs purchases too Kochi SEZ may generate Rs 1,200 cr. forex, says KITCO report Indian cos keen on setting up manufacturing base in China: CII survey Jaitley pleads for flexibility in WTO agri policy CII, Nasscom launch website to facilitate Indo-Chinese trade Simplify rules to step up share in international trade: CII Ficci feels India should not rush into reconstruction of Iraq WTO sets up Consultative Board Role of certification in boosting exports & product image stressed

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JUNE 23, 2003
Crude prices falter as bulls grow tired Bears and bulls are struggling to accurately peg market fundamentals at present, with the latest evidence ruling mostly in the favour of bears. However, many factors indicate that the bulls will have a stronger case soon, unless their platform of low inventory levels is eroded by high supply in the coming weeks. Singapore rises on bullish cargo and high demand Steady St Petersburg defies Northern European trend New IMO Secretary-General elected Demand slack in firm Klaipeda Great Belt on the rise Rotterdam firms with crude this morning Crude remains firm after Iraqi pipeline blasts Iraq has had another 2 pipeline explosions since Friday, reminding the market of just how vulnerable Iraq's oil infrastructure is. Furthermore, Iraqi output targets have been cut again. Shipping industry welcomes IACS common structural rules

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JUNE 23, 2003
New vice president Commercial for Barwil Regional Centre Asia & Oceania Record container throughput at Portland in May 2003 Boeing publishes 2003 market outlook Dutch Railion posts EUR 164 million sales for last year TBS becomes first ocean carrier to join IFLN

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JUNE 23, 2003
Greenpeace expelled from IMO Tschudi & Eitzen to split Yukos into Ventspils terminal

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JUNE 23, 2003
Shipyard for Olympia? Would-be containership operator Santa Maria has plans for a shipyard in Olympia, Washington

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JUNE 23, 2003
Cargo handling team releases e-seal findings Washington governor believes state will gain Boeing 7E7 work New process at Portland Airport draws a benefit from waste paint Coast Guard command changes hands in Seattle TMM adds final vessel to Mexico/Asia service

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Greek forces raid explosives ship after tip-off from Nato A cargoship carrying 680 tonnes of explosives was raided by Greek special forces late on Sunday. Greenpeace wins stay of execution from IMO A SEEMINGLY cut and dried decision by the International Maritime Organisation Council to bar Greenpeace from future meetings at the UN agency was back up in the air yesterday, as IMO's secretariat said the matter would be left up to November's general assembly. MacAndrews seeks Epic future MACANDREWS, the regional container line acquired by CMA CGM last year, is to expand coverage to the Middle East and Indian subcontinent by joining the Epic consortium. Exmar quashes merger speculation EXMAR quashed speculation of a merger with Norwegian group Golar LNG after its share price jumped 29% on the first day of trading yesterday. AP Møller dismisses P&O Nedlloyd takeover talk INDUSTRY talk that AP Møller has sought guidance from the European Commission's antitrust regulators about a possible takeover of P&O Nedlloyd were dismissed yesterday by the Danish congomerate, writes Janet Porter.

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JUNE 23, 2003
Seized explosives intended for Sudan Box rates storming ahead UK union seeks naval escorts Efxinos hearing tomorrow Greenpeace faces IMO eviction Senate to approve FMC chief EU's post-Prestige moves criticised Procedures issued for Umm Qasr Stockholm says no to tonnage tax Korea, Japan oppose stability code Tschudi & Eitzen split their assets Tricolor dismantling to start soon Channel ferry operator disappoints Iraqi crude lifted from Ceyhan Fire hits operations at Umm Qasr Courageous officers charged Explosives ship seized off Greece Prestige section 'must be analysed' China collision toll rises to 53 NCL given 90 days to clean up

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JUNE 23, 2003
Hutchinson: Trade not overlooked The Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security gave assurances - but no promises - during a meeting with members of the Customs Operations Advisory Committee. EU warns Belgium to drop noise law The European Union has warned Brussels to drop planned aircraft noise regulations that will prevent U.S.-owned cargo jets from landing at its airports or flying in its airspace. Judge orders depositions in DHL case FedEx Freight announces rate increases Rates for westbound India shipments increase again DOT reviews electronic seals Cargo 2000 courts ground-handlers Alitalia Cargo, Micron sign deal Inttra inks GMC NWA Cargo selects Canada sales agents Stonepath acquires government logistics provider BDP opens Dubai center UPS, eBay extend relationship

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JUNE 23, 2003
Industrial action strangles Itajai port operations Nearly 4,500 containers are waiting to be loaded onto ships at Itajai Container Terminal (Teconvi) where dockers have been taking industrial action since Friday. Lower THC aimed at attracting cargo to Mundra P&O Ports the international port developer is offering lower terminal handling charges (THC's) and attractive rail haulage charges at its new facility at Mundra. Busan volumes show strike's impact, amid strong S.Korean transhipment growth Mixed results for e-seals reported in technology tests Brazil approves US$600m Santos upgrade Navy officers accused of negligence in ANL Indonesia case PONL: European gateway is 'first step' in inland network October is deadline for completion of SCI divestment US Coast Guard, IMO create security officer training POP denies Indonesian exit

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JUNE 23, 2003
Hyman tells OSG staff it's time to go Dean of tanker execs to leave after 40 years. ITF weighs into Baltic Sky debate Welcome to the 'dirty world' of FOCs, says the union. Rosneft may join Murmansk project State oil company to position storage tanker in port later this year. Golar and Exmar play down merger chat Nicolas Saverys and Tor Olav Troim speak about reports. Greenpeace to fight for IMO status Group to lobby member states as stunts go on in New Zealand and Italy. Horizon appoints new COO Exec will be in charge of all-important labour and fleet renewal issues. New chairman for Joint Hull William Beveridge to head London marine underwriters organisation. CS&E snags government grant Canadian yard to be positioned as 'supplier of choice'. Spot market to determine LNG shipping profit Market report from DVB Nedship Bank says 50 more ships required before 2010. Major refit for Jubilee Carnival to refurbish aging cruiseship for Australian market. Norway death toll rises Boiler explosion on 41-year old cruiseship claims life of eighth crew member. Exmar talks LNG merger with Golar Nicolas Saverys says valuations on companies could hamper deal. P&O Nedlloyd chooses Duisburg Containerline opts for intermodal terminal on site of former Krupp steel mill. Greece probes explosives ship Terrorism fears grow over elderly general cargo ship with 680 tonnes of TNT on board. Royal Olympic loss climbs Newbuilding start-up costs cruise line dear. K Line accelerates into short sea car sector Japanese giant set to kick off operations next month with Bremen-based company. Greenpeace wins IMO reprieve Environmental group claims secretary-general intervened over expulsion. Samudera inks tanker tiddler Indonesian owner better known for its boxship activities is expanding its tanker operation.

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JUNE 23, 2003
OECD maritime body to assess shipping security costs, risks IMO expels Greenpeace Large quantity of explosives seized on ship in Mediterranean Safmarine orders two vessels from A.P. Moller shipyard U.S./Caribbean grouping lowers bunker charges Dragonair posts freight growth in May CN names Joel VP, logistics solutions UP cleans up rail freight accident Swedish P&I club adopts regional organization Cook Composites pays $6,000 to settle U.S. antiboycott allegations USDA eases regulations for Australia, New Zealand poultry imports USDA, FDA focus on beef shipments to Japan, Korea Ex-Im Bank ready to support U.S. exports to Iraq WTO panel sides with U.S. in textile origin rule dispute P&O Nedlloyd sets up inland hub on Rhine