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Shipping News

EC takes action on new ship safety laws
THE European Commission will begin infringement action against 12 of its 15 member states for failing to adopt new ship safety legislation, created in the wake of the Erika disaster.
RCL full-year profit rises 39%, depressed by weak US dollar
BOOSTED by a pick-up in the global and regional economies, Thai-listed Regional Container Lines enjoyed record liftings for 2003, but ultimately saw a 39 per cent rise in net profit, reversed by strengthening regional currencies against the US dollar.
Samudera's profit plunges 32% on higher costs
SINGAPORE-listed regional carrier Samudera Shipping's FY2003 net profit fell 32 per cent, hit by skyrocketing charter rates and higher costs that offset rate restorations.
S'pore-flagged tanker blast: hope of finding survivors dims
RESCUERS hold out little hope of finding any more survivors of the Singapore-flagged tanker Bow Mariner that exploded and sank off the US coast Saturday evening, leaving three confirmed dead and 18 missing from a crew of 27.

Air and Land Transport

US plans to put inspectors at foreign airports
THE US Homeland Security Department is planning to station American inspectors in foreign airports to screen passengers, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.
Alitalia may scale back planned job cuts
Air China takes 20% stake in Shandong Airlines
HK airport to manage China's Zhuhai airport: report
Exel's net income in 2003 falls 12%
Cars to aero engines - a century of innovation

Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board
Maritime training company Videotel Marine International has appointed Bill O'Neil, former general secretary of the International Maritime Organisation , as its new president.

web site

Shipping News

EC takes action on new ship safety laws
THE European Commission will begin infringement action against 12 of its 15 member states for failing to adopt new ship safety legislation, created in the wake of the Erika disaster.
RCL full-year profit rises 39%, depressed by weak US dollar
BOOSTED by a pick-up in the global and regional economies, Thai-listed Regional Container Lines enjoyed record liftings for 2003, but ultimately saw a 39 per cent rise in net profit, reversed by strengthening regional currencies against the US dollar.
Samudera's profit plunges 32% on higher costs
SINGAPORE-listed regional carrier Samudera Shipping's FY2003 net profit fell 32 per cent, hit by skyrocketing charter rates and higher costs that offset rate restorations.
S'pore-flagged tanker blast: hope of finding survivors dims
RESCUERS hold out little hope of finding any more survivors of the Singapore-flagged tanker Bow Mariner that exploded and sank off the US coast Saturday evening, leaving three confirmed dead and 18 missing from a crew of 27.

Air and Land Transport

US plans to put inspectors at foreign airports
THE US Homeland Security Department is planning to station American inspectors in foreign airports to screen passengers, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.
Alitalia may scale back planned job cuts
Air China takes 20% stake in Shandong Airlines
HK airport to manage China's Zhuhai airport: report
Exel's net income in 2003 falls 12%
Cars to aero engines - a century of innovation

Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board
Maritime training company Videotel Marine International has appointed Bill O'Neil, former general secretary of the International Maritime Organisation , as its new president.

web site

Shipping News

EC takes action on new ship safety laws
THE European Commission will begin infringement action against 12 of its 15 member states for failing to adopt new ship safety legislation, created in the wake of the Erika disaster.
RCL full-year profit rises 39%, depressed by weak US dollar
BOOSTED by a pick-up in the global and regional economies, Thai-listed Regional Container Lines enjoyed record liftings for 2003, but ultimately saw a 39 per cent rise in net profit, reversed by strengthening regional currencies against the US dollar.
Samudera's profit plunges 32% on higher costs
SINGAPORE-listed regional carrier Samudera Shipping's FY2003 net profit fell 32 per cent, hit by skyrocketing charter rates and higher costs that offset rate restorations.
S'pore-flagged tanker blast: hope of finding survivors dims
RESCUERS hold out little hope of finding any more survivors of the Singapore-flagged tanker Bow Mariner that exploded and sank off the US coast Saturday evening, leaving three confirmed dead and 18 missing from a crew of 27.

Air and Land Transport

US plans to put inspectors at foreign airports
THE US Homeland Security Department is planning to station American inspectors in foreign airports to screen passengers, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.
Alitalia may scale back planned job cuts
Air China takes 20% stake in Shandong Airlines
HK airport to manage China's Zhuhai airport: report
Exel's net income in 2003 falls 12%
Cars to aero engines - a century of innovation

Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board
Maritime training company Videotel Marine International has appointed Bill O'Neil, former general secretary of the International Maritime Organisation , as its new president.

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Calls for HK to promote economic development of PRD AADA to increase rates starting April Cosco unit lists on Singapore Exchange Traffic moves sea freight work to Rotterdam from Moerdijk Hellmann appoints new branch manager DHL offer Shanghai TDD Malaysia Airlines, Pemco sign aircraft-conversion deal James Packer joins Qantas board as non-executive director Singapore Airlines seeks health care from Boeing

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MARCH 1, 2004
Iraq starts oil exports through second oil port Frustrated with limited export capacity due to repeated sabotage on its northern pipeline, Iraq has been keen to boost crude oil exports by other means. Singapore: SPC to buy BP refinery stake Singapore Petroleum Company announced today that it has entered a conditional agreement with BP Singapore to buy BP's one-third stake in Singapore Refining Company Pte. Ltd. Sources in the market were not able to comment conclusively on how today's announcement may impact SPC's and BP's bunker sales in Singapore. Gibraltar markets continues bullish Middle Eastern input could make mega bunker port reality Reports today from Malaysia said that the construction of a purpose-built bunkering zone in the port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor was closer to becoming a reality. Vancouver study reveals high costs of ship pollution New study on proliferation of sulphur emissions from ships causes stir in Canadian press Rotterdam firmer following crude gains

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MARCH 1, 2004
Odessa 210: Two oceans, seven seas and four gulfs Inconso wins logistics contract from Tchibo U.S. Customs suspends roll out of new shipper definition Pagnan starts warehousing at Mantova riverport Union Pacific runs trains on BNSF Track Polar Air sets sights on Asia Norasia with new 8 day Hamburg/New York container service TNT Logistics: New marketing Manager for Germany

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MARCH 1, 2004
Graig to extend size range of ships built in Vietnam The U.K., based Graig Group is to developing series production of a range of bulkers at Vinashin yards Icebreaker maintenance work for Todd Pacific USG's Polar Star and Polar Sea U.S. and EU ink marine equipment agreement Should cut out unnecessary testing Question marks over Kvaerner Philadelphia It won't be part of proposed new Aker Yards Tank cleaning suspect in chemical tanker explosion Vessel carried MTBE prior to ethanol cargo New Orleans avails restricted to 'two or three' suppliers The knock-on effect of last week's backlog of vessels waiting to enter New Orleans from the US Gulf continued to impede upon normal bunker activity today, players in the region said.

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MARCH 1, 2004
Port of Portland sets record for one month auto imports Maritime park envisioned for Lake Union in Seattle Coast Guard rescues man following six hours in ocean Washington governor inspects Port Angeles Harbor clean-up First Ship Leasing charters out pair of vessels

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Hopes fade for survivors as Bow Mariner sinks HOPES of finding any survivors from the chemical parcel tanker Bow Mariner , which exploded and sank on Saturday off the US coast, have faded, and the US Coast Guard stood down its rescue services yesterday. Coast guard finds Superferry 14 blaze is unlikely to be act of terrorism AN INITIAL report from the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday cast doubt on terrorist group Abu Sayyaf's claim that it had bombed and gutted the Superferry 14. Aker Kvaerner plans three-way split to boost earnings and manage its debts AKER Kvaerner confirmed yesterday plans to split into three, separating shipbuilding from oil and gas and construction and leaving "non-core" activities to a new holding company.

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MARCH 1, 2004
Indian breakers plead for state help ALANG, one of the world's major shipbreaking sites, is facing a bleak future as a result of the Indian government's decision last week to cut in duty for steel imports to 15% BHP Billiton signs major ore deal MINING giant BHP Billiton has reached a deal with Chinese steel mills to sell a massive 12M tonnes of Australian iron ore a year over the next 25 years Dutch look to the Caribbean again HOLLAND Maas Shipping is the second Dutch line in as many weeks to start a service to the Caribbean Golar sets sights on profits GOLAR LNG, the London based LNG carrier, has reported a 46% rise in profits last year, and the board says it forecasts a further increase this year P&O Ferries and Stena try again P&O Ferries and Stena Line have come to a £50M ($93.5M) arrangement that will see the transfer of the Fleetwood-Larne freight route together with five ships Irish Ferries dispute deadline set A DEADLINE of 11 March has been set for reaching an agreement over manning levels on Irish Ferries Asians seek Karachi Eight release Boxship charters begin to stabilise Market unimpressed by Frontline Superferry: 186 reported missing Aker Kværner split details revealed Superferry: terrorist claim denied Lloyd Werft suppliers go under Royal Olympic declared insolvent SNCM paralysed by Corsican strike HK laws to be 'user friendly'

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MARCH 1, 2004
Terminals set wireless ID for trucks Under pressure from increasing box volumes and new anti-pollution laws, operators look to radio frequency identification tags to track every truck calling at West Coast marine terminals. Senate may drop foreign sales tax breaks EU sanctions hit U.S. exports U.S. profit in '05, says Deutsche Post chief Hong Kong, Shenzhen set logistics upgrades Hamburg Süd, Maersk in N. Europe-Turkey service UPS denies bid to cut Airbus order Union Pacific won't meet 1Q estimate Second-half boosts Exel results CaroTrans adds South Africa service Norfolk Southern expands bulk network

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MARCH 1, 2004
Berlin reinstates Toll Collect after consortium agrees compensation The German government has made a surprise decision to reinstate the Toll Collect consortium's contract for the truck-toll, which will finally start, as planned, at the beginning of 2005. Huge breakbulk contract returns to containers Australian minerals and metals producer Pasminco (soon to be renamed Zinifex) is switching a large proportion of its half-million tonnes-per-year output from breakbulk back to containers. Port of Houston delays Bayport construction All change in the Med for partnerships Seaways Shipping ties up with Rethmann Group New services drive Tauranga growth Industry celebrates DHS successes on its first anniversary Coscon charters five Costamare boxships

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MARCH 1, 2004
'We did everything in our power...' Coast Guard calls off Bow Mariner search with 18 missing, presumed dead. Todd snares Coast Guard work Seattle-based yard could reap $50m under maintenance contract. OMI breaks the ice US owner takes first products newbuilding in Hyundai Mipo series. Chavez threats rattle US crude market Cutoff in Venezuelan supply might not end happily for tanker owners. Bow Mariner spill clean-up begins Aircraft searches location of Odfjell ship sinking but outlook for lost crew now hopeless. Suezmax grounds in Suez Canal Laden Angelicoussis newbuilding is damaged on maiden voyage but no spill. Dented Pride docks in Charleston Storm-hit Maersk boxship finally allowed into port after chemical leak. Suez Canal traffic up More tankers, more revenue for waterway. Higher costs hit Nenaco Philippine ferry owner posts 18% drop in 2003 profit. Hamburg Sud and Maersk link in Med German and Danish container lines join forces to cut costs on Turkey service. Frontline milks mammoth profit John Fredriksen's tanker leviathan posts record earnings for 2003. Maersk expands Hyundai boxships Danish giant raises capacity on orders to post-panamax. Losses grow at PDZ Malaysian boxship operator in the red as it eyes domestic acquisition. Washington Marine gambles on casino ships BC Ferries' former PacifiCat vessels could gain fresh lease of life with refit and sale. Korean yards restate profits Hyundai Heavy and Mipo cut last year's results. Green Reefers in rights issue Bergen reefer owner to raise $5m for fleet and terminal expansion. Splitska cargoship grounds in Adriatic New addition to Croatian owner's fleet hits sand off Cape Loviste. Taxing time for Algoma Corporation tax charge hits Canadian bulker and tanker owner in 2003. Shipyards drag Aker Kvaerner down Slump at industrial group after big Philadelphia loss.

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MARCH 1, 2004
Chemical tanker explodes off Virginia's coast Europe/South America West Coast rate increase confirmed Maersk Sealand, Hamburg Sud cooperate between North Europe/Turkey Frontline nets $443 million for 2003 International Paper inks long-term shipping deal with NYK CMA CGM introduces Europe/Caribbean ship Environmental report for obsolete U.S.-flag ships for scrapping Senate gives highway projects temporary reprieve New highway expected to support more Sino-Soviet trade Canadian National, labor group agree on contract Exel's profit down 12% White House lifts some sanctions on Libya Houston halts Bayport construction pending court ruling FMC posts notice of discrimination complaint NASSCO announces senior management promotions

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MARCH 1, 2004
Record Frontline profits Frontline's net income hit a record high of USD 443.1 million (EUR 356.8 million) last year against a loss of ... 65 still missing after ferry fire - possible terrorist act 65 persons are still reported missing after the fire on "Superferry 14" which caught fire two hours after departure from ... Substantial losses at Aker Kvaerner Aker Kvaerner posted a loss of NOK 998.0 million (EUR 114.2 million) in 2003 against a profit of NOK 877.0 ...