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Shipping News

Scrapping in full steam ahead of new hull rule
SHIPOWNERS are scrapping oil tankers at a faster pace than last year to comply with a United Nations ban on older vessels with single hulls, supplying steel plate for Asia's construction boom.
S'pore ports record strong growth in volumes
THE Port of Singapore enjoyed strong first quarter growth in cargo throughput and bunker sales, the latest statistics released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reveal.
Pirates attack tanker at Indon anchorage
FOUR armed pirates attacked a tanker at an Indonesian anchorage last month, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
US Navy threatens to fire on vessels breaching Iraqi terminal buffer zone
THE US Navy said it may start firing on vessels that enter a buffer zone around Iraq's oil terminals without identifying themselves, after suicide attacks last month slightly damaged one site and killed three sailors.
Mitsui, NOL win rate increases
MITSUI OSK Lines and Neptune Orient Lines, two of Asia's largest shipping companies, said they have negotiated increased freight rates for carrying cargo on transpacific routes, which will help them to fulfil profit targets this year.
Expected bad weather dims hopes of saving ship off South Africa
SALVORS are scrambling to remove 1,900 tons of fuel from a stricken bulk carrier off South Africa's west coast as approaching foul weather dims hopes of saving the 270 metre ship.

Air and Land Transport

Alitalia totters on the brink of collapse
FOUNDERING Italian state airline Alitalia is now locked in a life-or-death struggle to stay aloft, its bid to escape bankruptcy dependent on a labour-management accord on a restructuring plan.
EasyJet results and high oil price depress airline stocks
Budget airlines sue EU over compensation law
Boeing lobbying Chinese airlines for Dreamliner purchases
Call to review oversight of US regional airlines
US test programme screens rail passengers for explosives

Newbuilds

Container ship owners cranking up capacity
YET again, owners have been opening their wallets in a big way over the past couple of weeks.

web site

Shipping News

Scrapping in full steam ahead of new hull rule
SHIPOWNERS are scrapping oil tankers at a faster pace than last year to comply with a United Nations ban on older vessels with single hulls, supplying steel plate for Asia's construction boom.
S'pore ports record strong growth in volumes
THE Port of Singapore enjoyed strong first quarter growth in cargo throughput and bunker sales, the latest statistics released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reveal.
Pirates attack tanker at Indon anchorage
FOUR armed pirates attacked a tanker at an Indonesian anchorage last month, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
US Navy threatens to fire on vessels breaching Iraqi terminal buffer zone
THE US Navy said it may start firing on vessels that enter a buffer zone around Iraq's oil terminals without identifying themselves, after suicide attacks last month slightly damaged one site and killed three sailors.
Mitsui, NOL win rate increases
MITSUI OSK Lines and Neptune Orient Lines, two of Asia's largest shipping companies, said they have negotiated increased freight rates for carrying cargo on transpacific routes, which will help them to fulfil profit targets this year.
Expected bad weather dims hopes of saving ship off South Africa
SALVORS are scrambling to remove 1,900 tons of fuel from a stricken bulk carrier off South Africa's west coast as approaching foul weather dims hopes of saving the 270 metre ship.

Air and Land Transport

Alitalia totters on the brink of collapse
FOUNDERING Italian state airline Alitalia is now locked in a life-or-death struggle to stay aloft, its bid to escape bankruptcy dependent on a labour-management accord on a restructuring plan.
EasyJet results and high oil price depress airline stocks
Budget airlines sue EU over compensation law
Boeing lobbying Chinese airlines for Dreamliner purchases
Call to review oversight of US regional airlines
US test programme screens rail passengers for explosives

Newbuilds

Container ship owners cranking up capacity
YET again, owners have been opening their wallets in a big way over the past couple of weeks.

web site

Shipping News

Scrapping in full steam ahead of new hull rule
SHIPOWNERS are scrapping oil tankers at a faster pace than last year to comply with a United Nations ban on older vessels with single hulls, supplying steel plate for Asia's construction boom.
S'pore ports record strong growth in volumes
THE Port of Singapore enjoyed strong first quarter growth in cargo throughput and bunker sales, the latest statistics released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reveal.
Pirates attack tanker at Indon anchorage
FOUR armed pirates attacked a tanker at an Indonesian anchorage last month, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
US Navy threatens to fire on vessels breaching Iraqi terminal buffer zone
THE US Navy said it may start firing on vessels that enter a buffer zone around Iraq's oil terminals without identifying themselves, after suicide attacks last month slightly damaged one site and killed three sailors.
Mitsui, NOL win rate increases
MITSUI OSK Lines and Neptune Orient Lines, two of Asia's largest shipping companies, said they have negotiated increased freight rates for carrying cargo on transpacific routes, which will help them to fulfil profit targets this year.
Expected bad weather dims hopes of saving ship off South Africa
SALVORS are scrambling to remove 1,900 tons of fuel from a stricken bulk carrier off South Africa's west coast as approaching foul weather dims hopes of saving the 270 metre ship.

Air and Land Transport

Alitalia totters on the brink of collapse
FOUNDERING Italian state airline Alitalia is now locked in a life-or-death struggle to stay aloft, its bid to escape bankruptcy dependent on a labour-management accord on a restructuring plan.
EasyJet results and high oil price depress airline stocks
Budget airlines sue EU over compensation law
Boeing lobbying Chinese airlines for Dreamliner purchases
Call to review oversight of US regional airlines
US test programme screens rail passengers for explosives

Newbuilds

Container ship owners cranking up capacity
YET again, owners have been opening their wallets in a big way over the past couple of weeks.

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China, Australia to speed up FTA study pace Gold Star Line joins GTN Ocean Portal Sinotrans invests in Lianyungang terminal JV Spanish forwarder opens office in Hong Kong Shipping agents threaten strike at Bangladesh Port CP Ships to long-term charter nine vessels USADA: New EFAF to be US$130 per TEU China Merchants, Hudig to sign agreement Pacific CMA to buy AGI Freight Air Canada seeks CAD250 million from investor Menzies Macau forms joint venture in China DHL extends working hours in the Philippines, offers 'Vampire' service South Korea, Thailand to increase cargo services

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Carriers offer new service linking Asia, Australia from mid-May Hapag Lloyd posts record operating profit OOCL modifies STX service Cosco alters Asia-N. America services MOL orders 12 vessels, charters six feeders AADA to increase rates CMA CGM names new executive VP Shanghai Port remains on top in China Senator Lines in black SKS (SHIP) LTD. commences reefer container services between JNP & Mumbai Port GE Shipping acquires another VLCC CP Ships appoints Ray Miles as Chairman Vizag coffee set to make a brand statement abroad AEPC team visiting US next month to tap major retail chains to boost garment exports Cotton exports projected at 8 lakh bales US sees plum market for prunes in India AEPC to hold 'Made in India' meet in US Letter to the Editor - Seamless solutions vital CoPT presses Shipping Ministry for sanction to award dredging contract Kakinada port hums with agri products exports CONCOR may soon launch regular, fixed-day service between ICD-Tughlakabad & VCT FedEx introduces 2 new products Global air cargo traffic rises by 10 pc in Jan-March 2004 Ficci survey finds exporters preferring euro to dollar as transaction currency MP too fancies SEZs CII spells out formula to make India 'world's food factory' SEZ scheme may be operational only from May 11 Vizag zone yields record Customs, excise collections Sustained growth in manufacturing sector vital to capture global market, Godrej tells CII seminar Inflation steady Jyotindra Kothari elected ACHAA President

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MAY 5, 2004
Brazilian gas oil on the rise Salvage operation stepped up with extra vessel as fears grow New vessel enlisted by salvage team as bad weather causes delays. Crude stays near 13-year highs despite solid US gasoline build Crude prices dipped briefly today after the latest DOE report showed a solid gain in gasoline inventories, but soon rebounded as other US oil data and continued security fears propped up the market. Security tightened at Iraqi oil export terminals Commercial vessels face duel 'buffer' zones around terminals following suicide attacks. Weekly US oil statistics from DOE and API New Mauritius terminal ready to start bunker supply IndianOil Mauritius aims for share of the island's bunker industry to match new state-of-the art terminal capacity. Sharp cargo gains and corresponding bunker price rise saw enquiry levels all but evaporate. Saudi prices remain competitive Black Sea oil port mined, minister says New disruptions at Batumi as standoff between Adzhara region and central government continues. EMMF launches new supply operation Oil major to offer tank-delivered marine gasoil in second new supply operation in Guatemala in five weeks. Rotterdam prices rise further Singapore bunker sales leap on traffic increase Rise in the island state's bunker sales figures attributed to China's unquenchable demand for raw materials.

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MAY 5, 2004
HSBC and Tradegate in new alliance Israel to reform its ports Ryder announces a 67% increase in earnings for Q1/04 TX Logistik acquires new business Air France and KLM merger now perfect Hamburg Süd leaps over the 1,000,000 teu mark New Marketing Manager for the Port of Corpus Christi

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MAY 5, 2004
Aker Yards building chemical tanker Lasco firms up 8-tanker deal OSG buys US-flag tankers PIL goes panamax Good Q1 for SembCorp New worm causes havoc Gib cruise ship row brews

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MAY 5, 2004
Donjon and SMIT form OPA joint venture Will supply OPA-mandated compliance and response services First LR ship enters ACP Maersk Alaska enters USCG Alternate Compliance Program Seabulk licenses SDM technology European tug operator licensed to build two

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MAY 5, 2004
RiversWest to rebuild launches for use in Portland ferry system BNSF making changes to meet upcoming grain season CP Ships' directors shake up management team FHWA funding earmarked for transport projects in Washington Radix Marine works deal for fuel sales to Noland-Decoto

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Atlantic routes in jeopardy, Taca warns TRANSATLANTIC carriers are warning that container services between Europe and North America are being put in jeopardy by soaring charter rates and the tight supply of equipment. Halliwell takes chief executive post at CP Ships FRANK Halliwell (pictured) has formally succeeded Ray Miles as chief executive of CP Ships, writes Janet Porter. NYK head denies Pacific rate flop NYK LINE president Koji Miyahara played down suggestions that this season's transpacific rate negotiations had flopped and predicted a bullish three-year period for container shipping during a lightning visit to London this week, writes Janet Porter. Gibraltar cruiseship bar 'a random policy of old' THE recent denial of entry into the port of Barcelona of a cruiseship after it had visited Gibraltar arose from a "random and discriminatory" policy used by the previous Spanish government to apply political pressure to the Rock, Lloyd's List has been told.

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MAY 5, 2004
Security tighter after Athens bombs THIS morning's bombing of a police station in Athens, coming 100 days before the start of the Olympic Games, has prompted a reassessment of related security measures Oakland strike breakthrough A BREAKTHROUGH may have been reached in the continuing hauliers' strike at the California port of Oakland, where labour unrest flared into violence yesterday Heavy security for Lakes fast ferry CANADIAN American Transportation Systems' new $42.5M fast- ferry Spirit of Ontario is attracting the level of security protections normally reserved for cruise ships Odfjell sees chemical tanker growth ODFJELL, the world's largest chemical carrier operator, has forecast that the recovery in freight rates that began late last year is gathering momentum Norfolkline on the right track NORFOLKLINE has strengthened its position as an intermodal operator in the UK-Italy market with the launch of the three times weekly dedicated block train service Qingdao seeks market listing QINGDAO, China's third largest container port, is planning a stock market listing to help fund massive expansion plans Cape Africa hole even larger Hanno sale eases Rotterdam problem CPA waits nod on Iraq port tender Braemar Seascope pre-tax hits £4M Nenaco rejects reporting allegation Confusion reigns over cruise advice Volgotanker bullish on Caspian Iraq: ships could be fired on Aponte to confirm Bremerhaven coup

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MAY 5, 2004
More port trucker protests on the way? The protests by harbor truckers in California that slowed container terminal operations to a crawl could be spreading to other ports in the U.S. Port of Oakland, truckers in tentative accord TSA opens fourth round of port security grants Houston clears final hurdle for Bayport project Union Pacific, shippers to discuss delays China sets transport investment rules Marad announces VISA enrollment BAX Global swings to profit S.C. county angles for deep-water port Auto shipments off at Del. port FTAA still at an impasse Global cargo traffic increases 10% in Q1

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MAY 5, 2004
Rail embargo continues as Oakland truckers maintain protest Union Pacific Railroad continued its embargo on container cargo through the Port of Oakland on May 5, as independent truckers protested against high diesel costs in California. Renewed intermodal problems at Vancouver Signs are growing of renewed rail car shortages grounding thousands of containers from Asia at Vancouver, Canada's largest port, with Deltaport, the largest box terminal, hardest hit. Seasonal lull but charter index jumps through 1500 point mark Malaysian shippers demand laws to regulate charges Unions protest at SNCF 'restructuring' PIL to launch ACX Carriers want Melbourne alternatives studied Independent operator enters intra-Europe feeder market QR launches East Coast intermodal service Hamburg S¨d swaps Long Beach terminal call Halliwell confirmed as CP Ships CEO

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MAY 5, 2004
Extra tug hired for Cape Africa Fuel removal operations due to start Friday as bulker's condition is reported as "stable". US lease firm wins Japan reach Bank of Tokyo-Mitsuibishi arm signs deal to market First Ship Lease products. Solvang salutes solvency Norwegian gas carrier owner has turned around previous year's first quarter loss. Camillo Eitzen wins Stelmar ships Norwegian owner set to bag nine tankers to boost fleet in new K/S deal. Dry market drives Belships Booming bulk freight rates pushed up profits at Norwegian owner in first quarter. Odfjell improves fortunes Norwegian tanker owner adds on $9m from Bow Mariner insurance payout and vessel sales. Yards bid for Rocknes rebuild Polish and German shipyards battle it out for big job on capsized bulker. Great Eastern snares VLCC Long search for additional tonnage over as Indian owner snaps up 1992-built Greek-owned tanker. Jump in Asian detentions Tokyo MOU figures show port state control detentions leapt by over one-third last year from 2002. Braemar Seascope ups profit UK-listed shipbroker looking forward to business bearing even juicer fruits this year. Powerful start for Wartsila First quarter earnings soar at Finnish ship engine maker. Downturn at Temas Line Indonesian feedership owner doubled revenue to no avail in first quarter, as profit fell. Neorion to spin off shiprepair Greek island yard wants to concentrate on shipbuilding comeback. SembCorp exceeds expectations Repairs, rigs and conversions help lift first quarter revenue by 25% at Singapore marine group. Halliwell takes CP Ships helm Former chief operating officer officially takes over the reins at London-based boxship giant.

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MAY 5, 2004
U.S. Lines to take slots from Hanjin Harvard-UPS symposium cites supply chain remedies Dynamics Research receives $46 million DOT contract NVO Pacific contracts still not closed Monk: Census will continue to support confidentiality of trade data FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee to continue meeting in May Hamburg Sud moves to ITS terminal in Long Beach GTS names Coffey as marketing vice president

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MAY 5, 2004
Odfjell sacks 190 as rigs move to UK waters Around 190 rig workers are sacked by Odfjell Drilling as their rigs moved to UK waters to employ British workers ... European shortsea shipping operators slam Swedish fairway dues Sweden's fairway and pilotage dues prevents short sea shipping from offering an environmentally friendlier alternative to road traffic. The European ... "Rocknes" to be repaired The bulk carrier "Rocknes", which capsized with the loss of 18 lives south of Bergen in January this year, is ...