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Shipping News

ISPS shirkers risk insurance hazards
PORTS and terminals which fail to meet the July 1 deadline for mandatory ISPS Code compliance risk legal and commercial danger, according to a senior executive with the world's largest port and terminal insurer.
PSA expands wharves as ro-ro traffic soars
PSA Corporation says its transhipment vehicle - or ro-ro - traffic has doubled over past three years to almost 400,000 car units passing through its multi-purpose terminals annually.
Aussie watchdog acts to bridle rate setting body
AUSTRALIA's competition watchdog has made a preliminary recommendation to scrap part of the anti-trust immunity enjoyed by shipping line members of the rate setting Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement .
Pirates attack cargo ship off Irian Jaya
ARMED pirates attacked the master of a general cargo ship after firing near the vessel in Indonesian waters and demanded US$5,000 for the release of two officers, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
Ezra orders US$11m newbuilds to capture growth
SINGAPORE offshore support and marine group Ezra Holdings has ordered US$11 million in newbuildings from Hong Kong's Cheoy Lee Shipyards to meet demand from the booming oil and gas industry.
TANKER RATES
PERSIAN Gulf oil tanker rates for shipping crude to Asia rose as oil companies and traders rushed to book vessels for May before the Easter holidays in Europe.

Air and Land Transport

EU urged to accept partial airline pact
THE European Union, which wants a full opening of the US$18 billion trans-Atlantic airline market, should settle for less initially or risk the breakdown of 'open skies' talks, US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.
Air Canada seeks extension of bankruptcy protection
TBI passenger count up 13% in Q4
China Eastern chalks up huge loss
Amtrak train derails in rural Mississippi
LOG Book

Newbuilds

Cruise shipbuilding in the doldrums
ITALIAN shipbuilder Fincantieri has something to celebrate following the announcement by Carnival Corporation that it has ordered a US$468 million cruise ship for delivery in 2007.

web site

Shipping News

ISPS shirkers risk insurance hazards
PORTS and terminals which fail to meet the July 1 deadline for mandatory ISPS Code compliance risk legal and commercial danger, according to a senior executive with the world's largest port and terminal insurer.
PSA expands wharves as ro-ro traffic soars
PSA Corporation says its transhipment vehicle - or ro-ro - traffic has doubled over past three years to almost 400,000 car units passing through its multi-purpose terminals annually.
Aussie watchdog acts to bridle rate setting body
AUSTRALIA's competition watchdog has made a preliminary recommendation to scrap part of the anti-trust immunity enjoyed by shipping line members of the rate setting Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement .
Pirates attack cargo ship off Irian Jaya
ARMED pirates attacked the master of a general cargo ship after firing near the vessel in Indonesian waters and demanded US$5,000 for the release of two officers, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
Ezra orders US$11m newbuilds to capture growth
SINGAPORE offshore support and marine group Ezra Holdings has ordered US$11 million in newbuildings from Hong Kong's Cheoy Lee Shipyards to meet demand from the booming oil and gas industry.
TANKER RATES
PERSIAN Gulf oil tanker rates for shipping crude to Asia rose as oil companies and traders rushed to book vessels for May before the Easter holidays in Europe.

Air and Land Transport

EU urged to accept partial airline pact
THE European Union, which wants a full opening of the US$18 billion trans-Atlantic airline market, should settle for less initially or risk the breakdown of 'open skies' talks, US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.
Air Canada seeks extension of bankruptcy protection
TBI passenger count up 13% in Q4
China Eastern chalks up huge loss
Amtrak train derails in rural Mississippi
LOG Book

Newbuilds

Cruise shipbuilding in the doldrums
ITALIAN shipbuilder Fincantieri has something to celebrate following the announcement by Carnival Corporation that it has ordered a US$468 million cruise ship for delivery in 2007.

web site

Shipping News

ISPS shirkers risk insurance hazards
PORTS and terminals which fail to meet the July 1 deadline for mandatory ISPS Code compliance risk legal and commercial danger, according to a senior executive with the world's largest port and terminal insurer.
PSA expands wharves as ro-ro traffic soars
PSA Corporation says its transhipment vehicle - or ro-ro - traffic has doubled over past three years to almost 400,000 car units passing through its multi-purpose terminals annually.
Aussie watchdog acts to bridle rate setting body
AUSTRALIA's competition watchdog has made a preliminary recommendation to scrap part of the anti-trust immunity enjoyed by shipping line members of the rate setting Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement .
Pirates attack cargo ship off Irian Jaya
ARMED pirates attacked the master of a general cargo ship after firing near the vessel in Indonesian waters and demanded US$5,000 for the release of two officers, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre said.
Ezra orders US$11m newbuilds to capture growth
SINGAPORE offshore support and marine group Ezra Holdings has ordered US$11 million in newbuildings from Hong Kong's Cheoy Lee Shipyards to meet demand from the booming oil and gas industry.
TANKER RATES
PERSIAN Gulf oil tanker rates for shipping crude to Asia rose as oil companies and traders rushed to book vessels for May before the Easter holidays in Europe.

Air and Land Transport

EU urged to accept partial airline pact
THE European Union, which wants a full opening of the US$18 billion trans-Atlantic airline market, should settle for less initially or risk the breakdown of 'open skies' talks, US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.
Air Canada seeks extension of bankruptcy protection
TBI passenger count up 13% in Q4
China Eastern chalks up huge loss
Amtrak train derails in rural Mississippi
LOG Book

Newbuilds

Cruise shipbuilding in the doldrums
ITALIAN shipbuilder Fincantieri has something to celebrate following the announcement by Carnival Corporation that it has ordered a US$468 million cruise ship for delivery in 2007.

	web site

USADA to raise rates in summer Unicold celebrates opening of Oakland transload facility US looks to establish Malacca Straits presence to foil terrorism Rickmers celebrates naming of new vessel C Y Group opens logistics centre in Hong Kong China Eastern 2003 cargo volume up, but posts loss TAECO to get fourth hangar Qantas to be major stakeholder in Asian budget airline

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Fewer ships being detained at foreign ports now, says D-G of Shipping SCI clearing decks for major fleet expansion India still studying EU's higher textile quota offer Film exports for TV telecast eligible for tax benefits: HC Poll panel may stall JNP's 3rd box terminal, Cochin ICTT projects till new govt is formed ABG group's Cardinal Logistics bags Kolkata Port's container terminal development project 11 firms submit EoIs for Vizhinjam ICTT Kolkata Port records 15 pc growth in traffic MICT gets green signal to operate its CFS Box volumes dictate rakes frequency to ports, asserts CONCOR MD - A. K. Kohli allays trade misgivings on rakes availability BTL vessel creates new record at JNP's shallow berth 610-km GAIL pipeline commissioned ahead of schedule Karnataka govt offers 'Gold Card' facility for exporters with good track record India committed to 100 pc FDI in shipping, WTO told ECGC settles bank claims of Rs 101 crore SEZ scheme put off till May 1 IMC workshop on quality award criteria next week ...workshop on e-filing of service tax returns postponed

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APRIL 7, 2004
US oil draw sets bulls in motion Oil prices jumped by more than $1 per barrel today after the latest US government data revealed an unexpected fall in US stocks of crude and petroleum products. Weak utility demand triggers low sulphur price flip Premium for 1% LSFO reversed by $3.50 pmt on aggressive selling from BP. Russia opposes Baltic "special status" The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on Friday declared the Baltic Sea as one of ten Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA). The declaration was made in response to an appeal made by countries in the Baltic, with the exception of Russia. US' EPA under pressure to slash MDO sulphur to 15ppm Oil companies raise concerns that significantly wider cuts to sulphur levels to include marine diesel oil could make it impossible for refineries to meet requirements. Fishing vessel fined $113,000 for oily discharge Rotterdam barges getting tight for Easter New Saudi posted prices Tanker and container traffic boom prompts another sales jump Year-on-year increases in demand for bunker fuel coincide with a rise in vessel calls in Singapore Bominflot offices gain ISO 9001 certification

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APRIL 7, 2004
New layout, new contents, Krone's new internet presence EIB finances bridge over Panama Canal Frans Maas acquires Eastern Europe specialist in Italy Direct from Basel-Weil Terminal to Germany Daily flights between Gatwick and the Ukraine Evergreen establishes its own subsidiary in India Schneider National names new Regional Sales Vice President

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APRIL 7, 2004
Washington State Ferries set to deliver fare increase Imports of steel into US take sharp drop in February Damage to NORWEGIAN STAR forces NCL to revise Hawaii run Corps reopens John Day locks for round-the-clock use Deborah Spero selected as deputy commissioner of CBP

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Fraud case against former Curnow chiefs thrown out FIVE former directors of Curnow Shipping were cleared of criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud St Helena Line of '890,000 in Bristol Crown Court yesterday. MOL smashes boxship charter record with $43,500-a-day rate IN A market where records are being smashed almost daily, MOL has nevertheless set a new standard by agreeing to the highest charter rate ever paid for a containership, writes Janet Porter. Lloyd's 2003 pre-tax profits more than double to £1.89bn LLOYD'S of London saw 2003 pre-tax profits more than double to £1.89bn ($3.47bn), the insurance market announced yesterday. Rebels see light at the end of the Eurotunnel Nicolas Miguet, leader of Eurotunnel's rebel investors, right, and Jacques Maillot, the founder and former head of French package-holiday company Nouvelles Frontieres, pose at the start of the Channel Tunnel operator's general assembly at Villepinte, north of Paris. Saadé urges EC not to axe tax scheme CMA CGM chairman Jacques Saadé warned the European Commission yesterday to think twice before taking any decision to scrap France's tax lease shipfinancing scheme.

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APRIL 7, 2004
Curnow five acquitted FIVE Curnow Shipping directors were acquitted today when the judge ordered an end to their 13-week fraud trial, ruling that there was no case to answer No light at the end of Eurotunnel EXECUTIVES of cross-channel ferry operators were reported to be closely monitoring developments this afternoon at the Eurotunnel AGM in Paris BHP Billiton approves Chile project BHP Billiton has approved an $870M project in Chile that will produce an additional 180,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year New Jersey port proposed THE South Jersey Port Corp has begun feasibility studies on the development of new port facilities in Paulsboro, New Jersey Mostyn cleared for take-off AIRBUS has started to transfer the first consignment of wings for the 'Super Jumbo' from North Wales to Toulouse, France via the troubled Welsh port of Mostyn Red Funnel completes expansion UK ferry operator Red Funnel has completed its £10M ($18.3M) investment programme with the delivery of the enlarged Red Falcon P&O Ports restructures in India Spain steps up ferry security Philippines studies port proposal Tension mounts over tragedy reports Investment pays off at Casablanca SNCM targets Algeria Busan wins back Med Shipping Co Cambodia dumps substandard ships

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APRIL 7, 2004
Rail crisis coming, says Pacer exec Rail congestion squeezing supply of available containers could reach crisis proportions during the peak shipping season. Record year for New York/New Jersey Container traffic up 8 percent, cargo value tops $100 billion for first time. CMA CGM increases profit Seattle, Tacoma boxes down FDA releases prior-notice statistics WTO upholds U.S. complaint on Canada grain Measures to clean up West Coast truck emissions Kolkata cuts handling charges Bentley honored by maritime Hall of Fame DHL to slash Brussels jobs Pacer makes secondary offering Sea Star offers auto tracking

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APRIL 7, 2004
AADA reconsiders as importers warn of other targets Despite rejecting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) findings over 2003 rate-setting and capacity policies, ci-online understands the Asia-Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA) has already curtailed its aggressive 2004 policy. Union Pacific faces California congestion Union Pacific, the largest US railroad, admitted yesterday that intermodal services from southern California face severe congestion, due to crew shortages and unexpectedly high shipping volumes. Divided opinion as owners enter unchartered waters China to Singapore rail link gets KL backing Profits soar as CMA CGM announce top brass changes Shortlisted bidders snub Mumbai offshore terminal Fesco orders two boxships and reefer boxes Booming Duisburg to join POP and PONL in Antwerp terminal Basel holds the high ground on the Rhine Terminal moves could plug S.Brazil capacity gap INDFEX II adds Visakhapatnam call

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Fincantieri logs record profit Italian yard bucks the gloom in European shipbuilding with best-ever result. CMA CGM returns rocket Boxship player plans to open 14 offices in China as it tracks demand growth. Shipping chiefs cleared of fraud Judge rules Curnow Five have no case to answer over $1.6m backhander allegation. Clubs to probe jailed crews Tasman Spirit and Prestige detentions spark P&I investigation into threat posed by criminalisation of seafarers. Lloyd's marine market improves Rising premiums help London insurance exchange to $3.4bn annual profit. MOL ups intra-Asia ante Japanese owner builds boxship network with partnerships and space charters. Fesco orders Polish double Russian owner adds to Szczecin yard's orderbook with two 1,700-teu containerships, plus an option. Q Ship signs finance deal Doha-based owner wraps up cash for eight incoming newbuildings. Busan repairer floats dock plan Orient Shipyard gets go-ahead for new floating facility in Korean port. Skaugen inches back into profit Norwegian owner's LPG business shows promise but lightering action has tough quarter. US terminal holds owners liable Sealand Express crane crash could cost boxship operator well over $1m. Cosco Shipping talks up profits Cosco's expanding ro-ro and heavy lift arm optimistic about earnings in first quarter. Dutch marchers win yard aid Protest in The Hague helps secure state cash for struggling Dutch shipbuilding industry. Indonesian navy in piracy claim The master of a general cargo ship claims navy ship "demanded" money in exchange for release. Ezra orders at Hong Kong yard Rapidly expanding Singapore shipowner contracts three offshore ships at Cheoy Lee Shipyards. World Fuel acquires Tramp US firm splashes out $83m for one of the world's largest independent bunker fuel suppliers. NOL's Lim facing tidy paper profit Finance director of Singapore flag carrier exercises company share options worth close to $190,000.

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APRIL 7, 2004
Great Western adds transpacific capacity FMC seeks comments on accessibility to China trade UNCITRAL study group will meet April 20 Austal, MTU offer new high-speed catamaran to military OOCL adds 8,063-TEU ship to Asia/Europe Rickmers names seventh multipurpose vessel Report U.S. express carriers hindered by barriers, customs service USDA imposes Animal Welfare Act on all non-U.S. airlines Menzies to provide ground service for Hawaiian U.S. DOT grants UPS more access to Hong Kong Air France increases freighter fleet Boston-Logan Airport gets federal help for new runway IRPT to hold annual meeting in New Orleans, April 14-16 FMC posts OTI rider bond rule for China trade Shapiro & Co. names Zaleon CFO, McCallum export manager UTi Worldwide reports larger revenues, profits Robert Delaney, logistics executive, dies Appeals court rules against Evergreen on port captain dispute

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APRIL 7, 2004
"Finnjet" may stay under Finnish flag Silja Line and the Finnish Seamen's Union are in negotiations to keep the Finnish flag on the ferry "Finnjet". A ... Supply ship contracts to Norwegian yards Two new buildings contracts for supply vessels have been reported this week, in both cases for platform supply vessels. S ... Drunken master caught in Finland The police test showed that the master of the Bahamian-flagged "Cemice" had a 2.0 permillage of alcohol in his ...