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Shipping News

IMO chief's call to speed up security code compliance
THE International Maritime Organisation has called on members to urgently implement new security legislation, acknowledging the threat terrorism poses to transport modes has been heightened by last week's deadly train bombings in Spain.
HK box volume up 15% last month
HONG Kong container terminals handled 15 per cent more containers in February than a year earlier, boosted by an earlier Chinese New Year in 2004, the HK Port Development Council said.
China Shipping sees robust 2004 growth
CHINA Shipping Development Co Ltd, which transports oil, coal and bulk cargo, said that 2004 will be another growth year for the firm as Chinese demand for raw materials expands.

Air and Land Transport

Embraer expects big orders from 2 airlines
EMPRESA Brasileira de Aeronautica SA, the world's No 4 commercial aircraft maker, is banking on new orders from US-based Republic Airways Holdings and possible orders from Gulf Air in order to meet sales forecasts this year.
Deccan Aviation plans to sell 26% stake
IA to lease 4 Airbus planes
Pilot found dead, student alive in M'sian jungle
Merpati to sell up to 51% stake
European airlines' weekly traffic rises

Strait Talk

Best way to remember the Bow Mariner crew
JUST over two weeks ago, the Singapore-registered chemical tanker Bow Mariner exploded and sank some 50 nautical miles off the US coast of Norfolk, Virginia.

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Shipping News

IMO chief's call to speed up security code compliance
THE International Maritime Organisation has called on members to urgently implement new security legislation, acknowledging the threat terrorism poses to transport modes has been heightened by last week's deadly train bombings in Spain.
HK box volume up 15% last month
HONG Kong container terminals handled 15 per cent more containers in February than a year earlier, boosted by an earlier Chinese New Year in 2004, the HK Port Development Council said.
China Shipping sees robust 2004 growth
CHINA Shipping Development Co Ltd, which transports oil, coal and bulk cargo, said that 2004 will be another growth year for the firm as Chinese demand for raw materials expands.

Air and Land Transport

Embraer expects big orders from 2 airlines
EMPRESA Brasileira de Aeronautica SA, the world's No 4 commercial aircraft maker, is banking on new orders from US-based Republic Airways Holdings and possible orders from Gulf Air in order to meet sales forecasts this year.
Deccan Aviation plans to sell 26% stake
IA to lease 4 Airbus planes
Pilot found dead, student alive in M'sian jungle
Merpati to sell up to 51% stake
European airlines' weekly traffic rises

Strait Talk

Best way to remember the Bow Mariner crew
JUST over two weeks ago, the Singapore-registered chemical tanker Bow Mariner exploded and sank some 50 nautical miles off the US coast of Norfolk, Virginia.

web site

Shipping News

IMO chief's call to speed up security code compliance
THE International Maritime Organisation has called on members to urgently implement new security legislation, acknowledging the threat terrorism poses to transport modes has been heightened by last week's deadly train bombings in Spain.
HK box volume up 15% last month
HONG Kong container terminals handled 15 per cent more containers in February than a year earlier, boosted by an earlier Chinese New Year in 2004, the HK Port Development Council said.
China Shipping sees robust 2004 growth
CHINA Shipping Development Co Ltd, which transports oil, coal and bulk cargo, said that 2004 will be another growth year for the firm as Chinese demand for raw materials expands.

Air and Land Transport

Embraer expects big orders from 2 airlines
EMPRESA Brasileira de Aeronautica SA, the world's No 4 commercial aircraft maker, is banking on new orders from US-based Republic Airways Holdings and possible orders from Gulf Air in order to meet sales forecasts this year.
Deccan Aviation plans to sell 26% stake
IA to lease 4 Airbus planes
Pilot found dead, student alive in M'sian jungle
Merpati to sell up to 51% stake
European airlines' weekly traffic rises

Strait Talk

Best way to remember the Bow Mariner crew
JUST over two weeks ago, the Singapore-registered chemical tanker Bow Mariner exploded and sank some 50 nautical miles off the US coast of Norfolk, Virginia.

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Hong Kong throughput soars by 15pc in February Baltrans invests in mainland logistics business NCL opens two new China offices P&O Nedlloyd releases enhanced offline software IMO calls for security improvements in wake of Madrid bombings Exel commissions building of new logistics facility in Germany Wu Yi to visit US for talks on Sino-US trade SIA Cargo to increase flight frequencies worldwide China Southern Airlines to expand PRD service Ezycargo brings internet services to China

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Mega cruise carrier, Star Princess, docks at Mumbai Port - Port's cruise terminal attracting increasing number of luxury liners Govt wants private shipping cos to provide training facilities for maritime institutes Mercator Lines bags $ 32-m contract Four regional shippers' bodies seek to unite under one banner Gems, jewellery trade to tap Mediterranean markets Numaligarh Refinery's surplus diesel to be sold to Myanmar Petrapole LCS limping back to normalcy as govt clears confusion Indians become insatiable for Californian almonds Edible oil imports shoot up by 39.2 pc in February despite bumper oilseeds crop An Indian dosage for Pak ailments - After the cricket bonhomie RCF has designs on export market High-speed rail services profitable: Rly Board Chief Several German companies looking at India as a manufacturing hub Direct tax collection in Mumbai to exceed target by Rs 4,000 cr. Labour reforms likely to attract more FDI, says EEPC Govt allows 100 pc FDI in Gujarat Pipavav Ports Ltd Govt should focus on farm growth: Assocham TCS bags Panalpina's contract for faster data turnover Ethiopian Ambassador to speak at IMC tomorrow

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MARCH 16, 2004
Panama high and nearly dry Supply possibilities on the Panama Canal have been very limited this week. Many players can offer fuel oil on only one side of the canal, some are quoting on a subject to enquiry basis, while others are out of the market altogether. 'Intense' US refining affecting fuel quality Expert warns that a 'high percentage' of US mid-grade distillates marginally fail ISO 8217: 1996 specification parameters. Batumi bunkering falls prey to political tension All shipping movements have ground to a halt in the Black Sea port of Batumi in Georgia's semi-autonomous Adhzaria region, and force majeure has been declared on loadings of oil and oil products today. Regal Investment SA told Bunkerworld that its bunker barges were prevented from operating since yesterday afternoon. Heavily committed resupply cargoes hamper UAE avails Monday fuel oil cargo arrival sold off by midday today, say players. Taiwan nips at Hong Kong's heels With little price difference between fuel oil prices in Hong Kong and Taiwan at present, it looks like demand in Taiwanese ports has improved as prompt supply in Hong Kong is constrained. Uruguay market update Europoort terminal expanded to meet burgeoning demand Rapid growth of Rotterdam as fuel oil transshipment and bunker hub prompts joint Vopak / Port of Rotterdam development. Bunker supply warranted despite force majeure on exports Sources in the Ecuadorian market have said that they do not expect bunker supply to be affected by the recent rupturing of the transecuadorian crude oil pipeline (SOTE) last week. BP seeks Indonesian oil product license Oil major likely to join rival Shell and five others in liberalised oil product import and retail market Rotterdam steady at noon after firm opening

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MARCH 16, 2004
Regional Airlines Association's annual convention P&I Club (UK) modernizes its website European Parliament adopts penalties on non-EU air carriers MOL Logistics (USA) Inc. opens branch in Mexico Conliner joins Mozart III Schneider + Cie's Dutch office offers airfreight services NOL not on shopping spree Chris Maccio named Director of Sales for Ryder business unit

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MARCH 16, 2004
Mitropoulos urges early implementation of ISPS Baltic clamps down on information distribution MOL in 10-year iron ore deal Salvage incidents continue to decline

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MARCH 16, 2004
Teekay aquires Spanish LNG and oil tanker operatot Tapias $810 million acquisition $2 million state tax credit for Bay Ship Will help yard add 600 jobs over three years

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Teekay beats off rivals in $810m Tapias deal TEEKAY Shipping is making its debut in the liquefied natural gas shipping market through the acquisition of Naviera F Tapias, Spain's leading crude tanker company, in a deal worth more than $800m, it was revealed yesterday. IMO survey reveals size of ISPS task HARD evidence has emerged which hints at the huge task ahead if International Maritime Organization administrations are to meet the July 1 deadline to implement agreed measures to combat the threat of global terrorism. Markel praises Lloyd's reforms LLOYD'S chiefs won enthusiastic backing yesterday for their reform drive from the influential chief of the Markel Corp, the heavyweight US insurer and recent high-profile Lloyd's entrant. Baltic Exchange to introduce tougher distribution controls of its publications ENCOURAGED by its newest members, including some heavyweight financial institutions, the Baltic Exchange has moved to restrict the redistribution of its detailed freight market assessments. UK cruisegoers to breach 1m milestone THE number of Britons taking a cruise is poised to cross the 1m milestone for the first time ever in 2003, it was trumpeted in Miami.

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MARCH 16, 2004
Spain urged to end blame culture SPAIN'S new socialist government has been urged to learn from the mistakes of its predecessor and set up a workable system for dealing with vessels in distress Wärtsila issues 1Q profits warning WäRTSILA, the Finnish engineering group, has warned that its first quarter results will fall short of expectations Spain's ports law threatened SPAIN'S controversial ports law and elements of the Prestige legal case stand open to change after the Socialist Party's victory in Sunday's general elections Transneft drops a bombshell RUSSIAN oil exporters have been rocked by a bid by Transneft, the state-controlled oil pipeline agency, for a 16% tariff increase for 2004 IMO security hiccup averted THE IMO is expected to recommend that there should be no restrictions placed on masters being designated as Ship Security Officers EU beats IMO to flag audits EU member states are planning to bring in a flag state implementation code and audit scheme before the IMO has completed work on its own scheme Teekay takes Tapias ISPS progress updates disappointing Trouble in the Caspian pipeline Mersey Docks upturn 'sustainable' Sulpicio operations back to normal Superferry 14 search winds down Buyer sought for rejected wheat NOL completes tanker division sale German yard rumour rumbles on Grimaldi launches Autostrade link

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MARCH 16, 2004
South Africa faces potential capacity crunch Capacity could be shifted from South Africa to busier routes, notably between the US and Asia because of global constraints, P&O Nedlloyd's Cape Town-based marketing manager Iain McIntosh has warned. Aussie exporters wary of lifting of US beef ban Hanjin's index sends mixed messages to carriers Typhoon hit terminal back to full capacity says Busan WTSA seeks waste paper rate rise Bidders force Mumbai to extend offshore terminal's bidding deadline Mersey Docks plan post-panamax terminal facility Mersey Docks reports 8% Liverpool throughput rise Lauritzen Cool moves Cheetah to Burger

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MARCH 16, 2004
Teekay wins battle for Tapias Tanker giant pays $810m to get its LNG foothold. Did Teekay pay too much for LNG entry? Fernando F. Tapias expected to pocket $250m plus from post-election quickie sell-out. Director has six Torm shares Gabriel Panayotides protests ownership link with Danish company is insubstantial. TradeWinds reader alert Take action now to ensure access to our improved internet site which launches Friday. DFDS in the doldrums Danish ferry group reports marginal increase in profit in line with expectations. Taiwan record iron ore imports... ...as China Steel refuses to stop exports. NAT shareholders vote to carry on Is door now open for buyers to make their move? Varun shares on offer One-for-two rights issue to spur Indian owner's continuing fleet expansion. Brazilian bank funds newbuildings National development bank stumps up cash for US and Norwegian orders. Shipping gets cleaner Big drop in pollution clean-up operations hits salvors' workload. Sinochem mulls tanker order Chinese oil giant's shipping unit earmarks funds to build four chemical carriers. Second Bijlsma yard goes bankrupt Dutch shipbuilder's Lemmer plant in trouble as buyers circle. Caracas deja vu as Batumi closes Tanker market hopes rise on Black Sea and Caracas tensions. Seyang eyes container business Korean owner lines up bid for box manufacturer Jindo Corp. Coscon aims high Cosco president Wei Jiafu sets big revenue and capacity targets for boxship arm. MOL inks more China steel mill work Japanese shipowner signs long-term iron ore transportation deal with Maanshan Iron & Steel. First Olsen sells bulkers Two-ship deal set to net $8.1m. Reflagged 'rustbucket' highlighted Paris MOU talks up the case of the double detainee. Boxships positive for Mersey Docks UK group sees net profit slip slightly in 2003, but shipping operations grow.

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MARCH 16, 2004
"Bow Mariner" crew faces US grand jury Four of the six surviving Filipino seamen from the sunken "Bow Mariner" have so far refused to talk to the ... Color Line to deploy one newbuilding Kristiansand/Hirtshals Color Line, which is in the process of ordering two new passenger/freight ferries, will deploy one on the Kristiansand ... Bribery convicted withdraws appeal The former Rederi AB Gotland employee who received an 18-month jail sentence in the bribery trial on Gotland has ...