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Shipping News

Hutchison Port profit up 15% on higher volume
THE world's largest container port and terminal operator, Hutchison Port Holdings , reported a 15 per cent rise in profit last year on the back of healthy volume growth, once again making it the largest contributor to its parent's earnings.
Transpacific box carriers to open up on THC issue
THE 14 major transpacific box carriers have said they will share the results of their 'extensive' internal review into their various terminal handling charges , with shippers and government agencies in Asia and the US.
Bengal Tiger ties up with NOL to start ME-subcontinent service
BENGAL Tiger Lines will launch a new Middle East-India subcontinent service this month in 'close cooperation' with Neptune Orient Lines' container division APL.
Asian customers bear brunt of soaring freight costs
RECORD shipping costs fuelled by China's ravenous appetite for commodities have pushed up prices for metals, raw materials and farm products across Asia - but done little to dampen demand.
APM show to present mock arbitration sessions
HIGHLIGHTING Singapore's maritime arbitration expertise, the delegates and visitors to next week's Asia Pacific Maritime 2004 event will be able to watch re-enactments of arbitration sessions.
PIL, Wan Hai Lines to launch new Asia-Europe service
SINGAPORE's Pacific International Lines has teamed up with Taiwan's Wan Hai Lines on a new Asia-Europe service launching next month.

Air and Land Transport

China hopes to fly own large planes by 2018
ASPIRING aviation power China hopes to put its own large passenger planes in the air by 2018 to meet voracious demand and save itself billions of dollars on foreign aircraft, state media reported yesterday.
Garuda expects profits to double this year
Black box has no links to Rwanda crash: UN
Embraer's Q4 net profit falls 57% on weaker plane sales
Australia mulls drug tests for pilots after crash inquiry
EU opens state aid probe into Olympic Airways

Admiralty Casebook

Boat owner awarded limited liability for incident on land
APERSONAL injury dispute between two friends following an outing on a boat in a lake in Ontario went all the way to the Federal Court of Canada on a question of law regarding the meaning of certain words in the Canadian Shipping Act.

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Shipping News

Hutchison Port profit up 15% on higher volume
THE world's largest container port and terminal operator, Hutchison Port Holdings , reported a 15 per cent rise in profit last year on the back of healthy volume growth, once again making it the largest contributor to its parent's earnings.
Transpacific box carriers to open up on THC issue
THE 14 major transpacific box carriers have said they will share the results of their 'extensive' internal review into their various terminal handling charges , with shippers and government agencies in Asia and the US.
Bengal Tiger ties up with NOL to start ME-subcontinent service
BENGAL Tiger Lines will launch a new Middle East-India subcontinent service this month in 'close cooperation' with Neptune Orient Lines' container division APL.
Asian customers bear brunt of soaring freight costs
RECORD shipping costs fuelled by China's ravenous appetite for commodities have pushed up prices for metals, raw materials and farm products across Asia - but done little to dampen demand.
APM show to present mock arbitration sessions
HIGHLIGHTING Singapore's maritime arbitration expertise, the delegates and visitors to next week's Asia Pacific Maritime 2004 event will be able to watch re-enactments of arbitration sessions.
PIL, Wan Hai Lines to launch new Asia-Europe service
SINGAPORE's Pacific International Lines has teamed up with Taiwan's Wan Hai Lines on a new Asia-Europe service launching next month.

Air and Land Transport

China hopes to fly own large planes by 2018
ASPIRING aviation power China hopes to put its own large passenger planes in the air by 2018 to meet voracious demand and save itself billions of dollars on foreign aircraft, state media reported yesterday.
Garuda expects profits to double this year
Black box has no links to Rwanda crash: UN
Embraer's Q4 net profit falls 57% on weaker plane sales
Australia mulls drug tests for pilots after crash inquiry
EU opens state aid probe into Olympic Airways

Admiralty Casebook

Boat owner awarded limited liability for incident on land
APERSONAL injury dispute between two friends following an outing on a boat in a lake in Ontario went all the way to the Federal Court of Canada on a question of law regarding the meaning of certain words in the Canadian Shipping Act.

web site

Shipping News

Hutchison Port profit up 15% on higher volume
THE world's largest container port and terminal operator, Hutchison Port Holdings , reported a 15 per cent rise in profit last year on the back of healthy volume growth, once again making it the largest contributor to its parent's earnings.
Transpacific box carriers to open up on THC issue
THE 14 major transpacific box carriers have said they will share the results of their 'extensive' internal review into their various terminal handling charges , with shippers and government agencies in Asia and the US.
Bengal Tiger ties up with NOL to start ME-subcontinent service
BENGAL Tiger Lines will launch a new Middle East-India subcontinent service this month in 'close cooperation' with Neptune Orient Lines' container division APL.
Asian customers bear brunt of soaring freight costs
RECORD shipping costs fuelled by China's ravenous appetite for commodities have pushed up prices for metals, raw materials and farm products across Asia - but done little to dampen demand.
APM show to present mock arbitration sessions
HIGHLIGHTING Singapore's maritime arbitration expertise, the delegates and visitors to next week's Asia Pacific Maritime 2004 event will be able to watch re-enactments of arbitration sessions.
PIL, Wan Hai Lines to launch new Asia-Europe service
SINGAPORE's Pacific International Lines has teamed up with Taiwan's Wan Hai Lines on a new Asia-Europe service launching next month.

Air and Land Transport

China hopes to fly own large planes by 2018
ASPIRING aviation power China hopes to put its own large passenger planes in the air by 2018 to meet voracious demand and save itself billions of dollars on foreign aircraft, state media reported yesterday.
Garuda expects profits to double this year
Black box has no links to Rwanda crash: UN
Embraer's Q4 net profit falls 57% on weaker plane sales
Australia mulls drug tests for pilots after crash inquiry
EU opens state aid probe into Olympic Airways

Admiralty Casebook

Boat owner awarded limited liability for incident on land
APERSONAL injury dispute between two friends following an outing on a boat in a lake in Ontario went all the way to the Federal Court of Canada on a question of law regarding the meaning of certain words in the Canadian Shipping Act.

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PRC allows foreign firms to wholly own businesses through FIEPC scheme Fraser river port invests US$142 million on upgrade Westgate chosen to develop Melbourne port China Merchants' profit increases over 300pc in 2003 Ports of Auckland in talks to sell waterfront properties US deploys more bomb hunting dog teams at airports GeoLogistics opens for business in Pakistan AirRep partnership places Tu204F in Baltic market TNT Express extends network in Finland

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BTL to launch Middle East/Indian Subcontinent service from March 28 - Fixed-day weekly service to link Dubai to Karachi and Nhava Sheva Anti-dumping petition against import of truck, bus tyres from China likely - Low prices make ATMA see red Exports of groundnut oil touch 50,000 tonnes Exim Bank to provide $ 2.2 bn line of credit to African countries Pak rice delegation moots common strategy with India to export Basmati Federation of Port Users' resents move to stop stuffing, de-stuffing inside Port area m.v. Indamex Godavari calls at Tuticorin Port - A remarkable achievement for Tuticorin Container Terminal Silk exporters unhappy over I-T notice on DEPB credit Ministries, Plan Panel differ on IOC move to charter vessels for oil imports Sugar summit in city begins today Singapore firm opens maritime institute in Mumbai Confederation of Indian Industry - Exports Summit - Programme Structure

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MARCH 18, 2004
Batumi port blockade to be lifted at midnight The conflict between the central Georgian government and the semi-autonomous Black Sea region caused all shipping movements inside the port of Batumi to grind to a halt on Tuesday this week, including bunkering operations. ARA: Volatile markets see distillates sky-rocket Nigeria questions OPEC cut as oil price hits 13-year high Nigerian Presidential Adviser on Petroleum told reporters that OPEC may still reconsider its April cut decision when it meets at the end of this month. Nigeria has reportedly also reversed April cuts and plans more crude exports next month. Norwegian Ro-Ro operator hit with $3.5m dumping fine Concealed 'magic pipe' used to syphon off oily waste dumped into sea, as second operator in week slapped with US west coast fine Tight prompt and range-bound market despite cargo flood The price level for IFO380 in the Singapore bunker market today was very similar to the price offered exactly two weeks ago, despite the price of the front-month WTI crude contract having moved up by around $2 per barrel in the interim. High numbers still haunt Tokyo California players anticipate post-tax sales boom Los Angeles post-tax prices set to challenge Pacific Rim ports as April 1 tax exemption approaches Singapore's residual stocks rise with further gains expected Singapore stocks of residual fuels, which include high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), are 60.4% up on year-ago levels. This week's rise in stocks was seen as evidence that an expected slew of arbitrage cargoes had begun to trickle into the Asian oil transshipment hub. Cargo numbers keep Italian buyers quiet Rotterdam distillates prices soar with crude, shortages EC contests talk of $60 pmt sulphur premium Smaller refiners could be sidelined under EC sulphur proposals because of costly outlays for blend stocks and desulphurisation, say delegates at Paris refining conference

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MARCH 18, 2004
Masters can be security officers says IMO committee Dutch salvors in competition probes Pirates machine gun Singapore-flag tanker UK budget ignores shipping

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MARCH 18, 2004
Deep gas draws big bids The Minerals Management Service says Central Gulf Lease Sale 190 was the most successful in six years Alstom to build second 153,000 m3 LNG Gaz de France exercises option Bollinger converts Bouchard tug and barge to ATB Mets OPA 90 standards with double hull and Intercon system Guilty plea in "magic pipe" case Hoegh Fleet Services A/S in plea bargain SS Norway to become hotel? NCL's Veitch gives update on cruise line's plans

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MARCH 18, 2004
Hoegh Fleet Services pleads guilty in waste oil dumping case IMO sub-committee finds master can serve as Ship Security Officer Coast Guard honors vessel crew for rescue mission in Bering Sea Panama Canal sets record for most cargo moved in one day Washington State Ferries eyeing new food/beverage items

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Steel price puts the squeeze on yards SOARING steel prices have forced the world's largest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, to admit that it is in trouble, and appears to have caught out Hapag-Lloyd on the cost of a pair of containerships. US to enforce individual visas for crew shore leave THE US State Department has confirmed that it intends to press ahead with its controversial elimination of the crew-list visa as of June 16, and to require merchant mariners calling at US ports from that date to be furnished with individual visas. MOL orders biggest ever bulker MITSUI OSK Lines, which already has the most capesizes in the world, is now ordering the biggest bulk carrier ever - a monster 323,000 dwt ship that will dwarf most very large crude carriers. Festival asks Italian government to break deadlocked talks with French bank FESTIVAL Cruises' battle to save itself from bankruptcy has taken an unexpected political turn following an appeal from the company to the Italian government to help it get talks started again between its would-be rescuers and its French creditors, writes Andrew Spurrier in Paris . Market Shell-shocked at cuts SHELL has again shocked the market by slashing more booked oil and gas reserves after employing consultants to do an external review.

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MARCH 18, 2004
Politicians keep cruise talks alive SENIOR French and Italian politicians have become involved in trying to broker talks between Festival Cruises' rescue team and the company's creditors Have your say! HOW is it that the US government trusts foreign crewmembers to navigate ships carrying cargoes into US ports, but stops them coming ashore to call home? Have your say! USWC ports to close in Iraq protest DOCK workers on the US West Coast will shut down all ports in their jurisdiction on 20 March to protest against the US war in Iraq. Hoegh pays heavily for dumping HOEGH Fleet Services has agreed to pay $3.5M in fines for federal charges related to illegal waste oil dumping off the US east coast. Tehran signs massive LNG deal STATE-owned Chinese oil and gas company Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp has signed a $20Bn deal to buy more than 110M tonnes of LNG from Iran over 25 years. LUKoil eyes Iran export bonanza LUKoil, Russia's largest oil producer, is looking to expand its oil swap deal with Iran when a contract is renewed shortly for shipments of Siberian Light crude. Petrobras to upgrade Sao Sebastiao Bremerhaven fights for SSW survival No UK tax change is good news European Cruise Council formed Newcastle collier queue cut coming Lines rationalise as charters soar CMA CGM eyes cruise acquisition NZ importers slam 'shipping heist' Norway decision taken 'with regret' Russian aluminium claim disputed

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MARCH 18, 2004
PMA chief Miniace resigns Negotiator of breakthrough West Coast technology contract is leaving the Pacific Maritime Association. Asia boom will fill ships: APL chief Ahead of rate talks, APL's Widdows says import growth will easily absorb new capacity entering the Asia-U.S. trade lanes. FedEx unit files NVOCC petition Highway spending gets boost from House panel United bankruptcy exit could be delayed Panama Canal sets tonnage record Customs body calls for international cooperation Qasim terminal opens pick-up gate Former trucking company exec Mintz dies

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MARCH 18, 2004
SSAT to operate Oakland's Howard Terminal The Port of Oakland has reached a long-term agreement for SSA Terminals (SSAT) to operate the Howard Terminal, which has been empty since 2002, when SSAT moved out. Global players the gainers from C/E Europe transport growth Bidders lose interest Kandla terminal EU approves second rail package Madrid bomb shockwaves initiate security upgrades Angry carriers buck NZ security charges SSA Marine to leave Umm Qasr at end of June MSC's Far Eastern Lion service roars into action Auditors clear HMM shares as company predicts best ever results China-Japan routes reshuffled by SITC and Cosco

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MARCH 18, 2004
Tsakos adds two more Greek owner exercises options on two handysize tankers at Hyundai. S&P puts Teekay on creditwatch Agency joins Moody's in mulling ratings downgrade after Tapias purchase. Arrests at Wartsila Three employees detained by police in Sweden on suspicion of tax fraud. NYK gets in on French LNG ship Gaz de France confirms gas carrier sistership with Alstom. J. Lauritzen turns it around Danish shipowner bounds back on booming bulker bonanza. Two new yards for Brazil Promar and Transnave to take state loans to develop new sites in southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. End of line for Norway Damaged veteran cruiseship will not sail for Norwegian Cruise Line again folowing boiler explosion last year. MOL orders massive ore carrier Owner inks newbuilding deal for 323,000-dwt monster on back of transport deal with Nippon Steel. TMM orders tankers at STX Korean shipbuilder follows up recent Great Eastern deal with MR orders from Mexican owner. Iran wraps up China LNG sale But who build and own the vessels to transport it? Fiji forms shipping watchdog Fiji Shipping Corporation to oversee tender to run island ferry routes. Taiwan record iron ore imports... as China Steel refuses to stop exports. Mipo forecasts sales rise But shipbuilding orders are expected to drop off by 30% during the year. Ceyhan back in business Pressure eased on Basra Oil Terminal as Mediterranean export outlet for Iraqi crude reopens. Panayotides "should bid" for Torm Family now owns more than 40% of Danish tanker company after Menfield upped stake. Cosco Corp queried again Share trading activity in Singapore-listed firm comes under scrutiny for second time in as many months. EMTA to lift box rates Escalating operational costs prompt container conference to increase rates to Israel and Cyprus

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MARCH 18, 2004
APEC promotes sharing of information on maritime security IMO confirms master can be ship security officer Mediterranean Shipping adds 4th Asia/Europe loop Yang Ming to transfer documentation work to Asia Lykes starts Chinese Web site ABS appoints Wiernicki executive VP Volga-Dnepr enters scheduled cargo market FedEx gets 3rd quarter payback from cost-cutting effort DHL selects Teradata to warehouse data CSX Corp. names Ingram CSX Transportation COO CSX uses rail-barge link to deliver fuel FMC invites comments related to FedEx Trade Networks petition Famous Pacific moves into Belarus, Romania Panama Canal sets one-day, million-ton cargo record

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MARCH 18, 2004
Increasing development cost for Statoil Development cost of the Kristin and Sn'hvit/Albatross field could be upwards to NOK 3.0 billion (EUR 353.8 million) more ... Work to right capsized "Rocknes" begins Salvage companies have begun the work to right the 28,115 DWT, self-discharging bulk carrier "Rocknes", which capsized near Bergen ... ABB delivers for EUR 90 mill to nine vessels ABB is to supply electrical power and distribution systems and Azipod propulsion and steering systems for a total of NOK ...