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Shippers lambast carriers for pulling out from talks
THE Federation of Asean Shippers' Councils has rebuked major container carriers for their 'high-handed attitude' and the 11th hour pull-out from a key meeting it had requested with the heads of shippers' councils from across Asia.
YCH opens distripark in China to service Motorola contract
SINGAPORE logistics company YCH Group has opened a distripark in the Tianjin free-trade zone in north-east China to support its supply chain management contract with communications major Motorola.
US Coast Guard needs to double revamp spending
AN ongoing overhaul of the US Coast Guard provides only half of the ships and two-thirds of the aircraft it needs to protect the 152,000 km of US shoreline, a study said yesterday.
Protests greet N Korean ferry at Japan port
A North Korean ferry arrived at a Japanese port yesterday, its first visit since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's ruling bloc submitted legislation to Parliament allowing Tokyo to bar North Korean boats from Japan.
Samsung Heavy in talks for US$620m ship order
SOUTH Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries, the world's third-largest shipbuilder, said yesterday it was trying to seal a US$620 million order to build liquefied natural gas ships for Britain's BG Group.
Basra attacks could drive up insurance, freight rates
ALREADY high crude prices and freight and shipping insurance rates will rise further following suicide boat attacks that halted Iraqi exports from the south and exposed the risks to Gulf Arab monarchies who produce nearly half of world supplies, according to experts.

Air and Land Transport

ANA places launch order for 50 Boeing 7E7 jets worth US$6b
THE Boeing Co board of directors has approved production of the 7E7 Dreamliner with a company-record launch order of 50 planes by All Nippon Airways, the manufacturer and carrier said yesterday.
Virgin Blue confident it can fend off Jetstar threat
AirAsia in talks with Air Macau to tap China market
Swiss says it is still keen to join oneworld alliance
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Shipping News

Shippers lambast carriers for pulling out from talks
THE Federation of Asean Shippers' Councils has rebuked major container carriers for their 'high-handed attitude' and the 11th hour pull-out from a key meeting it had requested with the heads of shippers' councils from across Asia.
YCH opens distripark in China to service Motorola contract
SINGAPORE logistics company YCH Group has opened a distripark in the Tianjin free-trade zone in north-east China to support its supply chain management contract with communications major Motorola.
US Coast Guard needs to double revamp spending
AN ongoing overhaul of the US Coast Guard provides only half of the ships and two-thirds of the aircraft it needs to protect the 152,000 km of US shoreline, a study said yesterday.
Protests greet N Korean ferry at Japan port
A North Korean ferry arrived at a Japanese port yesterday, its first visit since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's ruling bloc submitted legislation to Parliament allowing Tokyo to bar North Korean boats from Japan.
Samsung Heavy in talks for US$620m ship order
SOUTH Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries, the world's third-largest shipbuilder, said yesterday it was trying to seal a US$620 million order to build liquefied natural gas ships for Britain's BG Group.
Basra attacks could drive up insurance, freight rates
ALREADY high crude prices and freight and shipping insurance rates will rise further following suicide boat attacks that halted Iraqi exports from the south and exposed the risks to Gulf Arab monarchies who produce nearly half of world supplies, according to experts.

Air and Land Transport

ANA places launch order for 50 Boeing 7E7 jets worth US$6b
THE Boeing Co board of directors has approved production of the 7E7 Dreamliner with a company-record launch order of 50 planes by All Nippon Airways, the manufacturer and carrier said yesterday.
Virgin Blue confident it can fend off Jetstar threat
AirAsia in talks with Air Macau to tap China market
Swiss says it is still keen to join oneworld alliance
LOG Book

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Shanghai remains top China container port in Q1 Schenker introduces new financial document New advisory panel to promote maritime R&D in Singapore EU, US sign customs agreement on container security CMA CGM names Rodolphe Saade as new executive VP China Southern reports RMB14.5M net profit for 2003 Korean Air receives bomb threat in Thailand Memphis International receives US$28.6M in federal grants AA, Rolls-Royce boost repair venture with new contract

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World boxship fleet/size expanding at rapid pace US warns of attacks on Asia's shipping hubs - Malacca Straits likely target Exports from SEZs go up by 46 per cent in dollar terms India has vast untapped potential for export of herbal medicines, says WHO Cochin Port plan for ICTT makes headway Kalmar launches new ECH truck capable of double handling of containers Record weekly forex accretion of $ 3.4 billion Cheaper export credit for another year Rupee appreciation pulls down readymade garment quota exports Shell Group looking for partners to develop Hazira box terminal NCAER projects ITES, BPO exports to touch $ 3.6 bn Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy is IMC's 'Eminent Businessman of the Year' Major Indo-US maritime conference slated for Aug. 19

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APRIL 26, 2004
New Orleans players rue decline in bunker calls Number of vessels bunkered in port slides over 25% in less than ten years. Fujairah supplier says problem fuel was supplied in good faith The Fujairah bunker supplier which sold fuel that was later debunkered said the fuel was supplied in good faith that it was compliant with ISO specification. It also said some buyers had used the fuel without incident. Brazilian market softens Early May fuel oil famine could be followed by feast Less exports to China combined with continued arbitrage flow into Singapore could change the outlook for second half ofMay. Heavy demand in Gibraltar pushes earliest dates back Second Gibraltar floating storage tanker 'secured' Delayed start of ambitious supply operation moves a step closer with double-hulled floating storage acquisition. Rotterdam steady at midday Iraq attack keeps oil on the boil Bearish bias to oil market overshadowed by heightened security fears. Bunker suppliers see out tug strike Owners' spokesman hints that deal with tug operators could be 'costly' to other industries relying on coastal marine services. Oil terminal to open today after suicide attack Nearby Khor al-Amaya port not used for exports due to safety concerns from shipowners.

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APRIL 26, 2004
One day workshop on VAT in Switzerland Hewlett-Packard: The price of RFID chips plummeting The EU Directive on toll interoperability accepted Poland Central to build USD 260 million logistics centre From Swiss Rail Cargo to SBB Cargo More flights for Zurich Airport ECT takeover of Hanno near completion GeoLogistics Corporation appoints Chief Information

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APRIL 26, 2004
Norden in bulker deals Stelmar and Cape tankers in JV Basra terminal reopened Vancouver tug dispute ends Abolishing UK light dues "not significant" Mayflower Energy MBO Hellespont ULCCs bought for Tankers International

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APRIL 26, 2004
US and Europe to beef up container security cooperation Corps wants public input on Tillamook Bay jetty repairs Olympia's boat/chowder event set for Saturday, May 15 Northwest Airlines adding Tokyo nonstop at Portland Airport Stelmar joins Cape Tankers in joint venture company

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APRIL 26, 2004
CMB buys four double-hull ULCCs from Hellespont Four of the world's largest and most advanced crude oil tankers are being acquired by CMB, Belgium's leading shipping group, from Hellespont Shipping in a deal worth almost $450m. Basra oil flows again after sea attacks IRAQ's main oil terminal facility has resumed pumping - albeit at reduced capacity - following the successfully-intercepted suicide attacks over the weekend. BG finally exercises LNG carrier options BG GROUP, the UK integrated gas major, has finally exercised options for four liquefied natural gas carriers at South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries for a combined $620m.

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APRIL 26, 2004
Lax security led to Basra bombing AN exclusion zone should be set up around the Basra oil terminal that was attacked by suicide bombers on Saturday and its anchorage, a source at a leading tanker operator told Fairplay today Pakistani team arrives in London A Pakistani team is in London for a meeting with Tasman Spirit insurer The American Club to resolve the oil spill damages issue Directors pick up Barreras shares DIRECTORS of Spanish shipbuilder HJ Barreras have taken further shares in the company after majority shareholder Construcciones Navales de Odiel walked away Norden seeks to sustain earnings D/S Norden, is seeking long-term contracts for its 90 dry bulk carriers to take advantage of the strong earnings in the sector US truckers strike over diesel cost TRUCKERS are planning to disrupt traffic at two major California ports as they are angry that customers are refusing to contribute towards fuel costs Broker warns of chaos in Nigeria A US shipbroker is warning of "chaotic circumstances" in Nigeria and says masters fear for their safety when entering the Nigerian port of Onne Thousands stranded as ferries held Mumbai to start car exports Russia to raise export tax on oil Wildcat strike hits Andaman line CMA CGM strengthens Asia-Near East Irish eyes smiling on d'Amico news New Festival creditor proposal Brittany Ferries changes gear PSA appoints new HNN head 'High handedness' stops THC meeting

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APRIL 26, 2004
Invasion of the box robots U.S. ports will incorporate unmanned handling systems within five years, equipment maker says. LA-Long Beach truckers protest fuel costs U.S., China implement maritime agreement Kerry calls for 'aggressively' enforcing trade deals Iraq bombing kills Coast Guardsman Large ships to expand MOL box fleet Ryder supply chain earnings off Navies test Asian shipping lane security Trailer Bridge completes refinancing Increased traffic for Georgia ports

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APRIL 26, 2004
Light-dues weigh heaviest on containerships confirms report A report on funding for UK and Ireland navigational aids - currently paid by 'light dues' - has recognised the disproportionate burden on container-shipping, but critics play down hopes of a change. Canada's west-coast tug and barge strike over Shipping has begun to return to normal at Vancouver and other west-coast Canadian ports, following a mediated settlement to a one-week strike by some 800 tugboat and barge crew-members. Mumbai Port taking control of costs to woo shippers Fruit and Veg' markets make way for Melbourne port/rail expansion Kolkata Port objects to feeder lines' dual tariffs Vietnam's Hai Phong to double capacity MOL orders 12 post-panamaxes TSK Line revises PJX service More scanners installed in Korean ports COSCO reshuffles management

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APRIL 26, 2004
TI says ULCCs will enhance play But what is to become of Papachristidis' Hellespont business? Freight futures hit Sanko Expanding Japanese operator forced to miss dividend in booming market after hedge gamble ends in tears. Norden set for bumper 2004 Danish shipowner attributes strong charter coverage to the "luck of the competent." MOL shifts to super postpanamax Japanese giant thinks big with billion dollar boxship order haul. Steen Krabbe to step aside Norden chief to retire on a high note as Danish bulk carrier owner expands after record year. University beckons for Krabbe Norden chief plans to catch up on the academic life he missed as an AP Moller trainee. Nigeria detains bulker officers Diplomats intervene after master and chief engineer are arrested by armed boarding crew. Hanjin makes Atlantic brokerage move Korean owner teams up with Wigham-Richardson on European dry bulk trades. IRISL feeds Malta Freeport Island terminal to be Med transhipment base for Iranian container line. Caspian Shipping rebels Azeri owner's boss decides not to pay dividends to government. RTF unloads oldie Riga reefer owner sells 1978-built ship to customer as it seeks fleet renewal. Basra reportedly back in business Major Iraqi oil export terminal resumes operations hours after attack by suicide boat bombers. BG confirms LNG options Samsung books one of the first 2008 delivery LNG carrier newbuildings. NYK bulker held in Canada Japanese owner the most notable name on port state detention list for March. Euronav speaks up on ULCC buy Tankers International moves into ULCCs with Hellespont 'white elephants' purchase. Mutiny over bounty Catering crew force SCI passengership to stay in Indian port in dispute over pay. SMF targets law and finance Maritime body creates working groups to push Singapore as maritime legal and financial hub. Precious picks up more stock Thai owner continues share buyback programme as it confirms delivery of over half of MISC ships. Vancouver strike over Tug and barge operators in Canadian port reach deal to end costly dispute.

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APRIL 26, 2004
U.S.-China maritime agreement takes effect MOL adds 12 new post-Panamax ships to fleet Marfret joins new Europe/Canada loop UPS first quarter profit soars DHL receives EU grant for German air logistics center Grain shippers praise efforts to modernize U.S. inland river systems EU OKs UK aid for short-sea shipping U.S., China attempt to cool down textile trade dispute Sandler to give keynote at NIT League's free-trade logistics seminar White House lifts many commercial sanctions against Libya Truck strike over fuel surcharges threatens L.A., Long Beach ports

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APRIL 26, 2004
Smedvig to get huge drilling contract Smedvik has signed a letter of intent with Shell UK for production drilling in the UK sector of the North ... Healthy profit on sale of old media-storm tanker Greek Aegean Maritime Petroleum of Piraeus has made a healthy profit on the sale of the product tanker "Byzantio", which ... Parliament adopted maritime safety report The Sterckx report, previously adopted by the temporary committee on maritime safety was last week adopted by the Parliament with ...