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Shipping News

A$102m security package for Australian ports
THE Australian Government will spend A$102 million to expand its use of closed circuit televisions at ports around the country and employ more customs officers under a new maritime security package.
Hyundai's H1 orders swell 81% to US$8b
HYUNDAI Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, said on Monday that new orders jumped to more than US$8 billion during the first half of this year.
Keppel Fels bags US$126m jackup rig job from Sinvest
KEEPEL Corp subsidiary Keppel Fels won a US$126 million contract to build another jackup rig for Sinvest of Norway.
Pirates attack LPG tanker off Indonesia
PIRATES armed with automatic rifles attacked a liquefied petroleum gas tanker off the coast of Indonesia yesterday and fired at one of the vessel's crew, the International Maritime Bureau said in its weekly report.
Kuwait mulls cooperation deals with S'pore, HK ports
THE Kuwait Ports Institution is looking at signing a strategic cooperation agreement with ports in Hong Kong and Singapore, the official Kuwait News Agency reported.
Evergreen may invest in China port project
TAIWAN's Evergreen Group, which owns Asia's largest container shipping company by fleet size, said it may invest in a port project in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, a company official said.

Air and Land Transport

M'sia Airlines can roll out budget carrier in 6 months
MALAYSIA Airlines said yesterday it can launch a no-frills carrier in six months if the situation merits but it would not rush into the budget sector as its current operation was still competitive.
Bomb threat forces United plane to return to Sydney
Anti-trust regulator clears Lufthansa's commission cuts
US pressure on EU to stop Airbus aid
United plan to stop pension funding termed illegal

Strait Talk

P&I clubs draw swords in battle for hearts
THE mutual insurers that cover liability claims for most of the world's fleet, the Protection and Indemnity clubs, usually keep their heads down when it comes politically sensitive issues.

web site

Shipping News

A$102m security package for Australian ports
THE Australian Government will spend A$102 million to expand its use of closed circuit televisions at ports around the country and employ more customs officers under a new maritime security package.
Hyundai's H1 orders swell 81% to US$8b
HYUNDAI Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, said on Monday that new orders jumped to more than US$8 billion during the first half of this year.
Keppel Fels bags US$126m jackup rig job from Sinvest
KEEPEL Corp subsidiary Keppel Fels won a US$126 million contract to build another jackup rig for Sinvest of Norway.
Pirates attack LPG tanker off Indonesia
PIRATES armed with automatic rifles attacked a liquefied petroleum gas tanker off the coast of Indonesia yesterday and fired at one of the vessel's crew, the International Maritime Bureau said in its weekly report.
Kuwait mulls cooperation deals with S'pore, HK ports
THE Kuwait Ports Institution is looking at signing a strategic cooperation agreement with ports in Hong Kong and Singapore, the official Kuwait News Agency reported.
Evergreen may invest in China port project
TAIWAN's Evergreen Group, which owns Asia's largest container shipping company by fleet size, said it may invest in a port project in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, a company official said.

Air and Land Transport

M'sia Airlines can roll out budget carrier in 6 months
MALAYSIA Airlines said yesterday it can launch a no-frills carrier in six months if the situation merits but it would not rush into the budget sector as its current operation was still competitive.
Bomb threat forces United plane to return to Sydney
Anti-trust regulator clears Lufthansa's commission cuts
US pressure on EU to stop Airbus aid
United plan to stop pension funding termed illegal

Strait Talk

P&I clubs draw swords in battle for hearts
THE mutual insurers that cover liability claims for most of the world's fleet, the Protection and Indemnity clubs, usually keep their heads down when it comes politically sensitive issues.

web site

Shipping News

A$102m security package for Australian ports
THE Australian Government will spend A$102 million to expand its use of closed circuit televisions at ports around the country and employ more customs officers under a new maritime security package.
Hyundai's H1 orders swell 81% to US$8b
HYUNDAI Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, said on Monday that new orders jumped to more than US$8 billion during the first half of this year.
Keppel Fels bags US$126m jackup rig job from Sinvest
KEEPEL Corp subsidiary Keppel Fels won a US$126 million contract to build another jackup rig for Sinvest of Norway.
Pirates attack LPG tanker off Indonesia
PIRATES armed with automatic rifles attacked a liquefied petroleum gas tanker off the coast of Indonesia yesterday and fired at one of the vessel's crew, the International Maritime Bureau said in its weekly report.
Kuwait mulls cooperation deals with S'pore, HK ports
THE Kuwait Ports Institution is looking at signing a strategic cooperation agreement with ports in Hong Kong and Singapore, the official Kuwait News Agency reported.
Evergreen may invest in China port project
TAIWAN's Evergreen Group, which owns Asia's largest container shipping company by fleet size, said it may invest in a port project in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, a company official said.

Air and Land Transport

M'sia Airlines can roll out budget carrier in 6 months
MALAYSIA Airlines said yesterday it can launch a no-frills carrier in six months if the situation merits but it would not rush into the budget sector as its current operation was still competitive.
Bomb threat forces United plane to return to Sydney
Anti-trust regulator clears Lufthansa's commission cuts
US pressure on EU to stop Airbus aid
United plan to stop pension funding termed illegal

Strait Talk

P&I clubs draw swords in battle for hearts
THE mutual insurers that cover liability claims for most of the world's fleet, the Protection and Indemnity clubs, usually keep their heads down when it comes politically sensitive issues.

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China remains MOL's mainstay Extra charges to be imposed at congested Dutch ports Kuehne + Nagel half-year profit rises NOL charters four post-Panamax containerships Two new OOCL vessels call at Manila Northwest to offer Detroit-Guangzhou service UPS reports rise in Q2 net income Airbus announces orders worth US$10.6 billion Qantas to increase flights to LA

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China's shipping giants on VLCC building spree Shipping Ministry considering CCT users' plea to TAMP Plastic bag makers eyeing US market Conditions tightened for penicillin imports 20 pc of global container trade in 2003 attributed to China: Ministry official Probe into dumping of compressors by China, Malaysia initiated MPEDA, SEAI join hands to boost sea food exports Bunkering business next on agenda of Cochin, Vizag Ports Pondicherry port may be privatised Cabinet waves green flag for CONCOR's Nepal run Railways haul 10 pc more freight in Q1 A-I may detach cargo business into separate entity 'Remittance' income from US rising'CII study Major promotional package for SMEs being drafted Cabinet panel nod for tax pact with Armenia Govt imposes additional 7 pc import duty on finished computers Turkish shipbuilders to mount seatrade pavilion PSA reaches out to cancer-stricken children; raises $ 250,000

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JULY 27, 2004
Cape Town marine fuel drought could continue 'for months' Long-forgotten 'feast or famine' syndrome returns to South Africa's bunker market, where refinery issues have left Cape Town in the lurch. AP Moeller denies cover-up policy claims Danish-based international shipowner say that allegations of false entries in oil record book and concealment made by former employee unfounded. Heavy demand pushes Fujairah's earliest dates into August Turkey: Refinery fire sees IFO supplies halted Local sources in southern Turkish port of Mersin say it could be 'a few days' before IFO supplies return. Resupply cargo provides little respite in Hong Kong Tight avails and modest replenishment stocks from Singapore add to barge congestion in Hong Kong. Rotterdam prices ease despite ongoing tightness St Petersburg: Staff change & new contact details Cargo operations still problematic for Singapore supply Prompt availability in the Singapore market was still reported tight today, with most players unwilling to commit for July stems.

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JULY 27, 2004
New website for Malta International Airport (MIA) Iran and India cooperate on port and rail projects Pacific CMA completes acquisition of AGI Freight Singapore Austria steps up truck inspections Malta International Airport expanding Two new OOCL vessels call at MICT New president for port of Marseilles

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JULY 27, 2004
Lucky escapes in pirate attacks NAT in new BP deal NOL to charter 5,888 TEU newbuilds Vroon takes over Seaworx

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JULY 27, 2004
U.S. loans container X-ray machines to Piraeus Skeie exercises jackup option at Keppel FELS Cruise line names lawyer senior VP fleet operations Todd reports profit Atwood jackup rig sustains damage Maersk engineer enters guilty plea

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RMT warns on FoC status for UK-flagged ships VESSELS flagged in the UK may be dubbed flag of convenience ships by trade unions if pay and conditions offered to overseas seafarers fall below "decent minimum standards", the National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers Union warned yesterday. Inquiry offers no firm explanation for Allan's death in lift shaft fall AN INVESTIGATION by Hong Kong's Marine Department into how Orient Overseas Container Line executive Courtenay Allan fell to his death down a lift shaft has proved inconclusive. Box lines ready to break newbuilding lull CONTAINER lines are gearing up for a fresh bout of ordering later in the year, with more super post-panamaxes on their shopping lists.

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JULY 27, 2004
Izar blasted by '560M subsidy fine THE future of Spanish shipbuilder Izar appears even bleaker today after the imposition by the European Commission of a €560M ($680M) fine Maersk denies improper oil policy ALLEGATIONS that AP Moller'Maersk encourages its engineers to circumvent environmental laws or to hide evidence are unfounded, a company spokesman says Lake Charles wins $1.8M from Citgo CITGO, the US-based petroleum company, has agreed to pay the Port of Lake Charles about $1.8M to settle a dispute over charges for loading petroleum products Grindrod has successful half-year GRINDROD Group has announced a 155% increase in headline earnings and a 149% increase generated from operations for the half-year NOL set for another record year NEPTUNE Orient Lines continued to perform strongly with net profit trebling to $354M for the first six months of 2004 RMT criticises UK owners THE failure of UK shipowners "to apply recognised decent minimum conditions" puts UK ships in danger of being classed as 'flag of convenience' vessels, the RMT union warns Germany will remain in the cold Pakistan's future trade plan EU extends ban on poultry products German merger smoothed by orders HK encourages maritime careers NOL sticks to 'workhorses' Herma Shipping plans new shipyard Haifa strike re-ignites BC Ferries' order plan angers union

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JULY 27, 2004
Bush traded box checks for tax cuts, Clinton tells Democratic convention Former President Bill Clinton accused President Bush and Republicans of favoring a tax cut for the rich over more security inspections of cargo containers. New highs for container charters Record rates to go higher as lines scramble for tonnage to handle peak shipping season. NOL doubles earnings Critical WTO talks begin today Higher revenue drives BNSF WTO to meet on textile quotas U.S. backs Vietnam's WTO bid TPG wins logistics contract with Ford WTO says Libya can apply CSX caps Chicago rail improvements Greenbrier sued by chairman over poison pill plan Pakistan sets trade goals

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JULY 27, 2004
California terminal operators hammer out hoot-gate details Southern California's so-called 'hoot-gates', night-time port operations, are set to start next year at a cost of around US$35/box peak time, according to confidential information passed to ci-online. NOL in position for investment opportunities Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) chairman Cheng Wai Keung has denied that the company has been accumulating Royal P&O Nedlloyd shares, though the company will look out for future investment opportunities. Dalian deepwater berths draw China Shipping Group China Shipping Group (CSG) signed a letter of intent last week with Dalian Port Authority to jointly invest in the five-berth, phase 3 of Dalian's Dayao Bay Container Terminal. Northport hauliers refuse to use new data entry practice Toll flags trans-Tasman entry German operator faces massive pollution fines SITC and Dongjin to exchange slot CSCL takes delivery of a 5,688TEU vessel Building work on Jakarta New Port starts

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JULY 27, 2004
Arkas aims high Expanding Turkish containership group wants big turnover increase in 2004. NOL triples profits Liner giant reaps rewards of sunny market conditions and tighter cost controls. Jinhui upgrades profit Share price of futures-hit bulk carrier owner edges up as ship sales boost notional first quarter result by 50%. Oglebay receives court boost Judge gives conditional approval for company to put restructuring plan to the vote. Eidesvik ups Star Reefers stake Norwegian investor builds up holding to take more than 6% of total company. African lines plan further rise EWATA carriers will up rates from October ' they just don't know how much yet. SCI on a roll Indian shipowner sees doubling of profits in latest quarter. Lawyer keeps cruising Civic minded attorney Dan Grausz is promoted by Holland America Line. Cargoship sinks off Shanghai Four crew missing after small freighter goes down in strong winds. Big jump for Cosco Corp Healthy bulker markets and growing shiprepair business boost Singapore unit of China's Cosco. Todd turns tables US west coast shipyard returns to profit in first quarter of financial year. Evergreen eyes Chinese port Taiwanese boxship giant could invest in terminal project at Ningbo. Conrad seals army deal US shipbuilding group wins $8.9m contract to build workboat for US Army Corps of Engineers. Pac Basin keeps clear of FFAs Recently listed handymax owner says it prefers COAs to derivative instruments for future revenues. Vroon acquires Seaworx Dutch shipowner Vroon buys survey, chase and guard vessel fleet from AP Moller subsidiary.

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JULY 27, 2004
U.S. Senate passes Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act NOL to charter four post-Panamax containerships Waterways Council warns of hardship from McAlpine Lock shutdown Osprey expands New Orleans/Baton Rouge container-on-barge service U.S. firm on opening global agricultural trade DaimlerChrysler picks Exel as lead logistics provider Drayage worries DHS Los Angeles, Long Beach port congestion continues Greek CSI operation gets underway