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Lawyer calls for action against owners instead of seafarers
THE 'blame game' - in which master mariners are increasingly being treated as 'master criminals' on par with 'rapists and robbers' - must stop, according to a leading Singapore maritime lawyer who believes it's time to target those in control.
Gunmen hijack freighter off Somalia coast
SOMALI gunmen have hijacked a freighter off the eastern coast of the lawless Horn of Africa nation as it sailed with supplies for a UN-chartered ship released by pirates only last week, officials said on Monday.
Hijacked Indonesian cargo ship found sunk
THE Indonesian cargo ship Prima Indah which was hijacked off Bangka Island on Sept 30 with about US$6 million worth of tin on board has been found, sunk in shallow water in the area where it was hijacked, according to sources.
Nanjing orders 2 supertankers for US$240m

Strait Talk

Don't write off London just yet
LAST week's Seatrade London International Maritime Convention gave an interesting insight into both UK and European shipping as well as into what makes a successful international maritime centre .

web site

Shipping News

Lawyer calls for action against owners instead of seafarers
THE 'blame game' - in which master mariners are increasingly being treated as 'master criminals' on par with 'rapists and robbers' - must stop, according to a leading Singapore maritime lawyer who believes it's time to target those in control.
Gunmen hijack freighter off Somalia coast
SOMALI gunmen have hijacked a freighter off the eastern coast of the lawless Horn of Africa nation as it sailed with supplies for a UN-chartered ship released by pirates only last week, officials said on Monday.
Hijacked Indonesian cargo ship found sunk
THE Indonesian cargo ship Prima Indah which was hijacked off Bangka Island on Sept 30 with about US$6 million worth of tin on board has been found, sunk in shallow water in the area where it was hijacked, according to sources.
Nanjing orders 2 supertankers for US$240m

Strait Talk

Don't write off London just yet
LAST week's Seatrade London International Maritime Convention gave an interesting insight into both UK and European shipping as well as into what makes a successful international maritime centre .

	web site

Zim, CCNI to share cargo space on Middle East service Chinese trade delegation to visit San Francisco Guangdong, Macau start intermodal freight service Belgium strike affects Antwerp port Tianjin develops free trade zone, upgrades port facilities Construction of Zhengzhou-Xian railway line starts Xiamen-Taiwan trade holds firm Airbus launches A350 AirBridge Cargo starts Beijing-Amsterdam cargo service FedEx Express seeks US government help with pilot talks

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Senator Lines launches new Asia-Mediterranean service Sale of Swissport to Ferrovial successfully completed France: Stef-TFE scoops up Cryologistic Wincanton acquires Premium Logistics' French operations

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
New Somali hijacking Prima Indah "scuttled" ELAA calls for talks with shippers Nordic American's results reflect lower market Lubmarine says lubes prices must rise up to 30% Vietnam starts bus exports to Dominican Republic

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Brazil launches Transpetro newbuild bidding Marine lubricant prices set to soar Daewoo to build two semis for Singapore operator

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Lula takes hat off to Transpetro's $2bn tanker newbuild order TRANSPETRO has launched its $2bn tanker newbuilding order to great fanfare at an event attended by Brazilian president Luis Inacio 'Lula' da Silva, senior government officials, thousands of Petrobr's employees and shipbuilding workers. Denmark talks tough on need for Baltic pilotage DENMARK is to get tough on ships refusing to take on pilots while transiting the Danish straits amid fears among its maritime regulators that a serious tanker accident is inevitable unless practices change. EU Parliament enters conferences debate THE European Parliament has stepped into the debate on liner conferences by backing some of the ideas put forward by container lines.

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
LUKoil denies Arctic contract award LUKoil, Russia's largest oil exporter, is reviewing three bids to build and operate ice-class tankers to transport crude oil from LUKoil's new Arctic terminal at Varandey US agencies help DR with smuggling issues SMUGGLING of goods and people is a challenge from the Dominican Republic, soon to become a closer US trading partner through the Central American Free Trade Agreement SNCM 'insolvent by Friday' FRENCH ferry operator SNCM will be declared insolvent in three days' time if employees do not return to work, director Bruno Vergobbi has told staff IMarEST unveils innovation conference PLANS for a massive marine technology and exhibition/conference were unveiled in London yesterday Fjord Line axes one-third of staff FINANCIALLY troubled Norwegian ferry operator Fjord Line is to reshuffle its fleet and axe one-third of its staff in a bid to stem first-half losses of NK65M ($10M) China to pay $10Bn more for oil CHINA may pay $10Bn more on oil imports this year because of higher global oil prices, the Ministry of Commerce said on its website at the weekend SC India approves 64-vessel plan

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Cosco warns on U.S. port congestion Executive says congestion at U.S. ports, shortages of rail and highway capacity are threatening the growth of U.S. import-export trade. UK overseas ship earnings pass airlines More ships to New Orleans PIERS Trade Profiles now available California bans dumping by vessels "K" Line opens Shenzhen trucking TBS acquires bulk ship Schneider Logistics expands into Asia

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Deepsea Gdansk terminal to start construction Project-financing has been secured by Deepsea Container Terminal Gdansk, after the construction contract was signed in February 2003 and the 30-year concession ' with its 30-year option ' signed in January 2004. Hutchison bid for Mumbai offshore terminal reportedly rejected by Defence Ministry K Line trucking company increasing Southern China coverage European rail modal-shift stuck in gear, warn observers Marseilles back to work as Fos 2XL public enquiry concludes ECT responds to critics on shuttle delays SCI to acquire four new container ships New Hamburg broker offers 'personal touch' Kombiverkehr links Neuss to Barcelona

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Svithoid expands again Swedish tanker owner buys Norwegian ship and forms new management company. Lone offender held Hong Kong's September detention list limited to single North Korean cargoship. OMI takes stock Stamford-based tanker owner buys back 3.4m further shares at $17.78 average, continuing aggressive repurchase programme. Petrobras up and running Brazilian oil company finally launches first phase of mammoth newbuild programme. Korea sets DSME hurdle Foreign bidders will face a national interest test when majority stake in Daewoo yard is put up for sale. Fjord Line to axe jobs Smyril Line takeover of Norwegian ferry operator is driven off course by due diligence concerns. TACA not done yet Conference extends fuel surcharge before it has even begun. Uniship unifies Danish group's feeder line, short sea services and ship agency businesses to combine under Unifeeder banner. Varun steps on the gas Mumbai based shipowner to spend $223m on LPG fleet expansion. Somali pirates strike again Kenyan owner of recently released cargo vessel Semlow has another ship seized. Turkey may review port deal Consortium including Royal Caribbean not home and dry yet on 49-year contract to run Galata. Yang Ming ups air stake Taiwanese boxship line to snap up more of air freight company Yangtze River Express. Revenues up 25% at CSCL China Shipping's containership arm has seen hefty increases in third quarter volumes and revenues. Itochu inks LPG carriers Japanese trading house orders two firm 35,000-cbm gas carriers at Hyundai Heavy Industries. MAN B&W wins Swire deal German engine builder to supply propulsion packages for Hong Kong owner's offshore newbuilds. TOP takes Olsen trio Evangelos Pistiolis' US-listed tanker outfit emerges as buyer of Harland & Wolff built suezmaxes. NATS' profits slump Lower rates and higher expenses combine to hit results at US-listed suezmax tanker outfit.

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Evergreen adds ship, ports to transpacific loop TACA extends bunker rates FESCO Lines New Zealand hikes bunker surcharge FAA amends air-cargo hazmat training requirements Pilot Air appoints Chiappe, Smith regional sales managers "K" Line affiliate starts trucking services in Guangdong Province Kuehne + Nagel invests $46 million in Belgium, Spain facilities U-Freight Indonesia opens Batam Island office China sets licensing regime for textiles under safeguard quotas U.S. proposes ambitious agricultural trade liberalization plan WTO finds Mexico's sweetner import tax discriminatory TNT names Sheeran to automotive spot More ships calling at New Orleans, Crowley reopens office Port of Long Beach releases LNG environmental document Port of Redwood City announces dredging plans

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
Fjord Line reorganise to stay afloat Bergen-based Fjord Line reorganises operation to cut cost in order to continue operations after a loss NOK 65 million ... Solvang orders two 60,000 cbm LPG carriers Stavanger-based Solvang and partners has ordered two 60,000 cbm LPG carriers at Hyundai in South Korea for delivery in ... Fred. Olsen in USD 300 mill rig upgrade Fred. Olsen Energy will invest USD 300 million to upgrade the semi-submersible drilling rig "Blackford Dolphin" (ex "Ocean Liberator ...

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OCTOBER 11, 2005
US prices softer, against market trend US bunker prices softening in key ports today as Europe and Asia firming, but suppliers expect US prices to follow. Report blames ships for diesel pollution in LA California Air Resources Board report says ships account for over 70% of diesel particulate matter emissions in the Los Angeles area. French unions suspend oil port blockade Strike continues but oil port activity resuming, reducing threat to refineries. Addax's Canary Islands office relocated TACA extends fuel surcharge before implementation TACA members extend new BAF tarrifs before implementation based upon latest monitoring of fuel prices. Managers and a trader on the move in Greece Two managers, including MD, have left Bominflot office, but a trader returns to the company. Teekay Shipping implements bunker procurement software Teekay shipping has implemented BunkerDashboard bunker procurement software to manage aspects of fuel requisition, purchase and analysis. GAC expands South African bunker trading team Lubmarine: Long-term sustainable supply in shipowners' hands With a 20-30% price hike imminent, Total Lubmarine says the long-term sustainable supply of marine lubricants is mainly in the hands of the shipping industry. Rotterdam market seen stable and quiet Tuesday morning Japan: Retroactive 180 cst price touches high in September Retroactive price for 180 cst in September has hit a new high level after a decision by Nippon Oil Corp and Nippon Yusen KK. Singapore: Bunker fuels shortage persists Persistent bunker market tightness this month has worsened with players unable to offer prompt supply.