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Shipping News

India planning 1t rupee shipbuilding hubs
WITH an eye on explosive shipbuilding and repair growth last year, India is planning to develop two or three major shipbuilding hubs in the country as part of its one trillion rupee maritime strategy the government is expected to announce soon.
Dubai to challenge S'pore in US$25b marine oil market
DUBAI plans to challenge Singapore in the US$25 billion market for marine oil by setting up an exchange that will allow futures trading in marine oil at the port of Fujairah, one of the world's top three fuel stops for ships.
Long-serving exec Hickler quits NOL
NEPTUNE Orient Lines announced the departure of long-serving executive Hans Hickler from the group's logistics division.
Top Tankers pays US$460m for 15 dry-bulk carriers

Strait Talk

Seafarers to lose if ITF walks out of Geneva talks
TODAY should mark the start of crucial talks on the International Labour Organisation's Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention, which would give the global shipping industry a set of standards relating to employment and working conditions.

web site

Shipping News

India planning 1t rupee shipbuilding hubs
WITH an eye on explosive shipbuilding and repair growth last year, India is planning to develop two or three major shipbuilding hubs in the country as part of its one trillion rupee maritime strategy the government is expected to announce soon.
Dubai to challenge S'pore in US$25b marine oil market
DUBAI plans to challenge Singapore in the US$25 billion market for marine oil by setting up an exchange that will allow futures trading in marine oil at the port of Fujairah, one of the world's top three fuel stops for ships.
Long-serving exec Hickler quits NOL
NEPTUNE Orient Lines announced the departure of long-serving executive Hans Hickler from the group's logistics division.
Top Tankers pays US$460m for 15 dry-bulk carriers

Strait Talk

Seafarers to lose if ITF walks out of Geneva talks
TODAY should mark the start of crucial talks on the International Labour Organisation's Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention, which would give the global shipping industry a set of standards relating to employment and working conditions.

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MOL continues European expansion Chongqing, Shenyang to build mammoth logistics centres TT Club ratings revised to positive APL Logistics CEO resigns Houston: Canada we have to deal with the Asian trade issue together Shenzhen imports of zero-tariff goods from HK surge AP Moller-Maersk elects new board member Mineta urges Hong Kong to adopt Open Skies agreement Northwest to layoff mechanics Jet Airways starts flying to Singapore

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Safmarine bags Lloyds Loading List Schedule Integrity Awards GE Shipping contracts to sell VLCC India Inc offered attractive incentives to invest in Vietnam As Americans curry favour with basmati, exporters count their dollars Exports of coir products exceed target Chillies spice up exports Butadiene rubber faces dumping duty Probe into dumping of filament yarn by China, Ukraine Rlys freight earnings up by 11.17 pc in 2004-05 Andhra to set up one SEZ in each district CII plea to rectify Customs duty anomaly on ICD equipment Cochin SEZ posts 58 pc growth in exports The commercial handshake gets firmer! Widen export basket to meet India-China trade target: CII Hamburg establishes office in New Delhi IFCCI seminar on VAT implication at Yacht Club on April 25 CM to attend annual meeting of IMC tomorrow Need for agency to foster trade in Asian region stressed

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APRIL 19, 2005
Rotterdam throughput shows continued growth Rotterdam shows solid performance although oil products trade growth less than expected due to "missing" some fuel oil trade to Asia. RINA moving toward zero emission engine Genoa-based classification society RINA certifies device for "almost zero emission engine" for passenger and cruise ships, seeking to approve other systems in the two-stroke sector. Dubai exchange to launch bunker futures trading Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre plans to set up an exchange that will offer futures trading in marine oil at the port of Fujairah, possibly challenging Singapore's dominant status in the bunker market. Chemoil takes global stance on Marpol Annex VI Chemoil Corporation takes global stance on Marpol Annex VI despite the fact that it is yet to be ratified in the United States. Rotterdam market increasing late morning Lanka Marine buys bunker fuel from Fal Oil Sri Lanka's Lanka Marine buys 17,000 metric tonnes of high sulphur fuel oil from Middle Eastern fuel oil supplier Fal Oil for delivery on early May. Japan: Market bearish amid tight avails Japan's bunker market is becoming bearish, but tight marine fuel availability shows no signs of easing. Stricter pollution limits proposed on Hong Kong ports An independent think-tank group seeks to impose stricter pollution limits from ships at ports in Hong Kong, on top of the impending Marpol pollution reduction regulations. Analyst predicts oil tanker rates to fall Oil tanker rates are expected to fall up to 43% over the next two years as the world's fleet of oil tankers continue to grow.

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Transport Logistic from 30 May - 4 June in Munich Instantaneous carload prices now available IRU on new EU driving and rest times Target Logistics with new agent in Vietnam GLS Ireland launches new services Lufthansa Cargo Charter on growth path New bulk carrier for "K" Line (Europe) Tom Ridge joins Savi Technology's board of directors

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APRIL 19, 2005
ITF threatens Super Convention walk-out AM Best gives TT "positive" assessment GL launches new bulker database Liberian Registry harmonises ISM and ISPS audits RINA claims zero emission engine progress

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APRIL 19, 2005
Maritrans back in Northeast barge market

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Brussels plot revealed to seize IMO power from member states PLANS by Brussels to grab power in the International Maritime Organization have been revealed in an internal European Commission document. 'Dirty bomb' response agency opens up to insurers A bashful section of Britain's bureaucracy, the Government Decontamination Service, has broken cover.

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APRIL 19, 2005
Closure looms for Møller yard DANISH shipping giant AP Møller-Maersk has indicated that it may close its Odense Steel Shipyard unless productivity improves at the yard Unions cite 'horrific' conditions AP MØLLER-Maersk is guilty of serious labour shortcomings in Central America, according to a report by unions led by the International Transport Workers' Federation IRISL head wins top Seatrade award THE president of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Ali Ashraf Afkhami, was named as Seatrade Personality of the Year at last night's Seatrade Awards dinner Four win Seatrade's tech awards Shinwa uncovers $1.23Bn order bonanza German ports lose out to roads US West Coast box season early New Canadian pipeline Sea Invest buys into Fouquet Sacop Congestion hits EU liners Finnish stevedores back at work US trucker strikes to continue Chile's CSAV to invest in Everglades

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APRIL 19, 2005
TACA gets tough on documentation MSC (left), other Trans-Atlantic Conference lines sets new, stricter security rules for shippers of U.S. export cargoes. Rotterdam boxes pace increase Teamsters pushes Maersk driver protest Hickler resigns from APL Logistics Revenue drives Werner quarter CSXT to appeal hazmat ruling Profit up for Celadon New locos for Panama Canal Lift for Lufthansa charters

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APRIL 19, 2005
Wal-Mart warns Vancouver, improve or we move David Seabourn, international merchandise director for Wal-Mart Canada said that it is seriously concerned over delays in its goods being shipped via the Canadian West Coast port of Vancouver. Beijing seals free trade MoU with Australia China and Australia yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing, giving the green light to negotiations on a free trade area (FTA) deal between the two nations. California megaport overall rise obscures fall in loaded-box throughput-growth Infrastructure crisis looms in US, says MTC boss Eurozone shippers manipulate margins to keep market share despite euro strength Hapag-Lloyd to take over intra-Europe service, with former partners aboard Coscon adjusts coastal feeder service Foreign investors eye Busan New Port Canadian Pacific Railway to expand western network Construction on new TransSib tunnel to begin tomorrow APL Logistics CEO resigns CSCL takes delivery of 4,250TEU vessel HMM holds overseas investment roadshows K+N to restructure UK groupage cargo at Birmingham

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APRIL 19, 2005
RINA grows again Profits and tonnage up for Italian classification society in 2004. Island link for Iran Qeshm and Jebel Ali trade zones to run shipping line in Persian Gulf. Violent protests in Marseille French ferry workers set fire to cars in dispute over changes to national register. ITF benchmark rises 10% New AB rate of $1,550 from next year as Georgia, North Korea and second French flag declared FOCs. HMM charters OMI suezmaxes Korean owner takes two ships for seven years as part of new long-term strategic relationship. Eurochampion goes spot Nikolas Tsakos celebrates Greek soccer victory as he kicks off move into ice class trades. Mangalia inks German boxships Daewoo's Romanian shipyard has confirmed orders for ten containerships in deals worth a total of $850m. TT Club goes positive Outlook for container shipping mutual gets brighter after record surplus. Islamic bond for VLCC Banks agree innovative $26m deal to refinance Vela's Venus Glory. Atlantsskip goes Dutch Icelandic liner company to use logistics group Frans Maas for Less Than Container Load service. Lindoe on notice AP Moller-Maersk warns its Danish yard to boost performance or face closure. Titan takes GE VLCC Hong Kong tanker owner confirms purchase of Great Eastern's single-hulled Vasant J Sheth for $60m. A nation divided Italy's owners face a potential split on geographical lines in dispute over new association president

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APRIL 19, 2005
FMC clarifies new carrier agreement exemption thresholds U.S. Coast Guard's deepwater program gets Congress hearing OMI Corp. begins partnership with Hyundai Horizon Lines increases vessel bunker, intermodal surcharges again SeaFreight returns to Isla Margarita Indotrans to start Pascagoula, Miss. breakbulk calls COSCO amends China feeder links MOL Europe signs agent in Hungary NYK containership saves fishermen off North Carolina Carlsberg boss joins A.P. Moller-Maersk board Highway bill delays frustrate freight transport community FMCSA stays mum on final hours-of-service rules Judge refuses to block D.C. hazmat ban, CSX to appeal European forwarders, railroad associations target quality benchmarks CP Railway increases western Canada capacity by 12% McCormick taps Kuehne + Nagel to manage its global logistics Hickler leaving APL Logistics GAO says impasse continues over Free Trade Area of the Americas Major transpacific ports see slowing, declining box traffic Port of Rotterdam sees box traffic surge Kvaerner signs $1 billion deal to build 10 U.S.-flag tankers

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APRIL 19, 2005
Warning to Mærsk-owned shipyard "Odense Steel Shipyard has to be much more efficient, otherwise we will have to close it". These words came yesterday ... Latvia to charter "Finnjet" for US President visit The Latvian government has decided to charter Silja Line's "Finnjet for foreign guests when President Bush visits Riga 6'7 ... Color Line sells M/S "Skagen" Norways biggest ferry operator Color Line sells the passenger ferry "Skagen", built in 1975, to Egyptian interests for USD 3.4 ...