BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Call for survey of Malacca Straits
A systematic survey of the Malacca Straits should be conducted in the interest of safety of shipping, said the commanding officer of the British hydrographic survey vessel sent to survey the epicentre of the Dec 26 Sumatran earthquake.
THE EPICENTRE
DATA collected by the HMS Scott from a 45,000 sq km patch of ocean over the earthquake's rupture zone, was processed to create this three- dimensional digital elevation model.
MISC Q3 earnings rise 64% to record RM1b
MALAYSIA International Shipping Corp , the world's biggest owner of liquefied natural gas tankers, said fiscal third-quarter profit rose 64 per cent to a record as demand pushed freight rates higher and it improved efficiency.
Marine group Sinwa reports healthy 17% rise in net profit

Admiralty Casebook

War clause reduces ship owner's damages claim against charterer
A'war clause' in a time charter agreement has diminished a ship owner's damages claim against a charterer, even though the charterer cancelled the charter well before the start of the second Gulf war in 2003.

web site

Shipping News

Call for survey of Malacca Straits
A systematic survey of the Malacca Straits should be conducted in the interest of safety of shipping, said the commanding officer of the British hydrographic survey vessel sent to survey the epicentre of the Dec 26 Sumatran earthquake.
THE EPICENTRE
DATA collected by the HMS Scott from a 45,000 sq km patch of ocean over the earthquake's rupture zone, was processed to create this three- dimensional digital elevation model.
MISC Q3 earnings rise 64% to record RM1b
MALAYSIA International Shipping Corp , the world's biggest owner of liquefied natural gas tankers, said fiscal third-quarter profit rose 64 per cent to a record as demand pushed freight rates higher and it improved efficiency.
Marine group Sinwa reports healthy 17% rise in net profit

Admiralty Casebook

War clause reduces ship owner's damages claim against charterer
A'war clause' in a time charter agreement has diminished a ship owner's damages claim against a charterer, even though the charterer cancelled the charter well before the start of the second Gulf war in 2003.

	web site

Chiwan container throughput rises in January Kerry pays US$46m to do business with Chinese police Vinpac receives Class-A licence for Shanghai branch Higher AADA bunker surcharges for China-Australia trade PHA wins US$150,000 green grant Software improves Tacoma terminal efficiency Schenker strengthens network with new logistics centre Emirates plans to fly to Beijing UPS, Continental win tentative go-ahead for more China flights

	web site

Feeder operators impose congestion surcharge on box movements to/from CCT StanChart Pvt. Equity to acquire 25 pc stake in ABG Shipyard Austrian chamber chief stresses need for closer economic ties with India India, Kazakhstan to forge ties in hydrocarbon sector Philippines buys 31,000 t of old-crop wheat Capital dredging, better port infrastructure need of the hour, says Baalu Railways hikes wagon registration fees CONCOR's ICD at Irugur, Coimbatore, declared Customs notified area Railways to improve infrastructure facilities for cargo movement Warehousing period of capital goods in EOUs extended Fieo seeks ex-PM's help to end I-T Dept's harassment! NFTP suggestions invited by March 4 Govt to make scrutiny of self-assessed returns part of Central Excise Rules FinMin favours 10-year tax holiday for SEZ units Ficci allays traders' fears on VAT Indo-Pak JSG forms 2 sub-groups to foster trade Excise duty leviable on 65 pc of drug's declared price Plea to classify steel wire rods, wires separately in tariff schedule Capexil finds export potential in Jharkhand

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Houston bunker premium returns as Shell backs off Market sources credit return of regular bunker premium over cargo market to less aggressive sales by Shell, but wonder for how long. Oil rollercoaster continues after US oil inventory reports Market reactions to weekly US oil inventory statistics reflected a mixed set of data which ran partially contra to expectations. DOE & API: Latest US oil inventory figures Novorossiysk: Bunker Holdings triples capacity with new barge Fully-owned product tanker set to start operations as bunker barge next month. Fresh Yanbu cargo attracts bids from Singapore First spot cargo on sale from Yanbu refinery since high-sodium debacle attracts several bids from Singapore, where bunker market has yet to recover fully from product shortages. Market shrugs off Singapore residual stock draw Fuel oil stocks still high after significant draw with more cargoes imminent, but arbitrage arrivals seen sloping off next month. Rotterdam still firming Thursday morning BP onboard with Portland bunkering facility BP Marine and Portland Bunkers International to collaborate when newly-constructed bunkering facility opens on the English south coast in March, with more services in the pipeline. Criminalisation for accidental pollution given go ahead European parliament vote gives the go-ahead for criminalising accidental pollution of the sea.

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
GloMaP.com and e-Logistics form strategic partnership FMCSA streamlines motor carrier registration Schenker inaugurates new complex in Hungary Total UK chooses EWS Martinair Cargo: official opening of Johannesburg branch Vancouver to expand container handling facilities Rob Veltman named new regional director Martinair Cargo

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
ITF praises Panama Ship Finance Stolt-Nielsen in China JV KR expands

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Matson to buy Kvaerner Philly box ships DD(X) to go to single yard? Tax changes boost OSG net Hornbeck Offshore revenues soar

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
JetBlue Airways coming onboard at Portland International Airport Coast Guard plans drill for mass casulties in Astoria Marcon wins authority to market surplus UK vessels DBE businesses see sales jump at Seattle-Tacoma Airport Shipping firm pays fine for damaging coral reef

	web site

Lloyd's winning battle on falling rates LLOYD'S has shown itself better placed than many of its competitors in London to fight off downward rates pressure, according to the Association of Lloyd's Members, which represents much of the private capital in the specialist market. Genmar keeps records rolling in General Maritime, the aframax and suezmax tanker specialist coveted by rival Frontline, has achieved a second consecutive year of record profits after a strong fourth quarter, writes Tony Gray. Global trade growth held back by port congestion PORT congestion is turning into a major impediment to trade and economy, a new study by Drewry Shipping Consultants and HypoVereinsbank's shipping division has shown. DSF eyes world stage as Danish government considers Bill DENMARK'S re-elected government is poised to push through legislation to restructure shipping mortgage provider Danish Ship Finance and claw back DKr1.6bn ($285m) as settlement of a bond issue dispute dating back to the 1980s.

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
EU to criminalise accidents CRIMINAL penalties for masters and seafarers involved in accidental oil spills look set to become a reality of life at sea within the EU following a vote yesterday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Congestion threatens world economy GLOBAL bottlenecks at overburdened ports are threatening the growth of world trade, the authors of a new report on port capacity said today Ship sales boost Attica results ATTICA, the Athens-listed ferry group, has reported a 2004 net profit of $33.8M, up 21% on 2003 due to the extraordinary income from the sale of five ships Gijon to debut new discharge system SPAIN'S European Bulk Handling Installation terminal at Gijon is to introduce a fully-automated ship unloading system in July, with implications for dock labour levels Gijon to lose all box calls MAERSK will end its feeder service at the northern Spanish port of Gijon in May, port chairman Fernando Rexach has confirmed Seafarers dead in cargo tank TWO seafarers working on board the crude oil tanker Tassels suffocated on 22 February while the vessel was at a berth in New Mangalore, India New LNG terminal in Sicily OSG benefits from busy year SCI chairman to retire Adsteam reports strong half-year Nippon agrees to ore price hike Boxship rates to continue rising Paranagua to invest in cruise Dubai completes CSX acquisition Port Klang operators may merge Alaska ferry critic takes helm

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
No let-up for West Coast ports January began the year the way 2004 ended: with double-digit growth in containerized imports from Asia. Canada boosts security spending The proposal would spend US$181 million on improving marine security, including increased coordination on the Container Security Initiative. MSC official slams Port of Baltimore UPS to close Dayton air hub OSG posts record earnings US pledges to help Russia enter WTO EU steps up pressure on China Ports vulnerable to nuclear threat, report says Cosco Pacific expected to post jump in profit G-Log posts record revenue, appoints senior VP GT Nexus unveils freight-optimization service US, EU meet on Airbus-Boeing dispute

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Navy goes to aid of MSC in distress The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) frigate HMAS Arunta has gone to the assistance of MSC Denisse, which is adrift with a flooded engine-room and only emergency power in the Indian Ocean. Pretoria approves port upgrade funds South Africa's finance minister Trevor Manuel has approved the funding for improvements to the country's major ports, including the financing of Durban's second terminal. Cartagena operator acquires rival New facility partially operational by year-end in Ningbo ICF launches another Sopron hub service Taiyoung Shipping to launch Korea/China service Seattle and Vancouver growth leads to more longshore jobs Ulsan throughput drops 10.3% Water flows into Deurganckdok as time passes on Scheldt dredge deal Brazilian rail-operator growth going like a train Railway man named Russia's Person of the Year

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Cuba headache Florida's anti-Castro lobby has persuaded the US Treasury to make trouble for shipping. Choosing its spots Arntzen unveils more-balanced chartering strategy for former Stelmar fleet. 'Flattered' Peter G deflects questions on Frontline approach, role of institutional holders in potential merger. OSG sets aside $6m Morten Arntzen prepares to settle waste-oil probe, but still has $211m in quarterly net income. Tax benefit boosted OSG Tanker owner reversed $77.4m in net deferred tax liabilities to its record income total in 4th quarter. MSC ship loses power Australian navy comes to rescue of boxship adrift off Christmas Island. Peter, watch your back! Institutional shareholders are said to be backing Frontline's Genmar takeover bid. Bidcorp becomes Dart Line South Africans rebrand ro-ro service after taking full control of company. Grindrod doubles profit Strong showing for drybulk unit and explosive fleet expansion generates $95m for company in 2004. Contracts curb Brostrom Strong 2004 profit performance could have been better if Swedish tanker owner had been free to play the spot market in fourth quarter. Halim Mazmin profits rise Malaysian owner overcomes revenue drop with strong profits from ship sales. Top seals NYK tanker US listed tanker owner confirms it is acquiring Japanese owned product tanker Mikom Accord. Disposals drive Attica Greek ferry group boosted by ship sales as Greece to Italy market shrinks. Stolt expands in China Stolt-Nielsen teams up with Shanghai Kingman Container Service in tank container joint venture. Pan United hurt by provision Singapore repairer and builder saw strong fourth quarter, but full-year results subdued by lingering bad debt.

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Hong Kong shippers dismiss second rate hike warning RCL posts record financial results NSCSA buys share of LPG trader and shipowner Chenowith named president of T. Parker Host United increases Asia coverage Intercontainer-Interfrigo adds Italian intermodal link Kansas City Southern promotes three executives Panalpina announces new plan for IPO Cash payment required before shipping U.S. agriculture goods to Cuba Laredo picks up growth in U.S./Mexico trade Port of Tampa to buy $15 million 41-acre site Fraser River port container volumes up 27%

	web site
FEBRUARY 24, 2005
Up for Broström despite weak dollar Göteborg-based tanker operator Broström reports a SEK 305 million (EUR 33.6 million) pre-tax profit for 2004, up by ... Employers want to limit union North Sea power Employers ' represented by Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) and Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA) ' want to limit the power of the ... Organic growth in the Swedish Club At the P&I renewal on 20 February, the Swedish Club fleet had grown organically by 12 per cent compared ...