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ILO set to unveil new seafarers' bill of rights
THE International Labour Organization has begun its two-week Maritime Session that is expected to result in a new labour convention aimed at safeguarding the rights and working conditions of the world's 1.2 million commercial seafarers.
WTSA to raise rates on shipping commo, chemical products
CONTAINER shipping lines operating on the westbound trans-Pacific route from the US to Asia, including Neptune Orient Lines' APL, say that they will raise rates for carrying commodities and chemical products, starting next month.
Recovery in Asian dry bulk shipping rates
DRY bulk shipping rates have bottomed out, and some traders say rates are showing signs of a recovery.
Evergreen deploying bigger vessels for new Bintulu service

Strait Talk

It should never have happened
SOMETIMES you simply can't believe what you read. That was my initial response to reports coming in of the Red Sea disaster.

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Shipping News

ILO set to unveil new seafarers' bill of rights
THE International Labour Organization has begun its two-week Maritime Session that is expected to result in a new labour convention aimed at safeguarding the rights and working conditions of the world's 1.2 million commercial seafarers.
WTSA to raise rates on shipping commo, chemical products
CONTAINER shipping lines operating on the westbound trans-Pacific route from the US to Asia, including Neptune Orient Lines' APL, say that they will raise rates for carrying commodities and chemical products, starting next month.
Recovery in Asian dry bulk shipping rates
DRY bulk shipping rates have bottomed out, and some traders say rates are showing signs of a recovery.
Evergreen deploying bigger vessels for new Bintulu service

Strait Talk

It should never have happened
SOMETIMES you simply can't believe what you read. That was my initial response to reports coming in of the Red Sea disaster.

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CSCL sign multi-million dollar box deal with parent company WTSA raise rates for NOS, FAK, chemical, plastic scrap cargoes Domestic logistics industry contributes 18.5pc to China's GDP in 2005 Hecny: we save on costs by using e-commerce system New mega berth to open at Fangcheng in October PSA unlikely to bid further for P&O Ports, report says Hatsu Smile launched at Mitsubishi shipyard for Evergreen Group Port of Seattle's container throughput hits new highs in 2005 SIA posts fourth consecutive quarterly loss NWA pilots union authorises strike ballot Boeing Q4 net income doubles; striking machinists return to work

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Canadian co. develops new material to manufacture containers CSAV outbats PMA to win NISAA trophy Empty boxes on eastbound route erodes global shipping lines' bottomlines Barges to transport containers between Kolkata & Chittagong ports INSA pitches for exemption from FBT, service tax Software exports may increase by 30 pc FTAs being misused to dump goods in India, cautions Assocham study Edible oil imports may shrink ABG scouting for ship repair facilities along key shipping routes Petronet, Cochin Port Trust sign deal on land to build second LNG terminal Keel laid to build Clipper Group's 3rd bulk carrier at CSL GDL pays registration fee & applies for permission to move container trains US may participate in highway development Express industry urges govt to revoke FBT Footwear park in Chennai to get SEZ status UAE plans to invest in Indian infrastructure, ceramic tiles plant

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Norfolk Southern: Charles W. (Wick) Moorman to succeed David R. Goode Höegh Autoliners AS and Louis Dreyfus order ro-ro vessels Emirates Skycargo launches service to Abidjan USA: bottlenecks cost trucking industry billions

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Bollinger announces management changes Washburn & Doughty delivers new firefighting tug Ports slam FY 2007 budget proposals Sinvest unit exercises jackup option Moran orders two more tank barges Atood Oceanics signs LOI at Keppel Amfels

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Launch of S-type puts smile on Hatsu fleet Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard has launched Hatsu Smile , the fourth in a series of 107,024 teu S-type container vessels that the shipbuilder is constructing for the Evergreen Group, Taiwan's largest shipping Group, writes Mike Grinter in Hong Kong. Ferry 'had equipment to save all on board' DOOMED Red Sea ferry Al Salam Boccaccio 98 had life-saving equipment for about three times the number passengers it had aboard on the night it sank, according to records and certificates. P&I mutuals face $26m Red Sea bill SHIPOWNERS' protection and indemnity mutuals may face a $26m bill in compensation for families of the victims of the Al Salam Boccaccio 98 ferry disaster, writes James Brewer. Volgotanker faces bleak future after tax probe RUSSIAN state takeover could be the last redoubt for Volgotanker, the inland waterway carrier embroiled in the Yukos tax scandal and which operates one of the world's largest tanker fleets. Oil prices push BP profits to $19bn HIGH oil prices pumped up BP's profits to record levels of $19.3bn for 2005 despite a fourth-quarter loss in its refining division.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Tirrenia under double pressure ITALIAN state-owned ferry operator Tirrenia is under pressure not only from rival companies, but also from road haulage companies Cortes joins CSI, Megaports THE Honduran deepwater port of Cortes will join the US-led Container Security Initiative and Megaports programme Mistral passengers refuse to leave HAL invests in new generation Korea to check ferry safety Westbound box rates to go up Breakers avoid Norway commitment MOL strengthens logistics presence Weak 4Q but Wilh Wilhelmsen optimistic

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Trans-Pacific lines set FAK rate hikes Westbound rate increases for non-tarriff cargo, consolidated container loads, chemicals, resins and plastic scrap. Cargo handling, U.S. fleet top Sanborn agenda Seattle tops region's ports Land buy OK'd for N. C. box port Allen makes Everglades post permanent Yang Ming gets MSC Europe-Gulf slots Aalund joins maritime group CSX exec Rice dies Suspect freighter in U.S. cocaine bust Crowley adds Caribe exec

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
COSCO Pacific eyes Mediterranean investments COSCO Group and the Piraeus Port Authority will meet in Athens this Sunday to discuss the state-owned shipping company's intention to purchase stakes in Greek ports. Bojonegara to be tendered soon after getting government approval Indonesian State Port Corporation (Pelindo II) has committed to tendering the Bojonegara International Port project soon after obtaining a government permit, a Pelindo II executive has declared. Bass Strait service resumes amidst rumour of ANL's buying Patrick from Toll US export declarations go paperless this year K Line completes PSW1 upgrade Port of Seattle sees 17.6% boost in 2005 Kombiverkehr homing in on 2m TEU Latvian port-swap allows ship-drop and service upgrade Stinnes/Railog launch combi-cargo service, in Rotterdam Port-inspired project More calls at Gwangyang North Carolina International Port site purchase approved

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Volgotanker survival crisis Russian tanker owner begs to be renationalised to save company and 10,000 jobs. PDVSA tanker refloated Kim Jacob will be inspected for damage before leaving for the US Virgin Islands. Sistership left ferry to its fate Captain of another El Salam Maritime vessel stayed away from stricken Al Salam 98 to protect his own passengers. Ice rescue fails Elderly Bulgarian cargoship still trapped in frozen Azov Sea after 63 hour battle is lost. Profit, too, for Wilhelmsen CEO Ingar Skaug turns in tidy profit of his own under executive share scheme. Greenpeace: "We'll flag out" Planet-saving good guys planned to switch ships to flag of convenience. Solvang gains again Norwegian gas carrier owner lifts earnings for its 12,000-cbm to 60,000-cbm ships in 2005. Iran raises Danish dues Danish owners could face total ban from Iranian ports in row over offensive cartoons. Club defends tragic ferry Steamship Mutual says Egyptian vessel had lifesaving equipment for more than double the number aboard. Eurofin expands Finance advisor hires former Tufton Oceanic director to spearhead growth in Russia and eastern Europe. Record dividend for NATS Strong fourth quarter suezmax market and 20% increase in revenue days prompts bumper payout. EC approves Cargill purchase US grain giant wins permission to buy inland transport business of Italy's Pagnan. Saudis turn back El Salam ferry More trouble for owner of Al Salam 98 as another of its vessels deemed unsafe. WW ups PCTC orders Wilh Wilhelmsen to purchase pair of 8,000-unit ships building at Daewoo for Wallenius Lines. Toei turns it up Japanese reefer owner makes bigger nine-month profit from higher revenues. Kawasaki Kinkai kicks on Japanese bulker and ro-ro operator boosts profit and revenues in first nine months. Profits up at Wilh Wilhelmsen Norwegian owner describes result as "historic", but CEO Ingar Skaug says room for improvement (includes link to live video conference). Manitowoc seals barge order US shipbuilder signs newbuilding deal for pair of double-hulled barge from domestic owner Wartsila speeds ahead Engine maker reports 30% increase in profits for 2005 as investors set for bumper payout. Maersk agent keeps Iran office open Business as usual for Danish shipping giant despite Tehran cutting trade tries with Denmark in cartoon row. HHI eyes more China steel Prompted by cheaper prices Hyundai Heavy Industries is to double plate imports from China. Kuribayashi slips to loss Japanese ro-ro operator reports third quarter loss, but expects full year figures to return to profit.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
WTSA members to raise rates in specialty categories Grimaldi adds U.S./Africa direct service Wilhelmsen reports strong results for 2005 Horizon Offshore to add diving support vessel Thomas Miller transfers Haines to N.J. office Bush budgets $50 billion for transport programs Great Lakes carriers optimistic about future freight volumes EC approves Cargill's acquisition of Italian barge operator NEMF promotes Giroux to VP business development Bush unveils $42.7 billion homeland security budget Experts say DHS policy shop lacks resources U.S. considers easing import rules for Central American tomatoes Transport equipment makers to merge Globe Express names Bennett VP of sales Port of Seattle has record 2005

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
WW presents historic results Wilh. Wilhelmsen (WW) has announced another historic result for 2005 with net operating profits up from USD 207 million to ... Herning orders from Chinese shipyard Herning Shipping has ordered two 7,000-DWT product tankers of the Chinese Shipyard Mingde Heavy Industries in Nanton. The vessels ... Fiskerstrand gets twin Portuguese order Fiskerstrad Verft near Aalesund in Western Norway is contracted by Portuguese owners Atlantic Ferries to plan and build two commuter ...

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FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Timeframe tight for cruise ship 1.5% agreement Summer cruise season approaching fast as Pacific Northwest ports and cruise lines negotiate MOU for low-sulphur fuel. Refinery outage hits BP fourth quarter result Oil major reporting lower quarterly profit but overall 2005 result up despite Texas City refurbishment. Lubrizol: Higher shipment volume helps offset costs Lubricant additives manufacturer continues to see strong growth as price and product mix, as well as higher shipment volume more than offset higher raw material and utility costs. Wilh. Wilhelmsen reports profits up in 2005 Wilh. Wilhelmsen reports "a good result for 2005" and says the company is well hedged against high bunker prices in 2006. CSA raises bunker fuel surcharges, citing rising fuel price Shipowners Association raises bunker surcharge, citing increased fuel prices. Imarex: Bunker fuel oil derivatives trading up 87% Imarex broke two new liquidity records during January as trading in listed maritime derivatives contracts reached all time highs in the dry bulk, tankers and bunker fuel oil sectors. Rotterdam bids/offers $10 apart late morning Singapore: Demand levels mixed on strong fuel oil supplies Strong flow of fuel oil supplies while bunker traders reporting mixed levels of demand to start the month. Oil prices to stay tall on refining capacity shortage No immediate solution to refining shortages, high oil prices, expert saying.