BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

MPA to focus R&D on shipping, port, offshore & engineering
SINGAPORE will take a 'cluster approach' in pushing research and development in the maritime industry, in line with its development as an international maritime centre.
Swissco plans to expand fleet for offshore work
SINGAPORE's Swissco International Ltd said yesterday that by 2008 it plans to more than double its fleet of vessels that support offshore oil and gas exploration and production.
Israel magnate buys 8.7% of Hanjin Shipping
ISRAELI shipping magnate Sami Ofer has acquired an 8.7 per cent stake in top South Korean shipper Hanjin Shipping Co from Geveran Trading Co Ltd, raising his total stake to 12 per cent, a local newspaper said yesterday.
JPMorgan cuts share rating for Top Tankers

Admiralty Casebook

Court clears company of blame in tugboat sinking near Japan
THE Singapore Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the owners of the tugboat Marina Iris that sank with all its crew off Japan's coast more than three years ago, ordering the tug's insurers to pay up with interests and costs.

web site

Shipping News

MPA to focus R&D on shipping, port, offshore & engineering
SINGAPORE will take a 'cluster approach' in pushing research and development in the maritime industry, in line with its development as an international maritime centre.
Swissco plans to expand fleet for offshore work
SINGAPORE's Swissco International Ltd said yesterday that by 2008 it plans to more than double its fleet of vessels that support offshore oil and gas exploration and production.
Israel magnate buys 8.7% of Hanjin Shipping
ISRAELI shipping magnate Sami Ofer has acquired an 8.7 per cent stake in top South Korean shipper Hanjin Shipping Co from Geveran Trading Co Ltd, raising his total stake to 12 per cent, a local newspaper said yesterday.
JPMorgan cuts share rating for Top Tankers

Admiralty Casebook

Court clears company of blame in tugboat sinking near Japan
THE Singapore Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the owners of the tugboat Marina Iris that sank with all its crew off Japan's coast more than three years ago, ordering the tug's insurers to pay up with interests and costs.

	web site

Ningbo handles 5m TEU over first 9 months China condemns EU leather shoe tariff Diageo logistics hub opens in Singapore NWS Holdings FY2005-06 profit sinks 43pc Hanjin's new India company to be fully operational in April, 2007 Swire Shipping undergoes rebranding exercise Drop in demand from US, Europe slows Hactl's growth Air China strengthens ties with Globe Air Cargo in Europe Lufthansa Cargo opens animal facility in Frankfurt

	web site

Anchor Freight, AGIL form strategic alliance to provide better services EU lowers tariffs on polyester fibres Synthetic textile exports grow by 21 pc in April-July Exim Bank to raise $ 750 m in 6 months EU for better trade ties with India French cotton on to Gujarat fibre PIX service to Far East begins calling at Port Pipavav Mohapatra stresses need for boosting port capacity ABG Shipyard seeks slot for 2nd facility in Dahej SEZ Alcock Ashdown turnaround prompts Gujarat govt to go in for fresh bids Maruti scouts for export gateway in Gujarat L&T may drop anchor at Kakinada for fabrication facility Major table tennis tournament opens with a smash at KPT's SVP Auditorium 10 in fray for feasibility study: Port at Nicobar R. Radhakrishnan re-elected BCHAA President for 2006-08 GSECL bags contract to build Indore air cargo complex Incentive package for private inland water transport operators getting ready Haridaspur-Paradip Railway Company now well on track L&T, Sembcorp in last dash for stake in Dahej SEZ M&A deals may touch $ 25 bn

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Schenker announces new UK board and HQ More cargo in Brunswick GA Russian Railways intend to sell 49% of cargo company Austria: limited services at Wolfurt intermodal terminal Deutsche Post AG sheds Vfw AG in Germany Port Management and Logistics Conference in Slovenia

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Intertanko warns against knee-jerk reaction on slops Nigerian gang kills soldiers, hijacks oil barges EC official in IMO talks PRS gets EC blessing Finnlines trumpets good results

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Todd Pacific wins Alaska ferry contract Keppel O&M adds to orderbook Prosafe declines Teekay offer for Petrojarl shares

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Portland Port Commissioners Ok order for fourth Post-Panamax crane FANZL taps Gale Searing as sales/customer service director Ramps to Sea-Tac Airport closing to make way for light rail link Change of command ceremony set for Coast Guard cutter HEALY Canadian federal government investing in Port of Vancouver

	web site

Ofer and Citigroup swoop on Hanjin SHARES in Hanjin Shipping surged 5.6% yesterday following news that both Israeli shipping tycoon Sami Ofer and Citigroup had paid a total of nearly $323m to increase their stakes in South Korea's top shipping company. Angry lines say EC is 'harping on about past' THE liner shipping industry is expected to harden its tone with the Brussels competition authorities today, accusing European Commission officials of "tedious and unsubstantiated accusations" regarding alleged past collusion. FT Everard christens green tanker Speciality LEADING British shortsea tanker operator FT Everard & Sons has christened the first of its four long-awaited state-of-the-art double hull product tanker newbuildings, writes Julian Bray. Giant Step death toll rises to six FOUR more bodies from Mitsui OSK Lines' 1985-built 197,060 dwt ore carrier Giant Step, which grounded and broke up a week ago, have been found, taking the confirmed death toll to six, writes Keith Wallis in Hong Kong. SMIT to sell interest in SmitWijs Towage DUTCH maritime firm SMIT has announced that it will sell its 50% interest in SmitWijs Towage to the other joint shareholder, SvitzerWijsmuller, for an undisclosed sum.

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
DOJ targets Stolt executives PHILADELPHIA 12 October ' Stolt-Neilsen SA has publicly confirmed that both its chairman and chief executive officer are currently being investigated by the US Department of Justice PDVSA warns of media manipulation VENEZUELAN oil giant PDVSA has issued a stern rebuttal to reports that refinery woes forced cutbacks in planned October gasoline exports to the US US cuts LNG forecast again The US Energy Information Administration continues to slash its forecast for American LNG imports Frontline converts first single-hull THE first single hull vessel to be converted into an FPSO by Frontline is a 16-year-old Aframax that will be docked at Keppel in Singapore for the work HSH moves alongside Greek investors HSH Nordbank will open a representative office in Athens in the first quarter of 2007 to cater directly for the powerful Greek ship investment market No breaking news for Hartlepool Able UK, which planned to dismantle four US naval reserve vessels at its facility in Hartlepool, has had its application thrown out by local councillors NYK-Fil wins 'disability' case Green policies need legislative backing Chittagong sinking threat to safety Varun to raise $544M for expansion Finnlines' recovery back on track Deutsche Bahn to bid for HHLA stake Giant Step toll rises to six Sammy Ofer raises Hanjin stake Precious clears $265M debt Japan bans North Korean ships

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Maersk sells boxships to Seaspan The Danish parent of Maersk Line has sold four 4,800-TEU boxships in charter deal with Vancouver-based Seaspan Corp. Trade deficit soars to all-time high in August Portland orders fourth crane Export ABCs: Information time Former VPA chief is new U.S. Seaway administrator Japan bans N. Korean ships Zim's Ofer ups Hanjin stake SCI sets global plan Safmarine names ship

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Bankers say Ofer move for Hanjin cannot be ruled out Geveran Trading sold its entire stake in Hanjin Shipping to Israeli shipping tycoon Sami Ofer last week, six months after the disposal of its shares in Hyundai Merchant Marine. Durban congestion charge threat raised again The shipping lines in South Africa have threatened to impose a surcharge on containers handled at Durban Container Terminal due to long delays in processing cargo. Major ANZ changes for Maersk Chittagong Port channel blocked by sunken vessel Mediators' report fails to settle Rotterdam-Zeeland co-operation quarrel Consortia exemption could be in EC's sights next Maersk makes NZ moves despite mooted ports union MEPs call for EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Dalian to get China's third free-trade port zone Canadian West Coast infrastructure plan confirmed Zhenhua clinches US$220m crane-building contracts Ground broken on Nigeria's Kano ICD

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
FFA bet burns DryShips George Economou bet against the dry-bulk market earlier this year. The market won. Able scrap bid blocked Local council throws out application to recycle "ghost ships" in UK northeast port, appeal pending. TT Club conjures up $30m Liner shipping mutual boosts capitalisation through innovative 30 year deal to issue loan notes and buy matching bonds. Jinhui returns to Oshima Sumitomo Corp brokers another handymax newbuild for the Hong Kong-listed bulk owner. Bimco: 'Don't lie to USCG' International seafarers are being warned on how to keep out of prison if the US Coast Guard inspects their ship. Qatar orders feederships Qatar Navigation is going to Korea's Daesun for up to four $24m feeder containerships. Fincantieri courts Argentines Italian state-controlled shipbuilder Fincantieri is buddying up with Astillero Rio Santiago. Acergy on the up Oslo-listed offshore owner posts big nine-month profit jump as it boasts of 'superior project execution.' Euroseas gets handy Pittas family-controlled Euroseas Ltd is picking up an NSB Niederelbe boxship under charter until July 2009. Keppel prepares the Puffin Singapore yard picks up $130m of new work including first conversion for Frontline FPSO. Defective trio held Three ships detained by Hong Kong port state control inspectors during September. Prosafe says no Norwegian FPSO owner is resisting Teekay's bid to take over rival Petrojarl by holding on to its stake. Missing crew in Lisbon jail Seamen from a tug that disappeared a year ago in Indian Ocean have been reported found in prison in Portugal. Finnlines shows off Finnish ferry group targeted for takeover by Grimaldi releases strong nine-month profit figures ahead of schedule. Shop a cop Intercargo is setting up a port state control corruption hot-line covering two unnamed ports in one PSC region. Brittany buys local Aker's newly acquired Lorient shipyard set to build second ferry for regional council. John sells to Sammy? Shares in Hanjin Shipping jump nearly 10% on reports Ofer is buyer of Fredriksen stake. MSC eyes West Africa Swiss-based shipowner is the second liner company to announce a new such service in as many days. Axel wants more Consolidator continues to buy shares in new stocklisted venture ahead of Oslo launch. Maersk to take control of tugs Danish giant's SvitzerWijsmuller buying out partner Smit in SmitWijs Towage. TTA opens in Singapore Generous tax breaks tempt Thai owner to move some of its business to the Lion Republic.

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
MOL ship accident death toll up to six Maersk sells, charters back four ships to Seaspan Maersk Line to change Intra-Asia loop Polish register gets EU limited recognition Safmarine names 4,154-TEU ship Lufthansa Cargo's volume up 3.9% in September Cathay's September cargo up 6.3% STB to hold November hearing on grain transportation CBP prepares pilot program for third-party validators FMC reviews 7 OTI applications, revokes 2 licenses Canada's $591 million initiative to aid West Coast port expansions OOIL cautions shareholders about terminal sale New Zealand ports talking merger Portland port commission O.K.s purchase of 4th post-Panamax crane

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
More A-shares secure A.P. Møller-Mærsk The A.P. Møller-Mærsk has taken a further step into securing the company from hostile takeover. A chunck of 5,000 ... More tax deduction for Danish owners Danish shipowners is heading toward more competitive tax terms. The minister for Business Affairs, Bendt Bendtsen, has issued a bill ... Platform lifeboats to be upgraded Around 250 oil workers from production platforms in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea are today sent ashore until ...

	web site
OCTOBER 12, 2006
Quiet trading sees little price movement Bunker prices in US markets settling down as crude lifts slightly after yesterday's low. LA port emissions now online California port pollutant monitoring scheme up-and-running. New Zealand's High Court upholds bunker spill fine Failure to slow pumping rate was an 'aggravating circumstance'. Bunker project still mired in discussions over tax Indian port sees cargo throughput leap, but bunker facility must wait for decision on VAT Rotterdam market firms, suppliers committed until Tuesday Taiwan's bunker market opening to more competition New supplier expects Kaohsiung licence soon Singapore: Stocks of residual fuels above 13 million barrels Stocks of middle distillates also up from week-ago levels. Hong Kong SECA needs support from regional countries Hong Kong officials and China's Maritime Safety Administration will likely discuss a Hong Kong SECA next week. Singapore suppliers back regulation through local initiatives IBIA official's call for global regulations sparks reaction from Singapore players.