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S'pore backs proposal to expand Panama Canal
FOREIGN Affairs Minister George Yeo has expressed the Singapore government's support for a proposal to expand the Panama Canal, saying the canal is important for the whole global economy.
China to promote shipbuilding investment
CHINA will encourage overseas investment in its shipbuilding industry, while capping combined foreign stakes in shipbuilding companies at 49 per cent, official media said on Monday.
US shuns low-sulphur marine fuel trend
THE United States is not expected to require ships calling at its ports to switch to a cleaner-burning, lower-sulphur marine fuel within the next few years due to a lack of demand by ship owners, industry sources and bunker suppliers say.

Strait Talk

Watchkeeper fatigue issue divides shipowning community
THE scene is being set for a major debate within the shipowning community and at the International Maritime Organization over minimum manning levels for commercial ships.

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Shipping News

S'pore backs proposal to expand Panama Canal
FOREIGN Affairs Minister George Yeo has expressed the Singapore government's support for a proposal to expand the Panama Canal, saying the canal is important for the whole global economy.
China to promote shipbuilding investment
CHINA will encourage overseas investment in its shipbuilding industry, while capping combined foreign stakes in shipbuilding companies at 49 per cent, official media said on Monday.
US shuns low-sulphur marine fuel trend
THE United States is not expected to require ships calling at its ports to switch to a cleaner-burning, lower-sulphur marine fuel within the next few years due to a lack of demand by ship owners, industry sources and bunker suppliers say.

Strait Talk

Watchkeeper fatigue issue divides shipowning community
THE scene is being set for a major debate within the shipowning community and at the International Maritime Organization over minimum manning levels for commercial ships.

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OOCL receives its first China-built containership APL Logistics to service Waterford Wedgwood products worldwide Panalpina to build logistics centre in Dubai Logistics guru predicts further industry consolidation Kuehne + Nagel opens 2nd phase of logistics facility in the Ukraine ICTSI names new officers for Philippine, Indonesian units Hainan Airlines orders 737s Dragonair August throughput up 1pc Probes could delay launch of A380

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VOTG Tanktainer GmbH to enhance business in India 4th APLN global conference concludes on positive note Greatship contracts to buy 4 AHTSVs Perma Container Line opens Nagpur office India prunes Asean sensitive list to 560 Indian cos cheer Chinese steel export rebate cut IBSA to rope in mercosur for trade promotion Krishnapatnam port slated to start full-scale operations by June 2008 All Major Ports set sail for swift development VPT appoints Rotterdam Maritime Group to prepare report on improving Port facilities Baalu clears road works in 6 states Rlys may not concede fixed, annual haulage charges to private players Longer time to optimally use tannery facelift fund sought Raigad Chamber opens logistics & shipping institute

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Swagerman new KLM security VP New heavylift vessel for MACS TUI merging air subsidiaries Scania board declines MAN offer Kerry Logistics expanding in Europe

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Oslo B'rs takes no action over Stolt-Nielsen Exmar ends ethylene charters Singapore backs Panama Canal expansion BC Ferries buys Spanish vessel

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Austal buys Bender stake in U.S. yard Labroy books AHTS orders BC Ferries buys MV Sonia

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Brussels a threat to P&I system warns Archibald With increased shipowner liabilities established in the past few years and others shortly to come into force, this will be "a serious concern for the insurance industry and is guaranteed to increase claims levels," said Mr Archibald. BP hit by new troubles at Gulf of Mexico oil platforms BP'S American operations have been hit by another setback after the British oil major was forced to delay start-up of the giant oil platform Thunder Horse for another year, writes Martyn Wingrove. Eletson moves into LPG with $247m newbuilds Greek tanker company Eletson Holdings has placed orders with South Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for four medium-sized liquefied petroleum gas carriers, arguably marking the most abrupt diversification in Eletson's 40-year history. Fears grow for ailing Swan Hunter THERE are growing fears that one of the world's best-known British shipbuilding names could sink forever.

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
CMN alleges Corsica irregularities MARSEILLES 19 September ' The war of words between French ferry operators CMN and SNCM took a new turn this week with CMN, in a letter to French authorities, talking publicly of possible irregularities in the tender for the Corsica services Order growth slowing for German yards THE rapid growth spurt for Germany's shipbuilding sector over the last few years is coming to an end, according to industry association VSM Ferry sale ends Shetland hopes PLANS for a direct ferry link between Lerwick in the Shetland Islands and Bergen in Norway have been dashed after Fjord Line sold the vessel to serve the route Stevedores suffer in cargo spill CONFLICTING reports have emerged of six stevedores in Halifax, Canada, being injured by a cargo spill yesterday Sakhalin-2 approval cancelled RUSSIA'S environmental watchdog is cancelling an earlier order allowing the developer to complete construction of the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas field project C Eitzen to raise $300M for Songa NORWAY-based Camillo Eitzen is planning to raise $300-350M in an equity issue in connection with the acquisition of Songa Shipholding BC Ferries sues over propulsion failure Bulker refloated in St Lawrence Further heat on 'dishonest' AWB

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Liners support "clearly defined" U.S. security goals, says WSC's Koch Head of liner lobby group says industry should support U.S. supply chain security plans, but only if goals are clearly defined and prioritized. UPS, Teamsters start early talks NY-NJ port to create "virtual container yard" New Rotterdam line sets off port rail scramble China Cosco net plunges Crowley adds capacity for Virgin Islands service New CEO for Eurinpro India sets ports union talks Diana Shipping buys Capesize pair

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Carrier bids for P&O's US terminal operations CMA CGM is believed to have entered the bidding for P&O Group's six US terminals in partnership with Stevedoring Services of America according to ci-online sources. COSCO and Hutchison consider Greek joint venture Port operator and carrier China COSCO said today that there is chance for the company to co-operate with Hutchison Whampoa on port business in Greece. First half results show ports driving CMHI business Brazil's Unafisco union signals protest over liberalised dry port process Halifax box terminal expanding to meet demand Petersburg terminals near end of auto-transport consultation Euro Asia Transload facility for Fraser River Port Ambitious Cochin gets its wish Vikas Khan calls for Indian secondary port development

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Danaos files IPO John Coustas-led containership operator Danaos Corp has filed a prospectus for an IPO with US regulators. Quintana seals rates Stamatis Molaris-led Quintana Maritime has locked in rates through 2007 on two more kamsarmax bulkers. Five-ship LNG tender Repsol and Gas Natural of Spain look set to issue a long awaited billion-dollar tender. Revising upwards Bear Stearns is raising expectations for both dry and wet rates but thinks Christmas may have come early for the tanker market. Could come in handy Asia has racked up an unexpected first in the handysize freight derivatives trade. Oil execs held in waste probe Ivory Coast arrests Trafigura two over Probo Koala toxic dumping that killed seven people. Eletson confirms gas order Greek owner signals intent to make inroads in LPG sector with order for quartet at Hyundai Mipo. Oslo clears Stolt The Oslo Stock Exchange has closed its investigation into a January 2004 sale of shares by Stolt-Nielsen. Pin problem prompts lawsuit Legal action alleges ship maintenance firms failed to spot missing steering component on BC Ferries ship that grounded in 2005. Canada spill just "rotten eggs" Foul-smelling innocent substance on Clipper-managed ship blamed for panic at Canadian port of Halifax. Denholm drives profit up Record annual earnings for Scottish group after sale of two bulkers. Eletson into gas? Source points to Greek owner behind latest order for four 35,000-cbm LPG units at Hyundai Mipo. China fishes for yard cash Government wants more foreign investment in shipbuilding industry, but will limit overseas-held stakes to 49%. Cosco Corp grabs Norwegian order Dalian shipyard to build hull of FDPSO unit for MPF Corp with completion to follow in Spain. Rates decline at NOL Singapore liner firm sees freight rates decline for sixth consecutive month, but volumes are up. TKMS in the money German shipbuilder on course for 2006 profit approaching EUR 100m. Austal takes control Australian shipbuilder buys partner Bender Shipbuilding's stake in its Alabama shipyard. CCHC takes a dive Profit down at Cosco's listed shipping and ports business in first half as performance at terminals weakens. Diana takes more capes US-listed bulker owner says it has bought another two capesize resales at Shanghai Waigaoqiao. Who wants to go first? Four-person team from China hits Europe in seach of first LNG newbuilding export orders. LNG charter rates soar Consultant urges charterers to take a fresh look at approach to acquiring vessels for long-term business. UK's new LNG terminals gear up Two Milford Haven sites expecting first ships in August and November 2007. Genco extends Success Korea Line agrees in principle to take 1997-built handymax bulker for another eleven to thirteen months. Lasco being lightered Salvors to remove up to 2,000 tons of cargo from Clipper bulker grounded off Port Everglade. BC Ferries buys Spanish ro-pax Canadian owner to buy 2004-built ro-pax to replace Queen of the North which sank in March.

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Marine industry faces officer shortage, broker warns Crowley adds third ship to Caribbean service Basham: Southwest border diverts DHS attention, resources U.S., Mauritius enter agreement to expand trade C-TPAT office gets new director NDC buys 3PL in West Sacramento Penske, ABX form alliance Long Beach August imports jump 13.6% Singapore officials stump for Panama Canal expansion Euro Asia Transload to develop site at Fraser River

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Scandlines deal in final round The owners of Scandlines A/G will start negotiations with two or three of the prospective buyers, that have launched ... The insurance world highlights dangerous disrespect for dangerous cargo rules A survey on 25,000 containers around the world showed that 32 per cent contained dangerous cargo in non-compliance with ... Stricken bulk carrier to Cityvarvet The Greek-owned, Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier "Velos", which last week ran aground in Danish waters, will leave Aabenraa today ...

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
Colombian supplier boosts team Former Tramp Oil trader enhancing 'service to clients'. US explores feasibility of low-sulphur regulations Environmental agency working with regional partners on SECA study, LSFO availability questioned. New Black Sea supplier expands service Third, bigger barge now in service for bunker supplier active since this spring. What next for IBIA? Bunker industry association seeks guidance on its future role. Bunkers could make bigger dent in UASC results 2005 results for leading Arab shipping line slipped slightly on bunker costs, but could take bigger hit for H1 of 2006. Prompt product tight in ARA market India: Bunkering terminal project faces delay Tax exemption has not yet been approved for the bunkering terminal project in Kochi. Hong Kong market starved of bunker fuel No prompt supplies available until next week, local players say.