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RM500m upgrading for Malaysia's Northport
MALAYSIA's Northport is in the midst of a RM500 million upgrading project and aims to focus on niche port businesses to keep up with competition from regional ports.
Rhine stays shut as cranes move in to clear boxes
GERMAN authorities working to reopen the Rhine, Europe's busiest commercial waterway, located all of the containers that have halted traffic since sliding off a carrier vessel over the weekend.
ASL Marine bags $164m vessel orders
THE surging demand for new offshore oil and gas rigs, along with the trend of larger vessels, is driving a related demand for tugs and support vessels as evidenced by ASL Marine Holdings' growing orderbook.
Maritime agencies to share facilities to sharpen readiness

Strait Talk

Forget about maritime toll booths
ON a good clear day the Strait of Gibraltar viewed from high up on the Rock looks really impressive.

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Shipping News

RM500m upgrading for Malaysia's Northport
MALAYSIA's Northport is in the midst of a RM500 million upgrading project and aims to focus on niche port businesses to keep up with competition from regional ports.
Rhine stays shut as cranes move in to clear boxes
GERMAN authorities working to reopen the Rhine, Europe's busiest commercial waterway, located all of the containers that have halted traffic since sliding off a carrier vessel over the weekend.
ASL Marine bags $164m vessel orders
THE surging demand for new offshore oil and gas rigs, along with the trend of larger vessels, is driving a related demand for tugs and support vessels as evidenced by ASL Marine Holdings' growing orderbook.
Maritime agencies to share facilities to sharpen readiness

Strait Talk

Forget about maritime toll booths
ON a good clear day the Strait of Gibraltar viewed from high up on the Rock looks really impressive.

	web site

CMA CGM posts profit of US$611m for 2006 MOL bolsters box services to Vietnam Grand Alliance begins Asia-Black Sea service in June RCL names its 1,108-TEU newbuild, the `Mitra Bhum' Colombo Port expansion works to receive major funding boost from ADB Canada's ports target for smuggling terrorist weapons: report Cathay Pacific suspends Colombo service until further notice GAC Hong Kong signs capacity purchase agreement with Lufthansa Labels discourage airfreighted fruit and veg purchases at Marks & Spencer

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Grand Alliance to launch Asia-Black Sea Express service from late June $ 300-m ADB loan to expand Colombo port New North Europe-East Coast South America service from Port of Hamburg INTTRA marks 1st anniversary of alliance with Port of Valencia US ports to handle higher volumes, says report MSC's new European Silk service calls at XICT Hanjin Shipping to diversify business portfolio PSA International to run Gwadar port Rates holding, overcapacity tales exaggerated, says OOIL's CFO WTSA to hike rates from May GE Shipping divests stake in Routes Travel Emirates Shipping joins INTTRA carrier network IMG's draft report on improving efficiency of ports submitted to PM IPA panel working out common port insurance policy P. D. Rathi appointed MbPT's Railway Manager Gateway Rail Freight & CONCOR form JV for rail-linked, double-stack box terminal at Garhi Harsaru CONCOR to fix terminal user charges for pvt. operators today Direct tax collections cross Rs 2,00,000 cr. Ficci, CII seek extension of DEPB scheme Rules on housing, recreational activities in SEZs to be tightened Reliance augments SEZ relief package CII team for IPRs' summit in china

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MARCH 27, 2007
MOL opens Japan's first box terminal solar plant Cape Town could lose two thirds of shipping Total ' bunker industry can meet challenges JNPT to build fourth box terminal

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MARCH 27, 2007
Clipper Group companies indicted on pollution cover-up counts Bourbon orders GPA methanol-carrying PSV's VT Halter Marine wins PSV order "Human factors" blamed in BC Ferries sinking

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MARCH 27, 2007
Brussels pushes ahead with shipbreaking agenda COMMISSIONERS to debate future policy which includes plans for regional legislation. Europe 'can sustain' breaking industry US on course to Marpol ratification HOUSE of Representatives passes implementation Bill to adopt Marpol Annex VI. First Ship Lease trading debut ends on high note SINGAPORE'S second listed shipping trust closed up just over 4% on its first afternoon's trading.

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MARCH 27, 2007
House approves Marpol Annex VI WASHINGTON, DC 27 March ' Legislation to implement Marpol Annex VI was passed yesterday by the US House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate where passage is also expected Norden bullish despite 2006 fall DS Norden, the Danish bulk shipping company, forecasts a strong bounce in profit for this year after a sharp fall in 2006 due mainly to one-off items Spain adopts pollution directive SPAIN is to crack down on ships guilty of polluting waters within 200n-miles of the coast, following the adoption by government of new measures Life is sweet for Indian exporters INDIAN ports can expect sudden growth in throughput after Delhi last weekend issued incentives for sugar export to offload additional stock Princess mum on 'double dip' PRINCESS Cruises knows why two passengers fell overboard from the Grand Princess early on Sunday morning, but it's not telling Rotterdam's loss is Antwerp's gain CONTAINER-handling operations in Rotterdam are already feeling the effect of the blockage of the river Rhine by containers lost off a barge near Cologne on Sunday House approves Marpol Annex VI Growing question mark over ICG buy-out Intermare, BBC form project venture Log-In to Docenave, says CVRD Three missing after collision Improper watchkeeping sank Queen Taranaki boosts Greymouth future Venezuelan victory over Customs

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MARCH 27, 2007
Revival for new container ship orders Orders by carriers ends a near year-long drought of contracts as surging trade banishes fears of excess tonnage. Customs delays truck e-manifest compliance Rhine may re-open Friday House passes marine anti-pollution legislation Homeland Security tests air cargo screening Hapag-Lloyd to take over Europe-ANZ service Trident adds calls at Adelaide, Tauranga Customs Update: Changes at FDA Corps doubles funding for Columbia River dredging New York airfreight gains Israel to join CSI

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MARCH 27, 2007
Hapag-Lloyd goes solo on Europe-ANZ service Hapag-Lloyd is to end its partnership with CMA CGM on its ANS Europe-Med-Australia/NZ service, to start running the service solo, from late April. Tianjin authorities detain collision vessel for failure to provide undertakings Tianjin local authorities have confirmed to ci-online that they are detaining the MSC vessel involved in a collision with a dredger three weeks ago, pending receipt of undertakings. CSCL to issue US$232m bonds to fund 12 newbuilds Jakarta drafts new rule to cap THCs Private-sector Hector bags Van Dieren Germany-Sweden shuttle train India aims for logistics value with unstuffing/restuffing regulation US House passes emissions bill on MARPOL Annex VI to Senate Northport's distripark turns from loss-making concern into 200,000 teu hub

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MARCH 27, 2007
Vetting means crews Charterers' attention switches to officers as personnel standards become the issue of the day. Asia-Africa upgrade K Line, MISC and Pacific International Lines are adding bigger ships and more ports to service Bulkers rule February order haul back over the 1mgt plus mark as yard back log surges to second highest ever. Hapag goes it alone to Oz German shipowner going it alone on Europe-Australia/NZ route, ending tie-up with CMA CGM. Clipper indicted Danish shipping group charged by US authorities with "magic pipe" violations in New Jersey says it will "contest" prosecution. Brazil cans Cargill bean port Greens cheer as US giant's facility in Santarem shut pending proper environmental impact assessment report. Euroferries confident UK start-up believes it will land Spirit of Ontario, despite US owner rejecting its bid last week. Ship grounds in Baltic Sea Danish navy vessels on stand-by as Cyprus-flagged ship in ballast hits ground en route to Estonia. Tragic error Fatal explosion on Golar LNG carrier sparks safety recommendations. Eimskip on target Icelandic container line and reefer owner emerges unscathed from traditionally tough first quarter. Home work for Hosco China's Hebei Shipping reveals compatriot yards as builders of last eight of 16 capesize newbuildings. Hedges prune Norden profit Danish tanker and bulker owner sees income halved on large hedging loss and trimmed revenues. Trident out in the cold Court kicks out Danish company's claim for damages over failed attempt to buy Lithuanian Shipping. Aker builds for GDV Norwegian yard group signs up domestic owner for supply ship to be built in Romania. Ferry in bomb threat Nearly 300 passengers evacuated from Pelni ship in Java, Indonesia. 'A low hanging fruit' Shipping firmly in the sights of air emission regulators, Intertanko conference told. Human error sank ferry Canadian owner BC Ferries' report into fatal sinking of Queen of the North last year finds crew failed to make course changes to avoid Gil Island. "We are taking on water" Read the last moments of the Queen of the North in this extract from bridge radio transmissions. Gran Ship buys first vessel Finnish joint venture snaps up 1985-built German general cargoship. Ships collide in Black Sea Rough weather conditions cause two moored vessels to collide and ground near Odessa. Fisher grows again Marine services push up 2006 profits, but products tankers suffer from weather delays and drydockings. CSCL plans bond issue China Shipping Group liner arm plans to raise CNY1.8bn ($232.7m) and orders more boxships. COSCON fixes boxships Cosco Container Lines is taking four newbuildings on 10-year charters from Cosco Shanghai.

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MARCH 27, 2007
Rhine closed after container spill Carriers adding larger ships, ports to Asia/South Africa loop ESPMC-WITASS's bunker surcharges rising MOL to open Poland branch for liner business DHL opens new international hub in Riverside, Calif. DHS expands air cargo security test Infrastructure commission gets more time, money Technical problems force CBP to postpone e-manifest enforcement Kuehne + Nagel targets top 5 contract logistics position in Gulf DHS enlists firms for nuke detection research GlobalWare Solutions appoints Viliesis as CFO General Freight Services promotes Sebolt to president and COO Connor, Orient Star offering Shanghai/Baltimore LCL service Industry paper: Set Calif. diesel trucks emission limits now India seeks to reduce dwell time at ports Southern California ports see more ships, but no congestion TWIC card delay in Wilmington Ports of Busan, Durban sign cooperative agreement Seimens picks Longview port to deliver wind turbines Port of New Orleans seeks bidders for projects Yusen Terminals shuffles staff at L.A. terminal

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MARCH 27, 2007
DFDS Tor Line extends Volvo contract DFDS Tor Line has extended their deal with Volvo and will continue to ship cars, trucks, busses, and components from ... Iran could rebuild rescue crafts, says Amnesty Nine rescue crafts built by Norwegian Båtservice in Mandal for the Iranian government could be rebuilt to military crafts, according ... Peter Wessel out for a month Norwegian passenger/car ferry operator Color Line's Peter Wessel is out of service on the Larvik to Hirtshals route until ...

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MARCH 27, 2007
Steady volumes seen in Fujairah bunker market Latest annual estimates show no growth from 2005 to 2006, suppliers concerned about competition. Annex VI close to law in US Legislation enabling enforcement and SECA implementation moving ahead. Norden result heads south Hedging losses on FFAs and bunkers contribute to 47% slip in profits. Rotterdam: Market firms on higher crude/barges Tight market keeps Asian prices firm Asian bunker prices have begun to stabilise after surging by $20-30 since March 14. Titan suspends share trading Hong Kong Stock Exchange asked to wait for a 'transaction announcement'.