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Malaysian military copter saves tanker from pirates
A Malaysian military helicopter saved an Indian tanker from being hijacked yesterday, foiling the new year's first attack by pirates in the dangerous Gulf of Aden off the chaotic African nation of Somalia, an official said.
Rotterdam port deploys ice-breaker
As Dutch ice-skaters made the most of the lowest December temperatures in 12 years, authorities announced on Wednesday that it would be deploying a ship to break up ice in the port of Rotterdam.
Hutchison scuppers Greek port deal talks
Global transport operator Hutchison Whampoa has scuppered talks on the concession for container facilities at Greece's main northern port of Thessaloniki, the port authority said on Dec 24.
Caribbean tanker rates fall on low demand

Shipping Times

China spending on railways to double in 2009
Amid a surge in planned infrastructure projects in 2009 aimed at boosting domestic demand, China plans to almost double its investment in railways to about 600 billion yuan (S$126.7 billion).
British rail fare hikes jump well above inflation
Rail travellers in Britain face inflation-busting fare rises in the New Year, with long-distance passengers suffering from increasing restrictions on cheaper advance fares, a consumer watchdog said yesterday.

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Shipping News

Malaysian military copter saves tanker from pirates
A Malaysian military helicopter saved an Indian tanker from being hijacked yesterday, foiling the new year's first attack by pirates in the dangerous Gulf of Aden off the chaotic African nation of Somalia, an official said.
Rotterdam port deploys ice-breaker
As Dutch ice-skaters made the most of the lowest December temperatures in 12 years, authorities announced on Wednesday that it would be deploying a ship to break up ice in the port of Rotterdam.
Hutchison scuppers Greek port deal talks
Global transport operator Hutchison Whampoa has scuppered talks on the concession for container facilities at Greece's main northern port of Thessaloniki, the port authority said on Dec 24.
Caribbean tanker rates fall on low demand

Shipping Times

China spending on railways to double in 2009
Amid a surge in planned infrastructure projects in 2009 aimed at boosting domestic demand, China plans to almost double its investment in railways to about 600 billion yuan (S$126.7 billion).
British rail fare hikes jump well above inflation
Rail travellers in Britain face inflation-busting fare rises in the New Year, with long-distance passengers suffering from increasing restrictions on cheaper advance fares, a consumer watchdog said yesterday.

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DP World places US$343 million crane order with Zhenhua HPH acquires majority stake in CTE in share swap with NYK MOL president outlines company highlights for 2008 Idle ship numbers soar; charterers hit hard by market slump Hamburg Sud to change UCLA service due to Venezuelan ports Agility handles first 'carboNZero' shipment Kunpeng Airlines launches four services from Zhengzhou Shenzhen Airlines starts Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Harbin service Kenyan exporters demand lower air rates after oil price falls Delhi airport to extend, upgrade air cargo terminal

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MoS to acquire satellite to monitor ship movements Pipavav Shipyard seeks defence orders CSS Group hosts Sales Strategy Meet 2009 aboard cruise liner No light seen ahead for shipping cos to overcome recession SPM commences operations at Paradip Port MPT cargo handlers set new record in bauxite loading Bureau of maritime security to safeguard all ports mooted Despatch of Maruti A-Star by rail for export to Mundra a path-breaking event Sanjvik Terminals' proposed ICD at Bawal gets ministerial panel's approval Officials hold talks with PM on second stimulus package Prices of petrol, diesel to be cut before February: Minister EPCG scheme extended to common service providers SEAI seeks import duty on palm group of oils Assocham survey puts economic growth at 7.1 pc in 2008-09 Lest we forget IMF calls for insurance cover from govts against international financial crisis Indo-US economic summit on Jan. 7, 8

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JANUARY 1, 2009
Captain gets home detention in pollution case

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
TSA checks backgrounds of over one million HME drivers Evergreen to consolidate North America operations Hamburg Sud vessel markes first Long Beach call Port of Tacoma taps Simonsen as accounting operations manager Maersk Line to leave Port of Charleston

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
Talks extended to avert Canada ports strike LABOUR negotiations to resume on Saturday as British Columbia ports try to avoid work stoppage. Vancouver weathering storm better than US rivals Lloyd Fonds to end year with after-tax loss GERMAN KG house expects loss to be in a low single-digit million range. Euroseas offloads panamax bulker DRY bulk and container shipowner and operator sells Ioanna P for $3.85m.

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DECEMBER 30, 2008
TSA seeks leeway THE Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) wants more legal leeway to discuss traffic conditions and cost savings, as part of carriers' efforts to increase efficiency and survive the economic crisis North Sea producer insolvent OILEXCO North Sea Ltd. has confirmed that it will file for UK bankruptcy protection as soon as next week Chennai trucker strike ends THE trucker strike that has crippled container operations in Chennai, India has ended after 11 days Master escapes US jail term AN undisclosed "life-threatening condition" has saved a South Korean captain from US imprisonment after he was convicted of lying about high-seas garbage dumping

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
Marad delays Marine Highways progam Effective date for anti-congestion plan pushed back to Jan. 5 to allow time for its rules to get review by Congress. Oakland dock spat resolved Mobile gets CMA CGM call Evergreen Shipping Agency cuts jobs in US restructuring Kolding to lead ELAA Chamber supports stimulus Cosco shipbuilding unit warns on 2008 earnings Euroseas adjusts rates on boxship charter extensions Global airfreight declines Rates OK'd for India terminal YML opens Turkey agency

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
2008: 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' With precious few 'good news' stories coming across our desks at CI eXpress during the festive season, it is perhaps an appropriate time to reflect on what was an unprecedented year for the liner shipping industry: like the iconic 1960s movie it was composed of the good, the bad and the ugly. Kolding takes the chair at ELAA MCIA flags-up safety standards slippage during financial crisis COSCON revamps its FE/Red Sea network Evergreen US staff feel the pain DCT Gdansk hits the mark

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
Captain sentenced Master of STX Pan Ocean vessel to spend two months in home confinement for dumping waste. Charterer to fail Oilexco North Sea Limited will file for administration early next week after banks block funding. Rescue success Three crewmen are hoisted from a chemical tanker off Alaska after injuries from a rogue wave. Britannia battle Fight over the bones of bankrupt bulk carrier operator takes a Danish turn. Canadian jitters Fears mount on west coast that deadlocked talks with dockers could see traffic divert to US rivals. Fedra bow freed The front section of the split bulk carrier has been freed from the rocky seabed off Gibraltar. Top class Japan's ClassNK consolidates position as biggest classification society as fleet hits 160m gt. Anti-pirate design Korean naval architects come up with a ship accommodation concept to beat pirate problem. Euroseas sells Aristides Pittas-led shipowner sells panamax bulker for $3.85m, after paying $28.60m for the same ship less than two years ago. HHI misses mark World's largest shipbuilder falls short of 2008 target and is nervous for the year ahead. Deal rejigged ASL and Manhattan redraw contract for takeover of tug and barge player ASL Energy.

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
Evergreen to trim, restructure agency in North America Hanjin names Choi as CEO Genco takes delivery of capesize bulker Global Ship Lease takes delivery of 16th ship Ship strikes bridge in St. Joseph, Mich. Yang Ming opens office in Turkey Intermarine moves office in Shanghai Pakistan raid shuts NATO supply line Reminder: New China advanced manifest rules on Jan. 1 U.S.-Oman free trade pact takes effect Study: India's 3PL activity to grow 55 percent in 3 years U.S. signs adjusted meat export quota protocol with Russia FMC reviews 29 OTI license applications Cool heads prevail for first Oakland bridge steel load Western Canada port strike deadline extended Rally for Charleston port Atlantic Marine buys drydocks, repair company DCT Gdansk reports traffic increase

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DECEMBER 31, 2008
US stockpile report surprises, oil jumps Big price rise as year closes despite little trading in New York. Houston ends year below $200 Little demand in US Gulf port as prices slide. Bunker prices: The year in review Prices at record peaks and new troughs, but average values staying high. Prices soften in European ports Little activity as New Year holiday looms. Fuel oil imports spiked in December Demand up as players stay ahead of tax hike. Change of address for Antwerp player Fuel oil cargo arrives in Busan Players warn that any easing of the tight supplies is likely to be short-lived. Asian prices flat as 2008 ends Bunker prices largely unchanged in key bunkering ports amid quiet trading. OPEC cuts expected to boost oil prices Prices may rebound to an average of $60 per barrel next year. Singapore looks back on record year 2008 sees record prices and sales volumes, but 2009 presents unprecedented challenge.