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Shipping News

Slight drop seen in Asian oil tanker rates
Rates for crude oil tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to fall slightly in the short term as demand for Middle East crude softens following a surge in activity in the June programme, shipbrokers said yesterday.
Worker shortage seen as LNG fleet grows
Expansion in the global fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers may cause a shortage of shore-based workers qualified to manage the ships, said Faststream Ltd, the largest recruiter for the industry.

Strait Talk

Putting in place the fourth pillar of shipping regulation
LAST week, Singapore became the first Asian country, and only the 14th worldwide, to ratify the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC).

web site

Shipping News

Slight drop seen in Asian oil tanker rates
Rates for crude oil tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to fall slightly in the short term as demand for Middle East crude softens following a surge in activity in the June programme, shipbrokers said yesterday.
Worker shortage seen as LNG fleet grows
Expansion in the global fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers may cause a shortage of shore-based workers qualified to manage the ships, said Faststream Ltd, the largest recruiter for the industry.

Strait Talk

Putting in place the fourth pillar of shipping regulation
LAST week, Singapore became the first Asian country, and only the 14th worldwide, to ratify the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC).

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New York City DA charges Iran flag carrier IRISL of 'abusing' city banks Somalia jails 6 men 10-15 years for flying in ransom money to pay pirates Philippines' ICTSI Davao unit to double banana box reefer capacity Four Chinese ports enter strategic alliance with Korea's Busan Fujian to invest US$4.86 billion to upgrade two national highways Yunnan on track to build 40 rail freight stations Singapore's non-oil foreign trade up 7.8pc to US$12 billion in May Ships too big, USEC harbours too shallow for expanded Panama to matter Dachser builds second facility in Frankfurt region Airbus A380 clips wing and is grounded at Paris Air Show Chilean volcanic ash cloud plays havoc with Qantas schedules UK transport minister's call for more EU air cargo security ignored Canada's Baffin Island air service to be provided by start-up airline Jamaica's new Exec Direct Aviation moves cargo throughout Caribbean

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Jindal ITF may get NTPC contract to move coal, create & operate infra Monsoon keeps pirates at bay Vini Container Lines awarded for being top China-focused foreign handling agent for Subcontinent Govt nod for Navi Mumbai SEZ in July Indian firms invited to set up shop in Slovenia Oilmeal exports climb 84 pc due to record output KPKS President urges Shipping Minister to look into long-pending issues at Kandla Major Ports handle one per cent more boxes in April-May MANSA's Capt. P. P. Singh appointed to JNPT Board Export ban on wheat & rice to continue: Thomas Forex reserves slide by over $ 2 bn to $ 310.50 bn Indirect tax receipts mount in April-May Paperwork for extra cotton exports quota gets underway

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JUNE 21, 2011
SAA Cargo launching two new destinations to East Africa SAA Cargo launched its new freighter routes to Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) and Entebbe (Uganda) today, deploying a Boeing B737-300F. This will add 18 t of capacity on the routes, whic... 60 trucks bought in addition The Turkish logistics provider Öz-Trans Uluslararasi Nakliayat Ltd. based in the southern Turkish town of Hatay close to the Syrian border, has expanded its trucking fleet of the e... Pacer announces all new intermodal services to/from Guadalajara in Mexico Pacer International, the North American freight transportation and global logistics services provider, announced the expansion of its Mexico Direct (Intermodal/Double Stack) with i... Boeing to build 10 C-17 airlifters for Indian Air Force Last week Boeing announced that India's Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The foreign milit... World Bank money to refurbish infrastructure in Papua New Guinea The World Bank has approved a USD 43 million credit for the Papua New Guinea Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project II (RMRP II), which looks to provide a boost for road haula... Train path prices from 2012 depending on noise levels In 2012 Germany is going to introduce a train path price system depending on noise levels. This was announced during the members' assembly of the interested parties in private wago... Approach on a draft directive establishing a single European railway area The European Council reached agreement on a general approach on a draft directive establishing a single European railway area, which is a recast of the regulatory framework for Eur... IRU and partners to revitalise the ancient silk road Transport ministers, representatives of international organisations and financial institutions, as well as 350 delegates attending the 6th IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference ... Easyfresh appoints King Freight for China, Taiwan and Hong Kong Easyfresh, a global reefer logistics operator, and King Freight have recently created an alliance, materialised under the frame of an agency agreement. The goal of this challenging... Raben Logistics Germany invests in Wuppertal Raben Logistics Germany, the German subsidiary of the international transport and logistics provider Raben Group, opened an extension of its branch in Wuppertal (Germany) on 17 Jun... South African air traffic returns to normal after ash cloud eruption After an ash cloud generated by the Chilean volcano Puyehue had been detected over the Cape Town coastal areas up to East London and Port Elizabeth (South Africa) on Saturday, it i... NOL orders ten 14,000 teu container vessels NOL has concluded contracts with the Korean shipyard Hyundai Sambo Heavy Industries for the construction of ten 14,000 teu container ships and for another two 9,200 teu with Daewoo... Antwerp gives environmental discount Starting 1 July 2011 the Port of Antwerp is going to give an environmental discount on port dues for "clean ships". According to that vessels that meet the guidelines of the IAPH (... The Freight Co. Ltd inaugurates new office in Yangon, Myanmar The Freight Co. Ltd., a leading provider in Southeast Asia of turnkey project logistics services has opened a representation in Yangon, Myanmar as of 16th June 2011. The office loc...

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JUNE 21, 2011
EBI Partners with Hägglunds Drives for liftboat jacking systems Maritime Administration seeks bids for former Hawaii Superferries VT Halter Marine to add floating dock United Seamen's Service names 2011 AOTOS honorees Fuel costs hit Carnival earnings Semco Maritime carries out rig upgrades in Norway GE LM2500+G4 powered FREMM frigate completes sea trials Kvichak makes QA Department appointment

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JUNE 21, 2011
Port of Portland hosting AAPA event focusing on maritime development Coast Guard responds to oil spill from rail accident Boeing freighter arrives in France powered in part by biofuel Trio of maritime VIPs to receive 2011 AOTOS awards Lynden expanding in Hawaii with new service options

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JUNE 21, 2011
Medium range product tanker values hit two-year high Weakening charter rates could see prices peak at current level of $29m Mixed bag for aframax markets Mediterranean and Middle East rates improve but earnings in Northern Europe stay flat Teekay time charter indicates improved market next year Extension options at notably higher level for 2012 Super-sized containerships winning slot cost debate Pressure grows for all global lines to upsize to at least 13,000 teu Dynacom Greek group thought to have made around $10m more than if the vessel was sold for demolition Shanghai looks to Yangtze for future growth Planned economic development in central and western China will boost SIPG projects Greece in danger of losing out on cruise windfall Leading industry executives warn that lifting cabotage is not enough to attract more calls without further action to become competitive Maersk reshuffles insurance provision Marsh is cut and Aon loses portion of account as broking is moved to Willis Singapore shippers vent anger over FMC inaction Whole world laughing at Federal Maritime Commission, says John Lu Japan renews support for liner conferences Abolition of conferences in Europe has destabilised the freight trades, says ministry Fuel prices hit Carnival Japan earthquake and North Africa unrest hit earnings Ban on cruise turnarounds at Liverpool could be lifted City council would have to repay 'appropriate' portion of $14.6m European grant, says minister Syndicated loan market is dead Banks shy away from big-ticket lending Greener vessels win discounts at ports Initiatives for more eco-friendly ships are being developed by various parts of the maritime industries. German shipowners and yards at loggerheads over Baltic sulphur emission cuts Owners fear the tighter limits coming into force in 2015 will endanger feedership operators, but yards see them as a lifeline to help gain fresh orders Chassis in US leaves a trail of intermodal confusion Marine underwriters shun container trailer risk despite being obvious choice for cover Tanker optimism against the odds Demand developments from Asia and a shipyard anomaly are improving owners' moods Cheapness comes at a price It is not the Jones Act's protectionism that Europe should copy, but the principles that it strives to uphold Carbon capture and storage impossible without a financial open end The European Union's present system as embodied in the CCS Directive opens the door for national governments to make claims against former operators for ever Concurrent duties in tort and contract Role of a builder as opposed to a consultant proved crucial in recent case Skov's Tankers Inc makes first orders Pair of 75,000 dwt LR1 vessels from Dalian to be delivered in 2013 Shipping firms should insure for disruptions to trade Contingent Business Interruption is called the most under-estimated risk in the market Cost of German tonnage tax put at $7bn Government figures published for first time reveal discrepancy with conventional taxation Australia to start screening Japanese car imports for radiation Move follows lobbying by Maritime Union Shipping companies urged to boost freight rates' stability Companies that can commit to volumes over a year-long period should be exempt from peak-season surcharges, says consumer products giant Thoresen Thai rebels are wrong to demand move out of dry bulk Infrastructure and energy are just as cyclical Transpacific prospects look robust Maersk Line's Soren Karas says he expects dip in volumes to be short-term, but lines will need a 'sizeable boost' in freight rates China rates Greece CDB's move into Aegean Baltic is more proof of a 'special relationship' between the countries IRISL accused of bypassing US sanctions with shell companies Iranian shipping line charged with moving $60m through New York banks Asian container gloom exaggerated US bank Morgan Stanley says peak season won't be as bad as feared

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JUNE 21, 2011
Asia dominates drybulk MORE THAN half of the world's bulkers are now from Asia, according to Intercargo USCG seeks Arctic resources THE US Coast Guard has reportedly warned that it lacks the resources to tackle a major Arctic oil spill Greek tonnage rises GREEK tonnage has increased, despite a drop in vessel numbers, new figures have revealed Brokers say Vale VLOC rerouted BROKERS in Singapore and Shanghai told Fairplay today that a Vale VLOC looks to have been diverted to Italy on its maiden voyage from Brazil to China DONG sells oil terminals DENMARK'S DONG Energy has sold its oil terminals business to Canadian energy infrastructure company Inter Pipeline Fund Protesters slam Hanjin Subic over safety HANJIN Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines has been criticised over the safety record at its shipyard at Subic Bay Freeport German group buys feeder operator HAMBURG's Rantzau Group, parent company of container carrier Deutsche Afrika-Linien, has acquired African feeder operator United Africa Feeder Line for an undisclosed amount Maersk Thailand warns on 'uncertainty' MAERSK'S Thai unit has told Fairplay that it has downgraded its business performance outlook for this year over problems with ports in Thailand and economic concerns South Korea shifts coal imports SOUTH Korea has increased imports of met coal from North America as Australian prices have firmed, according to South Korea's Customs and Trade Development Institute Higher Capesize rates seen BROKERS have told Fairplay that tight Capesize supply in certain areas and continuing trans-Atlantic demand will see rates heading north this week Cheap bunkers bought early SINGAPORE bunker traders have told Fairplay that falling bunker prices are encouraging owners to buy marine fuel 2-3 weeks ahead of voyages Busy China ports support VLCC rates BROKERS told Fairplay today that VLCC rates could be lifted further by congestion at Chinese ports after already receiving a boost from rising Saudi Arabian output and Chinese demand TTA rejects EGM, reveals dividend SHARES of Thailand's TTA rose today after it announced interim dividends of 0.5 baht ($0.016)/share and rejected a bid to convene an extraordinary general meeting Rolls-Royce penalty pared A MIAMI judge has confirmed a jury's decision against Rolls-Royce related to the Queen Mary 2's faulty propulsion system - but damages have been reduced

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JUNE 21, 2011
Schneider's Lofgren Says Consumer Woes Hit Intermodal Volume Intermodal activity slowed down in recent months after a strong first quarter in line with a "tentative" economic recovery and... UP, BNSF Threatened with Emissions Lawsuit Environmental advocates this week served the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads notice to implement pollution-reduction measures within 90 days at... Ryder Receives Anti-Terrorism Certifications Logistics and supply chain management solutions company Ryder Systems received three anti-terrorism certifications this week for its logistics operations in... Supply Chains Face Increased Attacks Global supply chains face increased cyber, hacker, pirate and terrorist attacks over the next 20 years with key shipping hubs... Maersk Sees Demand Slip in June Shanghai - A Maersk Line executive said the carrier is seeing container shipping demand from Asia to the U.S. fall... Japanese Exports to Level Off, Report Says Japanese containerized cargo exports will level off in fiscal 2011, which started on April 1, in the wake of the... Henry, McNabb, Somerville to Receive AOTOS The annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards will be presented Oct. 28 to James L. Henry, chairman and president... Alphaliner: Large Ship Orders Will Fuel Rate Competition The race to order ultra large container ships as ocean carriers seek lower capital and operating costs will lead to... SSE Defends 'Misunderstood' Shanghai Rate Index Shanghai - The president of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, defending the integrity of the group's closely watched and often criticized... Port Metro Vancouver Traffic Up 7 Percent Canada's Port Metro Vancouver reported a 7 percent increase in overall container traffic in the first five months of 2011, including 7... MSC Adds Call to Mediterranean-US Rotation Mediterranean Shipping Co. is adding a call at the Italian port of Leghorn to its weekly MEDUSA service between the... Canada Post Employees Forced Back to Work Canada's Parliament will force Canada Post to end its lockout of all employees and resume national postal service, that shut...

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JUNE 21, 2011
Small is no longer beautiful in liner-land IMF: EU must act on Greece or 'risk global spill-over' Anti-piracy security firm employees sentenced to 70-year jail terms Hanjin steps up for frustrated ULCS deal UASC ship aground off Singapore Straits

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JUNE 21, 2011
Statoil taps Eidesvik twins Norwegian energy firm forges PSV charters with Oslo-listed offshore owner. US cracks IRISL shell US Treasury targets ten businesses, including alleged UAE buyer of Tanker Pacific vessel, in ongoing crusade against Iranian nukes. TEN tests DNA in China Tsakos Energy Navigation fixes out specialised aframax in the East in a bid to open gateway to China. False alarm! A pirate skiff did not attack a Nippon Yusen Kaisha LNG vessel off Somalia after all. DryShips cashes in George Economou says diversified owner's drilling division is ready to pursue growth after financing last of its drillships. Canada arrests four Human-trafficking suspects held in Toronto following arrival of Ocean Lady with Sri Lankan migrants in 2009. 'Black swan' bites Carnival Micky Arison-led owner slips in the second as geo-political unrest and $150m fuel hit rip profit. 'Time to stop this outrage' Pirate campaign group says 62 seafarers have been slain by pirates in the past four years. Bergen gets rig upgrade Norwegian shipbuilder and offshore player nets work on a Transocean rig. Ro-ro routes on offer Philippines development bank leasing out 28 under-used services to boost trade. Asian bulk share tops 50% More than half the world's fleet of bulk carriers now controlled from Far East, while industry consolidation goes into reverse, latest benchmarking report from Intercargo reveals. Aussies take no chances Cars arriving from Japan on Trans Future 7 to be screened for radiation at Port Kembla.

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JUNE 21, 2011
Truckload of medical supplies stolen in Louisville FreightWatch International reported that a truckload of diabetes testing equipment was stolen between 10 p.m., June 18, and 2.a.m., June 19, from a carrier lot in Louisville, Ky. The load consisted of 37 pallets of the testing materials and is valu... World, Cargolux extends B747 freighter agreement World Airways, a subsidiary of Global Aviation Holdings, has extended its agreement with Cargolux to operate one Boeing 747-400 freighter on a full-time basis, starting in July. Cargolux is the largest all-cargo airline in Europe and operates a fle... DHL expands Morocco gateway facility DHL Express has opened a $7.85 million cargo facility at the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, Morocco, designed to provide greater connection between the North African country and Europe through a daily overnight flight to and from ... MSC adds Livorno to Med/U.S. service Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Monday it will add a call to the Italian port of Livorno on its MEDUSA service connecting the Mediterranean and U.S. East Coast. The revised rotation, from the June 24 sailing, will be Gioia Tauro, Naples, Livorno, L... MSC to raise Asia/New Zealand rates Mediterranean Shipping Co. is raising rates on shipments from Asia to New Zealand as of July 15. The increase, $250 per TEU, is applicable to cargo moving from any port in Asia to all ports in New Zealand.... CKYH to pull Asia/Europe loop CKYH Alliance carriers COSCO Container Lines, Hanjin Shipping, "K" Line and Yang Ming said last week they will suspend one of their nine loops connecting Asia and Europe in early July. The lines' NE5 loop, which has a rotation of Shanghai, Ningbo, ... Hanjin to take on order for 5 megaships South Korean container line Hanjin Shipping will take delivery of five 13,000-TEU containerships after the line tweaked an order with an undisclosed shipyard to take full ownership of the vessels. Hanjin confirmed the order toAmerican ShipperMonda... New York indicts Iranian shipping company Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.announced a 317-count indictmentof 11 corporations and five individuals for their roles in a conspiracy involving one of the world's largest shipping companies, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping L... Great Lakes May volumes decline Limestone and coal shipments on the Great Lakes dropped in May compared to the previous year, according to the Lake Carriers' Association. Waterborne volume for limestone fell 20 percent to 2.9 million tons versus a year ago and trailed the five-y... 'A hornet's nest'

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JUNE 21, 2011
Bominflot secures substantial credit facility Agreement with nine banks 'supports the strategy of continuous growth of the Bominflot Group'. Vessel sinks after running out of bunkers Towing ship also breaks down. Fujairah market firms Market stable in Suez. Bunker prices mixed across Europe Buyers in Hamburg suspected of waiting for prices to fall further. Fuel costs hit Carnival's Q2 results Improved revenues 'more than offset' by higher bunker prices. Slim margins predicted for refinery industry to 2015 Tightening global standards for marine fuel quality seen as one of the sector's key pressures. 'Highly fuel-efficient' newbuilds ordered from Chinese yard Up to 25% fuel saving will make vessels competitive in their market segment, says newly-formed shipping company. Fuel leaks from capsized container vessel Oil contained by floating booms. Bunker prices firm at major ports Demand for marine fuel below average at most Asian ports. Hong Kong bunker players brace for typhoon Bunker deliveries in Hong Kong will stop if typhoon signal number three is hoisted. Design concept for zero-emissions box vessel unveiled Hydrogen-fueled vessel would use fuel cell and battery system. Tanker explosion at Guangzhou Bunker operations able to continue. Russia amends shipping code to cover bunker spills Responsibility for Bunker Pollution Damage chapter is in line with IMO convention.