web site World seaborne trade forecast to grow 3.8% Demand for dry bulk cargoes will push trade to record 4.9b tonnes: Unctad Captrans to start S'pore-Calcutta service Long Beach and Los Angeles ports hit by cargo jam Ship explodes; 3 missing Two Boeing shareholders file class-action lawsuit Suit contends officials knew of severe production problems; plane maker vows to defend itself Congress will stress importance of IT Schiphol's noise limit likely to hurt KLM services Airbus' plane deliveries up 50% in first 10 months Thick haze keeps airports in Sumatra closed European airlines' passenger traffic up 9.2% Call for plane crew, controllers to be proficient in English London rail firm denies financial woes Market in hands of five firms Container traffic has boomed in recent years, and the five hauliers have not had to fight too hard to reap the benefits K Line, Mitsui and NYK stand to gain from Japanese port reforms web site Ferries set to by-pass French ports A BRITISH supermarket chain was last night planning to employ one of the world's largest containerships to sidestep the impact of industrial action by French truck drivers which threatens to bring chaos to con-tinental roads. ANZDL seeks talks over sale of ANL AUSTRALIA New Zealand Direct Line chief executive, Michael Beard, is to approach the federal government in the next few weeks to discuss how Australian National Line is to be sold, and to flag ANZDL's interest in buying. Valles charters course for future VALLES Steamship's simultaneous signing of a charterparty and newbuilding contract for an aframax tanker is broadly symbolic of this Hong Kong shipowner's well-tested practice. Mumbai plans high-speed catamaran business link MAHARASHTRA'S state government is planning to form a joint venture corporation to regulate passenger water transport services as well as cargo traffic along the Mumbai's coastline and creeks in an effort to reduce congestion in the port. Summit eyes on Greeks and Turks INTEREST engendered by a two-day Balkan summit starting in Crete today, is liable to be overshadowed by the opportunity it provides for a meeting between the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey, despite the fact both men have played down the hope it might help thaw relations between the two countries. RMT and Stena reach deal to avoid compulsory job losses RATINGS union RMT and Stena Line have reached a deal that will avoid compulsory redundancies as a result of the ferry operator's planned Dover merger with P&O European Ferries. Mission improbable and the smell of burning martyrs I HAVE just received a "mission statement" from a stocklisted international trading company, which had better remain nameless, but following the reading of which I seriously considered selling my modest shareholding. 'Sand Kite' refloated off Thames Barrier SALVORS of the dredger Sand Kite, which hit the Thames Barrier last Monday successfully refloated the vessel early on Saturday morning and towed her to a berth up river near Blackwall Power Station. web site Taiwan desperately seeks traders Survey for Asian ports Liverpool dockers cast vote Ports face rising tide of change Penang Port on a roll Malaysia to refurbish boxes Thailand has high hopes for new air cargo carrier London-US franchise deal mastered Cathay exceeds expectations Qantas flight shake-up web site Hanjin tries Portland as first west coast call Greenbrier sale of intermodal assets final Hvide Marine growth continues with acquisition of three firms China gives Boeing green light for $3 billion airplane contract U.S. and Chile sign open skies accord U.S. firm wins Aussie rail bid web site High court to review harbor tax Study says truck drivers busy shifting jobs instead of gears UPS exec touts Latin potential -- with caveats Shippers: Carve-up had better not cost us US broker, French firm form alliance Albany port to feed $1 million in state funds into infrastructure Conference may be breaking up Competition seen sinking Australia ships Germany commits to electronic tolls levied on trucking Malaysia port moving to the private sector Mayor vows crackdown on JFK cargo thefts Big Hong Kong boxport handler cuts staff 22% Russian yard finds new ways to survive Conrail customers seek more competitive access