BRIEFS

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Dry bulk market expected to weaken in short term
El Nino, economic crisis and haze will have negative effect: Fearnresearch
Ship calls, cargo handled at Hongkong up in 2nd qtr
Manila to cut red tape, introduce reforms to make domestic shipping safer
Australia to try to refloat NOL ship
French economy under threat as truckers strike
European neighbours view indefinite strike for higher wages with concern
Saudis hard put to pay for US$7.5b aircraft order
Delays in Boeing plane delivery may stretch into 1999
BMW, Al Fayed eyeing Rolls-Royce
US Airways pilots vote for labour pact
Home truths on Japan ports
Its dockworkers are part of a global movement defending work conditions, says Jack Heyman

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Battle to break French siege
SPANISH ports geared up for a sharp increase in business with the UK yesterday as shippers cast around for methods of by-passing the French haulage strike.
Consortium lobbies to build new UK flagship
THE prospect of building a new cruiseship to replace the Queen Elizabeth 2 as Britain's national flagship has been raised by a consortium which wanted to build a new royal yacht before that project was abandoned by the British government.
Australia port targets deadlock
LAST Thursday's talks on waterfront issues between the federal government and the Maritime Union of Australia went well enough for both sides to issue a joint communique.
Safety now at top of agenda
IN the absence of any move on productivity, the Australian government has begun pushing safety as a key problem.
Mosvold shares move to fund fleet expansion
NORWEGIAN shipowning group Mosvold Shipping is set to expand its fleet of mid to late 1970s-built large crude carriers which it plans to finance through a private placement of shares which has raised $13m.
Early decision expected on Bengal Port
A FINAL decision on the proposed Bengal Port is to be taken by early January, following the submission of a report on the Hooghly river hydrographic model by the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).
MTL axes 375 jobs in cutbacks move
HONG Kong terminal operator Modern Terminals Ltd (MTL) has fired some 375 employees in a retrenchment exercise.
Unicorn revamps coastal runs
DURBAN-based shipping line Unicorn has integrated its South African coastal and its Mozambique services with a new vessel and port call configuration, writes Nicci Botha.

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NOVEMBER 3, 1997

NSCSA orders box ships from Samsung
THE National Shipping Co of Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries of South Korea for the purchase of three 4,400 teu vessels.
Trasmediterránea obtains World Trade Center share
SPANISH ferry company Trasmediterránea has struck a preliminary agreement to acquire a share of Barcelona's World Trade Center.
ATI re-thinks Subic Bay terminal deal
HIGH interest rates following Asia's financial crisis have prompted Manila-based Asian Terminals Inc (ATI) to express reservations about the Subic Bay container terminal project.
MOL profits upturn forecast
MITSUI OSK Lines is expected to post a parent company profit of about six billion yen (US$50m) for the six months ended September 30, up 56 per cent from the same period last year.
Frontline has 79.7 per cent of LOFs
FRONTLINE holds 79.74 per cent of the shares in London & Overseas Freighters (LOF) after the close of a recommended bid.
Cenargo interested in the UK/Channel Islands route
UK shipping group Cenargo has confirmed that it is currently investigating a proposal to re-introduce a conventional passenger car ferry onto the UK/Channel Islands route.
Swan Reefer acquires Chacabuco
SWAN Reefer, the Norwegian reefer shipping company which went public last summer, has acquired the 677,000 cu ft reefer Chacabuco for $22.75m.
Mosvold Shipping raises $13m through shares
MOSVOLD Shipping, a Norwegian company which owns four turbine-driven vlccs, has raised Nkr 92.3m ($13m) through a placement of 7.1m shares at a price of Nkr 13 each.
Singamas to take stake in China container maker
HONG Kong-based container manufacturer Singamas Container Holdings is to pay $3.52m for a 40 per cent stake in a China-based container maker.
Australian waterfront disputes down
NEW Australian government figures show a significant reduction in industrial disputes in Australia's stevedoring industry.
Calcutta channel opened
THE 15-km long, 1,000 foot wide Bedford channel, 150 km from Calcutta has been opened to shipping.
Ennore port at vanguard for corporatisation
THE new port under construction at Ennore near Chennai is likely to be the first South Indian port to be corporatised.
World's largest container terminal for LA
PORT of Los Angeles has announced it will build the world's largest container terminal on its Pier 400 development.
Avondale posts increased third quarter earnings
AVONDALE Industries of New Orleans has reported a 23 per cent increase in profits for the third quarter.
Geogas sells lpg vessel
GEOGAS, the Geneva-based but French controlled lpg operator, is reported to have sold the 1982-built, 6,000 m³ Jean Alleaume.
French truckers blockade ports and borders
FRENCH truck drivers are blockading French ports and border crossings following stalemate in pay talks between employers and the truckers' union.
Canada talks tough on ISM
CANADA will take a tough stance on enforcing the ISM Code next July.

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Ahlers développe sa présence "logistique" en Baltique et dans la CEI
Les routiers français montent des barrages ciblés
Polaris Shipping change de cap

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Singapore services unaffected by dollar's dive
Malaysia to foster trend of growth
Bidding finished for new port
Chinese port upgrades docks
Lep head office set for closure
Dress is success for Ningbo export
Philippines' cargo has real pulling power
China-US air service grows
Turnaround for JAL's fortunes
Nosedive for ANA profits

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Port of Olympia moves China plant
Maritrans wins court ruling in OPA suit
Rail group to control DOT transport center
Trucking firm’s hauling scheme gives crabs ride of their lives
Yang Ming sets December to open LA terminal gate

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Amtrak strike averted, but hurdles remain
CAL aims for 3rd weekly flight
Firm plans to build box terminal outside Rio de Janeiro port
China Ocean Shipping Co. will streamline operations
Jones Act: Scuttled debate sparks bickering
Hvide buys two firms
Tropical chief broaches flag issues with Clinton
Amerijet to serve Central America
Collision keeps portion of Calcasieu River closed
Firm, ex-executive fined, sentenced in river dumping case
Port of Vancouver has best-ever Alaskan cruise season this year
AA cargo chief has more on his plate than just bacon and eggs
JofC stock index declines for the week
France once again stings EU transport plan
APL fears proposed merger will hurt intermodal competition

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NOVEMBER 3, 1997

Already over 100 blockades in France
French truckers promise 'a harsh campaign'
Police only intervene haphazardly
Shippers fall back on rail and air freight
Hauliers try to recover damages