Row over 'Estonia' report A THREE-nation commission charged with investigating the sinking of the ferry Estonia, in which 852 people died, has blamed the disaster on the vessel's design, the crew and the rescue operation's failure to do more to save the ship.
Stolt expert says Marpol 'not serving interests' A SCATHING attack on the Marpol Annex II from a "green" point of view was made yesterday by a leading shipowner at the Marichem conference in Cologne, writes Herbert Fromme, Bonn Correspondent.
Sale of CNN sparks French union protest A FRENCH seafarers' union has protested against last week's sale of Worms group shipping company, Compagnie Nationale de Navigation (CNN), to Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), claiming it is a new manifestation of the abandonment of the shipping sector by the French state and shipowners to foreign financial interests.
Eager Mace joint exercises A US M1-A1 main battle tank is offloaded at Kuwait's Shuweikh port under the guidance of Lieutenant Dan Benz . The US Marines are taking part in the annual Eager Mace joint exercises which are due to last until January in the Gulf oil state.
Safety lessons learnt despite delays to 'Estonia' inquiry THE loss of the Estonia in the Baltic on September 27, 1994 with the deaths of 852 people was the sixth worst peacetime passengership tragedy this century.
FEFC forecasts year of near capacity ships LINER shipping companies in the Europe/Asia trades expect their ships to be operating at almost full capacity in the coming year.
London debate on shipping UK shipping minister Glenda Jackson will today open a London conference which is expected to form the basis for one of the central pillars of the government's maritime policy.
Rivals bid to take over MTW yard NORWEGIAN shipbuilding group Ulltveit-Moe and a German consortium have made rival bids to acquire eastern German shipyard Meeres-Technik Wismar (MTW).
Wagenborg to build offshore supply ships KVAERNER Masa-Yards, the Finnish shipbuilder, is to build two offshore supply vessels with ice-breaking capability for account of Dutch operator Wagenborg Shipping.
Internet is a vital tool for port operators THE Internet is now a serious alternative to dedicated EDI networks, said Eric Lui, director of information technology at PSA Corp at the Asian Port Association conference
High capacity rumoured for Susan Mærsk A CAPACITY of as much as 8,700 teu is rumoured for Susan Mærsk, the latest unit in a series of 15 large containerships ordered by the AP Møller group.
Hutchison sues for Subic Bay halt HUTCHISON Ports Philippines has sought a temporary order to stop the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority from awarding a container port concession.
China may have to import grains CHINA may have to import grain next year following confirmation from Beijing that this year's harvest will not meet production targets
Japan tipped to buy extra Saudi oil output THE bulk of the increased oil output from Saudi Arabia, following OPEC's recent decision to lift production to 27.5 million barrels per day, is set to be absorbed by Japan
Errors led to Estonia sinking A CATALOGUE of errors led to the tragic sinking of the ferry Estonia on September 28, 1994, according to the report issued today by the Joint Accident Investigation Commission.
Lloyd's Name disrupts Equitas hearing FORMER Lloyd's Name Sir William Jaffray today disrupted a hearing in London's High Court into Lloyd's Equitas reinsurance scheme
Kværner wins $85m Indian chemical jetty contract KVÆRNER Construction International has won a $85m contract to design and build a jetty in India's Gulf of Cambay.
Swedish shipowners receive freight boost THE strengthening of the US dollar against the Swedish krone has contributed to a 45 per cent rise in freight revenues for Swedish shipping companies in the second quarter of the year.
Orinoco river pilots strike resolved SHIPMENTS along Venezuela's Orinoco River started on Monday after a nine-day strike by shipping pilots was satisfactorily resolved late the previous day.
Stevedore flying squad mooted in Australia A "flying squad" of ex-military stevedores is being recruited to work on the waterfront in Australia and elsewhere in Asia-Pacific (AsPac).
Vancouver Shipyard strike settled A STRIKE by 15 members of the Office and Technical Employees Union Local 15, which shut down the operations of Vancouver Shipyards at Vancouver, British Columbia, has been settled
NASSCO wins $195m Sealift contract THE National Steel and Shipbuilding Co of San Diego, CA has been awarded a $195m contract to complete the seventh and final Strategic Sealift Ship requested by the US Navy.
APPL to get out of tankers AUSTRALIAN Petroleum (APPL) is getting out of the tanker business to concentrate on its core petrol refining and retailing business.
COSCO bids for Australian landbridge CHINESE government-owned COSCO is one of 30 groupings that have lodged expressions of interest in Australia's proposed A$1.25bn ($850m) landbridge linking Darwin and Adelaide.
Stora concentrerait sa distribution européenne à Zeebrugge (2,8 mio. de t/an) Un nouveau dossier a atterri sur le bureau de la Commission portuaire flamande, ainsi que sur celui du ministre des Travaux publics Eddy Baldewijns. Il a trait à l'aménagement de nouvelles infrastructures portuaires dans l'avant-port de Zeebrugge, lesquelles sont directement en rapport avec le projet du producteur de produits forestiers (papier et pâte) suédois Stora. Celui-ci entend concentrer sa distribution européenne sur un seul port. Depuis deux ans, les études se sont succédées et plusieurs ports ont été écartés après examen. Il ne restait plus en lice que Flessingue et Zeebrugge. Récemment, une importante décision est tombée: si le projet est effectivement réalisé, c'est le port côtier belge qui accueillera le centre de distribution européen. Une décision définitive devrait intervenir vers le 30 janvier prochain.
Graveleau s'implante en Roumanie Le transporteur français Graveleau va intensifier son internationalisation et, notamment, sa présence en Europe Centrale. Après avoir investi la Hongrie et la Pologne, Gavealeau a ouvert récemment une filiale en Roumanie.
L'UE va réduire davantage la pollution par les camions et les avions La Commission européenne a adopté hier mercredi une proposition de directive visant à réduire davantage la pollution par les poids lourds et les avions commerciaux. C'est ce qu'a annoncé un porte-parole de la Commission européenne à Bruxelles. Les mesures proposées ont été rédigées par la DGXI (Environnement), mais elles devront être approuvées par le Conseil européen des Ministres des Transports pour entrer en vigueur. Celui-ci se réunit la semaine prochaine, mais il est peu probable que le sujet sera abordé. Une date au milieu du premier semestre de 1998 semble plus probable.
Reith: We know nothing The Federal Government was quick to distance itself from the potential dynamite of a "troops on the waterfront" scenario yesterday, following revelations ‘mercenaries’ have been sent for stevedoring training in Dubai. But Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, National Party MP Julian McGauran and others from the conservative side of politics publicly backed the plan.
Industry jittery Claims that former military personnel were being trained "as mercenaries for work on the waterfront" were dismissed as being "over the top" by the industry. A senior shipping executive with many years of experience on the Australian waterfront told DCN yesterday he regarded the claims with amusement. "It’s South Pacific stuff," he said.
No meat rates rise, yet Principal meat carriers in the North American trade have no immediate plans to raise freight rates - but warn it could be a different matter next year. The denial follows five per cent rises in the equivalnt trade from New Zealand - which have not been well received by that country’s meat industry.
PHPA leaves Pilbara The Port Hedland Port Authority will terminate its involvement in Pilbara Stevedores on Monday, leaving the company in the hands of P&O Ports. The move follows a directive from the WA government, which is anxious to encourage port functions into the private sector.
New Guam service launched A new shipping service linking Australia with Guam and Saipan through Hong Kong has been started by City Network, the agents in Australia and New Zealand for Mariana Express Lines. Utilising FESCO vessels, the service offers sailings from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney with transhipment in Hong Kong.
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