web site Astro deal will boost ICB profit ICB Shipping yesterday forecast that the acquisition of Astro Tankers would enhance its earnings per share by more than 20% in each of the next two years. (Saturday October 11 1997) Acapulco turns into death trap RESIDENTS survey wrecked telephone company vehicles after Hurricane Pauline devastated Mexico's famous tourist resort of Acapulco. (Saturday October 11 1997) Philippines bank plans to extend ship finance A SUCCESSFUL Japanese-funded ship financing programme in the Philippines is expected to resume lending operations by the second quarter of 1998. (Saturday October 11 1997) China takes down Taiwan flags in HK Tension mounts: some of Hong Kong's high-rise buildings are silhouetted against one of nine Taiwanese flags flown in the downtown area to mark the Double Ten anniversary of the founding of the first Chinese Republic. The flags were later removed by police. Despite China refusing to recognise Taiwan and claiming sovereignty over the island state, trade between the two has increased steadily over recent years, including direct shipping links (Saturday October 11 1997) Hanjin faces delay over China-US Express link HANJIN Shipping has been delayed in its efforts to launch a second planned China-US Express service. (Saturday October 11 1997) UK P&I Club awards 'Green Opal' contract to Tsavliris GREEK salvor Tsavliris has been selected to raise the Panama-flagged Green Opal and her cargo from the mud of the Hugli River in India, further advancing the firm's recent move into major underwater and surface marine salvage projects. (Saturday October 11 1997) Sri Lanka union opposes port plan ONE of Sri Lanka's major labour unions warned yesterday that the government will face strong international action if it goes ahead with plans to lease part of the Colombo port to an overseas investor. (Saturday October 11 1997) OMUR Salvage OMUR Salvage of Istanbul has completed the recovery and wreck removal of the Turkish 168,000 dwt combination carrier Tpao (pictured) which sank in Tuzla Bay, following a violent expolosion and serious fire in February. The ship suffered a massive explosion in her after-cargo compartments and the force of the blast lifted the No 10 hatchcover through the vessel's wheelhouse, travelling 500 m before landing (Saturday October 11 1997) web site OCTOBER 10, 1997 Singapore ship registry hits new high of 19m gt 20m gt mark expected to be reached before end of the year New Johor port seen as alternative to S'pore SML, partners win A$20m deal to build Darwin supply base PSA's new website will benefit shippers Frontline seeks injunction against ICB-Astro merger web site OCTOBER 10, 1997 Newport News slammed for fatal accident NEWPORT News Shipbuilding's failure to provide adequate training contributed to a July 12 accident that caused the deaths of three employees. Philippines ferry rams vessels AN out-of-control ferry operated by Manila-based WG&A rammed several vessels as it approached Manila North Harbour on October 5. Grimaldi launches new Italy-South America run YESTERDAY'S sailing of Grimaldi's multipurpose vessel Repubblica di Venezia inaugurated the company's new service from Genoa/Leghorn to Buenos Aires. Higher rates boost Concordia forecast CONCORDIA Maritime, the Gothenburg-based tanker operator, has lifted its forecast operating profit to Skr160m ($21.2m). Canberra heading for breakers' yard? THE future of P&O Cruises' Canberra is still in the balance even though the ship is reported to be on its way to India. Japanese visit Iberian and Moroccan ports EXECUTIVES from Japanese shipping companies and banks are visiting port officials in Portugal, Spain and Morocco. Port facilities 'will restrict containership size' CONTAINERSHIPS will not exceed the present 6,000-7,000 teu capacity in the short term because of limitations of port handling facilities, according to a senior surveyor. SCL looks to Canaries SCL (Safmarine and CMBT Lines) is investigating the possibility of using container terminals in the Canary Islands as a transhipment hub. HHLA to operate new container terminal HAMBURG port terminal company HHLA has been awarded the concession to operate Hamburg's new Altenwerder container terminal. German inland waterways hit by low water SHIPPING along the river Rhine in Germany is being disrupted because water is too shallow to permit vessels to take full cargo loads. Mumbai hosts Indian Ocean port state MoU DELEGATES from several Indian Ocean states are to meet in Mumbai later this month to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on port state control in the region. Cruiseship Romantica was not fully fire safe THE cruiseship Romantica had been granted a three-month extension from the October 1 deadline to complete fitting fire safety equipment. POEA administrator shocks Maritime Cyprus POEA administrator Felicisimo Joson astonished a Maritime Cyprus workshop yesterday when he admitted he had no idea flag states could inspect training facilities in the Philippines.