web site Lifeline for Harland and Wolff A MUCH needed lifeline has been thrown to Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff by potential orders for drillships worth at least $500m. Prescott announces British shipping working group A UK Government-backed working party is to hammer out ways of revitalising British shipping, deputy prime minister John Prescott said yesterday. Japan's shipbuilders to fight 6% steel price rise JAPANESE shipbuilders are presenting a united front to defeat a planned 6% price increase for steel put forward by five Japanese steelmakers: Nippon Steel, NKK Corporation, Kawasaki Steel, Kobe Steel and Sumitomo Steel. Stolt subsidiary in $160m offer CHEMICAL transport group Stolt-Nielsen said the public share offering planned by its subsidiary, Stolt Comex Seaway, would generate $160m to help to fund the group's core shipping investments, Reuters reports. Mormugao in reclamation plan for port GOA'S Mormugao port is studying plans to reclaim 700 acres from the Arabian Sea as part of its inner port expansion. The 112-year-old former Portuguese-controlled port has also drawn up major privatisation plans. Japanese loan for Santos THE port of Santos has received a Real281m ($257m) loan from the Fundo de Co-operacao Ultramarina do Japan (OEFC) for investments in Tecon Container Terminals, the fertiliser terminal and in the Corredor de Exportacao (Export Corridor). Canada ports revamp 'by June' SPEEDY passage of the Canada Marine Act will mean major reforms to the Canadian port system can be in place by next June, says Canada Ports Corp chairwoman Carole Taylor. Meyer Werft eyes NIR with expansion in mind GERMAN shipbuilder Meyer Werft has finally found a base for further expansion and is likely to acquire Neptun Industrie Rostock (NIR), the former Neptun Werft shipyard. web site P Klang eyes cargo from Indonesia, Bay of Bengal Such opportunities will allow it to emerge as regional hub port World's largest container vessel calls at Singapore Amsterdam port plans new berth to boost handling rates Conference on coping with maritime disasters M'sian, Indian firms team up to bid for Tamil Nadu port project web site Seattle Army unit changes name, not mission Byron Hanke wins AAPA honor Federal Maritime Commission takes wraps off of strategic plan MarAd guarantees high-speed crewboat construction U.S. Customs clears rail imports with automated manifest system Coast Guard wants life jacket comment web site Reith warns MUA on productivity AUSTRALIAN dockworkers have been given a blunt warning by the nation's new maritime reform minister Peter Reith. Two Australian ports take on MUA TWO Australian ports are attempting to break the hold of the Maritime Union of Australia, the dockers union. Cosco contract cancellation 'purely commercial' ATLANTIC Marine Holding says the recent termination of a $157m contract to build four containerships for Cosco was based on commercial grounds. US-flag cruise ship Constitution to be sold AMERICAN Classic Voyages, parent company of American Hawaii Cruises, has agreed to sell the laid-up cruise liner Constitution to a "domestic company" for about $2m. California agrees tax exemption on bunker fuel CALIFORNIA governor Pete Wilson has signed a five-year exemption from state sales tax on bunker fuel sold in California ports for use outside the state. ISPL may float ports company in India SINGAPORE-based International Seaports Pte (ISPL) is likely to float a holding company in India for port development. Newcastle Club board votes for merger NEWCASTLE P&I Club's board has voted unanimously to merge with the North of England Club.