web site OCTOBER 17, 1997 Liberia demands that ITC stops Marshall contact LAWYERS acting for Liberia are today serving notice on the US-based International Trust Company (ITC) to stop marketing the Marshall Islands Shipping Registry immediately. Intertanko looking into tanker freight index INTERTANKO'S new Market Research Committee is researching the concept of establishing a tanker freight index, group chairman Richard du Moulin said in London yesterday. Venezuela seeks ferry operators VENEZUELA'S Falcon state government is seeking bids for ferry operators to operate routes to the Dutch Antilles. Bookings and prices up at NCL THE number of advance bookings at NCL Cruises has increased to cover 31 per cent of capacity available for next year. Ganzon teams up with Droege for fast craft FILIPINO real estate developer E Ganzon is diversifying into shipbuilding and has formed a partnership called EGI-Droege Shipbuilding with German fast craft builder Droege Systems. PPA intervenes in Philippines pilotage complaint THE Philippines Ports Authority (PPA) has finally acted on the complaint of international shipping lines to try and prevent harbour pilots from collecting overtime fees. China and Taiwan form joint shipping venture CHINA Shipping has recently reached an agreement with Jianheng Shipping of Taiwan to introduce a joint container shipping line operation between China and Japan. Dalian completes first stage construction THE first stage construction of the deepwater Dayaowan port at Dalian in north China has been completed. Flamenco joins Festival fleet FESTIVAL Cruises' latest ship, the Flamenco, was handed over yesterday to the company in Genoa. Oil spill larger than first thought SINGAPORE's Maritime Port Authority (MPA) has said that the oil spilled from the damaged Cypriot tanker, the Evoikos, could now amount to 25,000 tonnes. ICB board dismisses criticism of Astro merger ICB Shipping, the Stockholm-based tanker company under a hostile takeover bid by Frontline, has dismissed the criticism of Frontline chairman John Fredriksen. EU will acept banana ruling THE EU will change its banana import-licensing regime in line with "international obligations", it told the World Trade Organisation (WTO) yesterday. Venezuela holds "fire sale" IN what could be termed a "fire sale," the Venezuelan government sold off $296,000 worth of old port equipment this week. Australia outlines intermodal plans AUSTRALIA has outlined plans to improve the nation's intermodal transport network. Hellenic wins cruise liner conversion HELLENIC Shipyards has won a contract from the Latsis group to convert a 120 m motor yacht into a passenger cruise liner. FMC threatens Japanese ban A TOTAL ban on Japanese ships calling at US ports is on the cards in the dispute between the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and Japanese stevedores. MPA steps up spill control SINGAPORE's Maritime Port Authority has stepped up the use of oil booms in the battle to contain the oil slick from the damaged tanker, Evoikos. ISM compliance figures worry Intertanko chief INTERTANKO chairman Richard du Moulin has expressed concern at the industry's present low levels of ISM code compliance and urged owners not to leave implementation too late. minute. web site Shortfall for Singapore spill claims CLAIMANTS of the oil spill off Singapore may never be fully compensated because of a potential shortfall in funds available through international agreements. Straits safety in question NAVIGATIONAL safety in the Singapore and Malacca Straits has again been criticised in the wake of the collision. In particular, professional mariners and owners have commented on the frequency of incidents involving either near misses or collisions in the waters of the Singapore Straits and Phillips Channel, where the main east-west routes cross the channels into the Port of Singapore itself. US set for move on foreign cruiseships LEGISLATION that would allow foreign-flag cruiseships to enter US coastwise trade for the first time in 111 years will finally be heard next Tuesday at the US Senate's surface transportation and merchant marine subcommittee. Ship pull-out blow for San Francisco THE Port of San Francisco's revival efforts received a blow this week when Princess Cruises said it will pull the Sky Princess out of the San Francisco-to-Alaska trade for at least a year. UK port privatisation slammed by academics "PRIVATISATION has not only proven costly but unnecessary, ineffective, and in many respects counter-productive." Gerling is main insurer of Sabena warehouse GERMAN insurer Gerling is the leading insurer of the Brussels Sabena spare parts warehouse that was destroyed on October 3, a Gerling spokesman confirmed yesterday. Collisions raise doubts over Manila port safety A PORT accident involving multiple collisions by a large inter-island ferry with six docked vessels has cast doubts over safety standards at the Port of Manila. Philippines buying two research ships THE Philippines is acquiring two oceanographic research and training vessels with a combined value of US$50m from Spain, writes Alec Almazan, Manila. web site Canadian official touts 'sustainable transportation' Heavy-truck sales roared in September Rates are likely to continue dropping despite a growing belief to the contrary Hanjin-DSR Senator became the latest ship line to sign up for a preferential agreement Billet to Bill lacked ZIP, returned to sender Russian official hints at privatizing railways Reuters faces FAA fine of $100,000 American, Asiana enter joint passenger alliance Miami's top port slot still unfilled Funds pledged to Phila. shipyard Mexico box terminal operator eyes rail prize