P&O/Stena merger approved P&O and Stena have finally been given qualifed approval by the UK government and the European Commission to merge their Channel ferry operations as first proposed 14 months ago.
Jail sentences urged in 'Haven' case AN Italian public prosecutor has called for custodial sentences of over seven years each for Greek-Cypriot shipowner Loucas Haji-Ioannou and his son, Stelios, if found guilty of the manslaughter of five crew of the VLCC Haven.
New rules threaten bids to operate Maputo port MOZAMBIQUE'S government has introduced two key changes in how the private sector can operate Maputo port, a move which could deter potential international investors.
UK in Russia treaty exchange UK prime minister Tony Blair ( left) applauds as John Browne, chief executive of British Petroleum, exchanges a signed trade treaty with Vladimir Potanin (right), chairman of the Russian bank Unexim at 10 Downing Street.
Owners urged to scrap old tankers VLCC owners with vessels of around 25 years should scrap them immediately and order new tankers to take advantage of the best market conditions in a generation, the conference heard.
Vulnerable market claim THE current emphasis on spot market trading of the world tanker fleet means many owners could be highly vulnerable to dramatic changes in oil supply, delegates were told.
Batangas container plan THE Philippines' largest container operator is looking to convert an existing shipyard in Batangas, south of Manila, into a international container port.
Ailsa-Troon trawler is largest in 25 years SCOTTISH shipbuilder Ailsa-Troon has launched the biggest trawler constructed in the UK for 25 years.
P&O Stena Line gets the go-ahead P&O and Stena Line have welcomed the conditional approval announced by the regulatory authorities for their proposed short sea cross-Channel business.
Mexican port re-opens as storm passes THE Mexican crude oil port of Dos Bocas re-opened yesterday afternoon as wind speeds eased in the Gulf of Mexico, authorities reported.
Australian bodies 'in merger talks' RUMOURS suggest that the three shipping industry bodies in Australia have been holding merger talks.
Seaway unions reach tentative deal CANADA'S St Lawrence Seaway Authority has reached a tentative deal with its 730 unionised workers, which it hopes will avoid unrest for the rest of the shipping season.
Finansbanken plans $12m share issue NORWAY'S seventh largest bank, Finansbanken, plans a share issue of Nkr100m ($12m) in connection with its purchase of ship finance bank Skipskreditt.
Mærsk/Sea-Land transfer to Bremerhaven MÆRSK and Sea-Land have confirmed that their Far East Asian services are to operate from Bremerhaven instead of Hamburg.
US Congress closes with shipping issues unresolved THE first session of the US Congress has closed leaving the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and international ship construction subsidies issue unresolved until next year.
Filipinos in Maersk Dubai case denied sanctuary FOUR Filipino seamen who reported that stowaways were forced overboard from a containership have had their bid for refugee status in Canada rejected.
Kvaerner sells former HQ for $87.5m KVAERNER has sold its Norwegian head office building at Lysaker, outside Oslo, for $87.5m.
Stolt-Nielsen books $132m share sale profit STOLT-Nielsen, the chemicals carrier group, will realise a gain of $132m from the sale of 2m shares in its subsidiary Stolt Comex Seaway (SCS).
Kvaerner cuts Govan jobs, ups investment KVAERNER is to invest more than '7m ($12m) in its Kvaerner Govan shipyard in Glasgow next year, coupled with 100 redundancies.
Bergesen 'to order up to six lpg carriers' BERGESEN, the Oslo-based bulk shipping group, is reportedly planning to order up to six 80,000 cu m lpg carriers, each with a price of between $70m and $75m.
Patrick in new spat with MUA Patrick has accused the Newcastle branch of the Maritime Union of Australia of "conducting a commercial vendetta" against the company. This follows the alleged refusal of the branch executive to let labour work overtime to complete a vessel in port last weekend. The director of stevedoring services at Patrick, Don Smithwick, said the affected vessel should have finished loading and sailed on Saturday, but was forced to remain in the port throughout the weekend despite the apparent willingness of employees to work the necessary hours. "Such actions have cost those associated with the operation and the export of the cargo many, many thousands of dollars and has done almost irreparable damage to the reputation of the port," Mr Smithwick said. He claimed the local union executive was conducting a personal campaign to harm the company as a "get square" for the company lawfully warning employees, including the son of a local union representative, against any repeat of other misconduct earlier in the week.
Three majors in pooling agreement Botany Bay Parcel Tankers International has entered into a long term pooling arrangement with Stolt Tankers as well as Barton Shipping, Bibby Line and Unicorn Tankers. With nine ships operated by Botany Bay Tankers International joining those of the other companies, customers have been assured of an improved level of service in the trans-Pacific trade. "Customers will benefit from more frequent sailings to and from the Asia - Pacific region and service delivery times resulting from direct services," the lines said. The fleet of Botany Bay Parcel Tankers International consists of modern vessels, including three newbuildings, with stainless steel tanks, ranging in size from 12,500 dwt to 19,300 dwt.
APL lunches second intra-Asia service APL has launched the second in a series of dedicated intra-Asia services, this one linking North Asia with Indonesia and the Philippines. Earlier this year the line introduced a service linking Japan with Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia Apart from linking Japan and Indonesia this second service will make calls in Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong. The first southbound sailing from Japan is due to depart Tokyo on 26 November. The first northbound sailing from Indonesia will depart Surabaya on 10 December. APL's vice president for intra-Asia, Torey Presti, said APL's dedicated north-south services are complementary to the strong intra-ASEAN services already offered by Neptune Orient Lines (NOL).
The Suez Canal Authority has announced that it will introduce surcharges on transit tariffs through the Egyptian canal for most major cargo vessels, effective July 15.
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