US asks IMO to audit safety code ROBERT Kramek, US Coast Guard commandant and head of the US delegation to the International Maritime Organisation's Asse-mbly, has called for an IMO audit next spring to establish the percentage of the world's merchant fleet which will meet the Interna-tional Safety Manage-ment Code deadline on July 1, 1998.
CMB buys 54% of Worms firm BELGIAN shipping company CMB is paying FFr431.8m ($74.4m) for a 54% stake in Compagnie Nationale de Navigation (CNN) from French group Worms & Cie. The deal is due to be completed on January 5 next year.
Shape of boxship charter market difficult to judge MAKING out the future shape of the containership charter market is becoming more difficult, not less, as shadowy ideas begin to emerge and coalesce. It is like a dim dawn in competition with a fog. The eye strains to see which is winning, only to become confused with illusions of its own.
Powell Duffryn profits rise 16% BOOSTED by its ports and shipping services businesses, pre-tax profits of Powell Duffryn jumped 16% to '21m before exceptional items in the six months to September 30.
Amsterdam accord AN AGREEMENT has been signed in Amsterdam (pictured) allowing a slimmed down port jobs pool to continue, writes Alan Dickey, Netherlands Correspondent.
K Line boosts services with slot sharing deals
US insurers warned on marine sector outlook THE US marine insurance industry had a buoyant time but storm clouds lurk on the horizon, Richard Desimone, chairman of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters has claimed.
Norwegians crack down on ISM Code THREE leading Norwegian marine underwriters, Gjensidge Marine & Energy, Storebrand and Vesta, will refuse to insure operators who do not comply with the ISM code.
US investor buys another Canadian company US businessman Dennis Washington has acquired another marine operation in British Columbia.
Godby places newbuilding orders at Sietas GODBY Shipping has ordered two 7,250 dwt roros from the JJ Sietas yard in Germany.
Ship losses down but casualties up in quarter MERCHANT ship losses remained low in the third quarter of the year, contributing to a significant fall in the nine-month total, according to the Institute of London Underwriters.
FBM to build third Red Jet ferry COWES, UK-based shipbuilder FBM Marine has won the order to build a third Red Jet ferry from the Red Funnel Group.
Norwegians attract cadets by website quiz THE Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA) has stepped up its campaign to attract more school leavers to take up a career at sea by launching a competition on the internet.
Silja's UK venture is 'under negotiation' SILJA, the Finnish ferry group, may bow out of the heavily loss-making Holyman Sally fast ferry venture.
Elite elects new board members Elite Shipping has appointed two new board members, including a new chairman, following four resignations earlier this month.
Cosco to place newbuildings with Chinese yards COSCO president Chen Zhongbiao has announced that the company will reserve a number of newbuilding orders for Chinese yards.
Halter Marine completes three more acquisitions HALTER Maine Group has completed its acquisition of three US engineering and manufacturing companies.
Naviera Pinillos in sale rumours RUMOURS in Spain suggest that Madrid-based operator Naviera Pinillos is to be sold to the Boluda Group for an undisclosed price.
Devil Cat chartered to Bay Ferries AUSTRALIA'S Devil Cat is to become the first large car carrying catamaran to enter service in North America.
Chennai port boss sent packing NEWLY appointed chairman of Chennai Port Trust, S Kabilan, has been suddenly transferred back to his previous position in the government's fertliser ministry.
Alliances are outmoded, says K Line chief SHIPPING alliances do not make much sense because they fail to address what customers require, according to Theodore Prince, vp and ceo, of K Line America.
More liner company failures predicted MORE shipping companies are likely to fail, according to Ray Miles, ceo of CP Ships.
MPCs Gilbert slams "self-appointed experts" Apparently prompted by a reverse in sentiments about the port of Melbourne revealed in the latest VECCI user survey, MPC chief Jeffrey Gilbert has slammed "self-appointed experts" spreading "romanticised versions of so-called facts".
New questions over Richells Having been caught up in one failed shipping venture, South Pacific Cruise Lines, young hospitality trainees have apparently been referred by government departments to Sydney-based Richells Shipping Line, a company whose proposed East Coast fast ferry service has yet to reach fruition despite regular start-up dates.
Patrick to seek own Melb solution The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has adjourned to a date to be fixed Patricks application for a change in working arrangements in Melbourne, following an application by the company which is now going to examine what changes, in the terms of the existing enterprise agreement, it can implement without the Commissions permission. It is expected that Patrick will then consult with the Maritime Union of Australia on outstanding issues and, if necessary, return to the Commission for assistance.
Record year for QR Queensland Rail's annual income has risen more than 10 per cent and broken the $2 billion barrier for the first time. Revenue for the 1996/97 year was $2.0009 billion, returning an operating profit after tax of $277.1 million. QR's annual report tabled in state parliament yesterday showed the revenue came from four sources - coal and minerals, freight, Citytrain and Traveltrain.
HK win for Howard Smith Howard Smith Limiteds engineering arm, A Goninan & Co has won a $200 million contract to modernise passenger cars for Hong Kongs largest railway operator. The contract to modernise 762 cars for the MTR Corporation is the second contract for Hong Kong won by A Goninan & Co Ltd and positions it for further export growth. The four year contract is part of Mass Transit Railway strategy to compete against further transport providers and sustain patronage growth.
'Haven' saga draws to a close A settlement of civil claims in Italy has been reached, paving the way for a resolution to the manslaughter case brought against Loucas Haji-Ioannou and his son, Stelios. They are confident they will be acquitted of the charges relating to the sinking of the 'Haven' in 1991.
ITF counters BLASCO order The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is seeking to overturn a Foreign Office order that prevents the forced sale of Republic of Ukraine ships.
VLCC rates begin downturn Charterers regained the upper hand in the large tanker market this week, playing owners of modern tonnage against each other.
Brokers build up business in Beijing As China moves towards the free-market arena, many are eyeing the business opportunities the country might offer, and the shipping community is no exception.
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