web site OCTOBER 22, 1997 Los Angeles coal terminal loads first ship THE new $200m Los Angeles coal export terminal has loaded its first vessel without union disruption. Marfret enters Irish feeder trade FRENCH liner operator Compagnie Maritime Marfret (Marfret) has launched a new liner service between Le Havre and Waterford. Kvaerner signs partnership for US yard KVAERNER has confirmed it is to invest $45m in the former Philadelphia naval yard as part of plans to develop Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard. Abu Dhabi evaluates bids for yard complex ABU Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) is evaluating bids to design a $120m complex for building medium to large naval and small commercial vessels. China and Taiwan in oil trade TWO oil cargoes have changed hands between China National United Oil Corp (Chinaoil) and Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corp for the first time. China to suspend urea imports CHINA plans to suspend imports of urea due to a glut in the domestic fertiliser market. Government steps in to close LloydBras BRAZIL's government has acted to close Lloyd Brasileiro after constant delaying tactics have kept the company going since closure was ordered in January 1996. Hoverspeed confirms Channel Islands interest HOVERSPEED, the UK fast ferry operator, has confirmed that it is interested in bidding for the route between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands. Bollores triples profits BOLLORES Technologies, the French transport and industrial group which controls the French ocean carrier Delmas, has almost tripled its profit. Galveston signs for Pelican Island shipyard THE Port of Galveston has signed a long-term lease with Newpark Marine Fabricators (NMF) for its Pelican Island shipyard. Dover is North Europe's busiest cruise port DOVER has become North Europe's busiest turnround port for cruise vessels within a year of opening a '10m ($16.3m) cruise terminal. Port manager says no efficiency/ownership link A LEADING Australian port manager has questioned the need to privatise ports in order to make them more efficient. Blue Star switches ship due to US rail congestion BLUE Star Line is repositioning its 1,308 teu containership Melbourne Star from the US west coast the east and Gulf coast service due to delays on landbridge rail routes. Van Ommeren acquires Czech fleet VAN Ommeren Shipping Holding has acquired Czech Ocean Shipping's (COS) fleet of vessels for around $200m. web site Excel set to seek cash in near future The plan is for Excel to be the holding company for both tankers and dry cargo vessels, including a number of ships drawn from its backers' existing fleet operated by their management company in Piraeus, Maryville Maritime. Japan firms 'hostages' in ports row with US JAPANESE shipping companies have become "hostages" in the continuing dispute between the US and Japan over Japanese port practices, Jiro Nemoto, chairman of Nippon Yusen Kaisha, said yesterday. Fredriksen keeps the bid pot boiling JOHN FREDRIKSEN is clearly not a man to take no for an answer. Nomadic Shipping plans North Atlantic expansion OSLO-listed Nomadic Shipping has reported a small pre-tax profit for the first eight months of 1997, and says it is extending its frozen fish refrigerated shipping operation to the North Atlantic. Shipping issue activity puts Piraeus on edge EXPECTATIONS of an unprecedented spate of issues by Greek shipping companies in the capital markets in the next few months has Piraeus fraught with excitement and a touch of nerves. Codename: Eagle A FIRST glimpse of how the largest cruiseship in the world will look when she comes into service in the autumn of 1999 for Royal Caribbean International. Testbed trials completed on new-age diesel TESTBED trials for the world's most powerful diesel engine, due to be installed in the first of P&O Nedlloyd's new breed of post-panamax container-ships, have been completed in Japan. P&O Nedlloyd might look at further mergers Barry Williams, managing director Europe Region, said in Basle that the liner shipping industry was in a phase of consolidation which would see a small number of mega-carriers and some niche operators. web site Masters charged with breach of duty, rash act Oil slicks sighted in Malaysian waters but authorities there say the situation is under control Indon carrier to take delivery of 24 new ships US body, Japanese carriers seen close to reaching deal Kvaerner to invest in US yard Qantas plans to buy three B747s costing A$650m Aussie airline also in talks with Boeing, Airbus on possibility of acquiring 300-seater aircraft N Korean airspace expected to open in April Star Alliance may add two Asian carriers by year-end Hongkong's new airport to cost less than expected Virgin Express to list in US and Belgium Sydney river floods construction site US dept wants safety review of Conrail plan Skypass to relieve congestion Port authorities aim to unite operations, divided by a major roadway, witha 2,400-ft bridge overpass New York port authority looks further eastwards to Asia web site Intercontainer va porter à huit sa fréquence hebdomadaire sur Irún Van Ommeren Shipping rachète la flotte de Czech Ocean Shipping Novatrans confronté à la saturation de certains terminaux Calberson et Clément-Polytra fusionnent leurs activités Intercontainer verhoogt frequentie op Irùn tot acht Van Ommeren Shipping koopt vloot Czech Ocean Shipping Novatrans geconfronteerd met verzadiging aantal terminals Joint venture met Calberson verruimt activiteiten Clément-Polytra web site House blocks protection of severance at railroads FMC still in dark over terms of US-Japan port agreement NS outlines efforts in Conrail deal House approves penalty for ship safety violations Peru court: Fine Air owners are fugitives Rostock-Atlantik Line at last sets date for box service Charges brought against 2 captains in tanker collision Deja vu? French truckers threaten another blockade UP defends plan to rebuild system Singapore buys stake in Aden box complex Philadelphia yard will be bustling again at a price that hits many below the belt Today's browser wars have very little to do with browsers LA port pins hopes on Larry Keller web site OCTOBER 22, 1997 Lower costs, higher prices in inland shipping French distribution network for sale The Netherlands to sell De Schelde shipyard Less freight in Curaçao Laser pistol against speeding offences