BRIEFS

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Cosco, K-Line extend ties on trans-Pacific trade
Shippers set to benefit from slot-charter agreement
Container shipping rates forecast to remain under pressure
Grand Alliance to focus on Asia-Europe trade
Star Cruises aims for high-end luxury market
SIA-Ansett-Air NZ alliance applies for Aussie approval
If approved, tripartite alliance will be the largest of its kind in Asia- Pacific
Lebanon strikes new aircraft deal with SIA
Airfares forecast to increase due to Asian currency crisis
Two FAA officials criticise Boeing's inspection process
Swissair plans to order Airbus planes
El Al in talks with Airbus after making Boeing purchases
Carriers forced to raise rates
Air cargo firms have been forced by the currency turmoil not just to raiserates but to make their peak periods longer

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MSC goes solo on Japan/Asia-Australia service
ESC supports rejection of inland price-fixing
Japan-Philippines container trade still in decline
Lines launch joint straits-Australia service
Textainer receives ISO 9002 certification worldwide
Bax Global set to buy Distribution Services
Shipper calls for better secondary ports
Delta unveils new Central America schedules
AEI link up with Cormar
FAA proposes fines for breaching Hazmat rules
Danzas to end ASG link

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DECEMBER 22, 1997

Germany considers extra toll levy
Spain lowers toll charges
KLM considers Cathay and Malev as partners
Shuttle German border-Rotterdam
Integration at Kühne & Nagel

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Revisions planned for Matson deal with APL
McMillen named TOTE Chairman Emeritus
MTC to take over Frisco’s Pier 80
$55 million loan guarantee used for modernization of shipyard
Newport News buys Continental Maritime
Shipwrecked sailors held in Houston; good samaritan rescue ship punished

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JSC to report finding on IA to Gov. Agencies
AWRA to impose new charge on Shangdong-origin cargo
Trio to use Sea-Land terminal at Hong Kong
MOT earmarks \202 billion for port expansion
First deep-sea service for Kochi planned by Uno
US-Japan aviation talks near accord
NCA reveals schedules of Portland route

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Hanjin denies finance difficulties
HANJIN Shipping has dismissed reports that it is in severe financial difficulties as "hearsay and completely unfounded".
Hambros set to revamp ship division
MAJOR changes are in store at the shipping division of Hambros Banking Group following the '300m ($497m) acquisition of the UK merchant bank by Societe Generale, the French bank, writes Tony Gray.
ECT plans huge container growth
ROTTERDAM stevedore Europe Combined Terminals (ECT) will increase the number of containers which leave its facility at the mouth of the port from 200,000 boxes a year to 600,000 between now and the year 2000.
Russian fruit importers feel chill of winter
RUSSIA'S winter is sending shivers down the spine of shipowners in the refrigerated tonnage sector.
Carriers must not set inland rates says panel
OCEAN carriers should not be allowed to set inland freight rates collectively through the conference system, a committee of shippers shipowners and independent experts appointed by European Union competition commissioner Karel van Miert has concluded after a two-year study.
Brussels seeking SAECS competition comments
COMMENTS covering European Union competition rules are being sought by the European Commission on the Southern Africa Europe Container Service (SAECS) consortium, writes Nigel Tutt, Brussels.
Grupo Libra wins bids for terminals
GRUPO Libra has won two bids to operate new container facilities in key Brazilian ports.
Engine fault hits UK lifeboats
MORE than a dozen lifeboats around the UK coastline have been withdrawn from service because a major design fault has developed in their new American-made engines.

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DECEMBER 22, 1997

Asian crisis 'will delay dry bulk recovery'
RECOVERY in the bulk shipping market could be pushed back by more than a year into 1999 because of the Asian economic crisis, according US investment bank Lazard Freres.
Sinotrans announces massive restructuring
SINOTRANS, the Chinese foreign trade transport agency, has announced a massive asset restructuring plan to wrest control from local governments.
Hutchison raises HIT stake
HUTCHISON Whampoa has bought HSBC Holdings' five per cent stake in Hong Kong International Terminals.
Shipboard explosion injures crewman
AN explosion this morning on a small bulk carrier in the English Channel has left one crew member with first degree burns to his face.
Viking posts sharp profit improvement
VIKING Line, the Finnish cruise ferry operator, has announced a significant improvement in its pre-tax profit.
ICB extends Obelia's share deadline
ICB Shipping has extended the deadline for Obelia Finance to subscribe for a non-cash share issue.
Basic navigational errors increasing, says club
BRIDGE staff are sometimes too preoccupied with the next phase of operations and are distracted from the absolute priority of safe navigation, says the Swedish Club.
SCI cancels Halla newbuilding order
SHIPPING Corp of India has cancelled an order for two aframax tankers from Halla.
L&T to finalise sale of shipping division
LARSEN and Toubro, the Indian engineering and construction company, will finalise a buyer for its shipping division soon.
K Line and Cosco reach trans-Pacific accord
K LINE and Cosco have agreed to co-operate on trans-Pacific services from early next year.
US delays sanctions on Brazil
WASHINGTON has told Brazil that the imposition of sanctions on cargo carried by Brazilian ships will not be applied until June 1998.
Brazilian yard wins six tug order
BRAZILIAN shipbuilder Estaleiro Itajai has signed a $30m contract with Metalnave for six 50 ton bollard pull tugs.
Carnival Corp profits rise strongly
CARNIVAL Corp has reported a 35 per cent rise in net income for the three months to November 30, to $155.4m from $114.8m in 1996.
Work begins on NCL newbuilding
WORK on Norwegian Cruise Line's latest newbuilding, formerly Costa's Olympia, is to begin at Lloyd Werft immediately.

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Anvers: la clôture des terminaux s'annonce progressive
La décision de l'Union des Expéditeurs d'Anvers, de rejeter la proposition d'accord réalisés dernièrement au sein d'un groupe de travail sur la clôture des terminaux conventionnels/breakbulk et ce, suite à un vote survenu lors d'une assemblée générale, n'empêchera pas l'évolution vers cette clôture. Un nouveau régime va vraisemblablement s'instaurer dès le mois de janvier prochain, toutefois son application sera progressive.
Réorganisation des trafics TRW sur l'Espagne
La société belge de transport combiné TRW a annoncé un certain nombre de modifications dans l'organisation de son trafic sur l'Espagne - et plus particulièrement sur la façade atlantique - en raison de la fermeture pour six mois environ du terminal d'Hendaye, à la frontière franco-espagnole. Sur la façade méditerranéenne, le service a par contre été sensiblement amélioré. C'est ce qui a été annoncé à Anvers au cours d'une réunion d'information à l'intention de la clientèle.
Grimaldi donne une nouvelle dimension à sa desserte de l'Amérique du Sud
L'armement Grimaldi (groupe Naples) a fait ce week-end une escale remarquée avec son nouveau navire ro/ro "Grande America", dont c'était la première touchée puisqu'il s'agit de son maiden trip. Cette unité remplace en fait un des trois navires que l'armement aligne dans son service régulier entre l'Europe du Nord et l'Amérique du Sud, service conjoint, le partenaire étant Cobelfret. Pour l'armement, il s'agit d'une nouvelle génération de roulier particulièrement flexible pouvant transporter 3.200 voitures et 1.500 m linéaires pour l'équivalent de 860 TEU. Cette première unité d'une sértie de 6, livrables dans le courant de 1998, va contribuer à donner une nouvelle dimension aux possibilités de l'armement.
Bruxelles sera le hub du produit "Hot Express"
Le nouveau produit "hot express worldwide courier" du "Hellmann Group of Partners" sera bientôt disponible dans le monde entier. Du point de vue de l'exploitation, l'une des particularités de la nouvelle offre sera d'utiliser l'aéroport de Bruxelles comme "hub". Ce qui doit conduire à une nouvelle valorisation intéressante pour le concept développé par TBC Halbart Aviation.

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Revamped alliance benefits OOCL
Hutchison increases stake in Hong Kong box operator
Shipyard aid plan blurs OECD pact prospects
Sea rescues at risk as countries spar over costs involved
Miners block Trans-Siberian railway
UP told to publish rate for soda ash
DRI offers upbeat outlook for freight tonnage in 2006
STB rejects plea for move against UP
Good things are happening at South Italy ports -- throughput is way up -- and Asian carriers are aiming to get in on the action
New rail link in China gives boost to port
Pakistani port planning to start night navigation
Turmoil in Asia weighs on JofC index
More funds for Malaysia gateway
Yangtze River ports awash in plans to beef up volumes
Cosco's Hong Kong unit eyes China ports

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Peace on the wharves and goodwill to all …
The Maritime Union of Australia has been eliminating all possible points of conflict over the past few days, ensuring that the Christmas/New Year holiday period is as industrially peaceful as possible.
After managing a major change of mind by its rank and file in Melbourne last week, which eventually approved new working arrangements at Patrick facilities, the union has now apparently prevailed on its members in Sydney to accept new manning arrangements on straddle carriers.
P&O Ports, MPC case set for long hearing
Claims by MPC CEO Jeffrey Gilbert that legal action against the corporation would be over by February look highly optimistic, following adjournment of the P&OP case until the end of January, and indications from the presiding judge that a quick decision is unlikely.
Now, the ‘mercenary truckers’ plan
According to Melbourne newspaper reports, truck drivers are now being secretly recruited for container work on the Melbourne wharves next year, in a scheme which apparently mirrors the Dubai stevedore ‘mercenaries’ plan.
Sharp failed to take due care, report finds
Former transport minister John Sharp and his office failed to take due care when making travel claims, an Auditor-General's report sparked by the travel rorts row has found. The report by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) made four recommendations which called for an overhaul of the current
system of processing travel claims, aiming at "enhancing its integrity".
Hein elevated
P&OSN has announced changes at the top for P&O Australia Ltd. Current managing director, Richard Hein has been appointed chairman of P&O Australia following the retirement of Robert Somervaille at the end of this year. Mr Hein will continue in his role as managing director, P&O Australia. In a separate move, Mr Hein has also been appointed of a director of P&O Australia’s parent company, P&OSN as from 1 January, 1998.