web site Liners to hike rates with strong trade growth They are also taking advantage of higher volumes during seasonal peak period Container ship, fishing boat collide off S'pore, 1 missing Building of bay in disputed islets nearly completed P&O to seek US help to end Karachi dock workers' protest Taiwan's Yang Ming latest to sign customised deal with PSA Corp US agency to meet on shipping row Ship hit by rebel attack may pollute Sri Lanka coast Rolls-Royce Motor put up for sale by Vickers BMW seen as favourite to buy UK luxury car maker Kuwait Airways' finance tender closes on Friday First assembly plant of Smart car officially opened in France US air couriers face changes in regulations Vietnam plans to have 138 airports at a cost of US$5.7b Indonesian aircraft maker says barter deals beneficial Porsche wins case against Japan car importer New terminals to replace old Infusion of private investment has permitted the current wave of construction and renovation at the New York airport web site OCTOBER 27, 1997 Delayed oil on the move ABOUT 4m barrels of US-bound Mexican crude, which was held up at two closed Gulf of Mexico ports earlier in the month, were quickly shipped to their destinations last week. Cochin finalises ship repair plans INDIAN government-owned shipbuilder and repairer, Cochin Shipyard, has finalised plans to set up a new ship repair complex to cater for coastal shipping. Argonaut stages strong interim improvement A MARKED improvement in freight rates and profits from the sale of a ulcc boosted the January-September pre-tax result of Argonaut. Profits slip at Shahi Shipping MUMBAI-based Shahi Shipping has registered a 12 per cent dip in net profit despite a surge in turnover. Gorthon achieves six per cent profit rise HEALTHY cargo volumes helped Gorthon Lines, the Swedish forestry product carrier specialist, to stage a six per cent rise in pre-tax profit. ABP reorganises management structure AS the first part of its strategic review, Associated British Ports (ABP) has reorganised its UK ports' management into five regions. New Australian minister in key union talks BETTER safety and productivity on Australia's waterfront are the key agenda items that the government has laid down for top-level talks this week with the nation's union leaders. Transas installs VTMS for port of Keelung TRANSAS Marine (UK), part of the St Petersburg-based maritime software house Transas, has supplied a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to the port of Keelung. Dredger sinks at Thames Barrier A DREDGER hit the Thames flood barrier this morning and sank in 5.8 metres of water. Malta Shipbuilding reports timber ship interest MALTA Shipbuilding chairman says the company had received several offers from foreign companies regarding the purchase of six timber carriers. Mosking's engine trouble worse than expected TROUBLE with the low pressure turbine on the 1974-built vlcc tanker Mosking has turned out to be worse than anticipated and the vessel is on its way to Dubai for repairs. Skaugen buys three lighter tankers SKAUGEN PetroTrans, part of the I S Skaugen group, has decided to take up an option to buy three lighter tanker vessels. PSA Corp signs up Yangming YANGMING Marine Transport Corp has signed a long-term terminal service agreement with PSA Corp. Nissos Amorgos case scheduled for December THE trial of the captain in the Nissos Amorgos oil spill case has been scheduled for December. Elma delivers last ships to auction ARGENTINE state-owned liner owner Elma is to sell its remaining vessels, four containerships and two reefers, by a public auction. ICB gives Angelicoussis more time ICB Shipping has extended the period in which Obelia Finance Company, owned by the Greek Anglicoussis family, will have to subscribe for the shares in the Swedish tanker owner. US House approves penalty for safety violations THE US House of Representatives has passed legislation containing a provision for cargo sanctions against vessels detained for a violation of the SOLAS convention. Concordia cancels vlcc sale CONCORDIA Maritime will not sell the 1975-built, 273,186 dwt turbine tanker Stena Continent for conversion. CP gets more access and drops Conrail objections TWO US railroads, CSX Corp and Norfolk Southern Corp, have agreed to give Canadian Pacific (CP) more access to Philadelphia port and CP has dropped its Conrail objections. Wilhelmsen enters newbuilding talks NORWEGIAN operator Wilh Wilhelmsen is to start talks with a number of shipyards for the building of a series of roro vessels. Van Miert gives Italy ports ultimatum ITALY has been given a 60-day ultimatum to comply with EU port policies by commissioner Karel van Miert. web site Thames shut after ship hits barrier A 4,000-tonne dredger hit the Thames flood barrier, damaged its bow and sank yesterday morning, temporarily closing a stretch of the river to all traffic. Tory policies 'damaged shipping' ADMIRAL Sir Nicholas Hunt, director general of the UK's Chamber of Shipping, complained yesterday of "hostile and unfriendly" attitudes by the previous British government that had damaged the industry. Vancouver jetfoil service plan attracts bidders HONG Kong-based Far East Hydrofoil Co and Clipper Navigation of Seattle have made a joint venture proposal to operate a Boeing jetfoil service between Vancouver and Victoria, beginning next September. Bangladesh to build private container port BANGLADESH'S first private sector container handling port facility, with a capacity of 500,000 teu a year will be set up at a cost of $350m at Patenga. Countries must act quickly to get cash TIME is running out for Caribbean countries to ratify the Marpol Convention if they want to benefit from the international donor funds which become available once the Wider Caribbean Initiative on Ship-Generated Waste (WCISW) is completed. Stricken oil tanker threat to Sri Lanka coastline A CIVILIAN ship attacked and disabled by Tamil Tigers rebels on Sri Lanka's east coast last month is threatening marine ecology, Reuters reports from Colombo. Ramos launches drive to improve maritime safety PHILIPPINE president Fidel Ramos promised to improve maritime safety in the country as he ordered the transfer of the Philippine Coast Guard from the Navy to the Department of Transportation and Communication. SCI offered bonds instead of cash IN AN effort to clear its arrears of over Rs1.5bn ($42m), payable to the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the Indian government has asked SCI to subscribe to a part of its proposed Rs180bn issue of oil bonds. web site End to Japan port tension brings deal on carrier fines Air cargo executive calls for consistent security practices DOT and FFA will review shipment security controls $1 million from UP staff is first ever to United Way Shipping execs back Japan port package FRA slaps CSX Transport with crossing proceedures web site OCTOBER 27, 1997 Legal action mooted against Italian airport Japanese-US negotiations fail to succeed Schneider bound for Europe Short Lines to forge ahead Expansion of Van Ommeren Shipping dry loads fleet web site BA move intensifies Europe airlines war FedEx, pilots report progress EU ready to breach German airport Traffic controllers hit poor standards in South America Downsizing spreads to railroad groups Matteson to retire as head of academy NY port completes dredge disposal site Low-fare airlines gain slots at 2 sites Houston set to bid on waterfront property Global air cargo up sharply in July Clinton team bypasses Downs in bid to settle Amtrak row Worldwide slump tugs JofC index down Singapore Air cargo increase powers profit Philippines, Indonesia in port pact Shipyard income-tax fight revisited in Congress Kings Point, N.Y., maritime academy offers adult study courses on various shipping-related subjects