web site Row settled, 3 Japanese lines agree to pay up Washington, Tokyo sign pact to reform port practices in Japan ST Logistics to invest $400m in regional expansion S'pore urged to maintain hub position US aviation officials to visit Manila next month They will check measures taken to improve air safety operations Easyjet may sue British Airways if it sets up low-cost carrier BA still undecided on launch Singapore and Brazil sign air services accord BMW seen as most likely to buy Rolls-Royce Motors Air NZ sees progress in joining Star Alliance Keeping up with trade growth Terminal operators expand to meet demand but long-term solutions are seen in alternative port developments Strong case for a uniform int'l approach to manning levels web site OCTOBER 28, 1997 Newport News in profit VIRGINIA'S Newport News Shipbuilding has reported earnings of $1m in the quarter ended September 30, after writing off losses on tanker construction. Djakarta Lloyd takes 24 ships INDONESIA'S state-owned carrier Djakarta Lloyd is taking delivery of 24 small new containerships worth $254m by the end of next year. Fredriksen to transfer ex Latsis ulccs NORWEGIAN shipping tycoon John Fredriksen, plans to transfer six ulccs to a new company. NCLH long-term plan calls for four newbuildings OSLO-based cruise shipping group NCL Holding (NCLH) intends to build four cruise liners. Algoma in further unloader conversion ALGOMA Central Marine has decided to convert its 1982 built, 32,000 tonne capacity bulker Algowest into a self unloader. Federal customs officers strike in Brazil BRAZILIAN customs officers are planning a 48 hour strike in pursuit of a wage increase. Taiwan eases LASH ship rules TAIPEI has decided to allow foreign shipping companies to use LASH ships to transport containers between Taiwanese and Chinese ports. Italian-Thai wins port deal THAI construction company Italian-Thai Development has signed a 8.41bn baht ($215.5m) contract with the Port Authority of Thailand to expand facilities at Laem Chabang Port. MTL to sack 375 workers MODERN Terminals Ltd (MTL), Hong Kong's oldest and second largest container terminal operator, is to cut its workforce by 22 per cent. Sea-Land Lightening launched THE Sea-Land Lightening, the last in a series of nine "Champion class" containerships was launched yesterday in Rotterdam. Kalmar shareholders approve share issue to Partek SHAREHOLDER in Kalmar Industries have approved a targeted share issue to Partek as a part of the merger between Kalmar Industries' and Partek's Sisu Terminal Systems (STS) unit. Italian ports get $368m in grants A SUBSTANTIAL appropriation of Italian state funds has been granted to modernise the country's ports. MUA signs no-strike deal AUSTRALIAN unions have signed an historic agreement that would exempt Australian-made-for-export vehicles from any future industrial action. Australian owners fear loss of tax breaks AUSTRALIAN owners say they fear tax breaks for their industry may be lost amid current negotiations for waterfront reform. Rogue owners 'trading in weak PSC areas' UNSCRUPULOUS owners are deliberately trading ships of doubtful condition and crew competence between ports where port state control is ineffective, according to ClassNK. Five per cent rise for UK Club THE UK P&I Club has set a five per cent general increase in premium rating for the 1998 policy year, beginning on February 20. Malta Drydocks slashes overtime OVERTIME at Malta Drydocks, the state-owned repair yard, has been cut by 40 per cent in the past few months. Ulstein wins $152m offshore vessel orders ULSTEIN Verft, the Norwegian shipbuilding group, has won three offshore vessel orders with a total value of about Nkr 1.1bn ($152m). Mega Tankers to raise $69m and order suezmaxes MEGA Tankers plans to raise Nkr 500m ($69m) by going public and order up to four 153,000 dwt suezmaxes from Huyndai. US reaches ports accord with Japan THE US Departments of State and Transportation have announced agreement with Japan on reform of the restrictive Japanese port system. web site Japan lines to pay US fines THREE Japanese shipping lines which have been caught up in the port-reform dispute with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) have grudgingly agreed to pay $1.5m in fines rather than risk a trade war. Marine premium ratings forecast to remain soft SOFT premium ratings in marine insurance are likely to continue for the "forseeable future" unless there is a significant reduction in underwriting capacity, a leading Swedish marine underwriter has warned. Firm rates boost Argonaut SWEDISH tanker owner Argonaut has seen a strong first nine months of the year as firm freight rates pushed the group back into profit. UK Club sets 5% increase in premiums THE UK P&I Club has set a 5% general increase in premiums for next year. At the same time it has reduced its supplementary call for 1996, the fourth time in five years it has done so, writes David Mott. European sea safety campaign call THE EUROPEAN Transport Safety Council has called for a European maritime safety plan driven by statistical targets for cutting the number of deaths and injuries at sea. First order for Aker Finnyards SEALING its first contract since becoming part of the Aker Maritime Group, Aker Finnyards has landed a domestic order from locally-based shortsea specialist Engship. Long Beach hit by cargo congestion SHIPPING lines and terminal operators at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are trying to dig their way out of a harbour cargo jam brought on by a record pre-Christmas cargo season, the breakdown of the Union Pacific Railroad system, and a labour shortage. Australian waterfront reform talks today AUSTRALIAN workplace relations minister Peter Reith will meet with unions today to discuss waterfront reform, Reuters reports. web site OCTOBER 28, 1997 Strong container transit growth in European ports Japan and US said to be close to agreement Morgan Stanley to handle PTT Post stock exchange launch Unions aim to obstruct Maersk exemptions French industrial action threat remains Growth in P&O North Sea Ferries transit operations Schiphol unwilling to run Maastricht airport web site La CPF prie le gouvernement fédéral belge de s'intéresser davantage aux ports Airbus vise la moitié du marché de l'aviation civile La Corée du Sud redoute une hausse des tarifs du canal de Panama Le port de Barcelone développe sa capacité ferroviaire web site APL joins Port of Seattle in educational box program AEI offers fast custom service for shipping of high-risk goods Hvide and Aker plan to operate a construction tug supply vessel TIACA says skills low among cargoworkers U.S. Army Corps Engineers closes Chittenden Locks for mainentance web site Role in port fight may spare FMC Defense bill sheds key maritime parts El Nino drought may force changes at the Panama Canal Midwest shippers clamor for railcars amid four-story-high piles of grain Cornerstone forms logistics subsidiary Island businesses upset by rising ferry costs Fire aboard dry-docked ship forces evacuation Regional Airport Authority of Louisville and Jefferson County Valdez spill-fund spending plan disputed FAA chief offers airlines immunity for disclosure Labor board tells Avondale to bargain with unions DHL gets temporary lift from expanded home base Chile, US agree to open aviation markets Hong Kong port traffic, shipments up in quarter Logistics providers spread their wings in E. Europe Philippine president vows maritime action Diving for some pearls among the myriad maritime news items