Dutch tank giants in global move DUTCH giants Pakhoed and Van Ommeren have unveiled plans to establish a worldwide force in the tank storage sector, targeting global chemical distribution for fast growth.
Seven ship orders for Samsung SOUTH KOREA's Samsung Heavy Industries has secured its first conventional merchant ship orders of this year, winning contracts for seven tankers and bulk carriers.
SCI seeks leave for domestic flotation STATE-owned Shipping Corporation of India has sought the formal permission of the finance ministry to float a domestic public issue of 11.4m equity shares, each carrying a face value of Rs10 ($0.25).
Unitor bounces back with $11.9m profit NORWAY's Unitor has reported a 1997 net profit of NKr90m ($11.9m), rebounding from a NKr64m loss the previous year. The last two years marked a turning point for the company, as it jettisoned its non-core activities in favour of concentrating on its traditional strengths in marine equipment and supplies.
Lisnave International expands in west Africa PORTUGAL'S Lisnave International, a sister company to major shiprepairer Lisnave, is set to enhance its interests on the western coast of Africa with Esc3bn ($16.07m) investments in Angola and a possible new venture in Namibia.
Rotterdam revises box volume figures ROTTERDAM has 'discovered' an extra 100,000 teu of container volume in its total volumes for all of last year. In a statement, the port's management group said the number of containers handled in the port in 1997 was up by over 500,000 teu to well over 5.4m units.
New ro-ro for Brittany link is launched THE return of civilian vessel construction to Cherbourg after a break of eight years has been underscored with the launch yesterday of a ferry for Brittany.
Gas transport boost for Mitsui OSK MITSUI OSK Lines' acquisition of a majority stake in the largest Indonesia-Japan liquefied natural gas transportation project will lift its consolidated revenues by $240m, writes Tony Gray.
HHLA could join Germany port venture THOMAS Eckelmann, president of Hamburg-based container terminal operator Eurokai, has said state owned HHLA could join the Eurokai-BLG venture.
Pakhoed and Van Ommeren agree to merge DUTCH distribution and logistics companies Royal Pakhoed and Van Ommeren reached agreement on February 28 to merge on equal terms.
Maltese union meets Sant over MDD chairman MALTA'S General Workers Union has met prime minister Alfred Sant to discuss the re-appointment of Noel Zarb Adami as chairman of Malta Drydocks.
Chile, Bolivia agree on lead concentrate storage CHILE and Bolivia have come to an agreement over the storage of lead concentrate at Chile's northern port of Antofogasta, according to port sources.
Shipping welcomes Singapore budget A SERIES of maritime industry tax perks introduced in Singapore's 1998 budget on February 27 has been welcomed by members of the local shipping community.
South African mortgage ranking 'unhealthy' THE ranking of ship mortgages under South African maritime law is "not healthy" and could lead to ships being excluded from trading with South Africa in charter parties.
Frisian Shipyard is taken over TWO Dutch yards have at last agreed to take over troubled Frisian Shipyard, following the placing of a newbuilding contract by United European Car Carriers.
Asia-Canada box rates to rise MEMBER carriers of the Canada Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement have agreed to raise their rates for containers moving to Canada from Asia by $300 per 40 foot container.
Patrick manager blames bad management A SENIOR manager at Australian stevedoring firm Patrick has resigned, blaming the company for its own financial problems - not the MUA.
Balmer Lawrie unveils ambitious port plans CALCUTTA-based state owned company Balmer Lawrie has drawn up ambitious growth plans.
Chennai takes step towards privatisation CHENNAI Port has taken a major step towards privatisation by leasing out Jawahar Dock V wharf to ACT Industries India for 20 years.
France to adopt new ship finance scheme FRANCE is to adopt a new ship finance system, according to transport minister Jean Claude Gayssot.
Bayonne-Southampton roro link under study LE HAVRE-based Compagnie Viking has signed a draft agreement with the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce regarding the launch of a new roro service between Bayonne and Southampton.
Large reefers too big, says South African shipper REEFER ships of 12,000 pallet capacity are too large for the South African fruit trade, according to major South African fruit exporter Unifruco.
Hutchison buys Harwich HUTCHISON Port Holdings (HPH) has agreed to purchase Harwich International (Holdings).
SembCorp sells 10m Jurong Shipyard shares SINGAPORE-based SembCorp announced earlier today that it has disposed of a further 10m shares in its subsidiary Jurong Shipyard.
Canberra criticises Adelaide over cost AUSTRALIA'S government has called for an end to what it calls the "waterfront monopoly" at Port Adelaide - the nation's most efficient dock.
Precious profits collapse THAI handysize operator Precious Shipping fell into the red last year, reporting a net loss of Baht5,802m ($135m) compared to a profit of Baht353m in 1996.
Inchcape shares leap 12 per cent on sale news SHARES in Inchcape, the UK-based ship agency to car distribution group, leapt 12 per cent in early trading today following news of a radical restructuring.
Bulker scrapping to increase says Precious chief SHIP scrapping in the handy size bulker sector should rise this year, according to Khalid Hashim, md of Thailand's Precious Shipping.
Pakhoed et Van Ommeren concluent un mariage de raison "Ce n'est pas un projet qui circule seulement dans les têtes des directions, mais bien dans l'ensemble de l'organisation des deux entreprises. La fusion est toutefois encore soumise à l'approbation de Bruxelles. Nous partons du principe que la Commission européenne posera des exigences raisonnables, auxquelles nous pourrons répondre, de sorte que le projet pourra se concrétiser." C'est ce que Klaas Westdijk, président de Pakhoed, a déclaré lundi dernier lors de la présentation des projets de fusion de son groupe avec Van Ommeren. Naîtra ainsi la plus importante entreprise au monde en matière de distribution et de logistique pour l'industrie pétrolière et pétrochimique. La nouvelle entreprise reçoit provisoirement le nom de baptême Vopak, mais les deux entreprises ne refuseront pas une dénomination plus parlante.
Inchcape met son réseau d'agences maritimes en vente La nouvelle ne manquera pas de surprendre: le groupe Inchcape procède à une importante restructuration et partant, met son réseau international d'agences maritimes ainsi que ses activités de bottling en Russie en vente. Nous croyons savoir que la vente du réseau d'agences se fera dans sa globalité, donc pas de morcellement, ce qui signifie, compte tenu de l'importance de l'investissement, que n' entreront en ligne de compte que des institutions financières, voire des groupes privés d'une dimension respectable.
Frans Maas va créer une division logistique en Allemagne Frans Maas Deutschland a ouvert hier lundi deux nouveaux sièges, à Brême et à Hambourg. La création de ces deux nouvelles divisions entre dans le cadre de la politique de l'entreprise visant à accroître la couverture de l'Allemagne dans le domaine du groupage. A cette occasion, nous avons appris que deux importants contrats logistiques ont été obtenus ces derniers mois, qui ne pouvaient être annoncés que maintenant.
Patrick seeks exemption, expresses viability concerns PATRICK director Bill Clayton claimed tomorrow's stoppage by Maritime Union of Australia members in the port of Brisbane will heighten "viability concerns" for Patrick. The company yesterday sought an exemption from the MUA from the stop work meeting which is expected to be followed by a rally.
TNT merges local, international arms TNT YESTERDAY announced the integration of its Australian domestic and international express divisions. The division will be known as TNT Domestic & International Express and will aim to tackle the inroads made by global express distribution competitors. TNT Domestic & International Express managing director Paul Coutts said the integration gave TNT a complete domestic and international operation with one point of contact offering customers a simplified service system.
Scully hit back at NSW critics THE NSW Transport Minister Carl Scully has hit back at criticism that the state is dragging its feet with the implementation of key national trucking reforms. "I see NSW as a leader of reform - not lagging behind," the minister told a trucking conference in Wagga Wagga. Mr Scully said that an anti-NSW line permeated many national conventions and some media coverage of road transport issues. "In my view, this government has proven it is responsive to legitimate commonsense suggestions for transport industry reforms provided they do no compromise road safety for other vehicles," the minister said.
ITF sees US, Aust parallels THE INTERNATIONAL Transport Workers Federation has drawn parallels between current troubles on the Australian waterfront and latest industrial developments on the west coast of the United States. American longshoremen are facing legal action as a result of their support for the dismissed Liverpool dockers. In a letter of support to the International Longshore Worker's Union, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said the Australian government, Patrick and the farmers did not stop "their union-busting practices and the ITF, in turn did not stop organising world-wide support for the waterfront workers in Australia."
SPS crews stick fast CREWS are remaining aboard former South Pacific Shipping Vessels despite being asked to leave by solicitors Simpson Grierson of Auckland acting on behalf of the owners. Solicitor John Levingston, acting for the crews told DCN yesterday that it would be improper for the crew to leave the vessels. He denied claims that crews were standing in the way of discharging their vessels' cargo, saying that this position had not yet been tested.
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