Asia box lines must aid rate probe TEN of Asia's largest container lines have been ordered by the US Federal Maritime Commission to provide information on recent Asian Shipowners Forum meetings as Washington investigates if the body has been involved in improper rate-setting discussions.
EU favours 'user pays' transport charging EUROPEAN Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock said yesterday he favours the 'user pays' principle in setting charges for using transport infrastructure when the Com-mission publishes its White Paper on transport charging this summer.
Patrick offers to scrap labour hire subsidiaries FIVE hours of private talks appear to have produced only halting progress towards a settlement between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia.
ABN Amro in wrangle over Romanian fleet A ROW has erupted over the appointment of Dutch bank ABN Amro as adviser for the reorganisation of Romania's huge merchant fleet.
Panama launches probe into icebreaker blaze AN investigation is taking place into one of the most serious maritime casualties in the Mediterranean Sea in recent months - but it is unlikely the findings will be published.
Hongkong United sells 'Whampoa' HONGKONG United Dockyards has sold its 20,000 tonne lifting capacity floating dock 'Whampoa' to local rival Yiu Lian Dockyards for an undisclosed sum.
Emergency repairs at busy A&P yard ENGINEERS from A&P Group's Dover operation have effected an emergency repair contract on Anangel Shipping's bulk carrier Anangel Honour after working around the clock for a 10-day period.
Trimline shows joinery skill TRIMLINE, the Southampton-based marine outfitters, has recently provided a demonstration of its specialist joinery skills after a five-week project on the Windstar Cruises' sail cruiseship Wind Surf.
ATI investment "unaffected by turmoil" ASIAN Terminals Inc, the sole cargo handling contractor at Manila South Harbour, says the ongoing financial turmoil in the region is unlikely to affect its investment plans.
Investor offered further shares in ACL US INVESTOR Riverfront Development Corp has received an option to buy a further 1.2m shares in the deep sea roro/container shipping group ACL.
DS Norden buys aframax on the stocks DS NORDEN, the Danish bulk shipping group, has bought a 105,000 dwt aframax tanker on stocks at Hyundai shipyard in South Korea.
Sri Lankan police train against piracy SRI Lanka's Police Department is setting up a marine division to police the seas and prevent piracy, smuggling and drugs trafficking.
Polish Register 'disappointed' by IACS decision POLISH Register of Shipping director general Jan Jankowski has expressed his disappointment that PRS had not been reinstated as a full member of IACS.
Far Eastern Silo seeks panamaxes TAIWANESE grain trader Far Eastern Silo is in the market to buy five secondhand panamax vessels to take advantage of the softness in the market.
Massive heroin shipments found in Vancouver CUSTOMS officers at Vancouver have made two major drug busts recently worth an estimated street value of C$30.3m ($21m).
ISM training hots up in Kenya KENYA is to start training its seamen to conform with international maritime requirements as ISM deadline looms.
Rusting vessel must be sold to cover back pay A RUSTY 1981-built handysize bulker that has served as home for 24 stranded seamen since November 1997 must be auctioned and the proceeds used to cover back pay.
US Navy reaches decision on Long Beach A "RECORD of decision" has been issued by the US Navy regarding its former base and ship-yard at Long Beach, California.
Canadian Shippers' Council elects new chairman GRAHAM Allen, manager of marine transport for Noranda in Toronto, has been elected chairman of the Canadian Shippers' Council.
Panama Canal eases draught restrictions PANAMA'S Canal Commission yesterday increased the maximum authorised draught by an additional 15 cm for vessels transiting the canal
Bunker prices improve Latvian result LOW bunker prices gave a welcome boost to Latvian Shipping Company, which posted an improved first quarter profit for 1998.
Dutch government to continue VTS charges THE Dutch Council of State has allowed the government to continue charging shipowners for the use of Vessel Traffic Services if they call at a Dutch port.
SCI chairman pleads for support from shippers THE chairman of Shipping Corp of India has urged Indian shippers to extend their full support to national shipping companies.
Stevedores exert pressure on MUA PRESSURE is mounting on the MUA to accept a new round of redundancies.
Australian shipbuilder warns of Asian threat AN Australian shipbuilder has warned that the nation's shipbuilding industry is being placed in jeopardy by cheap foreign labour.
Standard & Poor's rewards NCL's recovery STANDARD & Poor's has revised the outlook for Norwegian Cruise Line's creditworthiness to positive from stable.
Polish Register back as IACS member POLISH Register of Shipping is to be accepted back into IACS membership - albeit as an associate, rather than a full member.
Govt contemptuous of maritime industry The government's withdrawal on 27 February of AMSA as the administrator of the Seaman's Engagement System has thrown the maritime industry into chaos and is indicative of the "absolute contempt" with which it regards the industry and seafarers in particular according to the MUA. In its submission to the Parliamentary Treaties Commission's inquiry into the government's decision to 'denounce' the International Labour Organisation Convention on Establishing Facilities for Finding Employment for Seamen, the MUA argued that contrary to the government's position such a move would not remove impediments to the negotiation of company employment contracts nor would it improve seaman's health and safety standards.
Patrick plans automation Patrick is considering a withdrawal from general stevedoring and the increased use of automation at its container facilities a position which will lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs according to the stevedore's chairman Chris Corrigan. He told the 14 th international ICHCA conference in Sydney that such move would regrettably have a serious impact on the employment levels in the industry.
Port survey records new dissatisfaction The Victorian employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry says its latest bi-annual Port Users' Survey "graphically illustrates the need for major reform of our waterfront". According to VECCIs CEO David Edwards the survey found nearly three quarters of port users at the Port of Melbourne supported moves to introduce greater competition to stevedoring services such as the initiated by the National Farmers Federation.
'Scam' amendments passed The Australian Democrats and the Labor Party have successfully moved amendments to the Corporations Law which would ensure that companies can not indulge in financial practices designed to avoid paying redundancy and other entitlement to their employees. A spokesperson said the amendments had been sought in response to Patrick Stevedores' utilisation of laws allegedly "to avoid its responsibilities to employees and creditors" during the waterfront dispute.
Young Greek guns THE MARTINOS FAMILY has established itself as one of Greece's most prominent shipping clans in a little over 30 years. From small beginnings running an antiques shop, the family has come to operate a fleet of more than 70 ships.
The rise and rise of the three brothers who run the empire, including Thanassis Martinos, continues.
Junk bonds show strain THE shipping junk bond market is showing signs of strain after a warning that one issue may be in trouble. Plus more on bonds from the New York scene.
Club's long road ahead SOME HARD work is ahead for the Liverpool & London club as it tries overcome a legacy of problems. The American leading the fight speaks about his decision to exchange California for Merseyside.
Repair scramble A BATTLE of the shiprepair giants is brewing in Singapore as Asia comes to terms with tougher competition, which is already leaving China feeling the pain.
Asia bosses party hard THE BIG WHEELS in Asian shipping were evident when they came to one of Australia's top leisure resorts for a hectic round of meetings and golf and more golf.
New order takes over THE FALLOUT from the Indonesian crisis has put the spotlight on Osprey Maritime for its Suharto connections. But the company is confident about the outcome of an investigation into its charter contracts.
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