Gdynia bids for lead role in Europe POLAND'S Gdynia Shipyard plans to create the largest European shipyard group, with sales of more than $1bn, if it gains control of the bankrupt Gdansk Shipyard.
US coast trade may be opened to foreign ships LEGISLATION which would allow certain foreign-built vessels to penetrate the US' protected coastwise trade for the first time in 78 years has been filed at the US House of Representatives by agriculture committee member Nick Smith.
Business attitudes need to change SOUTH Africans, more than South Africa, are still reeling under the shock of a 20% devaluation of the local currency in not much more than a few months.
Philippines carrier posts 33% profit fall THE Philippine's largest inter-island passenger/cargo liner, William, Gothong and Aboitiz, has reported a 33% drop in its consolidated net income for the first half of the year to Peso108m ($2.6m).
Norway firms up sailing guidelines NORWAY'S maritime directorate is establishing stricter safety demands on vessels sailing to the glacial archipelago of Svalbard, 567 km north of Norway.
Jobs lost as UB Liner Services collapses UB LINER Services has folded less than a year after Ugland International Holdings sold it to a consortium of agents, making 22 Felixstowe-based staff redundant.
A sense of proportion in the 'she' debate JUDGING from the overwhelming global support expressed in the pages of this newspaper for ships to continue to be referred to as 'she', one can safely assume that, in this respect at least, the advocates of political correctness have been sent packing.
Hvide Marine profits 65% up at interim LEADING US international offshore marine support and transport services provider Hvide Marine has reported second quarter net profits of $9.5m (55' per share), up 65% on the $5.7m (37' per share) before an extraordinary item in the 1997 period.
V/Line sale finally underway THE sale process for V/Line Freight is finally under way, with advertisements calling for expressions of interest in the Victorian rail freight operator appearing in local and international newspapers last Friday. The Victorian government, which originally hoped to have V/Line Freight sold-off in the first quarter of this year, said expressions of interest for the business would close on 14 August, with the tender process expected to take six months.
Westrail freight on the market WESTRAIL'S freight business will be sold and a new owner is expected to be in the driving seat before the second quarter of next year. North American, British and European companies, including Gateway Express, are among the string of international rail companies that have already shown strong interest in the freight business which made a $43 million operating profit last financial year. Westrail acting commissioner Wayne James said privatisation was crucial for the survival of the haulage business under new national competition laws where open access arrangements would see private sector rail operators given the right to use Westrail's 5400 km of track network.
More than a grain of truth at new Geelong facility VICGRAIN'S new $22 million bulk product export terminal was officially opened in Geelong last week by Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett. Vicgrain chairman Alan McCallum said that the new facility represented a "milestone in grain and commodity handling in Victoria". Mr McCallum said: "The new facility positions Vicgrain as a premier bulk commodity handler for the next century. We now have the port infrastructure to take advantage of new opportunities for loading alternative bulk product while increasing the efficiency of our core business."
Sea-Land's Brisbane cranes arrive SEA-LAND is on target to receive its first ship at the port of Brisbane this month. This follows the arrival of container cranes and essential infrastructure on board the heavy lift ship Zhen Hua 3, operated by the Shanghai-based Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), last week. A deal struck between Sea-Land and Port of Brisbane Corporation earlier this year gives the terminal operator priority use of the port's No. 7 terminal at Fisherman Islands.
AMSA denies claim of Reith involvement THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority has denied a claim by the Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers that the Minister for Workplace Relations Peter Reith has become involved in the dispute over crewing of the vessels Cape Grafton and Rig Seismic. AMSA general manager responsible for navigational services, Alan Smart, said the organisation's actions were determined by the decision of its management and board. "AMSA operated within government policy and consulted the minister, but it was not acting under instructions," Mr Smart said.
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