Pertamina charter deals safe INDONESIA'S state oil and gas monopoly, Pertamina, has confirmed it will not cancel any of its current time charter contracts, totalling 3m dwt a year, stating they were all the result of open tenders.
Daewoo eyes Vulkan yard South Korea's Daewoo is interested in acquiring the site of the former Bremer Vulkan home shipyard in Bremen-Vegesack (pictured), writes Sabina Casagrande, Bonn.
Hyundai set for earnings boom years SOUTH Korean conglomerate Hyundai's shipping arm is expected to enjoy a boom in earnings over the next few years as a result of the recent devaluation of the Korean won, according to Credit Suisse First Boston.
Floods wreak havoc in Asia TORRENTIAL rains and the advance of a 108 km per hour typhoon are wreaking havoc across east Asia, writes Karen Thomas.
Dynamic banker to lead BHP BROKEN Hill Proprietary, the Australian-based minerals, offshore energy and shipping group, has taken a further step towards major restructuring with the appointment of a dynamic new chairman, Don Argus.
First of new Turkish series MARMARA Shipyard has successfully launched the first in a series of Marcon 800 geared feeder containerships for German principals at its shipbuilding facility in Turkey, writes Dale Wainwright.
BP half-year profits slump 26% UK oil giant British Petroleum yesterday blamed the Asian economic crisis, Opec's 1997 drive to increase oil production and unseasonally warm weather as it reported a 26% drop in first-half profits to '1.12bn.
Bilge alarm for 'Sir Geraint' after flooding AN elderly UK military ro-ro is to get a bilge alarm similar to those which are compulsory on equivalent civilian vessels, following a recent transatlantic flooding scare.
Repair dubbed 'bright spark' of Asia SINGAPORE'S shiprepair industry is "the one bright spark amidst the doom and gloom pervading the region," according to local media reports.
Port Klang underutilised, says terminal boss PORT Klang will be able to handle any increases in cargo traffic as its three terminal operators are operating at only 50 per cent capacity.
Tranmediterranea plans nine-ship acquisition SPANISH shipping company Trasmediterranea is finalising a five-year strategic plan that incorporates the acquisition of up to nine additional ships.
Indonesian port system under fire INDONESIA'S rigid port system of allocating stevedores to shipping lines has been criticised by the Indonesian National Shipowners' Association.
$40m container orders for CP Ships CP SHIPS has set in motion orders for 13,400 containers, representing an investment of $40m.
Container imbalance back to normal, says Tung THE box imbalance problem currently afflicting the container industry is a return to the typical imbalance of trade between East and West, according to CC Tung, chairman and ceo of OOCL.
Finn to head Kv'rner's Russian yard ANGLO-Norwegian shipbuilding and construction group Kv'rner has appointed the Finnish-born Olli M'kel' as md of its Kv'rner Vyborg Shipyard in north-western Russia.
Devil boosts ferry company AUSTRALIAN shipping and ferry company TT-Line has reported a record carriage of passengers since last year's introduction of the Incat-built Devil Cat fast catamaran service.
Equipment savings crucial, says leasing chief SAVINGS on equipment wastage and under-utilisation is crucial if liner trade profitability is to be improved, says Greybox chief.
Fearnley foots bill in suspected fraud case NORWEGIAN financial services company, Fearnley Futures, has agreed to pay damages over losses caused to its customers in a suspected fraudulent freight futures contract.
Australian shippers press for reform AUSTRALIA'S leading manufacturing body has put renewed pressure on the government to push ahead with waterfront reform.
Shuttle tanker value "difficult to assess" THE value of the two 153,800 dwt shuttle tanker newbuildings of First Olsen Tankers is currently difficult to assess because of their special features, says the company.
Honduras heads MOU hit list HONDURAS heads the league of flag states to be targeted as priority cases in 1998-1999, according to the Paris MOU's recently published 1997 report.
'Ignorance fans cabotage squabble' LACK of understanding of the issues, rather than the merits of the arguments has intensified Philippine clamour to lift its cabotage rules, according to the Maritime Industry Authority
Korean banks raise rates for builders SOUTH Korean banks have sparked a row with Korean shipbuilders and shipowners over a sudden demand for higher interest rates.
Agents call for bunker policy change THE Ceylon Association of Ship's Agents (CASA) has called for the early implementation of government policy to liberalise bunkering.
Court undecided over Subic row THE Philippine Court of Appeals remains undecided over the leadership of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Sri Lankan exporters feel the squeeze SRI Lankan export cargo is being squeezed out of container ships sailing to Europe because the vessels are full with cheap exports from East Asian countries.
UK coastguard stations shut FOUR British coastguard stations are to be closed over the next five years, the government announced recently amidst union protests.
Conti-Lines développe deux nouveaux services Spécialiste belge du secteur conventionnel/breakbulk, l'armement Conti-Lines vient d'ajouter deux nouveaux services de lignes régulières à sa vaste panoplie qui en compte désormais une dizaine. Conti-Lines a transporté l'année dernière 2,5 mio. de t de fret, dont plus de 50% généré dans son port de base qu'est Anvers.
Geodis: forte progression des activités Overseas et Logistique au 1er semestre Le chiffre d'affaires de Geodis au 1er semestre 1998 a été quasiment identique à celui de l'année antérieure, à savoir 8,99 mia. de FRF. A périmètre d'activité égal et après correction des effets des variations de change, le CA a néanmoins progressé de 10,8%. C'est ce qu'annonce le groupe français. C'est surtout dans les secteurs de la logistique et de l'overseas que les résultats ont évolué de la manière la plus satisfaisante.
Cargaisons industrielles pour le golfe arabo-persique La bigue flottante automotrice "Brabo" est intervenue dans l'opération de chargement d'un certain nombre de pièces lourdes et indivisibles à bord du "Chian Sportsman" à hauteur du quai 334 de la cinquième darse portuaire à Anvers. Ce vraquier de 18.000 t.dw. navigue pour compte de Rickers-Linie sur le service entre le Golfe arabique et l'Inde/Pakistan, liaison assurée à raison de deux départs par mois. Après avoir desservi les ports du Golfe, les navires mettent le cap sur Karachi et, en alternance, Bombay ou Madras. Le "Chian Sportsman" a chargé du break bulk et des cargaisons industrielles d'un volume global de quelque 3.300 m3 et d'un poids d'environ 1.000 tonnes. Il a entre autres chargé un chaudron de 137 tonnes. Ces cargaisons industrielles ont été acheminées par unité fluviale depuis la France. Les cargaisons seront déchargées à Mina Saqr aux Emirats Arabes Unis pour le site de Ras al Khaiymah. Geodis Calberson Projects (représenté par Steinweg à Anvers) est l'expéditeur de cette usine de ciment, une réalisation technique de Technip France. Le "Chian Sportsman" avait déjà chargé des vaisseaux en pontée en Allemagne. Rickers-Linie (Hambourg) est spécialisé dans le transport de vracs conventionnels, de breakbulk et de cargaisons industrielles. Outre le service susmentionné, Rickers-Linie exploite également des services réguliers vers la République populaire de Chine, l'Asie du Sud-Est et la région amazonienne au Brésil depuis l'Europe . L'entreprise est représentée par une propre agence à Anvers, à savoir Rickers-Linie Belgium.
TGV train to satisfy need for speed The Speedrail Group's selection by the federal government as the preferred bidder to build and operate a conventional very high speed train service between Sydney and Canberra, could result in the service being commissioned in late 2003. Speedrail's spokesman and ceo of Leighton Holdings Wal King said construction of a separate 220-kilometre electric line would start in about 18 months after the completion of a 'proving-up' stage.
Steel Bros bolsters Aust presence Christchurch-based container equipment specialists Steel Bros Ltd has moved to strengthen its presence in the Australian market, announcing last week it has taken over the distribution of its sidelifter products in Australia. Steel Bros group managing director Bob Cossins made the announcement last week at the official opening of the company's new $2 million workshop and office facilities at Laverton North, in Melbourne. Under the new arrangement, Steel Bros has merged their operations in Australia with Brisbane-based company Container Transfer Equipment Sales, which has been distributing Steel Bros' products throughout Australia over the last 18 years.
P&OP bids for India's second largest port P&O Ports Australia continues with its strategy to become the dominant stevedoring company in India, with its latest move being a bid for a concession at the country's second largest port container terminal, Chennai. P&O Ports managing director Captain Richard Setchell last week made a presentation to India's Ministry of Surface Transport for a 30-year concession to upgrade and operate the 600,000 TEU facility at Chennai. The Port of Singapore Authority and Hutchison International have also submitted proposals for the Indian government's privatisation of Chennai. Captain Setchell said P&O was proposing a significant upgrade in the port where three cranes currently operated on 600 metres of quay line.
Government names ADI bidders The selection of five consortia to proceed to the next stage of the bidding process for the sale of ADI Limited, has been announced by the ministers for Finance and Defence, John Fahey and Ian McLachlan. They said the short-listed parties would be invited to undertake due diligence and prepare bids for assessment against the full range of the government's sale objectives. The ministers said, however, that as the government's decision on Defence's billion dollar Guided Missile Frigate Upgrade Project was expected later this year -- and because ADI's tender was one of two being considered for that project -- the arrangements for and timing of the completion of the sale of ADI would be determined in the light of that decision.
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