Concordia set for eight ship order CONCORDIA Maritime's long-awaited excursion into the newbuilding arena has come to fruition with the Swedish tanker owner ordering a radical design of VLCC tonnage with a 70 m beam in South Korea on the back of charters from one of the largest independent US downstream operators.
IMO prepares to act over air pollution A KEY committee of the International Maritime Organisation is close to completing guidelines on ways of tracking air pollution caused by ships.
Smedvig drillship faces fresh delay Norway's Smedvig has raised the spectre of further delays to its troubled West Navion I drillship due to uncertainties over the delivery of the RamRig dual drilling derrick.
Saddam defies military threat IRAQI president Saddam Hussein (right, pictured at a meeting with Russian ultra-nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky) has remained defiant in the face of possible military strikes, writes James Brewer.
Hutchison and Cosco near to Shanghai deal HUTCHISON and Cosco are close to an announcement on joint participation in the expansion of Shanghai's container terminals at Waigaoqiao.
Yangming halts ports scheme YANGMING Container Line has postponed a plan to invest in and operate the South Korean container ports of Busan and Kwangyang.
Cory orders two tugs for Tees fleet Cory Towage has made a further commitment to UK operations by ordering two powerful tractor tugs to boost its River Tees fleet.
No smoking paradise for Carnival Paradise for non-smokers: Carnival Cruise Lines has taken delivery of the world's first smoke-free cruiseship, the Paradise, from Finland's Kvaerner Masa-Yards. The 70,000 gt, $300m vessel is scheduled to make her North American debut in New York on November 19, to be followed by a variety of festivities, including a gala black-tie fundraising event, which will be held in association with the American Cancer Society.
Hamburg seeks more alliances HAMBURG port terminal company HHLA, owned by the Hamburg city government, could agree more strategic alliances in the next 18 months.
Legal uncertainty hindering E-commerce A LACK of law governing the use of electronic commerce is holding back its acceptance as an operational alternative in the shipping industry, according to an insurance expert.
Gozo ferries face delay WORK on three Gozo Channel ferries might grind to a halt unless vital designs are sent by a Danish design company.
Sri Lanka seeks tea-for-oil deal SRI Lanka has sent a delegation to Iraq to try to negotiate a barter deal under which the island will resume sales of tea, its main commodity export, and accept part payment in oil.
Multiterminais wins Rio roro terminal bid BRAZILIAN terminal operator Multiterminais has won the bidding for the ro-ro terminal at Rio de Janeiro.
Vosper buys boat builder VOSPER Thornycroft (UK) has acquired the small boat builder Halmatic.
Cory to upgrade UK tugs CORY Towage has placed an order with Spanish builder Astilleros Zamakona for two tractor tugs for its Tees operation.
Larsen & Toubro plans UAE terminal INDIAN engineering giant, Larsen & Toubro, is studying the option for a new terminal for its cement export operations in the United Arab Emirates.
St Lawrence imposes draught restrictions THE St Lawrence Seaway Management Corp is requiring ships to reduce their draught for the Montreal-Lake Ontario stretch of the waterway following a dry summer and autumn.
Korea explores links with Middle East SOUTH Korea is sending a delegation of government officials and shipping representatives to the Middle East in a bid to stablise oil supplies and markets.
Call to close Malta yards MALTA'S Federation of Industry (FOI) has recommended that both Malta Drydocks and Malta Shipbuilding be closed down.
Adelaide receives Asia link Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has added a weekly direct service to Asia from Adelaide.
Call for EU ban on TBT ships BREMEN city government has called for ships with hull paint containing the chemical tributylzin (TBT) to be banned from calling at European Union ports.
Cootes won't rest 'til fatigue course conquered Specialised bulk tanker company Cootes Transport hopes about 100 of its long-haul drivers will be better able to combat the deadly effects of driver fatigue following completion of a new national training course on fatigue management. Cootes Transport is one of the first companies to voluntarily take part in the course, which was launched by the National Road Transport Commission at the Australian Trucking Convention earlier this year. Developed for the NRTC, the course is one of the prerequisites for drivers and companies operating under an optional Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme, which is expected be introduced nationally early next year.
30 Nov start-up for NSW regs New national driving hours regulations for truck drivers will come into force in NSW on Monday 30 November, NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Transport Carl Scully announced this week. The new laws, developed by the National Road Transport Commission and approved by Australia's transport ministers in January, were introduced in Victoria in September and in Queensland on 30 October. Start-up dates for the new regime in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania are not yet finalised, although it is understood that SA and Tasmania will not be introducing the laws until next year.
Cargo owners called to account Cargo owners will in the long run have to be accountable for ship safety, according to the former ederal Minister for Transport and chairman of the parliamentary inquiry responsible for the original Ships of Shame report, Peter Morris. Speaking in London last week at an Intercargo seminar, Mr Morris said cargo owners who did not to use quality shipping would jeopardise their own business standing and performance. Research for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority had shown that iron ore carriers calling at Australian ports were generally five years younger than those that went to South American ports and eight years younger than those that called at Canadian ports.
Coombs elected to new ITF post Maritime Union of Australia national secretary John Coombs has been elected as the first vice-chairman of the powerful Dockers' Section of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). Mr Coombs' election came at the ITF's 39th congress now under way in New Delhi. John Bowers, a representative of the United States waterfront labor, has been elected as chairman of the body which played such a significant role in recent Australian waterfront disputes. The ITF's high-profile campaign against flags of convenience (FOCs) was given fresh impetus after a joint meeting of delegates from the Seafarers' and Dockers' sections which approved the "Delhi Policy", a statement redefining the aims, tactics and procedures of the ITF campaign.
Noble Drilling Corporation Announces New President Noble Drilling Corp. said that Robert D. Campbell, 48, will join Noble Drilling as its President effective January 1, 1999. Campbell holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Jim Day, who will remain as Noble Drilling's CEO and Chairman, said, "Mr. Campbell will add to an already highly effective and proven management team. This important step prepares the Company for a bright future."
Romania Exchange To Auction Vessels Romania's Maritime and Commodities Exchange of Constanta (BMMC) called an auction for the sale of three vessels by Santierul Naval Braila shipyard. Up for auction: a 5 year old, 4,970-dwt tanker with 16 cargo tanks with starting price of $3.5 million; a 9 year old 8,750-dwt general cargo and container carrier, with a starting price of $3.2 million; and a new (currently under construction) 8,750-dwt general cargo and container carrier with four cargo holds, with a starting price of $2.4 million.
Bergesen Scraps Berge Lord Tanker For $4.8M Norway's Bergesen reportedly sold for scrap the Berge Lord tanker for a net $4.8 million.
Concordia Orders Two VLCCs For Charter By Sun Concordia Maritime AB of Sweden said that subsidiaries of the group had signed preliminary orders for two VLCC tankers, with options on six more vessels from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries. The first two vessels are reported to be signed to three year charters, between 2001 and 2004, to a subsidiary of U.S. oil group Sun Company Inc.
Cory Towage Orders Tugs For River Tees Cory Towage has placed an order for two new tugs to be based on the River Tees from where its fleet also covers the port of Hartlepool.
South Korean 10-Month Shipbuilding Orders Drop New orders received by South Korean shipbuilders fell 20 percent to 8.51 million gt for 145 vessels in the first 10 months of this year, according to the Korea Shipbuilders' Association. The 10-month figures compared with 10.70 million gt for 175 ships in the same period of last year.
Oceaneering Promotes Collins to President, COO Oceaneering International, Inc. promoted T. Jay Collins to President and COO. Mr. Collins has 25 years of oilfield service industry experience and for the last five years has held senior management positions at Oceaneering, most recently as Executive Vice President, Marine Oilfield Services. As President and COO, Collins will lead all of Oceaneering's business activities engaged in serving the oil and gas industry.
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