New IMO move on bulker safety GOVERNMENTS supporting the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are preparing fresh steps aimed at enhancing the safety of the world's dry bulk carriers.
Sale and charterback lifts Frontline liquidity AN important new tanker deal appears to have enabled Norweg-ian owner John Fredriksen's Frontline to complete its strategy to increase company liquidity, James Brewer reports.
No haste to be first in race to grain heaven "Free trade is just like heaven," the Chilean minister of agriculture Carlos Mladinic told the International Grains Council conference. "Everyone wants to get there, just not right now."
Klang firms to renew box equipment KLANG Port Management (KPM) and Klang Container Terminal are undertaking a major renewal of their container handling equipment.
Manila urged to support domestic lines PHILIPPINES shipowners operating along domestic routes are urging the government to extend the same fiscal and regulatory incentives to both local and foreign shipping operators prior to liberalising the country's cabotage laws.
Union talks hold key to the survival of Belleli THE survival of the Italian fabrication yard Belleli Offshore hangs in the balance this week, dependent on negotiations taking place between prospective buyers TDI Halter and ABB Oil and Gas and three Italian trade unions.
Brazilian port 'wrecked' in jobs protest Protesting workers have wrecked the Brazilian port of Vitoria, a spokesman for shipping and mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce said yesterday.
Schleswig-Holstein in subsidy call SCHLESWIG-Holstein state economics minister Horst G'nter B'lck has appealed to the German federal government to increase its share in subsidies paid to the country's shipyards.
Buquebus expands rapidly abroad BUQUEBUS president Juan C Lopez Mena has revealed that activities in Spain, North Africa and the US are growing more rapidly than on the River Plate.
KSA opposes plan for major shippers THE Korean Shipowners Association (KSA) has strongly opposed the government's decision to allow major shippers to enter the shipping industry.
China to slash steel imports CHINA plans to cut steel imports by more than 40 per cent next year after weakening demand raised inventories and reduced earnings at state-owned companies.
Borgestad to manage US open hatch bulkers NORWEGIAN operator Borgestad is to take over the management of five open hatch bulk carriers of US-based Westwood Shipping Lines.
RBS shrugs off the slump ROYAL Bank of Scotland has announced a 32 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to '1bn ($1.6bn) for the year ended September 30, 1998.
Hong Kong moves to boost ship registry HONG KONG has adopted a series of cost saving measures and eliminated bureaucratic procedures to encourage shipowners to register vessels under its flag.
Halla Engineering in debt write-off A SOUTH Korean court has decided to put Halla Engineering & Heavy Industries under its protection following a substantial debt write off by its creditors.
Portland to sell shipyard THE Port of Portland is proposing to sell its Portland Shipyard facility to the yard's sole contractor.
German ship shares decline GERMAN ship finance company Gebab plans to sell shares in only four ships worth Dm120m ($72m) in 1998 compared with Dm273m of shares in seven ships in 1997.
ECT takes stake in Belgian terminal EUROPE Combined Terminals, the Rotterdam stevedore, is to participate in a 50:50 joint venture to build an inland terminal in Belgium.
Canada's Marine Act is further delayed CANADA'S Marine Act, which is intended to put more control into the hands of local port authorities, has experienced another setback.
State aid rules for ports unclear, say operators THE application of EU state aid rules to support port projects lacks clarity, according to European port operators.
PSA Corp opens upgraded cruise facility PSA CORP officially opened its S$23m ($14m) newly upgraded and extended Singapore Cruise Centre today.
Grand jury files oil spill charges A US federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted the owner, operating company and two crewmen of a Liberian-registered tanker on charges related to the dumping of oil.
Military charters could set scramble for slots US Military Sealift Command's decision to charter two Crowley vessels could set off a scramble to place ships in the fleet of subsidised US-flag vessels available to the Pentagon.
FMC defers Brazilian sanctions RECENT action by Brazil in response to a formal complaint by the US Federal Maritime Commission has prompted the FMC to defer sanctions.
Indian ports move towards financial freedom A BILL is being introduced by the Indian government during this session of parliament to turn ports into corporations and allow them to raise finance.
Double headers to go under new EBA Double header shifts will be eliminated by P&O Ports under its new enterprise agreements. This is believed to be one of "the agreed core terms" of site certified agreements contained in the in principle agreement now being considered by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and its members. With the practice of double headers gone, other overtime will be available only at the discretion of management and at management's direction. An annual fixed salary, based on the actual roster, hours to be worked and general conditions of employment will constitute the basis for payment.
SA angry over FreightCorp win A bitter row has erupted over the selection of NSW rail freight operator FreightCorp as the successful tenderer for the lucrative Flinders Power intra-state coal haulage task in South Australia. Adelaide-based Australia Southern Railroad, which currently operates the daily coal service for Flinders with their own wagons, locomotives and crews running over the Flinders-owned track, is perplexed at the awarding of the contract to FreightCorp. Opposition parties in SA yesterday also expressed strong opposition to FreightCorp's selection, concerned about the potential loss of jobs and future rail track investment in the state resulting from the tender.
COSCO follows the pack on THCs The imposition of an import terminal handling charge by COSCO has been described as "a de facto freight rate increase" by the executive president of the Australian Peak Shippers Association, Frank Beaufort. Mr Beaufort said it was disappointing that shipping lines saw the need to impose these charges, although he admitted that the Chinese carrier was merely following the practice of other lines. "They are probably one of the last," he said. COSCO will introduce the terminal handling charge from all load ports other than those in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, which will remain at the existing rates, from 1 January.
BHPT quits Newcastle tugs BHP transport and its Japanese partners are to end their involvement in tugs in the port of Newcastle, selling Hunter Towage Services and four tugs to Adsteam/Howard Smith joint-venture Waratah Towage. The sale, which is subject to the completion of due diligence and discussions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, brings to an end a sometimes bitter contest between HTS and Waratah subsidiary Newcastle Tugs which, at least in the early days, reflected considerable enmity between the parent companies over service and pricing issues.
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