Bunkerworld.com got physical in London Being an Internet publishing house, we certainly have a global reach on a daily basis, but we rarely get to meet anyone face to face. During two hectic days at the 19th International Bunker Conference (IBC) in London, the team behind Bunkerworld.com came off-line to meet the industry.
A bunker case scenario from Hell We report from day one of the International Bunker Conference, when speakers and plenary discussions highlighted hot topics which continue to plague the industry.
Fuelcon versus Sellers' contracts During the IBC in London in October, we got a look into the current status of existing contractual terms and conditions which regulate the bunker transaction, "the commercial deal". In today's market, there is no standard international set of terms and conditions with universal acceptance.
Texaco + Chevron = FAMM Texaco and Chevron finally announced the formation and start-up of their global joint venture in their respective residual fuels and marine lubricants marketing business on November 2nd.
Keppel embarks on big cost cutting exercise Diversified marine conglomerate Keppel Corporation is to sell off "non-performing" overseas shipyards and its liner company as part of a major restructuring and cost-cutting programme.
Shell promises to do better as profits dive ROYAL Dutch/Shell chairman Mark Moody-Stuart yesterday pledged to improve the group's performance after third quarter profits fell by a massive 56% to $841m, compared with the same period last year.
Bergesen fears tanker woes will hit full year earnings Norway's Bergesen said yesterday that a weaker tanker market in the fourth quarter would lead to a lower full-year operating profit in 1998 than last year.
Secondhand sector rallies after yen dip Far Eastern secondhand activity has started to recover following the crash in the Japanese economy which rocked the sale and purchase market and threatened negotiations, writes Emily Redding.
Russian food aid fails to deliver dry bulk revival US food aid for hard-hit Russia may fall short of the predicted boom for under-utilised dry bulk carriers, as a tentative agreement between Washington and Moscow calls for roughly half the commodities expected.
Kelud Indonesia-bound Meyer Werft's Papenburg yard has delivered its 20th passengership to Indonesia's Directorate General of Sea Communication.
Petroships denies smuggling claim The Singapore-based shipmanager of the Petro Ranger' has denied Chinese government claims that the vessel was actually involved in smuggling, rather than hijacked by Indonesian pirates.
Danish shipowners call for clarity on duty-free Danish shipowners are talking to tax authorities to pin them down on guidelines after duty-free disappears.
Chilean government urged to end port deadlock CHILE'S government is being urged to set up a negotiating body to resolve the differences between the various parties involved in the port concession process.
Fairplay launches Ships Register on Internet FAIRPLAY, the UK-based marine information specialist, has launched its Ships Register on the Internet.
Sally terminates Ramsgate-Ostend service SALLY UK, part of the Finnish ferry group Neptun Maritime, will close its loss-making service between Ramsgate and Ostend on November 20.
Finnlines may move HQ to Germany FINNISH liner operator Finnlines might move its head office to Germany as a result of the axing by the Finnish government of two proposals to help shipping companies.
Hospital ship in eighth auction A PASSENGERSHIP converted by the Greek government into a $2m floating hospital comes under the auctioneer's hammer later this month for the eighth time since 1996.
TT Club names directors TT Club, the intermodal transport insurer, has appointed Isao Shintani and Knud Pontoppidan as new board directors.
Keppel to restructure after loss KEPPEL, the giant banking, industrial and shipping group has unveiled a major package of cost cutting measures, after forecasting a loss for this year.
HMM starts operations at Kwangyang HYUNDAI Merchant Marine has started operations at the new Kwangyang Port in South Korea.
PSA Corp signs Inchon deal SINGAPORE-based PSA Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Corp to invest in a port development project at Inchon.
Malaysia offers new port incentives MALAYSIA'S cabinet yesterday agreed to implement a number of proposals to promote the use of its national ports, including setting up a national feeder company.
French government steps into Channel chaos FERRY services on the Dover-Calais route are set to return to normal today following the French government's decision to enforce an injunction brought by SeaFrance and P&O Stena.
Kakinada privatisation strongly opposed A DECISION by the Andhra Pradesh government to privatise Kakinada port has met stiff opposition from the port protection committee, unions and opposition political parties.
Indian bulk cargo traffic slumps MAJOR Indian ports have recorded a steep fall in shipments of iron ore, steel and fertilisers.
Foreign exchange lifts Bergesen NORWEGIAN operator Bergesen has increased its nine-month pre-tax profit by 83 per cent to Nkr783m, helped by a 60 per cent decline in foreign exchange losses and net interest costs.
Australian cattle on the move again AUSTRALIA'S beleaguered live cattle export industry has received a shot in the arm with six shipments having left for Indonesia in recent weeks.
Sunmar collapse hits Olympia US west coast port of Olympia has been stuck with an unwanted $10m container terminal following the collapse of Seattle-based Sunmar Container Lines.
Central America counts the cost of Mitch PORT services and transport are at a standstill in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala following the onslaught of Hurricane Mitch.
Caspian pipeline wins official approval CASPIAN Pipeline Consortium has received official assurances from the governments of both Kazakhstan and Russia regarding its 1,500 km oil pipeline.
Les actions des pilotes pourraient leur coûter 5 mio. de BEF par navire Journée décisive ce jeudi en ce qui concerne le dossier des pilotes belges, pour autant que le tribunal se prononce sur l'action en référé menée par l'AGHA, la Gentse Havengemeenschap, qui regroupent les associations profesionnelles de chacun de ces ports, et par une vingtaine d'entreprises privées anversoises et gantoises, contre l'Association des pilotes de rivière et de canaux et ses huit membres du conseil. L'action en question vise à réclamer des intéressés un dédommagement de 5 mio. de BEF par navire, qui serait victime d'une manière ou d'une autre des actions qui seraient menées par les pilotes en vue de défendre leurs exigences dans le cadre du dossier intéressant la structure de leur profession. Prévue pour le Ier novembre lesdites actions ont été reportées, manifestement à cause de cette action en référé qui implique un effet rétroactif.
Nouvelles conditions de base pour la prestation de services logistiques Ce n'est pas sans fierté que Dirk Lannoo, le président du groupe de travail Logistique de la KVBG, l'association des gestionnaires de flux de marchandises, a annoncé la création de conditions de prestation de services logistiques constituant un cadre-coupole pour toutes les activités exercées par les membres de l'association. Les conditions logistiques n'ont pas pour but d'éliminer les conditions existantes type CMR, UEA ou VBG, ni les multiples conditions individuelles. L'objectif est de créér un document de base qui fasse la clarté dans un nombre de zones d'ombre des activités exercées par nos membres".
Un porte-allèges contribuerait au désenclavement fluvial de Zeebrugge C'est aux techniciens de l'Union de Remorquage et de Sauvetage que la MBZ, société qui gère le port de Zeebrugge, a confié le soin d'élaborer le dossier technique du projet de porte-allèges submersible, qui doit permettre de contribuer au désenclavement fluvial du port de Zeebrugge. La photo ci-jointe donne une idée précise de ce que serait cet engin d'une capacité de charge de 8.800 t.
"Vers une croissance plus forte des ports méditerranéens et des EDC dans l'hinterland" La globalisation de l'économie va favoriser la poursuite de la croissance de la containérisation. En Europe, cela va mener à certains déplacements: la part des ports de la Méditerranée va croître et l'hégémonie des ports de Nord de l'Europe va baisser. L'accroissement de la taille des navires va accroître la discontinuité des arrivages, entraînant une hausse de la demande en entreposage. Mais les centres européens de distribution (EDC) risquent de ne plus en trouver tellement dans les ports, mais à l'intérieur des terres.
VCA tonnages up, revenue down The Victorian Channels Authority has completed its second full year of operation and its financial results show an after tax profit for 1997-98 of $5.258 million. During the year dividends of $3.13 million were paid to the state government. Total income for the year to 30 June was $20.767 million, a reduction of almost $1 million over 1996-97. On 1 July 1997, the VCA reduced its charges from 40 cents a gross ton to 35.5 cents a gross ton, and a further reduction to 30.4 cents a gross ton was introduced on 1 July this year. VCA ceo Ian Edwards told DCN: "If we had continued with the 40 cent base rate during the year we would have made $2.5 million more than we did." He said the effect of the decreases had been a 24 per cent reduction in tonnage charges since VCA began operating in March 1996.
Melbourne tug of war ends in draw Less than a week after their introduction, new tug-ordering practices by Melbourne Tug Services have been shelved after criticism from the Port Phillip Sea Pilots and the shipping industry. The short-lived changes required ships' agents to advise the number of tugs required for a vessel at least an hour before the vessel's arrival or departure, with the scrapping of ordering 'to pilots' requirements'. Any tugs ordered that left the wharf to attend a vessel, were to incur normal charges whether or not the tug was used. After a meeting on Wednesday between representatives of the pilots, tugs and ships agents, a mutual resolution to the issue has resulted in the system being modified. The alterations, which will allow more flexibility, will see the re-introduction of 'to pilots requirements' after the re-issuing of a new 'pilot tug requirements sheet' which will be distributed to all ships' agents as soon as possible.
Dispute compo claims sought THE Official Receiver of New South Wales, George Caddy, has called for those small businesses which suffered damages as a result of the 7 April to 2 September waterfront dispute between the MUA and Patrick Stevedores, to lodge claims for compensation by 31 March 1999. Under an agreement reached early last month between Patrick, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the MUA, Patrick agreed to pay up to $7.5 million to cover damages claimed by small businesses in a deal based on all patties withdrawing threats of litigation arising out of the dispute.
PWCS dispute not affecting exports THE Australian Industrial Relations Commission was yesterday afternoon dealing with a dispute which has arisen at the Port Waratah Coal Services site in Newcastle. It is understood that a dispute in terms of section 99 of the Workplace Relations Act had been notified by the company, one of the country's largest coal exporting terminals, following a stopwork meeting which extended beyond the authorised time-frame. The Commission hearing was expected to involve two unions at a federal level: the Maritime Union of Australia and the Transport Workers Union, while a separate hearing was being sought at state level for unions whose members are employed under state awards.
Govt under fire over roads THE federal government, and in particular the new federal Transport Minister John Anderson, have come under fire in Victoria this week for the commonwealth's road funding commitments to the state. An editorial in yesterday's Herald Sun attacked Mr Anderson's refusal to provide federal funds to re-build the Melbourne-Geelong freeway, described as "Victoria's deadliest road" with 86 fatalities in the past eight years. The editorial said Mr Anderson showed "callous indifference towards the families of the dead" for refusing to explain why the government would not provide the $100 million needed to match a similar contribution by the Victorian government to fix the road.
R&B Falcon Records $20.5 Million Loss R&B Falcon Corp. late last week reported that weakened demand, combined with a special charge of $85.8 million surrounding the cancellation of the Peregrine VI and Peregrine VIII conversion projects, conspired to create a net loss of $20.5 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, versus a net income of $35 million for the same period a year ago. Operating income has dropped as well, as the company is experiencing higher operating costs associated with the activation of two incremental deepwater units, marine fleet additions and a decline in profitability in its inland water operations. Further bad news for the company and the sector related to the company's fleet utilization rates, which have plummeted from 95% in 3Q 1997 to 64% in 3Q 1998.
Keppel To Restructure Singapore-based conglomerate Keppel Corp. announced a major restructuring and cost-reduction program which includes the merger of its engineering and off-shore rig-building units. Keppel said it would merge Keppel Integrated Engineering with Keppel Fels, a merger which should be completed by the first half of 1999, said group chairman Sim Kee Boon. The new, leaner Keppel Corp. will concentrate of five core businesses -- marine, offshore energy and engineering, banking and financial services, property investment, development and management and telecommunications and transport. The group would also merge its overseas shipyard operations, including those in the Philippines and the Middle East, to form a bigger ship repair and shipbuilding firm, he added. "Our aim is to be the regional leader in shiprepair and conversions, and a major builder of specialized and medium-sized vessels," he said.
Samsung Snags $355M Worth Of Business South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries Co. won seven shipbuilding orders worth $355 million from Germany and the U.S. Samsung said German firm Reederei Claus-Peter Offen ordered six 2,200-TEU containerships worth a combined $210 million. Reading & Bates Falcon Corp. of the U.S. ordered a 98,000-ton oil drilling ship for $145 million.
Channel Deepening Project OKd Britain's shipping minister has reportedly approved a project to deepen the approach channel to Britain's largest container port while safeguarding the surrounding wildlife habitat. The project is intended to improve access for deep draught container vessels through the Harwich Haven to the Port of Felixstowe by providing an unrestricted channel depth of 47.5 ft. (14.5 m).
Bergesen Profits Surge Bergesen d.y. Group ASA reported an 84 percent surge in nine month pre-tax profits, bolstered by a firmer dollar, lower interest costs and earnings from the sale of fixed assets. Despite the good news, the company predicted an overall weaker result for 1998 v. 1997.
P&O Nedlloyd To Expand Inward P&O Nedlloyd reportedly is in a position to proceed with plans to open an inland distribution operation in China.
Grupo Libra Starts Vessel Sharing Brazilian shipping line Grupo Libra started this week its vessel sharing agreement between the east coasts of South and North America with new partners Crowley American, Ivaran and APL. The service will use seven vessels of between 2,100 TEU and 2,400 TEU capacity on a fixed-day weekly basis.
OIL MAJOR British Petroleum (BP) has dealt a... OIL MAJOR British Petroleum (BP) has dealt a blow to the hopes of tanker owners who are planning to trade their ships until they reach the age of 30 years. The company says it will not charter ships adopting the practice of hydrostatically balanced loading, which allows them to continue trading after 25 years. BP s stand may force owners to rethink on plans to put their ships through fifth special survey.
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