China moves to cut red tape CHINA'S maritime regulators have demanded support for a campaign to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles and inefficient middlemen from the country's trade channels. Among the proposed changes are a rate-filing system for the country's major ports and plans to cut red tape that obstructs export clearance.
Gorthon flags out vessels to NIS register THE national budget which failed to deliver anticipated benefits to shipping has led to Sweden's Gorthon Lines transfering three of its vessels to the Norwegian International Ships (NIS) register, writes Rajesh Joshi, Oslo.
Durban strike may prove a delay too far PORT congestion in Durban, port congestion in Durban. . . It is as irritating as a stuck gramophone, or, as we near the new millennium, it is probably more apt to use the stuck compact disc metaphor.
Star billing 'Brali' bucks products sector trend SEVERAL confirmed ship sales were established this week, with a one-off products tanker sale receiving star billing. In addition, rumours and speculation continued to surround other deals.
Ports seeking $5.5m boost for Shannon WHAT happens in the Shannon Estuary is of major importance to the still evolving Irish maritime sector.
US sanctions urged on firms in Iran gas deal FOURTEEN influential US senators, including majority leader Trent Lott and foreign relations committee chairman Jesse Helms, have demanded that President Bill Clinton imposes economic sanctions on the French-led consortium planning to develop the huge South Pars gas field in Iran's sector of the Persian Gulf.
Nominating port agents - who calls the shots? WHETHER or not shipowners or charterers should have the right to nominate port agents has been a bone of contention between these different arms of the merchant shipping industry as long as I can remember, and there is no doubt that having one's own local representative in a port to safeguard one's interests is very useful and, in certain cases, vital.
Shipbuilders back EU move THE European Union has shown common sense in the light of the current unfair practices that are devastating the shipbuilding industry, according to the secretary general of the Committee of European Shipbuilders Associations, Jose E Perez.
Unique ship heads for scrappers Union Rotorua, one of two revolutionary sister ships purpose-built for the trans-Tasman trade over 20 years ago has been sold for scrap. The vessel's new owners will take delivery of the gas turbine-electric powered ro-ro in Auckland, for her last voyage to Alang on the west coast of India, where she will be run up on the beach for demolition.
First voyage for PAS Schoeller Holdings' new Asian service has been inaugurated with the first vessel Cape Barren expected to load in Hobart today on its second Australian port call. The new service has been established on the basis of a major contract signed recently between giant metals and minerals producer Pasminco, and AAL's Cyprus based parent for the carriage of Pasminco's finished product into Asia.
ASA adds A plus The Australia-South Asia consortium is set to turn up the heat in the export reefer market by adding around 800 extra reefer slots a month in a key thrust of its soon-to-be-doubled service. The group says the expansion will enable ASA to offer two fixed day sailings each week between Singapore and Sydney/Melbourne, and to extend port coverage to include a weekly fixed day Fremantle call.
Seven vie for Oakajee port The Western Australian government announced on Friday that seven consortia had submitted expressions of interest in building, owning and operating the proposed Oakajee Shipping Port Project north of Geraldton. WA Resources Development minister Colin Barnett said the deepwater port would eventually service industry throughout the mid-west particularly major businesses operating out of the Oakajee industrial estate.
Post-SOS review gets underway The Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and Microeconomic Reform which produced the 'Ships of Shame' report and its sequel in 1995 is advertising for submissions to its follow-up inquiry into the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's claim in its 1996-97 Annual Report that the standard of ships visiting Australia has improved. Committee chairman, Paul Neville said the reports had received international acclaim for clearly identifying an urgent need to improve ship safety standard worldwide.
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