Faber link to Melbourne row HONG Kong financier Marc Faber has emerged as the organiser of a group of Asian investors in the failed plan to train Australian ex-servicemen in Dubai as non-union waterfront workers.
Mitsui OSK poised to order five car carriers A NEW round of investment in car carrying tonnage is believed to be imminent, with Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines poised to place orders for up to five vessels with domestic shipbuilders.
Banana crop crisis dims reefer market optimism PROSPECTS are looking rosier in the reefer market, after a lacklustre beginning to the year.
Worlds fleet shows small capacity increase TOTAL capacity of the world's reefer and freezer vessel fleet increased by only 0.6% in 1997, according to Lauritzen Reefers' forthcoming World Reefer Fleet 1998 publication, writes Clive Woodbridge.
Problems at Sally UK keep Silja in the red CONTINUING problems at Sally UK have resulted in Finland's Silja group posting a net negative result for the sixth year running.
Singapore yards doubt reports of Halla rescue bid SINGAPORE shipyards yesterday poured cold water on reports that a government-linked agency in the republic was in rescue talks with Halla, the failed South Korean shipyard.
Manila facilities seek fees rise OPERATORS of the Port of Manila's two international terminals are asking for an additional increase in cargo handling charges barely a month after Asian Terminals Inc and International Container Terminal Services were granted a 20% increase in fees on January 1, 1998.
Chubb lifts capacity of fixed-cost P&I cover CHUBB Group has increased the capacity of its fixed-cost protection and indemnity insurance to $100m with immediate effect.
Broström and Van Ommeren merge tanker fleets BROSTROM Shipping and Van Ommeren are to merge their tanker interests to create a company owning or chartering 51 product/chemical tankers of 1.5m dwt.
HDW tipped to win new Superfast order GREEK operator Superfast Ferries is expected to announce a Dm500m ($273m) newbuilding order for three ferries on February 16.
Tanker industry 'has not learnt from mistakes' TANKER industry leaders voted this morning in favour of the motion that "the tanker industry has not learnt from the mistakes of over-ordering in the 1970s".
Korean strike threat hits markets FEARS that the recovery of South Korea's economy would be delayed by industrial action led to a fall in the Seoul stock exchange and further weakened the won.
ATI seeks 50 per cent storage rate increase ASIAN Terminals Inc, operator of the Manila South Harbour, is asking for a minimum rate adjustment of 50 per cent on storage services at the capital's multipurpose port.
Swedish officers agree pay deal AN agreement has been reached in a pay dispute between unions representing Swedish mechant navy officers and the Swedish Shipowners' Association.
Overhaul essential says La Guaira boss VENEZUELA'S port of La Guaira will eventually collapse if repairs and modernisation are not carried out in the medium term, according to the state agency running the port.
Alang yard should remain open, say report A FIRM of consultants has recommended that the Alang Sosiya shipbreaking yard in India should be modernised and not closed.
Chennai seeks operator for box terminal INDIA'S surface transport ministry has asked three port developers to submit their proposals for running a container terminal at Chennai.
Cenargo confirms take-over of Scruttons CENARGO International, the British shipping group owned by Michael Hendry, has confirmed that it has acquired Scruttons in a bid that values Scruttons at '15.5m ($25.3m).
Canada 'unprepared for major spill' CANADA is unprepared for a major oil spill and should create a national agency charged with the task, warned a prominent marine consultant.
Lng vessel to be reactivated after 17-year lay-up CABOT LNG Shipping Corp, the Boston-based operator that acquired the 126,540 cu m lng carrier Gamma last November, is to reactivate the vessel.
Silja changes name as losses mount SILJA Oy Ab, the publicly-listed Finnish passenger ship owner, is planning to change its name to Neptun Maritime after suffering yet another heavy loss.
Singapore yards 'not affected by turmoil' SINGAPORE'S shipyards are not being hit by the Asian currency crisis as customers are based outside the region, Fairplay was told earlier today.
SAECS ouvre la voie des Canaries à SCL Le consortium SAECS (Southern African Europe Container Service) a décidé d'inclure la desserte des îles Canaries dans son service entre l'Europe du Nord et l'Afrique du Sud. Les membres du consortium (SCL, DAL, P&O Nedlloyd et Ellerman Harrison Container Line) estiment que cette destination offre des perspectives intéressantes de trafic, tant avec l'Europe qu'avec l'Afrique du Sud. La desserte des Canaries par SAECS, qui s'engage ainsi dans un secteur où opèrent déjà certains des armements qui lui font une concurrence acharnée sur sa liaison principale, ouvre la voie à l'implantation d'un hub à Las Palmas par SCL, qui projette d'utiliser les Canaries comme plaque tournante pour certains de ses trafics.
Dachser et Schachinger signent un accord de coopération Le groupe allemand Dachser a conclu un accord de coopération avec le transporteur autrichien Schachinger, qui assurera désormais la distribution locale de marchandises venant des établissements Dachser aux Pays-Bas et en Belgique. Schachinger couvrira toute l'Autriche, à l'exception de la partie ouest (Bundeslanden Tirol et Voralberg), où Dachser dipose d'implantations locales à Innsbruck et Lauterach. L'ancien accord de coopération entre Dachser et Frans Maas expire par l'entrée en vigueur de ce nouveau contrat.
Lykes Lines à l'aube d'une grande offensive sur l'Atlantique Frank Halliwell, vice-président de CP Ships et CEO de l'armement Lykes Lines, entouré de son nouvel état-major présentait à la presse internationale ce jeudi à son QG de Tampa, les nouvelles structures et organisation qui doivent conduire ladite filiale sur le route du succès. Après la reprise par CP Ships, après le grand nettoyage qui suivit, les dispositions sont prises pour assurer la relance. Ces dernières doivent être considérées dans le contexte du groupe, c'est-à-dire des quatre filiales, les autres étant Cast, Canmar, et Contship, qui représente aujourd'hui un CA de 1,66 mia. de USD et un volume de 1,05 mio. de TEU transportés. On assiste ainsi à la naissance d'un certain type de mega-carrier avec plusieurs antennes, dont Lykes Lines en est une, qui se spécialise sur le segment Europe-Amérique du Nord avec ramification sur le Nord-Sud.
Patrick confident of Webb victory PATRICK was confident yesterday that work will resume shortly at Webb Dock, which has been crippled since a wharf was sub-leased to P&C Stevedores Pty Ltd late last month. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission yesterday concluded hearing evidence on the companys application which would have the effect of forcing members of the Maritime Union of Australia back to work.
ABC sues Ports Corp over charges In a move which could have widespread repercussions for the shipping industry, Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd yesterday announced that it is taking legal action against the South Australian government and the states SA Ports Corp to recover wharfage and tonnage charges.
WA truck drivers face regulation TRUCK drivers in Western Australia could soon be subject to a regulated truck driving hours regime for the first time, following the release of a state government proposal to introduce such a system. Transport Minister Eric Charlton revealed at a conference in Fremantle this week that the government would introduce a new code of practice for the trucking industry aimed at curbing truck driver fatigue -- the cause of 25 per cent of fatal truck crashes in WA.
Burnie fears demarcation fallout A demarcation dispute between the MUA and BP Australia over manning levels during tanker discharge operations at Burnie, Tasmania, could cost the port around $250,000 in lost revenues if it is not resolved amicably, according to the Burnie Port Corporations general manager, Stewart Tyson. Mr Tyson said that he feared that if agreement between the union and BPA was not reached, the port could lose its tanker business to one of several other ports in the State capable of handling such operations.
Extra sailings for Spirit of Tasmania DUE TO projected increased demand TT-Line will reintroduce eight sailings a week for its conventional ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, for three weeks after the charter of the Incat-built wave piercing ferry, Devil Cat, ends on 18 April. TT-Lines chief executive Peter Simmons said the additional Spirit sailing was a further extension of the companys increased summer and autumn services.
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