Frontline buys 10 Cambridge tankers JOHN Fredriksen's Frontline is on course to become the world's largest tanker owner following the acquisition of 10 vessels from Bjorn Aaserod's Cam-bridge group in a cash and debt deal worth almost $800m.
Tough terms for Patrick funding AUSTRALIAN workplace relations minister Peter Reith has formally written to the administrator of Patrick's labour hire companies, laying down tough conditions for the government funds the companies may need to avoid liquidation in two weeks time.
Pacific & Atlantic fleet boost plan well received TOP ratings agency Standard & Poor's has given a favourable review to the plans of one of Greece's most experienced shipping families to boost its fleet.
Sedgwick profits slip by 12% SEDGWICK Group yesterday reported a 12% decline in first quarter profits to '38.3m ($62m) after exceptionals from '43.5m in the corresponding period last year.
Norway plans to cut refund NORWAY'S shipping industry has strongly criticised a government proposal to cut the seafarer wage refund from 20% to 12% and eliminate it for certain classes of seafarer.
'Harms' charter for 'Feederboss' EGON H Harms, the Bremen-based car transporter, has chartered in the former Sofia for services in the Baltic and the North Sea where she is operating under the name Feederboss. The Liberian flag, 6,677 tons gross vessel, built in 1975, has capacity for 800 cars.
'Berge Prince' goes to Dubai for trendsetting fifth survey IN WHAT is believed to be the world's first 'fifth survey', Bergesen's 284,522 dwt, 1973-built VLCC Berge Prince is set to enter Dubai Drydocks for a four week period beginning early May.
Technofibre opens new Middle East operation TECHNOFIBRE, the Singapore-based lifeboat and davit maintenance company, has continued an expansion of its operations with the opening of a new facility in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, designed to cater for the market in the Middle East writes Dale Wainwright.
Flebasa payment dispute escalates SPANISH ferry operator Flebasa and shipbuilder Astilleros de Huelva are to hold talks to end a long-standing financial dispute that has threatened to disrupt services to the Balearic Islands.
Stena/MoD roro named in La Spezia THE first of two roros chartered by Stena to the UK Ministry of Defence was named Sea Chieftain in La Spezia today.
Fuzhou port operations commence OPERATIONS have started at Fuzhou Port in southern China, a joint venture between Singapore's PSA Corp and the local Fuzhou Port Authority.
Comanav newbuildings upgrade Moroccan fleet COMANAV, the Moroccan state owned line, is in the process of modernising its fleet of containerships with the introduction of two new feederships.
Philippines to import more maize THE Philippines expects to import 500,000-600,000 tonnes of maize this year for animal feed, according to an official at the National Federation of Hog Farmers.
Filipino stevedores warn of strike FILIPINO port workers are to strike if the Philippine Ports Authority refuses to amend an administrative order over privatisation of government ports.
Spot reefer rates tumble SPOT reefer rates have spiralled into sharp decline this month, according to Swedish reefer operator Cool Carriers.
Cargo insurers get tough on ISM CARGO owners who knowingly use ships not certified in accordance with the ISM Code or with a current Document of Compliance after July 1 will not be insured.
Australian services strengthened A SECOND weekly link has been launched between Singapore and Australia's premier ports.
Australian reform faces setback AUSTRALIA'S waterfront reform received a setback today when the national parliament signalled its intention to sideline stevedoring redundancy laws.
Hamburg makes cruise bid MORE than 30 companies have formed an association to attract cruise ships to Hamburg and to create a new cruise terminal in the port.
Salvaged reefer sold to US firm SEATTLE-based Sunmar Shipping has purchased the Japanese reefer vessel Kuroshima, which was driven ashore in heavy weather on the Aleutian Islands last November.
Seattle and Cargill agree grain elevator terms SEATTLE port and Cargill have reached an agreement by which the port will waive dock fees for six months.
Mærsk/Sea-Land consider New York pull-out MÆRSK and Sea-Land have asked port administrations on the US east coast to consider sites for a major intermodal container terminal.
El Niño sparks Ecuador coastal service THE destruction of coastal roads and bridges in Ecuador caused by severe rains and floods has sparked the introduction of an Ecuadorian coastal container service.
OMI directors walk out FOUR board members of New York-based bulk shipping company OMI have resigned.
Union will 'take its chances' The federal government and the Maritime Union of Australia are heading for yet another confrontation with the union rejecting Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith's latest conditions for waterfront reform MUA national secretary, John Coombs, said yesterday his union would not accept the conditions which include job losses, contracting of some functions, and a strict timetable for the administrators' achievement of a deed of arrangement for the Patrick labour hire companies.
Four more ships might be targets Columbus line was yesterday continuing discussions with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in an effort to free the Columbus Canada. Another four ships are believed to have been identified for action by the ILWU for possible action in what is shaping up to be a major test for the federal government's claims that it could take legal action to protect Australian trade.
NZ shipping issues to be aired at conference New Zealand's shipping issues are to be vented publicly at a conference in Wellington set by the Ministry of Transport for 28 and 29 May. Representatives from across all sections of the shipping industry have been invited as well as suppliers to the industry, exporters and importers and the bodies that represent them.
Lloyd's Register reports Australian success Offshore activities increased and led the way to another successful year for Lloyd's Register of Shipping in Australia. According to the society's annual review, with Australia enjoying very low inflation and strong economic growth, prospects for its local operations are viewed with optimism.
Levy to go to Senate committee The federal opposition will have the government's proposed legislation designed to impose a levy on all stevedores to cover the cost of wharfies' redundancy packages referred to a Senate committee when, as expected it is passed by the Lower House today, an ALP source confirmed yesterday. The source said the opposition believed that imposing the levy on all stevedores would transgress agreements reached under the WIRA process that individual companies would make provision for paying their own redundancy packages.
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
phone: +39.010.2462122, fax: +39.010.2516768, e-mail
VAT number: 03532950106
Press Reg.: nr 33/96 Genoa Court
Editor in chief: Bruno Bellio No part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
