Clarkson rejects bid overture HORACE Clarkson, said to be the world's largest shipbroker, has rejected an approach from shipping services group Charles Taylor aimed at preparing the way for a '26.5m ($43.3m) takeover bid.
Premier Cruises reshuffle TOP management changes are expected to be announced at any moment by Premier Cruises, the six-ship company which specialises in buying up secondhand vessels, writes David Mott.
Tanker owners warned of further Asia upset SHIPOWNERS have been warned that the present bullish tanker market could be impeded by any lasting economic problems in Asia.
Traditional dirty rate trends changing AS tanker demand looks set to peak this summer for the third consecutive year, traditional dirty trends seem to be fading, writes Emily Redding.
Royal Caribbean faces trial over bilge water A US federal judge has ruled that Royal Caribbean Cruises should face trial for allegedly "presenting false statements" during investigation of an alleged at-sea oily bilge water discharge from its 48,563 gt cruiseship Nordic Empress.
ISM Code prompts inspection campaign PARIS memorandum countries have singled out International Safety Management Code compliance and older bulk carriers for concentrated port state control inspection campaigns.
Trade boost for Mozambique A MAJOR trade boost for Mozambique has been announced with the go-ahead for a $1.3bn aluminium smelter near the port of Maputo.
Le Havre driver hurt in crane hold plunge A GANTRY crane driver was in "very serious" condition yesterday after his crane's jib and cabin plunged into the hold of a container vessel during loading operations at Le Havre.
Gas oil stolen in Petro Ranger attack ABOUT 4,000 tonnes of gas oil was stolen in the pirate raid on the Petro Ranger, according to a representative of the Vietnamese cargo owner.
UP warns of more losses SHAREHOLDERS in the problem-plagued Union Pacific (UP) railroad have been warned the company will post another loss in the second-quarter although congestion is easing.
Mild winter boosts Algoma MILD winter conditions kept the Great Lakes open this year and boosted the first quarter results of Ontario-based Algoma.
China promises to improve rail transport RAIL authorities in China have pledged to raise the efficiency of the country's freight transport this year.
ILU and LIRMA seek nominations ORDINARY members of the ILU and LIRMA are to provide nominations by the end of May for the governing board of the proposed merged association.
New 10-berth port for South Korea SOUTH Korea is to build a 10-berth terminal to serve the Daesan Industrial Estate on the west coast at a cost of Won356bn ($255m).
Colombo receives equipment boost THE Sri Lanka Ports Authority is to take delivery of more quayside container cranes at Colombo Port's main container facility.
KSE/CSSC venture starts next month CHINESE production of Kvaerner Ships Equipment is due to start next month following KSE's creation of a joint venture with CSSC subsidiary Hua Hai Marine Cargo Access Equipment.
Brokers form multi-national venture A FOUR-WAY broking joint venture has been set up in Singapore by companies from Asia, Europe and the US to target the petrochemical and vegetable oil sectors.
RCCL accused of lying MIAMI-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) faces prosecution on a federal charge of lying during a pollution investigation involving the Nordic Princess.
Teekay lifts earnings 65 per cent TEEKAY Shipping, the aframax specialist, has reported net earnings of $70.5m, an increase of 65 per cent for the year ended March 31.
LR signs emissions agreement with UN LLOYD'S Register (LR) has agreed to co-operate with the UN in promoting the development and implementation of an international greenhouse gas emissions trading system.
Korean yards to bid for SCI aframaxes INDIAN government owned Shipping Corporation of India has shortlisted three South Korean shipbuilders to build two 100,000 dwt aframax crude tankers.
Mate shot in Thai piracy attack PIRATES attacked a dry cargo vessel off the Thai island of Phuket last weekend, shooting the ship's second mate, and robbing and beating the rest of the all-Lithuanian crew.
Commodore Cruises takes Island Holiday NEW Orleans-based Commodore Cruises has taken over New SeaEscape's Finnish-built cruise liner Island Holiday.
Orient Lines agrees NCL take-over FORT Lauderdale-based Orient Lines has agreed to be taken over by Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line.
Panama banana exports hit PANAMA'S crucial banana exports have fallen 16.6 per cent so far this year, from 1997 totals, due to effects from El Ni'o and a prolonged strike of banana workers.
MUA officials face jail AUSTRALIAN Maritime Union officials face possible jail terms after being convicted of contempt during the recent month-long national industrial action.
Waterfront rows back to court Legal manoeuvring in the waterfront dispute continued in Australia and overseas yesterday. P&O Ports was expected to take action in the supreme court against the Maritime Union of Australia following its inability to stevedore vessels in Adelaide and Newcastle allegedly because of union picket lines.
Albany poised to win $12m canola plant The South west WA port of Albany is poised to host a new $100 million export industry when Singapore company Asia Pacific Bulk Terminal Holdings gets the local council's go-ahead for a $12 million canola crushing plant. The plant will export 90 pr cent of its produce to markets in Singapore, Taiwan and China.
SIT and learn The Sydney Institute of Technology is taking advantage of international training opportunities offered by the International Maritime Organisation's introduction of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, which came into force last year. The new equipment provided by MST is situated at SIT's Marine Technology Centre and will be used to train seafarers in GMDss in order to attain their General Operators Certificate.
Two dozen ships now ITF targets Almost two dozen ships which have allegedly been loaded in Australia by non-union labor are being targeted by international unions supporting the Maritime Union of Australia in its struggle against patrick. So far the most visible action has been taken against the Columbus Canada which is still waiting off Los Angeles while discussions take place between Columbus line and representatives of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
Opposition works on Patrick-govt links The Government's proposed legislation to impose a levy on all Australian stevedores to cover the cost of providing loans to companies for redundancy payments to their workers, was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. The Shadow Minister for industry and Regional Development Simon Crean, however, said the ALP opposed the bills on the grounds that they were based on illegality, conspiracy and "come from a government that is rotten to the core.
Formosa VLCCs feast SHIPPING NEWCOMER Formosa Plastics has ambitious plans to charter VLCCs to serve a $10bn petrochemical complex it is building in Taiwan (pictured above). It also has Capesize bulk carriers on its shopping list. At the same time, Idan Ofer's Tanker Pacific is on the verge of a significant order for similar ships. The timing has led to speculation that the two are about to strike a partnership that would provide a significant boost to the yard that wins the order.
Junk bonds keep going JUNK BONDS will just not lie down quietly. The argument about whether they are a benefit or a bind for shipping rages on as the feeding frenzy reaches new heights in New York.
That nasty little bug THE MILLENNIUM bug is one problem that shipping will be unable to shrug off but the extent of the problem is becoming clearer.
COSCO to the rescue CHINA OCEAN shipping is coming to the rescue of order-starved domestic yards by placing a big contract for containerships. More contracts could be on the way.
Rankin on jail ordeal SHIPPING executive Philip Rankin faces the fight of his life after being arrested in the US on allegations of sex crimes. He speaks exclusively to TradeWinds about his ordeal.
The death of duty-free THE BELL is tolling for much of Europe's ferry industry as the end of duty-free sales loom. Many routes could disappear with the trade.
- 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