United States Marine repair to acquire San Diego repair firm United States Marine Repair (USMR) has reached an agreement to acquire Pacific Ship Repair & Fabrication (PACSHIP). The acquisition is expected to close within 60 to 90 days.USMR's most recent previous acquisition was Norshipco.
Australia to continue shipyard subsidy Australia's Minister for Industry, Science, and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin has announced that the Government has honored its election commitment to introduce an integrated package of measures for the Australian shipbuilding industry.
Tankers set for Gulf disruption TANKER market owners and charterers were prepared last night for disruption to their Persian Gulf shipping operations in the wake of continued concerted military action against Iraq by US and British armed forces.
Numast to seek greater cover for seafarers FEARS are growing for the safety of thousands of seafarers caught up in the latesat round of conflict in the Gulf, writes David Osler.
Rising price of cruises sees Costa Crociere profits jump LEADING European cruise operator Costa Crociere has unveiled a remarkable 76.7% consolidated net profit increase to Lire148.8bn ($890,380) in the year to the end of September 1998.
Hamburg Süd warns of losses and flat turnover HAMBURG Süd will this year see an operating loss and stagnating turnover, according to chief executive Klaus Meves.
UK to reopen probe into loss of Derbyshire A fresh formal investigation is to be reopened into the mysterious loss of the dry bulk ship Derbyshire which sank in the Pacific Ocean in September 1980 with the loss of 42 lives.
Owners back government review of UK flag fleet British shipowners yesterday voiced their approval of the government's positive reaction to proposals of the Shipping Working Group, announced earlier in the week by deputy prime minister John Prescott.
Excel and First National settle dispute out of court Excel Maritime Carriers and the First National Bank of Maryland, which appeared to be on a collision course less than a month ago, have struck a deal which gives the American Stock Exchange-listed shipping company a chance to rebuild its business with a clean slate.
A second vessel has been arrested A second vessel operated by Alstron Marine of Athens has been arrested by the First National Bank of Maryland as part of its continuing legal campaign against the Greek shipowning community, writes David Barnicoat. The 16,663 dwt general cargoship Verano, right, was arrested on arrival in the UK from West Africa and is currently laid-up in Falmouth. The Cypriot-registered Verano is moored alongside the Ilion, another of the Alstron Marine fleet, also under arrest on behalf of the First National Bank of Maryland. The bank lodged a writ at the Admiralty court in London, seeking $8m from the Ilion's owners. The 1980-built Verano (ex Tano River) and Ilion (ex Keta Lagoon) were formerly part of the Ghana, Black Star Line fleet.
Ten sailings cancelled after Monarch grounding ROYAL Caribbean has cancelled the December 20 sailing of the Monarch of the Seas and the subsequent nine sailings up to and including the February 14 departure.
Leghorn terminal goes private TERMINAL Calata Orlando (TCO) is the first terminal to go officially private in Leghorn.
Three Med operators merge THREE Mediterranean feeder operators, that had been providing joint services since September 1998, have merged activities.
Americas liner pool begins next month ARSENIO Nobrega, president of Alian'a, has confirmed that the new pool operating between Brazil and the US east coast will launch operations in the third week of January.
Washington Marine pulls out of ferry deal WASHINGTON Marine Group has dropped its bid to take over British Columbia's fast ferry programme, citing frustration at the slow pace of talks with BC Ferry Corp.
Korean exporters challenge rate hikes FIVE major South Korean exporters are to hit back against moves by ship operators to raise container rates.
British hope to mirror Dutch flag success FURTHER details were released today about a new course being charted for British shipping.
UK launches training trust BRITISH deputy prime minister, John Prescott, yesterday announced the formation of a new Maritime Training Trust to complement the government's Smart training scheme.
Australian college opens distance learning scheme THE Australian Maritime College has launched a new distance learning programme to educate and train more foreign students.
Western Bulk to end agreement with Ugland WESTERN Bulk Shipping, the Bergen-based company operating handy-size dry bulkers, has terminated a marketing agreement with Ugland Bulk Transport.
China to set up more shipping exchanges CHINA is planning to set up shipping exchanges throughout the country on the model of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange.
N&T Argonaut to quit dry bulk N&T ARGONAUT, the Stockholm-based bulk shipping group controlled by the Sohmen family of Hong Kong, has decided to pull out of dry cargo operations.
Iraq strike boosts oil prices OIL prices rose overnight after the US launched up to 200 cruise missiles on Iraq.
Liberia seeks new register administrators LIBERIA is looking for new administrators for its register following the decision to end its 50-year association with International Regsitries Inc/International Trust Co.
US foreign labour scheme under fire THE recent US decision to allow shipyards to use foreign skilled labour is drawing protests from labour organisations.
Anvers: les terminaux dédiés suscitent des réticences "Le concept des terminaux dédiés peut être valable là où il n'y a rien, mais en ce qui concerne l'Europe de l'Ouest, il devrait y avoir un accord entre ports pour ne pas aller dans cette direction, ou alors cela peut se faire dans le cadre d'une joint-venture avec un partenaire local." R. Restiau, administrateur délégué de l'AGHA, a en quelque sorte donné le ton au débat organisé mercredi à Anvers par Universha, qui avait pour thème "Le rôle croissant de l'armateur dans l'évènement portuaire". Il s'avère que les grands armements dits globaux ont tendance aujourd'hui à assurer eux-mêmes toutes les fonctions qui gravitent autour de la marchandise, soit totalement, soit partiellement. Nous axerons une première partie de notre article sur ce débat sur l'aspect "Terminaux dédiés", étant donné qu'il s'agit d'un sujet d'une brûlante actualité en Europe du Nord. En effet, Rotterdam vient de concéder un terminal dédié à Mærsk Line, tandis que la Ville de Rotterdam entend prendre une participation de 30% dans ECT. A Anvers, l'Entreprise portuaire essaye de louvoyer entre les écueils qui parsèment le chemin à l'octroi des concessions pour les terminaux à containers qui borderont la future darse à marée au sud de Doel.
Dentressangle achète Thier (pulvérulents) Le groupe Norbert Dentressangle (Saint Vallier) vient de racheter l'entreprise allemande de transports pulvérulents en vrac Thier, à Dortsen près de Dusseldorf. Le groupe français collaborait depuis cinq ans avec cette entreprise. Selon un porte-parole de Dentressangle, ce rachat permet à la société française de faire de deux pierres un coup: se doter de sa première implantation en Allemagne, et acquérir du savoir-faire dans le stockage en silos.
La taxe de tonnage doit ranimer la flotte britannique Une des mesures proposées par le vice-premier, John Prescott, dans le but de ranimer la flotte britannique et d'en garantir la viabilité à l'avenir, était l'introduction d'une taxe sur le tonnage. Selon le ministre, le gouvernement étudierait la possibilité de remplacer l'impôt sur les bénéfices des entreprises par un impôt basé sur le volume de la flotte.
MSC a désormais une agence maritime dédiée à Anvers Ainsi que brièvement annoncé dans une édition précédente, l'armement Mediterranean Shipping CY disposera dès le 1er janvier prochain d'une agence maritime, qui lui sera totalement dédiée et opèrera sous le nom de MSC Belgium s.a. Elle est le résultat d'une joint-venture à 50/50 entre son agent traditionnel Deckers & Wirtz et MSC.
AIRC sets down dates for SIA streamlining THE Australian Industrial Relations Commission yesterday set down dates in February, March and April for hearings dealing with the streamlining of the Stevedoring Industry Award 1991. Senior deputy president Marsh set down 8 February as the deadline for submissions and witness statements from waterfront employers. On the following day the parties will hold a private conference to review the matter. Unions which are party to the Award have been given until 24 March to make their submissions and witness statements. Senior deputy president Marsh then set aside three days in the week beginning 19 April for the hearing proper.
Stolt Sapphire in chemical spill exercise THE New South Wales Fire Brigade, Sydney Ports Corporation and Water Police were involved in an exercise on Wednesday night to plan a response to any hazardous material chemical spills into Sydney harbour. The exercise scenario involved a proposed spillage of 1,000 litres of lubrizol from a 40,000 dwt chemical parcel tanker, the Stolt Sapphire, into the harbour. Six Fire Brigade appliances and a Hazmat "Otter" - an inflatable craft used by the Fire Brigade as a rapid response unit to hazardous material incidents on waterways - were on hand for the exercise at No. 5 Darling Harbour. New South Wales Fire Brigade Commissioner, Ian Mac Dougall said his units, along with the Sydney Ports Corporation and the Water Police, played a major role in minimising the impact of hazardous material incidents on Sydney harbour.
Encounter Bay "arrested" P&O NEDLLOYD does not expect that today's departure of its containership, the Encounter Bay, will be delayed following yesterday's "arrest" by Greenpeace and Basel Action Network (BAN) activists. The regional director for Australian and New Zealand of P&O Nedlloyd, Hans Meurs, told DCN yesterday the shipping line had been discussing the action with the activists for some weeks in Europe. Mr Meurs said the protesters were allowed on board the vessel as long as they did not disrupt operations. The environmental activists declared the vessel "an illegal visitor and part of an international strategy to dump toxic waste in Asia." They hung banners reading "P&O Nedlloyd, Stop Toxic Trade" across the ship's bow, confronted the captain with demands for the ship to abide by international law and chained themselves to the Encounter Bay's superstructure and mooring lines.
ILWU on its best behaviour THE United States District Court has issued a minute order tentatively dismissing the existing complaint filed against the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). This follows a drop in the level of industrial action in ports on the west coast of the United States over recent months. The suit, filed on 4 September, 1998, sought to curtail ILWU work stoppages at west coast ports. The PMA filed the lawsuit against the ILWU after more than 150 work stoppages occurred at west coast ports since the last negotiated contract in July, 1996.
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