BRIEFS

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TSA director steps down Free trade areas come good Patrick suggests second round of sackings New multi-purpose berth for Indian port Penang pilots EDI system US transport department supports shipping act revision Lufthansa Cargo returns profits in first quarter 1998 China Airlines told to shape up training procedures Hong Kong SAR signs agreement with Maldives

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MAY 22, 1998
Trouble ahead for British Airways and American Airlines Italian government to invest in ports and inland waterways Reduction of TNT Post monopoly in the Netherlands Good result KLM in '97/'98 Traffic decrease KLM in April Clash threatens in Australia between unions and P&O Ports

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Home

LA, Long Beach vow peak season won't be rerun of '97
Sanctions on Russia face veto
More shippers moving bulk cargoes by air
It's getting easier to finance Africa sales, investments
IMO says piracy on the high seas increased last year
South Carolina ports authority wins A-1 rating from Moody's
Australia's Patrick seeks to de-register union in waterfront dispute
Singapore announces new rules for ships in Malacca Strait
Justice Department opposes American-British Air alliance
Russia's Railway Ministry: No train loading till blockade off
Food groups form NAFTA trade alliance

Transportation

Rails, groups seek more time for Texas plan
Predictions vary on speed of US-Italian open-skies talks
Builders Transport set to change direction after Chapter 11 filing
US dissent to greet Van Miert
Colombian truckers threaten to strike

Maritime

Maersk, Sea-Land arrange to speed Panama traffic
Mississippi river tugboat pilots' union seeks recognition
Singapore lays down spill laws
China's freight index first in a series
Washington port buys wharf to load petroleum coke
Patrick goes to court to fight union registration
Importers, exporters pin hopes on developing African markets

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Home

LA, Long Beach vow peak season won't be rerun of '97
Sanctions on Russia face veto
More shippers moving bulk cargoes by air
It's getting easier to finance Africa sales, investments
IMO says piracy on the high seas increased last year
South Carolina ports authority wins A-1 rating from Moody's
Australia's Patrick seeks to de-register union in waterfront dispute
Singapore announces new rules for ships in Malacca Strait
Justice Department opposes American-British Air alliance
Russia's Railway Ministry: No train loading till blockade off
Food groups form NAFTA trade alliance

Transportation

Rails, groups seek more time for Texas plan
Predictions vary on speed of US-Italian open-skies talks
Builders Transport set to change direction after Chapter 11 filing
US dissent to greet Van Miert
Colombian truckers threaten to strike

Maritime

Maersk, Sea-Land arrange to speed Panama traffic
Mississippi river tugboat pilots' union seeks recognition
Singapore lays down spill laws
China's freight index first in a series
Washington port buys wharf to load petroleum coke
Patrick goes to court to fight union registration
Importers, exporters pin hopes on developing African markets

web site

Home

LA, Long Beach vow peak season won't be rerun of '97
Sanctions on Russia face veto
More shippers moving bulk cargoes by air
It's getting easier to finance Africa sales, investments
IMO says piracy on the high seas increased last year
South Carolina ports authority wins A-1 rating from Moody's
Australia's Patrick seeks to de-register union in waterfront dispute
Singapore announces new rules for ships in Malacca Strait
Justice Department opposes American-British Air alliance
Russia's Railway Ministry: No train loading till blockade off
Food groups form NAFTA trade alliance

Transportation

Rails, groups seek more time for Texas plan
Predictions vary on speed of US-Italian open-skies talks
Builders Transport set to change direction after Chapter 11 filing
US dissent to greet Van Miert
Colombian truckers threaten to strike

Maritime

Maersk, Sea-Land arrange to speed Panama traffic
Mississippi river tugboat pilots' union seeks recognition
Singapore lays down spill laws
China's freight index first in a series
Washington port buys wharf to load petroleum coke
Patrick goes to court to fight union registration
Importers, exporters pin hopes on developing African markets

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Conference to Introduce New Charge for Mombasa Cargo Ship Bill Sponsor Optimistic About Passage Tanjung Priok Remains 'Business As Usual' Hong Kong Air Cargo Stalls

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India drops port tenders system INDIA is to abolish its tendering system for selecting partners for joint ventures with major port trusts. In addition, the government has made clear that overseas investors will not be extended foreign exchange cover to protect their investments. Malacca monitoring endorsed by IMO A STRINGENT new vessel monitoring system for all merchant ships passing through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has been adopted by the International Maritime Organisation. South Korea facing new PROSPECTS for economic recovery in South Korea are being jeopardised as workers at the Hyundai Motor plant in Ulsan threaten strikes and other action to stop the company laying off workers. Malta Freeport throughput up MALTA Freeport container transhipment hub recorded a 61% increase in throughput to 328,000 teu in the first quarter of the year. Bulker safety to remain IMO priority BULK carrier safety is to remain a priority at the International Maritime Organisation, the body's Maritime Safety Committee has confirmed following its eight-day meeting. CargoLifter airs prospect of airship for millennium A PROTOTYPE of a new freight airship will be dedicated in the year 2000 in a hangar under construction in Brand, a former Soviet airbase, 50km south of Berlin, writes Julius Duthy. Nuclear leaks stop German shipments GERMANY'S environment minister Angela Merkel has ordered a stop to all shipments of nuclear waste to reprocessing plants in Britain and France, after external contamination was discovered on flasks and rail wagons used in the transport process. Willis Corroon wins role in $17bn Russian port scheme UK-based risk management, insurance and reinsurance broking company Willis Corroon Group, has been appointed consultant and insurance broker for the $17bn Ust-Luga port and industrial zone project in the Leningrad region of Russia.

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MAY 22, 1998
No Daily News issue on May 25 MONDAY May 25 is a holiday in the UK. The next issue of Fairplay's Daily News service will be on Tuesday May 26. US deregulation bill bypasses committee US shipping deregulation legislation is to go directly to the floor of the House of Representatives, rather than pass through a committee, it was announced today. Irish Continental Group acquires Eurofeeders IRISH Continental Group, the publicly listed transport organisation, has acquired the share-holding of Felixstowe based Eurofeeders for an undisclosed sum. Spain rights off yard's debts DEBTS incurred by Spanish shipbuilder Naval Gijon are to be written off by the government in order to help the yard's restructure. Shenzhen ports 'to be future hub facility' SHENZHEN'S Yantian, Shekou and Chiwan ports are destined to become an international container hub, says Zou Guohua, director of Shenzhen Municipal Port Authority. Chittagong to counter congestion through charges OFFICIALS in Chittagong are considering raising charges to force importers to take delivery of goods from port sheds quickly. Filipino rating system dubbed irrelevant A NEW rating system, which aims to improve domestic liner standards in the Philippines, has been dubbed irrelevant by local operators. World's biggest ship to change hands MERKUR Tankers, the Norwegian tanker operator, has agreed to sell the world's biggest ship, Jahre Viking, to buyers in Bermuda. New Ivarans ceo appointed GODRIC Baron, operations director at Contship Containerlines, has been transferred within the CP Ships group to become chief executive of Ivaran Lines. Record coal throughput for Newcastle NEWCASTLE, NSW, posted a record coal throughput in the last Japanese financial year. Jakarta tanker operator returns home INDONESIA'S only stock market-listed tanker operator, Berlian Laju Tankers, is moving its chartering department back to Jakarta today. Indonesian companies under scrutiny THE future of Indonesian state-owned shipping companies with close links with the Suharto family has been the cause of much local speculation today. Contship RTW service strengthened CONTSHIP Washington has entered service into Contship's round-the-world joint operation. The Washington is one of seven ships contributed by Contship to the eight-strong fleet US may re-apply sanctions on Japan SANCTIONS on Japanese ships may be reimposed if Japanese ports continue to victimise US vessels, warns FMC boss Harold Creel. Silversea signs two-cruiser deal with Mariotti SILVERSEA Cruises of New York has signed a contract with Italy's T Mariotti Shipyard for two new luxury cruise ships. 'Straitrep' system to start in December MERCHANT ships plying the Malacca Strait and around Singapore will have to report to local shore-based authorities from December 1, following the adoption of the 'straitrep' system. Salerno plans passenger ship expansion ITALY'S southern port of Salerno will receive a substantial boost if plans for a passenger ship jetty are approved. Mediterranean cruising "is saturated" CRUISE operators targeting the Mediterranean this summer may destabilise the market which is now saturated, according to Mediterranean Shipping Cruises' Antonio de Rosa. LatAm boom boosts APL BOOMING markets in Latin America are boosting prospects for NOL subsidiary American President Lines. MUA accused of breaching Trade Practices Act AUSTRALIA'S anti-trust agency has initiated court proceedings against the MUA for breaching the Trade Practices Act. Malta Drydocks appoints Enterprises ceo MALTA Drydocks Enterprises has appointed Peter Moore, who has extensive experience in the UK coal industry, as its future ceo. Scorpio to operate Lolli-Ghetti newbuildings TWO tanker newbuildings recently placed at the Croatian shipbuilder 3 Maj by the Italian owner Lolli-Ghetti will be operated by in-house Scorpio Shipmanagement. Burlando unveils plan for cabotage shipping ITALIAN transport minister Claudio Burlando has delivered to parliament his masterplan for the future of the state owned cabotage fleet.

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Channels deeper, not cheaper The Victorian Channels Authority has finally completed dredging the channels into the Port of Geelong and has declared a new depth of 12.3 metres for Pt Richards; Wilson Spit; Hopetoun and Corio channels - 1.3 metres deeper than previously. The VCA's ceo Ian Edwards said the authority has established a differential pricing structure for the deepened channels, which has been approved by the Office of the Regulator General. Administrators try for 'confidential' redundancies The administrators of the insolvent Patrick labor hire companies are today expected to advertise a confidential 1800 telephone service for waterfront workers to register their interest in redundancy packages, while P&O Ports was yesterday contemplating the next move in its row with the Maritime Union of Australia. Regional ports woo container trade The western Australian ports of Albany and Bunbury and the Victorian port of Portland are combining their resources to their resources to map out a strategy focuses on winning them a share of the general cargo export container trade. Albany Port Authority general manager Bob Emery said the ports had agreed their regional economies could benefit from regaining direct general cargo container services and were involved in a three-part strategy to achieve this end. Maritime union's time has come, says Reith The maritime Union of Australia will stop at nothing in the pursuit of its own narrow self-interest, according to the minister for Workplace Relations Peter Reith. Mr Reith said the nub of the issue between the stevedore and the union had always been reform of the MUA's monopoly supply of labor on the waterfront and the attendant inefficiencies that monopoly delivers. NSW accident line to reopen The NSW rail freight line on which two people were killed earlier this week after a National Rail freight train derailed is expected to reopen later today. About 100 metres of rail track at the site of the derailment was badly damaged from the incident and had to be replaced. Standards to be focus of ASF Regional shipping industry leaders will discuss a range of issues affecting owners and operators when the Australian Shipowners association hosts the seventh annual Asian Shipowners Forum at Sanctuary Cove on Monday and Tuesday next week. The main theme will be the mounting international pressure on the industry to rid the world of substandard shipping.

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It's finally testimony time for CSX and Norfolk Southern. The joint application of the railroads to partition and acquire Conrail will soon be decided by the Surface Transportation Board. Although it is the largest and arguably most consequential rail merger in history just two board members will vote. Although the outcome of the carve-up is not in doubt among most shippers, railroads and students of the STB, the number and nature of conditions upon the applicants are up in the air. From chaos is emerging order and at least $210 billion for highway and transit spending over the next six years. As Congress departed for a 10-day recess, a consensus agreement on reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act was hastily cobbled together for delivery to the president, with the expectation he would sign it into law. Heavy truck sales are up, but this year, unlike in years past, truck manufacturers are not worrying about an inevitable swell of overcapacity. Since 1992 truck sales have averaged around 178,000 units a year. Today that average has shot up to about 200,000 units a year, a number the CEO of Freightliner is happy with. For the first quarter of this year, truck sales nearly doubled to 97,500, up from just 55,000 units in 1997. Recent reports from the Port Import/Export Reporting Service bears witness to the container rush of 1997. "Flush with new cash, U.S. consumers have been on a prolonged spending spree, increasing their appetites for foreign products," the report said. "This was reflected in the performance of the U.S. inbound container trade, which jumped 13 percent for the year, compared to a mere 2 percent growth in 1996." Many top export lanes saw big increases to China and countries in Europe and Latin America. But 1998 is proving to be a tough one for the trades. A Union Pacific Railroad executive's suggestion that ocean carriers reschedule sailing times eastbound from Asia to help ease congestion on the West Coast didn't sit well with carriers or shippers. They claim that such a change is not only impractical but may be downright impossible. The Boeing 747-400 freight or the An-124 aren't big enough for you? Well, a number of aircraft manufacturers want to build something that is. Boeing is shopping for a launch customer for its MD-17 project, a near-clone of the C-17 military cargo plane it inherited through the merger with McDonnell Douglas. Antonov Design Bureau wants to build and sell the six-engine An-225. Meanwhile, a new German company, CargoLifter Inc., thinks airships are the wave of the future. High-tech manufacturer A.G. Associates Inc. wants to bring inbound material straight to the production line, without time-consuming inspections. Two years ago it embarked on a supplier quality management program to reduce inventory and cut costs. Bringing up the quality of the parts shipped to the manufacturer is also critical to the program, thereby reducing the money and time wasted when unusable parts sit in a reject pile. Two companies have joined together to offer customers a complete package of supply-chain management and import/export software. The new alliance integrates the features of Syntra's Global Logistics System and HK System's Stockmaster SCM and is expected to bring new cost-saving to its users. Canadian shipowners and shippers are fuming over the latest proposal from the Canadian Coast Guard to change or introduce fees for the navigation and icebreaking services it provides. The National Marine and Industrial Coalition, which represents foreign and domestic shipowners as well as shippers, presented Ottawa with a cost recovery plan six months ago which it said met the government's revenue goals while protecting the competitiveness of the carriers and ports. The government response to that plan was delayed several times. For intermodal marketing companies, the good news is that big shippers can be a rich source of new business. The not-so-good news is that the resources needed to capture the business may be beyond smaller operators. How to persuade large-volume shippers to use intermodal was described at this month's International Intermodal Expo in Dallas by the nation's largest IMC, The Hub Group. Despite deep-rooted misgivings about intermodal, two large shippers, Georgia-Pacific Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp., have become users.