British Steel plans North America link BRITISH Steel, one of the UK's biggest exporters, is looking to set up a liner service to North America as part of a redirection of its sales efforts in the light of poor southeast Asian prospects.
Annan Iraq deal hits price of oil OIL prices fell heavily yesterday after United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan brokered a deal with Iraq to allow weapons inspectors to continue their work.
LA port in peace move PORT of Los Angeles officials have told port pilots to put behind them any lingering resentment from last year's 20-week strike and work together as a team.
Call for Latvian Shipping sell-off terms to stand LATVIAN privatisation agency head Janis Naglis hopes the planned sale of Latvian Shipping will be carried out under previous plans despite attempts by some politicians to change it, Reuters reports.
Wan Hai plans Hyundai link to open new Mideast trade TAIWAN'S intra-Asian container line Wan Hai is vcplanning to team up with Hyundai to open a new trade into the Middle Eastern market.
Ship usage scrutinised in FEFC rates move A CLOSER-than-usual watch is being kept by the Far Eastern Freight Conference on the ship utilisation of its members as part of a freight rate stabilisation initiative during this period of uncertain market conditions.
Brussels probe into Trasmed route contract BRUSSELS is investigating a Ptas6bn ($40m) contract awarded by the Spanish government to state owned ferry company Trasmed to run loss-making services to outlying islands and North Africa.
MAIB bulletin to name ships in incidents THE UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch is to identify the names of vessels involved in incidents which are subsequently published in its regular bulletin designed to promote marine safety.
Long Beach expects slower growth THE Port of Long Beach has forecast conservative growth of between five and eight per cent this year in view of the Asian financial turmoil.
Spanish operator barred from Algeciras SPANISH ferry company Islena de Navegacion was barred from using the ports of Algeciras and Ceuta as of February 19 for non-payment of outstanding tariffs.
China opens door to Yantian CHINA has given permission for K Line to call at the southern port of Yantian.
Japan-Mid East box rates rise MAJOR container carriers in the Japan-Middle East trade have announced a rate increase of $100 per teu
Local group selected for Spanish dry port SPANISH port authorities planning to set up a dry container port near Madrid by early 1999 have selected a local group to operate the facility for a ten-year period.
Szczecin launches third ship this year SZCZECIN Shipyard launched its third ship this year on February 21, the 1,728 teu containership Helen Rickmers.
Jebsens' new owner to close London office OSLO-based Actinor Shipping, which recently purchased Jebsens Management in Bergen, is to close Jebsens' technical management office in London.
12 bid for Klaipeda shipyard TWELVE bidders have come forward for Western Ship Repair Yard in Kleipeda, Lithuania, which is to be privatised in April.
Hamburg pays fishermen to end dredging row HAMBURG city government has agreed to pay a total of Dm7m ($3.8m) in compensation to 57 fishermen in return for a withdrawal of their objection to the dredging of the River Elbe.
Colombo agents object to bunkers deal SHIP agents in Colombo are unhappy about the participation of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) in a new bunker services company set up by four of the agents.
Ecuador halts El Nino clothing scam ECUADOR'S government has replaced civilians handling customs business with military personnel after discovery of a clothing scam associated with El Nino victims.
ISF seeks confirmation of Filipino STCW progress A DELEGATION from the ISF has arrived in the Philippines for a week to seek confirmation of the progress being made to implement the 1995 amendments to the STCW convention.
MUA forbidden to continue Melbourne strikes WATERSIDE workers in Australia have been forbidden from further industrial action at Port Melbourne's Patrick stevedoring operations.
Indian yards seek extension of subsidies INDIA's private sector shipyards have asked the ministry of surface transport to extend the 30 per cent subsidy for newbuildings to all private and public sector shipyards.
PSA Corp gathers advisory committee NINE leading figures from the shipping industry arrive in Singapore tomorrow to take part in PSA Corp's first two-day international advisory council (IAC) meeting.
Kaliningrad ferry line admits heavy losses A FERRY venture set up to operate a service between Denmark and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad is reported to have suffered heavy losses.
AP Møller buys three lpg ships from Norwegians AP MØLLER has acquired three lpg carriers from Westfal-Larsen, the Norwegian shipping group, and taken over two newbuilding contracts.
CMB participe désormais à l'exploitation du terminal pétrolier d'Antifer Le groupe CMB s.a., qui détient désormais une participation de 92% dans l'entreprise maritime française CNN (Compagnie Nationale de Navigation), société côtée en bourse à Paris, est désormais impliquée dans l'exploitation du terminal pétrolier d'Antifer, construction artificielle implantée à 20 km au nord du port du Havre, et capable de réceptionner des pétroliers géants allant jusqu'à 550.000 t. dw.
International Logistics lance une stratégie globale sous le nom de GEOLogistics Le groupe américain International Logistics, qui a récemment pris le contrôle du groupe britannique d'expédition LEP International, a annoncé le lancement d'une nouvelle stratégie globale en matière d'appellation. Dans les 18 mois à venir, les sociétés LEP International, LEP Profit International, Bekins Logistics Division et Matrix International porteront un seul et même nom. Elles seront rebaptisées GEOLogistics. Seule la division de transports de déménagements, Bekins Household Goods Division, conservera son nom.
Rouen: record de progression des ports autonomes français Le 4 juillet 1997, Rouen enregistrait la dernière escale des services Bell Lines. En dépit de ce coup dur, le trafic maritime total s'est élevé à 20.005.000 t en 1997 contre 18.122.000 t en 1996, soit +10,4%. C'est la plus importante augmentation des ports autonomes maritimes français métropolitains, Le Havre affichant +6,3%, Nantes/Saint-Nazaire +5,3%, Dunkerque +4,6% et Marseille +3,9%, tandis que Bordeaux est à -3,3%.
Scania prévoit que 1998 sera une année difficile Scania a enregistré un bénéfice en 1997 à peine plus élevé qu'en 1996. Après taxes, il s'est monté à 2,75 mia. de SEK, contre 2,71 mia. de SEK un an auparavant. Pourtant, le nombre de camions et de bus n'a jamais été aussi élevé dans toute l'histoire du constructeur suédois. Cette année, Scania prévoit même davantage de difficultés, entre autres en raison de la crise en Asie. Par ailleurs, le CEO du groupe, Leif Östling a annoncé qu'un achat de certaines divisions de Asia Motors est en négociation.
Container exports to Asia may face mild case of 'flu'
Lawmaker targets California ports' truck movements
6 years into reform, Russia begins building toll roads for shippers
Pressure mounts to resolve rail crisis
Dutch to release study on air cargo
China to open air routes
TWRA lowers surcharges
Italy's ports saw increase in box traffic in 1997
Transport index outpaces the Dow
Ethics issues raised regarding STB incumbent
Miami to scan cargo to track stolen cars
Intercargo urges higher safety standards
In the '80s, mills had nearly thrown in the saws, so bad was the recession. Then came Med-Pacific, bringing Chilean pine to the doorstep of Portland, creating a new . . .
George Billy, head of Merchant Marine Academy library, runs a very tight ship
Receivers for NZS firms ONE OF New Zealands major stevedoring companies, the Stevedoring Services of America-owned New Zealand Stevedores, is thought to be considering a major re-organisation as a result of a combination of the stiff competition, high labor costs and the demise of the largest dedicated operator on the Tasman, South Pacific Shipping. According to well-placed sources, following the news last week that SPS had gone into voluntary liquidation, NZS put negotiations with its employees over a new wages and conditions package on hold.
Crew action halts SPS talks A MEETING aimed at resolving some of the confusion surrounding the collapse of South Pacific Shipping, had to be postponed yesterday afternoon after crew members aboard the companys vessels refused to work or negotiate. They are apparently insisting that their back wages are paid. Parties involved in the liquidation of SPS were to meet, in particular, to resolve the future of cargo aboard the companys eight vessels, five of which were engaged in trans-Tasman trade.
Industry looks for signs PATRICK and the Maritime Union of Australia will meet this morning in Sydney to discuss enterprise agreements for the companys facilities throughout the country. The national secretary of the MUA, John Coombs, told DCN yesterday that the company had been acquainted with matters which the union intended to pursue at the meeting. This included Patricks plans for any further leasing arrangements of its facilities as well as the aggregate wage. While the union has initiated this bargaining period, industry sources have expressed concern that it might have been done in order to pursue industrial action at some of the companys facilities outside Melbourne.
Power cuts hit Auckland boxes AUCKLANDs power crisis has left the port company battling to maintain basic services - at the height of the export season. The crisis worsened after the fourth and final major power cable supplying the central district failed late last week. With no main power since last Friday, the port is now supplying all its own energy from 18 generators but has no lighting or air conditioning.
Patrick, MPC settle STEVEDORE Patrick and the Melbourne Port Corporation have settled long-running litigation, stemming from the failed attempt to introduce OOCL as a third container terminal operator in the port, without any compensation being paid. The settlement, which includes Patricks action against the Victorian Government and the Port of Melbourne Authority, was announced in a statement late on Friday. The statement said: "The parties have agreed that proceedings will be terminated and that each party will bear its own costs." "The resolution of the litigation clears to way for MPC and Patrick to commence discussions on a range of commercial matters between them, and the two parties intend to work constructively to enhance Melbournes position as a vibrant, efficient and prosperous port."
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