ITF in clash on open registers REPRESENTATIVES of the International Transport Workers' Federation and the International Shipping Federation clashed yesterday in Oslo over flags of convenience.
New Moller ships order DENMARK's AP Moller has confirmed an order for a further six containerships, bringing to 14 the number of new ships contracted over the past month.
Sea Transport gets B2 rating THE $160m junk bond issue planned by Sea Transport, John Fredriksen's new ULCC venture, has been assigned a B2 rating by Moody's Investors Service.
Hill to be new Seascope chief TOP London shipbroking group Seascope Shipping Holdings has named Duncan Hill chief executive designate, writes Tony Gray.
Taca lines hope for reprieve from EU financial sanctions MEMBERS of the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement are still hoping for a last-minute reprieve from huge fines that the European Commission is seeking to impose.
Patrick settles with union AUSTRALIA'S main dock union has reached a settlement with Patrick Stevedores, ending another chapter in the bitter waterfront dispute which divided the nation.
B+V wins more AP Moller work BLOHM + VOSS, which recently secured a seven ship block-booking order from AP Moller at the end of May, has followed this with contracts for further work from the Copenhagen-based owner.
Lithuanian shipyard shrugs off competition DESPITE continued strong competition from Polish, Latvian, Estonian and Russian shiprepair yards, Lithuania's Western Shiprepair Yard has managed to achieve even greater results than in 1997 writes Kris Thorpe.
IPBC to impose container levy MEMBERS of the India Pakistan Bangladesh Ceylon Conference (IPBC) have announced the imposition of a levy on all containers to and from Chennai port.
Melbourne wharfies accept job losses MELBOURNE wharfies have voted to accept 150 redundancies as part of a plan to end a six-month dispute with their stevedoring employer, Patrick.
Savona-Vado to expand reefer terminal REEFER Terminal, the specialised operator in the Italian port of Savona-Vado, has been given the green light from the port authority to expand its operating surface.
Helsinki enhances container/trailer capacity MORE space will be provided for containers and trailers in Helsinki's West Harbour
Augusta offers bunker incentives ITALY'S port of Augusta on Sicily has introduced financial inducements for vessels making a bunkering call.
'No comment' from Hamburg Sud on Alianca deal HAMBURG Sud has refused to confirm or deny Brazilian newspaper reports that it has bought Alian'a Navega''o for 'not less than $100m'.
Quinhuangdao unveils expansion plans QUINHUANGDAO Port in China has unveiled plans for seven more bulk cargo berths by 2001.
Butterworth rail link on track A NEW railway line that will link North Butterworth Container Terminal at Malaysia's Penang Port to the national grid is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Vivid Dragon to upgrade China-Japan service CHINA'S Vivid Dragon Shipping will revamp its Japan-China service next month.
Gilnavi launches inter-Med service ITALIAN liner company Gilnavi is launching a container service between west and east Mediterranean ports.
Kandla resumes operations CYCLONE ravaged Kandla will soon resume handling of petroleum products at its third and fourth berths, according to port chairman ANM.Kishore.
CGM mounts new banana service FRENCH liner company CGM, part of the CMA-CGM group, is launching a new service for the banana trade from the French Antilles to the Mediterranean from October.
Manila commits to development study ASIAN Terminals Inc, the cargo handling operator at the Manila South Harbour, has signed an agreement with Pacific Consultants International, for port redevelopment feasibility studies.
Ferries to carry "black boxes" EU transport ministers have agreed a new directive that will require ro-ro ferries to undergo safety checks before they start service and to carry aircraft-style "black boxes".
Japan continues Filipino support JAPAN will continue to fund the Filipino Domestic Shipping Modernisation Programme, in spite of its own current economic turmoil.
Hamburg delays HHLA restructuring decision THE Hamburg city government has decided to postpone a decision on restructuring city-owned terminal operator HHLA into a holding company.
LA pilots file labour practices complaint PILOTS for the Port of Los Angeles, who went on strike last summer in a wage dispute, have filed an unfair labour practices complaint against the port.
US ballast exchange rules under the spotlight FOUR shipping associations have filed joint comments on the US Coast Guard's proposed rules implementing the US National Invasive Species Act of 1996.
Mærsk serait candidat pour les bananes de la Martinique et la Guadeloupe L'armement danois Mærsk Line a décidé de développer considérablement ses activités dans les Caraïbes et dans cette optique, c'est à une véritable offensive que l'on assiste. Pas moins de trois nouveaux services indépendants, donc en dehors de la coopération avec Sea-Land, vont être inaugurés très prochainement, qui s'ajouteront à deux services existants qui font actuellement l'objet d'adaptations. C'est donc l'ensemble de cette région qui sera bien "quadrillée" et de plus, l'armement entrerait en lice pour le transport des bananes de la Martinique et de la Guadeloupe, le contrat de trois ans passé avec la CGM devant être renégocié.
Les pilotes côtiers et fluviaux rejettent la réforme dans sa forme actuelle Quatre points concernant la réforme des services de pilotage sont prévus à l'agenda du gouvernement flamand aujourd'hui: le projet d'arrêté d'exécution du décret de pilotage, la création d'une entreprise facilitaire temporaire, la décision concernant la commande de deux unités rapides de rade et l'émission d'une adjudication pour l'héliportage des pilotes. Une décision de principe est attendue sur ces quatre points.
Le groupe Graveleau vise une meilleure rentabilité en 1998 Les résultats 1997 du Groupe Graveleau se traduisent par 1,406 milliard de FRF de chiffre d'affaires (+ 8,6% par rapport à 1996); un résultat net positif de 25 millions de FRF (- 9,06%) et un effectif total qui est passé à 2216 personnes (+ 6,3%). Ces trois éléments-clef éclairent la conjoncture dans lequel le groupe s'est développé en 1997, l'évolution de la fiscalité en France et les choix des actionnaires.
C. Leysen (Ahlers): "S'adapter aux technologies de communication pour ne pas risquer d'être écartés..." "Le développement des technologies informatiques conduira à une consolidation plus poussée des grands opérateurs en mega-conglomérats ayant des liens étroits avec des groupes financiers et et pour lesquels le transport maritime ne sera qu'un élément parmi d'autres. De nouveaux acteurs émergeront, qui auront recours à la technologie informatique en tant que puissant outil de travail pour offrir de nouveaux services, des solutions créatives et des combinaisons sophistiquées. Ces nouveaux-venus vont acculer les acteurs actuels dans les pertes, et même si tous ne survivront pas, ils seront les moteurs du changement. Enfin, les intermédiaires traditionnels disparaîtront, mais le marché créera de nouvelles opportunités pour des acteurs de taille moyenne mettant l'accent sur des niches spécifiques, ainsi que pour des compagnies agissant en tant que sous-contractants dans des secteurs précis." Christian Leysen, PDG du groupe maritime belge Ahlers, qui animait en tant qu'orateur une des séances du "9th Pan-Pacific Port Seminar" à Dalian, a développé un thème d'une brûlante actualité, à savoir "How information technology will change the shipping industry".
Unionists okay peace plan Waterfront workers, members of the Maritime Union of Australia employed by Patrick in Melbourne, yesterday voted to accept their union's peace deal with the company. Yesterday's vote is expected to be followed today at a similar stopwork meeting of the rank-and-file in Sydney and on Friday in Brisbane. In Fremantle a meeting is due next Tuesday with several other, smaller, ports holding their stopworks during the first week of July.
AIRES moves 'a step closer' Prime Minister John Howard announced yesterday that the 'Australian Inland Rail Expressway System' had taken "another step towards becoming a reality" with the signing of an agreement between the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Pty Ltd and the Australian-owned Abigroup company. ATEC's proposal is to build a high speed fright railway from Melbourne t Darwin west of the ranges through the eastern states with links to Sydney Canberra and Brisbane.
SPC leases out White Bay wharves for tunnel project The Sydney Ports Corporation has leased wharves 1 and 2 at White Bay to the Northside Storage Tunnel Alliance for two years. The wharves will be used to bring in equipment to build a major sewerage project to address overflows into Sydney Harbour. A spokeswoman for the crporation said that the $375 million project involved the construction of a tunnel from Lane Cove to Manly to capture overflows before water treatment at Manly.
TFES report to be handed over this week The Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme Review Authority is expected to present its final report to the federal and Tasmanian governments this week. The government's reaction may, however, be delayed due to political considerations in the lead-up to a federal election. A well-placed source said yesterday that one of the more controversial aspects of the Authority's draft report was its suggested heavy vehicle weight adjustment (HVWA) factor.
UK group likely to bid for Vic train and tram assets One of the UK's biggest and fastest growing private transport operators, FirstGroup, has emerged as a likely bidder for Victoria's train and tram assets, following revelations that the company has moved to set up an Australian arm. In a further twist, in the lead up to Victoria's public transport asset sales, former Victorian public transport boss Ian Dobbs has apparently joint FirstGroup as managing director of its new Australia arm.
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