Saudi bid to extend ISM deadline A SAUDI Arabian move to allow tankers calling at Saudi oil terminals a six-month extension to the ISM deadline has sparked uproar and dismay among owners.
Hapag-Lloyd set to order four Korean boxships GERMANY's leading carrier Hapag-Lloyd is set to order four containerships ranging in size from 4,600 teu to 4,800 teu from a South Korean shipyard, according to board member Gunther Casjens said.
FMC probes Sea-Land cargo rate allegations AN investigation to determine whether Sea-Land repeatedly violated the Shipping Act of 1984 by "charging, demanding, collecting, or receiving less, or different compensation" for transporting cargo at rates beneath its commission-filed tariffs has been launched by the US Federal Maritime Commission.
BA plans '15m airport facility BRITISH Airways World Cargo yesterday announced plans to expand its perishable goods handling facilities at London's Heathrow Airport.
US 'save our whales' bid at IMO A CONTROVERSIAL resolution establishing two mandatory ship-reporting systems off the US Atlantic coast to reduce vessel collisions with endangered large whales will be proposed by Washington at the July meeting of the International Maritime Organisation safety of navigation sub-committee in London.
Hapag-Lloyd sees opportunity amid a sea of overcapacity HAPAG-Lloyd's four-ship order for 4,600 to 4,800 teu ships from South Korea ends a two-year period during which Germany's leading carrier had hoped to profit from the containership glut by picking up secondhand tonnage or a newbuilding contract at a good price.
MacGregor and A&P in drillship link UK shiprepair and conversion specialist, A&P Group, has joined forces with one of Europe's leading drillship upgrade and conversion contractors, MacGregor Energy Services, offering a comprehensive new engineering service.
Dutch yard rig work near end THE Netherlands' Verolme Botlek is close to completing the conversion of the Petrobas XXIII offshore drilling rig which will represent a further reference in the offshore market and act as another stepping stone towards its eventual goal of semi-submersible and jack-up rig newbuilding, writes Dale Wainwright.
Wheat shortage fear in China WASHINGTON-based World Watch Institute (WWI) has warned that China's water shortage threatens the world wheat market.
GL forms new operating division GERMANISCHER Lloyd is reorganising its operations in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Africa and Middle East through the formation of a new division.
OTAL takes new groupage partner WEST African trade specialist and multi-modal transport operator, OT Africa Line (OTAL), has formed a new partnership with European groupage and forwarding specialist, Ecu Line.
APL boosts container fleet OAKLAND-based liner operator APL, now part of Singapore's Neptune Orient Line, is planning to introduce 2,400 53 ft containers and matching chassis this year.
Castrol enters Philippine lube oil market LUBRICATION specialist Castrol Marine has entered the Philippine domestic shipping market.
Hapag-Lloyd profits surge A STRONG performance in 1997 by Hapag-Lloyd's container shipping division was the main reason for a 36 per cent improvement in after-tax profits.
Gujarat to form dredging company INDIA'S Gujarat Maritime Board is planning to set up a separate company to carry out dredging operations.
US rail competition enquiry continues THE US Surface Transportation Board is to continue its enquiry into competitive access to the rail industry following allegations of unfairness by rail shippers.
Lines drop alliance plan BLUE Star, Columbus and ANZDL have announced that they are backing out of plans to form a three-way alliance in the north-south trades.
Mississippi chaos continues THIRTEEN barges are still missing, following an incident on April 25, when 130 Mississippi barges broke their moorings in heavy weather.
Dock dispute enters fourth week BETWEEN 8,000 and 10,000 containers remain stranded on Australia's waterfront as the nation's stevedoring dispute enters its fourth week.
ILWU backs sacked wharfies THE International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has announced its solidarity with some 2,000 sacked union dockworkers in Australia.
Commission slams Australian stevedoring AUSTRALIA'S waterfront is among the world's most unproductive, according to a new report by that country's Productivity Commission.
Strong US volumes boost ACL STRONG freight volumes to and from the US east coast to Europe boosted pre-tax earnings of Atlantic Container Line.
Improved rates boost ICB Shipping AN improvement in freight rates helped ICB Shipping, the Swedish tanker company, to stage a 44 per cent leap in first-quarter operating profit.
Swedish Orient hit by reefer market WEAKENING of the reefer spot market has contributed to a 13 per cent drop in the pre-tax profit of Swedish Orient Line.
Alfons Hakans goes for Neste deal FINNISH tug group Alfons Hakans is negotiating with Finland's major oil company Neste to supply three harbour tugs for escort duties in the ports of Porvoo and Nantaali.
Eagles fly but cargo still stuck The battle between Patrick and the Maritime Union of Australia continued to occupy the legal profession on several fronts yesterday, but no cargo was moving in and out of the stevedore's facilities and delays to shipping movements continued around the country. In Sydney, injunctions preventing obstruction of Patrick container terminals at Darling Harbour and Port Botany were extended indefinitely by the New South Wales Supreme Court.
TNT unveils new ID The new world-wide corporate image of TNT, unveiled yesterday in Sydney has been in preparation almost five years, according to James Wilson, the company's chief executive for Australia. Its release was timed to align with a restructuring of the world-wide organisation into two arms, TNT and PTT Post, under the umbrella name.
P&O Port gives berth to twins The Dock Express 11 sailed into the port of Melbourne yesterday, carrying two new containers cranes for P&O Ports' West Swanson Dock operation. The high-elevation cranes were purpose built for P&OP by Electruck Pty Ltd in the Philippines, and are sister cranes to the P3 which arrived in Melbourne 18 months ago.
Ministers to study multi-modal transport body The establishment of a national transport body incorporating rail within the responsibilities of the National Road Transport Commission moved a step closer last Friday when Transport ministers agreed to study the feasibility of creating a Land Transport Commission. According to the Australian Transport Council announcement, ministers agreed on the need for an integrated approach to road and rail freight operational and regulatory issues.
Report a 'sharp reminder The Productivity Commission's reports into work arrangements in container stevedoring were a sharp reminder of the real issues in the waterfront dispute according to Australian Chamber of Commerce and industry chief executive Mark Paterson.
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