Aker chief raps Korea yard prices A leading German shipyard manager has accused South Korean competitors of price-dumping on an unprecedented scale.
Glenn back in space The space shuttle Discovery blasts off from pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Centre. The shuttle is carrying a crew of seven, including John Glenn, at 77 the oldest person to travel in space, who is flying on his second mission after becoming the first American to orbit the Earth on his flight in the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule on February 20, 1962.
Malaysia's port leaders welcome expansion plan Shipping and port executives in Malaysia have welcomed the 1999 budget proposals announced by prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed, which include incentives for the expansion of the shipping and ports sectors.
World wheat forecasts cut WORLD wheat production forecasts for the 1998-99 season have been cut by 7m to 586m tonnes over the past month according to predictions published by the International Grain Council.
India oil firm rejects SCI freight rates THE Indian Oil Corporation has flatly rejected the pricing formula submitted by another government owned company, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), for the transportation of crude oil.
EU hails Chinatreaty CHINESE prime minister Zhu Rongji meets European Commission president Jacques Santer, left, prior to their talks at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound, in Beijing yesterday.
Cash lifeline given to PanOceanic PANOCEANIC Bulk Carriers' shareholders have more than doubled the amount of fresh equity they are prepared to pump into the beleaguered company to secure a rescue package from holders of its junk bonds.
Malta Freeport covets Brindisi management deal MALTA Freeport, the state-owned container operator, is attempting to gain a foothold in mainland Europe.
Stena turns in loss FERRY operator Stena Line reported a loss of SEK115m ($15m) before tax for the nine months to September compared with a profit of SEK102m for the same period last year.
Benor Tankers pessimistic BENOR Tankers of Bermuda has expressed 'no optimism' for its performance in 1999, following a decline in operating profit for the first nine months of 1998 to $16m, from $17.6m in 1997.
Seamen lost as Tigers head off ship TEN seamen were believed lost after Tamil Tigers forced the Lanka Muditha, ferrying about 1,000 people to Trincomalee, to turn back today.
So far, so good says Wilhelmsen IN spite of economic uncertainty and a downturn in some markets, Norwegian operator Wilh Wilhelmsen is forecasting increased profits for the year.
Philippine cabotage row looms A BILL seeking to change the Philippines cabotage law has been filed in the national Congress, and could renew conflict on the issue between domestic shipowners and shippers.
Australian box throughput up despite strike AUSTRALIA'S interminable waterfront dispute has not presented the country's five main ports from increasing container throughput by 5.1 per in the second quarter
Filipino Navy supports domestic yards FILIPINO shipyards may benefit from a government decision to use domestic yards for a naval fleet renewal drive, in order to help them through the regional economic crisis.
Malta hopes for oil strike AFTER four months of drilling on the Maltese island of Gozo, reports indicate that the prospects of oil being found look very good.
Russian fruit imports tumble FRUIT exports and re-exports from Poland to Russia and the FSU have collapsed in the last three months.
Inchcape sale imminent INCHCAPE plans to make an announcement about the sale of its international shipping agency network within two weeks, a company spokesman told Fairplay today.
Paradise arrives early for Carnival MIAMI-based Carnival Cruise Lines has taken delivery of its latest cruiseship, the Paradise, from Finland's Kvaerner Masa yard, a month ahead of schedule.
NWI reports leap in profits NEW World Infrastructure (NWI), which has stakes in container terminals in Hong Kong and China, saw profits for the year ended June increase 34 per cent to HK$824 million ($106m).
Asian oil refining market 'chaotic' says bank THE collapse in Asia's oil demand, lack of control over refineries, and massive debts at new refiners have created a "chaotic marketplace", according to Credit Suisse First Boston.
Sydney wharfies ignore MUA directive WHARFIES at Sydney's Botany Bay terminal have ignored their union leaderships's directive to end their industrial action.
Report slams Australian port management AN AUSTRALIAN government commissioned report has slammed port authorities for poor management.
PSA Corp to raise $250m SINGAPORE'S PSA Corporation today announced its intention to raise S$400m ($250m) through a Variable Rate Notes issue.
MPA launches automatic identification scheme SINGAPORE'S Maritime and Port Authority has embarked on a pilot automatic identification system project to test new methods of data transmission between vessels and the shore.
General Dynamics promises no lay-offs GENERAL Dynamics chairman and ceo, Nicholas Chabraja, has moved to calm fears of layoffs, saying he doesn't anticipate "any closures" following the purchase of Nassco.
The trucking industry is reeling from the first effects of what is expected to be a billion-dollar agreement between diesel engine manufacturers and the Environmental Protection Agency to make amends over alleged cheating on diesel engine testing. The first round of the landmark EPA settlement was an agreement by the seven major diesel engine makers to pay $83 million in fines and spend an additional $1 billion in engine improvements. Eventually, the settlement could involve as many as 1 million medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and boost costs for carriers and shippers.
The Edison Electric Institute warns that transportation modes - especially railroads - aren't paying sufficient attention to proposed global climate treaties that would reduce coal use and cause diesel, gasoline and electricity prices to soar. One government study predicts gasoline prices could rise to $2 per gallon and electricity prices double if the Senate ratifies the so-called Kyoto protocol. EEI's Chuck Linderman also is critical of railroad marketing and pricing initiatives he called "short-sighted" because they ultimately will reduce the use of coal. Western Fuels Association executive Fred Palmer echoed Linderman's comments, warning that railroad abuse of market power could bode ill for the coal-rich Powder River Basin that Palmer called "the most important energy resource in the world."
Puerto Rican statehood may still be up in the air, but the island is treated as U.S. property when it comes to shipping rights. The terminals in San Juan fall under the protection of the Jones Act, which says cargo from mainland U.S. ports - which means most of it - must be carried on U.S.-flag ships. As infrastructure changes are made, the port will become even more competitive for the U.S. goods. Special tax breaks already have made Puerto Rico an attractive mecca for chemical manufacturing.
The third quarter was not kind to the combination airlines, especially Northwest. The pilot strike, which took the airline out of service for nearly three weeks during the quarter, sent cargo revenue plummeting by more than 40 percent to $117 million. United Airlines and Continental Airlines were the only two cargo divisions at the majors to show gains, albeit small, in the quarter.
After 65 years the federal government within the next two weeks will issue proposed rules on bringing the nation's hours-of-service rules for truck drivers - written during the Great Depression - into the 21st century, a top federal highway official promised. Although the FHA was not officially releasing its recommendation for the rules changes, an outline already had been leaked. In general the new rules will be more performance-based and less prescriptive than the current rules. Just about the only question is whether the government will place some type of restriction on nighttime driving.
As shippers, railroads and other interested parties clamor for the Surface Transportation Board's attention on access to Houston in the Houston/Gulf Coast oversight proceeding, the fate of the Texas Mexican Railroad is uncertain. Although some sources say Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Kansas City Southern each have an eye on buying a piece of the Tex Mex, both railroads deny that an acquisition is in the cards. Because it has alternative routes into Mexico, BNSF officials claim it doesn't need the bridge carrier. And KCS, which already owns a 49 percent stake in the railroad, denies rumors that the two companies have different plans for the railroad's future.
The next evolution in enterprise resource planning systems for manufacturers won't be in the traditional arenas of cost control or materials management but in customer service, asserts Michael Nixon, supply-chain manager for ERP software developer SAP America. Only three years ago manufacturers were turning to ERP to improve their internal efficiency, Nixon told participants at the Health and Personal Care Distribution Conference. Today the CEOs are opting for ERP systems to build market share using customer service programs such as call centers, automated sales forces and electronic commerce.
Vendors at this year's American Trucking Associations Management Conference in New Orleans used the gathering as a platform to launch new products and announce changes in their corporate structure and strategy. Perhaps the most significant announcement came from San Diego-based Qualcomm. The company's OmniTracs division changed its name to Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions. The new moniker reflects a major step in the evolution of the mobile communications firm: the marriage of its OmniTracs satellite-communications system with its Code Division Multiple Access digital wireless communications technology.
A new Brazilian partnership represents a classic case of joining 'em if you can't beat 'em: Brazilian carrier Grupo Libra is now part of the carrier stable that includes Crowley American Transport, Ivaran and APL Lines in the trade between the U.S. and the South American east coast. While no one is sure of all the ramifications of the vessel-sharing agreement, it could easily give Crowley much better access to the Brazilian and Mercosul markets. For Libra, a partnership with Crowley could cool some of the bad blood that's been heating up between U.S. and Brazilian shipping companies and government agencies.
The Suez Canal Authority has announced that it will introduce surcharges on transit tariffs through the Egyptian canal for most major cargo vessels, effective July 15.
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