Kvaerner set to cut yard debt burden Kvaerner group hopes shortly to raise NKr2.5bn ($335m) through the securitisation of major shipbuilding contracts in an attempt to reduce the Anglo-Norwegian concern's debt burden.
New storm as Pallas stays stuck in the sand A heated debate has erupted in Germany between environmentalists and salvage experts concerning the wreck of the Pallas, which remains stranded off the North Frisian island of Amrum.
Aker Maritime clinches $169m Gullfaks deal NORWEGIAN offshore services firm Aker Maritime has secured a NKr1.3bn ($169m) modification project on Statoil's Gullfaks field in the North Sea.
Large drop in Malaysia port volumes Two of Malaysia's principal gateway ports - Port Klang and Penang Port - suffered large reverses in total cargo volumes handled in the light of the contraction of the country's economy.
Shetlanders angry over Braer impasse SIX years after the tanker Braer ran aground on the south tip of Shetland, disillusioned islanders claim they are being forced to drop their compensation cases against the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.
Car carrier trade set for good result this year CAR transport vessels are likely to continue to enjoy good results this year, following a healthy 1998, according to a new joint shipping industry report from Hyundai Merchant Marine Co and the Korea Maritime Institute.
Dutch escalate German tug war THE tug war between German and Dutch operators has taken on new dimensions following the entrance of the Rotterdam companies Kotug to Bremerhaven and Smit Internationale to Hamburg on January 1.
Repsol in Libyan oil find Spanish energy group Repsol has made a major oil discovery in Libya's Block NC-115 in the Murzuq Basin, near the El-Saharara field, some 800 km south of Tripoli in the country's desert hinterland.
Salvors continue to fight Aconcagua fire SALVORS from Smit Internationale are continuing to fight the fire on the four-month old containership Aconcagua.
Crowley to build Valdez spill recovery tugs CROWLEY Marine Services of Seattle will provide three new tugs to the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for use in Valdez Harbour and Prince William Sound, Alaska.
Crescent companies reorganise UK-BASED Crescent Shipping and Crescent Ship Management have been reorganised into three trading companies with effect from January 1.
Police investigate crewman overboard AUSTRALIAN police are investigating the apparent death of a crewman from the Cypriot bulk carrier Fanari, off the southern coast of Australia.
Philippines refineries look to overseas markets TWO major oil refineries in the Philippines are planning to develop the export market as domestic petroleum demand is expected to slow this year.
Colombo to import bunkers SRI Lanka is planning to import 180,000 tonnes of fuel oil because the excess oil produced by the island's sole refinery is being used for thermal power generation.
Brazil to buy Australian wheat AUSTRALIA'S commodity export sector has received a New Year shot in the arm with Brazil finally agreeing to buy Australian wheat.
Smith leaves Liberian owners for LISCR JERRY Smith, general secretary of the Liberian Shipowners' Council, is to take up his new position at the Liberia International Ship & Corporate Registry on January 15.
Finncarriers returns to Finland-Norway route FINNCARRIERS, the liner shipping unit of the Finnlines group, has introduced weekly services between Helsinki and Kotka in Finland to Copenhagen and Oslo.
P&O joins Newcastle feasibility study team P&O Ports has joined a partnership to conduct a A$6m ($3.66m) feasibility study into a major multipurpose container and general cargo terminal in Newcastle, Australia.
Japan's box throughput 'will continue to fall' CONTAINERISED cargo exported through Japan's eight major ports this year is expected to fall by two per cent, after dropping by almost five per cent last year.
Sweeping changes urged in Canadian grain transport A REPORT by Justice Willard Estey has recommended dramatic changes to the way western Canada's grain transport system is run.
MOL to dominate 'merger' with Navix MITSUI OSK will dominate the "merger" with Navix Line, taking 20 of the 28 places on the new board of directors.
Philippines tightens up on training centres THE Philippine government has vowed to impose tough measures on seafarers' training centres as it subjects them to close monitoring and inspections.
Après Casablanca, Agadir et Tanger sont menacés de paralysie Rien ne va plus au port de Casablanca. Plus de 60 navires attendent en rade. Certains d'entre eux sont déjà là depuis 10 jours. Le travail est quasi inexistant depuis le 27 décembre. Les marchandises s'amoncèlent sur les quais. Le port est totalement congestionné. "Même si le travail devait reprendre demain, il faudrait au moins 3 semaines avant que le port renoue avec une situation normale". C'est ce que nous a déclaré un agent maritime local. En outre, on s'attendait ce mardi que le mouvement de grève s'étende à Agadir et Tanger, dans le cadre d'une solidarité avec Casablanca.
La navigation intérieure proteste contre le bradage des frets Le risque latent d'actions dans le secteur de la navigation intérieure s'est concrétisé mardi matin, lorsque le "Python" (80 mètres de long) du batelier G. Landuyt a bloqué l'entrée du Marshalldok anversois vers 13h30, isolant de la sorte le bassin portuaire du trafic.
Lynx Express acquiert Red Star Parcels Le transporteur express britannique Lynx Express a réalisé lundi l'acquisition de Red Star Parcels, l'ancienne division "petits colis" de British Rail. Lynx devient ainsi un des quatre leaders du marché en Grande-Bretagne dans le secteur du colis express (et le plus grand indépendant). La pression sur le Post Office, qui vient de recevoir une certaine liberté d'action, devient encore plus grande. Le prix de la transaction n'a pas été révélé.
ASG conclut un accord de partenariat avec Heppner Le groupe logistique suédois ASG a conclu un accord de coopération statégique avec le groupe français Heppner. La coopération entre immédiatement en vigueur et comprend toutes les activités d'ASG en Suède, en Norvège, au Danemark, en Finlande, dans les Etats baltes, en Russie et en Ukraine.
Patrick provokes union: Coombs The war of words between Patrick and the Maritime Union of Australia escalated yesterday with the union accusing the stevedore of conducting a disinformation campaign. This latest dispute concerns a row about work arrangements during two shifts over the New Year's Eve and Day break. The union's national secretary, John Coombs, has taken a hard line against the company, claiming that it was again attempting provoke an industrial dispute. "No other employer chose to force work on New Year's Eve which has historically been a non-operational shift across Australia," Mr Coombs said.
Breakthrough near for National Rail National Rail is close to a breakthrough in its long-running quest to run intrastate services in most Australian states, after legislation was passed recently which clears the way for the interstate freight carrier to compete for intrastate freight in South Australia and Western Australia. The legislation was passed in both South Australian and West Australian parliaments late last month, but still requires written permission from the states' transport ministers. It complements similar legislation and ministerial approvals already in place in Victoria and NSW.
Newcastle coal queue tapers off The queue of bulk carriers waiting off the port of Newcastle has been steadily decreasing over the past month with four vessels loading and five waiting at the beginning of this week. The queue has reduced steadily to single figures from around 22 vessels at the beginning of December. On 1 December there were 1.893 million tonnes of coal contracted for vessels which had arrived and were waiting to load. By 4 January this had decreased to 1.024 million tonnes.
Vicgrain sets loading record to kick off '99 Grower-owned bulk handler Vicgrain Limited has made a positive start to 1999, smashing previous ship loading records at Geelong during the loading of the MV Captain George L for its customer AWB Limited. Vicgrain completed loading the vessel with 52,365 tonnes of wheat on Monday, a record grain cargo for the Geelong terminal. Vicgrain also established a new loading record of 30,730 tonnes in a single day. The average rate of almost 2300 gross tonnes per hour over a 13.5 hour shift easily surpassed the previous record of 21,048 tonnes at a rate of 1503 gtph set during a 14-hour shift in late December 1995.
Ship Scrapping Sales Up 45% In 1998 Ship scrapping sales in 1998 have reportedly risen 45 percent year on year by deadweight tonnage. Approximately 673 merchant ships totaling 27.3 million dwt were sold for demolition worldwide in 1998, surpassing last year's total of 440 ships and 14.9 million dwt.
Prosafe, Abbot In Merger Talks Shares in Norwegian offshore services firm ProSafe and British rival Abbot Group Plc reportedly soared after news the companies were discussing a merger to combat the fallout of low oil prices. A final accord could be signed within four weeks creating the world's leading platform driller and a major provider of offshore services.
Russian Seaborne December Gas Oil Exports Rise Russian seaborne gas oil exports from four main Black Sea and Baltic terminals reportedly rose to 55,732 tons (tpd) per day in December from 46,987 tpd in November.
Texaco Makes Major Nigeria Deepwater Find Texaco and Famfa Oil of Nigeria have reportedly made a major wildcat discovery containing several hundred million barrels of recoverable oil in deepwater offshore. The find on OPL Block 216 about 70 mi. offshore in the central Niger delta in discovery well Agbami-1 encountered 420 net ft. of pay in multiple oil zones from 8,200 ft. to a total depth of 12,400 ft.
Aker Wins $170.9M Statoil Deal Aker Maritime has reportedly won a 170.9 million contract for work on Statoil's Gullfaks field in the North Sea.
Sembawang Shipyard In Alliance With Shell Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd. reportedly signed an alliance agreement with tanker operator Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd. for the refitting and drydocking of Shell's fleet trading in Asia.
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