BRIEFS

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Shipping News

APL launches direct S'pore-Red Sea service
New Red Sea Express service includes call at PSA's Aden terminal
China arrests hijackers of Marine Master
Colombo port urged to scrap common user concept
Soviet submarine for sale

Air and Land Transport

Higher jet fuel costs to eat into Asian airlines' profits
Revenue from better loads due to economic recovery offset by big jump in jet fuel prices
Airbus partners reopen talks on integration
DHL to spend US$1.3b on planes
Boeing may get profit boost from recent 747 orders
Two Taiwanese airlines to merge
Airbus to equip A318s with CFM engines also

Features

Better links for travellers
US airlines and Amtrak are expanding their services along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor

Columns

Owners, not charterers, held responsible for detention of vessel

web site

Shipping News

APL launches direct S'pore-Red Sea service
New Red Sea Express service includes call at PSA's Aden terminal
China arrests hijackers of Marine Master
Colombo port urged to scrap common user concept
Soviet submarine for sale

Air and Land Transport

Higher jet fuel costs to eat into Asian airlines' profits
Revenue from better loads due to economic recovery offset by big jump in jet fuel prices
Airbus partners reopen talks on integration
DHL to spend US$1.3b on planes
Boeing may get profit boost from recent 747 orders
Two Taiwanese airlines to merge
Airbus to equip A318s with CFM engines also

Features

Better links for travellers
US airlines and Amtrak are expanding their services along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor

Columns

Owners, not charterers, held responsible for detention of vessel

web site

Shipping News

APL launches direct S'pore-Red Sea service
New Red Sea Express service includes call at PSA's Aden terminal
China arrests hijackers of Marine Master
Colombo port urged to scrap common user concept
Soviet submarine for sale

Air and Land Transport

Higher jet fuel costs to eat into Asian airlines' profits
Revenue from better loads due to economic recovery offset by big jump in jet fuel prices
Airbus partners reopen talks on integration
DHL to spend US$1.3b on planes
Boeing may get profit boost from recent 747 orders
Two Taiwanese airlines to merge
Airbus to equip A318s with CFM engines also

Features

Better links for travellers
US airlines and Amtrak are expanding their services along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor

Columns

Owners, not charterers, held responsible for detention of vessel

web site

Shipping News

APL launches direct S'pore-Red Sea service
New Red Sea Express service includes call at PSA's Aden terminal
China arrests hijackers of Marine Master
Colombo port urged to scrap common user concept
Soviet submarine for sale

Air and Land Transport

Higher jet fuel costs to eat into Asian airlines' profits
Revenue from better loads due to economic recovery offset by big jump in jet fuel prices
Airbus partners reopen talks on integration
DHL to spend US$1.3b on planes
Boeing may get profit boost from recent 747 orders
Two Taiwanese airlines to merge
Airbus to equip A318s with CFM engines also

Features

Better links for travellers
US airlines and Amtrak are expanding their services along the Boston-New York-Washington corridor

Columns

Owners, not charterers, held responsible for detention of vessel

	web site

Kobe returns bigger and better Sagawa hikes up freight rates Singapore and Australia sign pact on understanding Hyde challenges anti-trust move Emirates Skycargo launches tri-city schedule to Australia New Tel Aviv service launched by Continental AEI suffers drop in income Malaysian hit financial turbulence

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AUGUST 5, 1999
Hutchison for only 35 percent owner of ECT DHL to modernize hubs and aircrafts Relaunch and reorientation Intercontainer Own agency Contship in Denmark Cory Towage wins major terminal contract in Lithuania

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Foreign Airlines Urge Japan to Cut Aviation Charges Trucking Dispute Causes Congestion at Vancouver APL Launches Direct Service between Asia, Red Sea Uniglory Starts New Japan/China Operation Zim Unveils New Cambodia Service Alps to Set up Warehousing Subsidiary in Shanghai

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Clarification regarding eligbility of DEPB Credit for export of goods purchased from 100% EOU and cleared under AR-4 - By Mr T. N. C. Rajagopalan APL launches dedicated, direct service between Asia & Red Sea markets R. Srinivasan is FFFAI President Transporters end strike Bangla nod for goods transhipment hailed TMB gives nod to ship-breaking yard in Valinokkam Used capital goods import notified Diamond deal with Russia in offing Fieo expresses 'cautious optimism' on export growth Second-hand aircraft import allowed Investors from France want to come in G-15 meet in Bangalore on August 17,18 Ficci calls for curbs on sugar imports India to benefit as US softens advanced computer export restrictions JDGFT bid to resolve E. region exporters' problems FFFAI geared to meet millennium challenges with Lt Cdr. Srinivasan at helm Seminar on JVs scope in South Africa Chennai cargo fraternity contributes to Kargil Fund Newsprint industry presses for dumping probe E-Commerce Act draft drawn up

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NWE and ARA: Russian bulls charge through European bunker markets Mediterranean market report: Prices catching up, Hope for Piraeus Reports of Durban shortages exaggerated Middle East Market review: IFO "Bargains" in Suez and Jeddah Asian market review: Lack of direction, passing fury from Olga Ports and Harbours comply with OPRC 90 prior to deadline More opposition to US independents' oil dumping case

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Lines triumph over ECT stake sale SHIPPING lines have scored a notable victory in their fight for a competitive European ports industry, leaving Hutchison Port Holdings with a minority stake in Europe Combined Terminals. Spill tanker owner rules out sabotage The Italian owners of a tanker which leaked 80,000 litres of oil into Sydney Harbour ruled out sabotage yesterday, but investigators were not satisfied with the explanation of how oil leaked from manually-operated valves. Shell shows there's still fuel in the tank OIL giant Royal Dutch Shell has beaten analysts' forecasts and leapfrogged its industry peers to post a 5% increase in adjusted current cost net second quarter earnings of $1.6bn. French farmers stand near burning tyres . . . French farmers stand near burning tyres and vegetables during a demonstration in Perpignan in which some 200 fruit and vegetable growers protested the importation of fresh produce from European neighbours, falling farm gate prices and low prices in supermarket chain stores. AESA drought ends with fast ferry order SPANISH shipbuilder Astilleros Espa'oles (AESA) has ended an order drought that had lasted almost 18 months. British Marine sets out case Proposals to demutualise require the support of at least 75% of the British Marine Mutual membership who will be asked to vote on the plan at meetings to be held in Bermuda and London next month, writes Janet Porter. 'Black box' plea for smaller vessels VOYAGE data recorders - "black boxes" - should be compulsory on all new vessels of more than 100 grt, the head of Britain's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has argued. Computer delays hit APL billing TOP officials at Neptune Orient Lines have conceded for the first time that problems combining computer systems created serious invoicing difficulties for the Singapore-owned line when it bought APL two years ago.

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AUGUST 5, 1999
Sydney oil spill probe continues Halla shuts down again Daewoo under pressure to sell Hutchison to take ECT stake Hyundai resumes North Korea cruises APL launches Asia-Red Sea link San Francisco plans new cruise terminal Seaway traffic may enjoy toll breaks ACL offers $6M sweetener Korea reports shipbuilding order recovery Cebu yard plans progressing Cash help for Davie oil rig contract End in sight for Pertamina monopoly

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Home

Hutchison to acquire a stake in ECT
EU delays approval of TACA 2
Logistics software takes the guesswork out of landed costs
Sen McCain introduces bill creating separate DOT unit to oversee truck safety
China agrees to send diplomats to Washington to discuss strained shipping ties
Kitty Hawk's second quarter income falls 11.9%
Broken Hill enters shipping industry via joint venture with Belgium's Cobelfret
Singapore Airlines may suspend some flights around Jan. 1
Canadian National selling Niagara Peninsula trackage to Trillium Railway
Report says China nabs 14 for sea piracy
Roadrunner Trucking launches new flatbed division

Transportation

DXI changes identity, focus to adapt to new shipping environment
Mexican regulatory reforms pay off for transport sector, OECD report says
DHL evaluates Airbus, Boeing options
New TWA cargo chief faces tough task
Taiwan airline may cancel Boeing order
Consolidated Freightways signs service pact with Merzario

Maritime

State Department takes cautious stance on carrier antitrust immunity
Tramp containership owners can expect stronger charter market
5 reefer carriers to craft discussion agreement
Port of Rotterdam cargo traffic dips, container volume rises
APL Ltd. begins direct container service to Red Sea region
Automated vessel manifest program for carriers is ready to roll

web site

Home

Hutchison to acquire a stake in ECT
EU delays approval of TACA 2
Logistics software takes the guesswork out of landed costs
Sen McCain introduces bill creating separate DOT unit to oversee truck safety
China agrees to send diplomats to Washington to discuss strained shipping ties
Kitty Hawk's second quarter income falls 11.9%
Broken Hill enters shipping industry via joint venture with Belgium's Cobelfret
Singapore Airlines may suspend some flights around Jan. 1
Canadian National selling Niagara Peninsula trackage to Trillium Railway
Report says China nabs 14 for sea piracy
Roadrunner Trucking launches new flatbed division

Transportation

DXI changes identity, focus to adapt to new shipping environment
Mexican regulatory reforms pay off for transport sector, OECD report says
DHL evaluates Airbus, Boeing options
New TWA cargo chief faces tough task
Taiwan airline may cancel Boeing order
Consolidated Freightways signs service pact with Merzario

Maritime

State Department takes cautious stance on carrier antitrust immunity
Tramp containership owners can expect stronger charter market
5 reefer carriers to craft discussion agreement
Port of Rotterdam cargo traffic dips, container volume rises
APL Ltd. begins direct container service to Red Sea region
Automated vessel manifest program for carriers is ready to roll

web site

Home

Hutchison to acquire a stake in ECT
EU delays approval of TACA 2
Logistics software takes the guesswork out of landed costs
Sen McCain introduces bill creating separate DOT unit to oversee truck safety
China agrees to send diplomats to Washington to discuss strained shipping ties
Kitty Hawk's second quarter income falls 11.9%
Broken Hill enters shipping industry via joint venture with Belgium's Cobelfret
Singapore Airlines may suspend some flights around Jan. 1
Canadian National selling Niagara Peninsula trackage to Trillium Railway
Report says China nabs 14 for sea piracy
Roadrunner Trucking launches new flatbed division

Transportation

DXI changes identity, focus to adapt to new shipping environment
Mexican regulatory reforms pay off for transport sector, OECD report says
DHL evaluates Airbus, Boeing options
New TWA cargo chief faces tough task
Taiwan airline may cancel Boeing order
Consolidated Freightways signs service pact with Merzario

Maritime

State Department takes cautious stance on carrier antitrust immunity
Tramp containership owners can expect stronger charter market
5 reefer carriers to craft discussion agreement
Port of Rotterdam cargo traffic dips, container volume rises
APL Ltd. begins direct container service to Red Sea region
Automated vessel manifest program for carriers is ready to roll

	web site
AUGUST 5, 1999
Le Transsibérien de Sea-Land va-t-il subsister? Il y a quelques années, en 1991 pour être précis, l'armement Sea-Land prenait l'initiative de lancer un pont terrestre ferroviaire entre l'Europe du Nord, donc de Rotterdam, vers les ports pacifiques de la Russie, notamment Nakhodka et Vostochny. Ce service est exploité sous le nom de Trans-Siberian Express Service (TSES) et Sea-Land en a le contrat de management. L'objectif de cette opération montée dans le cadre d'une joint-venture avec les chemins de fer soviétiques (à l'époque) visait à assurer des liaisons rapides par trains-blocs de et vers certaines régions d'Asie, en premier lieu le Japon. Aujourd'hui, le groupe AP Moller, maison-mère de Mærsk, étudie ce qu'il convient de faire avec ce pont terrestre qui semble être inclus dans la reprise des opérations internationales de Sea-Land. TNT obtient la logistique Fiat dans quatre nouveaux pays Un contrat, qui entre en vigueur avec effet immédiat, vient d'être signé entre Fiat Auto Autriche et TNT Automotive Logistics. Il transfère à TNT les activités logistiques (stockage et distribution) portant sur les pièces de rechange de Fiat Auto. Les quatre pays concernés sont l'Autriche, la Hongrie, la République tchèque et la Slovaquie. DHL va commander de nouveaux avions pour 1,1 mia. d'EUR Le conseil d'administration de DHL a approuvé l'acquisition d'une nouvelle flotte d'avions pour un montant de 1,3 mia. d'USD (1,1 mia. d'EUR). Le choix de la quarantaine d'appareils se fera d'ici deux mois. De plus, 234 mio. d'USD (200 mio. d'EUR) seront investis dans de nouvelles infrastructures.

web site

AUGUST 5, 1999

Maritime Contract News

Astilleros Españoles To Construct Innovative Ferry For Transmediterranea
Bender and Otto Candies Agree On Tugs
Cory Towage Awarded Lithuanian Deal
Celebrity Selects James P. Colie & Associates

Breaking News

Kirby Buys Hollywood Marine, Triggers Debt Fears
North Sea Output Reduced 70,000 bpd
Oil Spill Update: Sabotage Ruled Out
Donjon Marine And Turkish Navy Team Up
U.K. Hydrographic Office Extends Chart Coverage
Carter Assumes Role As COO
Ro-Clean Presents New Disc Skimmer

web site

AUGUST 5, 1999

Maritime Contract News

Astilleros Españoles To Construct Innovative Ferry For Transmediterranea
Bender and Otto Candies Agree On Tugs
Cory Towage Awarded Lithuanian Deal
Celebrity Selects James P. Colie & Associates

Breaking News

Kirby Buys Hollywood Marine, Triggers Debt Fears
North Sea Output Reduced 70,000 bpd
Oil Spill Update: Sabotage Ruled Out
Donjon Marine And Turkish Navy Team Up
U.K. Hydrographic Office Extends Chart Coverage
Carter Assumes Role As COO
Ro-Clean Presents New Disc Skimmer

web site

Feature

Mergers are not hard... but integration is. The success of a merger is largely determined by what goes on during the post-merger integration phase.

Maritime

Despite lower operating profit in first half 1999, CP Ships was satisfied with the progress of its subsidiaries.
APL launches a direct service between the Red Sea and Asia.
Team-Lines adds more ports to its Riga-Germany service.
Tecomar's liner services will be integrated into TMM.
ACL posts a marked drop in all its figures for first half 1999.
Delivery of the "Grande Atlantico" to Grimaldi has been delayed.
The safety standards of high-speed ferries will be examined under the Waveloads project.
Crowley/Hamburg Sud to cooperate?

Ports and Terminals

Hutchison Port Holdings will acquire 35% of ECT in Rotterdam.
Bremen is ordering four new super-postpanamax gantry cranes.
Calendar of events: Optimising container terminals; TOC Asia 2000.

Intermodal

ICF will not be split into five companies but relaunched instead.
Okombi in Austria needs a new company structure.
Kuhne & Nagel and Gefco form a strategic alliance.
Calendar of events: Marseilles Shipper Conference.

Aviation

Closer cooperation for KLM and Alitalia. The two carriers are largely combining their operations under a completely new alliance agreement.
NWA adjusts its general freight rates to Asian destinations.
A cargo alliance has been formed by LanChile and Aerolineas Argentinas.
China Airlines is leasing two new B747-400Fs from Atlas Air.
Globe Air in Paris has received three new GSA contracts.
BAX Global offers a direct freighter service from Toledo to Brazil.
BA Cargo adds a fourth freighter between London and Hong Kong.
The USA has refused antitrust immunity for the AA/BA alliance.
The Iata country list for 1998 is again headed by Germany.

web site

Feature

Mergers are not hard... but integration is. The success of a merger is largely determined by what goes on during the post-merger integration phase.

Maritime

Despite lower operating profit in first half 1999, CP Ships was satisfied with the progress of its subsidiaries.
APL launches a direct service between the Red Sea and Asia.
Team-Lines adds more ports to its Riga-Germany service.
Tecomar's liner services will be integrated into TMM.
ACL posts a marked drop in all its figures for first half 1999.
Delivery of the "Grande Atlantico" to Grimaldi has been delayed.
The safety standards of high-speed ferries will be examined under the Waveloads project.
Crowley/Hamburg Sud to cooperate?

Ports and Terminals

Hutchison Port Holdings will acquire 35% of ECT in Rotterdam.
Bremen is ordering four new super-postpanamax gantry cranes.
Calendar of events: Optimising container terminals; TOC Asia 2000.

Intermodal

ICF will not be split into five companies but relaunched instead.
Okombi in Austria needs a new company structure.
Kuhne & Nagel and Gefco form a strategic alliance.
Calendar of events: Marseilles Shipper Conference.

Aviation

Closer cooperation for KLM and Alitalia. The two carriers are largely combining their operations under a completely new alliance agreement.
NWA adjusts its general freight rates to Asian destinations.
A cargo alliance has been formed by LanChile and Aerolineas Argentinas.
China Airlines is leasing two new B747-400Fs from Atlas Air.
Globe Air in Paris has received three new GSA contracts.
BAX Global offers a direct freighter service from Toledo to Brazil.
BA Cargo adds a fourth freighter between London and Hong Kong.
The USA has refused antitrust immunity for the AA/BA alliance.
The Iata country list for 1998 is again headed by Germany.

web site

Feature

Mergers are not hard... but integration is. The success of a merger is largely determined by what goes on during the post-merger integration phase.

Maritime

Despite lower operating profit in first half 1999, CP Ships was satisfied with the progress of its subsidiaries.
APL launches a direct service between the Red Sea and Asia.
Team-Lines adds more ports to its Riga-Germany service.
Tecomar's liner services will be integrated into TMM.
ACL posts a marked drop in all its figures for first half 1999.
Delivery of the "Grande Atlantico" to Grimaldi has been delayed.
The safety standards of high-speed ferries will be examined under the Waveloads project.
Crowley/Hamburg Sud to cooperate?

Ports and Terminals

Hutchison Port Holdings will acquire 35% of ECT in Rotterdam.
Bremen is ordering four new super-postpanamax gantry cranes.
Calendar of events: Optimising container terminals; TOC Asia 2000.

Intermodal

ICF will not be split into five companies but relaunched instead.
Okombi in Austria needs a new company structure.
Kuhne & Nagel and Gefco form a strategic alliance.
Calendar of events: Marseilles Shipper Conference.

Aviation

Closer cooperation for KLM and Alitalia. The two carriers are largely combining their operations under a completely new alliance agreement.
NWA adjusts its general freight rates to Asian destinations.
A cargo alliance has been formed by LanChile and Aerolineas Argentinas.
China Airlines is leasing two new B747-400Fs from Atlas Air.
Globe Air in Paris has received three new GSA contracts.
BAX Global offers a direct freighter service from Toledo to Brazil.
BA Cargo adds a fourth freighter between London and Hong Kong.
The USA has refused antitrust immunity for the AA/BA alliance.
The Iata country list for 1998 is again headed by Germany.

web site

Feature

Mergers are not hard... but integration is. The success of a merger is largely determined by what goes on during the post-merger integration phase.

Maritime

Despite lower operating profit in first half 1999, CP Ships was satisfied with the progress of its subsidiaries.
APL launches a direct service between the Red Sea and Asia.
Team-Lines adds more ports to its Riga-Germany service.
Tecomar's liner services will be integrated into TMM.
ACL posts a marked drop in all its figures for first half 1999.
Delivery of the "Grande Atlantico" to Grimaldi has been delayed.
The safety standards of high-speed ferries will be examined under the Waveloads project.
Crowley/Hamburg Sud to cooperate?

Ports and Terminals

Hutchison Port Holdings will acquire 35% of ECT in Rotterdam.
Bremen is ordering four new super-postpanamax gantry cranes.
Calendar of events: Optimising container terminals; TOC Asia 2000.

Intermodal

ICF will not be split into five companies but relaunched instead.
Okombi in Austria needs a new company structure.
Kuhne & Nagel and Gefco form a strategic alliance.
Calendar of events: Marseilles Shipper Conference.

Aviation

Closer cooperation for KLM and Alitalia. The two carriers are largely combining their operations under a completely new alliance agreement.
NWA adjusts its general freight rates to Asian destinations.
A cargo alliance has been formed by LanChile and Aerolineas Argentinas.
China Airlines is leasing two new B747-400Fs from Atlas Air.
Globe Air in Paris has received three new GSA contracts.
BAX Global offers a direct freighter service from Toledo to Brazil.
BA Cargo adds a fourth freighter between London and Hong Kong.
The USA has refused antitrust immunity for the AA/BA alliance.
The Iata country list for 1998 is again headed by Germany.

web site

Feature

Mergers are not hard... but integration is. The success of a merger is largely determined by what goes on during the post-merger integration phase.

Maritime

Despite lower operating profit in first half 1999, CP Ships was satisfied with the progress of its subsidiaries.
APL launches a direct service between the Red Sea and Asia.
Team-Lines adds more ports to its Riga-Germany service.
Tecomar's liner services will be integrated into TMM.
ACL posts a marked drop in all its figures for first half 1999.
Delivery of the "Grande Atlantico" to Grimaldi has been delayed.
The safety standards of high-speed ferries will be examined under the Waveloads project.
Crowley/Hamburg Sud to cooperate?

Ports and Terminals

Hutchison Port Holdings will acquire 35% of ECT in Rotterdam.
Bremen is ordering four new super-postpanamax gantry cranes.
Calendar of events: Optimising container terminals; TOC Asia 2000.

Intermodal

ICF will not be split into five companies but relaunched instead.
Okombi in Austria needs a new company structure.
Kuhne & Nagel and Gefco form a strategic alliance.
Calendar of events: Marseilles Shipper Conference.

Aviation

Closer cooperation for KLM and Alitalia. The two carriers are largely combining their operations under a completely new alliance agreement.
NWA adjusts its general freight rates to Asian destinations.
A cargo alliance has been formed by LanChile and Aerolineas Argentinas.
China Airlines is leasing two new B747-400Fs from Atlas Air.
Globe Air in Paris has received three new GSA contracts.
BAX Global offers a direct freighter service from Toledo to Brazil.
BA Cargo adds a fourth freighter between London and Hong Kong.
The USA has refused antitrust immunity for the AA/BA alliance.
The Iata country list for 1998 is again headed by Germany.

	web site

VLCC sales deal to cut debts Norwegian shipowner John Fredriksen is set to sell four of his VLCCs in an unusual deal linked to Middle East defence contracts. The sale will help stocklisted Frontline reduce its debt burden and bring new investors into the VLCC market. ResidenSea in writing Read all: ITF pay dispute escalates Hvide hit by setback Ispat hops into pool China LPGrow grows IACS Withdrawals Detentions Casualties

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Surface Transportation Board Chairman Linda Morgan and her husband Michael E. Karam, a government tax attorney, contributed $8,000 last year to Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., whose support is crucial to Democrat Morgan gaining a second five-year term at the STB. The contributions, which included direct contributions and donations to the senator's political action committee, were made just as Morgan's first term expired, as organized labor indicated it would oppose her renomination and as she faced a one-year maximum holdover period pending White House renomination. Morgan has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Creation of a stand-alone National Motor Carrier Administration within the Department of Transportation leaped from possible to probable as the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee raced its Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 toward a floor vote that may occur soon after Labor Day. The bill also would increase the number of roadside and border safety inspectors, mandate more compliance reviews, boost funding for state enforcement, toughen penalties for safety violations and require the new agency to establish impressive accident, injury and fatality-reduction goals. Everybody wants a piece of the logistics business - even the country's largest commercial printer. R.R. Donnelley and Sons made what used to be its own internal traffic department into a full-fledged logistics business focused on printed matter. Business is booming for three-year-old Donnelley Logistics Services despite fears that the electronic age would override the need for paper. Actually the opposite has happened and the advent of the Internet is to blame, or in DLS's case, praise. The fallout from the sudden closing of 67-year-old Preston Trucking Co. continues. Teamsters union President James P. "Jimmy" Hoffa says he's launching an investigation into the circumstances that caused nearly 5,500 rank-and-file union workers to lose their jobs. Approximately 11,000 Teamsters have lost their jobs in the LTL freight industry in the past nine months with Milwaukee-based ANR Advance closing last December and Denver-based NationsWay shutting its doors in May, in addition to Preston. Teamsters are angry that their final paychecks bounced at Preston. They also question why the new management team at the company chose to shutter the company only one year after it was purchased debt-free from Yellow Corp., which recently bought nonunion Jevic Transportation to fill out its East Coast regional lineup. It looks like labor peace finally may be at hand for West Coast ports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union was close to a deal last week that is expected to be ratified by the rank and file. A vote is slated for Aug. 26. If ratified, three years of labor peace will be very welcome after the past few months of unrest. Some issues are still unsettled, such as productivity improvements and employing new technology, both of which the ports and ILWU members can hammer out in further committee meetings. Recently appointed CSX President Ron Conway plans to finish at CSX what he started at Conrail — increased focus on customer service through decentralized operations that bring responsibility and decision-making closer to the field. In an interview, Conway explains that despite startup problems in merging Conrail into its operations, service is back to premerger levels. And given the shaky start to the merger, despite a year of testing and preparing, Conway insists customers should not be concerned about Y2K. It appears that Burbank/Glendale/ Pasadena Airport may finally get a new terminal. At what cost the new terminal will be approved by the city of Burbank is a question that has the aviation industry concerned. Burbank has been on a 20-plus-year quest to update its circa-1930 terminal building. The city of Burbank and a few very vocal anti-aircraft noise zealots have managed to curtail construction for decades for fear that a new terminal would mean more flights from noisy aircraft. The airport and the city are working on a compromise that would allow a new terminal contingent upon heavy flight restrictions, a first for a U.S. airport. Communication services company Qualcomm, known for its satellite technology for the long-haul trucking industry, has decided to venture into the LTL trucking arena with a new product, Omni Express. Omni Express will combine both voice and data transmissions on a single network to and from the truck, Qualcomm says. Users will be able to dial the same telephone number into the cab for either a voice or terrestrial data connection. The service, which has not formally been announced by Qualcomm, will be available next March. Qualcomm is finalizing negotiations with the potential users and plans to go beta Nov. 1.