Liberian flag row escalates Shipowners can probably kiss goodby to any hopes of a smooth transition in the administration of the Liberian register at the end of this year. The International Trust Company of Liberia (ITC), today revealed that it and its affiliates ( including International Registries, Inc.which currently manages the Liberian maritime program,has filed suit, in Federal District Court in Delaware, against Liberian International Ship and Corporate Register, the entity appointed by the Liberian government to manage its maritime and corporate programs from the start of the year 2000.
Atlantic Dry Dock to use floating dock "Sustain" More on the Atlantic Dry Dock Corp. contrac that will see it establish facilities capable of dry-docking CG, DD, DDG, and FFG class vessels in the Jacksonville, Fla., area. The contract will provide the floating dock "Sustain,"which will be available for commercial as well as Navy ships, and will begin this summer, after Atlantic completes its facility preparation.
Halter bags another T-AGS Halter Marine Group, Inc., Gulfport, Miss.has been awarded a $53.6 million U. S. Navy contract to build a T-AGS 60 class oceanographic research ship.
Todd Pacific set to launch power barge This Saturday, January 9, 1999 Todd Pacific Shipyards will launch the Margarita, a 70-megawatt power barge, that will provide Nicaraguan communities with much needed electricity.
Aker Maritime to upgrade North Sea platform Aker Maritime is to upgrade Statoil's Gullfaks C platform in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea to enable gas production to be doubled.
Jerry Smith confirmed as Chief Operating Officer of new Liberian franchisee Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry has confirmed that Jeremy M. Smith has joined it as Chief Operating Officer.
Atlantic Dry Dock to set up Navy drydocking facilities in Jacksonville Atlantic Dry Dock Corp., Jacksonville, Fla., is being awarded a $8,138,704 fixed-price contract to establish facilities capable of dry-docking CG, DD, DDG, and FFG class vessels in the Jacksonville, Fla., area.
Tampa-Yucatan ferry service fails American Viking Lines has ended ferry service between Tampa and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Taca successor gets green light A new conference covering the transatlantic trades could be in place within a few weeks following commitment to join from most of the carriers that operate container services between Europe and the US.
Writs fly as Liberia register row hots up IN a dramatic escalation of the continuing war over the Liberian register, International Registries Inc (IRI) has filed a lawsuit against Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), its designated successor as register manager.
Fyffes targets fresh acquisitions FYFFES, one of Europe's top produce companies, plans to power ahead with fresh corporate deals, hard on the heels of its success in negotiating a half share in the European supplier of the Cape and Outspan brands.
Slight rate recovery lifts Essar fortunes ESSAR Shipping, part of the diversified Mumbai-based Essar group, has registered a net profit of Rs102m ($2.35m) during the third quarter of the 1998-99 financial year, writes our India Correspondent.
IHI marks time as Asian currencies gain strength "With the freight market so low and a stronger yen, we cannot be very comfortable," admitted an official with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) in a revealing insight into the pressures that are currently mounting on some of the world's leading shipbuilders.
Indonesia to revoke Vat on shipping IN a boost to the dwindling competitiveness of Indonesia's international shipping activities, president B J Habibie's government has fulfilled its promise to revoke a 10% value-added tax on shipping-related businesses.
Pilots lobby over Panama Canal safety REPRESENTATIVES from the Panama Canal Pilots' Association will face the industry and the press in London today to express their concerns over changes to safety regulations which the Canal Commission is planning to implement this year.
Greenpeace seeks scrap ban after deaths THE recent tragedy at the Alang shipbreaking yard in Gujarat, when six labourers and their contractor lost their lives due to asphyxiation, has roused the anger of environmental lobbyist Greenpeace.
IRI sues LISCR over 'campaign to undermine' ITC IRI is suing the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), the body that is to take over administration of the Liberian register at the end of this year.
Northern Ireland ferry links restored UK-based fast ferry operator Sea Containers is to restore a fast ferry service linking Northern Ireland with northwest England.
Shell declares force majeure in Nigeria FORCE majeure has been declared by Shell at its oil terminal at Forcados in Nigeria.
Chinese demand fine for seized ship CHINESE customs officers have demanded a HK$360,000 ($46,500) fine for the release of 750-tonne Fu Yung Shan seized on January 6.
New president for Uniglory DAVID Young, formerly president of Evergreen Deutschland, has moved from Hamburg to Taipei to take up the position of president of Uniglory Marine Corporation.
Ugland doubles Swan Reefer stake NORWAY'S Ugland group has doubled its stake in the Oslo-based reefer vessel owner Swan Reefer to about 20 per cent.
Bid rumours boost NCLH shares SHARES in the Oslo-based cruise shipping company NCL Holding have risen sharply on speculation that the company might receive a takeover bid.
HK terminals warned on charges HONG KONG'S container terminal operators have been cautioned to reduce handling charges if they want Hong Kong to be competitive.
Import boom lifts Dubai throughput A BOOM in imported container movements reported by the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) has more than offset virtual stagnation in transhipment volumes.
Subic Bay accused of deploying unlicensed pilots A COMPLAINT that Subic Bay freeport is allowing unlicensed pilots to handle its vital pilotage services has been placed before the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
European 'tug war' hots up HAMBURG-based Bugsier Reederi has made the latest move in the European 'tug war', by moving its first tug to Antwerp.
Brazilian tax reforms hit shipping BRAZIL'S latest economic reforms, made in response to its deepening economic crisis, have led to heavy tax increases for shipowners.
Consortium to build Ennore lng terminal AN international consortium has been selected to build, own and operate a 2.5m tonne liquified natural gas terminal and a 1,886 MW power project at Ennore on India's east coast.
Sethu project work will 'start soon' INDIA'S Defence Minister George Fernandez has announced that work on the Sethusamudram dredging project will start "in the next few months".
Japan to retain shipbuilding crown DESPITE a strong challenge from South Korea, Japan seems certain to retain its lead in 1998 for the fifth year running as the world's top shipbuilding nation in terms of new orders.
Gladstone plans investment boost GLADSTONE Port Authority is planning to spend A$400m ($248m) in new infrastructure to cater for expansion of the coal trade and development of new trades.
US tells Japan to curb steel exports THE Clinton administration last week demanded that Japan slow its steel exports to the US and warned that stronger action will be taken in the absence of significant decreases in imports.
Analysts tip Australian maritime stocks TWO of the main players in Australia's maritime industry have been earmarked as among the most promising stocks for 1999.
Burnie loss, but cargo holds up The Burnie Port Corporation recorded a $5.4 million loss in its first 11 months of operation, with most of the loss attributed to abnormal items, according to its annual report. Operating profit before the items were taken into account was $600,000, with a profit of $70,0,000 for seaport operations and a loss of $100,000 in airport operations. Part of abnormal items was $4.019 million for major maintenance provisions and a reevaluation of assets resulted in a devaluation which negatively impacted profit by $9.568 million. The corporation's assets are now valued at $19.746 million compared with the previous figure of $25.889 million.
Stopwork as union mulls P&OP plan P&O Ports' push for new working arrangements at its facilities in Australia starts today with a stopwork meeting by its employees, members of the Maritime Union of Australia, in Melbourne. The meeting will consider issues which will be discussed between the union and the stevedore with formal discussions starting as soon as this afternoon. A similar stopwork meeting has been scheduled for P&O Ports' employees in Sydney on Thursday following which discussions between the union of the company will take place.
Cairns port trade down again Trade through the port of Cairns has fallen again. It stood at 1,359,776 tonnes in 1997-98. According to the Cairns Port Authority's 1997-98 annual report, which has just been published, this is 3.4 per cent below the 1996-97 result of 1,407,196 tonnes and well below the 1994-95 record of 1,551,633 tonnes. Bulk trades have had a varied year with sugar exports being down by eight per cent, reflecting the first full year in which no Babinda mill sugar came through the port, while molasses exports were up 15 per cent. Imports of petroleum products were on par with last year, LP gas imports were up 22 per cent, and fertiliser imports were down 13 per cent due to new facilities coming on stream elsewhere in Queensland.
AMSA holds 203 for year A total of 203 ships were detained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as a result of port state control inspections during 1998. This followed 13 detentions during December. Once again, flag of convenience states, Panama and Liberia, recorded the highest number of detentions at 51and 21 respectively. They were followed by Singapore with 14 and Hong Kong with 10.
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