BRIEFS

	web site

Asian turmoil holds China back ECT plans inland terminal Logistics providers urged to branch out Ecuador port volume challenges Chile Adelaide port thrives BA, JAL chiefs forge strategic alliance B727s not strong enough Freight players hope for recovery in new year

	web site
JANUARY 15, 1999
China's airline chiefs in the air when new Millennium begins New labor agreement for Dutch road transport industry New York to invest $5 billion in its port Geest 5 days a week on Rotterdam-Hull MSAS Global Logistics to set brands The annual truck show "The Salon" will open in Brussels, Belgium, this weekend Port of Moerdijk growing

web site

Home

Transport industry adjusting to Brazil currency crisis
Trade issues to challenge Clinton next year
IMF official takes tough line on Russia loans
Customs: there's been little improvement in compliance
Forwarders want to be called logistics providers
Brazil sets currency free amid further deterioration of reserves
France and Russia to study starting Paris-Moscow river cargo service...
...as sources report food aid shipments to Russia are facing delays
Shell Expro to cut 400 jobs
GAO report questioned Florida bullet train plan
Russia hikes crude export transport fee for February-March shipments

Transportation

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

Maritime

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

web site

Home

Transport industry adjusting to Brazil currency crisis
Trade issues to challenge Clinton next year
IMF official takes tough line on Russia loans
Customs: there's been little improvement in compliance
Forwarders want to be called logistics providers
Brazil sets currency free amid further deterioration of reserves
France and Russia to study starting Paris-Moscow river cargo service...
...as sources report food aid shipments to Russia are facing delays
Shell Expro to cut 400 jobs
GAO report questioned Florida bullet train plan
Russia hikes crude export transport fee for February-March shipments

Transportation

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

Maritime

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

web site

Home

Transport industry adjusting to Brazil currency crisis
Trade issues to challenge Clinton next year
IMF official takes tough line on Russia loans
Customs: there's been little improvement in compliance
Forwarders want to be called logistics providers
Brazil sets currency free amid further deterioration of reserves
France and Russia to study starting Paris-Moscow river cargo service...
...as sources report food aid shipments to Russia are facing delays
Shell Expro to cut 400 jobs
GAO report questioned Florida bullet train plan
Russia hikes crude export transport fee for February-March shipments

Transportation

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

Maritime

Truckers told: Service more crucial than rates
Two-tier wage scale seen as key rail issue
EU: Hungary makes inroads in transport
Greece's airline urged to change or perish

	web site

Maharashtra offers tax package to mega auto projects Indo-EC trade talks begin India finds place among top 5 in Morgan Stanley Transit permit to Bangla poses strike threat at West Bengal

	web site
JANUARY 15, 1999
Norway: Bunker fraud court hearing concluded yesterday Ceiling on Iraqi oil exports could be lifted Argentina aims to go ahead with impending sale of YPF stake

	web site

Milford Haven hit with record fine over Sea Empress disaster MILFORD Haven Port Authority faces a financial crisis after being ordered to pay a record fine of '4m ($6.7m) as a result of the Sea Empress grounding, which produced one of Britain's worst oil disasters. Ofer Brothers poised to gain control of Zim Sammy and Yuli Ofer plan to gain majority control of Zim Israel Navigation Company after acquiring a 49% stake from the Eisenberg family. Granuaile bidding for contracts in new areas Granuaile Shipping, Atle Jebsen's pitch carrier operation, is tendering for contracts which could lead to the conversion of another vessel for its specialised trade. Protestors picket Port of Dover Animal rights protesters demonstrated outside the Port of Dover yesterday to commemorate the birthday of activist Jill Phipps who was killed in 1995. Bill moved to halt gaming cruises in US FEDERAL legislation has been filed at the US House of Representatives which would extend to each of the 50 US states unassailable authority to prohibit all cruises-to-nowhere that involved onboard gaming devices. APL Atlantic joins service US carriers American President Lines and Lykes Lines yesterday introduced the 2,100 teu APL Atlantic into their joint Atlantic service in Bremerhaven, just days after the vessel changed her name from Columba. She replaces the Lykes Adventurer, which is switching from the US east coast to US Gulf service and is the first vessel deployed in an Atlantic container service by APL. Built last year in Gdynia, the vessel is managed by Schiffahrtskontor Reederei Gebr'der Winter of Hamburg under the German flag. The vessel will operate alongside the Lykes Achiever (ex Westerburg) and Lykes Voyage (ex Westerems). Canada court to hear Flare loss claims COMPENSATION claims for the Flare disaster, in which 21 seafarers died a year ago today, will be heard in Canada following a protracted legal battle mounted by the International Transport Workers' Federation against her owners and the UK P&I club. Repair dock arrives in Durban A privately-owned shiprepair dock has arrived in Durban port, the first to be granted permission to operate in competition with Portnet under its new commercially driven business approach.

	web site
JANUARY 15, 1999
Milford Haven 'stunned' by '6m Empress fine MILFORD Haven Port Authority gm Ted Sangster said he was 'stunned' by the '6m penalty imposed for its part in the Sea Empress pollution incident Aboitiz sells off insurance stake PHILIPPINES-based Aboitiz Equity Ventures has sold its stake in Aboitiz Insurance Brokers to its partner. PT Berlian acquires PSTC stake PT BERLIAN Laju Tankers of Indonesia has acquired 60 per cent of the Philippines state-owned PNOC Shipping and Transport Corp. Bergesen to close Stavanger office BERGESEN, the Norwegian bulk shipping group, is to close its office in Stavanger in western Norway. ICB looks to expand fleet ICB SHIPPING, the Stockholm tanker company, is considering expanding its fleet. Amazon eyes up Di Gregorio BRAZILIAN operator Di Gregorio is reported to be the subject of purchase interest from US-based Amazon Line, a partner on the ICA service between the US and Brazil. South Korea orders slump SOUTH Korean shipyards suffered a 22 per cent drop in newbuilding orders last year, according to the Korea Shipbuilders Association. Singapore retains top spot SINGAPORE has retained its position as the world's busiest port in 1998 according to figures supplied by the Maritime and Port Authority. Hyundai wins North Korean resort contract HYUNDAI has gained exclusive rights to develop a resort area in North Korea for a minimum of 30 years. New bridge hits Kobe throughput CARGO volumes handled by the port of Kobe have nose-dived following the opening of the Akaishi Straits suspension bridge. Antarctic vessel in trouble again AN AUSTRALIAN research and supply vessel has had its third onboard emergency in less than six months. Avondale ordered to turn over safety records A US federal judge yesterday ordered Avondale Industries to turn over 13 types of records relating to workplace safety to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Liberian squabble discourages owners THE number of newbuildings being registered under the Liberian flag has dropped as a result of uncertainty caused by current legal disputes. US yards short-listed to build coastal cruisers THREE US shipyards have been shortlisted by Chicago-based American Classic Voyages to build a series of new coastal cruise ships. China tightens control on container tariffs THE Chinese government has announced that it will strengthen its control on container freight and clauses in the shipping contracts. Geest boosts North Sea service EUROPEAN intermodal operator Geest North Sea Line has boosted the frequency of its Rotterdam-Hull route from four to five sailings a week in each direction. P&O Ports suffers waterside setback P&O PORTS is expected to have a rougher path towards improved productivity than previously thought following a rejection by Sydney wharfies of its redundancy plans. Felixstowe and Thamesport hauliers merge THAMESPORT-based Maritime Haulage and Port of Felixstowe Transport have joined forces. NY/NJ dredging deal signed AN agreement has been signed between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the US Army Corps of Engineers, giving the final go ahead for a $733m dredging project.

	web site
JANUARY 15, 1999
Paris to Moscow River-Sea Cargo Service Envisaged Paris port authorities reportedly have agreed with the Russian Moscow Navigation Co. to study opening a cargo service between Paris and Moscow using rivers and canals as well as sea passages. The weekly service aboard Russian ST-Ruza class river-sea motorships, would initially comprise weekly services between the two capitals to start in June. Each vessel can carry up to 1,100 tonnes of cargo. Global Marine To Lay Off 280 Workers Global Marine Inc. reportedly will lay off 140 employees working on two rigs off the West African coast, and would cut another 140 jobs for two other rigs, due to weak demand in the industry. British Port Gets Record Fine For Oil Spillage A British port authority was reportedly fined $6.63 million for its part in the 1996 grounding of the Sea Empress oil tanker off South Wales in one of the country's worst oil disasters. Britain's Environment Agency, an independent public body, brought criminal proceedings against the authority after the Sea Empress ran aground at the port entrance and spewed out 72,000 tons of light crude oil and about 250 tons of heavy fuel oil, used to power the ship's engines. P&O Shuts Ferry Route, Cuts Jobs P&O Stena Line, the joint venture Channel ferries operator, is to close its Newhaven to Dieppe route, resulting in the loss of 148 jobs. South Korean Ship Orders To Fall In 1999 Ship orders to be received by South Korean firms are projected to decline this year, based largely on the country’s currency fluctuations and dipping demand. While official forecasts are not being released, domestic shipyards had 19.06 million grt of backlog orders at the end of December, enough to keep them busy for another two years. ARCO To Make Deeper Cuts In Jobs, Spending Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO) will reportedly cut 1,200 jobs rather than the 900 announced in October, and take a fourth-quarter, after-tax charge of $890 million. Blue Star To Join Australia Shipping Confernece Blue Star Line (Asia) will join the Australian Northbound Shipping Conference (Anscon) to replace its current vessel sharing agreement, P&O Nedlloyd said.

	web site

The air cargo industry either will have to spend millions of dollars to modify certain Boeing 727s to prove to the government's satisfaction that its planes are safe or face drastic payload limits under rules published last week by the Federal Aviation Administration. The long-awaited airworthiness directives set stringent limits on the payloads of 727s converted from passenger to all-cargo use until the floor structure of the planes are strengthened. Although the aircraft have logged millions of miles without incident, the FAA claims that the floor structure of the main cargo deck in the converted 727s is not strong enough to safely carry the current maximum payload. Carriers, who have more than two years to upgrade their planes, say shippers will feel little or no pain from the directives. Two railroad unions that represent train-crew members, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the United Transportation Union, are pursuing with major freight railroads a new multiyear wage, benefits and work-rules pact. An agreement could include replacing an eight-decade-old mileage-based method of paying train crews with a new formula tied to unique characteristics of individual trips. Eventual cost savings to railroads could be substantial while shippers could benefit from shorter, faster and more truck-competitive trains. Raymond B. Greer assumes leadership of Ryder Integrated Logistics following an extensive restructuring that began last January. Greer will continue down the path set by his predecessor, Edward Straw. Actually, Greer was instrumental in setting it. "For all practical purposes I have been an integral part of the corporate strategy," he said. RIL's fortunes are looking up on Wall Street, where analysts are starting to see a payback from RIL's reorganization. A not-so-funny thing happened to newly elected Teamsters President James P. "Jimmy" Hoffa on his way to taking over the throne at the Marble Palace. Hoffa's lopsided election victory over Tom Leedham is being challenged. The delay is causing some awkward moments for Hoffa who must rebuild the union's finances and faces a tough car-haulers' negotiation in the spring. For now, Hoffa is president-in-waiting, prohibited from hiring staff or actually running the union. Part of the finishing touches being applied by Norfolk Southern and CSX in their long-awaited March 1 start date to their Conrail acquisition is the delivery to customers of their customer resource guides that explain how to do business with the new railroad. Just as the two companies differ in their corporate philosophies, so too did their approach to their customer service guides: CSX published a nuts-and-bolts how-to guide for new customers; NS took a more comprehensive approach, and included a comprehensive directory with route maps and commodity-specific information. The shippers' take? The more information, the better. A number of recent loss and damage incidents affecting deck-stowed containers in heavy weather has raised doubts about the methods used to stack and secure boxes on decks of large containerships. A debate has started over whether it is time for a fundamental review of loading techniques. Carriers fear too much criticism will stigmatize deck cargo and lead to unjustified claims. A U.S. Tax Court ruling could cost DHL Corp. hundreds of millions of dollars, plus a 40 percent penalty. The ruling in the transfer-pricing case involves trademark rights and whether DHL inadequately accounted for those rights. The three-year case was contentiously argued by both DHL and the Internal Revenue Service, with one IRS official calling the 40 percent penalty ruling a "touchdown" for the agency. DHL says day-to-day operations are not affected and that the ruling was expected. It is mulling an appeal. A significant factor in the Surface Transportation Board's initial approval of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad's application to build a coal-hauling rail line was availability of a tool allowing DM&E to test various line alternatives into the coal fields of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. Princeton, N.J.-based engineering firm ALK Associates' Line Capacity Analysis System fit the bill for just such a project. Two of Canada's major truck lines have grown by taking over regional carriers. Mullen Transportation of Alberta has gone from minority shareholder to sole owner of Mill Creek of Ontario. Montreal-based Cabano Kingsway has acquired bulk commodity carrier Raynald April of Quebec. Mullen and Cabano Kingsway are among the few publicly traded trucking companies in Canada.