Taca to close UK secretariat and axe jobs in the US THE Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement is to close its UK secretariat and cut staff numbers in Britain and the US to just three people.
Cho Yang says no to new conference CHO YANG has decided against joining the new conference being formed by transatlantic carriers, writes Janet Porter.
Cork faces challenge to zinc shipments Nearly IR'10m ($14.93m) is being spent on development in Cork Port where, as the Irish economy continues to grow, so does business through the port where one of the projects to be undertaken this year will be a real test of its character.
The "Celtic Tiger" The "Celtic Tiger" as the economy in Ireland is dubbed has resulted in the ports such as Dublin, pictured, reaching a new record in cargo-handling. For the first time, the figure has reached 45m tonnes for 1998, showing a 14.2% increase over 1997. Before the end of the year it is hoped that the figure will reach 50m tonnes. There has also been significant growth on the ferry passenger routes in the key ro-ro Irish Sea corridors, from Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare and Ringaskiddy. The number of passengers travelling through these ports increased by 300,000 last year to an overall figure of 4.7m.
Subsea construction vessel enters service for Sonsub AS a testament to Norwegian skills in niche markets, the first of a versatile new class of subsea construction vessel was launched this month at Flekkefjord. Designed and owned by Bergen-based Rieber Shipping, the 94 m Polar Prince has been fixed on longterm charter to Sonsub International of Houston.
FMC will 'lose no powers' in Reform Act US Federal Maritime Commission has lost none of its powers or determination to vigorously enforce maritime laws and regulations, despite the US Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
Minoan Lines swoops for Air Greece Stocklisted Minoan Lines, the Cretan based ferry group, appears to have snapped up Air Greece in what would be the third significant investment in the aviation sector by the Greek shipping community since the start of the year.
Cradle of history: Cradle of history: the Duyfken, the replica of a Dutch ship built in 1606, is launched at Fremantle Port in Western Australia yesterday two years after construction began. the original Duyfken, or 'Little Dove', made the first recorded voyage to Australia under the command of Capt Willem Janszoon for the Dutch East India Company. Capt Janszoon's discoveries became the first recorded map of the Australian coastline 182 years before England's Capt Cook, who is celebrated as the original European founder of Australia. It is planned the Duyfken will sail from the Netherlands to Indonesia and on toAustralia in a celebration of Janszoon's original voyage.
La Belgique obligée de supprimer le système de déclaration douanière D'ici peu, le gouvernement belge recevra une lettre de la Commission européenne qui lui intimera l'ordre de ne plus offrir aux exportateurs de marchandises la possibilité d'introduire des déclarations douanières dans les bureaux de l'endroit où les marchandises quittent le pays. La Commission expliquera à notre pays que, selon les règlements européens, la déclaration doit être faite dans le bureau douanier le plus proche de l'entreprise d'exportation, sinon elle s'adressera à la Cour européenne de Justice.
Tibbett & Britten reprend 80% de Haulmark Tibbett & Britten a repris 80% des actions de Haulmark Europe Ltd du groupe de transport français La Flèche Cavaillonnaise. Cette transaction doit permettre au groupe logistique britannique de se diversifier vers les activités de distribution par rail. Tibbett & Britten a récemment annoncé un investissement de 20 mio. de GBP (28,5 mio. d'EUR) dans un centre d'entreposage avec embranchement ferroviaire à Daventry.
Iscont Lines s'adapte aux conditions difficiles du marché "Nous espérons que d'ici 6 mois, la situation du trafic containérisé entre l'Europe et Israël changera dans le bon sens, car pour l'instant, c'est déplorable, les taux se sont effondrés. Il y a deux ans, nous avions vu cette évolution se préciser et c'est la raison pour laquelle nous n'avons pas investi. Tôt ou tard, les participants à ce trafic vont devoir réagir, car cela ne peut pas continuer. J'ai comme l'impression que certains ont provoqué cela intentionnellement. Nous connaissons les coûts et dans ces conditions, tout le monde y perd". C'est ce que nous a déclaré Jacob N. Allalouf, le président de la firme Allalouf & Co Shipping Ltd, alors qu'il recevait jeudi dernier la clientèle belge de son service de ligne Iscont Lines, en collaboration avec son agent American & Overseas Shipping s.a.
"La gestion du port de Gand porte ses fruits" L'échevin du port de Gand, Daniël Termont, a passé en revue, jeudi soir, l'évolution du port en 1998. Le trafic maritime a noté une hausse de 3%, soit 600.000 t nonobstant la baisse considérable des produits agricoles de 1.250.000 t. "Nous avons donc traité 1,85 mio. de t de nouvelles marchandises ce qui prouve que notre politique de niche, qui consiste à attirer des flux spécifiques de marchandises, porte ses fruits."
AIRC to hear PSC surveyors' gripe THE Australian Industrial Relations Commission has been notified of a dispute involving marine surveyors, members of the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers. The institute notified the commission of a dispute following a move late last year by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to alter the working arrangements of the surveyors who are involved in port state control inspections. The move to alter the working arrangements, under a flexibility clause of their award, was allegedly made without consultation at the end of last year with the changes coming into effect from 1 January.
Unions' Aratere claims 'no threat' Neither TranzRail nor the New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority regard the latest union claims that crew accommodation aboard TranzRail's new 150-metre passenger/freight ferry, Aratere, is not in line with the regulations, as a serious threat to the vessel officially entering service on the Cook Strait run as planned in early February. Built by Astillero Berreras at its shipyards in Vigo, Spain, the Aratere arrived in Wellington early last week after modifications were undertaken, and Authority exemptions granted, in line with complaints by New Zealand maritime unions, particularly the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild, that her crew accommodations did not meet the requirements of the Shipping (Crew Accommodations) Regulations 1974.
Ports Corp SA reaches OH&S peak Ports Corp South Australia, which recently announced a record operating profit for 1997-98, has followed this up by achieving the International Standard for Quality Assurance, ISO 9002 as well as the highest level in WorkCover Occupational Health and Safety Standards. Corporation general manager Peter Edmonds said the achievement took into account all Ports Corp's operations and installations. "Ports Corp has achieved these standards in all 10 of its ports," Mr Edmonds said. "From the time we were created more than four years ago, Ports Corp has sought to be the nation's leading port and winning ISO 9002 has always been a major goal. "The certification will provide tangible benefits to our clients, as well as making Ports Corp even more efficient.
Govt puts stevedores on notice The ACCC has been directed to monitor stevedoring prices, costs and profits at all major ports, Treasurer John Fahey announced on Friday. The move has been designed as a government source put it -- "to ensure the major stevedores keep up to their side of the bargain" in absorbing the cost of repaying the government for its provision of up to $250 million for wharfie redundancy payments. Mr Fahey noted that P&O Ports and Patrick Stevedores had undertaken to meet the full costs of reform through the application of the container terminal levy of $12 a container and $6 a car to repay redundancy funds being made available through the wholly owned commonwealth company, the Maritime Industry Finance Company.
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