BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Worldwide bunkering industry set to consolidate
[SINGAPORE] An unstoppable drive towards consolidation marked by ongoing scaling up and globalisation of operations are the current trends in the US$20 billion (S$34.8 billion) a year bunker industry, says an oil major executive.
Master sacked for being drunk while on duty
Bangladesh pays dearly for work in ship breaking

Air and Land Transport

Thai Air plans to raise int'l fares as fuel prices rise
[BANGKOK] Thai Airways International, Thailand's national carrier, plans to raise fares on international routes to offset rising fuel costs and take advantage of a rebound in passenger traffic.
Two US airlines to start new flights at LaGuardia despite ban
Airlines, forwarder suspend flights to Zimbabwe
Saudi Airlines to sign deal for study on privatisation soon
Japan Airlines to sell part of DHL stake to Deutsche Post
SkyTeam starts world's largest air cargo group
American Air to launch Taipei-San Jose route

web site

Shipping News

Worldwide bunkering industry set to consolidate
[SINGAPORE] An unstoppable drive towards consolidation marked by ongoing scaling up and globalisation of operations are the current trends in the US$20 billion (S$34.8 billion) a year bunker industry, says an oil major executive.
Master sacked for being drunk while on duty
Bangladesh pays dearly for work in ship breaking

Air and Land Transport

Thai Air plans to raise int'l fares as fuel prices rise
[BANGKOK] Thai Airways International, Thailand's national carrier, plans to raise fares on international routes to offset rising fuel costs and take advantage of a rebound in passenger traffic.
Two US airlines to start new flights at LaGuardia despite ban
Airlines, forwarder suspend flights to Zimbabwe
Saudi Airlines to sign deal for study on privatisation soon
Japan Airlines to sell part of DHL stake to Deutsche Post
SkyTeam starts world's largest air cargo group
American Air to launch Taipei-San Jose route

	web site

GRI for trans-Pacific lines Carriers in the eastbound trans-Pacific are expected on Tuesday to announce proposed general rate increases of $500-750 per 40-foot container for the 2001 contracting season. International Breakbulk Transpo 2000 Keynote speaker Kurt Nagle said lack of federal money is hampering port development. DOT critical of Marad's subsidy payment system The department's Inspector General said Marad is unable to accurately track payments to vessel operators participating in the Maritime Security Program. Railroads, shippers await STB's ruling on future of rail mergers The urge to merge won't go away, with or without STB rules. Census offers NVOs a one-year reprieve on AES Senate approves Marad funding, merchant mariner bills Nistevo trumpets results of study on collaborative logistics EGL completes Circle acquisition United to raise fuel surcharge on imports CMA to do some of its own agency work IBM petitions Supreme Court over HMT refunds NTSB presses Coast Guard on domestic towing safety Emery wins $5 million British defense contract

	web site

August trade figures reveal further improvement for Hong Kong CSX fuels price change, sells subsidiary PTP wins `Best Emerging Container Terminal' award SIA to streamline processes Record throughput for perishables centre

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
Deutsche Post doubles profits Big growth global freighter fleet DHL with new US hub Truckers blockade Luxembourg GF-X misunderstood (we apologize) Singapore Airlines to order up to 25 A3XX

	web site

Allcargo first to start MCC operations in ICD-Moradabad Apeda relaxes regulations to facilitate sugar exports Fieo chief elucidates positive aspects of bar coding at seminar Synthetic textile exports may surpass target Tea exports: Advantage India India to go by consensus on ACPC coffee retention plan Italian envoy lists areas for possible collaborations Basmati battle: RiceTec yields, but only a quarter Task force for chemical sector Vast seed export potential seen MoST vests more financial powers with Major Port Trusts Budget 2001-02: MoF invites suggestions Computer software meaning widened Govt may give legal status to Incoterms soon Rs 5,000 cr. for AP infrastructure Pvt. players may get more sops in mining sector

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
Kuwait return Iraqi theft accusations Brazil price indications New export taxes in Russia from November EU unsure about the release of emergency oil stocks Augusta price indications Oil prices up in Asia Iraq will not intentionally disrupt oil supplies OPEC summit considers the different views of producers and consumers US at the centre of the world oil summit Saudi Arabia hints at extra output Good avails amidst a quiet market in New Orleans Houston market overview No fuel oil in Montreal Tight avails on the American East Coast

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
F.S. Mackenzie forms strategic alliance to build airfreight activities DFDS Dan Transport Group A/S sold to DSV for DKK 5.5 billion

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
Two more for Costa Costa Crociere has signed a letter of intent with Italian shipyard Fincantieri Cantieri Navali S.p.A. for the construction of two 105,000-ton vessels for delivery in late 2003 and late 2004. EU-Korea consultations on shipbuilding fail The row between the European Union and Korea on shipbuilding prices is headed for the World Trade Organization (WTO).

	web site

ACSA's books probed Legal eagle gets top Durban port post SAECS doubles Europe frequency Roadcorp companies await liquidator's word Maputo managers positioned to bring port up to speed Strachan runs regular basic shipping courses New Pretoria office caters for specialised client base Transport workforce declines Carrier justifies taking the 'safe' route Client accuses lines of charging for free storage time The profile of modern warehousing Barcoding systems will revolutionise the industry - CSS Compu-Clearing rolls out first modules of new third party system 'It's the penultimate link before delivery to the client' The most versatile warehouse of all Warehouse should be part of total distribution system Value-added service caters for customers' JIT needs Hellmann moves into clients' warehouses New facility caters for dry bulk commodities Oil pushes up inflation Speedy turnaround is the objective at Expeditors Bax consolidates and upgrades information flow SGS offers risk management solution P&O Nedlloyd buys into Harrison Line Trip on a rust-bucket would be a wake-up call Phased elimination of noisy aircraft begins in 2003 SADC free trade agreement makes 'insignificant' impact SADC and Comesa - who belongs where Swaziland on a knife-edge as labour laws threaten trade

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
Port Tacoma hosts Washington State Maritime and Water Activities Seminar Port of Vancouver USA previews overpass and new terminal entrance Governor Locke authorizes using tax exempt bonds to finance Narrows Bridge Tom Van Dawark named president and CEO of Marine Resources, Inc. U.S. railroad intermodal traffic reaches second highest week total September 23

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
WSC Open for Business Junk Goes Electronic Roadway Net Up 12.4 Percent NOL Reports Turnaround Forrester Sees E-Commerce Threat Fuel Protests Continue in Europe

	web site

Cyprus revokes Sea Pioneer ISM status CYPRUS has revoked the safety management credentials of Greek shipping group Sea Pioneer, the operator of a tanker described as "a floating nightmare" by South African officials earlier this year. EU ministers to defer to IMO EU transport ministers generally support a further set of measures to improve maritime safety after last year's Erika oil tanker sinking, but said some efforts should made be internationally and not at EU level, writes Nigel Tutt, Luxembourg. Howe Robinson salvo in dot.com turf war LONDON shipbrokers have launched a counter-offensive against the dot.com onslaught on their territory. Key player says no demutualisation yet LEADERS of one of the biggest specialist mutual insurers in shipping and transport services have rejected any talk of going private, writes James Brewer. Defects link with Leros Strength and Erika losses THE Norwegian maritime administration has established linkages between the loss of the bulker Leros Strength and that of the Erika and has called for a range of measures to address these. Ferry bosses ignored fire safety warnings GREEK ferry executives have admitted to Lloyd's List that they were repeatedly warned of the need to implement European Union fire safety measures ahead of the government's decision to confine 65 vessels to port as of yesterday. Oil pollution damage fund to be scrapped A POLLUTION fund that pre-dates the Erika disaster by nearly three decades is to be scrapped after several years of agonising among diplomats. Phantom of Julianna arrested in Thai port A PHANTOM cargo ship, Julianna, has been found in Thailand nearly two months after she left Indonesia bound for Manila.

	web site
OCTOBER 2, 2000
Slater loan deadlock worsens Klaveness pools to double PRS launches ship's log system Sale opens doors to expansion Tianjin expands bulk capability Minister backs Thai national fleet China Class reacts on safety Australia praises master's efforts Bunker supplier slates CTS Polferries launches new freight link Stranded crew sent home Trieste rejects only offer Shareholders approve Almare sale Greek container ship hits rocks Another Aegean accident Greek ferries in safety breach Auckland first on e-clearance Foreign cash for Indian training P&O seeks Kandla answers Grain handlers ratify settlement

	web site
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
Le Benelux et l’Espagne de plus en plus importants pour Stef/TFE Au cours du premier semestre de l’exercice 2000, le groupe français Stef/TFE (Transports Frigorifiques Européens) a été confronté à des tensions sur son marché national. Les principales satisfactions ont dès lors été enregistrées à l’étranger. C’est le cas dans la Péninsule ibérique (tant en Espagne qu’au Portugal) ainsi qu’au Benelux. Ce dernier marché confirmant de plus en plus son rôle de pièce essentielle dans le dispositif européen de Stef/TFE. Hausse de 58% du CA de Deutsche Post Les chiffres semestriels de Deutsche Post incitent à l’optimisme quant à l’introduction future du groupe en bourse: une croissance de 58% du CA conjugée à une hausse de 141% des revenus. A l’occasion de la présentation des résultats semestriels, Klaus Zumwinkel, le ceo de Deutsche Post, a révélé les détails pratiques de l’introduction en bourse. Nouveaux problèmes de répartition des licences européennes pour les poids lourds en Suisse De nouveaux problèmes ont surgi au sujet de la proposition de la Commission européenne de rédiger une ordonnance sur l’attribution de licences pour les poids lourds participant au trafic en Suisse. Comme on le sait, le Conseil des ministres européens des Transports a trouvé un terrain d’entente en décembre 1998 sur un accord entre l’Union européenne et la Suisse réglant le transport de marchandises et de personnes par le rail et la route. L’IRU veut qu’on libère les réserves stratégiques européennes L’Union internationale des Transports routiers (IRU) a adressé une lettre aux ministres européens des Finances à la veille de leur réunion d’hier vendredi. Elle leur demande de libérer les réserves stratégiques de pétrole et donc d’appuyer l’initiative américaine en ce sens annoncée la semaine passée par le président Clinton. L’IRU “exhorte” par ailleurs les ministres à réduire les taxes élevées sur les carburants, “qui pénalisent la compétitivité européenne”.

	web site

Corrosion a factor in Erika sinking Malta's Maritime Authority has blamed the sinking on a number of factors including earlier repairs. Exxon loses bid to overturn $5bn spill verdict An attempt to overturn a massive punitive damages award over the Exxon Valdez spill has been rejected by the US Supreme Court. Exmar confirms LNG newbuilding without charter Belgium's Exmar is backing its LNG hunch, and has even more newbuildings up its sleeve, according to boss Nic Saverys. Foreign ships to compete with Greek ferries by 2002 Minoan Lines shares fall as Greece says it will speed moves to open ferry market to foreign companies and subsidiary Minoan Flying Dolphins is charged over tragedy. Greece bans 65 passenger ships Maritime safety chiefs suspend sailing permits as death toll of the Express Samina rises. The Greek ships that must not sail See the list of ferries and cruise ships that have had their sailing permits suspended. North West Shelf retenders for LNG newbuildings One yard has dropped out as North West Shelf drags its feet and refreshes bids for new ships. Costa confirms newbuildings Carnival-owned Costa Crociere has picked Fincantieri's Sestri Cantiere Navale yard for two cruise ship orders. Greek containership runs aground Greek-owned vessel Captain Spyros hit rocks off the Aegean island of Psara. Greece needs to replace 70 ferries But replacing a geriatric fleet with modern tonnage is going to pose a challenge, warns ferry consultant Peter Wild. Time to raise passenger compensation limits For Michael Thorp, the public face of the Skuld P&I club during the Estonia disaster, the Greek ferry tragedy raises many questions. Mitsui OSK interims set to steam ahead Cost cutting and strength of merged operation leads to fiscal turnaround. Express Samina scuttling claim attacked Allegations that the Express Samina could have been driven on to the rocks to claim insurance money have been branded "monstrous". Global Marine goes Dutch The UK-based cable ship operator has returned to Holland for more tonnage. Ferry master in court on murder rap Vassilis Yiannakis and three members of his crew have appeared before a Greek court on charges including murder, as death toll reaches 72. Minoan Flying Dolphins ferry runs aground A ship owned by the Express Samina operator had to return to Piraeus after running aground in the port of Naxos. ITF declares war on Ofer As a union week of action in Europe ended the ITF turned the spotlight on Sammy Ofer's Zodiac Maritime. Bureau Veritas more than doubles profits The French classification society has announced huge earnings gains as it seeks to muscle in on the proposed merger between RINA and ABS. Sumitomo to axe 550 jobs Japanese shipbuilder to cut workforce by a quarter ahead of heavy losses.