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Rotterdam set to allow US Customs checks
THE Port of Rotterdam is poised to allow an American Customs team inside its facilities to pre-inspect US-bound containers for a four-month pilot project.
Aussie transport group Toll buys 7 port operations
Bangladeshi minister denies bribery charges in ferry tender
Lack of equipment hampers Indon crackdown on pirates

Air and Land Transport

Delta CFO predicts firm will return to profitability in 2003
DELTA Air Lines Inc chief financial officer Michele Burns predicted the carrier will turn a profit in at least a few months during the the second half of this year and return to full profitability in 2003.
Qantas may bid for Ansett's Sydney terminal
Cathay, DHL plan dedicated cargo venture in HK
M'sian logistics industry set for more growth
Branson favours Boeing in Virgin Blue fleet upgrade
LOG Book

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Shipping News

Rotterdam set to allow US Customs checks
THE Port of Rotterdam is poised to allow an American Customs team inside its facilities to pre-inspect US-bound containers for a four-month pilot project.
Aussie transport group Toll buys 7 port operations
Bangladeshi minister denies bribery charges in ferry tender
Lack of equipment hampers Indon crackdown on pirates

Air and Land Transport

Delta CFO predicts firm will return to profitability in 2003
DELTA Air Lines Inc chief financial officer Michele Burns predicted the carrier will turn a profit in at least a few months during the the second half of this year and return to full profitability in 2003.
Qantas may bid for Ansett's Sydney terminal
Cathay, DHL plan dedicated cargo venture in HK
M'sian logistics industry set for more growth
Branson favours Boeing in Virgin Blue fleet upgrade
LOG Book

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Transpacific vessel capacity rises again Fujian levies new port charges ECU-Line moves to encompass Bandar Abbas IATA urges lower charges at Narita Airport Air NZ sells Jetset retail division Schenker to plug global operations into GF-X F S Mackenzie names new GM

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APRIL 18, 2002
TNT Post acquires French group Mail, Express and Logistics company TPG acquired, through its division TNT Logistics, the French logistics group Transports Nicolas. 'Transports Nicolas is one of the leading logistics providers of temperature-controlled activities for the retail and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in France, specializing in fresh products. Kuehne & Nagel to divest its travel agencies Kuehne & Nagel has entered into an agreement with TQ3 Travel Solutions, a provider of worldwide business travel services, to divest its travel operations. SAS to scrap loss-making routes SAS is to pull out of 13 loss-making routes in a bid to cut costs as part of an overhaul of its network and operations. Virgin plans Australian fleet expansion Virgin Blue, the Australian airline set up by Sir Richard Branson two years ago, plans a $1.9 billion fleet expansion. Losses American Airlines rose AMR, American Airlines' parent, said its net loss rose to $575 million, in the first three months of 2002, from $43 million in the same period last year. Hutchison cuts HK, China port stakes Hutchison cut its stake in Hong Kong International Terminals to 86.5 per cent from 89 per cent. Cargolux profit down Cargolux Airlines announced a net profit of $ 15.4 million for the year 2001. CP Ships posts first quarter loss CP Ships announced an unaudited first quarter 2002 operating loss of $6 million, down from an operating profit of $31 million in the first quarter 2001 and $35 million before exceptional credits in fourth quarter 2001.

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38,000 tonnes of rice sold to West Africa Anti-dumping probe into X-ray system from EU begun BCE begins on-line trading in rice bran, cotton seed Drugs export up by 21 pc GIDB nod for Shell to develop Hazira port MbPT giving concrete shape to offshore box terminal plan - One berth at Ballard Pier also for privatisation Cargo handling by Major Ports increases by 2.35 pc in 2001-02 Andhra Pradesh govt unfolds SEZ policy with slew of sops Ficci panel: Iron out snags in trademarks law Zonal Jt DGFT sees bold, radical steps in Exim Policy Handicraft exports may hit target in 2002-03: Rudy Customs will be facilitators of foreign trade-Bhardwaj Sensitive items' imports log 7 pc rise GAIL invites tenders for survey of Indo-Bangla pipeline Centre may amend CRZ rules to give more room for SEZs Maran seeking to restore tax benefits to SEZs RBI modifies norm on forex contracts Apeda chief spells out mango export strategy 150-man Canadian trade team coming on April 21

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APRIL 18, 2002
Slow demand in firming US Gulf Crude stays firm on notions of reduced supply as demand grows ARA markets calm but firm Healthy demand amidst firming markets in Great Belt and Gothenburg Healthy demand reported in St. Petersburg and Tallinn Singapore quiet and firm Firmer markets in Gdansk and Klaipeda Avails still tight in Hong Kong Taiwan IFO firmer today Quiet market in South Korea Mixed trend in Japan Tests following fuel handling problems find polyethylene in bunkers supplied in the US

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IATA warns that airfares may rise due to EUROCONTROL charges Scandlines holds its position as market leader in Baltic Sea ferry trade IRU says that Alpine transit restrictions raise costs by 12.5% TPG acquires French logistics group Transports Nicolas European Shippers' Council appoints new Secretary General Irish Sea ferry leads the way for truckers' information

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APRIL 18, 2002
Record year for New York Fast Ferry Lighthouse fast Ferry reports booming revenue and ridership for its New York Fast Ferry operation Plan to buy Delta Queen assets The largest operator of European River cruises plans to bid for certain Delta Queen Steamboat assets Strong shipbuilding sales for Manitowoc Manitowoc's Marine segment reported strong first-quarter results

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APRIL 18, 2002
Two Sincere Steamship vessels added to Lasco's Logger Pool Port Angeles' William R. Fairchild Airport wins FAA 'Outstanding Achievement' honor Department of Transportation wants pipeline safety input Port of Port Angeles moving ahead with plan to boost ship repair ability Port of Portland tonnage dips during month of March

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Stelios to stand down from easyJet to placate investors STELIOS Haji-Ioannou has bowed to pressure from institutional shareholders to step down as chairman of easyJet, the low-cost airline he founded in 1995, to ensure the "highest standards of corporate governance", writes Julian Bray . Aleman faces ire on new canal fee ALBERTO Aleman, the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, is to meet leading shipping industry representatives in London on Monday amid rising concern over the implications of a proposed new "security fee" for vessels using the canal. Baltic leads fight on tax crackdown threat THE campaign to convince the British government that it would be courting disaster for maritime London if there was a tax crackdown on foreign entrepreneurs living in the country has begun in earnest. Shell shrugs off Brown oil tax hike ROYAL Dutch Shell took the decisive move yesterday of lifting its stake in £3.5bn ($4.99bn) bid target Enterprise Oil to 29%, leaving any investor still gambling on a counterbid high and dry, writes Tony Gray.

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APRIL 18, 2002
Debt trap immobilises fleet Keppel yards going strong Korea expects record completions Imperium charters 'a non-deal' India studies strategic oil stock Philippine CG seeks extra funding Zhongda behind cruise order Seafarer's union opposes ruling HHLA drops Wilhelmshaven interest Tanker ice tests successful Maria Carmela search closes Brambles Marine up for sale CMA CGM declares interest in CNAN CSAV forecasts tough 2002 Puerto Rico hub moves forward Korean seafarers scale down demands Thailand suspends harbour officials Korean newbuilding orders plunge

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APRIL 18, 2002
UPS earnings beat expectations The company's profit dipped 3.3% to $563 million, or 50 cents a share. Analysts were expecting earnings of 47 cents a share. Korean shipyards see export slump The world's biggest shipbuilder saw exports of new vessels tumble in the first quarter, on the heels of lower-than-expected orders for new vessels. Weblog: Bangladesh port strike over SSA plans Malaysia port gets rail boost A new trans-Asian rail network linking Southeast Asia and Europe should benefit the local movement of goods, officials say. OECD: End carrier anti-trust immunity Crowley launches Costa Rica service International Shipholding Corp. narrows loss Bailout boosts CNF quarter Dredging resumes in Santos Heartland Express net improves GALI debuts new ro-ro vessel Russian tanker completes ice tests BIG power moves through Balt.

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Ocean Logistics et Transaf vont fusionner Ocean Logistics et Transaf, les filiales de transport respectives des groupes sidérurgiques Usinor et Arbed, fusionneront au sein de Trans Ocean Logistics (TOL) en date du 30 juin prochain. Le personnel des deux entreprises a été informé de la nouvelle structure, du plan stratégique et des objectifs de la nouvelle société, qui représente un chiffre d’affaires de plus de 137 millions d’EUR et un trafic annuel de plus de 5,2 millions de tonnes. La CE prépare un “consultation paper” sur la tarification des modes de transport La Commission européenne présentera dans le courant de l’année un “consultation paper” sur la tarification de tous les modes de transport, a annoncé Wolfgang Elsner, du directorat-général pour l’Energie et le Transport, lors de la première journée du “Maritime and Port Symposium” organisé par l’Institute of Transport and Maritime Management Antwerp (ITMMA). Elsner, qui représentait la commissaire européenne aux Transports Loyola de Palacio, a reconnu qu’il n’était pas du tout évident de rédiger un tel document et a déjà promis qu’il ne fallait pas s’attendre à une “révolution sur la tarification dans les ports”. TPG acquiert l’entreprise logistique française Transports Nicolas Le groupe néerlandais TPG a annoncé l’acquisition, au travers de sa division TNT Logistics, de 100% des titres de l’entreprise logistique française Transports Nicolas (Brioude, près de Clermont-Ferrand). Cette société est un acteur important sur la scène de la logistique sous température dirigée en France. Elle est spécialisée dans la distribution de produits de grande consommation, en particulier de produits frais. Pour TNT Logistics France, cette acquisition représente une extension de la gamme de services. Stora Enso Lumipaper porte sa capacité à 165.000 t par an Le groupe papetier finno-suédois Stora Enso a mis en service une nouvelle ligne de découpe d’une capacité de 10 tonnes de papier par heure dans son usine Lumipaper, située dans la zone portuaire de la Rive gauche à Anvers. La superficie de l’immeuble a été doublée à 17.100 m2 et la capacité de découpe a été augmentée de 70% à 165.000 tonnes par an. L’investissement total s’est élevé à 16 millions d’EUR. L’expansion a également entraîné la création de vingt nouveaux emplois.

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APRIL 18, 2002
OMI stock receives rating boost The New York-listed shares almost broke $5 mark in Wednesday trade. New York ferry firm boasts higher revenues The NYSE-listed company sees opportunities for more expansion in 2002. RBC Dominion exits shipping The investment bank may return to shipping sector when time is right. ISC to complete LASH ship sale International Shipholding cut losses by lowering expenses and disposing unprofitable assets. Uniworld bidding for AMCV vessels The European cruise operator will compete with Waveland Investments for Delta Queen assets. Kirby pumps up earnings The rise in first quarter earnings was curbed by weak operating margins. Korea exporting fewer ships But undaunted yards prepare to welcome guests during World Cup. Gard pays out on Ermis spill But Taiwan to press for $26m more compensation after $1.75m deal. Another two reefers held in Japan Checks on refrigerated vessels in March continued to find substandard ships. Tanker owners vent fury over inspections Stelmar case highlights dissatisfaction with port state accountability. Tampa loss slight Wilhelm Wilhelmsen says refugee crisis has not damaged Australian trade. Owners close in on Sonatrach LNG ships Norwegian and Japanese owner set to sign up employment for two LNG newbuildings. Cosco's Shanghai debut sparks share price surge Stock of newly-listed Cosco Shipping rises as much as 65% on first day. Australia hauls in errant capesizes Port state control inspectors held three 1980s-built capsizes during March. Leif Hoegh profit climbs Norwegian owner says result gain down to improved ro-ro business. IMC goes private Frederick Tsao wins landslide victory in shareholder vote.