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Shipping News

Freight rates seen as unlikely to recover much
RECOVERING container volumes are improving the outlook for shipping lines, but may not be enough to sustain a rebound in freight rates badly needed by the lines, according to Saloman Smith Barney.
Tougher anti-piracy solutions sought
ExxonMobil to sell cheaper, heavier grade bunker fuel
China gears up to modernise logistics infrastructure

Air and Land Transport

Airlines facing most serious challenge ever: analyst
GLOBAL aviation faces its biggest challenge yet with several airlines in a precarious financial situation and at risk of folding, an industry expert said yesterday.
Ansett sale fails and it teeterson brink of collapse again
US, HK officials in fresh talks on more air services
Narita may open more business jet slots
Auckland Airport set for healthy H1
Hainan Air buys 3 Gulfstream jets

Features

Thinking global to stay ahead
IIN his three years at SembCorp Logistics Ltd, chief executive officer Koh Soo Keong increased its share value fourfold, tied up with Kuehne & Nagel International AG, Europe's largest sea-freight company and is poised to expand in Japan by buying a freight operator there.

web site

Shipping News

Freight rates seen as unlikely to recover much
RECOVERING container volumes are improving the outlook for shipping lines, but may not be enough to sustain a rebound in freight rates badly needed by the lines, according to Saloman Smith Barney.
Tougher anti-piracy solutions sought
ExxonMobil to sell cheaper, heavier grade bunker fuel
China gears up to modernise logistics infrastructure

Air and Land Transport

Airlines facing most serious challenge ever: analyst
GLOBAL aviation faces its biggest challenge yet with several airlines in a precarious financial situation and at risk of folding, an industry expert said yesterday.
Ansett sale fails and it teeterson brink of collapse again
US, HK officials in fresh talks on more air services
Narita may open more business jet slots
Auckland Airport set for healthy H1
Hainan Air buys 3 Gulfstream jets

Features

Thinking global to stay ahead
IIN his three years at SembCorp Logistics Ltd, chief executive officer Koh Soo Keong increased its share value fourfold, tied up with Kuehne & Nagel International AG, Europe's largest sea-freight company and is poised to expand in Japan by buying a freight operator there.

web site

Shipping News

Freight rates seen as unlikely to recover much
RECOVERING container volumes are improving the outlook for shipping lines, but may not be enough to sustain a rebound in freight rates badly needed by the lines, according to Saloman Smith Barney.
Tougher anti-piracy solutions sought
ExxonMobil to sell cheaper, heavier grade bunker fuel
China gears up to modernise logistics infrastructure

Air and Land Transport

Airlines facing most serious challenge ever: analyst
GLOBAL aviation faces its biggest challenge yet with several airlines in a precarious financial situation and at risk of folding, an industry expert said yesterday.
Ansett sale fails and it teeterson brink of collapse again
US, HK officials in fresh talks on more air services
Narita may open more business jet slots
Auckland Airport set for healthy H1
Hainan Air buys 3 Gulfstream jets

Features

Thinking global to stay ahead
IIN his three years at SembCorp Logistics Ltd, chief executive officer Koh Soo Keong increased its share value fourfold, tied up with Kuehne & Nagel International AG, Europe's largest sea-freight company and is poised to expand in Japan by buying a freight operator there.

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AADA reduces bunker surcharge Preussag to acquire remaining Hapag-Lloyd AG shares TSK consolidates intra-Asia box transportation with NYK New EVP joins AP Moller Miller moves to establish managing agency ACL names Robert O'Leary Bimco supports IMO initiatives Singapore and China expand air services SN Brussels Airlines launches flights to Africa Gulfstream wins $60 million order from Hainan Airlines

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Miele customer of Exel Fox and Lew leave Ansett-deal UPS optimistic about result FAA urged to stop war insurance S&P positive about BA

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INSA seeks separate Coastal Shipping Act Focus on quality of Indian shipping, safety aspects Provisional anti-dumping duty on pentaerythritol imports mooted Concor to provide track & trace facility for containers Air cargo hubs vital to raise throughput, says sub-group's report Industry, trade see redeeming features in Rly Budget 10 PSUs to be divested by March 31; 18 more lined up IMC Managing Committee office-bearers Netcore seminar to provide mailing solutions on March 2

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Iraqi oil sales slightly down last week Some short term congestion in Gibraltar and the Canaries DOE report gives crude new boost Firmer market in Piraeus Chile market report Crude futures surge ahead of fundamentals, APIs quite supportive Prices from Russian ports ExxonMobil offers 500 Cst fuel grade in Singapore Posted price changes in Jeddah and Dammam Morning report from Marine Bunkering

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Schubert testifies on port security U.S. Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert, yesterday gave details on how grants to upgrade seaport security are to be awarded. EC approves Spanish "tonnage tax" The European Commission decided to approve the Spanish tonnage tax scheme. Bergesen in final negotiations on LNG-contract Norway's Bergesen has reached a preliminary agreement with Nigeria LNG Limited for the employment of four LNG-carriers EMFF offers 500 cSt heavy fuel in Singapore In response to customer demand, ExxonMobil Marine Fuels (EMMF) is now able to supply a heavier grade of bunker fuel at the port of Singapore GE power for Italian carrier GE Marine Engines' LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines and main reduction gears have been selected for use aboard the Italian Navy's new Andrea Doria aircraft carrier

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Port of Seattle names Kenneth Lyles Fishermen's Terminal general manager The New World Alliance shakes up Asia/Europe services Coast Guard ceremomy will close Black History Month in Seattle Pair of executives resign from Crowley acquisition Hamburg Sud puts newbuild into Inter-American service

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Shipping severely hit by gales Shipping along the North Sea coasts was again severely hit by gales exceeding force 12 over the past few days. The car carrier Golden Fan, which was bound for the inner port of Bremerhaven, had to be berthed at the Columbuskaje due to the strong storm. During the berthing manoeuvre, which was assisted by the tugs Weser and Jade, the aft line broke. A third tug of Unterweser-Reederei had to be immediately deployed to berth the Golden Fan after a difficult turning manoeuvre was carried out on the Weser. Picture: Ralf Witthohn Bergesen lands $2bn LNG deal Bergesen has clinched one of the most valuable shipping contracts in the history of the industry with a deal to supply four new liquefied natural gas carriers to Nigeria LNG for more than 20 years. Daewoo planning 6m share buy-back Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has announced a share buy-back of 6m shares, riding the wave of an orderbook now swollen with 20 LNG vessels. Former Renaissance vessels near charter Cruiseinvest said yesterday it was in the final stages of negotiations on charters for four of the six former Renaissance Cruises vessels it has laid up in the port of Marseilles.

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Inspected to death USCG seeks ballast water changes Princess stock upgraded USCG beefs up military training Pakistan encourages Afghan trade Vostochny dips into oil Port fee cut helps Sovcomflot Cyprus takes on SAR Moscoso gets earful on registry Bergesen in Nigeria LNG deal Korean boxes on the move again KMY in the money Beijing to decide Gwadar Port design Incat to receive state loan Adsteam adds to US portfolio Indian budget threat to ore exports Korean builders brace for challenge HHI spin-off on March 1 Kværner plans return to Oslo Aker Finnyards begins cutbacks Sovcomflot moves Caspian oil Hearing wanted on accident canal

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Schubert: Marad pushing box pre-screening, port worker ID cards The Marad chief told a Senate subcommittee that his agency is moving ahead with its seaport security plans. FMC probing Fla. tug franchises The agency has ordered a hearing into whether a Florida port violated federal shipping law by granting exclusive rights for tug services. Port Everglades offers dock fee discounts Changes at Crowley Maritime Corp. unit Nucor chief boosts steel import curbs HUAL, Cosco in China ro-ro agreement Pier 1 will build Savannah distribution hub Chesapeake canal still closed after Mon. collision Descartes loss widens, names new co-CEO LTV asset sale near: Report Port of Aden receives fifth crane UPS Logistics Group to manage U.S. supply chain for M'lnlycke Health Care Pakistan surcharge cut again

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Liaison Seine-Nord: le projet s’enlise La situation dans le dossier de la liaison Seine-Nord, qui doit permettre de relier le bassin de la Seine au grand réseau fluvial européen via l’Escaut et la Lys, est assez sombre. Le choix du tracé (fuseau) n’est toujours pas déterminé. De même, la décision de lancer les études d’avant-projet n’a pas encore été prise. Ce second point est le plus inquiétant, car c’est de lui que dépend la crédibilité des déclarations du gouvernement français quant à la volonté d’engager le projet d’une façon irréversible. Simon Transportation obtient la protection du Chapitre 11 Dick Simon Transportation, un des plus grands transporteurs routiers américains de charges complètes, a déposé le bilan lundi dernier et a demandé la protection du “Chapitre 11” (qu’il a obtenu) pour tenter de sortir de la grave crise financière qu’il traverse. Pour ce faire, il procédera à la vente d’une grande partie de son équipement. A l’issue du plan de redressement, son parc devrait avoir été réduit de 40% à 1.500 tracteurs et 2.200 semi-remorques. Il licenciera une même proportion de personnel. Dans les milieux du transport routier aux Etats-Unis, on se demande quel est le rôle de Jerry Moyes, le patron de Swift Transportation, dans cette affaire. Il avait pris le contrôle de Simon en octobre dernier. Rouen veut développer davantage le cabotage Quand on parle du port de Rouen, on ne peut s’empêcher de faire un rapprochement avec Anvers et Hambourg, étant donné qu’il s’agit d’un centre maritime d’hinterland dépendant d’un grand fleuve, la Seine, et proche des marchés, en l’occurrence le grand bassin parisien. Au fil des années Rouen est devenu une grande plate-forme logistique où se cotoient tous les modes de transport, de même qu’y sont pratiquées toutes les disciplines inhérentes à la manipulation de tous les types de fret, car il s ‘agit d’un port multivalent. Sa localisation à l’intérieur des terres lui assurant par rapport aux ports côtiers un certain avantage en matière de coût de transport, le maritime étant de 20 à 30% moins cher que le transport terrestre, ce port français entend mettre cette situation à profit pour développer davantage la cabotage. Le bénéfice net de NS a baissé de 44% Les résultats de NS ont sensiblement baissé l’année dernière. Le bénéfice net généré par les activités opérationnelles normales a régressé de 44% à 88 mio. d’EUR. Le bénéfice d’exploitation a quant à lui diminué de 162 mio. d’EUR en 2000 à 38 mio. d’EUR l’année dernière. Le CA a affiché 2,4 mia. d’EUR, contre 2,5 mia. d’EUR en 2000. La qualité et la prestation de services ont continué à régresser l’année dernière. La direction de NS avait décidé à la mi-2001 de privilégier les projets visant une amélioration de la qualité de base, programmes qui se poursuivent d’ailleurs cette année. Les efforts de qualité devraient encore peser longtemps sur le résultat d’exploitation.

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FEBRUARY 27, 2002
Minoan Lines slides to first ever loss Greek ferry company hit by interest payments following delivery of five newbuildings. Vessel additions boost Gulfmark's net income The Houston-based supply ship owner raised its 2001 net income to $22.2m from $7.9m. Ailing giant brings down Loki Norwegian owner of world's largest tanker, Jahre Viking, cut losses in 2001, but freight rates dwindled. MISC returns shrink Malaysia International Shipping Corp remains upbeat on improvement in face of current market. Ten hauls in the cash Soon-to-be-stocklisted Tsakos Energy Navigation sees income jump, as revenues start to slip. Crowley appoints new MTC head Rockwell Smith has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of MTC. Chinese bulker missing near Japan The vessel manned by 19 Chinese crew members was carrying 6,300 tonnes of minerals to Japan. Masa-Yards in the money Norway's Kvaerner may have lost a fortune last year, but its Finnish yards performed well. Bergesen wraps up $710m NLNG deal Norwegian owner ups LNG newbuilding tally to seven but may seek partners. Another bulker bites the dust at Precious Thai owner trims fleet further by selling 1977-built ship for scrap. Cruise stock outlook seen improving P&O Princess shares are upgraded to a Buy rating, based on its valuation as a standalone company. Adsteam boosts net profits The $256.46m acquisition of Howard Smith's towage business doubles the size of Adsteam. Huge loss for Kvaerner Disastrous year confirmed for Norwegian group, but boss Helge Lund wants to look ahead. Missing crewmen presumed dead in Maryland Search for four missing crewmen from the sunken tugboat Swift was called off Monday evening. Exchange losses clobber RCL Weaker Thai currency robbed boxship owner Regional Container Lines of a profit in 2001. Neorion income inches higher Greek shipyard saw its returns improve in a turnaround on the previous year's figures. Gotland profits soar Product tankers and vessel sales push up returns for Swedish owner. NYK cape first to use larger Aussie port Newly opened capesize iron ore export facility at Esperence Port set to receive first visitor. Tankers lift profits at Algoma Strong fourth quarter boosts full-year figures at Canada's largest Great Lakes shipowner.