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Shipping News

Row over Bangladesh waiver for foreign ships takes new turn
MAINLINE operators have warned the Bangladesh garment industry - worth an estimated US$7 billion annually - that restrictions on foreign flagged feeder vessels will have an impact on this vital industry.
Two Iraqi vessels may pose threat to commercial shipping
COALITION naval forces in the Arabian Gulf are hunting for two Iraqi vessels they say may be planting mines or other explosives, posing a threat to military and commercial shipping alike.
Cosco Investment sees higher profit this year
COSCO Investment Ltd, a unit of China's largest shipping company, expects 2003 profit to rise from the previous year because of a gain in freight rates and contributions from its ship-repair unit.
France creates new ecological zone off coast
ALARMED by a series of oil tanker disasters, France has created a new maritime ecological zone in the Mediterranean, one that reaches up to 90 miles from its coast, to clamp down on pollution from shipping.

Air and Land Transport

Asia still counting tourism toll of viral outbreak
ASIA's travel and tourism industry is suffering a bad hit as the region continues to be ravaged by Sars, the deadly pneumonia virus.
Draft Qantas-Air NZ ruling due this week
Lufthansa Cargo doesn't expect sales growth
easyJet sees wider H1 loss on Easter timing, fare cuts
AMR unions face stark choice on concessions
Log Book

Features

No govt handouts a blessing in disguise
AAIRLINES are suffering all over, from the slump in travel brought on by the war in Iraq and now by worries about the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

web site

Shipping News

Row over Bangladesh waiver for foreign ships takes new turn
MAINLINE operators have warned the Bangladesh garment industry - worth an estimated US$7 billion annually - that restrictions on foreign flagged feeder vessels will have an impact on this vital industry.
Two Iraqi vessels may pose threat to commercial shipping
COALITION naval forces in the Arabian Gulf are hunting for two Iraqi vessels they say may be planting mines or other explosives, posing a threat to military and commercial shipping alike.
Cosco Investment sees higher profit this year
COSCO Investment Ltd, a unit of China's largest shipping company, expects 2003 profit to rise from the previous year because of a gain in freight rates and contributions from its ship-repair unit.
France creates new ecological zone off coast
ALARMED by a series of oil tanker disasters, France has created a new maritime ecological zone in the Mediterranean, one that reaches up to 90 miles from its coast, to clamp down on pollution from shipping.

Air and Land Transport

Asia still counting tourism toll of viral outbreak
ASIA's travel and tourism industry is suffering a bad hit as the region continues to be ravaged by Sars, the deadly pneumonia virus.
Draft Qantas-Air NZ ruling due this week
Lufthansa Cargo doesn't expect sales growth
easyJet sees wider H1 loss on Easter timing, fare cuts
AMR unions face stark choice on concessions
Log Book

Features

No govt handouts a blessing in disguise
AAIRLINES are suffering all over, from the slump in travel brought on by the war in Iraq and now by worries about the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

web site

Shipping News

Row over Bangladesh waiver for foreign ships takes new turn
MAINLINE operators have warned the Bangladesh garment industry - worth an estimated US$7 billion annually - that restrictions on foreign flagged feeder vessels will have an impact on this vital industry.
Two Iraqi vessels may pose threat to commercial shipping
COALITION naval forces in the Arabian Gulf are hunting for two Iraqi vessels they say may be planting mines or other explosives, posing a threat to military and commercial shipping alike.
Cosco Investment sees higher profit this year
COSCO Investment Ltd, a unit of China's largest shipping company, expects 2003 profit to rise from the previous year because of a gain in freight rates and contributions from its ship-repair unit.
France creates new ecological zone off coast
ALARMED by a series of oil tanker disasters, France has created a new maritime ecological zone in the Mediterranean, one that reaches up to 90 miles from its coast, to clamp down on pollution from shipping.

Air and Land Transport

Asia still counting tourism toll of viral outbreak
ASIA's travel and tourism industry is suffering a bad hit as the region continues to be ravaged by Sars, the deadly pneumonia virus.
Draft Qantas-Air NZ ruling due this week
Lufthansa Cargo doesn't expect sales growth
easyJet sees wider H1 loss on Easter timing, fare cuts
AMR unions face stark choice on concessions
Log Book

Features

No govt handouts a blessing in disguise
AAIRLINES are suffering all over, from the slump in travel brought on by the war in Iraq and now by worries about the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

	web site

Logscouncil sets deadline for submission of DTTN proposals Singapore demands health declarations from cargo ships Westport volume grows by 18 per cent in the first quarter Columbia Coastal promotes Joseph Villa to VP operations Safmarine opens representative office in Bulgaria Lufthansa Cargo reports record profits in 2002 Martinair Cargo to lower fuel surcharge later this week UPS launches Exchange Collect AA Cargo offers new service in South America

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Maersk Logistics recognised as "Best Logistics Service Provider-Sea Freight" in Asia MOL launches green ship ECU-Line's services to Walvis Bay Richard Keller named European GM by U-Freight Laem Chabang tender given to P&O Ports-led group FS Mackenzie launches new daily service to UK from Spain P&O Nedlloyd installs Digitrace Kalmar bags significant orders for application-based terminal tractors Kuehne & Nagel operating profit up by 15.6 pc in 2002 MISC's LNG carriers on long-term charters Seamaster-Seastar launching India-Europe consolidation services GAC gets massive UN food aid contract - ...to handle UN chartered vessels moving aid to Iraq Large fire claims cost shipping insurers $ 20 m a year 6-fold rise in rubber exports Exports to China will total $ 10 bn in 2 years: CII Cochin Port earns Rs 14.08 cr. profit in 2002-03 CoPT may extend deadline for Vallarpadam bidders Heavy vehicle operators' strike hits movement of cargo to/from ports Forex reserves dipped by $ 97 million to $ 73,821 million Move to allow import of coir fibre duty-free Foreign Trade Analysis: Current Policy & Procedures NRK Overseas (India) wins state govt's export award for readymade garments (SSI) EU, Asean agree on removing trade barriers

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APRIL 7, 2003
OPEC proposes emergency meeting to discuss cuts Crude plummets as 'victory discount' grows, recovers on OPEC Post-war weakness and hedging opportunities anticipated Daily bunker market from Praxis Energy Agents New addition to Glander International Weather worries as prices weaken in the Baltic Singapore sheds more value in quiet market European gasoil and IFOs follow suit as crude plummets again Rotterdam market falls, suppliers keen to sell

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APRIL 7, 2003
New Schenker logistics facility in Malaysia opening soon DB, SNCF and SBB propose relief for the Basel hub Frankfurt airport offers more freighter connections Commercial trade in the war region Turkish Airlines has a new chairman

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APRIL 7, 2003
Sohmen takes control of Bergesen d.y. EU tanker exclusion zones GAC appointed for Iraq aid co-ordination

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APRIL 7, 2003
First fuel cell sub on maiden voyage U 31 starts sea trials Coalition nabs suspected minelayer Suspect pilot boat "no longer a threat" Sohmen Pao family set to acquire Bergesen Norway's largest shipping company, Bergesen d.y. ASA announced today that its two controlling shareholders, cousins Morten Bergesen and Petter Sundt, had accepted a cash offer to sell their stakes

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APRIL 7, 2003
Coast Guard issues information on procedure for reporting SARS US lumber consumption breaks records during 2002 Fourth Stories of the Sea contest is scheduled for Thursday in Seattle Port of Olympia commissioners eye amendments to comprehensive plan Portland of Portland welcomes new car carrier on maiden voyage call

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Sohmen splashes out with bid for Bergesen HONG Kong shipping dynasty the Sohmen family yesterday made their much-anticipated bid to take full control of Norwegian blue-chip shipping group Bergesen with an offer worth around $1.4bn for outstanding shares. Oslo views sale as bad news for Norway NORWAY'S shipping community was united yesterday in viewing the sale of Bergesen as bad news for the country's vital maritime cluster, writes Jerry Frank and Sam Chambers Singapore and Malaysian ports start screening all arriving crews for Sars BOTH Singapore and Malaysian ports have started screening arriving seafarers for the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus, while the Panama Canal Authority and leading shipmanager Eurasia have also introduced emergency precautions.

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APRIL 7, 2003
Smugglers' loopholes plugged Hawaii competition to heat up Mixed views on Bergesen buy-out SARS: cruise lines plan for safety Genoa port safety under fire Jessica owner suffers another blow P&O Ned switches to Cagliari Corsica's Bastia to be enlarged SARS: Gard issues guidelines Americas strike at Strike Club Repsol to extract Prestige oil Lobby analyst Gambito resigns SARS: Pakistan prepares Cruising 'dangerously exposed' MSC raises Marseilles profile Szczecin cut off after collision SARS: Korea to start inspections Singapore steps up bunker checks Gulf: Iran re-opens war zone ports SARS: Singapore tightens checks Gulf: Kuwait, Khor Fakkan tie knot Gulf: Umm Qasr plans on hold Miami arrest over fake crew letters Gulf: shipyards see post-war bonanza Agency subsidiary boosts CSAV US firm on flag preference laws Sohmen takes control of Bergesen

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APRIL 7, 2003
Fight goes on While a senior U.S. Customs official was telling traders that new security measures aren't choking the flow of trade, Canada said it would implement its own version of the 24-hour advance manifest filing rule for ocean shipments. Airborne deal faces tough battle Deutsche Post's proposed acquisition by DHL unit will receive intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Containership boom gathering pace on growing demand for capacity Charter market rallies as shipowners seek additional tonnage to handle rising exports from China and southeast Asia to Europe and the United States. Continental suspends Hong Kong service Malaysia's Westport off to strong start Lufthansa cuts fuel surcharge Bill proposes rail infrastructure funding Hatsu Marine to add 7th vessel American Airlines expands ExpediteFS Polar Air Cargo names Italy partner CaroTrans opens direct Chile service Columbia Coastal Transport names ops VP NYC terminal to get on-dock rail

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APRIL 7, 2003
PONL's Cagliari partnership seeks to consolidate GA's W.Med volumes P&O Nedlloyd (PONL) is hoping to consolidate the Grand Alliance's western Mediterranean transhipment operations from Gioia Tauro to Cagliari, after becoming, with Contship Italia, majority shareholder in the terminal. Port security funding failures enrage frustrated Hollings Democratic attempts to secure US$1 billion for maritime security have failed, while Republicans have entered the fray with a supplemental appropriations bill that provides $40 million in security grants. Customs promises full consultation on 24-hour rule rollout Poor trade fair attendance threatens HK's H2 cargo volumes S.California's February throughput falters POP's sets mid-May deadline for first Mundra vessels New products boost Switzerland's BLS Cargo

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APRIL 7, 2003
Bergesen mourned in Washington Intertanko delegates see passing of a Norwegian institution. Sohmen-Pao talks of "romantic affair" Cousins tried to buyout Bergesen in January but decided to sell instead. Meet the Sohmens TradeWinds takes a look at the World-Wide dynasty bidding for Bergesen. Intertanko sees largest yearly growth Tanker group stresses chemical sector as Washington event begins. HUBLine eyes Bangkok-Brunei link Malaysian boxship owner planning to tap into potential of Muara Container Terminal. Leif Hoegh LNG carrier suffers engine problems Twenty-nine-year-old Hoegh Galleon to be towed into Spanish repair yard. Haakon Petersen to take over at Bergesen Chairman Morten Sig Bergesen says $1.14bn price tag is "fair and reasonable." NOL tanker held in Canada Anchor trouble blots copybook of new American Eagle Tankers VLCC at Point Tupper. Sohmen makes his move on Bergesen Cousins Petter Sundt and Morten Sig Bergesen sell out their stock. Charter costs crush IM Skaugen Norwegian tanker operator paid top dollar to secure scarce tonnage in first quarter. Tranz Rail on the slide Shares plunge as New Zealand rail and ferry group fails to meet expectations in third quarter. Hong Kong detentions soar Over sixty ships have been detained in the first quarter of 2003, a six-fold increase on last year. Actinor rescue offer Kristian Eidesvik to buy ships to help fund $50m payout to bondholders. Brighter outlook at Cosco Investment Singapore bulker owner expects boost from higher freight rates and new shiprepair businesses this year. Allies hunt suspected Iraqi minelayer Coalition forces in the Persian Gulf are searching for a tug that could mine the vital waterway. Oman names LNG yard finalists Gas carrier king Daewoo misses out as Japanese joint venture and two Korean yards make shortlist.

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APRIL 7, 2003
Columbia Coastal names Villa VP of operations Bimco produces new ore, grain charter parties Canadian conferences to raise Atlantic reefer rates Landrieu leads charge to put Iraqi-bound aid on U.S.-flag ships NIT League surveys shippers to probe carriers' Pacific negotiations Wan Hai predicts growth in revenues World-Wide Shipping bids for tanker, bulk rival Bergesen STB schedules rail rate hearing Local rail projects left behind U.S. Customs works to speed online access to rulings U.S. Customs offers update on audit program U.S. Customs stops capturing security on CF 28 forms U.S. Customs, NVOs, carriers agree on AMS fixes Otis decry proposed FDA rules for imported food Advance manifest data leads U.S. Customs to seize shipments Somerfield, Everest pick Exel for U.K. distribution Virginia apple growers receive antitrust exemption for certain exports UPS rebrands mail boxes etc. Bonner affirms COAC's importance, but future role to be determined U.S. Customs: trade wins in reorganization of border security agencies U.S. Court of international trade won't spur customs on HMT refunds U.S. Customs ready to ramp up C-TPAT validation program Canada adopts 24-hour advance cargo notification rule Blaze extinguished on car carrier in English channel Environmental impact review begins for proposed port Pelican Port PSA advises staff against traveling to SARS areas