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Shipping News

Full recovery expected for S'pore cruise sector in '04
STRONGER than expected growth in the fourth quarter has softened the triple blows that Sars, the Iraq war and terrorism fears inflicted on Singapore's cruise industry, and a full recovery is expected next year.
Boom time forecast for Aussie cruise market
AUSTRALIA'S cruising sector is riding a wave of optimism as cruise lines amend their schedules and send new tonnage Down Under to cater for surging demand in this market.
All out to woo cruise lines
WITH economic impact studies showing that each cruise vessel injects A$1 million into the economy, port managers, commercial developers and marketing groups like Australia's cruise marketing association Cruise Down Under are doing all they can to encourage shipping lines to include Australia in their itineraries.
Asian export trades forecast to remain stable
ENJOYING strong container cargo movements on the transpacific trade, Asian shipowners anticipate that a stable supply-demand balance in Asian export trades can be maintained for a few years.
Hydrofoil catches fire, sinks in Mediterranean
A hydrofoil carrying passengers from the Mediterranean island of Capri to mainland Italy caught fire and sank on Sunday, without injury or loss of life among those on board, Italian port officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Virgin Blue shares end debut session 8% higher
VIRGIN Blue Holdings Ltd's shares rose 8 per cent in their debut on optimism the discount Australian airline founded by Richard Branson will fend off a challenge from Qantas Airways new low-cost carrier.
Qatar offers US$2.5b of contracts for new airport
Emirates picks US firms for US$1.5b engine order
ANA hasn't ruled out buying A380
Thomas Cook may get fund injection from owners
Incheon airport handles more passengers

Features

Hijack threat worries air cargo pilots
THE warning weeks ago was swift and simple: terrorists are considering using cargo aircraft - freighters that carry mostly boxes instead of people - as weapons.

web site

Shipping News

Full recovery expected for S'pore cruise sector in '04
STRONGER than expected growth in the fourth quarter has softened the triple blows that Sars, the Iraq war and terrorism fears inflicted on Singapore's cruise industry, and a full recovery is expected next year.
Boom time forecast for Aussie cruise market
AUSTRALIA'S cruising sector is riding a wave of optimism as cruise lines amend their schedules and send new tonnage Down Under to cater for surging demand in this market.
All out to woo cruise lines
WITH economic impact studies showing that each cruise vessel injects A$1 million into the economy, port managers, commercial developers and marketing groups like Australia's cruise marketing association Cruise Down Under are doing all they can to encourage shipping lines to include Australia in their itineraries.
Asian export trades forecast to remain stable
ENJOYING strong container cargo movements on the transpacific trade, Asian shipowners anticipate that a stable supply-demand balance in Asian export trades can be maintained for a few years.
Hydrofoil catches fire, sinks in Mediterranean
A hydrofoil carrying passengers from the Mediterranean island of Capri to mainland Italy caught fire and sank on Sunday, without injury or loss of life among those on board, Italian port officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Virgin Blue shares end debut session 8% higher
VIRGIN Blue Holdings Ltd's shares rose 8 per cent in their debut on optimism the discount Australian airline founded by Richard Branson will fend off a challenge from Qantas Airways new low-cost carrier.
Qatar offers US$2.5b of contracts for new airport
Emirates picks US firms for US$1.5b engine order
ANA hasn't ruled out buying A380
Thomas Cook may get fund injection from owners
Incheon airport handles more passengers

Features

Hijack threat worries air cargo pilots
THE warning weeks ago was swift and simple: terrorists are considering using cargo aircraft - freighters that carry mostly boxes instead of people - as weapons.

web site

Shipping News

Full recovery expected for S'pore cruise sector in '04
STRONGER than expected growth in the fourth quarter has softened the triple blows that Sars, the Iraq war and terrorism fears inflicted on Singapore's cruise industry, and a full recovery is expected next year.
Boom time forecast for Aussie cruise market
AUSTRALIA'S cruising sector is riding a wave of optimism as cruise lines amend their schedules and send new tonnage Down Under to cater for surging demand in this market.
All out to woo cruise lines
WITH economic impact studies showing that each cruise vessel injects A$1 million into the economy, port managers, commercial developers and marketing groups like Australia's cruise marketing association Cruise Down Under are doing all they can to encourage shipping lines to include Australia in their itineraries.
Asian export trades forecast to remain stable
ENJOYING strong container cargo movements on the transpacific trade, Asian shipowners anticipate that a stable supply-demand balance in Asian export trades can be maintained for a few years.
Hydrofoil catches fire, sinks in Mediterranean
A hydrofoil carrying passengers from the Mediterranean island of Capri to mainland Italy caught fire and sank on Sunday, without injury or loss of life among those on board, Italian port officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Virgin Blue shares end debut session 8% higher
VIRGIN Blue Holdings Ltd's shares rose 8 per cent in their debut on optimism the discount Australian airline founded by Richard Branson will fend off a challenge from Qantas Airways new low-cost carrier.
Qatar offers US$2.5b of contracts for new airport
Emirates picks US firms for US$1.5b engine order
ANA hasn't ruled out buying A380
Thomas Cook may get fund injection from owners
Incheon airport handles more passengers

Features

Hijack threat worries air cargo pilots
THE warning weeks ago was swift and simple: terrorists are considering using cargo aircraft - freighters that carry mostly boxes instead of people - as weapons.

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Northeast Asia port race heating up China-built container vessel wins silver award Malaysian ports to use EDI system by April South Korea, Algeria to sign shipping pact Portland poised to break cargo throughput record Sichuan Airlines orders four A319s Air Canada revises outsourcing agreement with IBM Global freight traffic growth slows in October

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IPBCC to hike RRIs for westbound traffic from East Coast of India Norasia Line commences direct calls at Mundra (MICT) Sinha inaugurates Mumbai International Cruise Terminal ICMF seeks import duty cut on cotton from 10 pc to 5 pc Imports of Chinese silk fabrics go up to 3,290 m tonnes EU stops giving duty rebate on imports of cheap basmati Canada considering meeting part of Indian demand for edible oils Handmade paper & allied products' exports up Indian fruits behind unprecedented popularity of Oman juice brand Fieo to meet Exim Bank, ECGC officials today The Tiger comes a-calling at JN Port Vizag Port set to scale new target in cargo handling Cochin Port to be a key hub in Kerala's growth: expert 7 more iron ore exporters to use Vizag Port CONCOR, VCTPL partnership to benefit ex-im trade Forex reserves surged by $ 1,710 million to cross $ 95-billion mark ECGC to settle claims faster Steel firms seek to meet demand in Asia, Europe RBI extends more facilities, eases norms for exporters Norms relaxed for direct investment abroad Central official meets representatives of export bodies on LatAm initiatives Customs delay in issuing NOCs leads to piling up of confiscated goods at Major Ports Forex reserves nearing $ 100-bn mark Workshop on EDI today BCHAA concludes 5-day training programme

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Houston: Prices rebound with crude after soft Friday market US East Coast snow fall sends oil prices up After a fairly solid correction down on Friday as some speculators took profit in the wake of OPEC's no-change decision, prices surged today as the snowstorm brought US winter heating oil demand sharply into focus. Gibraltar numbers fall off in quiet market Istanbul winds drop - as do indications Sri Lanka: New refinery and power plant approved? Rotterdam a little softer amid barge tightness Erika-style tanker sets off on same route with same cargo The fact that a tanker similar to the Prestige, with a similar load and similar route, can still navigate legally in international waters is a joke," Spain's Ministry of Development said. It was referring to the 23-24 years old single-hull tanker Geroi Sevastopolya, which is taking a cargo of fuel oil from the Baltic port of Ventspils to Singapore.

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Swiss: Oliver Evans becomes new Head of Passenger Sales Top box carriers in Fos 2XL bids LH Cargo raises its fuel surcharge on December 18 CN acquires freight operations of BC Rail Clecat grows and grows... Yellow-Roadway out of the starting blocks

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
"Sleipner" captain convicted Numast attacks de Palacio Competitition authority gives clean bill to DFDS

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Crowley subsidiary launches new articulated tug-barge Washington Ecology Department to present oil spill prevention award EPIC 3 shippers to add Mundra call to service Matson Integrated Logistics completes purchase of TTS Union Pacific/Ferromex service runs from Los Angeles to Mexico

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UK High Court blow to 'ghost ship' demolition THE Environment Agency's decision to allow four already-docked ships from the so-called US 'ghost fleet' to be dismantled at Hartlepool 'cannot stand', a top judge at London's High Court said yesterday. P&O Ports reshuffles staff and axes two posts at top level FAST-growing P&O Ports is reshuffling senior personnel and establishing an executive management board in what is seen in industry circles as an internal power struggle.

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Able UK suffers blow in High Court THE High Court in London has upheld the UK Environment Agency's decision to revoke the waste management licence needed by Able UK to dismantle MarAd's ghost ships Concorde raises short-sea stakes A NEW weekly container service linking the UK east coast ports of Teesport and Grangemouth with Antwerp has been launched by Concorde Container Line January launch for Clarkson ro-ros THE Clarkson plc-backed Channel Freight Ferries service linking Southampton and Radicatel, near Rouen, France is due to commence operation on 19 January Cellpap loses struggle for survival CELLPAP, the port facility operator in Kiel, Germany, filed for insolvency today following the loss of three ro-ro services French keen to take Tunisian yard COMPAGNIE Marseille R'paration (CMR), the French ship repair specialist, says it is interested in taking over the ailing Tunisian state-owned yard Menzel Bourguiba UK awaits finance policy statement UK shipping is bracing itself for Chancellor (finance minister) Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement on Wednesday Blazing hydrofoil abandoned Irish renaissance brings jobs Grimaldi Genoa drops job loss plan Negros to answer each discrepancy Pacific to lead HMM growth in 2004 Massive fleet expansion for K Line Malta workers attack chief exec Asia smugglers using merchant ships Singapore responds to competition Iron ore exports clog up Chennai

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
U.S., China sign maritime treaty Sweeping agreement calls for "historic reform" that will open ocean markets and expand trade between the two countries. KLM bumps capacity to pre-Sept. 11 levels Airline plans increases of 5-10 percent on long-haul routes next year. South China Seas tops piracy report International Maritime Organization report says ships most vulnerable at anchor or while berthed. Asian owners demand antipiracy action Exel names Moebel U.S. chief Matson unit buys 3PL Portland nearing box record Georgia Ports Authority OKs Savannah box project Ceres taps ex-P&O marketing VP Massport to develop waterfront APM Terminals, Shanghai in operator deal Nehru to select box terminal operator FedEx announces rate increases

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Antwerp attempts to appease 'disappointed' Maersk Operators of the new Deurganckdok terminal will have to achieve 45% capacity at their terminals on Antwerp's left bank if they are not to cede space to Maersk Sealand. Derailed Betuwe budget threatens state terms on second Maasvlakte New trade deal will give US/China trade a boost Alameda Corridor pledges support for extended gate hours Texas Bayport development advances another stage towards approval Hamburg Sud takes over sales of Kien Hung Line services HPC implements port security checks for Antigua

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Jo Tankers dirty since 1998, feds say Conspiracy in full swing when Van Westenbrugge joined. Jail for Jo Tankers chief Rick van Westenbrugge to serve three months inside for price fixing. Vopak closes more sales Reaps EUR 80m from disposals. Greens cheer court's red light UK judge throws out Able license for four 'ghost ships.' Cold weather, hot stocks General Maritime leads raging bulls on Wall Street. Ireland targets shipping growth Emerald isle wants to attract the Evergreens of the shipping world. Fisher hauls in $32m tanker deal UK owner lines up ten-year sale and charterback for Korean newbuilding resale. Stelmar seals sale and charter back Greek owner releases cash from aframaxes to pursue expansion in core handysize and panamax sectors. Savas Xiros convicted of N17 crimes Murderer of Costis Peraticos is found guilty at Greek terror trial. Rates rise between Asia and New Zealand Six container lines to boost prices by $250 per teu from 1 April next year. Latvian to sell panamax trio Disposal of expensively acquired former Tsakos tankers to fund Riga owner's fleet renewal. PNSC in strong shape Pakistan national owner increases profits as it expands tanker fleet. Another Angelakis ship held Elderly Anbros Maritime bulker detained over 27 deficiencies. Indonesia's piracy problem gets worse Gun toting pirates fast making South East Asian nation's waters a no go zone for shipping. HMM looking to drive up volumes Extra transpacific ship for Korean owner could help boost its box traffic by 7% overall next year. Workers attack Malta yard chief Malta Shipyards boss Peter Moore beaten as feelings run high over disputed allowance. Geroi Sevastopolya sets sail Novoship single-skinned tanker leaves Latvia despite protests from European Commission. Ro-ro loses cargo off Cuba Four containers confirmed lost as Seaboard Marine's Seaboard Voyager hits rough weather in Caribbean. Aussie sheep ship sales for Middle East Livestock shipment leaves for Kuwait two weeks later than scheduled after being given all clear.

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DECEMBER 8, 2003
Tasman Orient enhances Asia/Oceania services MOL sees container supply/demand balance until 2006 Hamburg Sud brings agency work in-house New Zhuhai-Hong Kong container barge service Coast Guard will not review security plans for non-U.S. ships Lufthansa offers cargo management for passenger airlines Expansion of motor carrier rate bureau concerns shipper group Yellow sets exchange ratio for Roadway shares CLARIFICATION: IANA not directly involved in working group FCS offers Air AMS filing capability U.S. Customs issues final rule for advance cargo data Rep. Markey seeks answers on ABC News' depleted uranium shipment State Department to hold UNCITRAL forum Jan. 9 Veneman: U.S. agricultural exports to boost farmer incomes in 2004 APHIS PPQ inspectors get allowance pay for work travel in Hawaii Army Corps issues favorable decision on Houston port expansion plan Dubai Ports secures first port contract in Europe