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Shipping News

US worked with IMO on maritime security measures
THE International Maritime Organisation has credited the US Coast Guard with initiating many of its new global security enhancements, rejecting earlier speculation that the United Nations agency had been bullied into its recent clampdown by the United States.
Sembawang yard wins $34m deal
SEMBAWANG Shipyard has clinched another major conversion contract, this time a $34 million job to outfit and commission a pipe-laying barge for Consolidated Projects Ltd.
PSA's throughput volumes down in Jan
OVERALL container volumes handled by PSA Corporation were pulled down by its overseas operations, dropping 7 per cent in January to 2.11 million TEUs from December, according to the global terminal operator's latest throughput figures.
Seamen escape from pirates
SIX Georgian sailors held hostage by pirates in Somalia for more than six months made a daring escape on Sunday and are now headed for the Yemeni coast, reporters in Tbilisi said.
Romanian port reopens
ROMANIA reopened its main Black Sea port of Constanta on Sunday, after having closed it the previous day because of strong winds, officials said.

Air and Land Transport

An Iraq war could derail aviation recovery: Iata
WAR with Iraq could scuttle the slow recovery of the aviation industry and will have a more devastating impact than the Gulf War did a decade ago, according to the International Air Transport Association .
Asia Pacific shines in midst of gloom
Indon carrier Garuda reports pilots to police over strike threat
Aeroflot's new logo will not have hammer and sickle
Air NZ to stop Sydney-LA service at end-April

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Shipping News

US worked with IMO on maritime security measures
THE International Maritime Organisation has credited the US Coast Guard with initiating many of its new global security enhancements, rejecting earlier speculation that the United Nations agency had been bullied into its recent clampdown by the United States.
Sembawang yard wins $34m deal
SEMBAWANG Shipyard has clinched another major conversion contract, this time a $34 million job to outfit and commission a pipe-laying barge for Consolidated Projects Ltd.
PSA's throughput volumes down in Jan
OVERALL container volumes handled by PSA Corporation were pulled down by its overseas operations, dropping 7 per cent in January to 2.11 million TEUs from December, according to the global terminal operator's latest throughput figures.
Seamen escape from pirates
SIX Georgian sailors held hostage by pirates in Somalia for more than six months made a daring escape on Sunday and are now headed for the Yemeni coast, reporters in Tbilisi said.
Romanian port reopens
ROMANIA reopened its main Black Sea port of Constanta on Sunday, after having closed it the previous day because of strong winds, officials said.

Air and Land Transport

An Iraq war could derail aviation recovery: Iata
WAR with Iraq could scuttle the slow recovery of the aviation industry and will have a more devastating impact than the Gulf War did a decade ago, according to the International Air Transport Association .
Asia Pacific shines in midst of gloom
Indon carrier Garuda reports pilots to police over strike threat
Aeroflot's new logo will not have hammer and sickle
Air NZ to stop Sydney-LA service at end-April

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FEFC member lines to make BAF, eastbound rate changes Teamsters, freight companies reach tentative agreement Pacer International reports 2002 net revenues up 5.6pc Lykes Lines adds San Juan to Med - WC North America service Kuehne & Nagel expands capacity in Duisburg Thailand has thirst for clean Krones products Air Canada posts unaudited loss of CAN$218m in 2002 CAPEC appoints Ira Wolf as first executive director Yemenia set to adopt Fastrac accounting solution

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Eurotunnel profit rise in 2002 Operating profit for the year 2002 of Eurotunnel was £194 million ($317 million), against a restated £188 million the previous year and the underlying loss was trimmed to £105 million from £147 million. Air Canada separates cargo unit Air Canada is to turn its cargo operation, employing 1,700 people, into a separate subsidiary. Bad times for Swiss Swiss International Air Lines Ltd is looking at reducing its regional fleet to try to break even this year after losing passengers as unemployment rises in Europe. Better result BA, but fear for 2003 British Airways PLC delivered a better-than-expected third-quarter profit today and boosted its cash position but said it sees no revenue improvement over the next 12 months. Teamsters deal with top truckers Corp., Roadway Corp. and other top truckers struck a tentative labour deal covering 65,000 workers that banishes a cloud over unionized carriers.

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Bidders for SCI invited to 4th round of due diligence Maersk Sealand to divide Asia into 4 business units - Move for closer interaction & focus on specific markets Soyameal exports up 26 pc India, 16 others contest EU, US dumping charges Drugs, pharma exports up by 26 pc in April-Oct. '02 Toy exports may total Rs 170 cr. this year IETF nets orders worth $ 15.23 m Garment exports set to exceed Rs 26,000 cr. Mormugao Port sets new coal discharge record US Customs advance manifest rule may cover air cargo too Forex reserves surged by $ 805 million to $ 73,205 million Inflation spurts to 4.6 pc Govt to launch Focus CIS programme to boost exports CEOs seek sweeping reforms in infrastructure sector Govt revises procedures for importing quota products from Nepal Forex reserves swell by $ 378 m. Govt likely to increase excise duty exemption limit for SSIs Govt's 'inconsistent' policies upset trade, stall grains export Commercial credit offtake surges Assocham seeks amendment of Cenvat credit rules Maharashtra to have 7 SEZs, says Minister Govt approves Rs 17 cr. for apparel parks IMC organises interactive meet with Slovenian business/govt team on Feb. 24 Narayana Murthy, Nilekani named 'Asia's Businessmen of the Year 2003'

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Poll: Small lead for small conferences Algeria: Bunkers now available ex-pipe at Arzew NITC's war experience Paper surge pushes Singapore and Fujairah to new heights Colombia: Covenas crude flow interrupted Acushnet remains aground African market update Crude at new highs as winter bites amid war jitters Rotterdam firms strongly with crude this morning

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Volvo returns to the black Lombardy files a complaint against RFI for abuse of monopoly Third web-based portal, Air Cargo Exchange in the making U.S. air cargo increased in 2002 Launch of Air China Cargo Airlines

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
"Acushnet" still aground Stena buys shares in Prosafe Finnlines tender for three ro-paxes

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
EC gives green light for Carnival Princess DLC From a competition point of view, the DLC is "not materially different from the previous Carnival bid" approved last July. Deepwater program gets rolling A massive program to rebuild the U.S. Coast Guard has gotten underway with a decommissioning ceremony at Bollinger.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Portland Shipping Club names Heuerman 'Old Salt' Seattle included as location for Federal Maritime Commission seminar Corps extends closure period for small lock in Ballard Coast Guard warns of new security zones to protect passenger vessels in Puget Sound Heightened security level prompts Portland Airport vehicle searches

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Cruise Ships: It's Boom Time for Mombasa

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China Shipbuilding pulls off fresh boxship order coup CONTAINER lines' dash for new tonnage showed no sign of abating as Taiwan's China Shipbuilding Corp unveiled a $225m order coup and Hanjin Heavy Industries revealed tantalising details of a mega-boxship deal yesterday. France, Spain and Portugal turn up the heat in fight against single hulls THE European Union's maritime safety hawks - Spain, France and Portugal - have once again urged fellow member states to back strict measures on single-hull tankers at a forthcoming summit next month. Lloyd's scoffs at Silverstein's bid for WTC double claim LLOYD'S has ridiculed arguments that the destruction of the World Trade Center was more than one event. Magnus switches out of reefers A CLEAR-out of ageing reefer tonnage by Athens-based Magnus Carriers looks like paving the way for the company to concentrate on tankers, writes Nigel Lowry. Brussels clears Carnival to take over Princess THE European Commission gave the green light yesterday for the merger between P&O Princess and Carnival after examining the deal for a second time.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
US will accept security statements USCG reveals security position Study reveals unregulated flags Banana boss threatens rebels Sacked Venezuelan officers in limbo US wants Straits security control Terror alert prompts patrols El Paso may retain Energy Bridge Prestige marchers seek resignations Dutch see red over Tricolor oil SembCorp still seeks MidEast yard Hooghly Dock to be sold or closed CNAN-CMA CGM talks fall through Channel Islands link to resume Upbeat forecast for Thames terminal Iraq war will hit Korean LPG supply Unions not to press for pay hikes PSA Corp eyes Colombo terminal

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Lines won't get planned eastbound trans-Pacific rate hikes: Analyst Shippers should expect moderately higher freight rates this year, but less than the 50 percent increase carriers have proposed, according to an industry analyst. Cargo helps British Airways to profit But Europe's largest airline warned of stagnant revenues in the current year. Supertanker rates sink Rates have tumbled 30 percent in the past week, but shipowners are gambling they will soon bounce back as charterers rush to lift cargoes ahead of possible military action against Iraq. New Korea president vows regional hub push UPS furloughs pilots Peter Lambos, longshore attorney, dies FMC cancels meeting Emery Forwarding changing name FedEx tabs Puerto Rico/Carib chief Lykes gets two new ships Air France pilots set new strike Gamma-ray scanner installed at Baltimore Coscon offering India LCL

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
US Ports short-changed by Government initiatives Kurt Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has criticised the US Government for the 'abdication' of its financial responsibilities to US ports. TS Lines links Japan and China Portlink extends Iberian coverage E-venture unites Australian terminal operators SCI bidders start due diligence checks today Fremantle's rail shift target on track EWATA and TACA set new rates and surcharges

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
F.R.O.B. rule spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E New security rules on cargo manifests could force lines to change service rotations. Fredriksen wins Welsh whelk war Shellfish processor loses $1m Sea Empress tanker spill appeal. Stelmar snaps up Target tanker resales US-listed owner rumoured to be splashing out $174m on six newbuildings. Excess capacity hits Finnlines profit Recession and intense competition takes a toll but outlook for this year better. One down, three to go at Trasmed Spanish owner offloads one older ferry, but still has three for sale. Russia to discuss ice tankers with EU Foreign ministers move to take the heat out of suezmax tanker row. EWATA hikes box prices Europe to West Africa container group adds EUR 350 per teu from April. Incat heading for safety Australian ferry builder to move out of receivership this week, Tasmanian Treasurer David Crean says. Shipowner splashes out on maps Wilhelm Wilhelmsen invests $260,000 in hydrographic company. Precious ready to clear the decks Thai bulker owner aiming to rid itself of debts by 2005. North of England funds set for growth Rating agency S&P retains positive view of fast growing Tyneside P&I club. SembCorp Marine profits in competitive climate Repair work slides but company upbeat on 2003 market prospects. Refloat effort fails for B+H tanker But managers say hull intact and more cargo will be lightered. Costs curtail WG&A Philippine ferry operator posts lower profits for 2002 as expenses rise faster than revenues. ASRY upbeat on 2002 results Regional fears insufficient to dent performance levels at Bahrain-based ship repair yard. Volumes slip at Prisco Russian owner's tankers shipped less oil last year, as domestic coastal business shrank. Revenues rise at Groupe Bourbon French bulker and supply ship operator adds 10% to 2002 sales. John Koo inks MR newbuildings Orient Steamship founder wastes little time in expanding fleet with orders for up to two 35,000-dwt tankers. Sinotrans IPO expected to raise $436m Chinese transport group poised for Thursday listing with shares priced at HKD2.19 each.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Homeland security raises scrutiny for containers, ships Mitsui buys stake in Docenave's cabotage arm FMC sets up regional information meetings Europe/West Africa carriers raise rates Portlink starts Med/U.K. service IATA says freight traffic increased 6.5% in 2002 Consolidators international contracts with Fedex for ground shipments UPS begins conversion of mail boxes etc. franchises UP, NS expand expedited service to Mexico, U.S. West Coast Swift transportation improves bottom line CN train overturns in Southern Illinois; track closed indefinitely North American railroads halt explosives shipments CNF renames Emery Forwarding NCBFAA secures ruling on forwarder compensation H.K. forwarder says many NVOCCs are not linked into AMS USDA considers easing limits on certain wheat imports ITC requests industry input for HTS changes Developing countries face difficulties meeting cargo security Syntegra, Hewlett Packard link up for airport systems in China Report: Sinotrans' public offering to raise $436 million Panama canal says transit time drops