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Crewman shot dead by pirates off Aceh
A pirate attack turned deadly in the northern Malacca Straits off the war-torn Indonesian province of Aceh last week when a 27-year old Philippine crewman was shot dead by armed pirates.
Bangladesh tightens steps to curb piracy
PORT authorities in Bangladesh are talking tough on the issue of piracy, saying that if it is allowed to continue unchecked the country might become a 'major criminal zone' like the Malacca Strait, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Philippine yard plans to double capacity
THE Philippine's largest shipbuilder, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc, reported that it was investing an additional US$170 million for the construction of a second slipway at its Balamban yard in the central Philippine island of Cebu.
China Merchants a hot favourite
CONTAINER throughput in Shenzhen's three main terminals is expected to surpass that in Hong Kong's Kwai Chung in 2005 as more shippers in the Pearl River Delta shift to the closer and cheaper Shenzhen ports.
Terror attack is worst nightmare for US ports
MILITANTS ship a nuclear bomb into a United States port and ravage an entire city.
Heavy turnover
A life preserver lies on the ice in the Hudson River near the stern of the Dutch ship Stellamare after the vessel overturned at the Port of Albany in Albany, New York, on Tuesday.

Air and Land Transport

FAA to run air traffic control like a business
THE Federal Aviation Administration and the union representing air traffic controllers signed a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that includes reforms to make the agency function more like a business.
United close to exit financing deal: sources
Vietnam Airlines to start direct daily flights to US
Log Book

Newbuilds

Japanese ship owners plan for major retonnaging
OWNERS appear to have been rushing to book ships as the backlog for larger vessels extends into 2006 and 2007.

web site

Shipping News

Crewman shot dead by pirates off Aceh
A pirate attack turned deadly in the northern Malacca Straits off the war-torn Indonesian province of Aceh last week when a 27-year old Philippine crewman was shot dead by armed pirates.
Bangladesh tightens steps to curb piracy
PORT authorities in Bangladesh are talking tough on the issue of piracy, saying that if it is allowed to continue unchecked the country might become a 'major criminal zone' like the Malacca Strait, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Philippine yard plans to double capacity
THE Philippine's largest shipbuilder, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc, reported that it was investing an additional US$170 million for the construction of a second slipway at its Balamban yard in the central Philippine island of Cebu.
China Merchants a hot favourite
CONTAINER throughput in Shenzhen's three main terminals is expected to surpass that in Hong Kong's Kwai Chung in 2005 as more shippers in the Pearl River Delta shift to the closer and cheaper Shenzhen ports.
Terror attack is worst nightmare for US ports
MILITANTS ship a nuclear bomb into a United States port and ravage an entire city.
Heavy turnover
A life preserver lies on the ice in the Hudson River near the stern of the Dutch ship Stellamare after the vessel overturned at the Port of Albany in Albany, New York, on Tuesday.

Air and Land Transport

FAA to run air traffic control like a business
THE Federal Aviation Administration and the union representing air traffic controllers signed a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that includes reforms to make the agency function more like a business.
United close to exit financing deal: sources
Vietnam Airlines to start direct daily flights to US
Log Book

Newbuilds

Japanese ship owners plan for major retonnaging
OWNERS appear to have been rushing to book ships as the backlog for larger vessels extends into 2006 and 2007.

web site

Shipping News

Crewman shot dead by pirates off Aceh
A pirate attack turned deadly in the northern Malacca Straits off the war-torn Indonesian province of Aceh last week when a 27-year old Philippine crewman was shot dead by armed pirates.
Bangladesh tightens steps to curb piracy
PORT authorities in Bangladesh are talking tough on the issue of piracy, saying that if it is allowed to continue unchecked the country might become a 'major criminal zone' like the Malacca Strait, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Philippine yard plans to double capacity
THE Philippine's largest shipbuilder, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc, reported that it was investing an additional US$170 million for the construction of a second slipway at its Balamban yard in the central Philippine island of Cebu.
China Merchants a hot favourite
CONTAINER throughput in Shenzhen's three main terminals is expected to surpass that in Hong Kong's Kwai Chung in 2005 as more shippers in the Pearl River Delta shift to the closer and cheaper Shenzhen ports.
Terror attack is worst nightmare for US ports
MILITANTS ship a nuclear bomb into a United States port and ravage an entire city.
Heavy turnover
A life preserver lies on the ice in the Hudson River near the stern of the Dutch ship Stellamare after the vessel overturned at the Port of Albany in Albany, New York, on Tuesday.

Air and Land Transport

FAA to run air traffic control like a business
THE Federal Aviation Administration and the union representing air traffic controllers signed a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that includes reforms to make the agency function more like a business.
United close to exit financing deal: sources
Vietnam Airlines to start direct daily flights to US
Log Book

Newbuilds

Japanese ship owners plan for major retonnaging
OWNERS appear to have been rushing to book ships as the backlog for larger vessels extends into 2006 and 2007.

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China, US sign bilateral maritime agreement Hong Kong re-exports to Taiwan up sharply in October Rickmers-Linie appoints Nagel as US president and CEO Accord to adopt logistics solution from Inttra Kuehne and Nagel to manage logistics operations for Matador China Southern forms subsidiaries, nears full merger Korea Post and TPG sign MOU Exel, M&M extend partnership to Central Asia Singapore to start budget airline

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Rickmers New Orleans christened EU to oppose Indian trade curbs at WTO EU move on use of chemicals worries India Karnataka plans to develop ports with private funds ChPT signs deal with oil cos for spill control Vizag Port proves to be best performer in cargo handling during April-Oct. Involvement vital for EDI in ports: Expert Mumbai Port scales new high in bulk cargo handling efficiency Import norms under advance licence & EPCG schemes relaxed Tyre exporters to get DEPB benefit on per kilogramme basis Centre plans more SEZs Customs introduces business process re-engineering to simplify procedures New President and CEO of Rickmers-Linie America

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
ARA: Barge shortages and product surplus in volatile market ARA distillate prices have been on more of a rising trend over the past week, even the past 2 weeks, than is the case for fuel oil. We are also seeing barge congestion building up to an extent that is causing concern, with some suppliers now fully booked almost all the way through to Christmas. Crude rally peters out as product build outweighs crude draw Despite huge crude inventory draws showed in the latest weekly US inventory reports, the rally in crude prices seen early on petered out as traders cited hefty stock builds for gasoline and even heating oil in the data. Crude prices rally on big stock draw and cold weather Because the US draw in crude stocks is so much bigger than anticipated by the market, crude prices look well supported to rise further both on the back of the DOE/API inventory reports and the cold weather forecast that looks set to keep oil demand in the US strong for the next 2 weeks. Piraeus sentiment still on the soft side New physical supplier launched in Piraeus Al Petroil SA today announced that the company has entered the Piraeus bunkering scene as a physical supplier, operating its own fleet of bunker barges. Korean numbers get an edge as indications come off Rotterdam market edges up again Saudi posted price changes and market update

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European Cargo Services: New Director Marketing & Sales European/South Pacific & Magellan Freight Conference peak season surcharge Emirates opens new office in Mecca Trans-o-Flex outsources to subcontractors New Zealand shipping industry in decline? France: Local and regional road user charges? Updates to Roadway's Shipping Forms Library

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
Chinese breakers offer record prices Aker Finnyards to convert "Finnjet" Norwegian rig to drill off Cuba

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
New Chairman for IMO Council Venezuela's Captain Luis Diaz-Monclus gets job Teekay welcomes tougher tanker rules But takes charges on its single hull tankers Three missing in heavy lift ship tragedy Incident in Albany

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
Port of Portland holding transportation plan meeting today Washington Public Ports Association taps Tacoma, Lopez as top ports for year EPIC 3 shippers to add Mundra call to service Seattle Port Commissioner named WPPA president for 2004 Panama Canal Authority releases final metrics for 2003

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Three of Stellamare crew missing HOPES were fading last night for three crew members of a Netherlands Antilles-registered vessel which capsized in the US port of Albany on Tuesday. Brown fights shy of pre-budget tax shake-up THE UK maritime community took heart from the government's pre-budget statement which failed to deliver feared measures against wealthy foreigners, including shipowners, or changes to UK tax leasing, an important source of ship finance. Tanker demand to soar as rapid growth boosts oil output GLOBAL oil production is soaring with demand hitting new annual highs based on the world's rapid economic recovery and sizzling Chinese industrial growth. Shipping opens up to Islamic investors SHIP finance boutique Tufton Oceanic is teaming up with the Dubai Islamic Bank in what it believes to be the first Islamic shipping investment company.

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
No change to UK taxation - yet LONDON shipping circles breathed a sigh of relief this afternoon in reaction to the UK Chancellor's pre-Budget report SeaFrance cancels day's sailings FRENCH ferry operator SeaFrance has advised passengers that all sailings on 11 December have been cancelled Fifth Fleet charts new strategy THE US Fifth Fleet is to be used to bring stability and predictability to the Middle East, while regulating development in co-operation with the merchant shipping sector Salvage experts assess Stellamare INVESTIGATIONS have begun to find the cause of the capsize yesterday of the Jumbo Shipping heavy lift vessel Stellamare Cruise terminal planned for Mombasa KENYA Ports Authority has appointed the UK consultancy group Symonds to develop a cruise terminal planned for Mombasa American agents find a voice THE InterAmerican Association of Shipping Agents (Cianam) has been set up to represent the interests of shipping agents in the Americas Peters yard cuts jobs despite work Philippines tackles crew lawsuits French fishermen blockade ports Umm Qasr alternative touted Forth ports look to logistics Nine held over passenger murder Aqaba keeps WFP on board London Greeks back on side FEFC targets huge hike in rates APL welcomes US-China agreement

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
Ports get $179M in security funding But officials again take Washington to task over 'underfunded' security requirements after ports requested $987 million. Boost for Lufthansa, Air France Carriers posted volume gains in November on stronger Asia-Pacific demand. Rate hikes for USSEC lines OSHA extends tandem lift comment deadline European ports facing blockades China pledges streamlined logistics policies Norfolk Southern budgets intermodal upgrades St. Lawrence Seaway sets winter closing Alex Bilanow, ex-JoC reporter, dies Records for Hong Kong air-cargo handler Israeli union will ease job actions Zim places reefer order

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
Submit security plans or face fines USCG warns terminals US terminal operators that have not filed facility security plans by the end of the year may be fined, the US Coast Guard (USCG) warned yesterday. Soar away charter market set to break records in 2004 Howe Robinson expects its charter index to soar to record highs over the next year as a favourable supply and demand balance in most sectors plays into owner's hands. Coscon plans second China/Europe string Malaysian hauliers halt rebates, citing a price-war Dominican Republic shipping shake-up India-EU talks aim to double trade in five years K Line president sees no end in sight to bull market Panama Canal panamaxes-out on container-shipping Westbound Atlantic rates rise on expected 4%-5% volume increase

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
Teekay retreats from all-time high Tanker stock down slightly after $55.12 sets eight-year record. Moller pencils in VLCC newbuilding trio China wins another export client for large tankers. Well grounded Ektank vessel survives second incident in four years Search continues for three missing in Hudson No sign of overloading aboard Stellamare, Coast Guard says. Foreign owners breathe easier - for now UK chancellor Gordon Brown stalls on tax changes that could scare off London's overseas shipowners. Norden makes it six at GSI Danish owner adds two more products tankers to orderbook at Chinese yard. North-Western slumps to bigger loss Russian owner's cargo volumes decline in first three quarters, hurting earnings. Sempra Energy buying Indonesia gas US company firms up gas and terminal interests but still has to decide on shipping arrangements. Sovcomflot still on the rise Russian owner sees profits soar in first three quarters as it prepares for LNG tender. Fishermen disrupt Calais ferries P&O and SeaFrance cancel sailings because of blockade in French port. New Islamic finance shipping fund kicks off Dubai Islamic Bank is teaming up with Tufton Oceanic Finance Group. Chinese breakers offer record prices But have yet to find tonnage to pay out on. US ferry firm invites newbuilding bids Seattle-based Washington State Ferries asks shipbuilders to submit bids for four large ro-pax ships. Nine held after ferry murder Seven passengers and two crew detained after Israeli man's throat slit onboard SCI-managed ship. Finnyards seals Silja conversion Shipbuilder confirms deal to upgrade Finnish owner's ro-pax for EUR 10m. Birla backs shipping sector Indian investment fund makes Great Eastern its top share, and builds stake in SCI. Teekay faces $50m phase-out bill Aframax giant details cost of IMO's decision to accelerate the mandatory scrapping of single-hull tankers. Miller gets Carter Departure of Dex chief sparks speculation over future of hull insurer. Crew missing as Jumbo ship lists Three feared dead after shifting cargo sends Dutch heavy lift vessel over on its side in Hudson River.

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DECEMBER 10, 2003
"K" Line to expand fleet to 500 ships Maersk Sealand adds features to booking system Zim orders reefer containers Rickmers-Linie America appoints Nagel CEO New multi-purpose ship for Rickmers-Linie European Commission welcomes IMO tanker decision BLE moves under Teamsters umbrella Edison to head CN's BC Rail integration Transportation journalist Bilanow dies UTi reports higher profits, revenues for August-October House passes bill delaying origin labeling for meats, produce Commerce to continue monitoring steel imports Exel tests RFID tags for Selfridges Panama Canal Authority fiscal year sees improved tonnage, revenue