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Shipping News

'Historic' forum for seafarer wages formed
AN international bargaining forum has been put in place to negotiate the wages of seamen on open register ships.
More compensation for oil spill victims soon
ADDITIONAL compensation for victims of tanker oil spills is set to be made available when the International Maritime Organisation adds a third tier to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund this week.
Korean truckers threaten to paralyse Busan
SOUTH Korean truckers threatened yesterday to paralyse cargo flows at the country's biggest port as their strike entered a sixth day, but officials said help from the army was keeping the port functioning.
Cosco Pacific to spend US$200m on containers
COSCO Pacific, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, plans to spend about US$200 million this year to buy as many as 130,000 standard- size container boxes, financial controller Francis Li said yesterday.
Shanghai port handles record boxes
THE Port Authority of Shanghai has reported that the biggest port on the Chinese mainland handled a record 912,000 TEUs in April, up 35 per cent year on year.
RCL to buy 2 new ships from Mitsubishi
THAILAND's Regional Container Lines said yesterday it would buy two new vessels from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd for US$60 million to expand business in North Asia, India and Australia.
Collision causes oil spill in Busan
A police patrol ship spreading an emulsifier on the sea covered with fuel oil near the port of Pusan, about 450km south-east of Seoul.

Air and Land Transport

Air France posts 98m euro loss, better outlook seen
AIR France SA, Europe's second-biggest airline, had a 98 million-euro fiscal fourth-quarter net loss after pilots strikes, the Iraq war and the spread of a deadly pneumonia reduced air traffic while the carrier took steps to retire its Concorde supersonic planes.
Cathay Pacific may seek capital injection
Discount carrier jetBlue plans to fly to 3 more cities
Lufthansa expects to fly into the red
Air Zimbabwe has limited fuel supply

Newbuilds

Bulletin Board
Leading global supply chain services provider APL Logistics , has appointed Vincent F Gulisano to the position of senior vice-president of global sales, marketing and solutions engineering, based in its Oakland, California headquarters.'Having completed our regional senior management reorganization, we are set to meet our extended global needs with the appointment of Vin Gulisano to this important position,' said APLL chief Hans Hickler.

web site

Shipping News

'Historic' forum for seafarer wages formed
AN international bargaining forum has been put in place to negotiate the wages of seamen on open register ships.
More compensation for oil spill victims soon
ADDITIONAL compensation for victims of tanker oil spills is set to be made available when the International Maritime Organisation adds a third tier to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund this week.
Korean truckers threaten to paralyse Busan
SOUTH Korean truckers threatened yesterday to paralyse cargo flows at the country's biggest port as their strike entered a sixth day, but officials said help from the army was keeping the port functioning.
Cosco Pacific to spend US$200m on containers
COSCO Pacific, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, plans to spend about US$200 million this year to buy as many as 130,000 standard- size container boxes, financial controller Francis Li said yesterday.
Shanghai port handles record boxes
THE Port Authority of Shanghai has reported that the biggest port on the Chinese mainland handled a record 912,000 TEUs in April, up 35 per cent year on year.
RCL to buy 2 new ships from Mitsubishi
THAILAND's Regional Container Lines said yesterday it would buy two new vessels from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd for US$60 million to expand business in North Asia, India and Australia.
Collision causes oil spill in Busan
A police patrol ship spreading an emulsifier on the sea covered with fuel oil near the port of Pusan, about 450km south-east of Seoul.

Air and Land Transport

Air France posts 98m euro loss, better outlook seen
AIR France SA, Europe's second-biggest airline, had a 98 million-euro fiscal fourth-quarter net loss after pilots strikes, the Iraq war and the spread of a deadly pneumonia reduced air traffic while the carrier took steps to retire its Concorde supersonic planes.
Cathay Pacific may seek capital injection
Discount carrier jetBlue plans to fly to 3 more cities
Lufthansa expects to fly into the red
Air Zimbabwe has limited fuel supply

Newbuilds

Bulletin Board
Leading global supply chain services provider APL Logistics , has appointed Vincent F Gulisano to the position of senior vice-president of global sales, marketing and solutions engineering, based in its Oakland, California headquarters.'Having completed our regional senior management reorganization, we are set to meet our extended global needs with the appointment of Vin Gulisano to this important position,' said APLL chief Hans Hickler.

web site

Shipping News

'Historic' forum for seafarer wages formed
AN international bargaining forum has been put in place to negotiate the wages of seamen on open register ships.
More compensation for oil spill victims soon
ADDITIONAL compensation for victims of tanker oil spills is set to be made available when the International Maritime Organisation adds a third tier to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund this week.
Korean truckers threaten to paralyse Busan
SOUTH Korean truckers threatened yesterday to paralyse cargo flows at the country's biggest port as their strike entered a sixth day, but officials said help from the army was keeping the port functioning.
Cosco Pacific to spend US$200m on containers
COSCO Pacific, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, plans to spend about US$200 million this year to buy as many as 130,000 standard- size container boxes, financial controller Francis Li said yesterday.
Shanghai port handles record boxes
THE Port Authority of Shanghai has reported that the biggest port on the Chinese mainland handled a record 912,000 TEUs in April, up 35 per cent year on year.
RCL to buy 2 new ships from Mitsubishi
THAILAND's Regional Container Lines said yesterday it would buy two new vessels from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd for US$60 million to expand business in North Asia, India and Australia.
Collision causes oil spill in Busan
A police patrol ship spreading an emulsifier on the sea covered with fuel oil near the port of Pusan, about 450km south-east of Seoul.

Air and Land Transport

Air France posts 98m euro loss, better outlook seen
AIR France SA, Europe's second-biggest airline, had a 98 million-euro fiscal fourth-quarter net loss after pilots strikes, the Iraq war and the spread of a deadly pneumonia reduced air traffic while the carrier took steps to retire its Concorde supersonic planes.
Cathay Pacific may seek capital injection
Discount carrier jetBlue plans to fly to 3 more cities
Lufthansa expects to fly into the red
Air Zimbabwe has limited fuel supply

Newbuilds

Bulletin Board
Leading global supply chain services provider APL Logistics , has appointed Vincent F Gulisano to the position of senior vice-president of global sales, marketing and solutions engineering, based in its Oakland, California headquarters.'Having completed our regional senior management reorganization, we are set to meet our extended global needs with the appointment of Vin Gulisano to this important position,' said APLL chief Hans Hickler.

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Korean truck strike heats up as police, army called upon in Pusan Latest Maersk Sealand vessel launched off Norway HIT receives two new cranes ahead of opening of CT9 Lloyd Triestino offers first service to US Hapag-Lloyd posts US$232m operating profit in 2002 U-Freight opens logistics centre in Dubai Rick Kessler becomes head of Horizon Services China Southern flies cows from New York to Guangdong SAS Group to centralise maintenance operation Air Methods reports net loss in first quarter Kitty Hawk begins new service from Buffalo

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UAE imposes 15-day advance notice for Indian ships' entry m.v. 'Wan Hai 262' calls at Tuticorin Port: SRX Service Karnataka pharma industry sees export boom Farm exports up by 17 pc TAMP directive to introduce hourly berth hire rates from June 1 - Move to arm Major Ports for competitive edge Seahorse Group's BCT bags 'Area Depot of Year 2002' ChPT invites EoIs to develop cruise terminal Deepest-draughted vessel berthed safely at Mumbai Port Shatrughan assures early decision on port workers' bonus issue GMB-run ports handle record 84.12 m tonnes cargo in 2002-03 Conware CFS sell-off talks making headway Passengers to pay ADF for Hyderabad airport project 75 items from SSI sector to be dereserved Inflation declines to 6.14 pc IIP study finds 5.8 pc growth in industrial output in 2002-03 TUFS coverage extended to NSIC's hire purchase scheme Govt to withdraw BIS norms for jute bags above 50 kg CBEC chief: Educate assessees Stress on India-Pakistan-Bangla axis to give region economic clout

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MAY 14, 2003
Soft trend does nothing to spur demand on US East Coast Oil major studying impact of change in Platts price assessment US Gulf: Drastic price drops bolster demand Daily Bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents US crude stock down on higher refinery runs and lower imports Premiums wiped out of Singapore bunker market as prices fall Piraeus indications slip back amid increased demand New Saudi posted prices Korea: Bunker spill after tanker collision off Busan All India port strike announced for May 21, 2003 SARS and strikes depress Korea's flagging market Weekly African market report from GAC Rotterdam continues bullish trend EMMF warns that fuel sulphur cap alternatives must be developed

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MAY 14, 2003
MBO at Bargelink GeoPost and DPD show good results for 2002 TSA and DoT to secure transport of dangerous goods All Nippon Airways records net loss in 2002 Container vessel capacity has increased by 100% in six years CEO of Dachser retires

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MAY 14, 2003
Paris MOU closes in on substandard shipping EU approves French tonnage tax VLCC rates soar after terror attack

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MAY 14, 2003
VT Halter Marine gets ferry contract VT Halter Marine Inc., has been selected by the Puerto Rico Port Authority (PRPA) to design and build a $2.8 million sea-going 272 passenger ferry. NORSHIPCO buys Metro's Old Dominion Floating dock to be moved to NORSHIPCO Fuel sulfur cap proposals pose hazards EMFF warns of dangers in present EC proposals

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MAY 14, 2003
Port of Olympia expands rail service with new Tri-City and Olympia short-line Schnitzer president announces pair of management changes Lewis and Clark encampment re-created at Chittenden Locks Spokane International Airport will soon offer nonstop Maui flights Command of Coast Guard cutter changes during Astoria ceremony

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Ex-Alstom chairman Bilger charged with misusing funds FORMER Alstom group chairman Pierre Bilger (above) has been charged with misuse of corporate funds and placed under judicial control for his role in the payment of a FFrs5m ($5.5m) commission on a construction project carried out by the group in 1994. Do not let terror stop trade warns Bimco's Everard THE world has changed irrevocably since September 11, Bimco president Michael Everard told a conference in London yesterday, writes David Osler. Spain to sue ABS for $5bn over Prestige THE Spanish government was poised yesterday afternoon to file a $5bn suit in the federal court in New York against ABS, alleging that the classification society's "negligent, reckless, wilful and wanton conduct" led directly to the loss of the Prestige and the massive environmental damage that followed. O'Neil urges IMO flag power THE International Maritime Organisation should have the authority to make sure that flag states really do implement conventions properly, secretary-general William O'Neil told a London audience yesterday. VLCC rates double as demand soars TANKER rates are back on the up and demand is rising with very large crude carriers leading the charge, writes Martyn Wingrove.

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MAY 14, 2003
Indian owners want higher depreciation Congestion charge for Kuwait/UAE Seafarers' card calls on US WTSA lines set new minimum rates UK Customs boost 'dirty bomb' protection Sea Containers hit by weak Silja US hosts first Prestige claim Honeymoon cruise death probe Iran, India sign LNG deal Shipyards strike for shorter hours Hapag Lloyd sets its goals EU plans oppose MARPOL, warns ICS P&O Ports opening at Mundra EC again blames Korea on order fall Liner lobby tests the water MOL and Oman sign support deal Busan fights oil spill Aqaba disruption avoided Korean strike spreads to Ulsan port

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MAY 14, 2003
Proposal budgets $247B for highways Bill's provisions shifts funding, would allow states to use their Surface Transportation Programs to support publicly-owned intermodal freight facilities. Intel shipping via ocean to cut costs The chip maker has been using ocean freight as part of a broader move to cut transport costs, an executive said. Cargo spurs Air France profits Air freight outperformed passenger business over the past year. Westbound fruit market ripe for rate hikes Lufthansa loss widens to $477 million GRI for Canada lines Hartigan: Integres on growth track Troops readied to break Busan strike Africa-Europe lines upgrade vessels Frankfurt air cargo drives profits Arms, explosives seized at U.S.-Canada border Pakistan port raises box charges Hapag-Lloyd profit falls

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MAY 14, 2003
Zim 'pays high price' for reduced China/Australia capacity COZ outcast Zim is likely to have paid a high price for the China/Australia slots it has secured with COSCO, after being unable to finalise deals with several carriers. US Customs, NVOCCs to remedy 24-hour rule confusion New Brussels liner lobby outlines priorities South Africa: SAPO confirms suspension of Thursday strike New S.Africa strike talks reveal knife-edge labour relations Mixed messages as charter market closes on yr2000 high Busan truck strike spreads to new S.Korea port Grand Alliance set to announce new China links New SAECS agreement clears way for fleet uprgade Surging Itajai volumes prompt fresh capacity investment

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MAY 14, 2003
Carnival latest under labour spotlight Board rejects AFL-CIO pressure to switch incorporation from Panama to US. TMM takes it down to the wire Mexican transportation group extends deadline to bondholders one last time. Dickinson picks up Carnival CEO title Cruise line head honcho adds second role. Silja drags down Sea Containers Treble trouble for Finnish ferry group helps push parent into the red. Ships upsized on South Africa boxship route SAECS to boost capacity with panamax containership newbuildings. Russia eyes nuke subs as tankers All hands to the pumps in effort to boost lucratative crude exports. Korean yards come under fresh fire EU shipbuilders want LNG carrier price dumping investigation. Oman moves ahead with shipowning New contract gives Mitsui OSK Lines lead role in Gulf state shipping. Exchange losses dent RCL's profit Regional Container Lines expects "moderate" rate upswing later this year. K Line inks Hyundai options Japanese owner takes panamax boxship tally at South Korean yard to eight. MHI turns in a profit Cruiseship newbuilding fire cost company $112m. Lee takes helm at Korean Register Ex-civil servant has been appointed new president and chairman of classification society. Hong Kong hauls in 25 SARS epidemic has not prevented authorities from cracking down on sub-standard shipping. Star restores some Singapore sailings After a month-long drydocking the SuperStar Aries will begin Malaysia-bound cruises. VT Halter Marine inks ferry deal ST Engineering's US yard buy starts to pay off as it makes further inroads into regional market. Cosco makes SARS donation China giant contributes to fund for domestic medical workers battling killer virus. Zim and Lloyd Triestino start AUX service Israeli and Italian container line's new Far East-Americas service makes maiden US call.

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MAY 14, 2003
Rice departs P&O Board, Group Sultanate of Oman completes contract with MOL Correction: Hapag-Lloyd Group may sell part of VTG-Lehnkering AMC-MEBA form joint labor-management partnership Maersk Sealand amends transpacific services "K" Line orders another three 4,013-teu ships EC approves French tonnage tax regime Lykes adds Florida/Caribbean link Pacific carriers to reverse fall in U.S.-to-Asia rates on fruit Europe/South Africa carriers to deploy 4,300-teu ships CCNI, Maruba, Lykes submit pacific cooperation to FMC House Subcommittee approves air-cargo security enhancements bill FAA bill sets aip entitlement increase for cargo airports LTL carriers better positioned to frame 2008 labor negotiations U.S. tax breaks proposed for highway, freight transfer stations Wesccon 2003 slated for Oct. 30-Nov. 2 FMC considers 14 OTI applications, revokes two licenses Census plans to continue phase-out of AES filing option 3 Three times increases shareholding in ABX Logistics (Australia) Brazil disputes Florida tax on processed orange, grapefruit imports House bill promotes lifting Cuba travel ban for U.S. businesses WTO to determine Canadian softwood lumber's threat to U.S. producers Agriculture exporters applaud Bash's case against EU Congressional support sought for FTAA Olympia port signs agreement with Short Line Panama Canal Authority clarifies 96-hour pre-arrival rule