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Shipping News

Electronic box security to become industry standard
THERE is no urgent container security threat but the push to apply electronic security will soon make it a de facto industry standard as the technology becomes cheaper, according to a senior data services executive.
Europe's biggest waterway junction opens in Germany
EUROPE's largest waterway junction has opened in this eastern German city after six years under construction, with a giant canal bridge as its centrepiece linking east and west.
PTP's phase 2 expansion on track
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas is on track with its second phase expansion, which will boost its annual handling capacity to about 6 million TEUs by mid-2004.
Two ships sink off China
TWO cargo ships have sunk in separate incidents in a strait off China's northeast coast, leaving 44 people missing, a state newspaper reported.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ says new plan will save NZ$245m a year
AIR New Zealand unveiled yesterday a wide ranging strategic plan it said would help it compete in the cut-throat world of aviation, increase savings and reduce staff levels.
Delta seen posting 10th straight loss in Q3
Thailand raises overseas ownership limit in airlines
AirAsia leases 2 more aircraft
BA buys four slots at Heathrow from United
Sydney Airport lifts jet fuel supply restrictions

Strait Talk

ITF fights battles with clever choice of words
WHEN a union activist, without a by-your-leave from anybody, hops aboard a ship flying the flag of country operating an open register and proceeds to tell the crew the contract they signed of their own free will is exploitative and that they should be paid more, the chances are an International Transport Workers' Federation press release will appear shortly afterwards.

web site

Shipping News

Electronic box security to become industry standard
THERE is no urgent container security threat but the push to apply electronic security will soon make it a de facto industry standard as the technology becomes cheaper, according to a senior data services executive.
Europe's biggest waterway junction opens in Germany
EUROPE's largest waterway junction has opened in this eastern German city after six years under construction, with a giant canal bridge as its centrepiece linking east and west.
PTP's phase 2 expansion on track
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas is on track with its second phase expansion, which will boost its annual handling capacity to about 6 million TEUs by mid-2004.
Two ships sink off China
TWO cargo ships have sunk in separate incidents in a strait off China's northeast coast, leaving 44 people missing, a state newspaper reported.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ says new plan will save NZ$245m a year
AIR New Zealand unveiled yesterday a wide ranging strategic plan it said would help it compete in the cut-throat world of aviation, increase savings and reduce staff levels.
Delta seen posting 10th straight loss in Q3
Thailand raises overseas ownership limit in airlines
AirAsia leases 2 more aircraft
BA buys four slots at Heathrow from United
Sydney Airport lifts jet fuel supply restrictions

Strait Talk

ITF fights battles with clever choice of words
WHEN a union activist, without a by-your-leave from anybody, hops aboard a ship flying the flag of country operating an open register and proceeds to tell the crew the contract they signed of their own free will is exploitative and that they should be paid more, the chances are an International Transport Workers' Federation press release will appear shortly afterwards.

web site

Shipping News

Electronic box security to become industry standard
THERE is no urgent container security threat but the push to apply electronic security will soon make it a de facto industry standard as the technology becomes cheaper, according to a senior data services executive.
Europe's biggest waterway junction opens in Germany
EUROPE's largest waterway junction has opened in this eastern German city after six years under construction, with a giant canal bridge as its centrepiece linking east and west.
PTP's phase 2 expansion on track
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas is on track with its second phase expansion, which will boost its annual handling capacity to about 6 million TEUs by mid-2004.
Two ships sink off China
TWO cargo ships have sunk in separate incidents in a strait off China's northeast coast, leaving 44 people missing, a state newspaper reported.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ says new plan will save NZ$245m a year
AIR New Zealand unveiled yesterday a wide ranging strategic plan it said would help it compete in the cut-throat world of aviation, increase savings and reduce staff levels.
Delta seen posting 10th straight loss in Q3
Thailand raises overseas ownership limit in airlines
AirAsia leases 2 more aircraft
BA buys four slots at Heathrow from United
Sydney Airport lifts jet fuel supply restrictions

Strait Talk

ITF fights battles with clever choice of words
WHEN a union activist, without a by-your-leave from anybody, hops aboard a ship flying the flag of country operating an open register and proceeds to tell the crew the contract they signed of their own free will is exploitative and that they should be paid more, the chances are an International Transport Workers' Federation press release will appear shortly afterwards.

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China forecasts EU will be biggest trading partner Shenzhen exports jump 30 per cent in year to date Nansha port contruction begins Interpool accepts president's resignation Port of Tauranga and Tranz Rail form MetroBox in joint venture SITC orders vessels from Japanese yard US Army hopes to dodge draft issue in Houston China grants Martinair further traffic rights China Southern launches new cargo sales and marketing system Amerijet begins Costa Rica service Gulf Air to beef up Gatwick flights United in non-stop hop from Washington Dulles to San Juan

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IWAI to develop 6 stretches of waterways for cargo traffic KSINC begins cargo movement by inland waterways - Ernakulam-Alappuzha barge sails off Indian tonnage goes up by 6 pc WISA draws focus to Caltrade Report on US port security measures Indo-Thai trade volumes may swell to $ 3 billion, feel experts Trade with Israel projected to touch $ 1.5 bn this year Garment exports to quota countries grow by 7.67 pc in value in April-Aug. 2003 Handicrafts exports likely to cross target Vallarpadam uncertainty casts shadow over RGCT CONCOR to upgrade ICD-Raxaul facilities with more reach stackers & trailers No curbs on export of foodgrains Forex reserves fall by $ 1.6 bn IRFC earns net profit of Rs 334.53 cr. during 2002-03 North-South Corridor cost-effective for trade with CIS nations, says Commerce Ministry Auto parts industry seeks time to gear up to competition Bajra procurement norms eased Banks can't borrow from their offshore units, clarifies RBI Govt allows FDI in duty-free shops India for early talks on Safta CMIE revises year's economic growth rate upwards to 7.4 pc Customs official elaborates list of services liable to tax - Even non-major Ports in services tax net Foreign Trade Analysis: Current Policy & Procedures IMC interactive meet with Chinese trade team on October 20 New IACC office-bearers

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
Panama continues to rise, tight avails Balboa Suez: Gas oil still stable, good demand Surprisingly, gas oil prices in Egypt have remained remarkably steady for the past three weeks or so despite massive gains ($60 or more) in competing ports in the Mediterranean in the same period. Crude market sea-saws, eyeing US data Oil prices were trading in mostly slightly negative territory during the morning and early afternoon today, but have turned around to trade sharply up again. Looking ahead to weekly data, US crude stocks are seen up, heating oil down. Saudi Arabia: IFO blends now offered in Jeddah Buyers watching and waiting in Fujairah Istanbul: Thin demand as buyers hold back Taiwan plays catch-up Strong buying activity as numbers slip in Hong Kong Next OPEC chief defends cut, says high price is temporary Rotterdam little changed this morning

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
New Director for the NOL Group MSC applies for terminal concession in Genoa Alitalia signs up for cargo sales joint venture TradeTrans opens crossloading terminal on Polish/Byelorussian border GeoLogistics in new Polish alliance

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
B&N sells off five vessels Lake Vaner liner project close to six vessel order Creditor slim down Aker RGI

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
NY Waterway installs GPS-based tracking system Benefits include wake wash reduction First U.K.-flag ship security plans approved Verification surveys scheduled for November

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Violence halts Bolivia's $6bn LNG plans A $6bn plan to export liquefied natural gas from Bolivia to the US west coast and Mexico has been put on hold by the Bolivian president following violence close to the country's capital that left more than 20 people dead. Lunardi accused of 'politically motivated' port appointments ROME'S Transport Minister was accused yesterday of improper intervention in the appointment of a series of port authority presidents. Frump calls for major changes in maritime safety policing A COMPLETE shake-up of maritime safety policing rules that would abolish the traditional roles of classification societies and flag states is proposed by an award-winning writer who investigated one of the worst tragedies in US shipping history. UN advice may scupper PSSA opposition A LAST ditch bid to block the designation of western European waters as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area was badly holed last night, when the UN's Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea Office said the proposal did not conflict with the UN Convention on Law of the Sea.

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
Grim warning for Caribbean business ONE of Jamaica's most senior maritime officials has attacked global container lines for abusing their "enormous negotiating power" in the Caribbean, compelling port operators and stevedores to accept terms and conditions to their huge disadvantage Ghost ship comments anger Able UK ABLE UK managing director Peter Stephenson has hit out at EU environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom over her comments regarding the 'ghost ships' Chad joins oil exporters THE African state of Chad has became the continent's latest oil exporter with the commissioning last week of a $3.2Bn pipeline leading to a port in Cameroon Charred Elegance moves to Durban FIRE-fighters from South Africa's National Port Authority are dampening down hot spots on the containership Sea Elegance prior to its transfer to Durban port Robertson-Sylvester steps up at CSA THE Caribbean Shipping Association has elected a new president, Seaboard Freight and Shipping chief executive in Jamaica, Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester Trinidad gears up for export boom TRINIDAD'S National Energy Corp is preparing to export more than 16M tonnes of petrochemical and steel products from its marine terminals by the end of 2004 CNAN needs partnerships Seven years for smuggling Iraqi oil China Shipbuilding chairman to quit Gladstone breakdowns delay bulkers Hesperus certificate 'suspicious' SCI sale dealt major blow Dozens missing in Chinese sinkings Robot straddle tries to escape Japan maintains N Korea crackdown Feeder owner fined over sinking

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
Rates jump for inbound U.S. airfreight Rates on key routes were up 13 percent in the third quarter compared with the same period last year. Frankfurt air freight slips Shipments through Europe's biggest hub fell in September on weaker North American volumes. Boeing to convert 747-400 freighters The jet maker changes course, will convert passenger models to freighters for growing market. Boston airport launches cargo-screening program Lykes Lines expands Africa feeder Clipper buys Lasco Shipping JB Hunt net almost double in 3Q S. Korea will accelerate logistics hub plan Schneider National opens Baltimore, Memphis brokerages ShipLogix secures venture capital Menlo wins electronics contract China wresting box crown from Hong Kong Calif. reinstates bunker tax exemption

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
Rate rush prompts regulator investigation The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is to investigate a series of rapid rate rises in the East Asia/Australia trades following numerous complaints from shippers and their representatives. Busan gears up for the next generation mega-ships Busan Port's Shinsundae Container Terminal is to dredge its approach channel and berths to accommodate 12,000TEU box ships and will build a fifth berth by 2007. Truck crash raises LA City calls for extended port hours Toll extends again after Tranz Rail bid falls short BCT and ICTSI call for tenders in Gdynia expansion plans Delhi decides against rail privatisation More effective action needed to involve Asia in regulations, believes MASA Small Paranagua import growth adds to export boom

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
TEN logs new time-charter contract Tsakos ties up lone chartered-in aframax for a further two years. Spill funds mark anniversary Tanker compensation system celebrates 25th year as payout reaches $700m. Szczecin assets to be hawked again But this time around buyers can name their price in an effort to attract bids. Pertamina to cancel newbuilding plans New management scales back shipping arm's fleet development aims. Qatar details huge demand for LNG ships Minister Al-Attiyah talks up country's LNG export ambitions. Antra hits the rocks Insurance supervisor steps in at insolvent German marine underwriter. NOL sees rates cool Singapore liner to logistics firm sees freight rates decline for first time in six months. China cargoship sinkings kill 44 Two ships lost as heavy storms sweep Bohai Straits over weekend. ZIM opts for China over Korea Israeli line confirms Korean port's worst fears by dropping Busan in favour of Qingdao call. Hsu set to quit as CSBC boss Teacher turned shipbuilder cites ill health as reason for wanting to end tenure at Taiwan yard. Chang named new maritime minister After Choi debacle Korea opts for political veteran to lead ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries. Ex-Maersk man joins Keppel Singapore shiprepair and conversion group appoints Bjarne Hansen to board of directors.

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OCTOBER 14, 2003
Rooney appointed senior VP of CMA CGM (America) Lloyd Triestino, X-Press start intra-Europe service APL's container rates up 24% on year ago Carriers start Asia/India link OMI secures two time charters with A.P. Moller tanker pool Amerijet acquires Antillas Air NCBFAA supports NVO contract parity, rejects financial conditions U.S., Canada Customs inspectors share new facility New vehicle and container mobile scanner in Portland Port state control body Paris MOU relocates office Israeli ports labor action on hold Sydney to phase out commercial harbor