BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

US Coast Guard demands exceed IMO security rules
MARITIME security demands of the United States Coast Guard dramatically exceed the already-burdensome mandatory compliance requirements of new International Maritime Organisation rules, a top US maritime law expert has warned.
Intertanko boost for electronic highway project
NEARLY 200 vessels belonging to the global tanker association Intertanko have agreed to participate in the demonstration project for the Marine Electronic Highway , according to the association's regional manager John Fawcett-Ellis.
Caribbean states struggling to meet new port security laws
MANY Caribbean nations will be unable to comply with tough new security standards for ports taking effect next year and could face severe restrictions in their US$20 billion trade with the United States, according to security experts.
MOL places orders for 3 VLCCs
MITSUI O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Japan's second-largest shipping company, has ordered three very large crude carriers for delivery in 2006, a shipbroker said.
Hong Kong of Russian Far East plan kicks up a dust
WITH a 10-mile wide sliver of Russian territory blocking Manchuria from the Sea of Japan, China is drawing on its own history for a solution, pushing Russia to sign a 49-year lease to convert the mid-size cargo port on Trinity Bay here to a Chinese economic enclave, a Hong Kong of Russia's Far East.

Air and Land Transport

SIA pilot error blamed for NZ airport mishap
A series of basic pilot errors led to a Singapore Airlines 747 plane dragging its tail about 500 metres along an Auckland Airport runway during a takeoff, a damning safety investigation has found.
4 Asean nations to build small plane: report
Gulf states lead aviation boom in Middle-East
Thai Air revenues seen rising 11.5%
Myanmar projects to boost air transport
HKIA cargo volume sets record for 2nd month

web site

Shipping News

US Coast Guard demands exceed IMO security rules
MARITIME security demands of the United States Coast Guard dramatically exceed the already-burdensome mandatory compliance requirements of new International Maritime Organisation rules, a top US maritime law expert has warned.
Intertanko boost for electronic highway project
NEARLY 200 vessels belonging to the global tanker association Intertanko have agreed to participate in the demonstration project for the Marine Electronic Highway , according to the association's regional manager John Fawcett-Ellis.
Caribbean states struggling to meet new port security laws
MANY Caribbean nations will be unable to comply with tough new security standards for ports taking effect next year and could face severe restrictions in their US$20 billion trade with the United States, according to security experts.
MOL places orders for 3 VLCCs
MITSUI O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Japan's second-largest shipping company, has ordered three very large crude carriers for delivery in 2006, a shipbroker said.
Hong Kong of Russian Far East plan kicks up a dust
WITH a 10-mile wide sliver of Russian territory blocking Manchuria from the Sea of Japan, China is drawing on its own history for a solution, pushing Russia to sign a 49-year lease to convert the mid-size cargo port on Trinity Bay here to a Chinese economic enclave, a Hong Kong of Russia's Far East.

Air and Land Transport

SIA pilot error blamed for NZ airport mishap
A series of basic pilot errors led to a Singapore Airlines 747 plane dragging its tail about 500 metres along an Auckland Airport runway during a takeoff, a damning safety investigation has found.
4 Asean nations to build small plane: report
Gulf states lead aviation boom in Middle-East
Thai Air revenues seen rising 11.5%
Myanmar projects to boost air transport
HKIA cargo volume sets record for 2nd month

	web site

Tasman to implement changes to services China to alter freeport policy Modern Terminals acquires stake in Shekou project China Shipping orders five new containerships Freeport surpasses one million TEU mark Norfolk Southern to spend US$810m on 2004 capex programme HK cargo throughput breaks record for second consecutive month Atlas in negotiation with creditors K&N launches weekly airfreight service to Europe GSA business expected to expand in 2004: CII Cathay Pacific honoured at Hong Kong Business Awards

	web site

Saturn Ship Agencies awarded coveted ISO 9001:2000 certificate Eurasia wins LMA 2003 'Best Shipmanager in Asia' award again GE Shipping likely to acquire 10 new vessels by 2005 US shrimpers to demand levy on imports Port workers' Federation chief, S.R. Kulkarni expresses his views on 3rd box terminal at JNP Exports via Cochin Port move up in October Progress made by EU-India Maritime Transport Project spelt out at AMTOI meet CONCOR's ICD-Dadri begins operations MICT, Mundra-Adipur rail link dedicated to the nation Rail link a success story of efficient private-public partnership British Gas drops Pipavav LNG project Jaswant hints at review of tax regime Plastic sector seeks cut in import duty WB to double lending to India Import duty on refined palm oil may go up SRTEPC awarded ISO 9001:2000 certificate DGFT allows inter-unit transfer of raw items Public-private partnership vital for logistics development, says Bengal Governor Indo-German Chamber to host Hannover Fair from April 19 next

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
Anderson Hughes team moves to new company Four brokers that used to work for shipping group P&O's London subsidiary Anderson Hughes & Co. Ltd. are to join Curzon Maritime in London. The former head of the bunker broking team, Steve Hall, will establish a brand new bunkering department for Curzon. Uruguay market report and holiday notice Brazil & Bahia Blanca bunker market update Serious distillate gains across region mirrored in Gibraltar With sharp distillate gains and some very commited suppliers in Gibraltar today, you might easilly forget about the Wilmington court hearing due this Friday. Jack frost nips at Turkish distillates' nose Saddam's capture wipes out much of Friday's crude price gains News yesterday that Iraq's former ruler Saddam Hussein caused sharp losses in crude prices at the opening of trade Monday, at one stage wiping out all of the large gains from Friday's rally. Christmas congestion comes early in Rotterdam

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
Tan Kay Hock appointed Independent Director of Pacific CMA Inc. CSAV to call at Le Havre American Airlines Cargo to increase fuel surcharge Overnite cuts transit times Exel launched RFID technology for Selfridges Bio-terrorism act comes into effect Just-in-time software ready at short notice

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
"Midnatsol" nearly grounded with engine failure Possible solution to Ventspils supply problems High environmental profile on new Broström tankers

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
Ice class tanker fleet set for rapid rise MOL gets Panamanian security plan approval UK starts consultation on HNS Convention implementation ICS spots tanker deal exclusion ban

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
USCG issues security plan reminder Warns of civil penalties V Ships to use Wave software for equipment optimization The world's largest independent ship management company, has agreed to pilot the Wave equipment optimization system

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
US inks maritime deal with Peoples Republic of China Employment commission ruling puts damper on ferry concessions plans Crowley Maritime scholarships go to pair of UNF students Bellingham Port Commissioners want input on park/access plan Coast Guard sounds warning of approaching security plan deadline

	web site

Boxship bill hits $22bn A SPENDING spree of stratospheric proportions on containership orders this year will set shipowners back more than $22bn, five times the amount committed to newbuildings in 2002, writes Janet Porter. Greek shipowner blasts P&I clubs for 'ugly' lack of transparency A SCORCHING attack on the world of secrecy and "trips for wives and girlfriends" in the shipowners' protection and indemnity clubs has come from a Greek shipowner. Seafarer picks up $225,000 for blowing whistle on ship operator A SEAFARER'S lot is not always a fortunate one, but for one crewman of a bulk carrier honest enough and brave enough to stick his head above the parapet, the last month has been very fortunate indeed. Spanish fury simmers over Geroi Sevastopolya THE Geroi Sevastopolya steered well clear of Spanish-controlled waters yesterday but nevertheless drew a verbal broadside from the shore, writes Brian Reyes. India's Great Eastern on acquisition spree India's largest private sector shipowner Great Eastern Shipping Co is continuing a ship acquisition spree that started late last year by spending Rs10.38bn ($228m) to buy 10 new vessels.

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
Further blow for MarAd ghost ships ABLE UK's bid to dismantle Marad's 'ghost ships' at its Teesside facility was dealt another huge blow this afternoon when the High Court in London said that existing planning permission was no longer valid Heavy sea prevents ferry arrival ROUGH seas have forced the Italian ferry Sansovino to wait off the island of Lampedusa, between Italy and Tunisia, for 30 hours after it was due to arrive at port APL wins military moves contract APL has won a contract for stevedoring services and other services related to moving US Army equipment between the United States and Iraq Tufton Oceanic in Islamic venture A LONDON investment house has set up a joint venture with the Dubai Islamic Bank to enable Islamic investors to participate in Middle East and international shipping markets BC ferry strike ends THE 4,500 employees of BC Ferries have gone back to work after agreeing to submit their contract dispute to binding arbitration Algerian wheat lost in grounding THE crew of a Croatian bulker was safely evacuated on Friday after their vessel ran aground on a sandbank near Algiers, but 23,800 tonnes wheat has been lost Chinese warn on steel prices LoW point for tardy tonnage Brazilians take to cruising Brazil hopes Iraq exports take off Cubans welcome US agribusiness Numast urges Blair on training STX to separate engine division Berlin to sell Duisburg port stake OECD forecasts newbuilding demand Malta shipyard wins $2.8M claim

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
GAO: U.S. can't afford security costs Demands for federal support to secure ports and borders will likely outstrip available funding in the foreseeable future, according to the General Accounting Office. Progress in U.S.-EU air talks Negotiators move toward establishing an open trans-Atlantic aviation market but key differences remain. New CEO for CSX World Terminals Terminal operator taps Fogarty to replace retiring Grassi as president and chief executive. Canada restructures customs, border services Supreme Court will hear Mexican truck case Lines increase westbound reefer rates Atlas Air results worse than expected USF launches Mexico service IMC offers alternative to trucks CSX World Terminals begins Yantai operations NIT League names first rail board member FDA: Most food facilities not registered as bioterror rules take effect

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
US-China trade deficit needs a 'market-based solution' or protectionism will follow The US trade deficit with China cannot continue to grow; either it can be stopped through market mechanisms or protectionist forces will do it, the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) has warned. West African rate skirmish set to spill over into next year Tacoma passes 2004 budget MSC orders cranes for Home Terminal WTSA announces reefer tariff rate rise Stronger 2003 container throughput expected for Mersey Docks & Harbour Company Individual wagon tracking for Stinnes online timetable Port of Houston Authority to discuss security projects Shortsea shipping to hit UK spot

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
It's Arntzen! OSG picks AMA chief to succeed retiring Morton Hyman. Port state to tackle ISPS early Paris MOU to issue warnings to ships without security papers ahead of deadline. Cruise lines hit new 52-week highs Share prices continue to rise after last week's ratings upgrade. Not so proud Criticism grows for NCL's Pride of America project. Concordia adds tanker duo at Split Swedish owner confirms first options on P-max vessels. Storm rages on over Novoship tanker trip Spain's merchant marine director Jose Luis Lopez Sors brands tanker transit "a madness". Brostrom confirms Jinling foursome Swedish tanker owner to replace 1980s-built ships with 14,500-dwt vessels from 2006. PDZ picks up the pace Malaysian container line looking to augment fleet for feeder operations. Two die in blast at Zhejiang Shipyard Another worker seriously injured after an explosion onboard bulker newbuilding. Boxships feeding profits at Mersey Docks UK ports and shipping group optimistic about its full-year results. Srivastava slams sell-off "limbo" SCI boss wants privatisation saga ended one way or another so he can get on with running Indian owner. Star rights issue undersubscribed Major shareholder Resorts World left to pick up 38.5m shares after offering is not totally successful. Arbitration deal ends ferry strike BC Ferries and union chiefs agree to binding talks as crews get back to work. Euram tightens grip on Slovakian yard Austrian bank ups stake in Bratislava-based builder and repairer SLKB. Bulker grounds off Algiers All crew safe but port officials say wheat cargo is waterlogged. Singapore port calls on the up Welcome news for Lion Republic's maritime service industries as more ships stop to do business. GNSL and X-Press ink boxship link up Geest North Sea Line and X-Press Container Line are starting a vessel sharing agreement for Iberia Zim ups reefer capacity Israeli line increasing fleet by about 10% on back of growing demand for refrigerated cargoes.

	web site
DECEMBER 15, 2003
Hamburg Sud takes Ellerman's German agency activities in-house EC competition official leaves half-way through conference antitrust review Geest North Sea, X-Press Containers cooperate in intra-Europe trade Europe/West Africa carriers raise rates U.S. Lines to start Pacific service Dec. 29 U.S.-EU negotiate on parallel tracks to liberalize aviation Airports Council International elects Boserup chairman Betenia to direct Lufthansa Cargo sales in U.S., Canada Van Tine starts work as acting DOT deputy secretary Inland waterways interest question Academy of Sciences findings U.S. international aid agency strengthens alliance with Foods Resource Bank Exel signs logistics contract with Marks & Spencer, Desmonds USTR eyes harmonizing tariffs, liberalizing origin rules for NAFTA IMRA opposes proposed U.S.-Canada softwood lumber deal FDA offers small firms food import, facility registration guides Exel appoints Thompson, Bowers to Transportation Services D.F. Young adds Luludis as IT VP Perry Ellis International picks NTE software DHS beefs up research on agro-terrorism