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Shipping News

S Korean yards' tanker orders soar in Q4 last year
FEARS of an early phase-out of single-hulled tankers and low newbuilding prices resulted in a surge of tanker orders during the last quarter of 2002, according to Korean commerce officials.
Oil should be pumped from sunken tanker in Spain
EXPERTS appointed by the Spanish government on Friday said that remaining fuel oil in the sunken tanker Prestige should be pumped out if possible, Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy declared on Friday.
Get ship-shape!
BIGGER and better - that's how the Work Boat World Asia event has grown.
S&P revises marine insurers' outlook to negative
INSURERS covering commercial ships against liability claims had their outlook changed to negative by Standard & Poor's on concern that the industry will lose money for a fourth year.

Air and Land Transport

MasKargo eyes 50,000 tonnes sea-air transhipment
MASKARGO, Malaysia Airlines' air cargo division, is targetting to hit 50,000 tonnes of sea-air transhipment by the end of this year, said its senior general manager JJ Ong.
Qantas likely to report doubling of H1 profit
Air China suspends flights to Kuwait over war fears
US Congress extends fee for stranded airline passengers
New Delhi, Bombay airports to be upgraded
Wuqiao airport nears completion

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Shipping News

S Korean yards' tanker orders soar in Q4 last year
FEARS of an early phase-out of single-hulled tankers and low newbuilding prices resulted in a surge of tanker orders during the last quarter of 2002, according to Korean commerce officials.
Oil should be pumped from sunken tanker in Spain
EXPERTS appointed by the Spanish government on Friday said that remaining fuel oil in the sunken tanker Prestige should be pumped out if possible, Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy declared on Friday.
Get ship-shape!
BIGGER and better - that's how the Work Boat World Asia event has grown.
S&P revises marine insurers' outlook to negative
INSURERS covering commercial ships against liability claims had their outlook changed to negative by Standard & Poor's on concern that the industry will lose money for a fourth year.

Air and Land Transport

MasKargo eyes 50,000 tonnes sea-air transhipment
MASKARGO, Malaysia Airlines' air cargo division, is targetting to hit 50,000 tonnes of sea-air transhipment by the end of this year, said its senior general manager JJ Ong.
Qantas likely to report doubling of H1 profit
Air China suspends flights to Kuwait over war fears
US Congress extends fee for stranded airline passengers
New Delhi, Bombay airports to be upgraded
Wuqiao airport nears completion

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Famous Pacific Shipping starts rebranding China operations EMC, WHL launch Taiwan - Southeast Asia service Port of New York and New Jersey to extend rail connection PSA transfers non-core businesses into holding company Record box handling, operating revenues in 2002 for Tacoma Swire Pacific, China Eastern form airport investment company Macau Airport airfreight handling rises 21pc in January Mercury Air Group second quarter revenue increases 24pc

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
Major defeat Delta in union case The Delta Master Executive Council (MEC), a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), announced today that an arbitrator has partially granted the union's grievance challenging management's furlough of Delta pilots. Rostock shuttle to launch this spring The rail ":landbridge": from Rotterdam to Rostock via Duisburg should start operating in April or May. Partners in the initiative include the Port of Rostock, ECT, Conliner and German Railways subsidiary Kombiverkehr. KLM with Amsterdam-Thessalonica KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch scheduled service between Amsterdam and the Greek port of Thessalonica effective April 3, 2003. Diesel price record US hits truckers The retail price of diesel, used in most freight-hauling trucks, shot up 12 cents a gallon last week, the largest weekly jump since the Department of Energy started following those prices in 1994. Successful intermodal innovation U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced completion of a test for a federally sponsored intermodal freight operation project that could mean cost savings and security benefits for future freight movements. Alaska Air ceo plans to retire John Kelly, chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group Inc., will retire May 20 from the Seattle-based parent company of Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air. AMR flight attendants 'open to talks' The Association of Professional Flight Attendants at American Airlines says it is willing to discuss limited concessions to help the struggling airline but the company must first prove it needs $340 million in cuts from its 25,000 members.

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Parvath Shipping Agency felicitates Jt Commissioner, Customs Naik says no to nodal agency status for SCI IPBCC proposes upward revision in bunker adjustment surcharge - Others may follow suit Uniworld Logistics venture a resounding success - Direct air cargo movement into ICD-Pondy India, 6 other developing nations seek better deal from WTO Andhra AEZs to export vegetables 8,500 tonnes of sugar earmarked for export to US under preferential quota Delhi may emerge as gold import hub Adani Port sets new record in dry cargo handling Kandla Port handles country's first-ever consignment of butadiene export Vizag Port handles record 0.31 m. tonnes of cargo in a day MMTC sets new single-day ore loading record MbPT Officers' Assn felicitates Dilip Gandhi Railways exceed freight target during April-Jan. Emirates ready to participate in Indian aviation RBI removes limit on granting credit under EEFC account Govt may notify drawback rates for export products on April 1 Exim Bank grants $ 5 mn line of credit to Sri Lanka Duties on textiles to be restructured to benefit all segments-Rana Investment limit for 23 SSI items hiked to Rs 5 cr. New urea pricing norms aimed at efficiency in subsidy payments: Minister India, Canada to simplify visa rules Griffiths tells YEW members how UK promotes enterprise

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
CSAV and Peter Döhle order five container vessels in Taiwan 30% growth in 2002 for ten China ports Figures for airfreight volumes for members of AEA 360 Transamerica Leasing trailers for DFDS Transport Strategic investors acquire stake of Sinotrans in first IPO UK Ministry of Defence charters vessels in preparation of war

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
Norway reintroduces yard subsidies Strike threat on Finnish vessels The Swedish flag no 1 for Swedish shipowners

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FEBRUARY 15, 2003
VT Halter positioned for USCG newbuilds There's more to VT Halter's HBJV participation than the Islander program

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
Port of Tacoma makes 2002 the year of smashing records Ground-breaking ceremony set for Port of Portland's new Rivergate project Customs puts clamps on containers failing to follow 24-hour notice rule Gunderson Marine receives orders for two new barges Boaters and chowder lovers get set for annual Port of Olympia event

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Kim reveals little on HMM cash-for-summit allegations DRESSED in grey and looking suitably morose and apologetic, the president of South Korea stood in front of the television cameras and addressed the nation on Friday to try to silence the continuing allegations over his administration's handling of an inter-Korean summit in June 2000, a saga in which shipping line Hyundai Merchant Marine is heavily embroiled. US steps up Middle East security US authorities are stepping up security measures throughout the Middle East against potential terrorist attacks, even as they build up toward a possible conventional war with Iraq. Stelios plans to cut the fat with easy cruises STELMAR founder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who stepped down as chairman of the tanker company in 2002 to pursue other interests, is seriously contemplating a return to shipping with the launch of a new cruise venture, possibly as early as next year. Job losses and divestiture mark PSA's ports focus SINGAPORE'S PSA Corp is divesting S$182m (US$103.8m) worth of non-core businesses and making the first lay-offs in over 20 years to focus on its global ports operation.

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
S&P issues pessimistic P&I report Venezuela imports to offset strike Andean trade switches to sea Evacuation tragedy prompts warning Bergesen's Amundsen goes for gas Repsol to assess Prestige pumping ITF talks with Carnival 'friendly' Panama Canal autonomy threatened Rotterdam votes for restructure Prestige inquiry moves closer Hanjin appointment aids break-up PSA Corp clears decks for expansion Ro-ro salvage agreement close K Line raises forecast Co-operation reduces spill fine MacTiernan shakes up WA ports Aqaba preparing for oil imports No joy for Queensland smugglers Cruise ship aids injured scientist Incat freed from receivership Cruise lines await US Senate move US manifest rule begins to bite

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
West Coast ports wooing shippers Despite the diversion of cargo during last fall's shutdown, importers and exporters in the trans-Pacific trades still want to ship through West Coast ports, port executives say. Slow month helps 24-hour compliance A historically slow February has aided implementation of U.S. Customs' advance manifest filing requirements, executives said. Airlines hike fuel surcharges The soaring price of crude oil is forcing airlines to raise cargo fuel surcharges. Changes for West Coast port truckers Lufthansa Cargo plans rate increase Hutchison port chief seeks end to THCs White House sees private sector as key to cyber-security Copyright theft a billion dollar business Arrow Air acquires AGI LanChile Cargo appoints Bianchi Evergreen, Wan Hai launching Taiwan service Deutsche Post buys Dutch express provider Navistar results hurt by weak truck market

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
US Customs hits back at broker criticisms A high-level official at US Customs has countered broker criticisms of the agency's approach emphasising that it is co-operating with the industry and facilitating commercial activities remains a high priority. Lines introduce 24hr documentation charge Member lines of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) have either introduced or are planning to levy a US$25 documentation fee for cargo covered by the 24-hour manifest rule. PSA to offload non-core assets worth over US$100m PSA Corp will pull out of non-core businesses to focus on port development, management and operations from March 31. Port liberalisation vote heralds further European disruption Sinotrans: Foreign carriers stalk China's agency sector Rotterdam privatisation vote opens way for Maasvlakte II Vienna intermodal port grasps at EU accession opportunity S.Korean President apologises over HMM scandal 'Robust' Vietnam economy leads to Wan Hai EMC joint service Bintulu aims for transhipment hub status

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
US takes war-risk precaution US government renews provision that would enable it to offer alternative war-risk insurance. Mixed bag for Manitowoc Great Lakes build and repair operation takes hit to restructure, but marine ops still strong. EU schedules Prestige hearing European Union also planning fact finding missions to spill-hit regions. Fred Olsen sees red Tanker market and cruise fears hit Norwegian shipowner's quoted companies. Swedish Club may go interactive Downgrade could sting well regarded insurer into paid rating camp. Algeciras stays at number one Spain's biggest port increased cargo volumes and net profits in 2002. Banned tanker list drafted for Primorsk terminal Russia shapes up its act as it gears up to push its crude exports. Slimmer Bidcorp getting back on track UK owner of Dart Line ditches Ferryline truck business as it cuts losses for 2002. Ro-ro and LNG business lifts Leif Hoegh Last year's sales gains mask improved profit figure for 2002. MISC ship detained for illegal oil discharge Malaysian bulker one of 46 ships held by Japanese authorities during January. K Line set for improved financial year Owner revises full year profits upwards due to cost cutting and improving markets in third quarter. Farstad picks Ulstein Verft for newbuilding Norwegian owner uses domestic yard for $21m supply ship ordered on back of charter business. Financing deal saves Incat Troubled Tasmanian fast ferry specialist ends eleven months of receivership. Srab turns it around Small Swedish tanker owner returned to profit in 2002 as it prepares to expand. Sinotrans makes modest debut Chinese transport group is most heavily traded stock in first day on Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Gunderson inks barge deal Newbuilding contract for US-based specialist barge builder takes its order backlog to $30m.

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FEBRUARY 14, 2003
Correction: Canada/North Europe carriers to raise rates April 1 Evergreen, Wan Hai start joint Taiwan/Philippines/Vietnam service Wilhelmsen to release salvage status on "Tricolor" Feb. 20 Shipowners' associations decry "criminalizing" of "Prestige's" master "K" Line increases its 2002/2003 profit forecast Hoegh's net profit down in 2002 Carriers restructure U.S./India consortium Orient Express Lines, Concor start direct India/Myanmar service U.S./Central America reefer carriers to discuss rates OAG names Savage to head new cargo unit Bill would allow cargo aircraft pilots to carry firearms Lanchile Cargo names Bianchi senior VP Northwest raises fuel surcharge for domestic, international freight Canadian National reopens damaged track Congress finally completes 2003 spending bill Danzas acquires commercial safeway sa in Chile PSA sells non-port businesses to Singapore state company Tacoma's box and car traffic, revenues rose in 2002