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Shipping News

Shipping lines wary of possible huge cruise claims
SINGAPORE's shipping community has warned against ratifying the 2002 changes to the Athens Convention, due to the 'disproportionate exposure' of cargo vessel owners to potentially enormous claims by the cruise ship industry.
Shipping rules near Iraq waters tightened up
STRICT requirements on shipping entering the northern Persian Gulf continue to be rigidly enforced by coalition warships as the threat of a US-led war on Iraq draws closer.
RCL's new Chennai foray upsets BTL
THAI-listed feeder Regional Container Lines' latest foray into the Singapore-Chennai trade is 'stepping on the toes' and territories of specialist operators, according to Bengal Tiger Line .
P&O and merger partner Carnival see weak bookings amid war clouds
US cruise giant Carnival Corp and its willing takeover target, Britain's P&O Princess Cruises plc, said on Monday that bookings had weakened as the world braced for war in the Middle East.
NZ seizes P&O ship with rusty hull
NEW Zealand's maritime authorities said on Monday they impounded a cruise ship because safety inspectors found serious rust in its hull, following reports that flooding in parts of the vessel forced an abrupt end to a voyage.

Air and Land Transport

War coming at 'worst time' for international airlines
AIRLINES warned that their gradual recovery from the Sept 11 attacks could be one of the first casualties of a conflict in Iraq, as the war drums beat louder on Monday.
Qantas forces more workers to take leave
Korean Air to cut 29 flights to US and Europe
US Airways wins creditor approval for its bankruptcy plan
2002 saw fewer air crashes but more deaths
Austrian Airlines Feb passenger traffic up 15%

Strait Talk

A time for shipping vigilance
UNLESS events take an unexpected turn, the chances are likely that a war will be raging in Iraq by the end of this week.

web site

Shipping News

Shipping lines wary of possible huge cruise claims
SINGAPORE's shipping community has warned against ratifying the 2002 changes to the Athens Convention, due to the 'disproportionate exposure' of cargo vessel owners to potentially enormous claims by the cruise ship industry.
Shipping rules near Iraq waters tightened up
STRICT requirements on shipping entering the northern Persian Gulf continue to be rigidly enforced by coalition warships as the threat of a US-led war on Iraq draws closer.
RCL's new Chennai foray upsets BTL
THAI-listed feeder Regional Container Lines' latest foray into the Singapore-Chennai trade is 'stepping on the toes' and territories of specialist operators, according to Bengal Tiger Line .
P&O and merger partner Carnival see weak bookings amid war clouds
US cruise giant Carnival Corp and its willing takeover target, Britain's P&O Princess Cruises plc, said on Monday that bookings had weakened as the world braced for war in the Middle East.
NZ seizes P&O ship with rusty hull
NEW Zealand's maritime authorities said on Monday they impounded a cruise ship because safety inspectors found serious rust in its hull, following reports that flooding in parts of the vessel forced an abrupt end to a voyage.

Air and Land Transport

War coming at 'worst time' for international airlines
AIRLINES warned that their gradual recovery from the Sept 11 attacks could be one of the first casualties of a conflict in Iraq, as the war drums beat louder on Monday.
Qantas forces more workers to take leave
Korean Air to cut 29 flights to US and Europe
US Airways wins creditor approval for its bankruptcy plan
2002 saw fewer air crashes but more deaths
Austrian Airlines Feb passenger traffic up 15%

Strait Talk

A time for shipping vigilance
UNLESS events take an unexpected turn, the chances are likely that a war will be raging in Iraq by the end of this week.

web site

Shipping News

Shipping lines wary of possible huge cruise claims
SINGAPORE's shipping community has warned against ratifying the 2002 changes to the Athens Convention, due to the 'disproportionate exposure' of cargo vessel owners to potentially enormous claims by the cruise ship industry.
Shipping rules near Iraq waters tightened up
STRICT requirements on shipping entering the northern Persian Gulf continue to be rigidly enforced by coalition warships as the threat of a US-led war on Iraq draws closer.
RCL's new Chennai foray upsets BTL
THAI-listed feeder Regional Container Lines' latest foray into the Singapore-Chennai trade is 'stepping on the toes' and territories of specialist operators, according to Bengal Tiger Line .
P&O and merger partner Carnival see weak bookings amid war clouds
US cruise giant Carnival Corp and its willing takeover target, Britain's P&O Princess Cruises plc, said on Monday that bookings had weakened as the world braced for war in the Middle East.
NZ seizes P&O ship with rusty hull
NEW Zealand's maritime authorities said on Monday they impounded a cruise ship because safety inspectors found serious rust in its hull, following reports that flooding in parts of the vessel forced an abrupt end to a voyage.

Air and Land Transport

War coming at 'worst time' for international airlines
AIRLINES warned that their gradual recovery from the Sept 11 attacks could be one of the first casualties of a conflict in Iraq, as the war drums beat louder on Monday.
Qantas forces more workers to take leave
Korean Air to cut 29 flights to US and Europe
US Airways wins creditor approval for its bankruptcy plan
2002 saw fewer air crashes but more deaths
Austrian Airlines Feb passenger traffic up 15%

Strait Talk

A time for shipping vigilance
UNLESS events take an unexpected turn, the chances are likely that a war will be raging in Iraq by the end of this week.

	web site

Germany's Schenker forges China joint venture GAC Logistics compliant with US Customs' AMS requirements Russian traffic at Hamburg rises 35pc in 2002 K Line to open logistics division in Indonesia in April Port of Batangas operator begins vehicle importation Management Dynamics releases number 9.0 software China Southern 2002 net profit up 69per cent to US$70m Northwest Airlines Cargo raises fuel surcharge EU gives BA, SN Brussels arrangement green light

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RCL & Samudera join hands to offer weekly connection - New shuttle service between Chennai & Port Klang, West Port, S'pore Govt to help boost pickles exports Probe initiated into imports of Bisphenol A Turkey invites Indian business, sees great scope for JVs NECC plans to import 20,000 t. maize Vizag Port sets another national ore loading record JNPCT/NSICT exceed MoS target for container handling. A-I proposes 5 pc increase in fares Air-India to enhance services to Gulf, Newark in summer schedule Forex reserves declined by a record $ 2,477 million Forex reserves up by $ 863 m Fieo wants all top exporters given sops on par with EoUs No 8 pc duty on edible oil sold in barrels, tankers, says Central Excise chief CII tells govt to declare exports a national priority 3 SEZs to come up in Rajasthan Handicraft export promotion drive launched in N-E IIP doubles to 6.4 pc on back of mfg sector growth Inflation rate falls to 4.69 per cent Study to promote Indian spice brands in Japan soon NCAER puts GDP growth rate at 6.2 pc in no-war scenario Diesel, petrol prices up F.O.B. value to be general rule for granting DEPB credit A-I's 'flight of fancy' for children from Jammu & Kashmir Bajaj Awards function at IMC on Friday 4-day jewellery show in Delhi from March 21

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MARCH 18, 2003
Panama: Puny demand despite aggressive competition Post-Prestige political process en route to crucial votes Van Ommeren St Petersburg moves offices Cargo and crude conspire to cut Fujairah numbers Brisbane: Major oil spill Iraq's oil-for-food exports suspended Confusion reigns in the Great Belt Russia: Buyers hesitant, weak demand OPEC's crude basket to slip back into range today? Hong Kong avails keep numbers from going soft New venture formed in Latin America Crude plummets on expectations for short war Rotterdam prices plummet

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MARCH 18, 2003
Stolt and Odfjell sued by US company "Prestige" hearing without owners Swedish Coast Guard boarded oil leaking tanker

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MARCH 18, 2003
U.S. ups maritime security measures Strong maritime element in Operation Liberty Shield IMO at risk of marginalization IMO needs more powers, says Clay Maitland Barge giant cuts earnings guidance Kirby hit by fuel costs, waether and navigational delays

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Tanker rates are facing collapse after Iraq war TANKER owners were given a stark warning from international analysts yesterday: prepare for a collapse in tanker freight rates on the back of a US-led invasion of Iraq. Asian ship stocks bounce back ASIAN shipping stocks rebounded yesterday as oil prices slid after Saddam Hussein was given 48 hours to leave Iraq. Traders back quick end to hostilities as oil falls OIL prices have slumped to three-month lows as traders speculated on a quick ending to the imminent Iraqi war, writes Martyn Wingrove. US Navy warns on collaboration with enemy IRAQ may force neutral merchant ships to lay mines on its behalf, the US Navy has claimed.

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MARCH 18, 2003
US continues push for transparency Santos unions threaten US boycott Bad news ahead for cruise lines Hunt Oil close to Peru LNG deal BMT to buy two and close one No light after dues consultation Philippines to inspect island ships Broker disputes Chavez claims VLCC spot rates to peak at $100,000 Gulf services continue as normal Moscow urges IMO to debate straits European salvage needs coordination Pilot errors led to Kembla damage Insurers predict mild WRP hike New head for Korean builders More corrosion found on Pacific Sky Arab Bridge to ferry refugees Singapore targets US boxes US troops begin port patrols Hanjin shelves car carrier plans Iraq wheat shipments held up

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MARCH 18, 2003
Claim: Unilateral action weakening IMO The fallout from the sinking of the tanker Prestige threatens consensus support for the International Maritime Organization as the spearhead for global vessel safety, a registry executive said. ' Weblog: U.S. mulling 'strategic' port closures Plan to license AES users The Census Bureau will begin a licensing program for traders who file export documentation through the Automated Export System, a top official said. Charleston box traffic up 30% Container volume through the Port of Charleston totaled 132,000 TEUs in January. CP Rail warns on lower profits Kirby Corp. cuts 1Q forecast Chemical consortium acquires Stolt logistics USF standardizes LTL services Logistics center opens at Hong Kong airport Schneider Logistics opens Denver office Genmar prices senior notes CN, Livingston Intl. debut new rail EDI COAC makes cargo security recommendations War fears push tanker rates to all-time high

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MARCH 18, 2003
Geest bails out, as Italian hurdles trip Rotterdam/Milan container shuttle Geest has abandoned the Rotterdam/Milan rail container shuttle that it shared with P&O Ferrymasters and Norfolkline Containers, ci-online can reveal, leaving its former partners to battle for an acceptable service. 'First reluctant step' towards cheaper UK ports? Feeder Pacifica 'withdrawn from sale' as offers disappoint Indonesian logistics venture for K Line SBB purchases intermodal 'gateway to Switzerland' Intermodal service targets New South Wales's North Coast

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MARCH 18, 2003
'Failure is not an option.' Top Coast Guard official rallies CMA audience as terror threat looms. Public image preoccupies CMA Insurers and owners come under fire for role in safety, but conference avoids talk of war. The shorter the better US economist tells CMA oil prices will vary massively according to duration of likely war. Vela ties in storage options on VLCCs Tanker owners watching and waiting before deciding on Persian Gulf risks. Lawyer Simon Poland dies Clyde and Co says skilled partner will be impossible to replace. Write-down muddies DFDS profit figures Danish owner says both passenger and freight carrying arms improved returns. Seven consider bids for Varna Potential investors inspect Bulgarian shipyard being sold off by national owner Navibulgar. Rapska Plovidba returns to Lenac Croatian owner will go back to Viktor Lenac Shipyard for second car ferry. Eimskip goes direct to Greenland Icelandic container line to speed up transit to North America in summer months. Polish Steamships confirms bulker quartet China's Xingang gets green light but other orders could go to Poland. K Line gets green light for Indonesian venture Japanese giant sets up shipping and logistics agency in Jakarta. Sincere inks triple capesize order Orders are coming thick and fast for domestic shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corp (CSBC). General Maritime offers 10% coupon Peter Georgiopoulos gets Metrostar bond away at $3.8m discount to face value. Shipping industry waits for war Crude and wheat shipments in and out of Iraq slow as Bush gives Saddam final ultimatum. Prestige fallout threatens IMO support International Registries' Clay Maitland says IMO risks being marginalised. Keppel inks SGD100m in new deals Singapore yard wins FPSO conversion project and dredger upgrading from European principals. Essar has a crack at Hindustan Petroleum As SCI sell-off drags on, Indian group bids for slice of country's second-biggest oil refiner. Transnet plans massive ports upgrade South African terminals operator aims to boost volumes and cut delays. Mixed signals from Singapore statistics While January's bunker sales and container volumes rose, cargo volumes and ship registrations fell. Iraqi war allies face Brazilian boycott US and UK flagged merchant ships face disruptions at Santos in "strike for peace" protest.

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MARCH 18, 2003
MARAD to ask for extension of information collection FMC to keep watch on impact of new Chinese maritime regulations Carrier CEOs' box club meets in Barcelona COSCO to enter LNG shipping market DHL names Dall'Orso VP business planning United raises cargo fuel surcharge CN, Livingston develop electronic customs clearance link Correction: MSC to keep transatlantic U.S. inland fuel surcharges unchanged U.S. Census Bureau to license shipper's export declaration process TT Club produces self-analysis tool for security compliance U.S. ramps up security in airports, seaports "K" Line's Indonesian subsidiary gets forwarding license Los Angeles container imports up 16% in February Algeciras invites bids for port expansion