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Shipping News

Star Cruises chalks up US$31m loss in first half
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises loss ballooned to US$31.2 million in the first half of 2003 - battered by the Sars-related tourism fallout in Asia in the second quarter.
Aussie-US naval exercises may be postponed
JOINT Australian and US naval exercises planned for next month as part of the controversial Proliferation Security Initiative may be postponed after whipping up a political storm in North Korea, believed to be the target of the operation.
Last of Sars-related measures lifted
THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has lifted health declaration requirements for vessel crew in the final easing of Sars-related maritime precautions.
Maersk ship beached near Cape Town
SALVAGE experts worked through gusting winds and squally rain to rescue a giant container ship which was beached near Cape Town on Tuesday after storms dragged the anchored vessel ashore.
Rare turtles safe from spill
THE oil slick from a grounded Greek- flagged tanker that broke up last week outside Pakistan's main port of Karachi missed the beaches of Sandspit and Hawkes Bay, nesting grounds for two species of endangered marine turtles.

Air and Land Transport

Qantas may report first loss since selling shares in 1995
QANTAS Airways, Australia's biggest airline, may report its first loss since selling shares in 1995 because war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak forced it to cancel flights and sack more than 1,400 workers.
Strike causes chaos at Aussie airports
Sydney airport's July traffic up
Swiss Int'l narrows Q2 losses to 133m francs
Airbus on track to deliver 555-seat A380 by 2006
LOG Book

Newbuilds

China's yards expanding rapidly
IT JUST so happens that no contract at a Chinese yard is featured in this week's new orders list.

web site

Shipping News

Star Cruises chalks up US$31m loss in first half
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises loss ballooned to US$31.2 million in the first half of 2003 - battered by the Sars-related tourism fallout in Asia in the second quarter.
Aussie-US naval exercises may be postponed
JOINT Australian and US naval exercises planned for next month as part of the controversial Proliferation Security Initiative may be postponed after whipping up a political storm in North Korea, believed to be the target of the operation.
Last of Sars-related measures lifted
THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has lifted health declaration requirements for vessel crew in the final easing of Sars-related maritime precautions.
Maersk ship beached near Cape Town
SALVAGE experts worked through gusting winds and squally rain to rescue a giant container ship which was beached near Cape Town on Tuesday after storms dragged the anchored vessel ashore.
Rare turtles safe from spill
THE oil slick from a grounded Greek- flagged tanker that broke up last week outside Pakistan's main port of Karachi missed the beaches of Sandspit and Hawkes Bay, nesting grounds for two species of endangered marine turtles.

Air and Land Transport

Qantas may report first loss since selling shares in 1995
QANTAS Airways, Australia's biggest airline, may report its first loss since selling shares in 1995 because war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak forced it to cancel flights and sack more than 1,400 workers.
Strike causes chaos at Aussie airports
Sydney airport's July traffic up
Swiss Int'l narrows Q2 losses to 133m francs
Airbus on track to deliver 555-seat A380 by 2006
LOG Book

Newbuilds

China's yards expanding rapidly
IT JUST so happens that no contract at a Chinese yard is featured in this week's new orders list.

web site

Shipping News

Star Cruises chalks up US$31m loss in first half
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises loss ballooned to US$31.2 million in the first half of 2003 - battered by the Sars-related tourism fallout in Asia in the second quarter.
Aussie-US naval exercises may be postponed
JOINT Australian and US naval exercises planned for next month as part of the controversial Proliferation Security Initiative may be postponed after whipping up a political storm in North Korea, believed to be the target of the operation.
Last of Sars-related measures lifted
THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has lifted health declaration requirements for vessel crew in the final easing of Sars-related maritime precautions.
Maersk ship beached near Cape Town
SALVAGE experts worked through gusting winds and squally rain to rescue a giant container ship which was beached near Cape Town on Tuesday after storms dragged the anchored vessel ashore.
Rare turtles safe from spill
THE oil slick from a grounded Greek- flagged tanker that broke up last week outside Pakistan's main port of Karachi missed the beaches of Sandspit and Hawkes Bay, nesting grounds for two species of endangered marine turtles.

Air and Land Transport

Qantas may report first loss since selling shares in 1995
QANTAS Airways, Australia's biggest airline, may report its first loss since selling shares in 1995 because war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak forced it to cancel flights and sack more than 1,400 workers.
Strike causes chaos at Aussie airports
Sydney airport's July traffic up
Swiss Int'l narrows Q2 losses to 133m francs
Airbus on track to deliver 555-seat A380 by 2006
LOG Book

Newbuilds

China's yards expanding rapidly
IT JUST so happens that no contract at a Chinese yard is featured in this week's new orders list.

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Hamburg sees Asia trade grow as throughput rockets Shanghai Rainbow Logisitics to shine with Descartes Oakland appoints old boy Wong Singapore and India closer on trade ties after summit New West Africa feeder service to be launched Panama plugs in to safety code Danzas Air and Ocean to relocate HK operations New Singapore home for NY/NJ Cathay jets in 1,000 VIPs for HK `recovery' spectacular Continental and Emirates to begin codeshare New air cargo buildings and offices to boost JFK

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DGS orders bulk carriers, tankers to carry survey reports Auto giants find India a haven for ancillary outsourcing Steel exports hit by anti-dumping moves Dumping duty on non-brass flashlights from China Global apparel makers may shift base to India Flour millers seek duty-free wheat import Senegal imposes curbs on used vehicles import ITA team to visit Russia next month Karnataka seeks Central funds to develop Karwar port TAMP asks VCTPL to submit final revised tariff rates FedEx network spreads to Iraq CONCOR, Kolkata Port Trust join hands to offer cheaper rates for Nepal cargo Cut in infrastructure finance cost can lead to growth, feels Planner Andhra to provide Rs 293 cr. for airport project Make arbitration cost-effective: HC Judge Ministries differ on repealing cotton import duty Better know-how needed in chilli production: Experts GDP growth expected to cross 6.5 pc: CII study GIDC invites EoIs to develop Dahej SEZ Govt not to reduce customs duty on SSI goods: Jaitley AAI shortlists 10 consultants for leasing out non-metro airports Meeting on Technology & Spirituality at IMC on Aug. 22 IMC engagements - Talks on Export Strategy on Aug 25 WTO expert to speak on anti-dumping duty Interactive session on service tax Vizag Customs House is a model one: Official 20-nation trade team to meet Shinde on Sept. 19

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AUGUST 20, 2003
MDO continues to surge in Vancouver MDO back-tracks in US East Coast ports Canada: Montreal steady, Halifax softer Surprise US crude draw encourage bulls back into the market The unexpected fall in US stocks of crude served to cheer up the bulls, who have been tired over the past week after chasing the market solidly up during the summer. On the other hand, a solid rise in US stocks of heating oil could likewise convince bears that it is too early for them to retire into winter hibernation. Romania: New bunker location on the Danube Unicom Holding SA announced today that the company has started offering Marine Gas Oil (MGO) with 0.2% sulphur to river vessels on the Danube at the port of Turnu Severin. Greek numbers not quite as bearish as the rest of the region New Saudi posted prices, market softens Crude still soft as market bets on US crude build Bombs in Iraq and a flaring up of ethnic violence in Nigeria's main oil producing region were not enough to turn sentiment around in a market that looks positively lethargic after trading steadfastly firmer in recent weeks. Brazilian market update, IFOs soften Korea's situation unchanged as buyers wait for best deals Buyers are still waiting for Korean suppliers to dump thier product in a market with too much product and very little demand. Day 13 and 6 cents lets OPEC off the hook

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Snagfa: New president of board Ports still driving P&O Group Cargo traffic up for KLM in July Final decision on takeover of TFM by Nafta Rail expected Deutsche Post will definitely acquire Airborne Portland seaport gets gamma ray scanner

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Salvage of Sea-Land Express frustrated by weather Growth and decline in the Swedish controlled fleet Gorthon result reduced by high bunker costs

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Floating resort community visiting Portland today Mitsui research finds shop primer helps combat VLCC tank corrosion DOT plan calls for motor carriers to carry hazmat safety permits Corps eyes breakwater repairs requested by Port of Astoria Public meeting will cover Troutdale Airport master plan

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BG takes up Korean LNG ship options UK GAS group BG is understood to have converted several options on LNG carriers at Samsung Heavy Industries into firm orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the South Korean yard. Buoyant liner freight rates propel AP Møller-Maersk shares to new heights Shares in AP Møller-Maersk, the Danish shipping and oil giant, yesterday touched new highs as buoyant freight rates continued to lift the stock market value of liner firms. Search continues for chairman of liner association LINER shipping bosses will meet in Hamburg today to decide who should spearhead their campaign to save the conference system, writes Janet Porter. Van Westenbrugge quits Jo Tankers over 'differences' ANOTHER top executive with a leading chemical tanker operator is leaving his job, write Tony Gray and Helen Hill.

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AUGUST 20, 2003
OOIL posts record interim profit Asia-US exports slip TMM survival struggle tilts AMP approves charge for ISPS cert Customs strike clogs key Brazil port Milford Haven surviving Sea Empress No EC link in Westwenbrugge move India launches cruise incentive Car-handling combo for Bremerhaven? James Fisher appoints ex-MCA chief French shrimp cull angers India Swedish People back Finnish flag Damen yard deal salvaged Military disciplined over Le Joola Prestige cost could outstrip Valdez Syria to upgrade Banias port Officials blamed for ship escape SK Shipping told to sack CEO SARS batters Star Cruises

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Security's impact changing supply chain fundamentals, say importers Security requirements are changing the way shippers do business, how they choose overseas vendors, and with whom they ship. Asia spurs Charleston box record Riding a wave of imports from Asia, the port handled a record 1.68 million TEUs in fiscal 2002, up 11 percent from the previous year. Box boom propels OOIL profit The parent of OOCL earned $88.7 million before taxes in the first six months of the year, compared with $4.1 million a year ago. CFOs: Logistics strategy, operations still not linked Bangladesh drops cargo preference rule DiStasio new president, CEO of USF Corp. Chemical maker buys stake in HMM Georgia ports, schools establish logistics think tank Datatrac names Hogue CEO Samuel Shapiro hires ex-UPS exec

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Mammoth cargo increases send OOCL profits soaring Booming volumes and vastly improved freight rates on its major trades were the reasons for OOCL's parent, Orient Overseas International Ltd (OOIL), better than expected second half volumes. Sealand Express salvage operations fail Salvage tugs have failed in their attempts to re-float the Maersk Sealand chartered vessel, Sealand Express, which dragged its anchor planting the ship firmly aground outside Cape Town yesterday. Tight charter market sees owners riding high through the silly season Cross-trader CSAV profits from global trade expansion Electronic security tag technology stalled Expectations of NOL recovery are riding high Concor and Maersk to enter joint bid for Nhava Sheva's T3 Exchange costs prove a drag RCL profits

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AUGUST 20, 2003
Costs curtail Gorthon Higher revenues not enough to boost profits for Swedish owner in first six months. Daesun slips back Medium-sized Korean shipbuilder racks up losses in first half of 2003. Shell and Sempra get LNG terminal permits Battle lines are drawn as race to be first in Baja begins. Tschudi & Eitzen set up down under Rival bulker player wins over Western Bulk boss. Jo Tankers' MD exits Rick van Westenbrugge is leaving chemical tanker player. Fundamentals strong at Green Reefers Norwegian owner's ships make operating profit in first half, but financial costs drag it into red. Damen sells Hoogezand yard Dutch builder hands over cargoship facility to Waterhuizen, but workers can move to other group yards. Belships continues on up Norwegian owner enjoys strong tanker and bulker markets, but gas ships stuggle. Fears mount for Sea-Land Express Efforts continue to refloat stranded, storm-lashed Moller boxship. OOIL cashes in on boxship boom Returns rocket for Hong Kong player as China exports surge. Strong start for Shreyas Indian feedership operator continued last year's profitable run in the first quarter. Shipping is bright spot for Vopak Dutch tanker and terminals group sees profits fall, but coastal oil shipping improves.

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AUGUST 20, 2003
"Sealand Express" runs aground in South Africa Asian shipowners to meet Aug. 25-27 in Hong Kong Clipper Elite Carriers adds West Africa feeder MarAd requests 3-year extension of Voluntary Tanker Agreement Menzies World Cargo picks Goovaerts to run Schiphol office Schneider National commits to wireless trailer tracking FMC takes comments on NCBFAA tariff publishing exemption petition U.S. request for WTO to consider European biotech bans heats up ITC to study economic effect of free trade with Dominican Republic CFO survey underscores logistics disconnect USTR sets sugar import quota for fiscal year 2004 U.S. donates 50,000 metric tons of wheat to Georgia Goodyear picks Exel to manage Wingfoot tire fleet Meridian IQ names Fain accounts VP Jamaica to buy container x-ray machine PMI to provide fast rescue boat training