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Shipping News

Asian shippers unite against lines' 'price-fixing', THCs
ASIA's shippers have demanded an end to 'price fixing' liner rates conferences and agreements and unanimously called for the abolition of terminal handling charges , in the fiercest united attack on liner shipping charges yet.
Thai govt urged to pay for box security system
THE Thai government should foot the nearly 600 million baht annual cost of locally implementing an electronic container security system being pushed by the US as part of its requirements for US-bound cargo, said the managing director of Laem Chabang Port.
Northport asks to get onto Klang board
PORT Klang's original and major terminal operator, Northport, has appealed for representation on the Port Klang Authority board.
India shipping line's Q2 profit up
SHIPPING Corp of India, the country's biggest shipping line, said its fiscal second-quarter profit rose 4 per cent after the state-run company transported more goods because of increased overseas trade.
Stolt-Nielsen plunges into the red
NORWEGIAN shipping group swung to a third-quarter loss, hit by poor performances at its Stolt Offshore subsea services unit and fish farming.
World's biggest
THE vessel Shell Bonga FPSO sailing down northeast England's River Tyne to the North Sea.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay Pacific to fly to Beijing in December
HONG Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways said yesterday that it intends to resume services to Beijing from December after an absence of 13 years.
Vietnam Air, a bright spark in Asia's aviation sector
ST Aero's FedEx milestone
SilkAir, Air Macau in code-share pact
UPS says China annual sales could hit US$1b
Log Book

Strait Talk

New casualties, old issues
NASTY ferry accidents causing substantial loss of life are, regrettably, an all too frequent occurrence in many parts of the world, including South-east Asia.

web site

Shipping News

Asian shippers unite against lines' 'price-fixing', THCs
ASIA's shippers have demanded an end to 'price fixing' liner rates conferences and agreements and unanimously called for the abolition of terminal handling charges , in the fiercest united attack on liner shipping charges yet.
Thai govt urged to pay for box security system
THE Thai government should foot the nearly 600 million baht annual cost of locally implementing an electronic container security system being pushed by the US as part of its requirements for US-bound cargo, said the managing director of Laem Chabang Port.
Northport asks to get onto Klang board
PORT Klang's original and major terminal operator, Northport, has appealed for representation on the Port Klang Authority board.
India shipping line's Q2 profit up
SHIPPING Corp of India, the country's biggest shipping line, said its fiscal second-quarter profit rose 4 per cent after the state-run company transported more goods because of increased overseas trade.
Stolt-Nielsen plunges into the red
NORWEGIAN shipping group swung to a third-quarter loss, hit by poor performances at its Stolt Offshore subsea services unit and fish farming.
World's biggest
THE vessel Shell Bonga FPSO sailing down northeast England's River Tyne to the North Sea.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay Pacific to fly to Beijing in December
HONG Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways said yesterday that it intends to resume services to Beijing from December after an absence of 13 years.
Vietnam Air, a bright spark in Asia's aviation sector
ST Aero's FedEx milestone
SilkAir, Air Macau in code-share pact
UPS says China annual sales could hit US$1b
Log Book

Strait Talk

New casualties, old issues
NASTY ferry accidents causing substantial loss of life are, regrettably, an all too frequent occurrence in many parts of the world, including South-east Asia.

web site

Shipping News

Asian shippers unite against lines' 'price-fixing', THCs
ASIA's shippers have demanded an end to 'price fixing' liner rates conferences and agreements and unanimously called for the abolition of terminal handling charges , in the fiercest united attack on liner shipping charges yet.
Thai govt urged to pay for box security system
THE Thai government should foot the nearly 600 million baht annual cost of locally implementing an electronic container security system being pushed by the US as part of its requirements for US-bound cargo, said the managing director of Laem Chabang Port.
Northport asks to get onto Klang board
PORT Klang's original and major terminal operator, Northport, has appealed for representation on the Port Klang Authority board.
India shipping line's Q2 profit up
SHIPPING Corp of India, the country's biggest shipping line, said its fiscal second-quarter profit rose 4 per cent after the state-run company transported more goods because of increased overseas trade.
Stolt-Nielsen plunges into the red
NORWEGIAN shipping group swung to a third-quarter loss, hit by poor performances at its Stolt Offshore subsea services unit and fish farming.
World's biggest
THE vessel Shell Bonga FPSO sailing down northeast England's River Tyne to the North Sea.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay Pacific to fly to Beijing in December
HONG Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways said yesterday that it intends to resume services to Beijing from December after an absence of 13 years.
Vietnam Air, a bright spark in Asia's aviation sector
ST Aero's FedEx milestone
SilkAir, Air Macau in code-share pact
UPS says China annual sales could hit US$1b
Log Book

Strait Talk

New casualties, old issues
NASTY ferry accidents causing substantial loss of life are, regrettably, an all too frequent occurrence in many parts of the world, including South-east Asia.

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SITC scales up North China/Japan services Yichang City to become logistics hub Guangdong foreign trade tops US$200b over first nine months Scrap metal transportation to Asia to grow more expensive Security funding gap to hit IMO nations: Bentley Ecu-Line opens up Suzhou Stockmann, Schenker open central warehouse China Southern to add Sydney flight Air Canada creates New Delhi link AMB to spend US$481m on property at seven US airports Kitty Hawk pilots approve long-term labour contract Rutges first to take advantage of NCTS

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Financial bids for SCI stake to be invited in late Nov. Shahi Shipping's barge movement of box cargo eases congestion at JNP Electronic box security to become industry standard India, China form working group on steel India, SA to join hands in oil sector New record in china clay handling established at Kandla Port Kolkata Port has immense potential: Sinha - 'Developments & modification vital for any organisation' IATA freight forwarders should work like professionals Minister assures FFFAI members a fair dealt Curbs on import of 484 tariff lines may be removed 'Made in India' show launched in China Simplified excise rules applicable to 100 pc exporters of readymade garments: CBEC State textile processors told to pay sales tax with retrospective effect 'Nearshore outsourcing' to help India: Canadian Minister

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Crude consolidation seen after recent losses Gibraltar: Stay of execution for single-hull storage vessel The Gibraltar-based single-hull tanker Wilmington has been given a "stay of execution" and will be able to continue its role as a storage vessel for fuel oil until the courts have reviewed the EU-legislation on single-hull tankers. Egypt: Congestion subsides, market on the rise Rotterdam little changed Korea prices steady despite new refinery fire SK Corp. had to shut a heavy-oil processing unit at its refinery in Ulsan after a fire yesterday. Although this is expected to create a surplus of residual fuel oil, bunker prices today were little changed from yesterday with no signs of aggressive selling. Taiwan IFOs follow Singapore down, 380cst/180cst spread wider Hong Kong steady today amid limited October avails

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Brenntag opens new hub for chemicals distribution in Spain Astag: Commercial traffic to cost more Amerijet offers Miami-San José all-cargo service Lübeck: Clear increase in ferry traffic AAPA names Mike Leone Chairman

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
11 crew missing after capsize Increased tug capacity off Northern Norway Lively cruise season in the Baltic Sea

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Management realignment at American Commercial Lines American Commercial Lines LLC today announced a realignment of senior management responsibilities as its latest step toward emerging from Chapter 11. Daewoo Shipbuilding plans overseas yards Five to six facilities in lower labor cost East Asian centers says CEO Tampa Bay yard seeks improvement loan Plans a return to newbuilding EU single hull ban starts Carriage of heavy hydrocarbons in single hull tankers already prohibited Wartsila updates Condition Based Maintenance package New online capabilities GlobalSantaFE World SCORE heads upward North Sea uptick boosts Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics

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Gibson Shipbrokers in joint venture with AGB Maritime EA Gibson Shipbrokers and AGB Maritime Services, a Dubai-based shipbroker, have formed a joint venture, which sees Gibson taking over AGB's offices. Sea Empress spill saga ends after mediation MILFORD Haven Port Authority has agreed to pay the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund '20m ($32m) over the Sea Empressoil spill, halting legal action brought by the fund and Skuld P&I Club over the accident. EC seeks tanker deals with Russia and Mediterranean BRUSSELS is now turning to bilateral agreements with Russia and "Mediterranean partners" after its post- Prestige crackdown on single hull oil tankers came into force yesterday. Final 'ghost' ships to stay put until April THE Bush administration has postponed until April a decision on whether to send nine aged US Navy ships to the UK for scrapping pending a study of the environmental risks involved.

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Congress reviews Jones Act concern THE National Industrial Transportation League, the largest shippers' association in the US, has asked Congress to oppose any moves to restrict foreign lease-financing of Jones Act vessels Class in harmony over double rules ABS chief executive Robert Somerville confirmed today that IACS members will harmonise their class rules for double hull tankers of 150m-plus from 2005 Valencia revives after strike VALENCIA port in Spain is slowly returning to normal after an agreement was hammered out on Friday that brought strike action to an end Cosco joins Shanghai port bidders COSCO is the latest to express an interest in Shanghai's new CNY100Bn ($12Bn) container port at Yangshan islands Fewer Japanese go cruising THE number of Japanese taking cruises fell by more than 15% last year to fewer than 169,000, but more are taking international cruises Keystone to operate CN's lakers CANADIAN National has signed a contract with Keystone Shipping to operate the eight self-unloaders it has acquired as part of its purchase of Great Lakes Transportation Gib storage tanker in line of fire MacGregor targets Chinese shipyards Khor Fakkan to double capacity Daewoo reveals yard restruture Busan concerned by throughput slip Zeebrugge in roro talks with Bilbao MSC, Hesse Noord form joint venture

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Weak peak season for Asia imports September box imports rise at key U.S. ports but fall well short of expected levels. International boosts UPS earnings Net income jumped 28 percent in the third quarter to $739 million, up from $578 million a year ago. BNSF profits rise on stronger freight But railroad saw higher fuel and labor costs in the third quarter amid capacity and congestion issues. New box record for Savannah Thailand balks at U.S. box-security costs FedEx Custom Critical launches Mexico overnight service Carriers hike trans-Pac scrap rates Channel Tunnel eyes container service CNF profits fall OTAL upgrades Angola shuttle Kitty Hawk pilots OK 10-year pact Meetings to avert Israel strikes Exel wins big UK military contract

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Busan invests to stay competitive as Busan volumes drop Busan container volumes, particularly transhipments, fell for the first time since 1976 this September, but the port authority is investing to remain competitive, approving new dredging and equipment today. JNPT goes for financial restructuring Under-utilised Eurotunnel plans development of block train traffic Increase in Klang shuttle frequency offers shippers alternative to ocean feeders Combispeed await Hamburg-L'beck shuttle operating licence Intra-Europe Service double calls at Rotterdam

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
Gibsons hit Dubai Broker spreads wings to Middle East venture while working on other expansion plans. American Club offers Tasman solution Insurer asks Pakistan to follow convention spawned by Torrey Canyon wreck. Sea Empress claims settled Insurers in big payout to end battle over port authority negligence. Auction of the Baha Karahasan TradeWinds clarifies last week's advert about a forthcoming judicial sale. ABS hits EU regs Single-hull crackdown could discourage maintenance, Somerville worries. Torm confirms Dalian deal Danish owner returns to China for another two LR2 aframaxes. Petrobras tries again to forge deal Both sides back at table at union threatens 72-hour strike. Bulker boom to hold into mid 2004 Brokers Howe Robinson wonder aloud about the next trough in 2007? Handysize held with structural problems Hong Kong port state control detains 15 ships in September. Newsprint demand hits Gorthon Swedish line feels pinch of weak US advertising market. EU enforces single hull tanker ban New regulation for heavy fuel oil carriage enters into force today. Daewoo eyes overseas yard options Jung Sung-leep explains vision as presidency confirmed for next three years. "Errors" led to Tecam Sea case collapse A series of errors by authorities in the prosecution of an oil spill case allegedly led to its collapse. Unitor takes Marine Alliance hit End of BP joint venture costs Jens Ulltveit-Moe ship supply company. Wilhelmsen sells crew agency Officer employment agency Norsk Bemanning goes Dutch with Oceanwide. Halim Mazmin eyes livestock trade Malaysian owner looks to diversify its fleet with the transportation of animals from South America. Indian government delays SCI bids Legal manoeuvres hold up sale of state shipping company for one month. Coalition battles to control crude US military attempts to protect pipeline to Ceyhan while cutting smuggling in the south of Iraq.

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OCTOBER 21, 2003
EU restrictions on single-hull tankers now effective Hyundai to charter five 6,800-TEU ships via joint venture Leases extended for JFK, LaGuardia airports Abidjan rail link to Burkina Faso resumed after civil war Canadian National to acquire bulk carrier Mandatory AES reporting set for rough diamonds U.S. wants more assurance of export compliance from China Bush administration pursues free trade agreement with Thailand MTMC changes name to reflect new mission $40-million auto facility opens in Tacoma Box volume up 11% at Savannah Port of Houston reviews security contract proposals Bentley: U.S. ports feel "shortchanged" on security WhereNet launches wireless marine terminal system