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Shipping News

US starts massive sealift as it gears up for possible war
THE US government has started activating commercially owned container and break bulk cargo ships under its Ready Reserve Force programme , as it steps up preparations for a possible war with Iraq.
User levy could fund force to patrol straits
OVER a decade of sketchy results in the fight against piracy in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has prompted maritime security experts to call for a neutral-flagged patrol force funded by a user levy.
Pirate attacks in Indon waters up 13% last year
INDONESIA remains the world's worst piracy hotspot, with 103 attacks reported in the archipelago in 2002 - up 13 per cent on 2001 - figures compiled by the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre reveal.
US West Coast dockers okay labour pact
WORKERS at US West Coast ports approved a six-year labour contract, ending a dispute that prompted a 10-day shutdown last year and may have cost the US economy as much as US$10 billion.
Yard that built Titanic names last ship
HARLAND & Wolff, the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic, christened a 22,000-tonne vessel Anvil Point last week, which may probably be the last constructed by the 160-year-old company.

Air and Land Transport

US Senate kills plan to help bankrupt US Airways
THE US Senate killed a proposal late on Wednesday to allow US Airways Group to restructure payments to its employee pension system, increasing chances the bankrupt carrier will end its pilots' retirement plan.
Virgin Blue voted world's best low-cost carrier
Garuda pilots threaten strike over pay
Japan group wins order for Taiwan's bullet train project

web site

Shipping News

US starts massive sealift as it gears up for possible war
THE US government has started activating commercially owned container and break bulk cargo ships under its Ready Reserve Force programme , as it steps up preparations for a possible war with Iraq.
User levy could fund force to patrol straits
OVER a decade of sketchy results in the fight against piracy in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has prompted maritime security experts to call for a neutral-flagged patrol force funded by a user levy.
Pirate attacks in Indon waters up 13% last year
INDONESIA remains the world's worst piracy hotspot, with 103 attacks reported in the archipelago in 2002 - up 13 per cent on 2001 - figures compiled by the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre reveal.
US West Coast dockers okay labour pact
WORKERS at US West Coast ports approved a six-year labour contract, ending a dispute that prompted a 10-day shutdown last year and may have cost the US economy as much as US$10 billion.
Yard that built Titanic names last ship
HARLAND & Wolff, the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic, christened a 22,000-tonne vessel Anvil Point last week, which may probably be the last constructed by the 160-year-old company.

Air and Land Transport

US Senate kills plan to help bankrupt US Airways
THE US Senate killed a proposal late on Wednesday to allow US Airways Group to restructure payments to its employee pension system, increasing chances the bankrupt carrier will end its pilots' retirement plan.
Virgin Blue voted world's best low-cost carrier
Garuda pilots threaten strike over pay
Japan group wins order for Taiwan's bullet train project

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HK Sea Transport Association issues new sea freight charges United Transportation sets up shop in Shenzhen Maersk Sealand to introduce two new weekly services Malaysia joins US Customs' Container Security Initiative Vancouver handles record amount of containers in 2002 CargoSmart markets Rate Explorer with Management Dynamics American has record loss in FY2002, better fourth quarter Schenker wins freight transporting deal with IOC Changi Airport cargo throughput rises 9pc Deutsche Post to make counter parcels dispatch easier

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Bad result and cuts KLM KLM is being forced to reduce capacity and to make cuts in its network because of the continuing bad results. KLM announced an operating loss of 63 million euro and a net loss of 66 million for its third quarter to the end of December 2003. ILWU members ratify contract by huge margin The rank and file of the ILWU Longshore Division voted by nearly 90 percent to ratify the tentative contract union negotiators secured Nov. 23. International President James Spinosa said the members made an informed and wise decision. 'Malacca, Singapore straits terrorist risk' The Malacca and Singapore Straits are prime targets for a major terrorist attack on commercial shipping because of their economic importance, high traffic volume, limited maneuverability and the existing piracy problem, say maritime security and intelligence experts. Teamsters union breaks off talks with truckers The Teamsters union representing 90,000 drivers and cargo handlers has broken off contract talks with some of America's top truckers amid differences over healthcare costs and wages.

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Tight avails on Canadian East Coast US East Coast ports hold steady ARA region: Demand remains slight despite weakened markets IBIA to ask EU to reconsider proposed ban on small tankers ECO Phoenix wins award for environmental services Rising Asian numbers equal a viable Japanese bunker market Mexican port closures New Saudi posted prices Italy gets busy as crude levels drive indication down Rotterdam numbers drop sharply

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JANUARY 23, 2003
4.2 million TEU throughput handled in Yantian last year NOL's 2002 preliminary financial results Maersk Logistics expands co-operation with Ikea Continental Airlines 2002 results China's postal service moves into the logistics business

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JANUARY 23, 2003
France takes tanker ban further Security costs threat to small scale shipping Folke Patriksson steps down as MD of B&N

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Graykowski joins Kvaerner Philadelphia He'll be senior VP and general counsel EC proposals for EU-U.S. Customs cooperation Wants a Community-wide accord with U.S.

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JANUARY 23, 2003
ILWU members vote overwhelmingly to approve new labor contract Union Pacific sets record for income during 2002 US Customs officers head to new posts in Malaysia Coast Guard cutter heads to Everett for month of specialized training TMM Lines makes San Juan call part of Mediterranean/US West Coast run

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Brussels seeks mandate to lead security talks with US BRUSSELS has stepped up the political pressure on US Customs by seeking extra powers to negotiate maritime security issues with Washington on behalf of all European Union member states. Cenargo trade creditors threaten court action Cenargo, the Irish Sea ferry operator which filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, has become embroiled in a dispute with angry trade creditors in Liverpool that threatens to result in legal action against the group. Statoil clinches Asia LPG order STATOIL has clinched two long-term contracts with a combined value of NKr1.5bn ($218m) to deliver liquefied petroleum gas to Japan and China, writes Martyn Wingrove. BAE and Thales play down shared aircraft carrier deal DEFENCE giants BAE Systems and Thales, locked in battle to build the UK's new aircraft carriers, yesterday distanced themselves from leaked government proposals that they could split the massive £2.9bn ($4.5bn) order.

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Dredger "sunk" in Dubai Drydock Patriksson vacates top B&N job Canadian ports slam security package Canada unveils security package ABS steps back from tanker finding Oil workers consider ending strike HK shippers get 24-hour warning France champions pollution fight Manifest rule starts to bite Port state inspectors go on-line Colombo calls for CSI Maersk announces new NZ services St Petersburg bunker prices soar War won't upset Gulf petchem trades IMB warns of oil and freight frauds Revised rest periods for Reef pilots Prestige patched up by next month West Coast dock deal clinched President's pal gets plum Canal job Dubai in $1.4Bn Dominican deal

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Customs details 24-hour enforcement The U.S. Customs Service will begin issuing "no load" orders for the "most egregious" violations of the 24-hour rule beginning Feb. 2, officials said. No boom for U.S. air freight: Report Modest growth predicted for this year, but no return to the boom of the late 1990s, a new report says. EU seeks box security talks with US In a bid to defuse an escalating trans-Atlantic dispute over ocean container security, the European Union wants to negotiate on behalf of its 15 member states. West Coast port labor contract ratified Port of Montreal sees box record KLM 3Q loss on weaker cargo UPS signs deal with China air-cargo carrier Hutchinson in confirmation hearings Security package for Canadian ports India-Europe rates rising Yellow profits jump in 4Q FedEx exec to head LatAm express group MOL tabs Konishi for N.A. trades

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JANUARY 23, 2003
US ports face $4bn security budget gap American ports face a massive 95% budget gap when it comes to paying for mandates imposed by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Puerto Cabello pilots reject pleas to end strike Venezuela's Puerto Cabello, is set to remain crippled by a seven-week national strike after pilots decided not to follow colleagues in the port of Maracaibo and return to work. ILWU ratifies six-year West Coast deal Defence Ministry drops Vallarpadam objections Wine boom uncorks record year for Adelaide Rostock-Rotterdam rail shuttle to boost Baltic trade ABX Logistics picks second German partner Costa adds Salerno call to Cuba service

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JANUARY 23, 2003
Graykowski joins Philadelphia Shipyard Ex-Marad man joins Aker Kvaerner Yards' struggling US facility. Super secure Coast Guard gears up San Diego presence in preparation for Super Bowl XXXVII. Great Lakes, great pay Pilot salaries set to top $173,000 for nine months in 2003 shipping season. Negative outlook for UK Club Rating agency downgrades biggest P&I club in expectation of $35m loss. US 'guts' terror insurance bill Treasury department excludes key areas of cargo and pollution claims. Feeling Venezuela's pain Foreign oil giants losing a combined $6.7m per day to PDVSA strike. B&N founder resigns Folke Patriksson to end 30-year watch at the helm of Swedish shipping group. EC wants single deal on port security European Commission plans to take more member states to court for going it alone with US. SUIT increases stake in Simon Investment trust acquires 12% holding in troubled UK shipping and ports group. US to help Spain on Prestige clean-up Exxon Valdez clean-up experience to be applied. Repair project problems hit Todd Shipyards US yard bemoans poor performance in third quarter, but says lessons have been learned. EBRD in Gulf of Finland loan Navigation system to improve Russian tanker trade safety gets bank backing. Orders down at Hyundai Heavy Industries World's biggest shipbuilder signed 10% fewer contracts in 2002 as demand fell. Investors hot for China Shipping stock Shares in Hong Kong listed arm of CSG have leapt over 20% since the start of the year. Suezmax rebound boosts Nordic American Tanker owner enjoyed strong fourth quarter, but 2002's profit couldn't match the previous year's figure. Salvors hired to pump oil from sunken barge Divers inspection reveals no cargo leak from Algeciras Bay wreck. Icebreaker damaged Replacement ship called in to help keep Antarctic shipping channels open. AP Moller unit in massive tug order SvitzerWijsmuller looks to four yards around world for $144m spree. HMM in fresh fund raising drive Korean owner plans to issue KRW 250bn in asset backed securities on back of boxship business. Success for first non-steam LNG power plant Engine for gas carrier diesel-electric plant completes successful factory acceptance tests in Finland. ABP Southampton outsources fleet Vosper Thornycroft subsidiary to provide fleet contract hire scheme to UK port.