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Shipping News

PSA to lay off 200 senior, 600 junior staff this year
ABOUT 200 senior and 600 junior PSA Corporation staff will make up the total retrenchments this year, including the 496 who received lay off letters yesterday.
Jakarta releases 3 Belgian owned sand dredgers
THREE Belgian-owned dredgers detained for nearly seven months by Indonesian authorities for alleged illegal sand mining in the Riau islands have finally been released.
Mitsubishi yard welders charged
JAPANESE police pressed charges against seven Mitsubishi Heavy Industries workers for negligence and setting off a massive blaze that damaged a British cruise liner under construction last year.
8 die in Indon ferry sinking
EIGHT people are confirmed dead and about 30 are believed missing after a ferry caught fire and sank off North Sumatra in Indonesia yesterday, police said.
2 killed in cargo ship collision off Japan
TWO Chinese men were killed when their cargo ship collided with a Cambodian-registered vessel off Japan, the Japanese Coast Guard said.
Cartel busters raid 4 European tanker firms
THE four major chemical tanker operators in Europe have said antitrust authorities raided their offices in Norway, Britain and the Netherlands investigating a possible cartel.
PSA must retain people on the ground
I REFER to the report 'PSA's cost-cutting must not affect port efficiency'.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ set for solid rebound with strong H1 profits
NATIONAL carrier Air New Zealand is expected to post a strong first-half profit on the back of more passengers and a stronger currency, reflecting a solid rebound for the bailed-out airline.
Air safety officers to monitor Qantas flights
AirAsia to serve region by Jan next year
Plane crew overpower Taiwan man claiming to have explosives
Bomb alert delays Philippine flights
India may scrap airline sales

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Shipping News

PSA to lay off 200 senior, 600 junior staff this year
ABOUT 200 senior and 600 junior PSA Corporation staff will make up the total retrenchments this year, including the 496 who received lay off letters yesterday.
Jakarta releases 3 Belgian owned sand dredgers
THREE Belgian-owned dredgers detained for nearly seven months by Indonesian authorities for alleged illegal sand mining in the Riau islands have finally been released.
Mitsubishi yard welders charged
JAPANESE police pressed charges against seven Mitsubishi Heavy Industries workers for negligence and setting off a massive blaze that damaged a British cruise liner under construction last year.
8 die in Indon ferry sinking
EIGHT people are confirmed dead and about 30 are believed missing after a ferry caught fire and sank off North Sumatra in Indonesia yesterday, police said.
2 killed in cargo ship collision off Japan
TWO Chinese men were killed when their cargo ship collided with a Cambodian-registered vessel off Japan, the Japanese Coast Guard said.
Cartel busters raid 4 European tanker firms
THE four major chemical tanker operators in Europe have said antitrust authorities raided their offices in Norway, Britain and the Netherlands investigating a possible cartel.
PSA must retain people on the ground
I REFER to the report 'PSA's cost-cutting must not affect port efficiency'.

Air and Land Transport

Air NZ set for solid rebound with strong H1 profits
NATIONAL carrier Air New Zealand is expected to post a strong first-half profit on the back of more passengers and a stronger currency, reflecting a solid rebound for the bailed-out airline.
Air safety officers to monitor Qantas flights
AirAsia to serve region by Jan next year
Plane crew overpower Taiwan man claiming to have explosives
Bomb alert delays Philippine flights
India may scrap airline sales

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Shanghai invites global bidding for Yangshan port operation Pre-arrival rules for mainland vessels relaxed CAF monitoring cycle to change from quarterly to monthly Con-Way opens expanded Florence, Kentucky centre PSA reaches staffing agreement with unions Associated British Ports FY2002 pre-tax profit up 6pc Ryder and First Industrial sign real estate agreement AirNet Systems net revenues increase in Q4 2002 Polar to run own sales offices in Europe come Spring Continental to centralise Houston reservations offices

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Maersk back in black in 2003 The Danish parent of Maersk Sealand said its shipping operations, which were heading for a loss, will now make a profit. Malaysia port sets box expansion plans Malaysia's northwestern Port of Penang is adding another container berth and second access bridge, and reclaiming 60 acres of land for a container yard, among a host of improvements aimed at expanding its container-handling capabilities. The developer for the project is expected to be announced by the end of March. Air NZ with strong H1 profits National carrier Air New Zealand is expected to post average profit forecast of NZ$89 million in its first-half on the back of more passengers and a stronger currency, reflecting a solid rebound for the bailed-out airline. PSA hands out nearly 500 pink slips A total of 496 staff had been given their notice early Monday and another 800 are due to leave through retirement, resignation, transfers or when their service contracts end, a PSA spokesman said. All Nippon Air losses and lay-offs All Nippon Airways may stretch 3-day decline after report to fall into red this FY. Nikkei predicts group operating loss of about Y9 billion vs company's initial forecast for Y15 billion profit; consensus for Y11.48 billion profit.

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Shipping Minister tells CSL to spread wings, improve efficiency & profitability Vessel detained at Bangladesh was sold at SCI's behest: Minister Danzas Asia-Pacific awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification EC keen on boosting trade with India Anti-dumping duty imposed on Chinese metal torches 3 nations ask India to join gas pipeline project India, China sign pact to lower trade tariffs 6 perish in ship blaze at Alang Shipyard, toll may be higher Lack of rakes, changed FCI supply policy hit wheat exports via Vizag Port Ports, shipping sectors await new dawn on Feb. 28 Forex reserves swell by $ 1,084 million to $ 75 billion More states opt for separate export policy Nalco bags best exporter award again Inflation rate rises to 5.04 per cent EOUs council seeks sanction to sell textile goods in DTA ONGC strikes oil, gas at 5 fields Finance Ministry may relax depreciation norms

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Venezuela cranks up production amid firing oil workers No quota change expected at OPEC March meeting Ice blocks Primorsk-bound tanker Iraqi oil export from Khor al Amaya Italy signs decree to ban certain single-hull tankers UK presents "window" for Iraq to comply or face war Novorossiysk: Hurricane expected to close port Oil prices march on up to the beat of war drums Rotterdam indications move up on the back of bullish crude

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«Baco Liner 3» celebrates 500th voyage Eurogate increases handling capacity South African airport for sale Waitrose extends contract with Hays Logistics TNT enhances logistics operation with IBM Thailand CP Ships makes senior management appointment

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Skuld throws out cruise vessels Frontline weaker than expected "Saddam continues to smuggle oil"

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Port of Everett schedules meeting to discuss North Marina development Customs adds two European ports as operational CSI program members Airborne Express will boost fuel surcharge to 5.1 percent Officers randomly searching vehicles approaching Portland Airport MARAD reactivates RRF vessel to support Operation Enduring Freedom

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Importers Rush to Claim Containers at Mombasa

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Bulls' eyes light up on AP Møller rethink AP Møller's shipping activities performed much better in 2002 than the Danish group had been anticipating in the early months of last year - news that prompted analysts to claim the liner market had turned the corner. Noble launches Abbey Shipping in rare Enterprise Investment A NEW UK shipping company has been launched under the government's Enterprise Investment Scheme, which is designed to stimulate equity investment in small companies through tax incentives. Star plans US flag cruise fleet as revenue increases STAR Cruises is planning a US-flagged cruise fleet as it pulls itself back into the black in 2002. Stena upgrades Irish Sea ferry link SWEDISH ferry group Stena Line is to inject '70m into a major upgrade of its Irish Sea services linking Ireland and Scotland with the construction of two new port facilities, writes Jerry Frank. Port Mobil claims to go to UK club PROTECTION and indemnity club West of England is likely to face claims arising from the explosion that rocked ExxonMobil's Port Mobil facility at Staten Island.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Panama settles dispute with HPH US seeks six for the military Thames terminal inquiry opens Probe launched into NY barge blast Izar appoints Rituerto as first MD Oil policy delays other trading Four lost in ferry sinking Jordan rejects Iraq oil report Gas warms Qatar operator's profits Italy bans old single-hull tankers Madrid stands firm against marchers Corruption alleged over port work Seafarers killed after collision Gisborne rapped after grounding Seven charged over Princess fire Mystery ships regarded as hoax Poor watchkeeping led to sinking Algeria's ports to be hit again SK Shipping shrugs off Chey arrest Four port operators to merge Ports prepare for possible attacks Unions endorse PSA package

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Moller now sees profit for shipping The Danish parent of Maersk Sealand said its shipping operations, which were heading for a loss, will now make a profit. Truckers strike Port of Savannah Harbor truck drivers on Monday launched a two-day job action at the Port of Savannah to protest delays at the Georgia port. Cosco joins Shanghai port scramble China's largest shipping company disclosed plans to bid for a stake in the country's new Yangshan deepwater port. Frontline boosts 4Q profits Probe into deadly New York barge explosion BAX Global taps Carr USSEC holds on bunker charge Malaysia port sets box expansion plans Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees want to block UPS plan Eurogate, Maersk Data open logistics software venture Deal for Mobile cold storage Nistevo reports gain Covansys offers CSI help

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Ghana deal launches South African port authority's international expansion drive South Africa's National Ports Authority (NPA) is poised to sign its first long-term concession agreement in another African country this week, the first step in its expansion into Africa and beyond. Resurgent liner confidence: AP Moller forecast upgrade AP Moller has raised its financial expectations for 2002, announcing a DKr1.5 billion (US$217 million) upward revision for income from shipping that is indicative of growing confidence across the liner sector. New COSCO, Yangming service boosts transpacific capacity Hong Kong terminal majors offer joint value-added platform Safmarine adds W.Africa leg to SAMBA string

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
OSG, Valles just say no Both owners deny Overseas Shipholding Group has bought seven aframaxes. Labour reports rile barge owner Bouchard pledges full cooperation in NY blast probe. PDVSA to end force majeure? Company official says return to 'normal' will allow end to contract clause. Savvy salvors to the rescue Dutch company Multraship says it prevented 'major casualty' on the Scheldt AP Moller in shipping turnaround Tanker and liner freight rate revival give a $217m boost to quoted companies. Superfast ahead for Attica Greek ferry owner's turnover speeds ahead but profit trails in the wake. Wilhelmsen positive on Awilco bid Two large shareholders give a boost to hopes of taking listed offshoot private. DNV returns crash back Norwegian classification society says it axed 77 ships from class in 2002. Saaremaa faces scrap for Estonian ferry franchise Three shipping companies eyeing state licence for Estonian island traffic. Lithuanian Shipping stays out of the red Dry cargoship owner posts narrow profit for 2002 despite weaker US dollar. Star returns to profit Capacity increase and cost control boosts fortunes for Asian-based cruise giant. Frontline 'cautious' but 'optimistic' on 2003 John Fredriksen's tanker giant predicts big first quarter gains. Scandal-hit Sasebo forecasts loss Japanase yard that swindled government out of training cash is gloomy about current prospects. Breakers hit by dearth of large tonnage Upcoming Indian budget pushing up prices but seen having little longer term effect. Four dead after ferry sinks off China Most passengers and crew safe following tragic incident in Bohai Strait. California to hike spill levies Plan to raise extra $7.75m will increase tanker and dry cargo vessel costs. Breaking yard fire kills up to 15 Alang inspectors may toughen up on gas free certification after blaze on former Chandris tanker. Great Eastern inks Hanjin MR tanker Indian shipowner extends newbuilding relationship with South Korean shipbuilder. Shippers adapting to new US box rule, MOL says Nearly all customers of Japanese container line's US operation are giving advance notice of cargo.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Marad begins E-Seal testing Safmarine extends Samba service to West Africa Marad to hold maritime security standards meeting Canadian freight conferences to raise Eastbound rates A.P. Moller to report shipping profits before special items for 2002 Frontline falls into the red with $7 million 2002 loss Maersk Sealand adds Indian port to U.S. West Coast link Polar Air ends agency relationship in Europe Schneider names Sanders area VP of sales P.A.M. Transportation expands fleet FMCSA extends time to address intermodal equipment maintenance WTO sees support for potential trade facilitation negotiation Port of Mobile, ICS Logistics strike deal on cold storage facility PSA port group to pay compensation to laid-off workers Algeciras topped 2.2-million teu traffic in 2002