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Shipping News

US detains oil tanker in New Jersey, bars 2 crew
THE US Coast Guard said it had taken control of an Egyptian-owned oil tanker on the east coast of the United States after boarding the vessel and denying US entry to two Iraqi crew members.
Cosco Pacific's H2 profit up 16%
COSCO Pacific Ltd, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, had a 16 per cent gain in second-half profit because of higher earnings from ports and container leasing.
Supertanker runs aground in Suez Canal
AN Iranian-owned supertanker has run aground in the Suez Canal, Lloyd's agents said on Tuesday, though canal authorities said the vessel was not disrupting traffic or leaking oil.

Air and Land Transport

Unions, airlines set to face off on war-related retrenchments
US airlines are using the war with Iraq as legal justification for thousands of layoffs, setting off fights with unions that could drag on for months or even years, industry and legal experts said on Tuesday.
BA cuts flights to US
Sydney Airport's debt rating faces most risk: S&P
Wellington Airport sues Air NZ for NZ$7m in fees
Repair of badly damaged SIA jet to take 16 days
Metal fatigue cracks found on plane

Port Shots

Port Shots
SHIPMENTS of Malaysian cars and palm oil to the Middle East have been disrupted because of the war in Iraq, Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz said yesterday.

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Shipping News

US detains oil tanker in New Jersey, bars 2 crew
THE US Coast Guard said it had taken control of an Egyptian-owned oil tanker on the east coast of the United States after boarding the vessel and denying US entry to two Iraqi crew members.
Cosco Pacific's H2 profit up 16%
COSCO Pacific Ltd, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, had a 16 per cent gain in second-half profit because of higher earnings from ports and container leasing.
Supertanker runs aground in Suez Canal
AN Iranian-owned supertanker has run aground in the Suez Canal, Lloyd's agents said on Tuesday, though canal authorities said the vessel was not disrupting traffic or leaking oil.

Air and Land Transport

Unions, airlines set to face off on war-related retrenchments
US airlines are using the war with Iraq as legal justification for thousands of layoffs, setting off fights with unions that could drag on for months or even years, industry and legal experts said on Tuesday.
BA cuts flights to US
Sydney Airport's debt rating faces most risk: S&P
Wellington Airport sues Air NZ for NZ$7m in fees
Repair of badly damaged SIA jet to take 16 days
Metal fatigue cracks found on plane

Port Shots

Port Shots
SHIPMENTS of Malaysian cars and palm oil to the Middle East have been disrupted because of the war in Iraq, Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz said yesterday.

web site

Shipping News

US detains oil tanker in New Jersey, bars 2 crew
THE US Coast Guard said it had taken control of an Egyptian-owned oil tanker on the east coast of the United States after boarding the vessel and denying US entry to two Iraqi crew members.
Cosco Pacific's H2 profit up 16%
COSCO Pacific Ltd, the world's fifth-largest container-leasing company, had a 16 per cent gain in second-half profit because of higher earnings from ports and container leasing.
Supertanker runs aground in Suez Canal
AN Iranian-owned supertanker has run aground in the Suez Canal, Lloyd's agents said on Tuesday, though canal authorities said the vessel was not disrupting traffic or leaking oil.

Air and Land Transport

Unions, airlines set to face off on war-related retrenchments
US airlines are using the war with Iraq as legal justification for thousands of layoffs, setting off fights with unions that could drag on for months or even years, industry and legal experts said on Tuesday.
BA cuts flights to US
Sydney Airport's debt rating faces most risk: S&P
Wellington Airport sues Air NZ for NZ$7m in fees
Repair of badly damaged SIA jet to take 16 days
Metal fatigue cracks found on plane

Port Shots

Port Shots
SHIPMENTS of Malaysian cars and palm oil to the Middle East have been disrupted because of the war in Iraq, Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz said yesterday.

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MOL says encore to fuel hold redesign on new vessel Japan implements Container Security Initiative CSXWT appoints Robert Walker as VP in South Korea Unifeeder begins Hamburg to Hanko service AADA to increase bunker surcharge in April Duetsche Post to buy Airborne ground unit KLM to add war surcharge, partners with Syntegra Cargolux implements fuel surcharge by EUR0.05

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Russia likely to help develop inland waterways transport Maersk Kolkata's date with NSICT: March 27 - Largest-ever boxship to call at any Indian port/terminal Gulf-bound cargo attracts WRP All exporters' L/Cs with Iraq will continue to be honoured - UN officials' assurance to Ficci team Gem, jewellery exports poised to cross target Do's and don'ts for doing IT business in Japan Stem privatisation move, Kulkarni tells port workers Apeda approves setting up of AEZ for mangoes in TN Inflation zooms Further relaxation in export, import curbs, more teeth to DGFT likely Exporters seek 100 pc income-tax exemption due to war impact Simplified excise rules for textile sector from April 1 Commerce Ministry wants I-T on OBUs in SEZs lowered Notifications on Exim Policy changes to be issued on April 1 Oil, gas struck in Rajasthan Talk on 'Instability in Undefined Asia' at IMC today Iraq war fallout IMC engagements

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MARCH 26, 2003
Tight East Coast awaits April replenishment US Gulf congested, problems at HOFTI US crude inventories begin recovery on rise in imports Daily Bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents Istanbul: Suppliers unsure where to place market GAC News Flash African bunker market report from GAC War, refinery cutbacks and demand all nudge Piraeus upwards Korean indications manage to fall at last Iraqi oil exports sharply down, seen grinding to a halt Paul Glerum joins Multraship Headline-driven crude prices bounce back after late retreat New Saudi posted prices, market softens Rotterdam prices steady from yesterday

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MARCH 26, 2003
PSA wins Asia's Best Container Terminal Operator Award Lufthansa Cargo exceeds expectations Deutsche Bahn undergoes trimming for entry on capital markets Airborne to sell off U.S. ground unit to Deutsche Post P&O Nedlloyd launches new suite of online services

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MARCH 26, 2003
Mina al-Bakr can resume oil exports SOL to leave the stock exchange Concerned shipbuilders in Norway

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MARCH 26, 2003
Corps of Engineers reopens navigation locks on Columbia/Snake Port of Seattle opening flare disposal program Annual Marine Swap Meet set for Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal Shipping industry panel airing concerns to Washington senators Evergreen teams with Wan Hai in vessel sharing agreement

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Harris to replace Beckett as chairman of Clarksons TIM Harris, chairman of shipping group James Fisher, has been lined up to take the corresponding role at Clarksons, the world's largest shipbroker and shipping services group. Cost of war cover rockets on vital aid ships to Iraq WAR risk insurance premiums for ships bringing aid cargoes to Iraq have rocketed 700% in the last few days, in a move that could add millions of dollars a week to the bill for humanitarian relief. US offer of escorts and risk cover greeted with scepticism THE US State Department has announced measures to ensure continued oil shipping in the Persian Gulf, including escorts and war risk insurance coverage if necessary. Mine ships 'aimed at Umm Qasr' COALITION naval forces believe that four Iraqi vessels captured at the weekend in the Khor Abd Allah waterway carrying a total of 86 mines were on operation to block the port of Umm Qasr, writes Jerry Frank. UK stalwarts PRI and Brit mull joining forces Brit Insurance Holdings is in talks with fellow UK insurer PRI Group on an all-paper offer for the firm worth about '156m ($246m), or 120p per share.

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MARCH 26, 2003
GAC organises aid distribution Brazilian yard hopes for jobs boost US security proposal disappoints Yard rejects US-operated ro-ro Double hulls not necessarily safer Russian export boost hindered Owners win taxation battle Iraq rebuilding to benefit Asians Umm Qasr port safe, town unsafe Gulf: majors drop Kuwait calls Mid East exporters forced to fly Gulf: Marlo advises shipping Iraqi mine layers seized Gulf: US offers security for ships Gulf: repair fears boost Colombo VLCC patched up after Suez scrape Lloyd Werft ownership revealed Ferry fuel hike passed on Harris to become Clarkson chairman Gulf: risk to shipping minimal Gulf: US plans food aid shipments Free trade boost for Korean ports Three bid for Subic box project Gulf: Korean exporters lose $52M

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MARCH 26, 2003
BA, Lufthansa cut N. Atlantic services British Airways said it will cut capacity across key North Atlantic routes because of falling traffic due to the war. India region seeing scattered delays Ocean shipments to Persian Gulf held up despite industry's "business as usual" claims. EU to approve war aid to airlines But warns against bailouts for rival U.S. carriers. Trade groups rally to Sea-Land defense AAPA: Hutchison repeats opposition to 100% box checks China revamps trade office Line to ship 28,000 tons of grain to Iraq Long Beach lobbies for highway funds Study: Hampton Roads needs $2.7B expansion Jeffrey, terminal exec, dead at 69 Aviation Services, Ameriflight in Mexico air cargo deal

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MARCH 26, 2003
Allegations force reversal of Laem Chabang contract award Bowing to robust criticism, Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has reversed its decision on the contract to manage Laem Chabang's C3 pier, re-awarding the contract to a previously unsuccessful bidder. Italy causing concern as Swiss transalpine link advances Switzerland is proceeding on schedule with its ambitious SFr14.7 (US$10.6) billion NEAT transalpine rail project, and is acting to allay fears about Italian infrastructure. Carriers get tough on 'free days' for Australian import boxes Tariff increases difficult to assess say SA lines Imbalances and inland costs still hitting S.Brazil exporters Bull charter market unchecked as ship shortage fuels ascent Backing opaque for planned Scottish transhiment hub HMM president reassures shareholders Crazy ants highlight NZ box inspection loopholes Korean box port volumes soar Klang's Northport outsources prime movers at new CT3

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MARCH 26, 2003
PDV Marina sings drydock blues More than half of Venezuelan tanker fleet still disabled to tune of $100,000 per day, report says. Iraq crude exports "good to go" Foreign nations line up to supply humanitarian grain. Montanari takes up handy options Italian tanker owner signs up for two more 35,000-dwt ships at Hyundai Mipo. GNV sees profit axed New vessels cut into returns for Italian ferry operator Grandi Navi Veloci. Profits soar at Shun Tak Hong Kong ferry group increases earnings despite revenue drop in 2002. Delmas unveils further rate restoration This time it is French line's Asia to East Africa services that will see prices rise. Managers take control at Lloyd Werft German shiprepairer's bosses buy 70% stake from equity firm Bridgepoint. Samudera profit jumps Across the board cost-cutting helps Singapore-listed owner to improve fortunes. Cash tills ring at Groupe Bourbon French bulker and supply ship owner's profits boosted by supermarket division in 2002. Clarkson grows Shanghai boxship arm Analysts expect broking giant's profits to top '7m in 2003. Cargo removal options outlined for stranded ship Salvors eye up cliff-top conveyor system and ship-to-ship offloading solutions. Ersman joins Eukor Former Argonaut boss to head up planning for new car carrier giant. Tsuneishi makes a move on China Japanese shipbuilder gets a toehold while it eyes up yard plan. Write-down writes off profits at J Lauritzen Danish shipping group hit by fleet devaluation and difficult markets in 2002. Japanese cruise firms shy away from Gulf One company has already altered its schedule over concerns about safety. Clarkson down but unbowed Tim Harris to step into chairman's shoes next year. Strike to hit Manitowoc's profits Pay dispute at Marinette Marine yard to lower first quarter result for US group. Thai owners impose fuel surcharge Thailand Port Authority approves $3 per tonne hike in response to higher crude price. Aussie Gulf livestock trade unaffected Shipments to Kuwait continue as normal but rising insurance premiums increase costs. Umm Qasr under "total control" British forces say Iraq deepwater port is safe and expects first ship to arrive before the weekend.

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MARCH 26, 2003
Carriers impose Middle East war risk surcharges FMC offers regulations seminar in Tacoma MSC extends Asia/Australia service to Africa Industry groups want FMC to soften penalty regime Inchcape to move humanitarian aid shipments to Umm Qasr Zim, Evergeeen, Lloyd Triestino start North Europe/Eastern Med link China Shipping subsidiary adds 14 oil and bulk carriers Intermarine in heavy-lift shipments from Houston to Santos EU governments discuss maritime security and EU/U.S. air transport U.S. Department of Transportation proposes aviation blueprint Colography Group plans NAFTA, LTL studies NACA implements Freightgate's software NCBFAA forms NVE committee Homeland security department adds anti-drug coordinator Mothercare renews Tibbett & Britten distribution contract Import compliance seminar for Kansas shippers USDA holds meat and poultry food safety meeting