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Shipping News

Security levels of passenger liners, ports vary widely
ALTHOUGH the security level in the cruise industry is higher than that of cargo-carrying vessels, wide discrepancies in security preparedness exist between different cruise lines and ports, according to a security consultant.
New chairman for MPA
MINISTRY of Defence permanent secretary Peter Ho is stepping down as chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore after heading it since its inception in February 1996.
More French beaches hit by oil from Prestige
PATCHES of oil from a sunken tanker washed ashore in a highly touristic area of south-western France for the first time on Tuesday, regional officials said.
Up to 25 dead in China shipping accidents
UP to 25 people are feared dead in two maritime accidents in southern China, state press said yesterday.

Air and Land Transport

Australia launches hi-tech photo-matching at airports
AUSTRALIA began yesterday using the world's first electronic photo-matching technology as part of its anti-terrorism arsenal, to quickly match faces to passports at its airports.
Qantas' rating outlook raised to stable
SilkAir to cancel Makassar service
UPS profit boosted by int'l shipments
KL airport expects passenger traffic to rise
AirTran plans to buy up to 100 more jets

web site

Shipping News

Security levels of passenger liners, ports vary widely
ALTHOUGH the security level in the cruise industry is higher than that of cargo-carrying vessels, wide discrepancies in security preparedness exist between different cruise lines and ports, according to a security consultant.
New chairman for MPA
MINISTRY of Defence permanent secretary Peter Ho is stepping down as chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore after heading it since its inception in February 1996.
More French beaches hit by oil from Prestige
PATCHES of oil from a sunken tanker washed ashore in a highly touristic area of south-western France for the first time on Tuesday, regional officials said.
Up to 25 dead in China shipping accidents
UP to 25 people are feared dead in two maritime accidents in southern China, state press said yesterday.

Air and Land Transport

Australia launches hi-tech photo-matching at airports
AUSTRALIA began yesterday using the world's first electronic photo-matching technology as part of its anti-terrorism arsenal, to quickly match faces to passports at its airports.
Qantas' rating outlook raised to stable
SilkAir to cancel Makassar service
UPS profit boosted by int'l shipments
KL airport expects passenger traffic to rise
AirTran plans to buy up to 100 more jets

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HKLSA reminds shippers, exporters about 24-hour rule Shanghai Port Authority splits into two separate parts Norasia launches new web site as well as new vessel Sinotrans set to list on Hong Kong bourse in February Seabulk installs Larry Francois as head of offshore division UPS Q4 earnings helped by US west coast port lockout Sixth new Boeing 737-800 plane enters China Southern's fleet Schenker's Portugal airfreight unit voted best Air Cargo Agent

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Action against EU-states in US box security plan The European Union is taking legal action against four member nations - Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium - for breaking ranks and signing up for the US Container Security Initiative. New MD TNT Express managing director TNT Express announced the appointment of Hans de Bruyne as the new Managing Director of TNT Express' European air hub in Liege, Belgium. Airlines look for profits in overseas routes Airlines around the world are increasing service to and from the United States - especially over the Atlantic - while large airlines face little competition from low-cost carriers on overseas routes and so have not had to cut fares there as much as in domestic markets. Better results CNF CNF Inc. reported fourth-quarter net income from continuing operations of $24.2 million or 45 cents per diluted share. iShipExchange and ShipServ merge Two maritime e-commerce survivors, ShipServ in London and iShipExchange in Hong Kong, have merged to form a new e-procurement company called ShipServ. More worse result CP Ships CP Ships Limited today announced unaudited fourth quarter 2002 operating income before exceptional items of US $34 million, unchanged from the third quarter and slightly down from $35 million in fourth quarter 2001.

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MoS opens pavilion for shipping firms at Swadeshi Mela - INSA, IPA also put up stalls Countdown to US Customs Service's 24-hr rule begins - Evergreen, Lloyd Triestino, Hatsu Marine fulfil US security profile From the Editor's Desk - 9 Ministers in 9 years!!! New shipping service launched - India-Bangla-Myanmar Goyal sails out, Shatrughan Sinha gets berth - Ministry of Shipping EIC signs pact with Sri Lanka standards body - ...To sign similar pacts with other countries Sharjah free trade zone eyeing more Indian cos Exporters on full alert Shourie tells exporters to interact with state govts Advisory panel for foodgrain exports formed

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Pacific Northwest: Ports await re-supply US Gulf: Markets seem to ignore crude movements Tight avails on US East Coast Daily bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents Iraqi crude exports down Spain increases port state inspections Weekly African market report from GAC New Saudi posted prices Brazilian market update from Petrobras Singapore indications drop despite mild cargo gains Ship-Service SA to move offices Novorossiysk port closure OW staff change announcement Rotterdam opens firmer with crude Korean market suffers new year slowdown Hong Kong in the middle of pre holiday rush

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Schenker Canada moves to new facility Swiss working on a reorganisation plan APL reshuffles management structure in the wake of reorganisation Dover achieved record freight in 2002 Joint venture between Danzas and Lemuir Group in India

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JANUARY 29, 2003
CSI status for Port of Göteborg Stricter safety rules in Spain Norwegian move on new shipping policy

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Army Corps of Engineers report finds Columbia deepening project still a benefit Corps closing Ballard lock for equipment replacement work Washington port group lists Pacific Northwest marina facilities Trio of container lines form Med/Asia slot agreement MarAd activating 13 more RRF ships to support Operation Enduring Freedom

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De Ruiter to head Europe's maritime safety agency BRUSSELS has appointed European Commission insider Willem de Ruiter as the first head of its European Maritime Safety Agency. ABS defends Prestige survey THE American Bureau of Shipping has strongly rejected any suggestion that it did not properly carry out the last annual survey on the Prestige, six months before the high-profile casualty. Mangouras tops London Club talks LONDON P&I Club directors are to continue urgent talks on the plight of Capt Apostolos Mangouras of the Prestige, following their latest committee meeting, write James Brewer and Sandra Speares.

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Navigator Gas under Chapter XI Indian shipping minister resigns De Ruiter wins safety appointment Concern grows over ENI tanker sale Second Eva seafarer dies Sepetiba bulk terminal re-opens Charter strategy bolsters Stelmar Slow revival for Venezuela Yakutats hold back on cruise tax Bremen aids SSW apprentices Propulsion problem plagues Celebrity Europe embraces emissions trading Arroyo ramps up ro-ro ports EU safety demands go global Belize investigates Nicole sinking Camilla under tow for Newfoundland Brazil's vehicle exports hit Fruit exporters hit by about-turn Limburg owner knew of terror link Aqaba needs to ensure bulk flow Master to contest spill charges Yards will benefit from phase-out HMM submits loan details

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Port security plan earns passing grade during West Coast shutdown: CG The Coast Guard's harbor security plan for Los Angeles-Long Beach got a baptism by fire last fall during the 10-day port shutdown and the three months of congestion that followed. FDA sets food import filing rules Importers will have to double up on their advance cargo-reporting in order to comply with anti-terrorism laws. Falling rates hit CP Ships' profit The liner company earned $23 million in the quarter ended Dec. 3, down slightly from year-earlier profit of $25 million. Customs closing three drawback offices Chinese joint venture cargo airline readies for takeoff UPS offers consolidated clearance service Restructure for Deutsche Post's U.S. mail unit Koreas inch forward on rail link U.S. Customs UAE offices will track terror money Wallenius Wilhelmsen adds Indian ports Indian court tosses P&O Ports appeal

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Wounded CP Ships withdraws from Asia/Europe trades A bloodied CP Ships has said it will withdraw from the loss-making Asia/Europe trades altogether when its slot-charter deal with CMA CGM ends in March. Foreign investors invited into Shanghai ports Shanghai's Municipal Government is to allow foreign investors to make solely owned investments to operate ports or construct docks in Shanghai, sources said today. Panamaxes still fuelling charter gains US transport operators vent CSI frustrations Durban handling improvements fail to lift congestion charges Myanmar link boosts India/Bangladesh trade Actor takes control of Indian Shipping Ministry Shareholders approve Baltrans merger deal

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JANUARY 29, 2003
Metrostar sells tanker fleet Genmar splashes out around $575m to join suezmax elite. Top owners still 'months' from Venezuelan waters Production, safety issues still prohibitive for PDVSA despite some gains by Chavez. Bollywood star becomes Indian shipping minister Former star Shatrughan Sinha enjoys the limelight on and off screen. Minoan Lines splits with Grimaldi Debt worries force scrapping of joint Italy-Tunisia route and sale of ferry. Celebrity drydocks Infinity Two cruises cancelled to deal with propulsion bearings failure. CP Ships income axed Boxship player says costs could outweigh benefits in 2003. MMM extends winning run Shahrazi Sha'ari's Malaysian Merchant Marine posted a profit in first quarter of financial year. Limarko linked to KTF auction Lithuanian owner eyes Klaipeda Transport Fleet reefers. Rasmussen sells out to OSM Managed fleet of Rasmussen Maritime Services set to grow after takeover by Norwegian group. BC Ferries puts unwanted ship through its paces Buyers invited to examine PacifiCat Explorer in action ahead of three-ship auction. Boom time for Keppel Offshore & Marine Keppel Corp's shipyard operations brought home the bacon in 2002. Vinashin ups targets for 2003 Vietnamese shipbuilders are thinking bigger as new yard project gets underway. Wave kills two on tanker Death toll mounts as heavy weather hits crew working on deck. Hyundai posts bigger target for 2003 Despite 10% decline in 2002 order haul, world's largest shipbuilder sees bullish prospects for this year. Vosper Thornycroft eyes redundancies UK shipbuilder may cut over 10% of its Southampton workforce if more work isn't forthcoming. Camilla taken in tow Salvors plan to take abandoned Lundqvist ro-ro back to port. Denholm buys Seascope stock John Denholm makes a modest investment in the broker's stock six months after joining its board.