BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

S'pore set to retain leadas world's busiest port
TOTAL vessel calls at Singapore's port dipped last year by 2.4 per cent to 142,745 from the year before, while total gross tonnage of these vessels rose 1.2 per cent to a record level of 971.7 million gross tons , according to the maritime regulator.
Patrols help cut pirate attacks in Malacca Straits
STEPPED-up vigilant patrols have been credited with the 'welcome drop' in piracy attacks in the notorious Malacca Straits that separate Indonesia from Singapore and Malaysia.
Local yard ASL to list on mainboard soon
LOCAL shipyard ASL Marine Holdings Limited is set to become the latest marine industry IPO after it lodged its preliminary prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore .
Royal Caribbean cancels two sailings
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises, the world's second-largest cruise line company, cancelled two sailings of its Infinity ship to make repairs, reducing first-quarter profit by 3 cents to 4 cents a share.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay-Dragonair case adjourned till March
CATHAY Pacific's controversial application to resume flights to China after a 12-year hiatus has been put aside until March, the judge chairing an inquiry said on Wednesday.
UAL's law fees total US$2.4m for 3 weeks' work
Unions oppose United's plan for low-cost carrier
SIA to start flights to Bangalore
Lufthansa sees tough 2003 for airline industry
Boeing's new plane project

web site

Shipping News

S'pore set to retain leadas world's busiest port
TOTAL vessel calls at Singapore's port dipped last year by 2.4 per cent to 142,745 from the year before, while total gross tonnage of these vessels rose 1.2 per cent to a record level of 971.7 million gross tons , according to the maritime regulator.
Patrols help cut pirate attacks in Malacca Straits
STEPPED-up vigilant patrols have been credited with the 'welcome drop' in piracy attacks in the notorious Malacca Straits that separate Indonesia from Singapore and Malaysia.
Local yard ASL to list on mainboard soon
LOCAL shipyard ASL Marine Holdings Limited is set to become the latest marine industry IPO after it lodged its preliminary prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore .
Royal Caribbean cancels two sailings
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises, the world's second-largest cruise line company, cancelled two sailings of its Infinity ship to make repairs, reducing first-quarter profit by 3 cents to 4 cents a share.

Air and Land Transport

Cathay-Dragonair case adjourned till March
CATHAY Pacific's controversial application to resume flights to China after a 12-year hiatus has been put aside until March, the judge chairing an inquiry said on Wednesday.
UAL's law fees total US$2.4m for 3 weeks' work
Unions oppose United's plan for low-cost carrier
SIA to start flights to Bangalore
Lufthansa sees tough 2003 for airline industry
Boeing's new plane project

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
1.2 per cent growth Singapore port Singapore's shipping port handled a record 971.7 million gross tons in 2002, eclipsing the 960.1 million for the previous year, marking a 1.2 per cent rise year-on-year. Rail intermodal up, carload down Intermodal traffic on U.S. railroads was up sharply from last year during the week ended January 25, but carload was down, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported today. APL urges final effort for manifest deadline With enforcement of U.S. Customs' advance manifest rule beginning February 2, APL today urged shippers bringing goods into the United States for a final effort to achieve full compliance. EU acting against TPG state share The European Union Commission is planning to take legal action against Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark over laws allowing government influence in former state-owned companies, like in postal and express company TPG NV (TNT Post) and Copenhagen Airport. CSX 4th-quarter profits more than double CSX, one of the biggest rail and intermodal operators in the US, said today that quarterly earnings rose from a year earlier on a pickup in merchandise shipments.

	web site

Maersk Sealand, partners introducing 2 new weekly direct services from Feb. - Dedicated to serving N. America W. Coast/Oceania trade Bimco to hold shipping seminars in Jakarta & Bali Kalmar signs rental pact with ASSI Domän MOL expects steady cargo growth through to 2005 APL goes in for flatter, leaner structure - 2 top executives quit, regional units cut to 4 New shipping rules 'may force out smaller firms' Rickmers adds newbuildings to RTW Pearl String service Container transportation to Europe up by 7 pc in 2002 TMM Lines makes San Juan call part of Med/US West Coast run Dilipkumar M. Gandhi is new Minister of State for Shipping Maersk India joins hands with Concor for new CFS in Dadri, near Delhi - Crown Prince of Denmark to lay foundation stone IWAI sets up advisory panel for subsidy scheme India seeks MoU with Spain on market access Iran ready to export more crude to India Plea for safeguard duty on vegoil imports rejected ChPT offers 20 pc rebate in ship-related charges to mainline vessels - Move aimed at converting Chennai Port into a hub Commerce Ministry officials, Fieo hold talks on non-tariff barriers Only 11 varieties certified as basmati - Govt moves to rectify damage to Indian brand image IMC international convention on SEZs draws excellent response Foreign Trade Analysis: Current Policy & Procedures - Classroom lessons for new exporters - 9 IMC meet with England's E. Midlands team on Monday IMC interactive meet on 'New US Customs Regulations' on Feb. 4

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
ARA Region: Markets seem nervous Daily bunker market report from Praxis Energy Agents US: Products stocks slide as refiners cut runs High winds hamper bunkering in Istanbul Tighter Japanese avails on horizon as refinery run cutbacks loom Strait of Istanbul: Traffic resumed Novorossiysk: Port still closed Rotterdam market firmimg Buyers take advantage before Italian market moves higher

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
Shippers warned of approaching 24-hour rule deadline Emirates Airline unveils extensive expansion plan for 2003 60% increase in container freight in second half 2002 at EWS Fuji Photo Film renews contract with Ryder Award for Service Excellence 2002 given to HPL Sea Freight Ltd.

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
EMSA boss appointed EU wants international maritime safety offensive Five Norwegian yards busy into 2004

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
Tampa-Cuba ferry service planned New role for Scotia Prince Britain splits carrier project Thales design chosen, but BAE Systems will be prime contractor

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
Corps of Engineers sets repair closures for Columbia and Snake river locks General Maritime buying 19 tankers from Athens-based shipping company New figures show steel imports make slight dip during December Seattle Port Commissioners grant Sea-Tac Airport lease to Hudson MarAd rule protects jobs of merchant seamen who serve nation

	web site

UK yards clinch £10bn deal to build two aircraft carriers BRITAIN'S shipbuilding industry yesterday was thrown the promise of more than a decade of secure employment for 12,000 shipyard workers as the government opted for UK defence giant BAE Systems to build two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. Italy follows Spain in banning single-hull tankers Italy will protect its shorelines from a potential oil spill with legislation similar to that now in force in Spain, Mr Lunardi told foreign correspondents in Rome. Will General Maritime stop at Metrostar? Peter Georgiopoulos has refused to rule General Maritime out of the race to buy American Eagle Tankers, the aframax specialist that looks set to be sold by Neptune Orient Lines, despite the company's $525m purchase of Metrostar Management's 19-strong tanker fleet, writes Tony Gray.

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
APL says manifest compliance high Stena Europe drifts off Irish coast Peru LNG project clears concerns Royal Caribbean's wave warning Swedish split over conditions APL Lanka agency bid thrown out Captains reject strike rumours USCG builds up Mid-East presence UN targets Liberia once again Cunard cancels NZ call Singapore names new MPA chairman Piracy increase in 2002 Israel votes funds for ports CP Ships sees profits slip French owners support EU measures Genmar cements massive tanker deal Newhaven deal 'not strictly lawful' Odessos considers Varna bid Singapore bunker supplier acquitted Manila talks cruise with Star Ferry route linked to steel plans Shallow water prompts grain warning Prestige: Bahamas blames Spain

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
U.S. air cargo makes late-year surge, but still flying under record levels A December rally helped airlines post a modest 3.2 percent gain last year, but volumes have yet to approach the highs of 2000. Ship terror attacks increase The International Maritime Bureau urged maritime states to step up anti-terror patrols of coastal waters as attacks on commercial shipping continue to rise. SIA Cargo sets China-U.S. direct flights Singapore Airlines Cargo plans to launch direct flights between China and the United States beginning in April. WCO revises tariff codes U.S. slates Philippines air talks TPG, Deutsche Post in Hays bid? Charleston sites box hub at naval base Cathay-Dragonair scrap breaks - for now BDP approved for AMS filing Port of New Orleans handles largest boxship FDA sets advance filing for food imports Port security plan was tested by West Coast shutdown: CG

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
Dunkirk spirit: APM Terminals on brink of new deal Inter Ferry Boats (IFB) is negotiating the sale of its 60% stake in the Dunkirk deepsea terminal NFTI with AP M'ller Terminals (APMT). China's ports see massive cargo growth in 2002 HK looks to boost volumes with four key logistics initiatives Docenave and MOL set up Brazilian feeder joint venture More funding for Australian inland rail Elbe barge operations benefit as shippers turn away from trucks Auckland volumes end year on high Exel joins Zim logistics venture

	web site
JANUARY 30, 2003
'A dream come true' Peter G's Genmar shares rise through the afternoon on tough day for Wall Street. London Club set for much better year The P&I club that covers the Prestige spill is set for a near breakeven result. Kirby barges forward Houston company concludes "second best" year with earnings slightly weaker than 2001 figures. Shipowner drops Olympic bid Stamatis Restis pulls out of bid to buy troubled airline. Genmar supersizes Metrostar acquisition expected to boost earnings, slice operating costs, Georgiopoulos tells analysts. Merger breakdown boosts RCCL More passengers paying more revive fortunes of second biggest cruise line. Metrostar could net $100m plus on resales Two suezmax tankers on order at Samsung should set a market price. Partial power restored aboard Stena ferry Stena Europe back on course after engine failure off Ireland. Excel commits to Sinotrans stock Supply chain manager will plough $10m into new listing. Revenues rocket at Evergreen Taiwanese containership giant records sharp rise in yearly and monthly sales. B&N warns of $6.4m loss Misfortune and restructuring costs drive Swedish owner into the red. Interisland Line boosts profit Exchange gains help New Zealand ferry owner's interim figures. Ensco takes Venezuelan hit US offshore shipowner writes down assets due to political upheavals, lowering 2002 profits. Peter Livanos ups Odfjell stake Greek shipowner turns a profit on astute share sale and purchase deals. Hyundai units under fire Shipowning and yard arms accused of financial irregularities. NYK orders VLCC newbuilding trio Japanese owner gets very early delivery dates as it strives to replace single-hull tonnage. Genmar to pay up to $520m for Metrostar Boss Peter Georgiopoulos says he is "excited" about the deal. Sea Containers chief sells shares James Sherwood collects $2m for his impending retirement. NOL: customers ready for CSI Owner says 90% of shippers ready for security initiative. US box initiative boosts INTTRA Web-based service says demand for document processing soars.