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Shipping News

Hutchison under fire for alleged labour abuses
HUTCHISON Port Holdings is under fire for alleged national and international labour law abuses by one of its sub-contractors hired to dredge the Balboa Port located at the Panama Canal's Pacific entrance.
Rogue ship escapes from detention
A rogue ship being operated by an organised crime group based in Lebanon broke free from arrest in Banjul, Gambia earlier this week, putting multi-million dollar cargoes at risk of theft, according to the ICC International Maritime Bureau .
Cosco to take 50% stake in Tianjin venture
COSCO Pacific, the Hong Kong unit of China's largest shipping line, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tianjin Port Authority to take a 50 per cent stake in a venture that will develop six new berths in Tianjin.

Air and Land Transport

Qantas still seeking some form of tie-up with Air NZ
QANTAS Airways chief Geoff Dixon says he has not completely given up on forming an alliance with competitor Air New Zealand, despite the second-round failure to get his revised equity proposal past competition regulators.
Indian Airlines engineers oppose venture with SIA
United hopes to exit bankruptcy next year
Thai Airways to pay half-year dividend
Narita Airport's int'l passenger traffic down 8%
China Southern posts profit of 381.8m yuan in Q3

web site

Shipping News

Hutchison under fire for alleged labour abuses
HUTCHISON Port Holdings is under fire for alleged national and international labour law abuses by one of its sub-contractors hired to dredge the Balboa Port located at the Panama Canal's Pacific entrance.
Rogue ship escapes from detention
A rogue ship being operated by an organised crime group based in Lebanon broke free from arrest in Banjul, Gambia earlier this week, putting multi-million dollar cargoes at risk of theft, according to the ICC International Maritime Bureau .
Cosco to take 50% stake in Tianjin venture
COSCO Pacific, the Hong Kong unit of China's largest shipping line, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tianjin Port Authority to take a 50 per cent stake in a venture that will develop six new berths in Tianjin.

Air and Land Transport

Qantas still seeking some form of tie-up with Air NZ
QANTAS Airways chief Geoff Dixon says he has not completely given up on forming an alliance with competitor Air New Zealand, despite the second-round failure to get his revised equity proposal past competition regulators.
Indian Airlines engineers oppose venture with SIA
United hopes to exit bankruptcy next year
Thai Airways to pay half-year dividend
Narita Airport's int'l passenger traffic down 8%
China Southern posts profit of 381.8m yuan in Q3

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MCL includes Chiwan on Far-Eastern service Insurance industry a key to revamping HK maritime industry ANL adds fourth loop to US service NOL unit awarded certification for environmental management US CBP hires OTR director Headwin Far East upgrades Shanghai office to branch China Southern gets 'quick change' cargo aircraft MASkargo opens Penang Cargo Centre Hactl receives ISO 9001:2000 certification

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Buoyant dry bulk earnings drive GE Shipping's Q2 results - Net profit up by 41 pc Allcargo commences LCL consolidation at 5 CFSs near Mumbai & JN Ports Samudera Shipping's feat at MICT: Over 500 TEUs in 45 days! Base import prices for edible oils hiked again India, Oman lay stress on closer trade ties CLE expects deals duing US footwear makers' visit Hearing on divestment of SCI postponed to November 19 20 foreign technology link-ups approved DGFT divests CWC of role to import vanaspati from Nepal Working group to ensure quick export credit delivery MoF boon for exporters filing excise rebate claims Ficci asks govt to clarify port services liable to be taxed Halt appreciation of rupee, pleads CII Industry bodies oppose trade deal with Singapore Anu Aga to deliver A.D. Shroff Memorial Lecture on Nov. 5 German fair aimed at projecting India as major destination for farm gear

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Gulf Coast markets soften with crude ARA region: Softening markets see increased demand PM Markets in the ARA region were reasonably quiet this morning. With crude continuing its descent buyers were holding back, expecting the market to come down and they were not disappointed. Higher Asian fuel oil supply may cause Singapore stocks to swell An unexpected draw in Singapore stocks of residual fuels, which includes fuel oil, was possibly caused by higher Chinese imports. However, there is more fuel oil exports on the cards from South Korea and even Taiwan in November, offering straight run fuel oil which Chinese buyers tend to prefer over imports from Singapore. October a bad month for Singapore bunker sales? Singapore market bearish with crude despite surprise stock draw The overnight fall in crude prices pushed Singapore cargo and bunker prices down even further today. Even an unexpected and substantial fall in weekly figures for on-shore stocks of residual fuels, which include fuel oil, were not enough to prevent prices from falling. Italy on the rise after a week of softening SMP launches double-bottom bunker barge in Egypt Shell Marine Products (SMP)today announced the launch of a new double-bottom fuels barge to operate in the Suez, Adabeya and Soukhna area. Most barges operating in the Suez region are 15 - 20 year old single-hulled vessels. Rotterdam bunkers softer with crude

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Pacer International names new Vice Chairman ANL adds fourth loop to USA Service Martinair Cargo serves Latin America with all-cargo planes UPS offers shorter transit times in the USA DHL invests heavily in China

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Mols-Linien concession in Western Norway Broström keeps sailing in profitable waters

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
ISPS certification crisis ahead? Lloyd's Register says only 10 ships NAVSEA in market for new landing craft? RFP expected early next year says Janes Defence Weekly Prestige case against ABS proceed Houston court denies request for dismissal

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Port of Everett changing face of management staff CP Ships sees boost in third quarter numbers Corps eyes request for barge facility in Rainier US steel imports up for month of September Port of Anacortes Oks change in airport meetings

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Shortsea boost in European state aid rules BRUSSELS has published its revised guidelines for maritime state aid, with clear gains for European shortsea shipping. Baltic Exchange looking to play stronger BALTIC Exchange chairman Peter Kerr-Dineen has sought to flesh out the institution's strategic review by underlining its importance to future growth in the freight derivatives market, writes Neville Smith. Bulker held after claim of link with al-Qa'eda PETROBULK-managed bulk carrier Athena was boarded at Kunsan in South Korea yesterday after an apparent intelligence tip-off that a ship might be carrying al-Qa'eda operatives. ISU president steps in to demand release of Tsavliris salvage master INTERNATIONAL Salvage Union president Joop Timmermans has called on Pakistan to release immediately Tsavliris salvage master Nikos Pappas who, together with members of the Tasman Spirit crew also detained following the recent Karachi oil spill, could face stiff jail terms, it has emerged.

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Basques win right to sue ABS THE Basque region of Spain today won its right to sue US class society ABS over the Prestige affair when a US Court rejected an ABS bid to stop the judicial process, a spokesman from the Basque government said ISU wakes up to Tasman implications ISU president Joop Timmermans has called on Pakistan to end the detention of Tsavliris salvage master Nikos Pappas GL cracks down on Romanian flag GERMANISCHER Lloyd is to support the Romanian Naval Authority in its efforts to clear the ship registry of its substandard vessels Owners support new EU aid rules EUROPEAN shipowners have welcomed new guidelines on state aid for maritime transport unveiled by the European Commission today IMO and US at odds over ISPS A potential split between the US and the IMO emerged today at the BIMCO general meeting Mitropoulos urges ISPS action COUNTRIES should "act fast and act now" to implement the ISPS Code by its 1 July, 2004 deadline, urged IMO secretary-general-elect, Efthimios Mitropoulos Federal ferry probe turns criminal Winter winds chill oil exports Owners angry over failed subsidies Managers to benefit from tax scheme Costa calls for cruise association MariTEL seeks AIS declaration PDV Marina dismisses ISM concerns S Korean yards win record orders Posco safeguards ore supply Thailand seeks oil hub status

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Bonner calls for 'smart' containers The U.S. Customs Commissioner says electronic seals, other technology will help to speed cargo through U.S. ports. Importers bracing for bioterror rules New rules to guard the nation's food supply could have profound effects on U.S. importers. UPS says earnings to jump in '04 Express provider expects earnings to increase 12-18 percent per share. Vancouver foremen, employers sign contract No simple solutions for box security: Maersk CEO Pakistan moves on container security South Korea says al Qaeda could be on bulker CP Rail profit soars on higher freight Gains for Amsterdam air cargo Agency exec: Service bar too high for lines, reps At Air Cargo Americas: LanChile chooses GF-X for Web booking

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
New collective agreement for BC longshore foremen signed Canada's West Coast waterfront foremen union - representing 425 foremen - and their employers today signed a recently-negotiated new collective agreement. Carriers attacked on 'back-door' rate increases US transport industry members have criticised box lines for using indirect charges to avoid directly raising rates, particularly by hiding costs in complex contractual language. Rate rise needed for terminals of the future Effect on AP Moller Maersk of CSX earning restatement yet to be revealed, says analyst ANL joins another East-West trade, express Tianjin Port (Group) Co reports increased profits but cargo results mixed Strong first quarter for Sydney Short-sea shipping group will not lobby for state aid

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
Justice Department knocks on OSG door Company co-operating with officials over handling of waste oils. ChevronTexaco plans new LNG terminal New facility off Mexico expected to be served from Australia. Skaugen completes gas newbuild programme Company claims pole position for new joint venture with Moller. Chemikalien plunges into pool Hamburg owner commits six newbuildings to AP Moller managed Handytankers. Skaugen bondholders cash in Rising share price brings major gains for convertible bond investors. EU boost for shipping Brussels aims to preserve EU-flag shipping and seafarers and help short-sea services. World Fuel profits up Florida bunker company reports strong third-quarter figures. Baltic Reefers expands fleet Russian operator grows by a third with purchase of seven Latvian vessels. Eurasia in fleet growth Hong Kong shipmanager takes on extra 13 ships. Patrick mulls Bass Strait capacity Speculation mounts over cooperation with Toll on Australian ro-ro routes. Great Eastern doubles its money Expanding Indian tanker owner sees net profit leap in six months to 30 September. WG&A struggling with costs Philippine ro-ro operator boosts revenues, but fuel bills and depreciation hit bottom line. Fisher buys in more marine services UK shipowner continues to expand with two more acquisitions. Sietas to wield the axe German shipbuilder to lay off 200 workers next year to cut costs. Boom times for U-Ming Taiwanese bulker player heading for big profit this year on back of strong market. SCI court decision postponed Activists' action opposing Indian owner's sell-off must wait until November. Car carriers drive profit at Wilh Wilhelmsen Eukor joint venture boosts volumes and revenues for Norwegian giant. Brostrom gains on strong Asia Seasonal drop in third quarter offset by Far East firmness. Mitsubishi slashes profit forecasts Japanese shipbuilder predicts interim loss as strong yen and slow sales force it to revise full year figure. Karahasan cape in double detention Troubled Turkish owner's ship among 139 ships held at Tokyo MOU ports during September.

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OCTOBER 30, 2003
EC issues guidelines on state aid to European shipping MarAd sets new deadline for comments on Maersk Line MSP transfer Wilh. Wilhelmsen suffers loss on Eukor venture Yang Ming extends intra-Asia link to Japan Far Eastern Freight Conference adds St. Petersburg winter charge BIMCO concerned over IMO's double-hull bulk carrier proposal Marad removes another ship from James River Fleet Rogue vessel escapes from Gambian control Pacer International sees dip in 3rd-quarter earnings Sens. Collins, Lieberman call for better container tracking New in-bond procedures slow trade in Miami California fires effect freight transportation Panalpina names Gulisano executive VP North America Savi, E.J. Brooks, RAE introduce container sensor system