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Shipping News

MPA urges extra alert against pirate attacks
AGAINST the backdrop of rising pirate attacks in regional waters, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has strongly urged the shipping community to be extra vigilant to ensure their vessel's safety and the safety of navigation in the busy straits.
Asian bird flu may boost bulk feed trades
WITH concern all over the world over the Asian bird flu virus, an Asian shipping specialist feels that trade in animal feeds could be stimulated in the longer term, while it may be a different story for the container lines.
Nedlloyd buys control from P&O for 215m euros
ROYAL Nedlloyd will take control of its transport venture P&O Nedlloyd Container Line from partner Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co and list the shares on the stock exchange.
Korean yards' orderbooks swell
SOUTH Korean shipyards continued to build up their order books clinching more contracts last month for newbuildings.
River chemical leak spurs US no-drink warnings
UP to 147,600 litres of toxic chemicals leaked into the St Clair River, near Sarnia, Ontario, forcing the closure of intakes for water plants serving tens of thousands of people.
MOL may beat profit forecast
MITSUI OSK Lines, Japan's second-largest shipping company, said pretax profit for the year ending March 31 may exceed its November forecast by about 4 per cent because of higher freight rates for container shipments between Asia and South America.

Air and Land Transport

Branson to detail plans for US budget airline soon
RICHARD Branson may announce details as soon as this month of plans to start a low-cost airline in the US, just as intense competition in Europe is about to slow down budget carrier Ryanair, The entrepreneur is trying to replicate his Australian success with Virgin Blue in the world's largest air travel market.
Continental cancels 2nd flight for security reasons
EU watchdogs ask US to improve air data privacy
Iran opens new int'l airport 30 years after project began
SAS baggage handlers continue strike
No chicken dishes on India flights

Port Shots

Port Shots
BANGLADESH's Chittagong Port Authority has awarded a 3.31 billion taka contract to a Chinese firm to build a new container terminal, in an effort to improve port efficiency, officials said.

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Shipping News

MPA urges extra alert against pirate attacks
AGAINST the backdrop of rising pirate attacks in regional waters, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has strongly urged the shipping community to be extra vigilant to ensure their vessel's safety and the safety of navigation in the busy straits.
Asian bird flu may boost bulk feed trades
WITH concern all over the world over the Asian bird flu virus, an Asian shipping specialist feels that trade in animal feeds could be stimulated in the longer term, while it may be a different story for the container lines.
Nedlloyd buys control from P&O for 215m euros
ROYAL Nedlloyd will take control of its transport venture P&O Nedlloyd Container Line from partner Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co and list the shares on the stock exchange.
Korean yards' orderbooks swell
SOUTH Korean shipyards continued to build up their order books clinching more contracts last month for newbuildings.
River chemical leak spurs US no-drink warnings
UP to 147,600 litres of toxic chemicals leaked into the St Clair River, near Sarnia, Ontario, forcing the closure of intakes for water plants serving tens of thousands of people.
MOL may beat profit forecast
MITSUI OSK Lines, Japan's second-largest shipping company, said pretax profit for the year ending March 31 may exceed its November forecast by about 4 per cent because of higher freight rates for container shipments between Asia and South America.

Air and Land Transport

Branson to detail plans for US budget airline soon
RICHARD Branson may announce details as soon as this month of plans to start a low-cost airline in the US, just as intense competition in Europe is about to slow down budget carrier Ryanair, The entrepreneur is trying to replicate his Australian success with Virgin Blue in the world's largest air travel market.
Continental cancels 2nd flight for security reasons
EU watchdogs ask US to improve air data privacy
Iran opens new int'l airport 30 years after project began
SAS baggage handlers continue strike
No chicken dishes on India flights

Port Shots

Port Shots
BANGLADESH's Chittagong Port Authority has awarded a 3.31 billion taka contract to a Chinese firm to build a new container terminal, in an effort to improve port efficiency, officials said.

web site

Shipping News

MPA urges extra alert against pirate attacks
AGAINST the backdrop of rising pirate attacks in regional waters, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has strongly urged the shipping community to be extra vigilant to ensure their vessel's safety and the safety of navigation in the busy straits.
Asian bird flu may boost bulk feed trades
WITH concern all over the world over the Asian bird flu virus, an Asian shipping specialist feels that trade in animal feeds could be stimulated in the longer term, while it may be a different story for the container lines.
Nedlloyd buys control from P&O for 215m euros
ROYAL Nedlloyd will take control of its transport venture P&O Nedlloyd Container Line from partner Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co and list the shares on the stock exchange.
Korean yards' orderbooks swell
SOUTH Korean shipyards continued to build up their order books clinching more contracts last month for newbuildings.
River chemical leak spurs US no-drink warnings
UP to 147,600 litres of toxic chemicals leaked into the St Clair River, near Sarnia, Ontario, forcing the closure of intakes for water plants serving tens of thousands of people.
MOL may beat profit forecast
MITSUI OSK Lines, Japan's second-largest shipping company, said pretax profit for the year ending March 31 may exceed its November forecast by about 4 per cent because of higher freight rates for container shipments between Asia and South America.

Air and Land Transport

Branson to detail plans for US budget airline soon
RICHARD Branson may announce details as soon as this month of plans to start a low-cost airline in the US, just as intense competition in Europe is about to slow down budget carrier Ryanair, The entrepreneur is trying to replicate his Australian success with Virgin Blue in the world's largest air travel market.
Continental cancels 2nd flight for security reasons
EU watchdogs ask US to improve air data privacy
Iran opens new int'l airport 30 years after project began
SAS baggage handlers continue strike
No chicken dishes on India flights

Port Shots

Port Shots
BANGLADESH's Chittagong Port Authority has awarded a 3.31 billion taka contract to a Chinese firm to build a new container terminal, in an effort to improve port efficiency, officials said.

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Ningbo ranked among top five Chinese container ports Guangdong province to improve water transport system GAC Logistics expands presence in Norway CNF elects new chairman Hyde plums for SeaSecure to handle ship and port security Northwest reports `massive losses' China Southern eyes new Airbus planes UPS Greater China appoints new senior vice president Singapore Airlines, Virgin expand codesharing agreement Lufthansa Cargo wins `Top Job' award

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New SAL vessel calls at Mumbai Port on maiden voyage GE Shipping net profit swells by 130 pc in Q3 Essar Shipping posts handsome 125 pc rise in Q3 SCI to acquire 6 vessels for $ 180 m Cochin Shipyard to build 4 bulk carriers for Bahamas co. Kandla Port trustees visit Vizag Port Sourcing majors induce Tirupur knitwear exporters to add weaving processes Huge cost savings involved in duty-free import of fuel Fieo seeks legalised trade route to Tibet through Nepal Rising HR steel prices may affect imports Srilankan Airlines makes Hyderabad its 6th Indian destination Customs bonded warehouse, BLC rake examination facility inaugurated at ICD-Sabarmati Forex kitty shrank by $ 698 million to $ 1,03,126 million Japan auto parts firm plans to set up EOU at Vizag SEZ Software industry can fetch India $ 44-bn global market share by 2007: Cris Infac Direct tax kitty from Mumbai records 22.3 pc hike in April-Dec. 2003 BCHAA felicitates A. K. Bal - MbPT Dy Chairman assures more trade-friendly measures India has exceeded WTO limit on entry of foreign banks, says MoF Advisor Conference on GCC, India industries to be held on February 17-18 AISC President all praise for mini-Exim policy

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
OPEC price-band mechanism ignored twice OPEC's own reference oil price, the OPEC crude basket, has traded above the $28 ceiling of its target price range for more than 40 consecutive days now. US thaw and fund liquidation hit oil prices Oil prices were seen falling again Monday morning on fund selling, but losses were stemmed later as several factors still lend support. Brazilian market update Quiet Monday in well supplied Gibraltar Nigeria: Progress made in 'bunkering' clampdown Nigerian authorities last week announced the seizure of 14 ships and the arrest of 122 persons, mostly Nigerians, as the Federal Government claimed progress for its anti-bunkering campaign. Rotterdam fuel oil market firmer, distillates drop

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Fret SNCF launches "Epoc" World Bank grants USD 60 million for Bulgarian road network UPS reports record profits in fourth quarter 2003 SBB Rail Cargo Italy looks forward to delivery of 27 locos MASKargo launches freighter flights to Basel and Manchester P&O Nedlloyd to become independent and listed Royal P&O Nedlloyd: New corporate and new management structure

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
"Rocknes": Divers have entered the wreck SSG-G'TEBORG: This afternoon, divers from the Bergen Fire department have entered the "Rocknes" wreck, in search after victims. A 90 x ... Scandlines sells the last ferry from their lay-up stock SSG-RINGK'BING: Scandlines has sold the very last ferry on "stock" after closing of ferry routes and opening of fixed links. The ... Aker to finish Dragados work SSG-T'NSBERG: Severe delays at the Spanish yard Dragados has forced Statoil to ask Aker Stord to finish off NOK 300 million ...

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
P&O Nedlloyd to be spun off P&O Ports and PSA among bidders for Kerala terminal Exmar's strong first year

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
Bush unveils FY 2005 Budget But how much is actually being asked for exactly what? Palm Beach to use private waterborne patrols Pilot project managed by SeaSecure Breakthrough order for Vietnam yards Graig Group orders up to 15 handymax bulkers Seabulk buys foreign flag products tankers International market entry is "new strategic direction" Piracy incidents increase International Maritime Bureau reports 445 attacks on ships occurred in 2003 K-Sea acquires ITB Units were formerly leased by SeaRiver

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
Port of Vancouver, BC has healthy year in 2003 BNSF fourth quarter delivers record earnings Seabulk buys two tankers from World-Wide Shipping Portland International Airport sees more passengers during year P&O Nedlloyd announces plans to refinance 14 vessels

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P&O Nedlloyd goes Dutch to float free MONTHS of uncertainty about the future of P&O Nedlloyd ended yesterday when the line's two shareholders unveiled plans to list the company on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Share slide and gloom greets deal in Amsterdam AS THE news broke that Nedlloyd was at last to buy P&O Nedlloyd, Dutch analysts and shareholders appeared largely unimpressed. Lufthansa lodges biggest ever D&O claim on Ace and Gerling GERMAN airline Lufthansa has lodged the largest claim ever recorded in German directors' and officers' insurance against two insurance consortia. Speculation hots up over identity of private investor for Festival rescue News of Festival's improving survival prospects were further bolstered by the decision of a Barbados court last week to issue a restraining order preventing France's Credit Agricole bank or other parties from seizing the European Vision.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
Spain prepares for week of strikes SPANISH dockers have announced a week of strikes across the country on 16-22 February following the escalation of problems at the northern port of Gijon Philippines eyes chicken exports AS the Philippines starts to export poultry, nine customs officials at the port of Batangas are facing criminal charges for the unauthorised release of 19 containers of chicken Inmarsat C hiccup WITH the 1 July deadline for installing ship security alert systems fast approaching, those relying on the Inmarsat C platform face an unexpected hurdle P&O clears the way for ports WITH last year's healthy port container volumes expected to continue, the sale by P&O of its P&O Nedlloyd clears the way for its ports ambitions Festival cruises again from mid-Feb FESTIVAL Cruises has told travel agents that its ships will begin cruising again in mid-February Transneft ups pipeline capacity TRANSNEFT has expanded its Baltic Pipeline System early to increase capacity at Primorsk and head-off its competitors Lloyd Triestino buys TICT shares Hutchison in security fee conflict P&O offloads PONL Bolloré wins Abidjan concession Festival hears better news Haifa extension moves forward Danes stunned by ITF resolution France gets tough on tank cleaners Australians charge for Cormo costs

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
Bush slots $46 million for port security For the first time, the administration puts line in annual budget proposal for port security grants. Venture over, P&O Nedlloyd to be sold The world's third-largest container line will be spun off as an independent company with a public stock listing under a plan unveiled today by its British and Dutch partners. Palm Beach site of port security demo Logistics helps power Schneider revenue Profit for railcar lessor GATX New inland terminal for China Cargo lifts UK airports operator Seabulk to enter foreign market Freighter docks at space station Varig joins GF-X Famous Pacific adding NZ hub Promotions at Arkansas Best

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
'Cold wind of the stock market' sends a shiver down P&O shares Stock market reaction to the P&O Nedlloyd (PONL) reverse listing saw P&O Group's share price fall over 8% before recovering some of its losses today. Royal Nedlloyd grasps the nettle as P&O Group cuts loose container-shipping arm ERS drops Railion/Trenitalia in favour of (SBB and) FNC PSA-Wadia consortium may take JNPT to court over terminal bidding Boardley starts at P&O Ports Canada as Vancouver shatters box record Two NVOCC non-disclosure petitions filed with US FMC Bremen/Bremerhaven throughput up by 6.4% Port of Gothenburg redefines the container for 2003 UK government rejects national ports plan, favours commercial development Uzbekistan tobacco plant signs transport contract for export Union Pacific railway plans major intermodal hub

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
P&O Nedlloyd cuts to continue Philip Green to maintain drive on costs as container line "rows own boat." BG agrees US LNG terminal expansion Lake Charles to get another shot in the arm. Gdynia gets green light for share issue Shareholders say yes to Polish yard's plan to raise up to $78m. P&O stakes future on ports Share price tumbles as historic shipowner sees dry land as the key to success. Solvang soars Norwegian gas shipowner is optimistic about achieving even stronger rates in 2004. Target Marine orders tanker quartet Greek owner opts for high specification panamax vessels at Korean yard. Safmarine expands Simap service South African line's India, Middle East and Americas operation is getting two new port calls. Rocknes hull search starts today Divers looking for bodies of 13 missing seafarers from capsized Jebsen bulker. Sovereign plots SK Corp coup Monaco-based fund wants new board at Korean refiner following embezzlement case involving SK Shipping. P&O sells stake in P&O Nedlloyd UK shipping group will hold 25% share in Nedlloyd's new company. Workers could save the day as Oglebay defaults US bulker owner decides not to pay bond interest as crews mull bid for ships. Taiwanese make speculative LNG play Korea's Daewoo bags another order but for 2007 delivery as berths fill. Festival reclaims Vision Financially troubled cruise line wins court order stopping ship seizure. Bulk boosts ISC US owner International Shipholding Corp enjoyed strong 2003 thanks to bulk carrier investments. Seabulk strides on to world stage Purchase of two World-Wide products tankers launches US owner's foray into international markets.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2004
Nedlloyd acquires P&O's 50% stake in P&ONL International Shipholding doubles 4th-quarter net income Atlas Air to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy Strike forces SAS to cancel flights CSX official takes White House position Northcut picked as new AAEI president N.J. shipper agrees to pay $400,000 fine to Commerce U.S., Bahrain start free trade agreement negotiations USDA extends cold treatment times against Medfly U.S. military to hold transportation/logistics conference ITC reviews U.S./sub-Saharan Africa trade and development policy Census seeks more wholesale manufacturing data USDA seeks comments for proposed imports of Mexican potatoes Five California citrus growers seek USDA trade help Hamburg outlines container expansion program Boardley appointed president of P&O Ports Canada