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Shipping News

Task force to bolster maritime security
WARNING that a ship being turned into a floating bomb against Singapore assets is a 'very serious' threat, Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan announced the elevation of the maritime security working group to that of a full task force.
Port adds more radars, personnel
TWO new radar installations and additional personnel at the MPA's port operation's centre to monitor vessel traffic around sensitive waters like Jurong Island and Changi Naval Base are part of Singapore's additional maritime security measures.
Sembawang complies with new security code
SEMBCORP Marine's Sembawang Shipyard is the first in Singapore to achieve compliance with the International Maritime Organisation's new security requirements.
Freight rates, volumes on the rise: NOL
NEPTUNE Orient Lines Ltd, the world's sixth largest container shipping group, said strong long-haul volumes helped its average freight rates rise 16 per cent in the six weeks to Feb 6 from the year-ago period.
Freight rates, prices soar as China boom chokes ports
CHINA'S thirst for raw materials is so strong that it is causing port congestion as far away as Australia, Brazil and West Africa.

Air and Land Transport

Korean Air plans US$9b expansion
SOUTH Korean flag carrier Korean Air unveiled a massive expansion plan yesterday, aiming to boost its image and make it one of the world's top airlines with some US$6.6 billion to be spent on new aircraft.
World air traffic up 6% in Jan
First orders for 7E7 expected before July
UPS in talks to cancel Airbus orders: report
AA in US$1.5m settlement over passenger profiling
New ro-ro to ferry components for Airbus A380

web site

Shipping News

Task force to bolster maritime security
WARNING that a ship being turned into a floating bomb against Singapore assets is a 'very serious' threat, Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan announced the elevation of the maritime security working group to that of a full task force.
Port adds more radars, personnel
TWO new radar installations and additional personnel at the MPA's port operation's centre to monitor vessel traffic around sensitive waters like Jurong Island and Changi Naval Base are part of Singapore's additional maritime security measures.
Sembawang complies with new security code
SEMBCORP Marine's Sembawang Shipyard is the first in Singapore to achieve compliance with the International Maritime Organisation's new security requirements.
Freight rates, volumes on the rise: NOL
NEPTUNE Orient Lines Ltd, the world's sixth largest container shipping group, said strong long-haul volumes helped its average freight rates rise 16 per cent in the six weeks to Feb 6 from the year-ago period.
Freight rates, prices soar as China boom chokes ports
CHINA'S thirst for raw materials is so strong that it is causing port congestion as far away as Australia, Brazil and West Africa.

Air and Land Transport

Korean Air plans US$9b expansion
SOUTH Korean flag carrier Korean Air unveiled a massive expansion plan yesterday, aiming to boost its image and make it one of the world's top airlines with some US$6.6 billion to be spent on new aircraft.
World air traffic up 6% in Jan
First orders for 7E7 expected before July
UPS in talks to cancel Airbus orders: report
AA in US$1.5m settlement over passenger profiling
New ro-ro to ferry components for Airbus A380

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Xiamen RTW service begins Exel reports strong progress across Asia Pacific Shenzhen to spend CNY10b on transport infrastructure New railway line to link Fuzhou and Xiamen Minister outlines Singapore's logistics aims at conference MOL inspects vessels US, HK strengthen aviation co-operation Fedex introduces direct flights to Greece from Asia Airport management academy proves a hit

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Exports to US register 10.5 pc hike in 2003 Exim Bank extends $ 10-m line of credit to Kazakhstan Tariff concessions extended to more goods imported under SAPTA Financial bids to be opened on March 11 - JNP's third box terminal MICT CFS inaugurated, to begin operations this week VPT supreme on tennis court too0 24th All India Major Ports Cricket Tournament begins CWC's CFS-Pimpri despatches first LCL export cargo to Dronagiri Node Forex reserves swell by $ 169 m DCM Hyundai supplies quality ISO containers to Aquarius Navigation IMC panel to meet today Chemexcil hosts Taiwan team

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MARCH 2, 2004
Uruguay market update Crude prices set for fall from fresh one-year highs Crude prices continued their relentless surge upwards yesterday with the highest closing prices since pre-Iraq war levels in mid-March last year, but the overbought nature of the market and OPEC leakage could send prices lower. Freight rate explosion triggers spike in Japanese demand Japanese bunker suppliers greeted news of a near 18% year-on-year jump in February bunker sales with little surprise today, as an explosion in bulker freight rates continued to see owners and charterers avoid costly detours to Singapore for bunker-only calls. Fujairah suppliers still busy for prompt dates Most players' first supply dates range from around the 4th to the 14th, due to barge congestion and lack of product. Some small players are OK for prompt supply. Tight Hong Kong avails may finally ease Tight avails have continued to dog Hong Kong so far this week, with the latest resupply cargoes arriving in the port still seeing heavy commitment from the end of last month's trading. Singapore fuel oil and bunker values slip again After a sharp rebound in fuel oil cargo and bunker fuel values in Singapore yesterday, prices slipped again today despite WTI crude gains last night. Spill threat diminishes as hope wanes for missing crew Bunker fuel spilled from the sunken tanker Bow Mariner was being swept away from the US eastern coast today. Rotterdam IFOs only moderately firmer with crude

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MARCH 2, 2004
EU Enlargement - shaping the future of the European air cargo market Savi Technology improves RFID- and EPC-enabled SCM solutions UK's Company Neutral Grant: What it is all about Philips und Hellmann extend contract Termination of Toll Collect contract rescinded Lufthansa AG posts net loss for 2003 Southampton Container Terminal to raise throughput Oliver Driver to quit Coman Germany

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MARCH 2, 2004
ISU slams Spanish place of refuge decree Kvaerner Masa-Yards profits up slightly Golar sees earnings climb Stena to buy part of P&O Irish Sea operations

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MARCH 2, 2004
Terror link in Philippine ferry disaster? Suicide bomber claim by Abbu Sayaff is dismissed by Government USCG opens formal inquiry into Lee III/Zim Mexico collision OSV transported to Amelia, La Salvors slam Spanish price tag on places of refuge Decree demanding Euros 415.2 million guarantee is counterproductive

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Keppel sells 10 boxships for $90m KEPPEL Group of Singapore has finally completed its long talked about exit from shipowning with the sale of 10 boxships to Interorient Navigation for $90m. Fredriksen steals up on Nedlloyd NORWEGIAN tanker magnate John Fredriksen is understood to have become the second largest shareholder in Nedlloyd, which will soon become the parent of P&O Nedlloyd, one of the world's leading containership operators. MEP Sterckx calls for states to resist criminalising seafarers THE European Parliament's temporary committee on improving safety at sea has released a draft report of its findings that highlights many of the fundamental challenges facing the shipping industry today. Lloyd's List owner Informa in £1.1bn merger with publisher Taylor & Francis INFORMA, the publisher of Lloyd's List, yesterday unveiled a £1.1bn ($2.1bn) merger with Taylor & Francis, Europe's fourth-largest science and medical publisher, writes Julian Bray.

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MARCH 2, 2004
NCL waiver approval THE US General Accounting Office (GAO) has given its 'thumbs-up' to Norwegian Cruise Line's US-flag Hawaii venture Löwer appeals against highest fine KLAUS Löwer, majority owner of New Zealand's defunct South Pacific Shipping, will appeal against last month's landmark NZ$7M ($4.8M) fine for 'reckless trading' Lines count the cost at Santos THE strike by health inspectors at ports in Brazil enters its second week today with shipping lines estimated to be losing $1M per day Mediterranean services restructured MAERSK Sealand and Hamburg-S'd/Ellerman have reached agreement on the North Europe-Turkey route to substantially reduce the capacity offered Spanish strikes to drag on SPANISH unions will extend strike action throughout March after yet another break down in talks Fredriksen buys into Nedlloyd JOHN Fredriksen, chairman of Frontline and Golar LNG, has acquired a 6.7% stake in Royal Nedlloyd, the Dutch company that owns 50% of P&O Nedlloyd Yards crucial to Finn's well-being Asian unions must unite Superferry: probe team set up Coal reserve status disagreement Aus to examine the banana split Seafarer dies as boxships collide Louis Dreyfus goes short-sea

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MARCH 2, 2004
Evergreen union hearings open National Labor Relations Board judge begins hearings into allegations that Evergreen America derailed efforts by the International Longshoremen's Association to organize N.J. office employees. Carriers praise Homeland Security Kvaerner leaves Philly yard out U-turn for German truck toll Volume surges at Indian ports China opens air access via island Crowley Logistics pins blame for name game pain World Airways pilots reject contract offer MOL implements safety checks West Coast terminals set wireless ID for trucks Judge rejects Bayport injunction

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MARCH 2, 2004
Nedlloyd awaits tanker owner's next move as Fredriksen snaps up shares Norwegian tanker magnate John Fredriksen is understood to have become the second largest shareholder in Nedlloyd, soon to become the parent of P&O Nedlloyd. 'Dismal' shipping cycle prompts P&O Nedlloyd to call for more rate increases Further freight rate increases are required to ensure that container carriers can weather the down cycles, P&O Nedlloyd, director of corporate strategy, Tony Mason, told delegates at TOC Asia. AADA milks strong market with new rises FTA puts EC 'on notice' over digital tachograph compliance Health inspectors' strike in Brazil brings havoc to ports German owners continue Far Eastern ordering spree P&O Ports effect major management reshuffle in India

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MARCH 2, 2004
Wakeman to tackle Iraqi ports Port of NY/NJ exec replaces Gaughan as maritime advisor in Iraq. Carnival declares dividend But dipping dollar hits payout for UK shareholders. Massachusetts proposes spill clamp-down Draft bill would double fines and penalise single-hulls. HMD lands Erck Rickmers order German owner in for eight 2,800-teu units at Korean yard. John Fredriksen makes box play Tanker king snaps up stake in container line P&O Nedlloyd's Dutch parent. Charter costs clip Samudera's wings Indonesian boxship line posts reduced 2003 profit as ship-hire bills rise. St Lawrence hikes tolls Seaway to raise ship and cargo charges by 2% for Canadian sections. Keppel sells fleet for $90m Singapore group quits shipping in deal with Interorient. Tsuneishi closer to Chinese dream Japanese shipbuilder to begin yard operations south of Shanghai in July. Virginia spill threat recedes Costly wreck removal operation on tragic Bow Mariner unlikely to be ordered. Lloyd Werft rescue plan under microscope European Commission to examine proposed state aid to insolvent German yard. Namsos numbers in reverse Norwegian ferry owner pushes up revenues, but bottom line weaker in 2003. STX wins Oldendorff boxship order German owner orders two-plus-two 3,500-teu units at Korean yard. Shipping fortunes on the rise Arison, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller and the Ofers have all seen sizeable increases in their wealth. Solstad inks Statoil charter Norwegian owner ties up platform supply vessel on 18-month charter with option to extend. Jutha Maritime turns it around Strong freight rates and lower financing costs help Thai shipowner return to profit. K Line sells paper Japanese shipowning giant to fund newbuildings with $275m issue of convertible bonds. Ezra launches rights issue Singapore-listed owner plans to raise about $8m to fund newbuildings and working capital needs. Matson to raise fuel surcharge US to Hawaii container line says cost hike is prompted by "sustained" increases in fuel costs. GAC targets Venezuela Dubai-based ship agency signs global network agreement with local shipping firm Vensport.

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MARCH 2, 2004
Matson raises bunker surcharge P&O Nedlloyd to exit joint North Europe/East Mediterranean service Regional Container Lines' profits suffer Maersk Sealand adds seal attachment point to containers Salvors say Spain's 'place of refuge' decree is 'self-defeating' TNT, FedEx add routes to European cities Norfolk Southern adds bulk transfer facility U.S. Xpress names Wardeberg COO FMC petition questions "character" of Apparel Logistics CaroTrans expands South African service FIATA schedules first congress in Africa EU starts imposing duties on imports from U.S. Problems in the Americas hit Tibbett & Britten's profits Transplace appoints Abernathy to manage sales and marketing Tibbett & Britten expands Carrefour contract Yantian terminal in customs reform pilot in China Strout named deputy CEO at port of Seattle Amador named terminal director at Port of Olympia

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MARCH 2, 2004
Travel award yet again to Silja Line The award as best ferry company at the Swedish travel industry Grand Travel Award ceremony was presented to Silja Line ... British-owned Emtunga delivers largest accomodation module Swedish based Pharmadule Emtunga is set to deliver its largest accommodation module ever built for the offshore industry. The module ... "Bow Mariner" search abandoned The US Coast Guard will today abandon the search for more survivors from the sunken Odfjell product tankers "Bow Mariner ...