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Shipping News

PSA has room for expansion to capture growth: Cheow Tong
SINGAPORE will continue to release more land for container terminal development to keep up with Asia's growing cargo volumes, and keep a tight rein on costs to remain competitive, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has vowed.
PSA opens Shanghai office, gets ready to invest in ports
PSA Corp has opened an office in Shanghai, bringing it a step closer to investing in the world's third-busiest port and tapping China's export growth.
UN-backed multinational force needed to curb piracy
MARITIME security has clearly leap-frogged to the top of the agenda among government officials and their security planners if the high-level announcement on Tuesday is any indication.
Livestock rules tightened at S'pore ports
SINGAPORE has upped its defences against bird flu, introducing a new notification requirement that all animals or birds aboard ships calling local ports be declared 'with immediate effect'.
Implosion damages S'pore-flagged methanol tanker at NZ port
MARINE safety specialists worked yesterday to seal a metre-long tear in the steel deck of a Japanese-owned methanol tanker after an implosion inside the vessel ripped open the decking, officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Boeing sees demand for big jetliners firming
DEMAND for big jetliners, badly depressed since the Sept 11, 2001, hijackings, may be about to improve, a top Boeing Co official said on Tuesday.
Thai Airways offers in-flight rub-downs
Delta CEO seeks to cut unit costs by over 10%
Continental plans direct Viet flights
Pilot error led to Egypt crash: report
LOG Book

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Shipping News

PSA has room for expansion to capture growth: Cheow Tong
SINGAPORE will continue to release more land for container terminal development to keep up with Asia's growing cargo volumes, and keep a tight rein on costs to remain competitive, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has vowed.
PSA opens Shanghai office, gets ready to invest in ports
PSA Corp has opened an office in Shanghai, bringing it a step closer to investing in the world's third-busiest port and tapping China's export growth.
UN-backed multinational force needed to curb piracy
MARITIME security has clearly leap-frogged to the top of the agenda among government officials and their security planners if the high-level announcement on Tuesday is any indication.
Livestock rules tightened at S'pore ports
SINGAPORE has upped its defences against bird flu, introducing a new notification requirement that all animals or birds aboard ships calling local ports be declared 'with immediate effect'.
Implosion damages S'pore-flagged methanol tanker at NZ port
MARINE safety specialists worked yesterday to seal a metre-long tear in the steel deck of a Japanese-owned methanol tanker after an implosion inside the vessel ripped open the decking, officials said.

Air and Land Transport

Boeing sees demand for big jetliners firming
DEMAND for big jetliners, badly depressed since the Sept 11, 2001, hijackings, may be about to improve, a top Boeing Co official said on Tuesday.
Thai Airways offers in-flight rub-downs
Delta CEO seeks to cut unit costs by over 10%
Continental plans direct Viet flights
Pilot error led to Egypt crash: report
LOG Book

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Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangxi to boost port capacity Dalian to host international logistics exhibition MSC Scholarship up for grabs in Hong Kong Stena and P&O sign multi-million dollar assets deal RCL handles record number of containers in 2003 Bimco members fear missing ISPS code deadline Korean Air to invest billions in quest to be top cargo carrier Thai reduces Bangkok-Los Angeles service January freight growth healthy, says IATA BA, Swiss codeshare agreement widens

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Norasia offers ADR service - Provides fast transit times between China and Med/Adriatic Significant profit for Nol Group in 2002 Senator to be slot-charterer on Asia-Mid East service Maersk Sealand, 'K' Line to jointly lease Kobe terminals CP Ships announces leadership shuffle Coscon's new Tokyo terminal opens Klang to be among top 10 ports CMA-CGM launches W. Med-Tunisia service Shenzhen throughput rises 17 per cent DGS convenes meeting on age norms for chartering tankers today SCI floats tender for used Aframax tanker Varun Shipping acquires fifth LPG carrier IMO ballast water convention adopted Cochin steamer agents seek representation on trustee board GE Shipping signs deal to acquire 2 product tankers India, Thailand to resume talks on FTA in July Normal activities resume at CCT MbPT's circular on extension of pre-shipment facility P. Venkateswarlu takes over as Traffic Manager, ChPT MbPT circular on holidays in 2004 Rajkumar shines for ChPT in Ports cricket Port Pipavav connected to all major northern ICDs - CONCOR commences regular services to Port Pipavav from ICDs Dhandarikalan & Kanakpura Cold storage facility at Coimbatore air cargo complex soon Exports maintain growth momentum in Jan. 2004 Last date for filing ex-im trade returns extended till March 31 Centre tells steel PSUs to curtail exports Shellac EPC targets Rs 150-cr. export by 2006 SEZ exemptions to begin only from April 1 DGFT extends 50 pc fee waiver to exporters opting for digital signatures New norms on EOs under EPCG scheme CII moots textile sector revamp Fieo to organise buyer-seller meet in Gulf states

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MARCH 3, 2004
Muted demand prompts aggressive play in Panama Oil prices fall as US stock data scupper bullish forecasts Oil prices fell sharply today after the latest US oil inventory data failed to support the recent rally which took crude futures to fresh one-year highs this week. Although the US oil data were not that bearish overall, they could not sustain the high price level caused by speculative funds amassing near record long positions. DOE & API data at a glance Congestion hits Piraeus as demand pushes prompt deliveries back South Korean market still tight for most players Generally the earliest delivery dates across the country's main ports are around the 6th, 7th and 8th, but one player was able to supply for prompt delivery today Singapore January bunker sales up year-on-year Bunker fuel sales throughput in Singapore for January rose by 58,500 metric tonnes (mt) to 1,858,600 mt, a 3.08% jump year-on-year, the MPA announced. Saudi posted prices still competitive Rotterdam a touch softer this morning Korea misses out as regional demand surges The upsurge in bunker demand currently enjoyed by Japan and China, boosted by sky high bulker freight rates, has not materialised in Korea.

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MARCH 3, 2004
Bimco wraps up Chinese tour North of England P&I just short of 50 million All change at ICTSI Rate rise in Middle East

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MARCH 3, 2004
Terror suspects held U.S. merchant mariner credentials Operation Drydock leads to arrests United Defense completes Honolulu Shipyard acquisition Hawaii Shipyards, Inc. formed Congressional hearing on FY 2005 maritime budgets Port security grants, USCG and FMC Side scan sonar will check Bow Mariner Coast Guard works with NOAA

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MARCH 3, 2004
Matson plans to raise fuel surcharge .5 percent Explosion sinks tanker off coast of Virginia Port of Olympia hires new Marine Terminal Director Port of Portland makes list of top Oregon workplaces P&O agrees to sell part of ferry system to Stena

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Watts and van de Vijver quit over 20% cut in reserves SIR Phillip Watts and Walter van de Vijver quit their key posts at Anglo-Dutch oil major Royal Dutch/Shell yesterday, paying the price for poor management of oil and gas reserves and lack of medium-term production growth. Seafarer probe finds nine terror suspects holding US credentials A 14-month investigation of US-licensed seafarers by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard has identified nine individuals with possible links to terrorism holding US merchant mariner credentials and has resulted in hundreds of licences being suspended or revoked. Six missing off Colombia as bulker sinks after blast SIX seafarers were still missing off the coast of Colombia yesterday following the sinking of the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, Ythan, at the weekend. Cargo of DRI may be key to Ythan loss ACCIDENT investigators inquiring into Ythan's loss will focus on the cargo of hot briquetted iron, better known as direct reduced iron, which is notorious for causing fires and explosions aboard ships, writes Michael Grey.

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MARCH 3, 2004
Finland plans Italy probe FINLAND'S trade and industry ministry wants to investigate whether the Italian government is supporting its shipbuilders after two Finnish yards lost major contracts to the Italians EU report reveals safety concerns A DRAFT EU report commissioned to assess maritime safety improvements in the wake of the Prestige sinking highlights serious concerns over slow progress in key areas PSA strengthens China presence SINGAPORE container terminal operator PSA International has strengthened its presence in China by opening a representative office of PSA China in Shanghai Hanjin cuts working week SOUTH Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries is to cut its working week to five days with effect from this month, a first for Korean shipbuilders India sets up a complaints body THE Indian government has set up a board to examine complaints against freight forwarders, shipping agents and consolidators and protect shippers in all major ports NY port man takes Umm Qasr post NEW York port official Thomas Wakeman has become the principal maritime advisor to the Iraqi transport ministry with responsibility for running the port of Umm Qasr Mostyn challenged by P&O pull-out Marina under fire from yards Bow Mariner in good condition: DNV Malta commits to safety boost Panama contract suspension remains French detain car carrier

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MARCH 3, 2004
CN Rail, union contract talks resume Amid intermodal shipments delays, negotiations between railroad and union resume at urging of federal mediators. Senate committee wants $300M for port security U.S., Morocco sign trade deal Venezuela turmoil drops Seaboard Marine income Maersk Sealand launches direct Africa-E. Coast S.A. service U.S. weakness hits Tibbett & Britten Portland hires liner development exec U.S. drops duty-free benefits for some countries American Stevedoring seeking Red Hook lease U.S. loads 15 military supply ships for Iraq Cargo bumps El Al profits Emirates leases fifth 747 freighter

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MARCH 3, 2004
Nigerian port privatisation rekindled The privatisation of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) ports has been rekindled, with the initiation of a concession process that, it is stressed, will not mean the sale of ports. Canberra bows to shipper pressure for early review of competition law Australia's government has responded to intense lobbying by shippers for an early review of liner shipping competition law, instructing the Productivity Commission to begin work almost immediately. Few ships, little activity but the charter index powers on Secret police raid Venezuelan port authority offices Concor to assume container-handling at Paradip Port Brazil ports strike set to spread German truck toll evokes optimism and pessimism Maersk and Safmarine target trade across Southern Hemisphere Terminal operators re-commit to Goole Mixed regional fortunes weigh on preliminary logistics results ICTSI announces management changes

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MARCH 3, 2004
Phoenix joins Aframax International pool OSG and PDV Marina welcome new partner to Atlantic venture. USCG to feel heat on security plans Agency brings $7.5bn budget request before Congress. Olympic Games cruiseship relay race Gaps left by Royal Olympic Cruises absentees filled. Wilhelmsen makes it six Norwegian owner declares options for two more car carriers at Mitsubishi in Japan. Safmarine unveils WASADI South African container line introduces direct link between West Africa and South America. MISC in $1bn refinancing New deal to replace American Eagle Tankers bridging loan. Astor grounds in Aussie port Transocean Cruises' passenger vessel runs into trouble in Townsville port shipping channel. Tirrenia in hot water over Trapani calls Italian regional authorities threaten legal action over ferry owner's interruption of Sicilian service. Fred Olsen Energy in bond issue Norwegian company in debt refinancing and Belfast land sale profit. Great Eastern orders products duo Indian owner picks STX in Korea for 47,400-dwt ships as fleet renewal continues. Owens to sell agencies New Zealand logistics group wants rid of non-core McArthur Shipping and Seatrans New Zealand. Methanol tanker implodes Probe under way into incident on tanker in NZ port. Cosco steels itself for new venture Chinese giant forms jointly owned iron and steel shipping company with domestic producer. K Line reveals bond conversion premium Investors will be able to swap notes for shares by paying 35% over the odds. Iraq eyes Kuwait outlet Former invader reportedly given green light to export up to 250,000 bpd through Kuwait ports. Bow Mariner wreckage located Survey vessel finds sunken tanker but poor weather prevents it from gauging extent of damage. Jaya seals China yard joint venture Singapore company teams up with Yuexin to launch entry into China's shipbuilding industry. Top two leave Aussie liner firm Schoeller niche liner operation sees departure of managing director and top company executive. MBC confirms second tanker resale Malaysian Bulk Carriers books $5m profit on resale of panamax newbuilding to Bernard Schulte.

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MARCH 3, 2004
Venezuelan downturn squeezes Seaboard's profit margins Holland Maas enters Europe/Cuba trade New 37,000-deadweight-ton product tank vessel joins OMI fleet COSCO in joint venture with Chinese steel giant LanChile posts strong 2003 results Emirates leases Atlas jumbo jet Hearing to focus on rail line for transport of nuclear waste Bush administration ends GSP benefits for 10 countries FAO: Animal diseases affect one-third of global meat exports U.S., Morocco wrap up free-trade agreement USDA bans Holstein cross steers, spayed heifers from Mexico USDA to bring karnal bunt import rules in line with domestic rules Non-fumigated Unshu orange imports allowed in non-producing states

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MARCH 3, 2004
"Bow Mariner" unlikely to be salvaged "Bow Mariner", the 40,000 DWT product carrier, which sank 50 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia on Sunday, is ... Pusher and barge sank in heavy wheather The Finnish pusher "Heracles" and the barge "Bulk" was battered by a storm and sank about 20 nautical miles North ... 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 ...