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Shipping News

Surge in demand, oil costs may push up freight rates
RISING US and European imports are enabling container lines to charge more for cargo space and this, coupled with high oil prices, could push freight rates to new records, according to shipping analysts.
UK detained 11 ships in Aug for deficiencies
THE Maritime and Coastguard Agency of Britain detained 11 foreign-flagged ships in UK ports in August, along with four other ships still under detention from previous months.
China's Huaneng Power buys 16 ships for US$395m: report
CHINA's Huaneng Power International Inc has bought the entire 16-strong fleet of dry-bulk carriers owned by China's Cofco for US$395 million, online shipping publication Tradewinds and specialist brokers reported.
Hurricanes will reduce earnings in H2, says Royal Caribbean

Strait Talk

Tighten security but respect seafarers
LAST Thursday, ships in ports around the globe sounded their whistles at noon local time in support of the joint industry and union campaign to draw attention to the plight of seafarers denied shore leave, most notably in the US.

web site

Shipping News

Surge in demand, oil costs may push up freight rates
RISING US and European imports are enabling container lines to charge more for cargo space and this, coupled with high oil prices, could push freight rates to new records, according to shipping analysts.
UK detained 11 ships in Aug for deficiencies
THE Maritime and Coastguard Agency of Britain detained 11 foreign-flagged ships in UK ports in August, along with four other ships still under detention from previous months.
China's Huaneng Power buys 16 ships for US$395m: report
CHINA's Huaneng Power International Inc has bought the entire 16-strong fleet of dry-bulk carriers owned by China's Cofco for US$395 million, online shipping publication Tradewinds and specialist brokers reported.
Hurricanes will reduce earnings in H2, says Royal Caribbean

Strait Talk

Tighten security but respect seafarers
LAST Thursday, ships in ports around the globe sounded their whistles at noon local time in support of the joint industry and union campaign to draw attention to the plight of seafarers denied shore leave, most notably in the US.

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Awards launches direct LCL service to Cambodia New cranes set to boost Tianjin capacity Cosco Shipping completes deal for 40 ships K+N merges with Danish transport group Malaysian ports to handle 13 per cent more containers in '04 Congestion at Pacific ports on the rise Philippine Airlines, Air Macau start code-share ABX Logistics links up with Lufthansa Cargo ACF 2004 attracts record number of participants Dragonair appoints cargo manager for Germany

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PSA projected to retain world's No. 2 position in box handling Readymade garment exports yield Rs 16,898.32 cr. in Jan-Aug. 2004 Dumping duty imposed on HAS to be reviewed MICT, adjacent CFS, post highest-ever monthly throughputs in September 2004 VSPL set to begin operations at 2 berths in Vizag Port TLP gets coveted ISO 9001:2000 certification Indus Container Lines establishes its presence in India IWAI's floating jetty inaugurated outside KDS Excise duty relief for textile EOUs supplying fabrics to domestic market FinMin reverses norm on Cenvat credit Measures to increase carpet exports suggested Conference & exhibition on Port Handling Systems from today Short-term refresher course on international trade on Developing nations to gain from removal of textile quotas: UNCTAD

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
WFS expands credit facility to fund 'potential expansion' World Fuel Services Corporation achieves 50% more credit in what it calls 'a timely addition to our capital base'. Estimar's barge back in business Barge resumes deliveries in adequately supplied market. Shell South Africa to sell Sapref share Shell in advanced talks to sell 25% share of Sapref joint venture, Durban's biggest source of bunker fuels, in a move that could potentially break oil majors' grip on the country's market. Fujairah supply dates stretched out on buoyant demand Full commitment until after the weekend marks good demand in the bunkering hub. Hong Kong IFO shortages continue Delayed resupply may not be sufficient to put spot market back on track. Rotterdam market moves up with crude France: Fishermen block oil terminals in price protest Protesting French fishermen have blockaded ports and oil terminals in the south of France demanding compensation for surging fuel costs.

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EWS offer online timetable ESC urges commission to repeal liner shipping block exemption Sieber group opens new branch in Ticino Bombardier and Daimlerchrysler end Adtranz dispute KLM turns 85 tomorrow CMA CGM acquires Malta Freeport Terminals Board changes at Vienna airport

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
Swift tells industry to raise profile Island Offshore orders PSV from Aker LR wins RAN contract Gorthon buys veteran forest products ship Four held hostage by pirates UK detains 11 ships in August Wallenius Wilhelmsen launches China-Japan service Owner to pay US1.5m in spill compensation

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
Casino vessel ordered out of U.S. waters ACLU sues to stop ferry searches Island Offshore orders PSV

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Brussels rejects criticism of criminalisation BRUSSELS has signalled its determination to press on with the introduction of criminal sanctions for seafarers in the face of opposition from maritime industries. Panama Canal faces box lines backlash CONTAINER lines are pressing hard for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to withdraw proposals to charge for containers carried on deck which, carriers estimate, could see their transit costs soar by 60% or more. CMA CGM has Malta at last CMA CGM finally gained control of Malta Freeport terminals late yesterday after nearly four years of negotiations, writes Janet Porter in Valletta. Fredriksen buys stake in NOL after selling shares A FRONTLINE official confirmed that John Fredriksen has bought into Neptune Orient Line again after selling his previous stake, write Marcus Hand and Janet Porter. GlobalSantaFe in $157m deal US DRILLING firm GlobalSantaFe has scooped a $157m contract from BHP Billiton to provide its latest newbuild semi-submersible Development Driller I for a two-year drilling programme in the Gulf of Mexico, writes Martyn Wingrove. Pacific Basin to buy newbuild PACIFIC Basin, the recently listed handysize bulker operator, has confirmed it plans to acquire a 28,000 dwt newbuilding from Giant Line at a cost of $21.5m, writes Keith Wallis in Hong Kong.

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
Cherbourg prepares for nuclear reaction THE French port of Cherbourg is preparing for possible renewed demonstrations by environmental activist group Greenpeace, with the imminent arrival of 140kg of military plutonium from the US St Petersburg box trade boom CONTAINER throughput at St Petersburg, Russia's leading box port, grew more than three-fold to 246,000 tonnes in the year to 31 August, compared to 2003 Malaysia plans on transhipment EXPANSION of the Malaysian ports of Tanjung Pelepas and Westport in Port Klang has been included in the Ninth Malaysia Plan ' a development blueprint for 2006-2010 Greek PM considers crewing GREEK prime minister Costas Karamanlis has taken a personal interest in improving the competitiveness of the country's shipowners Final act of Stelmar drama set STELMAR Shipping has announced that it will hold a special meeting on 16 November to approve its sale to Fortress Investment Group APM increases Indian ops APM Terminals, which is developing the third container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru, is interested in the fourth container terminal to be built at the port Chile copper threatened by strike Nhava trailer strike planned Monti lengthens Izar lifeline B&N completes restructuring Colombian strike bites hard MISC to exit bulker business Union anger grows over P&O cuts French detain more polluters Marseilles/Fos remains paralysed Suez box terminal opens

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
New hires fail to ease LA box jam Hiring of 1,000 new dockworkers don't make a dent in congestion, vessel waits at Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach. UPS acquires Menlo air unit United Parcel Service buys Menlo's forwarding business, which had revenues of $1.9 billion in 2003. Trade groups slam box check proposal Carriers approve roadability agreement At AAPA: Jam to hit Pac Rim ports Osprey Line launches Houston-Tampa box service Senate names tariff panel Canadian shipping searches for congestion answers New round of consolidation for Euro logistics CAFTA a cash cow for Fla.: Study Israel ports want strike injunction Security amendments lard intel bill

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
AP Moller and US hauliers make progress in tete-a-tete over union recognition Drivers, unions and AP Moller have declared their meeting in Copenhagen today a partial success, having made progress on the issues of harassment, unsafe equipment and overweight boxes. CMA CGM clinch Malta Freeport deal French operator CMA CGM Group announced today that it has won a 30-year concession to operate Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd (MFTL) with its P&O Ports joint venture Portsynergy. Lines to levy NSICT congestion charge FESCO extends financial co-operation with VneshTorgBank Some joy for carriers in ANZ trade figures Geological complications delay Gotthard completion French line takes delivery of another panamax vessel Correction: Maersk stays at NSICT

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
Wrecks obstruct Iraqi ports Removal of sunken ships could cost $34m but pay big dividends. Warning over AIS 'anomalies' Mariners urged not to use new security system to make navigational decisions. Gorthon adds ro-ro muscle Swedish owner beefs up forestry products fleet with 1974-built Wagenborg ship. PNSC launches India link Pakistan's national owner beats Indians to the punch with new ferry service. Reefer ship wins US appeal Fruit shipper loses right to arbitration after waiting too long to declare its intentions. Skuld quits rig market Portfolio transfer deal could see Fredriksen and Olsen owned offshore units moving to Gard. Torm ups forecast by 25% Klaus Kjaerulff looks into his crystal ball and sees an extra $37m of products trade profit. Cash tills ring at UASC Kuwait-based containership player has posted a big increase in first-half profits in strong markets. Izar needs more time Union chiefs plead with EU to remove 'sword from over their head' in talks on troubled yard group. Crew arrest tanker Ukrainian seafarers claim they were forced to live on barracuda by negligent owner. Investors greet MISC sale Stock rises on prospect of CEO Shamsul's 36-ship bulker selloff. Brevik builds another PSV Norwegian yard continues relationship with Island Offshore with supply ship order. Green light for Ming Wah sale Independent shareholders give unanimous backing to CMHI plans to offload aframax fleet. Korea plans naval escorts Defence ministry will protect domestic vessels from possible terrorist attack. Rhein rakes it in NOL director looking at bumper payday after exercising stock options as share price stays strong.

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
"K" Line to start extra Asia/U.S. East Coast all-water service Maersk Sealand gets new 3,700-TEU ship Osprey Line starts Houston/Tampa coastal sea link ICAO assembly starts work FedEx Kinko's starts packing service Kuehne + Nagel acquires Danish trucking firm GT Spedition Bush administration to "name and shame" shippers of counterfeit goods USDA moves forward with origin labeling for fish and shellfish BIS chief praises China for open export end-use checks NYK, port of Dalian sign cooperation agreement New cross-dock warehouse in port of Savannah

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OCTOBER 5, 2004
Gorthon Lines acquires vessel Gorthon Lines in Helsingborg, Sweden has bought the 9,640-DWT forest product carrier 'Assi Scan Link' from Oostereems B.V. in ... Large ro-pax order to new SSW SSW Schichau-Seebeck-Shipyard i Bremerhaven, re-constructed after a bankrupcy, has signed an order for two very large and ... New accommodation module order to Emtunga The Swedish module builder Pharmadule Emtunga has secured another order for an accommodation module from AIOC in Azerbaijan, in which ...