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Shipping News

Thai lines cruise ahead with higher profits
STRONG first quarter performances boosted earnings for two Thai shipping lines, box feeder Regional Container Lines , and bulk carrier Precious Shipping.
PTP sets world record for berth productivity per hour
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas says it set a new world record for berth productivity yesterday with 340 moves an hour, loading and unloading the Maersk Sealand vessel AP Moeller.
AP Moeller's Iraqi port contract set to end
AP Moeller-Maersk's five-year contract to operate Iraq's southern port of Khor Al Zubair will end when the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority hands over power to Iraqi officials on June 30.
Kuwait port security tightened after threats
KUWAIT has beefed up security at seaports after receiving terrorist threats against the facilities, said Kuwaiti daily Arab Times.
P&O box volume up 30% in Q1; ferry traffic drops
PENINSULAR & Oriental Steam Navigation , the UK port, ferry and logistics company, said the number of containers handled at its ports in the first quarter rose 30 per cent, boosted by growth in Asia.

Air and Land Transport

Big airlines' cheap tactics won't stop budget carriers
MAJOR airlines have signalled their intent to try to subdue Asia's growing fleet of low-cost carriers by drastically slashing fares in recent weeks but the budget industry is here to stay, analysts say.
Qantas to introduce surcharge to cover soaring fuel prices
EU air treaties with US at risk: de Palacio
Air France, KLM see higher April traffic
New Teheran airport to reopen as govt backs down: report

Strait Talk

Cape Africa saga calls for IACS transparency code
AS I write this, a salvage team is struggling to remove the fuel oil from a very large, damaged bulk carrier, the Cape Africa, which is wallowing in heavy seas some 160 km west of Cape Town, South Africa.

web site

Shipping News

Thai lines cruise ahead with higher profits
STRONG first quarter performances boosted earnings for two Thai shipping lines, box feeder Regional Container Lines , and bulk carrier Precious Shipping.
PTP sets world record for berth productivity per hour
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas says it set a new world record for berth productivity yesterday with 340 moves an hour, loading and unloading the Maersk Sealand vessel AP Moeller.
AP Moeller's Iraqi port contract set to end
AP Moeller-Maersk's five-year contract to operate Iraq's southern port of Khor Al Zubair will end when the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority hands over power to Iraqi officials on June 30.
Kuwait port security tightened after threats
KUWAIT has beefed up security at seaports after receiving terrorist threats against the facilities, said Kuwaiti daily Arab Times.
P&O box volume up 30% in Q1; ferry traffic drops
PENINSULAR & Oriental Steam Navigation , the UK port, ferry and logistics company, said the number of containers handled at its ports in the first quarter rose 30 per cent, boosted by growth in Asia.

Air and Land Transport

Big airlines' cheap tactics won't stop budget carriers
MAJOR airlines have signalled their intent to try to subdue Asia's growing fleet of low-cost carriers by drastically slashing fares in recent weeks but the budget industry is here to stay, analysts say.
Qantas to introduce surcharge to cover soaring fuel prices
EU air treaties with US at risk: de Palacio
Air France, KLM see higher April traffic
New Teheran airport to reopen as govt backs down: report

Strait Talk

Cape Africa saga calls for IACS transparency code
AS I write this, a salvage team is struggling to remove the fuel oil from a very large, damaged bulk carrier, the Cape Africa, which is wallowing in heavy seas some 160 km west of Cape Town, South Africa.

web site

Shipping News

Thai lines cruise ahead with higher profits
STRONG first quarter performances boosted earnings for two Thai shipping lines, box feeder Regional Container Lines , and bulk carrier Precious Shipping.
PTP sets world record for berth productivity per hour
MALAYSIA's Port of Tanjung Pelepas says it set a new world record for berth productivity yesterday with 340 moves an hour, loading and unloading the Maersk Sealand vessel AP Moeller.
AP Moeller's Iraqi port contract set to end
AP Moeller-Maersk's five-year contract to operate Iraq's southern port of Khor Al Zubair will end when the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority hands over power to Iraqi officials on June 30.
Kuwait port security tightened after threats
KUWAIT has beefed up security at seaports after receiving terrorist threats against the facilities, said Kuwaiti daily Arab Times.
P&O box volume up 30% in Q1; ferry traffic drops
PENINSULAR & Oriental Steam Navigation , the UK port, ferry and logistics company, said the number of containers handled at its ports in the first quarter rose 30 per cent, boosted by growth in Asia.

Air and Land Transport

Big airlines' cheap tactics won't stop budget carriers
MAJOR airlines have signalled their intent to try to subdue Asia's growing fleet of low-cost carriers by drastically slashing fares in recent weeks but the budget industry is here to stay, analysts say.
Qantas to introduce surcharge to cover soaring fuel prices
EU air treaties with US at risk: de Palacio
Air France, KLM see higher April traffic
New Teheran airport to reopen as govt backs down: report

Strait Talk

Cape Africa saga calls for IACS transparency code
AS I write this, a salvage team is struggling to remove the fuel oil from a very large, damaged bulk carrier, the Cape Africa, which is wallowing in heavy seas some 160 km west of Cape Town, South Africa.

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KCRC revenues fall 14pc as throughput slumps Changjiang Delta reaps more from foreign trade than PRD Direct shipping links between China, Taiwan increase EGL posts Q1 net income of US$6 million ICTSI reports 62pc increase in net profit for Q1 Descartes fires CEO Sino-EU partnership strengthened after signing customs pact Japan Airlines posts record JPY88 billion loss FedEx signs service extension deal with KLAS Singapore Airlines to use Menzies in Amsterdam SriLankan increases service to Bahrain Alitalia faces difficult days ahead

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GE Shipping to turn focus on dry bulk sector Price of container (TEU) doubles to $ 2,200 Software exports may grow by 25 pc Walnut exports projected to rise Cotton exports may hit new high UAE offers Dubai outlet for tea exporters EU may propose FTA with India AAI shortlists 5 global names for technical advisor slot - New Delhi, Mumbai airports modernisation plan... Nepal to figure on Jet Airways' map Exim Bank to raise $ 300 m through bond issue in overseas markets Kelkar sees India on high growth trajectory ISA seeks continued protection for domestic steel industry CBEC chief heads panel to streamline EDI system - Ex-im trade at a loss as cargo clearance stalls Storm warning: Gujarat ports suspend mid-sea operations

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MAY 11, 2004
Rolls Royce targets LNG marine fuel with new engines Environmental pressures and Norwegian LNG fuel proponents trigger new 'green' Bergen range engine development. Cape Africa fuel salvage operation reaches half-way point Smit confirmed this afternoon that around 800 mt of fuel had already been transferred from the stricken bulk carrier, but warned that the weather was set to deteriorate again. Earliest delivery dates improve in Fujairah Earliest dates have improved slightly in Fujairah, with deliveries now possible inside of a week. Players hopeful of Hong Kong demand upturn Falling numbers boost Hong Kong players' hopes of a rise in enquiry levels Rotterdam steady around midday Shipowners in Canada facing tougher spill fines Additional federal legislation would allow authorities the power to search and seize ships. Management changes at Bunker Holdings Panama 'under-valued' as suppliers offload product Bunker prices undercutting US Gulf levels as suppliers seek to meet contract obligations. BP Marine's risk management team scoop award BP Marine's risk management team become first non-investment bank to take award.

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MAY 11, 2004
Northrop Grumman to offer composites technology for Deepwater cutter Extends agreement with Kockums forged for LCS attempt IMO's MSC faces busy session More than maritime security on the agenda Alaska ferry grounded 109 evacuated--salvage could be "multi-day" undertaking Jail for false Merchant Mariner license application First Operation Drydock conviction

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UK flag set to gain 8,000 teu Evergreen ships EVERGREEN is preparing to place many more containerships on the UK register through its Hatsu Marine subsidiary, including a pair of 8,073 teu newbuildings. BIMCO plea for IMO rethink on mandatory double hulls for bulkers THE largest of the shipping organisations, BIMCO, has urged the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee not to make double hulls for dry bulk carriers mandatory as it meets in London this week. Tanker groups call for more study into Singapore Strait anchorage THREE industry organisations representing tanker owners and oil companies want further study by the International Maritime Organization on the navigational safety impact of a commercial transit anchorage in the busy Singapore Strait. Crystal and Silversea latest to cancel calls to Gibraltar GIBRALTAR is losing out on cruise business as operators continue to cancel calls amid fears of being barred from Spanish ports if they first visit the Rock.

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MAY 11, 2004
Alaska ferry in danger of sinking THE 1,328gt, 1974-built ro-pax ferry LeConte, operated by Alaska Marine Highway System, ran aground in Peril Strait, about 30 n-miles north of Sitka, Alaska yesterday morning NCL bond pulled due to "pricing" NCL withdrew its planned bond issue last week because of pricing issues, not because of cruise market trends or NCL's business performance, Colin Veitch tells Fairplay Owners not amused by Victoria plan SHIP operators and masters will be subject to non-compliance fines under new domestic ballast water management rules to be introduced by the Australian state of Victoria Two missing after ro-ro breaks up TWO seafarers are missing after a Turkish ro-ro vessel went down off the north coast of Cyprus Oakland trucker strike ends OPERATIONS at the port of Oakland, California are finally back to normal this week after a state judge issued a temporary restraining order against striking hauliers Salalah signs for $110M development loan OMAN's Salalah Ports Services Co has signed a $110M loan agreement to finance a project for berth 5 and 6 equipment and for extension of the breakwater Cruise ship strikes marina Panama flag to give US boarding rights New bulk grain terminal at Subic SA wavers on Transnet sale plans UK P&I Club stages turnround HMM, Seyang benefit from upturn Korea, Japan discuss crew treatment VW's Brazilian beetle drive Stolt-Nielsen delays AGM Mitsubishi suffers ro-pax blaze

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MAY 11, 2004
Shippers sweat CG ship screening House, Senate working on compromise over how Coast Guard should enforce new security rules. Record volume for CP Ships in first quarter Port interests lobby for federal security funds Deutsche Post moves on China domestic market Long Beach approves 'cold-ironing' survey Indamex adds call at Port Newark Ag bills Marad $379 million for excess freight Lufthansa April cargo up Environmental study boosts NY rail tunnel Alabama to get container port money OOCL expands intra-Asia services Cargo surges at Cathay Pacific UPS unit to manage electronic disposal Israel port talks break down

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MAY 11, 2004
Charter costs stem CP Ships profits Skyrocketing charter rates will see CP Ships' fleet costs take a massive US$52 million increase, on last year, the company said today. Low exposure to charter market keeps RCL afloat in 2004 By owning 60% of operational tonnage, Regional Container Lines (RCL) says it is coping better than most with rising charter rates, increasing Q1 group income by 9.8% to THB3.45 billion (US$85 million). Rail renovation can't stop Kombiverkehr's Spanish growth Fourth China/Aus service set for July launch Demand sees increased frequency on Penang/Klang shuttle TSK reshuffles ITX and to launch Green Express OOCL adds third KTX service HMM sees Q1 profit surge Ulsan to add six berths Safmarine name one of the replacements for MAXI ships

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MAY 11, 2004
Happy new year CP Ships finds traditionally weak first-quarter not so feeble after all. Trailer Bridge back in compliance Line averts hearing with Nasdaq officials over late filing. Panama signs up for WMD fight Flag joins Liberia in US program to combat traffic of unconventional weapons. Royal Caribbean takes a breather Slowdown in newbuild program wins line a more positive outlook from Moody's. Mercator seals first VLCC buy Indian owner expands fleet with 11-year-old single hull vessel. UK Club returns to surplus Strong investment return and perplexing lack of claims from shipping boom lifts free reserves to $219m. Green still in red But first quarter losses narrow at Norwegian reefer owner. Hamburg Sud pays ransom Kidnapped shipping executive Jorn Baetke is freed after a deal is done. Stephen James to step down New hand on the Miller tiller as management of UK Club changes. Cape Africa oil transfer starts Main operations scheduled to take at least three days, variables permitting. Yards in for Kenyan ferries Tender for two coastal ships attracts domestic, European and US interest. GL hits new high in 2003 German class society to benefit from order boom for next two years. Japan holds 43 Officials detained Oldendorff, Unithai, IRISL and Shih Wei ships in April. HMM reverses red tide Korean shipowner sees operating profit soar on back of containership demand boom. Trico in trouble Two years of operating losses prompt postponement of US owner's interest payments. LNG business boosts BG Gas volumes rise as business expands for UK-headquartered player. Detente for India, Pakistan Shipping restrictions to be eased and new ferry service mooted at talks between neighbours. Klaveness turns it around Norwegian owner upbeat on prospects for an even better 2004. Algoma on the up First quarter boost as Canadian owner's tankers and bulkers enjoy more operating days. Alaskan ferry grounds Eighty six passengers put in lifeboats and picked by passing ships. Miles joins Stelmar Ex-CP Ships chief executive appointed non-executive director at US-listed tanker firm.

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MAY 11, 2004
UNCITRAL working group gets off to slow start at UN Hanjin's owned ships clear ISPS tests OOCL expands Japan/South China link Fred Olsen to run 40-knot fast ferry Indamex ships change terminal in New York Boeing, Airbus to use RFID for parts management TNT to offer service to Somalia CN acquires Great Lakes bulk steel transportation assets Bush praises EU's offer to end agriculture export subsidies Second phase of FDA bioterror enforcement to begin this week Canadian government provides $83 million funds for port security Tanjung Pelepas sets handling productivity record

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MAY 11, 2004
China and Singapore return to Nor-Shipping China and Singapore have booked 400 and 260 square metre of exhibition space respectively at next year's Nor-Shipping ... Wilson continues fleet renewal Shortsea bulk operators Wilson Eurocarriers and the Wilson Group in Bergen continues the renewal of the fleet, During the first ... 36 daily departures from Tallinn to Helsinki Tallink's fast ferry "AutoExpress 3" will be put into the Tallinn-Helsinki service on 14 May. The number of daily ...