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Major Japanese lines chalk up robust profits
ROBUST China trade and the global economic recovery helped offset higher fuel prices and the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar for Japan's three major shipping lines Nippon Yusen KK , Mitsui OSK Lines and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha in the first first nine months of their financial year.
Star Cruises sells second ship, SuperStar Aries
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises has sold its second cruise ship in less than a month, offloading Kuala Lumpur-home ported SuperStar Aries to leading Spanish passenger liner group Pullmantur Cruises.
Kaohsiung port slides to No 6
TAIWAN's main container port, Kaohsiung, has slipped to sixth place on the global throughput ladder after recording 4.1 per cent volume growth in 2003.
Aussie maritime industry given March 1 deadline to submit security plans
AUSTRALIA's maritime industry has been set a March 1 deadline to submit security plans to the government ahead of the global implementation of new legislation for port and ship security.
Wharf's MTL to take 65% of Shenzhen port project
WHARF Holdings' Modern Terminals Ltd said yesterday that it would take a 65 per cent stake in the initial phase of the Dachan Bay container terminal project in China's southern boom town of Shenzhen.
Closer checks at Channel
A British immigration official uses a kit to test carbon dioxide levels on a lorry waiting to cross the English channel at Laon-Plage near Dunkirk.
Security watch
CHARLES Clasen of the Crescent River Port Pilots Association watches a vessel make a turn at Algiers Point in the Mississippi River at New Orleans, one of a handful of US ports that uses a sophisticated GPS vessel-tracking system.

Air and Land Transport

THAILAND's third budget airline wants to avoid a price war with its competitors, maintaining that the domestic market is large enough to accommodate them all.
Boeing, Airbus eye orders from low cost sector
Air France-KLM deal gets regulatory approval
Qantas to start direct Brisbane- LA flights in June
Garuda's profit down 76% last year
US passenger screening plan behind schedule

Admiralty Casebook

Marine Insurance Act applies to marine pleasure craft policy
THE High Court of Australia decided last year that an insurance policy described as a 'marine pleasure craft policy' was indeed a marine insurance policy and one to which the Marine Insurance Act would apply, but the decision was not unanimous.

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Shipping News

Major Japanese lines chalk up robust profits
ROBUST China trade and the global economic recovery helped offset higher fuel prices and the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar for Japan's three major shipping lines Nippon Yusen KK , Mitsui OSK Lines and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha in the first first nine months of their financial year.
Star Cruises sells second ship, SuperStar Aries
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises has sold its second cruise ship in less than a month, offloading Kuala Lumpur-home ported SuperStar Aries to leading Spanish passenger liner group Pullmantur Cruises.
Kaohsiung port slides to No 6
TAIWAN's main container port, Kaohsiung, has slipped to sixth place on the global throughput ladder after recording 4.1 per cent volume growth in 2003.
Aussie maritime industry given March 1 deadline to submit security plans
AUSTRALIA's maritime industry has been set a March 1 deadline to submit security plans to the government ahead of the global implementation of new legislation for port and ship security.
Wharf's MTL to take 65% of Shenzhen port project
WHARF Holdings' Modern Terminals Ltd said yesterday that it would take a 65 per cent stake in the initial phase of the Dachan Bay container terminal project in China's southern boom town of Shenzhen.
Closer checks at Channel
A British immigration official uses a kit to test carbon dioxide levels on a lorry waiting to cross the English channel at Laon-Plage near Dunkirk.
Security watch
CHARLES Clasen of the Crescent River Port Pilots Association watches a vessel make a turn at Algiers Point in the Mississippi River at New Orleans, one of a handful of US ports that uses a sophisticated GPS vessel-tracking system.

Air and Land Transport

THAILAND's third budget airline wants to avoid a price war with its competitors, maintaining that the domestic market is large enough to accommodate them all.
Boeing, Airbus eye orders from low cost sector
Air France-KLM deal gets regulatory approval
Qantas to start direct Brisbane- LA flights in June
Garuda's profit down 76% last year
US passenger screening plan behind schedule

Admiralty Casebook

Marine Insurance Act applies to marine pleasure craft policy
THE High Court of Australia decided last year that an insurance policy described as a 'marine pleasure craft policy' was indeed a marine insurance policy and one to which the Marine Insurance Act would apply, but the decision was not unanimous.

web site

Shipping News

Major Japanese lines chalk up robust profits
ROBUST China trade and the global economic recovery helped offset higher fuel prices and the appreciation of the yen against the US dollar for Japan's three major shipping lines Nippon Yusen KK , Mitsui OSK Lines and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha in the first first nine months of their financial year.
Star Cruises sells second ship, SuperStar Aries
MALAYSIA's Star Cruises has sold its second cruise ship in less than a month, offloading Kuala Lumpur-home ported SuperStar Aries to leading Spanish passenger liner group Pullmantur Cruises.
Kaohsiung port slides to No 6
TAIWAN's main container port, Kaohsiung, has slipped to sixth place on the global throughput ladder after recording 4.1 per cent volume growth in 2003.
Aussie maritime industry given March 1 deadline to submit security plans
AUSTRALIA's maritime industry has been set a March 1 deadline to submit security plans to the government ahead of the global implementation of new legislation for port and ship security.
Wharf's MTL to take 65% of Shenzhen port project
WHARF Holdings' Modern Terminals Ltd said yesterday that it would take a 65 per cent stake in the initial phase of the Dachan Bay container terminal project in China's southern boom town of Shenzhen.
Closer checks at Channel
A British immigration official uses a kit to test carbon dioxide levels on a lorry waiting to cross the English channel at Laon-Plage near Dunkirk.
Security watch
CHARLES Clasen of the Crescent River Port Pilots Association watches a vessel make a turn at Algiers Point in the Mississippi River at New Orleans, one of a handful of US ports that uses a sophisticated GPS vessel-tracking system.

Air and Land Transport

THAILAND's third budget airline wants to avoid a price war with its competitors, maintaining that the domestic market is large enough to accommodate them all.
Boeing, Airbus eye orders from low cost sector
Air France-KLM deal gets regulatory approval
Qantas to start direct Brisbane- LA flights in June
Garuda's profit down 76% last year
US passenger screening plan behind schedule

Admiralty Casebook

Marine Insurance Act applies to marine pleasure craft policy
THE High Court of Australia decided last year that an insurance policy described as a 'marine pleasure craft policy' was indeed a marine insurance policy and one to which the Marine Insurance Act would apply, but the decision was not unanimous.

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CSX dismisses terminal subsidiary sale report CMA CGM launches South Korea-Russia service Hong Kong to stage international logistics expo HK Cepa exports valued at HK$18.9m in first two weeks Karl Gofman made Rotterdam Russia representative RCL orders two vessels from Chinese shipyard Hapag-Lloyd establishes investor relations department SAS head to take helm at Scandlines Bimco launches new look home page Air Canada unions threaten to scuttle Victor Li's bid SAS Group posts losses Qantas heralds new aircraft system

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Vessel-related charges for coastal shipping pruned by 10 pc APL to launch all-new direct Indian Subcontinent Express service Miracle Shipping Agencies retains 1st place on CONCOR's list of customers in Chennai - Achieves hat-trick in the process Steel industry unruffled by drop in US imports Mumbai Port handles highest monthly throughput of 2.82 m tonnes in Jan. NSICT to open gate 24 hrs before loading cut-off time Commerce Department earmarks Rs 200-crore corpus to tap new markets 'Formless' era to dawn for exporters State govt authorises MbPT to collect stamp duty on imported cargoes

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Houston: Cargo barges still tied up as avails tighten ARA markets firm with crude amid good supply Barge fee competition continues in Richards Bay The stage is set for a new barge rate 'war' between South Africa's two barge operators Smit Dudula Marine (Pty.) Ltd. (Smit) and FFS Bunkers (Pty.) Ltd. (FFS) as the two companies battle for customers in Richards Bay. Singapore/Rotterdam bunker spread shrinks further The latest fall in Singapore IFO380 bunker prices brought the premium compared to Rotterdam down to about $30 per metric tonne (mt) today, compared to a reported nine-month high of $42 last week. Experienced trader joins Wired Bunkering Singapore distillate stocks recover from 4-year low Japan levels still unaffected by crude Singapore fuel oil values fall on bearish outlook Strong crude prices have failed to fire up the Singapore fuel oil market this week, a clear sign that a bearish outlook is weighing the market down. Up to four VLCCs with arbitrage cargoes of HSFO are expected to arrive in Singapore in March. Italy finally catches up with crude rises B@S launch new 'flexible' tanker barge Belgium-based bunker supplier Bunkers at Sea (B@S) said today that its latest coastal tanker barge, the 7,000 metric tonne (mt) capacity Sara was ready for operation. The Sara, like its sister vessel, the 3,500 mt Vera is one of the few coastal tanker barges in Europe capable of meeting spot bunkering requirements in locations as diverse as northern Spain, Ireland and Norway. MPA warns shipowners after four killed by pirates The Maritime & Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has issued warnings to ships to be vigilant after it emerged that four crew members of an oil product tanker were shot dead by pirates in the Malacca Straits last week after the vessel's owner failed to pay an earlier agreed upon ransom. Rotterdam market stays firm this morning

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Eurocargo 2004 Axit expands its range with RFID product Oman considering reductions in steel tariffs Noveon selects Ryder for transport management Antwerp/Poznan/Antwerp blocktrain now twice weekly Ethihad inaugurates Abu Dhabi-Heathrow service Wallem acquires Harpers Shipping New appointment at PD Logistics

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
IMB calls for action after "Indonesian rebels" murder 4 crew Gorthon Lines and B&N Nordsjöfrakt merge transatlantic paper transportation Lykes Lines' new Asia-North America service RCL orders 2 boxships from China APL's new Singapore-Indian subcontinent service

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
GMATS recommends changes in Staten Island ferry operations Mayor Bloomberg announces result of investigation Rapid repairs to newbuild tanker diesel Golten teams fly to Korea to rectify damaged crankpin Merchant Marine certification for USN training Navy and U.S. Coast Guard cooperate

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O'Neil calls for IMO to widen horizons FORMER International Maritime Organization head William O'Neil outlined key issues the United Nations agency and world shipping need to resolve in a speech to the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association yesterday, writes Sam Chambers in Hong Kong. CMA CGM eyes stake in Ningbo FRENCH line CMA CGM is seeking to buy a stake in Ningbo, one of the fastest growing container ports in China. Singapore in Malacca Strait security call SINGAPORE has renewed a call for greater sea-lane security in the the Malacca Strait as details emerged of the slaughter by pirates of four crew of a tanker hijacked in the area. Prediction of transpacific slowdown angers box lines CONTAINER lines have been left reeling by a new study predicting a dramatic slowdown in the all-important transpacific trades. North of England Club tells owners to prepare for ISPS perils SHIPOWNERS have been warned that the International Ship and Port Facility Security code will have a huge impact on fundamental commercial aspects of their business.

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Festival in sea of rumours FESTIVAL Cruises has told travel agents that it has lost control of its three Discovery-class ships - Flamenco, Bolero and The Azur. The ships are currently laid up in Gibraltar in the possession of JP Morgan and a syndicate of banks More injured in Izar clashes FIFTEEN Spanish yard workers and a journalist were today injured in further clashes with police in Cadiz as strikes continue at Izar shipyards across the country Sacramento bids to stay solvent IN a bid to avoid bankruptcy, the governing board at the California port of Sacramento voted this week to borrow $1M to keep the deep-water facility solvent GenMar posts impressive turnround GENERAL Maritime Corp has reported an impressive reversal to its 2002 losses on the back of increased charter rates and the Metrostar acquisition Hamburg cruise resorts to boxes HAMBURG has taken the term 'box terminal' literally by building a cruise terminal out of containers to cater for the 40 or so cruise calls expected this summer Ship Finance to acquire tankers TWO tanker owning companies whose vessels are about to be released from their long term charter commitments could be acquired by Ship Finance International Lines struggle with chicken demand S Africa steelmaker opts for Maputo Richards Bay bunker rate hike Petrol runs out in Angola Vostochny booms on coal and boxes Pakistan opens door to car imports Croatia prepares for Russian oil Star offloads Aries to Pullmantur Australia simplifies red tape NCL/Lloyd Werft talks make progress

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Profits soar for Japanese carriers NYK Line, MOL and "K" Line said higher freight rates helped nine-month profits more than double full-year earnings for the previous fiscal year. Bill to keep ports open post-attack Measure would limit shutdowns to ensure flow of trade through U.S. gateways. Bird flu leads to more bans on U.S. chickens Economy will drive earnings, recovery in 2004 ITC: China to be textile 'supplier of choice' FedEx completes Kinko's buy Indian ports cut vessel charges SST box program expands to S. Africa, adds Taiwan port S. Carolina county pushing port project DHL expands parts center network Hamburg Süd acquires Venezuela trucker Swift Transportation sets stock repurchase

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
NYK seeks to convince alliance partners of Ceres Paragon's virtues Ceres Paragon Terminal (CPT) in Amsterdam is the subject of negotiations which could fill it, but NYK - which owns 50% of CPT - must convince NYK Line's partners to move. In the Moodys: PSA gears up for Indian push as credit rating agency gives thumbs up to restructuring After PSA Corporation's difficulties in Tuticorin and Pipavav, the port operator plans to forge links with local partners for its bids at Kochi, Kandla, Vizhinjam and Ennore. NYK subsidiary TSK Line to launch new intra-Asia service APL targets Asian trade to India's domestic manufacturers New agreement with tribe enables Port of Tacoma expansion Ship shortage powers used vessel market Senator Murray criticises Bush over port security GT Nexus holds portal to carriers and US Customs open to 3PLs

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Arntzen's new job a gas? Well-heeled OSG sees reasons to take on LNG sector. Smoke or fire? Oil prices ease on doubts about OPEC discipline. OSG in 'amicable' breakup with Frontline Owners agree on plan to split up six VLCCs from Tankers International pool. Exports to start from Rosneft FSU Tanker turnaround at Arctic port of Murmansk expected to speed up. Record result for OSG Freight boom gets Morten Arntzen's career at top tanker owner off to strong start. Ships collide near Dardanelles strait One seafarer missing, ten rescued in snowstorm off Turkey. Knightsbridge duo plunged into pool Tankers International charters two VLCCs for three years. Festival cruiseships to go under hammer Tentative sale date of 2 March mooted for auction in Gibraltar. Mystery Greek sells fleet to Osama! Tabloid exclusive over threat to send ships up River Thames to attack Parliament. Japan holds 58 ships in January Port state control checks end in detention for Coscol and Toda vessels. New skipper for Freedom Ship Ambitious US "floating city" project puts fresh management team in place. Boxships and bulkers buoy up K Line Japanese owner cautiously upbeat as it moves into fourth quarter. India cultivates coastal shipping Government chops ship and cargo charges to ease burden on roads and railways. NYK profit soars Japanese shipping giant holds forecast steady as steamy market action boosts returns. Pan-United clinches anchor-handling double Singapore yard group welcomes back Ezra Holdings for another offshore order. APL goes direct to India New service to capitalise on Chinese and Japanese exports to sub-continent. MOL sees best quarter in FY2003 Cost cutting and stronger freight rates in liner sector help bolster owner's bottom line. Fred Olsen companies rebound into profit Ganger Rolf and Bonheur in the money, with more to come from converted Jahre Viking. Star continues fleet sell-off Singapore-listed Malaysian cruise line is disposing of its second ship in as many months.

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Japanese Three boost 9-month profits Israel Corp. completes purchase of state share in Zim CP Ships carriers add second Asia/North America service P&O Nedlloyd leaves U.S./southern Africa discussion agreement APL adds Singapore/India Subcontinent link Haiti Shipping to take slots from Frontier EC allows Air France/KLM merger subject to conditions House approves stopgap highway bill Mexico, U.S. hold regular talks on border Management Dynamics launches tariff software for NVOCCs Iraq's Al Mat bridge opens for business GAO concerned that controlled exports end up in wrong hands GAO recommends better staff management for free-trade agreements Mexico whittles trade deficit Port of Algeciras exceeds 2.5-million-TEU throughput Identity badges required to enter Georgia ports Delaware area maritime exchange takes system to Internet

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FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Another record year for the Port of Karlshamn The last ten years, cargo volumes handled by the Port of Karlshamn in Southeastern Sweden has increased by 160 per ... Cruise challenge in the Bay of Bothnia 100 cruise calls in ports around the Bay of Bothnia and double up by 2010. That is the scope for ... "Rocknes": Search operation terminated - vessel to be repaired The diving operation in the hull of the "Rocknes" has been terminated. The bodies after two seafarers are still missing ...