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Shipping News

Corporatisation of major Indian ports mooted
ONGOING reform of India's port sector will see gradual corporatisation of major ports across the country, starting with its largest container port at Mumbai, according to the government's recently released Economic Survey 2003-2004.
Teekay replaces tanker as crew refuses Iraq call
TEEKAY Shipping Corp, the world's biggest oil tanker operator by market value, replaced a tanker that was scheduled to load crude oil in Iraq after the crew refused to call at the nation's largest terminal because of concern about their security, the ship's owner said.
S Korea boosts ship security after threats
THE South Korean government has decided to beef up security measures on ships and aircraft that frequent dangerous regions.
Union deal averts strike at US ports
SHIPPING line operators and clerical workers have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting a strike that could have shut down the nation's largest port complex.
German port on high alert for Queen Mary 2 visit
PORT authorities in northern Germany will go on top alert for the visit of the world's biggest luxury cruise line, the Queen Mary 2, the Hamburger Morgenpost reported.
Refugee ship allowed to moor off Sicily
ITALY let a ship carrying 37 African shipwreck victims moor near a port in Sicily and promised humanitarian assistance, but it stopped short of letting it dock, the Interior Ministry said.

Air and Land Transport

US Airways asks unions to accept more wage cuts
US Airways' financial problems are putting it at risk of losing its federal loan guarantees, the airline's chief executive warned in a message to employees, pleading with them to accept a third round of cuts in wages and benefits.
Life in the biosphere of airport terminals
JFK loses ground in air cargo competition
Ryanair to add 10 new routes and 1 base
Thai Airways eyes superjumbo to meet demand
No current plan to take easyJet private: founder

web site

Shipping News

Corporatisation of major Indian ports mooted
ONGOING reform of India's port sector will see gradual corporatisation of major ports across the country, starting with its largest container port at Mumbai, according to the government's recently released Economic Survey 2003-2004.
Teekay replaces tanker as crew refuses Iraq call
TEEKAY Shipping Corp, the world's biggest oil tanker operator by market value, replaced a tanker that was scheduled to load crude oil in Iraq after the crew refused to call at the nation's largest terminal because of concern about their security, the ship's owner said.
S Korea boosts ship security after threats
THE South Korean government has decided to beef up security measures on ships and aircraft that frequent dangerous regions.
Union deal averts strike at US ports
SHIPPING line operators and clerical workers have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting a strike that could have shut down the nation's largest port complex.
German port on high alert for Queen Mary 2 visit
PORT authorities in northern Germany will go on top alert for the visit of the world's biggest luxury cruise line, the Queen Mary 2, the Hamburger Morgenpost reported.
Refugee ship allowed to moor off Sicily
ITALY let a ship carrying 37 African shipwreck victims moor near a port in Sicily and promised humanitarian assistance, but it stopped short of letting it dock, the Interior Ministry said.

Air and Land Transport

US Airways asks unions to accept more wage cuts
US Airways' financial problems are putting it at risk of losing its federal loan guarantees, the airline's chief executive warned in a message to employees, pleading with them to accept a third round of cuts in wages and benefits.
Life in the biosphere of airport terminals
JFK loses ground in air cargo competition
Ryanair to add 10 new routes and 1 base
Thai Airways eyes superjumbo to meet demand
No current plan to take easyJet private: founder

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Panalpina awarded China A forwarder's licence China energy woes to persist until mid-2006 Yangchun-Yangjiang Railway begins operation CP Ships launches new service to Australia from Yantian Boxes pile up at Miami Dade port due to truck strike Port of Oakland commissioners approve renewable energy portfolio Qantas jointly buys stake in Thai Air Cargo Eva cargo transports wafer plant to Shanghai FAA approves IATA's airline safety audit programme

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MSC expands South-East Asian network, adds Penang call Ningbo Port Group, MSC to operate berths together Shenzhen container traffic soars by 32 pc in H1 Cosco Shipping to buy 40 vessels 'Antwerp Gateway' orders Kalmar STS cranes COSCON launches China-Australia service Japan, UAE sign taxation agreement FEFC revises rates Canada Maritime wins recognition HSL bags Rs 100-cr. offshore rig repair order Elation at Budget proposal for box transhipment terminal near Cochin Port ISPS non-compliant factory-stuffed export boxes clog JNPCT's approach road Unions to hold rally on July 14 Singapore Airlines launches world's 1st non-stop flight from Newark Liberty to Changi China to liberalise foreign investment in aviation projects Nisha Roadways begins time-bound services to Delhi & Ludhiana Ahlers expands network in India Forex reserves down by $ 525 million to $ 1,19,407 million Effective rate of service tax will be only 6 pc, says Finance Ministry Forex reserves swell again Decade-highest quarterly surge in credit offtake Budget presents an opportunity lost, say speakers at panel discussion A Tale of two Containers-II

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JULY 12, 2004
Shell divestments 'not specific' to marine business Global divestments part of programme to upgrade oil major's business portfolio. EU oil stock figures mirroring US fundamentals New monthly figures reveal ample crude stocks but tight supply of refined products, and speculators have already begun piling into winter fuel futures. Intertanko slams 'unacceptable' EU single-hull delays Tanker association says EU's previous branding of IMO as too slow 'now rings hollow' as shortage of translators blamed for snail's pace fusion of IMO and EC single-hull regulations. Friday's crude loss brings little change to Rotterdam Thai governement eyes low sulphur fuel oil imports Demand for LSFO from electricty company as gas usage hits full capacity. EU legislation could see $65 premium for low sulphur fuel oil Low sulphur fuel oil could carry a premium of as much as $65 pmt over high sulphur product as EU legislation drives demand higher. Ventspils oil handling drops 20% Russian pipeline operator Transneft's focus on Primorsk sees numbers fall off in Latvia's key oil export port.

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JULY 12, 2004
Security: management's task DHL Solutions: AX4 SMS tracking for Lever Fabergé Efta and the Lebanon sign free trade agreement CMA CGM Logistics acquires Qualitair & Sea International CN clears the way for the takeover of BC Rail Partnership Phuket Air launches new London - Bangkok route Port of Auckland: shipping lane deepening; container terminal extension New face for British Airways World Cargo

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Frontline buys two more VLCCs MOL orders two more LNG carriers for Oman venture Owners must speak out, says NoE Hatsu takes over Intra European Service

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JULY 12, 2004
Frontline in newbuilding swoop Gets pair of 2006 VLCCS for $158.5 million Windelev Consulting open for business Claus Windelev is back in the U.S. after a three-year assignment in Europe VT Halter Marine closing in on Egyptian missile craft deal Congress notified of possible sale

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JULY 12, 2004
Federal cash will help build transit system for Eugene/Springfield Barwil adding security agent to each of the company's offices DHL wins delivery duties for U.S. Olympic team Coast Guard nabs Canadian men smuggling drugs into U.S. Oregon, Washington file suit to force feds to study Hanford

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Terror threat puts East Asia in a spin CONFUSION surrounds an alleged threat to shipping lines made by an Islamic militant group linked to al-Qa'eda over the weekend. Waw Kwong VLCC pulled as crew refuse to go to Iraq THE threat of a terrorist attack on ships destined for Iraq had one immediate effect, with Wah Kwong Shipping Holding's chairman George Chao citing it as a primary reason for his crew onboard the very large crude carrier, Venture Spirit, pulling out of a scheduled charter for Teekay to the country, writes Sam Chambers. FEFC rates rise misses $300 target SHIPPING lines have secured further freight rate increases on the booming Asia-Europe trade although the amount is below the ambitious level of $300 per teu they had targeted. Italy allows aid ship carrying Sudanese refugees to enter Sicilian port ITALIAN authorities gave permission yesterday for the German aid ship Cap Anamur to enter the port of Empedocle on Sicily, writes Katrin Berkenkopf in Cologne . Statoil blaze at Mongstad cuts Norwegian oil output NORWAY'S largest refinery, Mongstad, is running at half capacity after a fire damaged a crude oil unit and injured two people, writes Martyn Wingrove.

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JULY 12, 2004
Net threat: HK remains calm HONG Kong police say there has been no specific intelligence to suggest maritime safety is under threat, after an armed Islamic group's website vowed to attack ships from the territory Indians to develop Iranian port IRAN'S Ports and Shipping Organization has signed a $100M contract with a consortium of Indian companies to establish a container terminal at the port of Chabahar Customs unveils new bond regime US Customs & Border Protection has announced details of new, drastically higher rates for 'continuous' bonds Stelmar refutes latest Stelios charge STELIOS Haji-Ioannou has unleashed a fresh set of accusations at the Stelmar board JNPT strike paralyses exports MORE than 2,500 export boxes are held up at various container freight stations in and around Jawaharlal Nehru Port, as a result of three-day-long strike Miami truck strike continues INDEPENDENT truck drivers at the Port of Miami say they will continue their two-week old strike despite a federal court order to go back to work Ships more important than football Beira reopens LA-LB strike averted Passport materials suspect Hatsu takes over Euro feeder role Operators extend boxship charters Russian oil exports diverted Eitzen continues expansion China to boost tanker tonnage India to approve Lanka ferry plan

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JULY 12, 2004
Miami Vise Port executive says backlog of containers from truckers' boycott will take at least two weeks to work down. Union Pacific, BNSF hike intermodal rates New contract for So. Calif. clerks Employers open West Coast longshore rolls Coast Guard combines safety, command roles NOL volume, rates climb Marseilles throughput up 11 percent South Korean lines on high alert China exports surge in June Trailer protest hits Nehru U.S.-flag dredging ruling overturned

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JULY 12, 2004
Feeder operators to levy ECT congestion charge Shortsea carriers in the Iberia to North Europe trades will impose a congestion surcharge for ECT in Rotterdam, the UK/North West Continent Portugal and Vigo Conference announced today. Rate increase forecasts on major trades dip Freight rate increases on the Asia/Europe and Asia/US trades seem a bit unpredictable, according to financial analysts and at least one line, due to an increase in carrier capacity. BPA invests further in Busan New Port US Lines in East Coast slot charter deal with Zim EC backs rail-signalling study Stavanger expands HMM equity ISPS sees six ships denied entry to Canadian ports

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JULY 12, 2004
Up to 10 lost in near-shore sinking Only one survivor is known after a general cargoship sank just six kilometres off the Argentine coast. Ezra seals charter deals Singapore-listed owner finds employment for two of its vessels and wins engineering contract. Alaska tankers clean up Shipowners nominated for environmental award after first ever spill free year. Korea's Gulf no-go Government orders owners to limit crew movements at Persian Gulf ports due to terror threat. Congestion costs cut at Chennai IPBCC boxship conference reduces emergency charge as situation improves at Indian port. Diver killed at Malta Freeport A Dutch diver has been pulled into an NSB containership's bow thruster. Yard loses MSC Carla fight Hyundai faces $20m bill as US judge rules in favour of P&I club over break-up of containership. MOL ups stakes in Oman LNG ships Japan's Mitsubishi OSK Line has bought chunks of two further Oman Shipping Co newbuildings. Hurdle for SSN share injection Polish state's gift of drug company stock to yard could be held up by former managers. Italy allows migrant ship in German cargoship carrying refugees from Darfur in Sudan can dock in Sicily. Ship sinks off Busan Second incident at Korean port in as many days as general cargo ship sinks after colliding with bulker. Trio eye Pan Ocean Three Korean companies vie for control of country's number one bulker operator. Wan Hai inks CSBC trio Taiwanese shipowner books series of three panamax containerships at compatriot shipbuilder. Hubline damages trial begins Malaysian boxship operator looks to prove insurance claim as Singapore court case commences. Lee made Titan director EX-NOL tanker chief appointed to board at parent company of China-backed shipowner and oil trader.

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JULY 12, 2004
Castle Harlan completes takeover of Horizon Lines China Shipping drops Los Angeles from transpacific loop EU shipowners expect further relaxation of Chinese restrictions FESCO rejects Trans-Net's allegations of malpractices Hatsu takes over LT's intra-Europe link TACA lowers bunker charge MOL opens another two offices in China MOL opens another two offices in China Capacity fears trigger allocation limits at UP U.S. Customs reminds private sector about monthly duty payment system ILWU, port employers discuss clerk contracts, as congestion mounts Miami port drivers ordered back to work Bean Stuyvesant cleared on dredging nationality case

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JULY 12, 2004
Two persons dead after sinking of a 104 year old schooner Two persons drowned early Sunday morning when the schooner "Martha" sank in Kattegat some 15 miles northeast of Grenaa. The ... Tärntank in major deal with A.P. Møller-Maersk Danish A.P. Møller-Maersk has signed a five-year T/C charter for four tankers from January 2005 with the ... The case of "Jan Heweliusz" opened again A court of appeal in Poznan has decided that the district court in Szczecin closed the case about claims for ...