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Shipping News

Global move to ease seafarers' hardships
IN an unprecedented move, global unionists will come together with major shipowners' groups to mount an international campaign against the hardships imposed on seafarers by an over-bearing US security regime.
Show of strength at ITF annual forum here
THE International Transport Workers' Federation kicked off its week-long annual forum this week with its head David Cockroft officiating the opening of the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union Lighthouse Bistro.
CSIC posts record H1 orders on tanker demand
CHINA Shipbuilding Industry Corp , which controls the country's biggest shipyard, received record new orders for ships in the first half of this year as an increase in oil production spurred demand for tankers.
Competition Bill sparks Israel port strike
ISRAELI dock workers declared a strike to protest against Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed law aimed at stimulating competition among Israel's three seaports.
ConocoPhillips and Mitsubishi in LNG terminal deal
CONOCOPHILLIPS said on Monday it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with a unit of Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to jointly develop a liquefied natural gas import terminal on the US West Coast.
Italy lets in refugees, arrests aid ship captain
ITALY finally allowed 37 African shipwreck victims saved by a German aid ship to disembark in this Sicilian port on Monday after a standoff that lasted nearly three weeks.
Alaska shipping firms may be honoured for spill-free year
FOR the first time since oil began flowing down the transalaska pipeline in 1977, tankers carrying the crude to refineries in the continental United States went a full year without spilling any into the water, officials said on Monday.

Air and Land Transport

AirAsia to decide on plane purchases in next 60 days
BUDGET carrier AirAsia said yesterday it will decide on the purchase of 80 new aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing Co, within the next 30 to 60 days to feed rapidly growing demand for its services.
United Airlines executives outline areas for pending cost cuts
77% more passengers at S Korean airports in Q2
Qantas seeks A$2.1b loan to refinance debt
More Chengdu-Tibet flights in July, Aug
Peru grounds largest airline on insurance issue

Strait Talk

To value or not to value the ancient mariner?
JUST in case it has slipped anybody's mind, the master of the tanker Prestige is still in Spain, unable to either leave or, so far, defend his name in court while the country's judicial process grinds on

web site

Shipping News

Global move to ease seafarers' hardships
IN an unprecedented move, global unionists will come together with major shipowners' groups to mount an international campaign against the hardships imposed on seafarers by an over-bearing US security regime.
Show of strength at ITF annual forum here
THE International Transport Workers' Federation kicked off its week-long annual forum this week with its head David Cockroft officiating the opening of the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union Lighthouse Bistro.
CSIC posts record H1 orders on tanker demand
CHINA Shipbuilding Industry Corp , which controls the country's biggest shipyard, received record new orders for ships in the first half of this year as an increase in oil production spurred demand for tankers.
Competition Bill sparks Israel port strike
ISRAELI dock workers declared a strike to protest against Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed law aimed at stimulating competition among Israel's three seaports.
ConocoPhillips and Mitsubishi in LNG terminal deal
CONOCOPHILLIPS said on Monday it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with a unit of Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to jointly develop a liquefied natural gas import terminal on the US West Coast.
Italy lets in refugees, arrests aid ship captain
ITALY finally allowed 37 African shipwreck victims saved by a German aid ship to disembark in this Sicilian port on Monday after a standoff that lasted nearly three weeks.
Alaska shipping firms may be honoured for spill-free year
FOR the first time since oil began flowing down the transalaska pipeline in 1977, tankers carrying the crude to refineries in the continental United States went a full year without spilling any into the water, officials said on Monday.

Air and Land Transport

AirAsia to decide on plane purchases in next 60 days
BUDGET carrier AirAsia said yesterday it will decide on the purchase of 80 new aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing Co, within the next 30 to 60 days to feed rapidly growing demand for its services.
United Airlines executives outline areas for pending cost cuts
77% more passengers at S Korean airports in Q2
Qantas seeks A$2.1b loan to refinance debt
More Chengdu-Tibet flights in July, Aug
Peru grounds largest airline on insurance issue

Strait Talk

To value or not to value the ancient mariner?
JUST in case it has slipped anybody's mind, the master of the tanker Prestige is still in Spain, unable to either leave or, so far, defend his name in court while the country's judicial process grinds on

web site

Shipping News

Global move to ease seafarers' hardships
IN an unprecedented move, global unionists will come together with major shipowners' groups to mount an international campaign against the hardships imposed on seafarers by an over-bearing US security regime.
Show of strength at ITF annual forum here
THE International Transport Workers' Federation kicked off its week-long annual forum this week with its head David Cockroft officiating the opening of the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union Lighthouse Bistro.
CSIC posts record H1 orders on tanker demand
CHINA Shipbuilding Industry Corp , which controls the country's biggest shipyard, received record new orders for ships in the first half of this year as an increase in oil production spurred demand for tankers.
Competition Bill sparks Israel port strike
ISRAELI dock workers declared a strike to protest against Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed law aimed at stimulating competition among Israel's three seaports.
ConocoPhillips and Mitsubishi in LNG terminal deal
CONOCOPHILLIPS said on Monday it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with a unit of Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to jointly develop a liquefied natural gas import terminal on the US West Coast.
Italy lets in refugees, arrests aid ship captain
ITALY finally allowed 37 African shipwreck victims saved by a German aid ship to disembark in this Sicilian port on Monday after a standoff that lasted nearly three weeks.
Alaska shipping firms may be honoured for spill-free year
FOR the first time since oil began flowing down the transalaska pipeline in 1977, tankers carrying the crude to refineries in the continental United States went a full year without spilling any into the water, officials said on Monday.

Air and Land Transport

AirAsia to decide on plane purchases in next 60 days
BUDGET carrier AirAsia said yesterday it will decide on the purchase of 80 new aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing Co, within the next 30 to 60 days to feed rapidly growing demand for its services.
United Airlines executives outline areas for pending cost cuts
77% more passengers at S Korean airports in Q2
Qantas seeks A$2.1b loan to refinance debt
More Chengdu-Tibet flights in July, Aug
Peru grounds largest airline on insurance issue

Strait Talk

To value or not to value the ancient mariner?
JUST in case it has slipped anybody's mind, the master of the tanker Prestige is still in Spain, unable to either leave or, so far, defend his name in court while the country's judicial process grinds on

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Threat of industrial action at LA, Long Beach ports passes China begins campaign against overloaded trucks South Korean lines warned of terror attacks Malaysian PM urges ports to try and attract more business Truckers ordered back to work at Port of Miami-Dade SITC starts calling at South Korea JV handling company launched at Chubu International Airport DHL to open new Sydney facility in 2005 Former American Airlines chairman dies at 84

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Double awards for Mearsk Sealand at Tuticorin SKS (Ship) Ltd. wins ISO 9001:2000 certification Re-categorisation of textile products by US hits exporters Oilmeal exports rise five-fold in Q1 NSCOWA members resume movement of export boxes to JNPCT First-ever CONCOR rake for ICD-Birgunj, Nepal, flagged off from Kolkata Dock System Railways exceeds freight traffic target set for April-June 2004 PHDCCI underlines need for domestic trade policy also Leather industry gets a tanning with CVD Cluck, cluck ! Bengal poultry industry sees good pickings in Budget Chidambaram predicts nearly 7 per cent GDP growth Steel exporters get back DEPB benefits KPSAA elects new office-bearers for 2004-05

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JULY 13, 2004
USGC: Hectic week halted on crude falls MOBC instructed to cease bunker operations Plans to privatise Malta's former monopoly bunker supplier shelved due to lack of suitable investors. Russian oil giants invited to invest in Rotterdam Dutch energy ministry tout oil companies to channel oil exports through Rotterdam. Korean market softer despite possible strike action One major supplier playing it safe as strike may affect bunker supply. Rotterdam market easing back down after late Monday rebound Port Kembla to benefit as Sydney winds down operations Plan to redirect all container handling from Sydney harbour to Port Kembla to boost bunkering potential. Norway: Bunker operations unaffected by refinery fire Demand stays thin in weak Singapore market Suppliers in the Singapore market report lack-lustre demand in a continuation of the trend seen at the end of last week, as high fuel oil stock levels continue to place pressure on prices.

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JULY 13, 2004
Transport Events Management announces new dates South Stevedoring begins on-line payments Call for separate shortsea 'Marco Polo' budget DHL Express takes over Nestle Germany's national parcel distribution Columbia Coastal Transport with new container super-barge Polar Air Cargo set to transfer European hub Tema, Ghana: record transit cargo throughput OTIF: new central office head

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JULY 13, 2004
Frontline raises $21.5 million, buys single skin Suezmaxes Says it's an "opportunistic deal" to maximize cash flow Marshall Islands issues record number of seafarer documents Keeping up with fleet growth-and need to meet port state scrutiny Coast Guard to shipowners: "No ISSC, no entry!" Vessel operators must have valid International Ship Security Certificates and other information required by ISPS as part of their notification of arrival requirement to enter U.S. ports LR extends ACP to OSVs First non-U.S. classification society authorized to offer program to OSVs

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Stelmar chairman fends off latest Stelios salvo NICK Hartley has issued a robust defence of an attack by Stelios Haji-Ioannou on the company's standards of corporate governance and rejection of an OMI takeover approach. Rocketing costs force intra-Asian lines to cut back INTRA-Asian container lines are struggling to raise freight rates as sky-high charter costs force service cutbacks at a time of booming trade volumes. Officers charged in Malta as diver dies THE master and chief engineer of the 6,464 teu containership CMA CGM Verlaine have been charged with involuntary homicide after the death of a Dutch diver who had been inspecting the vessel at Malta Freeport on Sunday, writes Janet Porter . Stelmar chairman defends share sale in face of Haji-Ioannou fire STELMAR Shipping chairman Nick Hartley has issued a robust defence against Stelios Haji-Ioannou's attacks on the company's corporate governance standards and its rejection of an OMI takeover approach. Diamlemos defends ducking French order He was critical of France's "zero tolerance" approach to marine pollution, saying he did not understand why France was stirring up so much trouble for such a "small accident". VLCC operators see shares plunge They fell by NKr17 to NKr248.50 while at noon in New York they were 3.3% down on a higher than average volume. Shares in another VLCC operator Knightsbridge Tankers were down more than 7% at that stage also on high volume.

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JULY 13, 2004
Scramble to take over Pan Ocean MORE foreign shipping companies are said to be queuing up to buy Pan Ocean, South Korea's largest bulk operator, for an estimated price of W300Bn ($260M) Companies back Baltic plan THE Baltic exchange now has 516 company members compared with 496 this time last year, Shell being the latest to join, the Baltic AGM was told today Race for Cochin LNG project EIGHT companies are bidding to supply LNG to the National Thermal Power Corp's proposed expansion at Kayamkulam power station in Kerala, India Owners welcome short-sea initiative EUROPEAN ship owners have welcomed new proposals to encourage the development of short-sea shipping, but warned that subsidies would distort competition Marshalls' seafarer list grows THE Marshall Islands flag register will issue 70,000 seafarer documents this year, and security is finding a higher priority in those papers ConocoPhillips joins LB LNG project SOUND Energy Solutions and ConocoPhillips have signed a non-binding MoU to work jointly on the development of a proposed LNG receiving terminal at Long Beach LG Caltex to import LNG Frontline buys more VLCCs Miami truckers return to work Refugee ship officers arrested Fire at Mongstad Refinery Legal boost for Brazilian builders London upbeat on cruise terminal Search on for Mini Moon seafarers Israeli workers await port vote

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JULY 13, 2004
Feeling the heat in Miami Port of Miami holding some containers as it digs out from boycott backlog. Opponents fighting longshore ratification vote in court CN raises container storage charges again Expect CAFTA changes, says Baucus Bush extends African trade program China bolsters ship building, repairs CSXI charges to pick up empty IM equipment in So. Calif. India's Concor opens international rail service South Africa port to double box capacity Lufthansa Cargo plans cooperation with Shenzhen MOL opens new China offices

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JULY 13, 2004
Terror threat heightens South Korean vigilance The alleged threat by an armed Islamic group to attack ships supplying the US military in Iraq has forced an upgrade in security levels at Busan port. Miami truckers prepare for Thursday's court date Australian export picture brightens for carriers Box volumes to bolster Long Beach revenues IPBCC raises Chennai congestion charge again Newbuild deployed on MSC's Golden Gate service Concor launches Nepal/Kolkata link

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JULY 13, 2004
ConocoPhillips steps up LNG ambitions Leading US refiner will be part of Mitsubishi's proposed $400m project in California. Stolt Offshore cuts deficit But cost-cutting is the reason, as sales fall. Frontline shares fall on sales rumour Tanker giant sees drop on Oslo, New York exchanges on word that John Fredriksen may be selling 20% of his stake. Crystal Pool eyes future Finnish chemical carrier owner contracts for two stainless steel newbuildings with INP. Plunging rates cut profit But Nordic American remains healthily in the black despite tanker charter earnings coming off the boil. Spanish raid coke ship Belize-flagged vessel's crew arrested after four tons of cocaine found onboard. NSB officers charged with manslaughter Master and chief engineer of containership CMA CGM Verlaine are being held without bail after a tragic death in Malta. Yard group looks for investor Russian owner of Krasnoye Sormovo and Third International shipbuilders wants to sell a 25% stake. Farstad chalks up charters Norwegian offshore shipowner brings in NOK 165m of business for four of its vessels. SSN confirms Ritscher boxship German owner will take 3,100-teu vessel from Polish shipbuilder. Miami, St Maarten...Norfolk? Miami's cruise dominance slips, as local US ports come into their own. Eidsiva acquires ro-ros Norwegian car carrier owner gives Novoship's tanker strategy a $25m boost. Ship Finance Intl raises $25m Proceeds from share placement could pay for controversial Pertamina VLCCs. Frontline strikes again Fredriksen tanker operation picks up two 2006 VLCC newbuilding resales for less than $80m each. Hong Kong hauls in 21 Odfjell, Technomar, Yang Ming and NYK among owners whose ships failed inspections in June. CSIC in record spree Chinese yard group chalks up 5.3m dwt of new orders in first half of 2004. Eimskip reels in reefers Icelandic owner to beef up CTG business with two Norwegian newbuildings. Ezra seals charter deals Singapore-listed owner finds employment for two of its vessels and wins engineering contract. Thoresen takes Cosco bulker After two disposals Thai shipowner is back on the acquisition trail buying three-year old handymax.

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JULY 13, 2004
APL's traffic soars as rates near two-year peak Geest short-sea executive calls for "less hot air, more action" British Airways adds freighter, China scheduled service Schenker redefines range of standard sea freight products Bonner: WCO group aims for global approach to supply chain security U.S. Customs hikes bonds for products subject to antidumping probes GAO undergoes name change U.S. retailers must add one digit to bar codes Sears Logistics Services extends regional delivery areas Long Beach commissioners approve 13% budget increase

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JULY 13, 2004
Chines crew refused to sail to Iraq After threats of terrorist attacks against shipping companies transporting cargo for American account to and from Iraq, the crew on ...