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Shipping News

Latin America needs logistics investments
LATIN America offers new opportunities for shipping and logistics businesses from Singapore and Asia as growing exports and increasing consumption drive the area's economic recovery.
Tanker held on spill charges freed on bond
A Mitsui OSK Lines-controlled oil tanker, detained at the weekend after French coast guard officials said it had left an 11-km long oil slick off the Brittany coast, has been allowed to resume its journey after paying a 300,000-euro bond, the firm said on Tuesday.
Taiwan-China trade boom calls for direct shipping
YOU'D be forgiven for not noticing the simmering tension between Taiwan and China, at odds for over half-a-century and still without direct transport links.
Aussies tighten travel security
Marine insurance

Port Shots

PORT SHOTS
ROTTERDAM, the world's largest cargo port, will face disruptions on Monday as the Netherlands's largest workers union stages a 24-hour strike against government plans to cut spending on pensions and social security.

web site

Shipping News

Latin America needs logistics investments
LATIN America offers new opportunities for shipping and logistics businesses from Singapore and Asia as growing exports and increasing consumption drive the area's economic recovery.
Tanker held on spill charges freed on bond
A Mitsui OSK Lines-controlled oil tanker, detained at the weekend after French coast guard officials said it had left an 11-km long oil slick off the Brittany coast, has been allowed to resume its journey after paying a 300,000-euro bond, the firm said on Tuesday.
Taiwan-China trade boom calls for direct shipping
YOU'D be forgiven for not noticing the simmering tension between Taiwan and China, at odds for over half-a-century and still without direct transport links.
Aussies tighten travel security
Marine insurance

Port Shots

PORT SHOTS
ROTTERDAM, the world's largest cargo port, will face disruptions on Monday as the Netherlands's largest workers union stages a 24-hour strike against government plans to cut spending on pensions and social security.

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THC among topics discussed at global shippers meeting in Shanghai Logistics spend for Beijing Olympics could top US$5b CMA CGM joins anti-hunger fight Panalpina reports slight drop in net profit US Congress hands out US$1.5m security grant to PHA Swift Freight opens new offices in Africa Beijing electronic cargo inspection nets US$2.68m over first half Frankfurt reports best August ever for airfreight UTi net income rises in Q2 SkyTeam spreads wings

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Booming Asian shipyards give Europe a sinking feeling Export target of $ 120 bn achievable by 2007, says EMI Director 25,000 t raw sugar to be imported from Brazil Rubber trade wants export sops restored Mid-term review of anti-dumping duty on acrylic fibre imports begins CII team scouting for investors in Taiwan EC agrees to give Indian basmati better treatment EU imposes 5-year 15.7 pc tariff on Indian graphite electrodes Rlys freight haulage growth, earnings surpass 4-month target Singapore-based container feeder lines may keep off Chittagong Emirates Group using novel system to monitor air consignments RBI discontinues repatriation facility for exports to LAC Garment industries logging on & tracking sales patterns to grab lucrative markets Govt may allow 100 pc FDI in SEZs' real estate development SRTEPC hails free trade warehousing zone plan in trade policy Changes in Weights & Measures Act on anvil, govt official tells IMC members Special SMEM conference rates for exhibitors Dolphin Marine Enterprises awarded special recognition for Customer satisfaction in Asia/Pacific region for 2003-04 IMC to be partner in 'Maharashtra Agri Food-2004' in Nov.

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
US stock figures cause concern, market shrugs off OPEC gesture Loss of oil production and major refinery disruptions from Ivan could exacerbate tightening US oil inventories. Vopak warns of disruptions to barge loadings Industrial action expected to halt loading of bunker barges at Rotterdam's main fuel oil terminal next Monday. Barge service added at Crete bunkering station Bunker barge service added in response to demand, enabling bunkering of vessels that cannot use ex-pipe facility due to draft limitation. DOE: US crude imports, stocks, sharply lower Service slowly returning to normal in Jamaica After a direct hit of the fierce Hurricane Ivan Petrojam's bunker barge is still out of service, but the company's refinery is about to resume regular production. Slow sales, mixed supply, characterise South Korean market Prompt supply difficult in some quarters, while buyers are advised to act early for end-of-month supply. New Orleans: Barges move up-river as Ivan approaches Having left a trail of devastation in the Caribbean, Hurricane Ivan is now approaching the US Gulf coast, prompting the bunker industry to take preemptive action. Singapore: QMBS submission doubles in one month Sources at the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore have revealed latest figures on QMBS certification submission to Bunkerworld. Singapore: Company move

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Chemion opens container terminal in Leverkusen MSC re-routes traffic from La Spezia to Livorno ABP announces senior management appointments EGSAC Spain opens fourth office TNT reaches agreement to cross-dock automotive parts California bill would target shipping lines and intermodal trucking companies Four Truckers selects PeopleNet

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Security: IMO starts "training the trainer"

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Homeland Security Department sets new round of security grant MarAd releases first quarter tally of North American cruise industry Border Protection officer nabs $2.4 million worth of weed Port of Seattle nets award for cleanup of Terminal 18 Mitsui creates simulation of LNG carrier turbine plant

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Fredriksen lines up box trades spree JOHN Fredriksen is poised to redeploy a large chunk of his fortune in the liner trades following the sale of more than 12% of his Frontline tanker vehicle for $345m. Temasek offer for NOL unconditional TEMASEK Holdings has acquired majority control of Neptune Orient Lines, making unconditional its US$1.6bn takeover offer, which it has extended for another 14 days. Dutch vessels fall foul of US Coast Guard security clampdown All Dutch registered ships will be boarded by the US Coast Guard when calling in US ports, after falling foul of a targeting system for International Ship and Port Facility Security Code compliance. Limburg attackers 'had inside knowledge' TERRORISTS must have gained inside shipping knowledge for their speedboat attack on the very large crude carrier Limburg off Yemen in October 2002, a shipmanager who dealt with the aftermath has suggested. RCCL switches six ships to Bahamas flag Royal Caribbean Cruises is to transfer six ships from the Norwegian register to the Bahamas by early 2005.

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Worst case: Mississippi closure WITH the projected track for Hurricane Ivan drifting westward, a worst-case scenario now involves a direct hit on the Mississippi River tonight Stelios: Stelmar board has sale conflict WITH Stelmar Shipping rumoured to be seeking a new suitor, founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou warns that Stelmar's board faces "a fundamental conflict of interest" OPEC offsets Ivan CRUDE oil futures contracts for August fell in pre-floor trading in New York today as OPEC balanced concerns over Hurricane Ivan by announcing an output increase Santos dredging back on agenda THE port authority for Brazil's main export outlet, Santos, is set to re-open the tender for dredging its ship channel from the current 12.8m average to 13-14m Auction ordered for unlucky Shamrock A US District Court judge has ordered the French-flagged ro-ro vessel Shamrock to be auctioned in November if its owners do not settle their financial problems Novorossiysk hits capacity NOVOROSSIYSK, Russia's traditionally dominant oil outlet on the Black Sea, is facing long-term problems, as its oil export terminal has hit maximum capacity at 54M tpa Atlantic Hero pollution update Yet another storm approaches Fredriksen balances holdings Everitt takes over at the PLA IMO raps Manila's knuckles on ISPS ABP goes to conciliation Port security man praised Mobile braces for impact Visakha port looks ahead Labroy exits livestock carrier business

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Hurricane Ivan lashes Gulf coast Mobile in crosshairs as ports from Louisiana to Florida shut down ahead of a predicted landfall by the Category 4 storm early Thursday morning. Temasek wins control of Neptune Orient Lines Shippers OK repeal of Europe anti-trust for liners Manufacturers appeal for tariff relief Air-cargo forecast sees 6.2% annual growth Good neighbor? DHL opens center in FedEx base Truckers to get anti-terror training OSHA issues shipyard fire rules Shipping boom for Canadian manufacturers Feds mull bagged-food aid limit for MSP ships Indiana transportation booming Australia probing liner anti-trust exemption

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Unleashed! Charter rates set to storm to unprecedented levels Brokers believe that the lack of available tonnage and the expected growth in demand will see charter rates swell by another 15-20% by the end of the second quarter 2005. Temasek's NOL offer becomes unconditional Temasek Holdings' offer for Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) of S$2.80 (US$1.63)/share has gone unconditional, indicating that the Singapore Government investment arm has secured at least 50% of NOL shares. Ten-year lead time for Hamburg's new capacity USCG: Poor foreign port security will trigger tough ship inspections Users berate greedy NZ ports Busan joins forces with foreign carriers to lift efficiency Melbourne sees record growth Provisional maritime pact signed between Korea and Iran

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Investors like Frontline sale Shares in Norwegian tanker owner rise after John Fredriksen sells to new blue-chip pals. Shamrock runs out of luck US judge orders Fortis arrest ship sold even though final ruling on claims not yet issued. The Singapore connection Cosco's overseas arm expected to work with SembCorp after buying stake in Chinese repair group. Varun mulls price for rights issue India's biggest lpg carrier seeking up to $16m from forthcoming offering. Rotterdam walk-out Dutch union urges others port workers to support protest against 'destruction of welfare state.' Big John spreads his wings Fredriksen lieutenant Tor Olav Troim says tanker king will use share cash to pursue container shipping and other interests. Politician blasts BC boss Ferry chief David Hahn criticised for 'smearing' Canadian yard workers. Bulkers buoy Bourbon Dry cargo market and disposal of older ships boost French owner's first-half profit Sovcomflot surges Russian tanker owner pumps up profits in first half. Stellar start at Pac Basin Recently listed handysize bulker operator has seen interim profits jump six-fold on strong market. Easy for Keppel Singapore yard snaps up refurb contract for EasyGroup's first ever cruiseship. Fortum reveals split plan Finnish energy giant to list refining and shipping interests next April with share hand-out to investors. Fredriksen sells John Fredriksen raises $344m as US investors snap up 12% of tanker giant Frontline. NOL offer goes unconditional Temasek Holdings passes 50% stock ownership threshold and extends offer to 29 September. MSC confirms Alstom cruisers Italian owner presses ahead with two-ship order, despite losing tax incentives. Tankers help lift Suez revenue Surge in tanker transits leads to double-digit year-on-year income growth for strategic waterway. Pirates strike in China Knife wielding robbers target bulker in rare occurrence of a reported pirate attack on Chinese coast. Lightning hits LNG carrier Damaged described as 'minor' after BG Group's Methane Arctic is struck during port call.

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
California Congressmen want explanation of AMSEA contract Bomb-checking dogs get ready for sea duty Kitty Hawk expands air cargo network to Mexico Bush extends curbs under Trading with the Enemy Act Coast Guard flags 17 countries as port security risks DHS doles out $49 million for port security Port of New Orleans prepares for Hurricane Ivan

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Color Line competition dangerous for Fjord Line Color Line is committed to serve Western Norway and will be a serious challenge to the established operator Fjord Line ... Fredriksen sells Frontline shares for billions John Fredriksen, through Hemen Holding, has sold Frontline shares worth a total of NOK 2.36 billion, to reduce his total ... Norway gets new definition of an accident at sea After strong criticism, Norway is finally taking steps to tighten its maritime accident investigation system. The country will have a ...