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S'pore, Malacca straits could be key terror targets: analysts
SINGAPORE is 'doubly vulnerable' to a maritime terrorist attack because of its location at a vital international trade 'choke point', localised piracy and its importance to global shipping, two Singapore-based maritime experts have concluded.
Pirates open fire on S'pore-flagged tanker off Aceh
A Singapore-flagged tanker sustained extensive damage in a brief but vicious attack when pirates armed with machine guns strafed the vessel with gunfire off Indonesia's war-torn Aceh province, according to the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre.
Intertanko hopes to meet deadline
THE International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, whose members operate about two-thirds of the world's tankers, said almost all of them will implement required anti-terrorist measures by a July deadline.
Teekay buys Tapias for US$810m
TEEKAY Shipping Corp, the largest tanker owner by market value, has agreed to buy Naviera F Tapias SA of Spain, headed by Fernando Fernandez-Tapias, for US$810 million in cash and assumed debt to enter the fast-growing market for liquefied natural gas.
Poisonous chemical spills into Yangtze
SOME 80 tonnes of the poisonous and flammable chemical cyclohexanone has leaked into the waters of the Yangtze river near Nanjing city after a collision between two tankers, state media reported yesterday.
Ishikawajima to license tanker technology to Samsung Heavy
ISHIKAWAJIMA-Harima Industries Co, Japan's No 3 heavy machinery maker, has agreed to team up with Samsung Heavy Industries Co on the design of liquefied natural gas tankers.
Cruising ahead
THE cruise ship industry boomed last year, showing it is recovering more than two years after the Sept 11 attacks hurt US tourism, according to industry officials meeting in Miami this week for a conference.
Industry sees no significant fallout from Spain blasts
THE lucrative US cruise industry is worried that the Madrid bomb attacks could bring a Sept 11 impact, but for the moment reservations have held up.

Air and Land Transport

Jetstar won't hurt Qantas' sales, says chief executive
QANTAS Airways chief executive officer Geoff Dixon says Jetstar, the low-cost domestic carrier the company will start in May, will focus on attracting holiday travellers and won't erode sales at its parent.
Virgin Express, SN Brussels in merger talks
Air Canada to lay off 70% of Calgary mechanics
Airlines urge US to adopt voluntary screening system
Plan to open Reagan National Airport to small planes

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Shipping News

S'pore, Malacca straits could be key terror targets: analysts
SINGAPORE is 'doubly vulnerable' to a maritime terrorist attack because of its location at a vital international trade 'choke point', localised piracy and its importance to global shipping, two Singapore-based maritime experts have concluded.
Pirates open fire on S'pore-flagged tanker off Aceh
A Singapore-flagged tanker sustained extensive damage in a brief but vicious attack when pirates armed with machine guns strafed the vessel with gunfire off Indonesia's war-torn Aceh province, according to the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre.
Intertanko hopes to meet deadline
THE International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, whose members operate about two-thirds of the world's tankers, said almost all of them will implement required anti-terrorist measures by a July deadline.
Teekay buys Tapias for US$810m
TEEKAY Shipping Corp, the largest tanker owner by market value, has agreed to buy Naviera F Tapias SA of Spain, headed by Fernando Fernandez-Tapias, for US$810 million in cash and assumed debt to enter the fast-growing market for liquefied natural gas.
Poisonous chemical spills into Yangtze
SOME 80 tonnes of the poisonous and flammable chemical cyclohexanone has leaked into the waters of the Yangtze river near Nanjing city after a collision between two tankers, state media reported yesterday.
Ishikawajima to license tanker technology to Samsung Heavy
ISHIKAWAJIMA-Harima Industries Co, Japan's No 3 heavy machinery maker, has agreed to team up with Samsung Heavy Industries Co on the design of liquefied natural gas tankers.
Cruising ahead
THE cruise ship industry boomed last year, showing it is recovering more than two years after the Sept 11 attacks hurt US tourism, according to industry officials meeting in Miami this week for a conference.
Industry sees no significant fallout from Spain blasts
THE lucrative US cruise industry is worried that the Madrid bomb attacks could bring a Sept 11 impact, but for the moment reservations have held up.

Air and Land Transport

Jetstar won't hurt Qantas' sales, says chief executive
QANTAS Airways chief executive officer Geoff Dixon says Jetstar, the low-cost domestic carrier the company will start in May, will focus on attracting holiday travellers and won't erode sales at its parent.
Virgin Express, SN Brussels in merger talks
Air Canada to lay off 70% of Calgary mechanics
Airlines urge US to adopt voluntary screening system
Plan to open Reagan National Airport to small planes

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Guangxi to invest US$1B in port development Tacoma awaits first batch of terrorist-proof containers Accord to manage Lego's distribution in Singapore Emirates launches US$500 million bond issue Changi crowned best Asian cargo airport by GIL Menzies secures two handling contracts at Prague airport

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Enact security plans now, says IMO chief Better cargo volumes boost ESL's all-round performance - Exceeds cargo target by 30 per cent Varun Shipping to be listed on Singapore exchange Vibhuti Shipping Pvt. Ltd awarded ISO 9001:2000 certificate Oilmeal exports expected to exceed 4.5 million tonnes this year, says SPAI chief India, Thailand differences on FTA persist Quarantine alert put out against grape imports from US Cotton exports likely to register 16-fold growth: Traders Leading tea producers to visit Pakistan next month Election Commission rejects MoS plan to reconstitute 8 Major Port Trust Boards CCT crosses 5-lakh TEU mark on March 14 Record rice, paddy procurement in Bihar Petronet LNG plans import terminal at Mangalore China Council's product fair in city from March 25 IMC convention discusses need for developing world class infrastructure CII to hold exports summit on March 26 Procedural issues are main stumbling block

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MARCH 17, 2004
Gulf Coast markets slow to react to crude rises OPEC production cut efforts unconvincing so far So far it looks like OPEC's efforts at reining in quota cheating in line with a February 10 announcement have been unimpressive. Crude hits fresh highs despite anticipated US oil data Crude prices in London and New York shot to new one-year highs today after weekly US oil inventory data showed continued declines in the nation's gasoline inventories. An unexpected drop in refinery processing saw products inventories shrink, but allowed a larger-than-expected build in stocks of crude oil. GAC unveils dedicated bunker service in Cairo New office aimed at serving customers transiting Suez Canal and cargo vessels at Ain Sukna. Healthy interest as Sri Lanka market leader introduces IFO380 Sri Lanka's leading bunker supplier Lanka Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd (LMS) has become the first player to start supply of IFO380 to ships calling at Colombo and Outside Port Limits (OPL) near Sri Lanka. Spring arrives in Piraeus New Saudi posted prices Higher IFO180 premium still intact in South Korea Glencore agrees storage and blending deal with KIC Oil Titan Oil denies market reports that Glencore will pull out of current storage deal. Rotterdam fuel oil down, distillates up Titan joins big league as Neptune deal completed Puchase of 22 oil product vessels constitutes major step towards Titan achieving its goal of becoming major oil services provider Spills experts to gather in Singapore next week Experts to speak on the preparation, prevention and response that the shipping community can take to manage marine emergencies.

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Renault Trucks launches Infom@x Eastwards expansion impacts less on French trucking industry Norwegian Post to acquire Nor-Cargo Fercam: Success for the new owner Austrian Airlines' Chairman says "We decide the pace" Horizon Lines installs new cranes in San Juan Terminal TICT Trieste names new general manager

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MARCH 17, 2004
Teekay moves into LNG market with Tapias deal Cement trades set for continued growth EC gives qualified green light to Tirrenia subsidies Master fined '14,000 for traffic lane violation Mersey Docks profit up

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MARCH 17, 2004
$110 million in maritime orders for ABB Azipods and more ... ABS names Wiernicki CTO ABS has appointed Chris J. Wiernicki Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Smit Internationale is subject of probe Dutch Competition Authority and EC investigations under way Ship's master can also be SSO IMO panel recommendation Wartsila common rail engines for Princess newbuilding Specified for Fincantieri NB 6100 House hearing focus includes Port Security Grants Bush Administration budget request is just $46 million

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MARCH 17, 2004
Publishing firm first tenant at Kalama River Industrial Park Senator Patty Murray kicks off Operation Safe Commerce in Tacoma IMO chief wants speedy start to new SOLAS security measures WTSA shipping lines will streamline wastepaper rate Horizon Lines updates cranes at San Juan container terminal

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Competition investigators in swoop on Dutch salvage firms THE European Commission and the NMa, the Dutch Competition Authority, have simultaneously launched separate investigations into Dutch salvage and port towage operators. Brown's budget is 'good news' for UK shipping THE UK maritime community continued to live a charmed life as the government's budget statement resisted inflicting measures against wealthy foreigners, including shipowners, and on UK tax leasing and capital allowances. Tapias sale to Teekay catches unions off guard NEWS of Teekay's acquisition of Naviera F Tapias took Spanish seafarer unions by surprise yesterday, with labour representatives scrambling to assess the impact on the crews manning the Madrid-based company's fleet, writes Brian Reyes. Hotel fate for the Norway? AMERICAN cruise afficianados may have seen the last of the historic steamship Norway , it emerged in Miami yesterday. Masters can be Ship Security Officers confirms IMO A SHIPMASTER can be designated as his own Ship Security Officer under the provisions of the mandatory International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, according to a clarification from the IMO's Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee this week.

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MARCH 17, 2004
Cartel watchdogs hound salvors INVESTIGATORS from the European Commission and Dutch cartel watch dog NMa raided the head offices of Smit Internationale and Wijsm'ller yesterday evening looking for evidence of collusion on rates and market share Mipo may name new chief executive YU Kwan Hong, chief executive of Hyundai Mipo shipyard, may move to the board of Hyundai Heavy Industries Sulpicio strikers face suspension MORE than 100 seafarers with the Philippines operator Sulpicio Lines are facing cancellation of their seaman's books for their act of "insubordination and misconduct" Spain mulls ship ministry change SPAIN'S new government may introduce the new post of transport minister according to a spokesman who also said changes to the Merchant Marine Authority were likely Philippines kicks off trade drive THE route between the Philippine port of General Santos and Indonesia's Bitung has been reopened with the deployment of an Indonesian owned ship Morocco: port strike threats MOROCCAN ports could be hit by strikes in the next few days, a port workers' union has warned, in a dispute over a tug company's working practices Tirrenia aid approved until 2008 Cold comfort for St Petersburg Nordic American votes to continue Cruise newbuilding outlook Carnival takes on Star for Asia Capesize in trouble off Maputo Euro cruise still 'vibrant' Cruise execs buoyant despite Madrid SSA's Umm Qasr contract extended

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MARCH 17, 2004
FedEx profit up on costs cuts, trucking Overseas shipments, ground unit fuel better-than-expected earnings. U.S. won't hike rail security funding Department of Homeland Security's Hutchinson tells House subcommittee Madrid attacks won't influence budget plans. Ceres venture signs Montreal lease Norfolk Southern mulls eastern stacktrain 'Corridor' Trans-Pac lines call for wastepaper rate hikes Privatized ports speed India trade E. Europe logistics market to double: Study Atlantic Vehicle Processors expands Georgia hub Chittagong to auction unclaimed imports Famous Pacific Shipping adds Romania, Belarus CSXT launches ethanol rail-to-water service Teekay to buy Spanish tanker company

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MARCH 17, 2004
Reefer trade under threat from botulism says expert Controlled-atmosphere containers could create in-container environments which could cause the release of botulism toxin, says an expert, who warns that not all carriers and shippers are aware of the risk. Fleet-expansion to help Cosco hit US$6.65billion turnover by 2010, says CEO Cosco is aiming to hit RMB25billion (US$3.02billion) turnover this year, increasing revenues to RMB30billion (US$3.63billion) in 2005, along with a fleet-expansion to almost match global fleet-demand. Tonnage shortage is testing charterers 'iron will' New Rhine box-terminal in Basel heralds Swissterminal partnership Med services remain 'insufficiently remunerative', say EMTA carriers Coast Guard upped security thirty-fold immediately after September 11 Samudera plans more India-centric services Termont Terminal renews commitment to Montreal Romania and Belarus full of eastern promise for Famous Pacific Kozlov rises as Fesco invests Clinton-era Commissioner re-nominated to FMC position

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MARCH 17, 2004
Moody's to Teekay: not so fast! Credit agency may cut tanker giant's ratings over LNG cash splash. Jefferies bullish on Teekay-Tapias deal Analyst raises earnings estimate, bumps target share price to $90. Bergesen ups profit World-Wide Shipping's new baby says LNG significant in 2003 figure. Panayotides "should bid" for Torm Family now owns more than 40% after Menfield upped stake. TradeWinds reader alert Take action now to ensure access to our improved internet site which launches Friday. Investors take note of Teekay move Company shares hit 2004 high for volume in wake of Naviera F Tapias deal. Finnlines paints downbeat picture Shares fall as Finnish owner predicts lower first quarter profit. Samsung eyes IHI LNG system Landmark deal sees Korean yard take on Japanese shipbuilder's LNG technology under licence. Salvage probe widens Svitzer Wijsmuller and Multraship join Smit in competition inquiry's net. Canada detains seven in February Port state control inspections find fault with Swire and Chemikalien Seetransport ships. Tanker flooded at Tema yard Ghanaian yard defies court to flood drydock after Nigerian ship refuses to leave. Bay Shipbuilding eyes state aid for upgrade US group Manitowoc Marine's Sturgeon Bay yard to benefit from development zone credits. Smit in competition probes Dutch and EU investigators probing towage and salvage giant. Tankers collide in Chinese port Spill clean-up lauched as chemical spilled into Yangtze River. Bidvest tightens grip on Bidcorp South African owner increases holding in UK ports and shipping subsidiary. MMM sees growth Malaysian tanker and bulker owner optimistic in 2004, as it eyes ship purchases. Titan ties-up NAS acquisition Hong Kong-listed owner and oil trader completes purchase of NOL's product tanker and bunker business. SSA Marine sees Iraq deal lengthened US port operator receives three-month extension to Umm Qasr management contract. Torch seals Midnight Wrangler work US offshore operator to book revenue of $4.3m from two charters of converted cable layer.

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MARCH 17, 2004
Hyundai adds transpacific link Mitsui O.S.K. Lines gets contract to carry Chinese iron ore Teekay acquires Naviera F. Tapias for $810 million U.K. court fines ship captain for wrong-way passage IMO secretary general urges early enforcement of security rules Transpacific carriers raise fuel charges North/south carriers groups in Asia plan large rate increases Marine Corps considers future cargo preposition ships Pacific carriers want to bring wastepaper rates up again MMS Co. Ltd. will pay $2 million dumping fine; engineer jailed Messina adds Mundra to Med/Indian subcontinent link OT Africa Line names vessel after Angolan national park New rules urged for U.S. marine salvage and firefighting China Shipping bulk affiliate boost net profits Brennan nominated for another term as FMC commissioner P&O Nedlloyd adds offline software for shippers OMI orders 47,000-deadweight-ton ice-class product carrier CORRECTION Hyundai Merchant Marine made net $18 million loss in 2003 U.S., Madagascar ink civil air agreement House panel considers security report on Alameda Corridor Central Freight buys assets of Oregon LTL CN, union reach tentative labor agreement Quality Carriers selects computer-assisted driver training FMC revokes eight OTI licenses GeoLogistics opens offices in Pakistan American grain shippers applaud U.S.-Dominican Republic FTA Exel adds U.K. logistics business U.S. talks bring Dominican Republic into CAFTA fold U.S., U.A.E. sign trade and investment framework agreement Appeals Court says U.S. can recover cost of undelivered food Tibbett & Britten to test RFID TransCore acquires Vistar's satellite-tracking assets Ex-Im Bank loan to Mexican oil company boon to U.S. shippers U.S. workshop on transport of nuclear materials USDA denies trade adjustment help to California citrus grower group Kerry says he would do more to protect ports Delmas reports port congestion at Chinese port Wallenius Wilhelmsen expands auto processing in Brunswick USAID extends SSA Marine's Umm Qasr contract Horizon Lines adds cranes in San Juan Sen. Murray marks opening of Operation Safe Commerce Hutchison, British shippers discuss security surcharge Suicide bombers kill Israeli port workers Hong Kong's box traffic hit 20.4 million TEUs in 2003

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MARCH 17, 2004
DFDS with a steady profit for 2003 DFDS of København came out of 2003 with a profit of DKK 157 million (EUR 21 million) after a year ... "Odin" to recover oil from "Prestige" Statoil's multipurpose shuttle tanker MST "Odin" is participating in a project to recover oil from the sunken "Prestige". Head of ... DFDS Tor Line opens three more services out of Göteborg DFDS Tor Line will open new routes from its base port Göteborg in the coming years. No less than three ...