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Shipping News

Seas continue to be hit by 'alien invaders'
MARINE organisms deposited in Seychelles waters by cargo ships are threatening to hurt the Indian Ocean islands' vital fishing industry, highlighting once again the perils of indiscriminate ballast water discharged by the shipping community.
Ballast water seminar opens in S'pore today
THE second International Conference and Exhibition on Ballast Water Management begins here today, with some of the foremost experts and scientists working on the most efficient way of treating ballast water assembling in Singapore for the first time.
Titanic salvage firm unlikely to own artifacts
A federal judge said she was unlikely to grant ownership of nearly 6,000 Titanic artifacts to the company that holds sole salvage rights to the sunken luxury liner.
Tanker owner OMI in talks to buy Stelmar
OMI Corporation, owner and operator of 37 tankers that carry crude oil and refined petroleum products, said it has entered talks to buy Greek tanker owner Stelmar Shipping in a stock and cash transaction.
FREIGHT RATES
PANAMAX dry bulk rates will probably drop further this week, continuing the fall seen since a record high three months ago as Chinese demand for grains and minerals declines, brokers said yesterday.

Air and Land Transport

Buy A330-200, A340-600, Airbus proposes to SIA
COMPETITIVE threats from budget airlines, 6th freedom carriers and emerging air hubs in the region mean Singapore Airlines must consolidate its core product and quickly kick-start its aircraft acquisition strategy, according to Airbus executives.
MAS Q4 profit seen rising on strong sales
THAI's Q2 profit up 11%
Virgin to defer flying super jumbo Airbus
NZ, China in pact to lift barriers to air travel
Pacific Blue airline may fly domestic NZ services this year

Strait Talk

Top brass of shipping to meet in S'pore to discuss security
NEXT week will see many key players of the shipping world coming together in Singapore.

web site

Shipping News

Seas continue to be hit by 'alien invaders'
MARINE organisms deposited in Seychelles waters by cargo ships are threatening to hurt the Indian Ocean islands' vital fishing industry, highlighting once again the perils of indiscriminate ballast water discharged by the shipping community.
Ballast water seminar opens in S'pore today
THE second International Conference and Exhibition on Ballast Water Management begins here today, with some of the foremost experts and scientists working on the most efficient way of treating ballast water assembling in Singapore for the first time.
Titanic salvage firm unlikely to own artifacts
A federal judge said she was unlikely to grant ownership of nearly 6,000 Titanic artifacts to the company that holds sole salvage rights to the sunken luxury liner.
Tanker owner OMI in talks to buy Stelmar
OMI Corporation, owner and operator of 37 tankers that carry crude oil and refined petroleum products, said it has entered talks to buy Greek tanker owner Stelmar Shipping in a stock and cash transaction.
FREIGHT RATES
PANAMAX dry bulk rates will probably drop further this week, continuing the fall seen since a record high three months ago as Chinese demand for grains and minerals declines, brokers said yesterday.

Air and Land Transport

Buy A330-200, A340-600, Airbus proposes to SIA
COMPETITIVE threats from budget airlines, 6th freedom carriers and emerging air hubs in the region mean Singapore Airlines must consolidate its core product and quickly kick-start its aircraft acquisition strategy, according to Airbus executives.
MAS Q4 profit seen rising on strong sales
THAI's Q2 profit up 11%
Virgin to defer flying super jumbo Airbus
NZ, China in pact to lift barriers to air travel
Pacific Blue airline may fly domestic NZ services this year

Strait Talk

Top brass of shipping to meet in S'pore to discuss security
NEXT week will see many key players of the shipping world coming together in Singapore.

web site

Shipping News

Seas continue to be hit by 'alien invaders'
MARINE organisms deposited in Seychelles waters by cargo ships are threatening to hurt the Indian Ocean islands' vital fishing industry, highlighting once again the perils of indiscriminate ballast water discharged by the shipping community.
Ballast water seminar opens in S'pore today
THE second International Conference and Exhibition on Ballast Water Management begins here today, with some of the foremost experts and scientists working on the most efficient way of treating ballast water assembling in Singapore for the first time.
Titanic salvage firm unlikely to own artifacts
A federal judge said she was unlikely to grant ownership of nearly 6,000 Titanic artifacts to the company that holds sole salvage rights to the sunken luxury liner.
Tanker owner OMI in talks to buy Stelmar
OMI Corporation, owner and operator of 37 tankers that carry crude oil and refined petroleum products, said it has entered talks to buy Greek tanker owner Stelmar Shipping in a stock and cash transaction.
FREIGHT RATES
PANAMAX dry bulk rates will probably drop further this week, continuing the fall seen since a record high three months ago as Chinese demand for grains and minerals declines, brokers said yesterday.

Air and Land Transport

Buy A330-200, A340-600, Airbus proposes to SIA
COMPETITIVE threats from budget airlines, 6th freedom carriers and emerging air hubs in the region mean Singapore Airlines must consolidate its core product and quickly kick-start its aircraft acquisition strategy, according to Airbus executives.
MAS Q4 profit seen rising on strong sales
THAI's Q2 profit up 11%
Virgin to defer flying super jumbo Airbus
NZ, China in pact to lift barriers to air travel
Pacific Blue airline may fly domestic NZ services this year

Strait Talk

Top brass of shipping to meet in S'pore to discuss security
NEXT week will see many key players of the shipping world coming together in Singapore.

	web site

Hong Kong records 4.6pc increase in throughput for April Pacific CMA posts record revenues in Q1 UPS expands ocean service to Asian ports Asian Terminals net profit slides ICTSI terminals compliant with ISPS code APL voted best intra-Asia shipping line at AFSCA NY/NJ to sell US$350 million worth of bonds Qantas applies for additional UK services British Airways Cargo sees decrease in flown revenue Lufthansa names freighter after K+N supremo, transports rhino United Cargo awards ACS with BPO contract

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Passenger vessel built by HSL flagged off Ethiopian Shipping Lines completes 4 decades of successful operations - Plans to acquire 2 of its largest vessels, enhance support to Indian trade Asean market dons more Indian clothes to exporters' delight Indian products to be on display at fair in Trinidad & Tobago India, China may join hands to tackle issues linked to leather goods trade Duty-free gold imports through banks, agencies to continue India, China trade may exceed $ 10-bn mark in 2004-05, says Indian Ambassador Oilseeds exporters' delegation returns from China full of hope Paradip Port plans to expand rail-borne traffic by Dec Changi Airport voted best for cargo in Asia Railway freight traffic up in April Box movement by rail on TKD-JNP route 'regulated' for 10 days - CONCOR serves notice of likely delays and suggests options RBI leaves Bank Rate unchanged SION for 20 new export items notified Capital market over-reacting, feels AIAI chief AEPC move to cut transaction costs BIMCO opposes mandatory double sides for bulkers Pvt sector marine insurers get a raw deal

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MAY 18, 2004
Turkish supplier adds IFO to product list 2003 samples show increasing tendency for off-spec fuels Cargo fall has only small impact on Fujairah numbers Yukos subsidiary ready for bunker sales in Rotterdam Petroval Bunker Services starting modestly but is ideally placed to become a big-league player.

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MAY 18, 2004
Second Basel International Hazardous Goods Conference Pacer Cartage selects Trinium's TMS World Bank loan for Accra roads Frans Maas (UK) with new premises in Manchester Rail4chem/Shortlines: No border stops from/to Worms-Rotterdam Vienna Airport posts sparkling performance OOCL strengthens KTX Suite with addition of Japan/South China Service Top men lined up for UK Club

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MAY 18, 2004
OMI, Stelmar merger on cards Bunker quality "getting worse" MOL moves up global "rich list" US port users form security body

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MAY 18, 2004
USCG approves Columbia Coastal's VSP Container-on-barge specialistis well ahead of ISPS/MTSA deadline Stelmar yet to receive offer from OMI Is a take-over battle looming? VT Halter enters TSV competition Teams with Northrop Grumman unit Crowley refloats grounded Alaska ferry Under tow to shipyard New design tool for high speed safety Developed with EU backing Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has global ambitions Could buy European yard to get into cruise ship sector

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IMO in U-turn over double-hull bulkers THE International Maritime Organization threw itself into reverse gear on dry bulkers, ditching plans to make double side skins mandatory from 2007. Africa search and rescue fund 'vital' AN INTERNATIONAL fund to finance search and rescue development off the African coast is urgently needed, the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee said yesterday, writes Sandra Speares. FMC Technologies trumpets $36m Petrobras subsea deal ENGINEERING firm FMC Technologies announced a $36m subsea production equipment deal yesterday with Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) just as the Brazilian state oil giant limbers up for a $53.6bn 2004-10 investment bonanza. Siem sells off Broström stake ending 17-year involvement NORWEGIAN shipping entrepreneur Kristian Siem's investment wing has sold its interests in Swedish product tanker owner Broström for SKr359m (US$46m), ending a 17-year relationship. Main shareholders in Brostr'm,

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MAY 18, 2004
Queen Elizabeth 2 fire extinguished A fire that broke out on board Cunard's 70,327gt cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 today has been extinguished Seatrade Award winners honoured FOUR companies and organisations and two individuals were honoured at last night's Seatrade Awards dinner in London, the 16th time the annual event has been held Have your say! SHOULD smoking be banned on ferries if one of the two countries involved has passed a ban on lighting up in public areas? Have your say! Fug surrounds Irish smoking ban THE ban on smoking in public buildings introduced by the Irish government in March is causing confusion among ferry operators serving Dublin and other Irish ports Siem sells his Brostrom stake NORWEGIAN investor Kristian Siem has sold his shares in Brostrom, the Swedish product tanker and logistics group, to Swedish investors Atlantic box trade future unclear STEEL shortages and decreased container production could put pressure on capacity during the second half of 2004, conference delegates were warned yesterday Stelios leads Stelmar into OMI deal ISPS compliance figures concerning Shareholders delay Festival wind up Strike threatens Swedish shipping China rejects cross-Strait moves Alaska ferry LeConte refloated

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MAY 18, 2004
East Coast facing long, hot summer Terminal congestion continues to be a critical problem for ports despite efforts to ease the crush of truck traffic. Express giants moving into trans-Atlantic trade East Coast ports could grab Asia traffic Shippers blast lines for 'unacceptable' service Charge, taxes hit NYK quarter UPS expands ocean service "K" Line sets plan for fiscal goals Commonwealth Business Media acquires Compass North America Cargo profits to rise on Air France-KLM link-up South Korean yards move to high end Reorganization for OOCL Logistics Matson adds direct Hawaii-U.S. ro-ro service Vancouver solid tax base: Report

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MAY 18, 2004
CC Tung calls for government to settle THC dispute National and regional government should help resolve the ongoing terminal handling charges (THCs) dispute between lines and shippers says CC Tung, chairman and CEO of Orient Overseas (International) Ltd (OOIL). Zhang stresses need for PRD regional co-operation Atlantic 'Dying trade' says US East Coast port Lure of China-Australia trade could prove irresistible to CP Ships K&N reject need for NVO's to negotiate service contracts US Port Security Council chants mantra 'with one voice' ESAC raises rates from July Klang hails success of CSI

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MAY 18, 2004
Ultrapetrol back in black Tanker owner posts profit, buys back bonds in first quarter. Stelmar "in play" US analyst says OMI offer represents attractive premium on stock. Not so fast! Stelmar says merger talks are between OMI and Haji-Ioannou family only. Kristian Siem exits Brostrom Norwegian investor sells stake in Swedish tanker owner to groups allied to boss Lennart Simonsson (right). Alstom bailout deal emerging French government to take larger stake and some units to be divested. North-Western wins cruise battle Russian owner gains passengership fleet after charter wrangle. New Black Sea link planned Romania and Georgia will open new freight route in July. Star Cruises blots out red ink Asian-backed cruiseship giant says Pride of America will be ready by mid 2005. Bulkers collide off China Qinhuangdao port sees close encounter between Greek panamax and China Shipping handysize. EU to continue Izar probe Spanish vice president says solution might mean the end for shipbuilding giant. Yard stake left on shelf Ukraine fails for third time to sell holding in Kiev shipbuilder Leninskaya Kuznitsa. Canada cracks down on bulkers Eight of 10 ships detained in April were bulk carriers, including a Navibulgar vessel. Naikai notches up profit Japanese shipbuilder pushed up earnings despite flat revenues in the year to 31 March. Daewoo thinks big But Korean shipbuilder forecasts lower profit on higher sales for 2004. HDW in big loss German yard reportedly lost EUR 191m in 2003 and expects a similar story this year. Alaskan ferry floats free Stranded LeConte refloats itself as Coast Guard prepares announcement on incident. Aussies cut navaid levies Government says efficiency gains plus expected rise in shipping traffic have enabled fee reduction. Bomb hoax on Express Athina Terror scare delays Greek ferry for 90 minutes and forces 1,600 passengers to evacuate ship. TEN raises $70m Share sale reaps Tsakos Energy Navigation funds for newbuildings and corporate purposes. Stelmar sets up in Manila OMI takeover target establishes crew management company in the Philippines.

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MAY 18, 2004
OMI, Stelmar in tanker merger talks Matson adds direct Hawaii/Pacific link from Maui and Big Island U.S., U.K. near agreement on scrapping American-flag ships U.S. troubled by Ukraine's Danube Delta canal project Nippon Cargo modernizes 747 fleet Lufthansa Cargo names freighter "Klaus-Michael Kuehne" UPS Trade Direct Ocean service expands OOCL Logistics transfers management from U.S. to Hong Kong FDA extends comment period for food imports interim prior notice rule Commerce Department prepared for recycled copper shortage hearing Port security lobby formed to chase federal dollars

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MAY 18, 2004
Suspected vessel inspected in St Petersburg The Latvian authorities have removed one of two vessels on the list over identified ships in the vicinity when the ... Change of ownership in Broström Siem Industrikapital AB, former Four Seasons Venture Capital AB, has sold its total shareholding in the Swedish tanker specialist Broström ... Half a billion profit for Stena The Stena group reports a pre-tax profit of SEK 518 million (EUR 56.5 million) for 2003, down by almost ...