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Shipping News

Surprise twist to THC drama
THE ongoing drama pitting shippers against carriers over terminal handling charges took yet another turn yesterday with the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement saying it had wrapped up 'cordial, successful talks' with five shippers' councils.
Pirate attacks continue to plague region
A spike in the number of violent pirate attacks in waters neighbouring Singapore was reported last week, amid concerns the littoral states alone cannot keep the key shipping lanes they share safe.
Senator steams back into black with US$40m profit
EUROPEAN shipping group Senator Lines has turned around its bottom line, posting a US$40 million profit in 2003 after a major restructure that saw it withdraw all US services, and cut staff.
Mindanao container terminal set to open
MINDANAO'S first modern container terminal is scheduled to open in May in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental province.
TANKER RATES
LONDON Persian Gulf oil tanker rates dropped for a third day to a five-week low as refinery maintenance in Asia and holidays in Japan, China over the coming days reduced demand for ships.

Air and Land Transport

Emirates' profit soars 74% to record US$429m
EMIRATES, Airbus's largest customer for the A380, said fiscal 2004 profit rose 74 per cent to a record after the airline carried more passengers from Europe and the Middle East through its Dubai hub to Australia and Asia.
China to open Shanghai to all domestic carriers
Canada steps up anti-Sars measures
AirAsia to begin flights between Macau and Bangkok in June
Rolls-Royce evaluating Japan firms for 7E7 engine deal
United hopes to become first US airline to fly to Vietnam in 30 yrs

web site

Shipping News

Surprise twist to THC drama
THE ongoing drama pitting shippers against carriers over terminal handling charges took yet another turn yesterday with the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement saying it had wrapped up 'cordial, successful talks' with five shippers' councils.
Pirate attacks continue to plague region
A spike in the number of violent pirate attacks in waters neighbouring Singapore was reported last week, amid concerns the littoral states alone cannot keep the key shipping lanes they share safe.
Senator steams back into black with US$40m profit
EUROPEAN shipping group Senator Lines has turned around its bottom line, posting a US$40 million profit in 2003 after a major restructure that saw it withdraw all US services, and cut staff.
Mindanao container terminal set to open
MINDANAO'S first modern container terminal is scheduled to open in May in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental province.
TANKER RATES
LONDON Persian Gulf oil tanker rates dropped for a third day to a five-week low as refinery maintenance in Asia and holidays in Japan, China over the coming days reduced demand for ships.

Air and Land Transport

Emirates' profit soars 74% to record US$429m
EMIRATES, Airbus's largest customer for the A380, said fiscal 2004 profit rose 74 per cent to a record after the airline carried more passengers from Europe and the Middle East through its Dubai hub to Australia and Asia.
China to open Shanghai to all domestic carriers
Canada steps up anti-Sars measures
AirAsia to begin flights between Macau and Bangkok in June
Rolls-Royce evaluating Japan firms for 7E7 engine deal
United hopes to become first US airline to fly to Vietnam in 30 yrs

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HMM launches PCX service between China and US WC AADA to increase rates in July, October Russian Railways to build a US$1 billion rail link to China China Shipping takes delivery of new vessel CP Rail blames earnings drop on poor weather India's 16 zonal railways transport record amount of cargo Busy Q1 for Port of Montreal NACA appoints veteran Ericson to be vice president Pemco to convert Hainan planes into freighters Cargolux announces record profits for 2003 SIA Cargo completes B747-400 sale and leaseback Frankfurt voted `Best Cargo Airport' in three categories

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New Evergreen service to link East Asia with Australia Safmarine appoints new CEO CMA CGM to launch new direct Asia-East Med service APL to kick-start fast China-Australia service Taiwan's 'Big 3' order 54 boxships P&O Ports to run new Antwerp terminal MISC chief Mohd Ali dies of heart attack MOL ventures into new service route Maritime fraternity suggests changes in MMTG Act - Amendments to be formalised in May Export of agri products to Malaysia face hurdles Trade negotiations with Chile likely to start in August Exim Bank's 2003-04 net jumps by 11 pc to Rs 229 cr. CII agenda for better trade ties presented to GCC AEPC tells govt to accept EU offer EICI moots Rs 25-cr. promotional fund to reduce export rejections VCT tranships containers on to MLV for first time - Feeder vessels bring Paradip, Kolkata boxes Railways transports record 252 m tonnes of coal in 2003-04 GAC India awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification ESCAP envisages 6-7 pc GDP growth rate in India during 2004-06 ECGC gets the stamp of quality Put an end to overtime facility at Petrapole, Capexil urges Customs Dept Punjab apparel park proposal draws excellent response WTO body's ruling leaves more questions unanswered

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APRIL 28, 2004
Oil regains losses after disappointing US gasoline build Slow growth in US gasoline stocks supportive even as commercial crude inventories continue rising. Black Sea: New player to start supply within days New supplier to offer ex-pipe deliveries with a view to include barge deliveries and expand port coverage soon. Greek company welcomes new trader Weekly US oil data at a glance Lack of product still plagues Fujairah Earliest supply dates in Fujairah were being pushed further backwards today, with already tight avails suffering from exports to other regions and tightening security at cargo sources World Fuel Services reports solid Q1 result Q1 profits up 13.2% from last year, Tramp Oil deal not included in result. Singapore cargo and bunker gains lagging crude Gains were said to be limited in the cargo sector by limited Chinese buying interest and in the bunker market by thin demand. New Saudi posted prices competitive South Korea sees slight price movement DNVPS confirms contaminants found in two Persian Gulf ports DNV Petroleum Services confirmed that chlorinated contaminants and naphthalene were discovered in bunkers supplied in Fujairah and Muscat during the second half of March and the first half of April. Rotterdam continues firm and tight short term

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APRIL 28, 2004
Karlsruhe Rhine Ports launches upgraded web site Scottish Transport Minister supports rail freight HPL opened HWL Cape Town (Pty) Ltd. in South Africa PSD Poland provides services for CTL, Star and VTL Eva Air increases net turnover in 2003 Excellent first quarter for Port of Montreal SAS Cargo Group appoints President and CEO

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APRIL 28, 2004
ABS fleet at all-time high Stolt Nielsen's tanker revenues up MOL in China tanker JV Bimco in US security deal American club starts Philippines medical checks ITF protests at US visa rules ASEAN shippers and TSA in row 12 pirate attacks in a week Broström's good Q1

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APRIL 28, 2004
Port of Port Angeles buying Nippon Paper facility Federal cash heading to Portland International Airport GALAXY rescue efforts earn Coast Guard recognition Order puts Boeing Dreamliner officially on launching pad Steel imports into US post 22 percent gain in March

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Bulker boarded in GM demo GREENPEACE activists boarded a bulker in the Spanish port of M'laga yesterday as part of a global campaign against genetically engineered food, writes Brian Reyes. Maersk doubles VLCC fleet with Dalian order MAERSK Tankers is planning to double the size of its very large crude carrier fleet with a seven-ship $500m order placed in China. Unprecedented demand hits European shortsea box services EUROPEAN feeder lines are ringing alarm bells about the virtual impossibility of finding sufficient tonnage as cargo growth continues to outpace trade projections and yet more new shortsea services are launched or reconfigured, writes Janet Porter. Guarded optimism after dry bulk rates hit by 'correction' THE fall in dry bulk rates is a correction to an overvalued market rather than the start of a concerted slide, according to market sources, writes Neville Smith. IACS chairman hopes for Panama progress DESCRIBING the recent war of words with Panama as a 'misunderstanding', International Association of Classification Societies council chairman and Rina chief executive Ugo Salerno said he was hopeful of progress with the register on an IACS initiative to help blacklisted flag states.

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APRIL 28, 2004
Cruise anger after Barcelona ban A BARCELONA cruise agent has today called on lawyers to investigate why the Spanish government yesterday denied entry of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dream into the port of Barcelona after it had sailed from Gibraltar Soya ship boarded by Greenpeace ENVIRONMENT group Greenpeace is continuing its action on board the bulk carrier Winner, which is anchored outside the Spanish port of Malaga with a cargo of soya Scots to get vital improvements WORK has just started on a £5.9M ($10.5M) scheme to upgrade the economically important ferry terminal at Dunoon, on Scotland's west coast Honduran cocaine ships intercepted TWO Honduran ships carrying cocaine from Panama have been intercepted in the past two days, according to maritime officials Engine room fire aboard ro-ro THREE crewmen are recovering this morning after an explosion and fire aboard the Bermuda-flagged Corner Brook late yesterday in Port Canaveral, Florida Sea marshals to become permanent THE Philippines plans to permanently deploy 12-16 sea marshals on every domestic ferry in a bid to strengthen security at ports and in domestic waters Nigeria debates shipping commission Superferry admission after torture Stolt Nielsen turns its fortunes Holed bulker in danger of sinking French cruise operator to expand Somerville takes the helm at ABS Norway attracts hotel interests Korea offers cheap port leases Forum forecasts future of shipping Royal Caribbean jitters 'unfounded'

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APRIL 28, 2004
Calif. port truckers protest fuel prices Maersk Sealand CEO sees bullish boxes in '05 U.S. won't pursue labor charges against China House extends highway funding UPS staying customer-focused, says CEO NOL: Volume, rates up Maersk cleared to seek MSP transfer U.S. to fight WTO cotton ruling Higher volumes drive Hub earnings CSX quarterly net stung by restructuring TACA raises westbound, eastbound rates Gain for New York air cargo

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APRIL 28, 2004
Shippers and brokers oppose penalty provision in US maritime Act The penalty provision of the Maritime Transportation Security Act 2004 has received strong criticism from shippers and the National Customs Brokers' and Forwarders' Association of America (NCBFAA). Bull charter market charges through historic highs Trenitalia takes 50% stake in Contship Italia's Hannibal rail link Industry plays down predicted boost to backhaul rates Optimistic Hanjin achieves record Q1 profit US Coast Guard urges shipowners to get ISSC in advance ECT gets high on cranes at Maasvlakte

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APRIL 28, 2004
Damaged capesize set to sink Fears mount over U-Ming bulker as vessel develops list and show signs of breaking up. Genmar sees fifth record quarter New York owner rides strong rates to $78m profit; restructures debt with new $825m bank loan. Nenaco down to one ship Maritime authority ruling grounds five other vessels in row over Philippine company's debt. Marshalling their resources Marshall Islands registry cites 30% tonnage hike in last 12 months. Boxship master's body found Captain fell overboard from vessel in Pacific on Tuesday night. Tasman Spirit claims talks start American Club has top level meetings with Pakistan officials following 'Karachi 8's' release. Greenspan calls it on gas Federal Reserve chief tells US to develop LNG import terminals if it wants to avoid price hikes. Sincere doubles profits Booming bulker markets paid off for Taiwanese owner in 2003. Changing of the guard at LR John Curley named Singapore station chief as BH Wong calls time after 32-year career at class society. Caspian Shipping ro-ro arrested Azeri owner falls foul of Turkey's wrangle with government over debts. ABS reaches new high US class society's fleet grew for eleventh straight year in 2003. Oman polishes GEM State-run oil firm teams with UAE's Enoc to launch new tanker operator Gulf Energy Maritime. Yang Ming soars again While Taiwanese liner player Evergreen forecasts it will more than double its profit in 2004. U-Ming enjoys bulker bonanza Taiwanese owner reaps big first quarter rewards. PIL confirms DNS boxships Dalian New Shipyard wins accolade of building Singapore firm's first ever panamax boxships. Great Eastern buys back shares Indian owner to use cash to save interest on preferred stock. Banzai! Shipbuilders soar to second highest ever order level on back of earlier bulker ordering frenzy. Mitsubishi sees profits slashed Profits plunge over 30% as falling sales plus rising value of yen hit Japanese shipbuilding group. Rising demand suits Hanjin Korean containership owner increases profits and turnover in first quarter.

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APRIL 28, 2004
NYK raises rates from China to Mexico CP Ships Ltd. sets U.S. registration of notes House committee to prepare bill on airliner missile defense Toshiba signs with UPS to expedite computer repairs Teamsters deny any role in planning work shutdown for L.A. port drivers Truckers: California legislature should regulate terminal operators U.K. ports, ship operators to discuss coastal shipping Savage Cos. buys CANAC from CN Canada to spend $690 million in security initiatives USDA to begin implementation of national livestock ID system Stonepath Group buys 2 Brazilian logistics companies USDA moves to certification for imported plants Breakbulk volume up 25% in March at Georgia ports Port of Tacoma names Collins to direct intermodal services

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APRIL 28, 2004
2003 a profitable year for Stena Line Stena Line's "brake and accelerate" strategy, including investments of more than SEK four billion (EUR 440 million) and layoffs of ... Higher quotes for war risk cover Higher quotes for war risk cover are circulated in London for vessels calling at Basra and Umm Qasr. The quotes ... SeaWind Line to charter new Lillbacka ro-ro vessel Lillbacka's ro-ro vessel "Global Freighter", recently acquired from Stena, has been chartered by SeaWind Line for the summer season ...