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Shipping News

S'pore port shatters records
DESPITE intensifying regional competition Singapore broke existing records for its bunker sales, shipping tonnage and container throughput for 2003, according to statistics released yesterday by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Storm sinks dream of reviving US shipbuilding
AN ambitious plan by the US government to revive the American commercial shipbuilding industry is under water - quite literally.
Panama Canal charges up
THE Panama Canal Authority is increasing charges for ancillary services.
Salvage work underway to tow Rocknes to shipyard
FOURTEEN ships supported by aircraft have begun towing an overturned Norwegian cargo ship to land after it capsized on Jan 19 in a Norwegian fjord, killing 18 sailors including 16 Filipinos, the Norwegian coast guard said.

Air and Land Transport

Thai Airways unveils partners for budget carrier
THAI Airways International Pcl, the country's biggest carrier, will join the local franchisee of 7-Eleven Inc and four other partners to set up a no-frills airline that will start flying in the second quarter, Thai Airways president Kanok Abhiradee said.
Global air travel down 2.4% last year
Flights in US, Europe delayed, cancelled
MAS to have armed marshals on US flights
EU approves plan for single European sky in five years
Irish airline Jetmagic folds up in less than a year

Admiralty Casebook

Bank doesn't owe duty of care to mortgagor when arresting vessel
THE English Court of Appeal recently upheld the decision of a lower court that a mortgagee bank in a ship mortgage did not owe a duty of care to the borrower in deciding when to arrest a vessel or whether to release the vessel from arrest.

web site

Shipping News

S'pore port shatters records
DESPITE intensifying regional competition Singapore broke existing records for its bunker sales, shipping tonnage and container throughput for 2003, according to statistics released yesterday by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Storm sinks dream of reviving US shipbuilding
AN ambitious plan by the US government to revive the American commercial shipbuilding industry is under water - quite literally.
Panama Canal charges up
THE Panama Canal Authority is increasing charges for ancillary services.
Salvage work underway to tow Rocknes to shipyard
FOURTEEN ships supported by aircraft have begun towing an overturned Norwegian cargo ship to land after it capsized on Jan 19 in a Norwegian fjord, killing 18 sailors including 16 Filipinos, the Norwegian coast guard said.

Air and Land Transport

Thai Airways unveils partners for budget carrier
THAI Airways International Pcl, the country's biggest carrier, will join the local franchisee of 7-Eleven Inc and four other partners to set up a no-frills airline that will start flying in the second quarter, Thai Airways president Kanok Abhiradee said.
Global air travel down 2.4% last year
Flights in US, Europe delayed, cancelled
MAS to have armed marshals on US flights
EU approves plan for single European sky in five years
Irish airline Jetmagic folds up in less than a year

Admiralty Casebook

Bank doesn't owe duty of care to mortgagor when arresting vessel
THE English Court of Appeal recently upheld the decision of a lower court that a mortgagee bank in a ship mortgage did not owe a duty of care to the borrower in deciding when to arrest a vessel or whether to release the vessel from arrest.

web site

Shipping News

S'pore port shatters records
DESPITE intensifying regional competition Singapore broke existing records for its bunker sales, shipping tonnage and container throughput for 2003, according to statistics released yesterday by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Storm sinks dream of reviving US shipbuilding
AN ambitious plan by the US government to revive the American commercial shipbuilding industry is under water - quite literally.
Panama Canal charges up
THE Panama Canal Authority is increasing charges for ancillary services.
Salvage work underway to tow Rocknes to shipyard
FOURTEEN ships supported by aircraft have begun towing an overturned Norwegian cargo ship to land after it capsized on Jan 19 in a Norwegian fjord, killing 18 sailors including 16 Filipinos, the Norwegian coast guard said.

Air and Land Transport

Thai Airways unveils partners for budget carrier
THAI Airways International Pcl, the country's biggest carrier, will join the local franchisee of 7-Eleven Inc and four other partners to set up a no-frills airline that will start flying in the second quarter, Thai Airways president Kanok Abhiradee said.
Global air travel down 2.4% last year
Flights in US, Europe delayed, cancelled
MAS to have armed marshals on US flights
EU approves plan for single European sky in five years
Irish airline Jetmagic folds up in less than a year

Admiralty Casebook

Bank doesn't owe duty of care to mortgagor when arresting vessel
THE English Court of Appeal recently upheld the decision of a lower court that a mortgagee bank in a ship mortgage did not owe a duty of care to the borrower in deciding when to arrest a vessel or whether to release the vessel from arrest.

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Yangzhou Port adds new terminal Hamburg throughput rises 14pc in 2003 ZIM Logistics to open sixth China branch in Guangzhou Lufthansa Cargo to open third Malaysian sales office JICT puts new equipment into operation MOL sails home with carrier awards UAL Corp improves fourth quarter performance SriLankan Airlines schedules flights to Hyderabad

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Pak plans to buy parboiled rice-making plants from India US begins to probe dumping of shrimp EU team coming to resolve anti-dumping issue S. Korea buys 16,000 t soyameal from India Ex-im trade community poised to log in to paperless era - DGFT cuts e-licence fee by 50 pc 7 cos qualify for further bidding to set up int'l transhipment hub near Cochin Port Unions to go on strike against RGCT privatisation move CONCOR plans to double high-speed wagon fleet by 2005-end 'Mini-Exim Policy gives India Inc a cutting edge in international market' Brazil seeks India's help on IPRs Centre notifies changes in FDI guidelines Leather industry gung-ho over future prospects EPCG scheme made more attractive Units in N-E states, J&K given excise waiver for employing used machinery for expansion - Rider: 25 pc accretion in installed capacity vital Exports keep up brisk pace Target will be exceeded, says Jaitley 7th World Spices Congress 2004 begins in Hyderabad India, Lanka sign MoU for closer cooperation in SSI sector Govt bid to avert avian flu

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Lower pricing not enough to tempt West Coast buyers One Goodbye, one job change at O.W. Bunker ARA markets quiet despite low pricing Singapore fuel oil halts post-holiday slide Although WTI crude values have been considerably softer for 3 consecutive days, including a 50 cents per barrel drop last night, fuel oil cargo values in Singapore fell only a tiny bit yesterday and closed steady to a tad firmer today. Cold weather becomes an issue in Korea Its been very, very quiet in Korea for the last few days, with market movements, competition and bad weather all having a share in keeping buyers' hands firmly in their pockets. Tokyo barge avails to see no respite in February Japan's bunker market is slowly ticking toward the end of the month in a steady to bearish state this afternoon, with no new operational problems or delays and not enough demand to cause any. Rotterdam: Barge jetty out at Vopak Singapore's MPA confirms 2003 bunker and tonnage record The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed today that the port of Singapore managed to break its 2001 record and set a new bunker sales high for 2003 of 20.8 million metric tonnes. SMP announces new CEO Shell Marine Products (SMP), a global supplier of marine fuels, lubricants and services, has announced the appointment of Michiel Kool as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Little movement for Rotterdam fuel oil, distillates drop Italy stable and uncongested

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JANUARY 29, 2004
"Rocknes": Stability experts disagree on cargo shifting effect NAT looking to expand Finland and Russia in talks on new icebreakers

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Royal Olympic companies seek bankruptcy protection ITF anger at Dutch repudiation of ILO 137 Confident TACA lines announce new rate increase Singapore stays top bunker port

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Even Queens must comply... The Coast Guard has issued Cunard's new flag ship with a Certificate of Compliance MAN B&W power for Chinese patrol vessel Twin engine, single screw propulsion package GE consolidates marine business structure One stop shopping for diesels, gas turbines and gears NASSCO gets orders for two more T-AKE's Yard's backlog is now its largest ever More Sulzer RT-flex orders First to be built in Hudong, China

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Schnitzer Steel board Oks three-for-two stock split Steel imports down for last month of '03 Rail association releases Ten-Year Trends publication New Protector Class cutter arrives in Bellingham Sides report progress in ILA/USMX contract talks

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Hutchison faces Rotterdam port security bill revolt HUTCHISON faces a further European rebellion by shipping lines, shippers and freight forwarders opposed to new security surcharges imposed by the Chinese ports giant. Court orders ExxonMobil to pay $4.5bn for Valdez oil spill OIL giant ExxonMobil has been ordered to pay punitive damages of $4.5bn in the latest round of a long running legal battle over the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Five Curnow directors accused of St Helena fraud FIVE directors of Curnow Shipping conspired to defraud a vital government-aided service of £890,000, a court heard yesterday. Moss crosses Lime Street to join Aviva LLOYD'S is to lose its finance chief, Andrew Moss, to an insurance group based across the road from Lime Street - the UK's largest insurer, Aviva, writes James Brewer.

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Pride payment to test relationship THE relationship between Norwegian Cruise Line and German shipyard Lloyd Werft will be put to the test tomorrow when the next purchase instalment for the Pride of America is payable Cruise costs hit Royal Caribbean ROYAL Caribbean has reported net income of $280.7M for 2003, below the $351.3M posted for 2002 even though revenues climbed to $3.8Bn from $3.4Bn in 2002 US gets tough on foreign ports ANY country denying access to US government port inspectors after 1 July will be deemed non-compliant and its vessels "subject to extensive port state control actions" Cochin unions to strike COCHIN port worker unions have announced an indefinite strike from 11 February in protest at the privatisation of the RGCT terminal Majestic acquires ROC's Countess GREEK operator Majestic International Cruises has acquired Royal Olympic Cruises' 16,795gt/950-passenger Olympia Countess for $6.1M Genoa's Gallanti delays decision GENOA Port Authority chief Giuliano Gallanti has delayed a controversial terminal concession decision until he steps down Basques plan for innovative order Judge hits Exxon again over Valdez Baltic lorries lift Scandlines Role of Rocknes cargo questioned

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Volume gains boost UPS earnings Results helped by strong domestic and international shipments, tax gain. Importers await next ACE release New Customs program will allow the payment of import duties each month rather than by current transaction-by-transaction basis. Delay for TEA highway funding bill Lines raise U.S.-S. Europe rates Loss for Kansas City Southern Kirby turnaround on inland acquisitions Northcott to lead AAEI Bangladesh moves ahead with inland terminal project Osprey launches Louisiana box-on-barge service Kitty Hawk appoints Leiser as CFO Segmentz acquires Frontline Freight Systems Investment for Jeddah terminal

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Hanjin shifts HK terminal call from CSXWT to HIT Hanjin Shipping has confirmed that it is in negotiations to move its terminal call in Hong Kong from CSX World Terminals (CSXWT) to Hutchison International Terminals (HIT). German Maut: third attempt at the end of 2004 The controversial German truck toll - the Maut - is now set to start on December 31, 2004, in a simplified form, with the full satellite-controlled system being introduced a year later. Firming Atlantic EB will boost carrier returns UASC launches dedicated Asia-Middle East service Iceland's Eimskip moves to APM Terminals in Aarhus New container terminal to link Bangladeshi ports with capital Port of Everett plans new dock for giant Boeing containers New Delhi contemplates private rail operators Last of chemical-container recovery operation being mopped up Eurosib develops 'Eurasian' cargo routes BeNeLux rival ports release final figures BAF rises in European, Mediterranean and Mid-East trades

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JANUARY 29, 2004
Royal Caribbean in the red Cruise group is caught between costlier bunkers and cheaper tickets. TEN flags up top dollar VLCC voyage Nine-year-old tanker notches up six-figure rate on first voyage for Greek owner. Strintzis sells ship Greek ferry owner continues quest for fleet renewal. North Korean ship catches Cyprus napping Detained vessel's midnight flit goes undetected at Limassol. UASC launches Asia Gulf Express Kuwait-based container line to use three ships between Singapore, Malaysia and the UAE. ExxonMobil in new Valdez appeal Oil major says Alaska judge wrong again over $4.5bn award. Izar closing on Knutsen tanker order Complex financing deal allows order-starved Spanish yard to tie in new business. Varna's assets cost Navibulgar Bulgarian owner to put $14m into joint venture to run yard it is selling 75% of for $16.66m. Greek owners splash out in 2003 Increased demand for cash put down to a rise in shipyard prices over last 10 months. Piracy death toll doubles Twenty-one seafarers were killed in 2003 as attacks jump to second highest level since records began. No joke as TACA ups eastbound rates again Transatlantic boxship group adds $120 per teu from 1 April, its third hike in six months. Solstad Offshore pockets placement cash Norwegian supply ship player sells shares to finance growth and boost stock liquidity. Maersk builds in South America Danish giant's supply ship unit orders anchor-handlers at Asenav yard in Chile. Canada forced to re-state CSL figures Officials say $163m in contracts given to Paul Martin's company in last decade. CEC Fighter breaks down off PNG Aussie boxship line ANL says multi-purpose ship forced to return to Port Moresby. Singapore bunker sales set new record Lion Republic retains position as world's top bunker port as sales reach five-year high. Royal Olympia files for bankruptcy Cruise line seeks protection as company raises possibility of closure. Admirers eye Nordic American Tanker owner holds informal talks with hopeful suitors. Thoresen takes second Pacific & Atlantic ship Expanding Thai dry cargo player starts the New Year where it left off with ship number 39. Wartsila inks Dohle China boxship deal Hudong Heavy Machinery joins engine builder elite with deal to manufacture prime movers.

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JANUARY 29, 2004
U.S.-South Europe conference raises eastbound rates Hyundai reports record January results from tankers Cargo loading belt cited in "Rocknes" capsizing Canadian National boosts profits despite dip in revenue FMC reviews, revokes intermediaries licenses Pacific Coast Council elects Maggie Smith as president Report identifies rebound in European logistics takeovers CORRECTION: NCB warns of fires, explosions involving resin Port of Gdansk, U.K. operator sign lease agreement Cochin short-lists seven bidders for new box terminal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows dredging for Columbia River