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MPA to issue new seafarer identifications
SINGAPORE's maritime regulator has said it would be responsible for issuing the new biometric-based seafarers' identity documents to an estimated 1,660 Singapore seafarers once the document's guiding convention enters into force in February 2005.
China to double port capacity by 2010
CHINA has launched a plan to double its current port capacity by 2010 by strategically developing facilities in the Bohai Rim and the Yangtze River and Pearl River deltas, state media reported yesterday.
China Merchants to invest 5.6b yuan in Shanghai port
STATE-backed China Merchants Holdings will invest about 5.6 billion yuan to gain a foothold in Shanghai's massive new Yangshan container terminal, the city's port operator said yesterday.
Lloyd's of London expects limited claims
Gulf oil tanker market unaffected; rates fall
Rotterdam's export volumes jump 12%

Port Shots

PORT SHOTS
NEWCASTLE Port Corp, the world's biggest coal-export port, said 19 vessels carrying the fuel left the Australian harbour in the week ended Dec 25, one more than in the previous week.

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Shipping News

MPA to issue new seafarer identifications
SINGAPORE's maritime regulator has said it would be responsible for issuing the new biometric-based seafarers' identity documents to an estimated 1,660 Singapore seafarers once the document's guiding convention enters into force in February 2005.
China to double port capacity by 2010
CHINA has launched a plan to double its current port capacity by 2010 by strategically developing facilities in the Bohai Rim and the Yangtze River and Pearl River deltas, state media reported yesterday.
China Merchants to invest 5.6b yuan in Shanghai port
STATE-backed China Merchants Holdings will invest about 5.6 billion yuan to gain a foothold in Shanghai's massive new Yangshan container terminal, the city's port operator said yesterday.
Lloyd's of London expects limited claims
Gulf oil tanker market unaffected; rates fall
Rotterdam's export volumes jump 12%

Port Shots

PORT SHOTS
NEWCASTLE Port Corp, the world's biggest coal-export port, said 19 vessels carrying the fuel left the Australian harbour in the week ended Dec 25, one more than in the previous week.

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NYK to replace Andex service with Alex WSA Lines receives Class-A licence Pro Logistics selects IES as logistics software provider "K" Line breathes new life into senior management China to promote river trade Development of Lianyungang port to gather steam KE to provide disaster relief for Indonesia Lufthansa buys seven airbuses France sells part of its stake in Air France-KLM

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Shipping firms allowed to place war risk cover directly with insurance cos CWC's CFS at Kandla Port West Gate No. 2 set to begin full-fledged operations 10 dredger workers plucked out of tsunami jaws Greens turn critical gaze on Sethusamudram Project in tsunami aftermath KPT sets up Business Promotion Committee Frequent tide aberrations compel Paradip Port to take guard Chennai Port resumes normal operations No tax on traders; only transport agencies to pay service tax'Finance Ministry Exports continue to show heartening trends; post 24 pc growth in April-November 2004 Kamal Nath favours making export promotion schemes more effective Ahluwalia prefers specialised industrial clusters to plethora of SEZs Onkar S. Kanwar assumes charge as Ficci President

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Crude oil mixed after US oil inventory reports Boost in refinery runs go some way to counterbalance bullish effect of stock declines and lower crude imports. Lukoil to up Vysotsk capacity, bunker terminal progressing well Lukoil announces boost to capacity at Finnish Gulf terminals and says its new bunker terminal project is progressing well. Suppliers resort to reduced stems as Suez dries up Fuel oil becomes a precious commodity in Egypt as domestic demand deprives bunker market. Italy blighted by tight avails and end-of-year stocktaking Bunker supply virtually out until after New Year weekend as customs close for stocktaking, other markets in the region also tight until next week. Rotterdam quiet and stable at midday Bunker spill reported in Thailand A bunker spill has been reported off the coast of Thailand after a bunker tanker struck a reef. Bunker operations returning to normal after Tsunamis Bunker operations in most ports have resumed after Tsunamis hit much of South East Asia and even Africa, some ports are still affected. Saudi posted prices ease off

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Aceh LNG production continues New Load Line rules in force from Jan 1 Wallenius Wilhelmsen goes Clean Panama celebrates 5 years of running Canal

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Fjord1 to order gas powered ferries $1.5 billion Navy contract for Electric Boat

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Port of Olympia looks for developers for NewMarket property Agreement would quiet train horns at Port of Everett rail/barge site Corps considers Port of Astoria bid to dismantle Columbia River bulkhead Port of Tacoma taps Dorsett as governmental affairs manager Washington ferry returns to port following scraping incident

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Indian national carrier bears the brunt of tsunami damage to ships INDIAN national carrier Shipping Corporation of India was the worst hit among Indian shipowners by Sunday's killer tsunami, mainly because of the vessels it operates for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' Administration. Insurance burden from tragedy will hit London LONDON will bear a large part of the eventual insurance burden of the tsunami tragedy, it became clearer yesterday. US warships diverted THE US Navy has diverted the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln , a helicopter carrier, the USS Bonhomme Richard , and their support ships to the seas near south and southeast Asian countries most affected by the weekend's tsunamis, Agence France-Presse reports. Genting begins talks on $1bn cruise centre GENTING Bhd, the Malaysian owner of Star Cruises, is in talks to build a $1bn cruise centre in Singapore. Aker lines up LNG-powered ferries order NORWAY'S Aker Yards is close to sealing a novel order for five gas-powered ferries in a deal worth NKr1.2bn ($176m).

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Shipping escapes tsunami disaster EARLY indications suggest that the merchant marine and ports industries have escaped the worst effects of Sunday's earthquake and tsunami Summary of port conditions FOLLOWING Sunday's catastrophe in the Indian Ocean, ports are largely returning to normal. The following summary will be updated as more information becomes available Galle hit; Colombo spared GALLE appears to be the worst affected port in Sri Lanka from the tsunami that killed over 20,000

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
LA Port offers anti-smog measures Busiest U.S. port proposing list of 73 measures, many aimed at container shipping. Evergreen chief to step down Yung-Fa Chang to transfer control of Taiwan transportation conglomerate to sons in January. Homeland Security watchdog hits port grants Waterman vessels in U.S. security program Portland TEUs continue slide Tanker blamed in Tacoma oil spill Thai port readies electronic systems Report: China Merchants to buy Shanghai port company ABX Air promotes new CFO Iran line to buy 17 bulk ships

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
UPDATED: Box movement at Chennai Port hit by tsunami effect Chennai Port's container movements have been blocked by slum-dwellers ' mostly fishermen made homeless by the tsunami ' who have erected temporary shelters along the road leading to the harbour's zero gate. Port of Rotterdam appoints new CEO and deputy The Port of Rotterdam (PoR) has confirmed acting CEO Hans Smits position as CEO, and named Pieter Struijs as his deputy. Gwangyang reveals incentives for new callers and big volumes Japan pushes dream of handling Chinese export volumes Gothenburg continues terminal works, ending estimated 730,000TEU year Evergreen announces management changes Double-decker Siberian bridge to increase route capacity Asian feeders add more surcharges

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
US crude inventories shrink Tighter stores of crude, distillates deliver quick boost to tanker stocks. Adios Athos Damaged Tsakos tanker set to sail from City of Brotherly Love. Tsakos ups TEN stake Family controlled Sea Consolidation buys more shares in listed tanker owner. Crewman's body found in Delaware River Tugboat deckhand slipped off icy barge into frigid waterway. Aker wins gas ferry deal Norwegian shipbuilder awarded $200m contract to build five innovative ferries. New bid for Georgian fleet Tony Foster and colleagues from Marine Capital Ltd put in higher offer for Ocean Shipping Co. MHI to axe jobs Nagasaki yard faces loss of 2,200 staff as shipbuilder moves to slash costs. CSG ship escapes Chennai Chinese bulker sails from tsunami hit Indian port with only minor damage. NYK goes it alone Japanese owner opts to split with CSAV on Asia-Mexico-western Latin American coast service. Siam Cruise rescues tourists Thai cruise line staff lead tourists to safety on remote island, but its own future is thrown into doubt. MOL extends PCC charters Japanese owner is taking two Singapore Shipping Corp vessels for up to a further eight years.

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
Chang gives up "day-to-day responsibilities" at Evergreen Report warns Congress that tankers could be used for nuclear attacks NYK, CSAV end Asia/Americas VSA Maruba to leave Asia/Americas VSA Alison Transport pays $22,500 penalty to settle U.S. antiboycott violations FMC reviews 2 OTI applications, revokes 7 licenses ITC reviews impact of CAFTA WHO sends medical supplies to tsunami damaged South Asia Cargo security group launches international expansion South Asian ports reopen after flooding EC clears megaship terminal project in Rotterdam Port of Indiana reaches record vessel calls

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DECEMBER 29, 2004
More LNGs and containerships to A.P. Møller-Mærsk A.P. Møller-Mærsk has signed new deals worth USD 932 million with Samsung Heavy Industries for more LNG tankers and ... John Fredriksen invests in supply ships John Fredriksen has made a speculative investment in new anchor handling tug supply ships (AHTS) by ordering four vessels at ... Kvaerner sells recruitment company Kvaerner is selling Ellayess, one of the world's largest specialised recruitment agencies, to Aker Kvaerner. The agreed enterprise value is ...