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Skaugen transfers nine vessels to Singapore RHQ
OSLO-listed petrochemical gas and crude oil transportation company IM Skaugen ASA has transferred ownership of nine vessels to its newly established regional headquarters here, reaffirming the growing maritime significance of Singapore and the region.
China Merchants aims to complete port deal soon
CHINA Merchants Holdings Co, a state-controlled port operator, aims to complete in March its stake purchase in Shanghai International Port Co, which may sell shares to the public.
Ports of Auckland Dec box volumes fall 12%
PORTS of Auckland Ltd, New Zealand's largest port, handled 12 per cent fewer containers in December than in the same month a year earlier.
Russian trawler shipwrecked in Pacific

Strait Talk

Resisting abnormal waves
THE UK-based Royal Institution of Naval Architects decided last year to hold an international conference to consider the implications of abnormal waves for the design and operation of ships in January 2005.

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Shipping News

Skaugen transfers nine vessels to Singapore RHQ
OSLO-listed petrochemical gas and crude oil transportation company IM Skaugen ASA has transferred ownership of nine vessels to its newly established regional headquarters here, reaffirming the growing maritime significance of Singapore and the region.
China Merchants aims to complete port deal soon
CHINA Merchants Holdings Co, a state-controlled port operator, aims to complete in March its stake purchase in Shanghai International Port Co, which may sell shares to the public.
Ports of Auckland Dec box volumes fall 12%
PORTS of Auckland Ltd, New Zealand's largest port, handled 12 per cent fewer containers in December than in the same month a year earlier.
Russian trawler shipwrecked in Pacific

Strait Talk

Resisting abnormal waves
THE UK-based Royal Institution of Naval Architects decided last year to hold an international conference to consider the implications of abnormal waves for the design and operation of ships in January 2005.

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CMA CGM launches Seattle Bridge service Start of BRASS shipment programme delayed until May 1 Tianjin foreign trade increases 47pc Panalpina wins gong from Singapore government CP Ships forecasts earnings of US$70m for 2004 WTSA recommends freight rate increase for US-Asia metal scrap United Shipping raises funds for tsunami victims BA to fly to Shanghai, boost HK, Beijing services Swiss plans to downsize fleet, workforce PAL to offer service to Nagoya

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Panama Canal toll hikes meet with liner resistance Port Authority's ship-to-rail terminals set new record NOL records 37 pc increase in FEU Maersk Logistics' changes at the helm Accomplishments of Port Authority of NY/NJ WTSA to hike rates OOCL to develop 5 berths at Ningbo port Record investment in new ships Charter rates for boxships shoot up by 104 pc Sifco Container offers varied sea, air freight forwarding services from India Tuticorin garnet sand exporters prefer bulk carriers to save on costs SCI sails into 111 pc rise in Q3 net profit Seaways Shipping achieves record discharge of peas at Vizag Port DCI to pay 40 pc interim dividend on Feb. 11 WTC organising WFTZ 2005 from Feb. 3 to 5 VPT going full steam to cross 50-m tonne mark by fiscal-end Raghuvir Singh & Sons deploys TIL, Fantuzzi reach stackers at Kandla Port She makes ripples in man's domain Chennai Port sets new 1-day handling record of 2,21,354 tonnes Rs 1,72,000 cr. to be spent to upgrade highway projects: Baalu World airfreight surges by 13 pc in 2004 Forex reserves swell by $ 51 million Service tax: Panel set up to look into traders' woes

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Auspicious start for Shanghai fuel oil futures Strong 2004 trade figures for Shanghai fuel oil futures deemed good omen for recently launched product. New Marine Fuels Manager at Engen ARA fuel oil glut could ease on Asian arbitrage opportunity Arbitrage opportunity leads to fixture of eastbound VLCC out of Rotterdam as Singapore fuel oil shortage boosts Asian values. Hong Kong braces for Chinese New Year congestion Resupply set to arrive on the cusp of Chinese New Year celebrations, as good demand continues to drain limited avails. New Marpol proposal targets off-shore bunkering Proposal submitted to IMO to add a new chapter to Marpol, regulating ship-to-ship transfers of oil - including bunkering operations, on the high seas. ARA market firm at midday Suspension of OPEC price band paves way for higher target Analysts see suspension of the obsolete price target as a sure sign that OPEC is prepared to defend higher oil prices.

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Datafactory offers favourable TrimTrac-solution Syria and Turkey ink free trade zone accord Gazeley to construct new logistics platform in Wiesbaden Efin report discussed in Vienna Britannia Airways announce new fuel surcharges CP says Q4/04 was best result ever Barwil: new senior vice-president for liner & logistics

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Reefer trades "to peak this year" Baltic launches new tanker route Odfjell earnings up Aker deal deadlines extended Singapore fleet continues to grow GAC buys ship's agent RUR Oglebay Norton out of Chapter 11

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Brussels adds class to safety rules agenda BRUSSELS is set to propose new regulations for classification societies as part of a surprise addition to the forthcoming package of European Union maritime safety legislation. Lazard to deal with enquiries about sale of Inchcape LAZARD has been appointed to handle enquiries about Inchcape Shipping Services amid mounting speculation that the company may soon be sold. GAC acquires US shipping agency partner RUR GAC, the shipping, logistics and marine services provider, has acquired Rice, Unruh, Reynolds Co, the US east and gulf coast shipping agency, writes Janet Porter. Commissions pledge to brokers BRITAIN'S financial watchdog has decided not to force insurance brokers to disclose commission arrangements. Georgia may market itself as FoC as Marine Capital says deal is not done GEORGIA could soon be marketing itself as a flag of convenience, under proposals put forward by the British-controlled offshore company likely to take control of the state tanker fleet shortly, writes David Osler.

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
RCCL plots European growth ROYAL Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) is seeking new growth opportunities in Europe, and appears prepared to continue ordering ships despite currency issues GAC acquires US agency partner GAC Group has acquired US agency partner RUR as part of its strategy of global expansion through pursuit of mutual business interests Arpeni plans to list in Jakarta INDONESIAN shipping company PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line plans to sell 30 per cent of its shares in an initial public offering to fund its expansion US student cruise back safely THE storm damaged cruise vessel Explorer docked safely in Hawaii last night with its 700 US students Blast hits Spanish ferry AN explosion in the engine room of the Spanish ferry Volcan de Tacande is believed to have caused an engine failure Odfjell ahead on chemical demand ODFJELL, the world's largest chemical carrier group, has posted a net profit of $86M for 2004, well ahead of the $22M recorded for 2003 Mexicans banned for pollution Fuel costs bite into RCCL results SCI plans $1Bn fleet expansion Albany to benefit from Grange mine Rains delay Santos terminal opening Thai-Chennai link launched Indonesia merges state operators Gazprom seeks Israel LNG site Wightlink sale rumours Maritime security fleet grows

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Customs restarts truck e-filing test After program was halted by technical issues, testing resumes on electronic manifest system for motor carriers. Record boxes for Eurogate The European container terminal operator said it handled a record 11.53 million TEUs in 2004, led by strong results at Hamburg and Bremerhaven. Record volumes for Portland Horizon increases demurrage charges Rail-car demand to remain strong Hamburg Süd consolidates West Coast calls Exel shares rise on takeover talk Strike causes congestion at Bangladesh port Air France, KLM link cargo Tonnage up for Port of Singapore Essar bonds to finance India terminal

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
SIPG mulls flotation to fund future expansion China Merchants Holdings (International) (CMHI) said it has been informed by Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) that it has been exploring the feasibility of a listing on a stock exchange. Strikes set to deepen Chittagong congestion crisis Container congestion in Bangladesh's Chiattgong port reached an all-time high yesterday following a 60-hour countrywide strike enforced by the main opposition Awami League Party. Joint service makes direct link between Thailand and Chennai Patrick seeks Brisbane assurances Bridge of sighs at Novi Sad will open on time, says Danube Commission Lines lift Mumbai congestion fees for February Volume increases support claims for Seine/Scheldt link South Korea won 159 containership orders in 2004 WA Government pledges port funds SCI buys two boxships Hamburg Süd makes Caribbean agency swap

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Economou takes Modion trio DryShips may be getting the most of Modion Maritime's bulker fleet. MarAd damns the torpedoes MarAd has invoked "urgent and compelling circumstances" to override a GAO stay on MSP shipping subsidies. NAT nabs sixth ship Herbjorn Hansson promises that the more ships he buys, the more dividends he will pay. UK Club keeps A rating But largest of the P&I mutuals is expected to ring up another loss through the current year. Poland bows to ITF The ITF has caught the Polish government paying seafarers less than half its minimum wage. IHC survives yard costs Dutch shipbuilder relies on FPSOs for profit after paying to close yards. RCCL plunges into red Final quarter loss as higher oil prices scar an otherwise good year for cruise line. Gloersen steps down The head of Thor Dahl Shipping and Jahre Dahl Bergesen is tired of the commute. One down... Two single-hulled ships still to go at TEN after disposal of elderly aframax. Cruise order hits delay Aker extends deadline for signing $500m deal with NCL for 2,430 passenger vessel. Sale boost for Norden Danish shipowner set to reap profit from resale of two handymax newbuildings. Caspian veteran aground Storm drives 1963-built Azeri cargoship aground off Makhachkala in Caspian Sea. Scandlines scoops 2003 figures German-Danish ferry owner's 2004 passenger and cargo volumes up substantially. Earnings rocket at Evergreen Taiwanese boxship behemoth trebles profit in 2004 on back of strong Chinese exports. Oglebay exits chapter 11 Twelve months after filing for protection from its creditors Great Lakes shipowner finally emerges. S'pore names LNG study winner Tokyo Gas Engineering beats off four rivals to land $3m importation feasibility study tender. Essar sells to build Indian tanker owner issues bonds to fund its Vadinar oil terminal project.

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
Europe/Asia carriers to raise eastbound rates GAC acquires Rice, Unruh, Reynolds Yang Ming to jump on 8,000-TEU bandwagon CSAV starts Europe/U.S./West Coast South America loop Horizon Lines hikes port demurrage charges China Shipping take delivery of 5,688-TEU ship Oil polluter pays $100,000 fine in Puerto Rico CBP says gauge caused radiation on Maersk ship Air Menzies International expands in Germany CBP turns "e-manifest" test back on TSA issues fingerprint rules for hazmat drivers Kansas City Southern posts solid financial results Norfolk Southern experiences another hazmat accident Generation Logistics picks IES software USTR keeps oats off list of EU import duty hikes ITC appoints Barton administrative law judge Landstar promotes LaRose to executive VP Work starts on 5.5-million-TEU Pusan terminal Portland container volumes down 19% Port of Auckland sees 2% drop in container volumes

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FEBRUARY 1, 2005
New tonnage to Icelandic Scandinavia service Icelandic liner operator Samskip H/F has taken delivery of the first of two new container ships for the service ... Odfjell increased earnings in 2004 Odfjells gross revenues reached USD 1.0 billion last year and consolidated net results after tax ended up at USD 86.0 ... Profit on bulker sale Danish owners continue to benefit from the hot market for bulk carriers. Today Dampskibsselskabet "Norden" announced that they have sold ...