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IMO to lead efforts to restore maritime infrastructure
THE International Maritime Organisation has said it will spearhead efforts to restore battered maritime infrastructure in the Indian Ocean regions affected by the devastating earthquakes and resulting tsunamis.
Japan to cut port costs to compete with rivals
JAPAN plans to cut fees at the nation's major container ports by as much as 40 per cent to compete with Northeast Asian rivals.
Keppel Batangas lands major naval upgrade contract
KEPPEL Batangas Shipyard has clinched a major drydocking and upgrading contract for three Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessels from UK-based defence and security technology company QinetiQ.
Shenzhen container port traffic up 28%

Admiralty Casebook

Unreasonable, but still legally sound
JUST because an exemption clause in a bill of lading appears unreasonable, that does not mean that it would be automatically rejected.

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Shipping News

IMO to lead efforts to restore maritime infrastructure
THE International Maritime Organisation has said it will spearhead efforts to restore battered maritime infrastructure in the Indian Ocean regions affected by the devastating earthquakes and resulting tsunamis.
Japan to cut port costs to compete with rivals
JAPAN plans to cut fees at the nation's major container ports by as much as 40 per cent to compete with Northeast Asian rivals.
Keppel Batangas lands major naval upgrade contract
KEPPEL Batangas Shipyard has clinched a major drydocking and upgrading contract for three Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessels from UK-based defence and security technology company QinetiQ.
Shenzhen container port traffic up 28%

Admiralty Casebook

Unreasonable, but still legally sound
JUST because an exemption clause in a bill of lading appears unreasonable, that does not mean that it would be automatically rejected.

	web site

Unified road cargo manifest scheme formally introduced in HK Second phase of Cepa comes into force NRS names John Tempesta senior VP of Distribution P&O sells Atlanta property portfolio Jardine Shipping opens first JV agency in China Ningbo throughput surpasses 220m tons in 2004 Famous Pacific Shipping expands Shanghai operation CP Ships appoints John Baker SVP general counsel & secretary Cathay to resume cargo flights to Shanghai CAAS, UPS join tsunami relief efforts DHL, NZ Post partner for growth

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WSA Lines receives Class-A freight forwarder licence from China DGS inks pact with Ireland Leather exports bounce back with positive $ 2 billion generated in 2004 Handicraft exports register 30 pc growth Dumping duty on mica pearl pigment imports from US, EU proposed Solvent extractors land in soup 5 firms vying to provide consultancy Finance Ministry lobs ball back to MoS'over to CCEA now Kandla Port Trust contributes Rs 3 cr. to PM's Relief Fund Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders being inaugurated today Airfreight assistance to cardamom exporters extended till month-end Union Budget to be presented on Feb. 28 Farm products eligible for 5 pc duty credit notified Fieo to seek full tax waiver on export profits Export units make out wish-list Tea Board to form ad hoc ex-im panel soon

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JANUARY 6, 2005
NYK to fit double-skinned fuel tanks in newbuilds Company says provision for over two metre gap between shell and fuel tanks will reduce risk of spills as another $320m VLCC order is unveiled. FBI launch criminal probe into Alaska bunker spill Reports say criminal investigation will be assisted by US Coast Guard and EPA officers as news of first successful removal of bunker fuel from stern fuel tanks emerge. Singapore-Japan price spread touches $80 on tight supply Shipowners avoid bunkering in Japan as IFO380 premium soars, with little relief on tight supply expected until later this month. Antwerp prices slump, fuel oil glut could last a month Rotterdam losing business to Antwerp as a huge glut of fuel oil pushes prices in the Belgian port below the Rotterdam market. Hong Kong resupply on target Singapore-China freight rates down, expected to stabilise Freight rates for tankers carrying fuel oil from Singapore to southern China have dropped significantly, but traders say the market should stabilise. DNVPS: Off-the-scale density is serious Per Holmvang, Managing Director of DNVPS, explains why fuel density above the maximum stipulated in ISO 8217 is a serious problem even when only slightly off spec. Rotterdam soft ahead of Midday, barging tight No pollution reported after barge runs aground Singapore: High stock levels quash fears over off-spec cargoes Bunker players in Singapore say there is plenty of on-spec material in the market and claims that off-spec cargoes would cause tightness were unfounded, especially when only recently fears were of a fuel oil glut.

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Freight Traders: transport tenders via internet increasing EU gives green light to Euromax UPS gives USD 3 million to tsunami relief Bulgaria investing in transport infrastructure Air Deccan to acquire 30 Airbus A320s Keppel gives disaster aid New managing director for Niedersachsen Ports

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JANUARY 6, 2005
IMO responds to tsunami disaster Boxship saves wave survivor CP appoints new counsel MOL debt rating upgraded

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Joe Angelo joins INTERTANKO House creates Homeland Security Committee

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Steelscape buys holdings of Polymer Coil Coaters Investment firm ups rating for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines IMO eyes rebuilding of tsunami ravaged region New automated parking system heading to Portland Airport Wabtec inks contract to build commuter trains

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Container lines in campaign to scale back Panama Canal transit fee increase CONTAINER lines are preparing to confront the Panama Canal Authority over new transit fees that could soar by almost 70% unless the proposals are amended. NYK beefs up its VLCC portfolio with $320m orders NYK is further expanding its fleet of very large crude carriers with an order at IHI Marine United for three 300,000 dwt ships in a deal which brokers indicated was worth about $320m. Stelios pulls plug on easyCruise Asian debut EASYGROUP chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou's new cruise firm easyCruise has cancelled its East Asian debut in March in the wake of the Tsunami disaster. Clyde tug aids listing Sea Fox COASTGUARD emergency towing vessel Anglian Prince was called to the assistance of Latvian general cargo vessel Sea Fox yesterday after it developed a 50' list in severe gale conditions off the Hebridean island of Tiree, writes Sandra Speares. Mulheim owner fined for ISM offences GERMAN owners of the general cargoship RMS Mulheim, which ran aground on the Cornish coast in March, 2003, have been fined £20,000 ($38,000) plus costs for two incidents in two days on different ships, writes Sandra Speares.

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Pakistan-India survey boundary PAKISTAN and India have started a joint survey of boundary pillars at the disputed Sir Creek on the Sindh coast that has obstructed demarcation of their maritime boundaries Cat links Trinidad with Tobago A NEW fast ferry is due to make its debut next week linking the two island republic of Trinidad and Tobago SeaCat open to offers on Irish Sea THE future of Sea Containers' remaining passenger ferry operation in the Irish Sea is in the balance as the company confirms it is 'open to all offers' for the service Greens sue over NY dredge plan USCG's Angelo joins Intertanko Mayday off Scottish coast German yard giant open for business NYK in China road transport venture Puget spill tanker identified Tanker owners, charterers 'greedy' Carnival finds Holiday fix Star extends cruise changes Damage to ports hits relief work

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JANUARY 6, 2005
DHS releases national response plan Department of Homeland Security standardized approach for protecting citizens and managing homeland security incidents. New maritime security committee U.S. Coast Guard assembles civilian National Maritime Security Advisory Committee to advise on maritime security and policy matters. Port of Miami clears backlog Surface NAFTA trade gains Apparel anti-counterfeiting bill introduced Record year for Montreal boxes South Korea planning North port development UPS, NWA Cargo assist tsunami relief CSX Intermodal, P&O Ports in Balt. deal BNSF promotes intermodal execs Peterson opens trade consultancy Supervalu to buy Total Logistics

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Israeli shippers call for 'Jubilee' terminal to circumvent industrial action Another round of threatened industrial action in Israeli's ports has prompted the Israeli Shippers' Council (ISC) to call for Ashdod Port's new terminal to finally be opened. HPH aims to maintain its competitive edge in Panama Hutchison Port Holdings is preparing to invest US$300million in its facilities in Panama to build on the success of its Central American operation. India's shipping ministry moots double-stacked freight-trains MTL does its part for tsunami relief operations Hamburg barge group mulls timetable for its 'ContainerTaxi' rail4chem predicts new-blood management will see 35% sales-boost this year Gwangyang further invests in port facilities US port security funding still an issue, says AAPA Cosco donates US$1.21million to tsunami victims Shanghai Port grows 28.99% in 2004, to reach 14.55m Local competition forces Japan to lower port fees EU economic confidence slips in December Nepal ICD to open bilateral trade with India from February MOL fiscal ratings upgraded

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Asleep on the job Rhein Maas prosecuted for watchkeeping violations, but escapes with small fine. Brokers slash value of ferry Owners of failed Lakes service challenge ship valuation, which shaves 40% off price. Sea Fox drama ends Listing general cargoship faces port state inspection after safely reaching port. S&P predicts few upgrades Earnings rise, but credit ratings stay the same as owners shy away from debt reduction. VLCC trio for NYK Japanese owner signs for another three tankers at IHI Marine, but will have to wait until 2008 and 2009 for delivery. Zim confirms ABX Israeli line teams with CSCL to launch Asia to Black Sea service. Turkish ports up for grabs State selling off licenses to run six of its largest gateways. State adds Vianayard Portuguese shipbuilder to become part of national defence holding company Empordef. Indian ports waive charges Shipping minister TR Balu tells Chennai, Vizag and Kolkata to help tsunami aid shipments. Mayday for Latvian ship Lifeboat dispatched and helicopters stand by as elderly Sea Fox lists at fifty degrees in heavy seas. Tsunami sailors reach safety Five African crew brought into Mombasa after cargoship swamped by deadly wave.

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JANUARY 6, 2005
Report: Carriers add 17-18% ship capacity in Asian trades CP Ships, CSAV join Europe/West Africa conference Brandt takes senior position at Maersk Sealand CP Ships names Baker senior VP No spill from tanker that struck pier along Mississippi Tasman Orient ship hits Ho Chi Minh wharf COSCO, P&O Nedlloyd give funds, free services for tsunami relief U.S. air cargo growth neared 12% in November Cow takes out cargo plane, delays relief flights Continental says good-bye to MD-80 Famous Pacific relocates its Shanghai office Door opens for Venezuela shrimp imports ITC investigates patent infringement case involving electronic imports Collins continues as Senate homeland security chair Port of Long Beach topped 2003 traffic in first 11 months of 2004