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Pirate network extends to Batam, S'pore: shipowner
AFTER two weeks of 'hellish' and 'harrowing' ransom negotiations to free two crew members kidnapped in the Malacca Straits by suspected Free Aceh Movement rebels, a local shipowner alleges the GAM network extends to Batam and includes operatives in Singapore.
'China syndrome' gives PSA its best year ever
SURGING cargo volumes out of China during 2004 have helped make it a record-setting year for PSA Corporation, after its Singapore terminals handled 20.6 million TEUs, a sizeable 14 per cent increase over 2003.
Gati sets up Asia-Pac base in Singapore
A leading Indian express cargo and freight forwarding company is setting up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
Foreign trade via Shanghai port tops US$280b
Prices for ship scrap steel rise to record

Strait Talk

Looking after the golden goose
THIS week, I am taking a position directly opposed to that of the main industry representatives.

web site

Shipping News

Pirate network extends to Batam, S'pore: shipowner
AFTER two weeks of 'hellish' and 'harrowing' ransom negotiations to free two crew members kidnapped in the Malacca Straits by suspected Free Aceh Movement rebels, a local shipowner alleges the GAM network extends to Batam and includes operatives in Singapore.
'China syndrome' gives PSA its best year ever
SURGING cargo volumes out of China during 2004 have helped make it a record-setting year for PSA Corporation, after its Singapore terminals handled 20.6 million TEUs, a sizeable 14 per cent increase over 2003.
Gati sets up Asia-Pac base in Singapore
A leading Indian express cargo and freight forwarding company is setting up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
Foreign trade via Shanghai port tops US$280b
Prices for ship scrap steel rise to record

Strait Talk

Looking after the golden goose
THIS week, I am taking a position directly opposed to that of the main industry representatives.

	web site

3 mega ships ordered by Hapag-Lloyd HLS (SZ) is awarded Class "A" freight forwarders licence Limits on HK shipowners' liability may be increased China throughput up 21pc in 2004 Safmarine names second `Big White' container vessel Port of Marseilles to implement CSI ICTSI names new managers Pemco, Taeco/Staeco to set up freighter conversion business Wuhan to spend US$329m on airport expansion Polar names new GSAs Continental to fly between Houston and Queretaro, Mexico

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Bharati Shipyard bags French order for platform supply vessels India, S. Asia among focus areas for Swift Freight International Allcargo's Project Division begins with a BANG! US slaps embargo on Indian garment shipments citing evidence of forged documents Cashew exporters to US have no chinta Chennai port cargo traffic posts robust growth VPT champions in badminton tournament organised by Kandla Port Trust Whole new ball game for textile exporters Scope for misuse of export promotion schemes to be plugged Exports cross $ 53-bn mark in April-Dec. 2004-05 Top EEPC award goes to BHEL

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Suez fuel oil supply could return by end of the month Sources in the Egyptian market are hoping to see fuel oil supply return at the end of January. BP Chief: Good oil supply will keep prices in check BP Chief Lord Browne says high oil prices over the last year were a coincidence and there is no shortage of supply with surplus capacity still growing. Rotterdam stable ahead of Midday ENOC confirms new partners in Horizon terminal project ENOC confirms new partners take over from China Aviation Oil for its Horizon Terminals project on Singapore's Jurong Island, inauguration to take place this week. Chemoil refutes STUSCO claims in TAN case San Francisco-based international bunker supplier contests STUSCO claims that its law suit is 'unfounded' and says it is confident of success in its ongoing trial with Shell trading arm.

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JANUARY 11, 2005
OAG Worldwide acquires Inforwarding German maritime port operators against EU's Port Package II ProLogis Park Alcala in Madrid now fully leased Chinese lorries conquer Europe New German cargo airline "Operation Silk Road" to start services Laiesz sells ro-ro vessels Airline Sales Agency expands D'sseldorf office

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JANUARY 11, 2005
IMSO boosts IMO's tsunami relief effort Majestic offers cruise ship for aid efforts "Check your insurance cover," warns TT club Seawheel launches Duisberg-Goole service Deteriorating infrastructure hampers Mississippi trade

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Michael Chertoff nominated as Homeland Security Secretary Golar LNG invests in U.S. Gulf offshore LNG terminal project Kvaerner Philly starts work on first products tanker

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Defiant Panama rebuffs owners' fee fury THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is poised to push ahead with a 68.75% cost increase for transiting containerships, in the face of fierce criticism from carriers and diplomats. Huge premium hikes blow in on back of Hurricane Ivan WITH Hurricane Ivan turning out to be the biggest energy insurance loss in history, reinsurers have slapped huge increases on premiums from insurers whose client oil producers had their operations disrupted, writes James Brewer. Singapore within clawing distance of box port crown THE Port of Singapore narrowed the gap with Hong Kong for the crown of the world's largest container port last year, raising the spectre of the Lion City clinching the top spot in the next 24 months.

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JANUARY 11, 2005
PetroChina to build LNG terminal PETROCHINA has joined other oil majors in the race to build LNG terminals in China Erika trial: further delay likely THE Paris public prosecutor's office said it was in favour of a new expert investigation on the Erika to better understand the true responsibility of the vessel charterer, TotalFinaElf Lines defend Jamaica surcharge CONGESTION surcharges imposed in Jamaica and Trinidad have drawn a stern rebuke from local customers ISPS trickles down the supply chain Inchcape in Italian agency venture India again rejects Shell request Fesco share sale set for February SA coal boss resigns 15 rescued off Danish coast Manila seeks more Japanese funding USCG stops clock on US gas plan New Delhi decides on gas proposal Russian oil growth to continue

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JANUARY 11, 2005
China trade surplus at 6-year high Surging exports pushed trade surplus to $31.9 billion in 2004, the government said. New VPs for Crowley subsidiaries Senior managers swap positions at logistics and liner units. Chertoff nominated as Homeland Security chief Forwarders react to air-cargo security proposals Settlement in Airbus-Boeing spat Management Dynamics acquires Bridgepoint Canadian labor board mulls rail strike plan Chennai beckons mainline calls Increase for Lufthansa cargo "K" Line expands bulk fleet Panalpina tabs ops, finance chiefs Malacca Strait may need massive work

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Unrepentant ACP persists with boxship fee increases The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has hit back at fierce criticisms from carriers and diplomats against plans to increase the cost of boxships transiting the Canal by 68.75%. Dutch failure to ratify Antwerp dredge could 'sour' Benelux relations A failure by the Dutch government to ratify the agreement to dredge the River Scheldt could see European transport policy and Belgian/Dutch relations descend into chaos, a Belgian diplomat fears. OOCL: a good match with MISC Busan offers volume incentives to smaller carriers Lomé investment could hit Abidjan Korean textile exports to slow down Chittagong implements action-plan to safeguard textile future UK toll plans must take the right road, urge transport associations US Railroad authority urges rail-companies to make the switch without regulation Singapore-Malaysia double-act enjoy double-digit growth Pressure to perform continues, despite Shanghai/Shenzhen growth Backsliding reefers fail to halt Muuga's growth Bush nominates judge as new security boss Yang Ming deploys new ship on AW3 service

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Golar takes capacity offshore John Fredriksen's LNG baby ploughs $3m into company planning offshore terminal in exchange for access. Waigaoqiao snatches top spot Shanghai shipyard surges into pole position among China's builders in 2004. Global Island's last moments Owner recounts tale of cargoship claimed by tsunami off Somalia. TEN fixes floor on new ship Greek owner secures minimum $18,450 rate for freshly delivered product tanker. Waiting for recovery Tanker rates still depressed as analysts remain bullish on upturn. Neorion wants bond cash Greek shipbuilder plans to issue notes worth $16m, if shareholders agree. Varun eyes another issue Expanding Indian tanker and gas carrier owner may sell more shares, after issue last September. Cobelfret goes to Denmark Belgian ro-ro operator adds Jutland route to draw away German autobahn traffic. Blast from Bangsmoen Outgoing Wilh Wilhelmsen executive laments poor standing of shipping industry in Norwegian society. Damen mulls South African yard Dutch yard group considers push into African market with new facility or partnerships. SSN to go one better Polish yard to deliver nine ships worth $410m this year, compared to eight in 2004. P&O ferry pulled free Tugs and rising tide help European Highlander from the rocks off the west coast of Scotland. Global Challenger refloated Geared handysize bulker back in business in US after being pulled free by tugs in Columbia River.

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Central America Discussion Agreement adds Honduras security charge "K" Line to deploy two new Cape-size bulkers Senior CP Ships IT executive moves to Maersk Inchcape opens office in Toronto UPS super sizes fleet with Airbus A380 FedEx Custom Critical launches Mexico surface service Deadly rail accident spurs new hazmat safety bill D.C. Council continues effort to ban railed hazmat through Capitol Canadian government requests essential rail services review Bulk carrier fined for hazmat violation BNSF promote Hickerson, Malesa CaroTrans adds all-water Charleston/Tokyo link BAX Global starts two China subsidiaries Brynwod Partners buys Inter-Jet Systems World Cargo Alliance, CIFA plans second conference in China Third C-TPAT draft spells out importer checks on foreign suppliers World Bank report cites agriculture trade reform to alleviate poverty U.S. normalizes trade with Armenia CMA CGM to develop box terminal in West Africa

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JANUARY 11, 2005
Kvaerner plans massive Philadelphia investment Kvaerner plans to raise between USD 500 million and USD 1,0 billion in the Norwegian market to invest in its ... Mærsk-subsidiary part of a Turkish operation A.P. Møller-Mærsk's subsidiary norfolkline has entered a new business area by buying two large ro-ro vessels for operation ...