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Shipping News

Congestion at terminals still a problem: NOL
CRITICAL terminal congestion around the globe that caused grid-lock during last year's peak shipping season will remain a problem, forcing shippers and shipping lines to change business strategies, according to Neptune Orient Lines' liner chief.
Storm-tossed cruise-liner docks in Italy
A cruise ship carrying around 780 people docked at the Italian island of Sardinia yesterday after suffering a battering and a temporary breakdown during a major Mediterranean storm.
Mitsui OSK may buy more ships
MITSUI OSK Lines Ltd, Japan's second-largest shipping line, said it may order more ships than it had originally planned as Chinese economic growth boosts the demand for the transport of goods.
Myanmar bans four foreign shipping firms

Strait Talk

A depressing statement from IMO
WHEN it comes to relations between the International Maritime Organisation and the European Union , there are two fundamental and linked issues which will not go away.

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Shipping News

Congestion at terminals still a problem: NOL
CRITICAL terminal congestion around the globe that caused grid-lock during last year's peak shipping season will remain a problem, forcing shippers and shipping lines to change business strategies, according to Neptune Orient Lines' liner chief.
Storm-tossed cruise-liner docks in Italy
A cruise ship carrying around 780 people docked at the Italian island of Sardinia yesterday after suffering a battering and a temporary breakdown during a major Mediterranean storm.
Mitsui OSK may buy more ships
MITSUI OSK Lines Ltd, Japan's second-largest shipping line, said it may order more ships than it had originally planned as Chinese economic growth boosts the demand for the transport of goods.
Myanmar bans four foreign shipping firms

Strait Talk

A depressing statement from IMO
WHEN it comes to relations between the International Maritime Organisation and the European Union , there are two fundamental and linked issues which will not go away.

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"K" Line, MOL see coffers swell in 2004 Pan-PRD foreign trade surges 27.5 per cent in 2004 Shanghai, Hangzhou to streamline customs procedures NOL has bumper 2004 Tacoma posts stellar '04 numbers Cathay handles less freight than expected in January Superjumbo said to be too big for many airports BAA forms JV to raise money for airport development

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Hamburg Sud & Alian'a announce stand-alone EC Inter-American service MOL, "K" Line double Q3 profit F. S. Mackenzie develops Turkish operations Port Réunion recruits Kalmar expertise Horizon Terminals awards Jurong Terminal construction contracts Hanjin Shipping 2004 profit doubles Rotterdam pierces 350-m tonne mark CSAV Group Agencies (India) Pvt. Ltd becomes part of growing CSAV Group's presence worldwide Petroleum Minister proposes formation of Asian Gas Grid Boon for exporters with EU set to implement trade rules earlier Efforts to boost trade with CIS countries on Hyderabad STPI's IT exports exceed $ 1 bn in 9 months TPT to prepare DPR on deeper draught to handle bigger boxships Tariff structure may be overhauled to lure main line vessels New perspectives for Indian ports envisaged Exporters with advance licences allowed to import from 8 SEZs Prune indirect taxes on manufacturing'Assocham PM lays emphasis on tax reforms G-20 agricultural discussions to be held in capital on March 18 Textile exporters may take IPO route to raise funds for expansion & consolidation of capacities AEPC urges FM to restore duty drawback rates Textile production records highest 38 pc growth in December Fieo concerned over delay in getting DFCES benefits

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Fine for vessel and master after oil spills Fishing vessel and its master ordered to pay a total fine of $60,000 following two oil spill incidents in Canada, one during refuelling. Piraeus operations still on hold as gales batter region The weather system that continued to batter South Europe today has halted operations in the Piraeus roads and the port's outer anchorage for the second day running. New IBIA chairman targets quality improvements Two-year appointment of Don Gregory from BP Marine as IBIA chairman underlines industry association's recognition of regulatory changes facing the bunker industry in 2005 and beyond. Cement carrier leaking bunkers in Danish fjord OPEC to accelerate $20 billion production expansion OPEC's director of research has said the cartel is accelerating expansion of its production capacity, but hints at possible production cuts in Q2, 2005 nevertheless. Appeal court upholds spill conviction Second appeal failure within a month sees €200,000 fine upheld. Titan profits quadruple Strong Chinese demand for oil and highly favourable VLCC rates seen as catalyst behind surge in profits. High density fuels trigger LA bunker alert DNVPS issues bunker alert following a number bunker samples from Los Angeles found to be off-spec on density. Rotterdam firm with tight barging reported Singapore: Surveyor acquitted of corruption charges Bunker Surveyor, Vigneson Subramaniam has been acquitted of all corruption charges leveled against him in a Singapore court.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Qualcomm's T2 untethered TrailerTRACS goes dual mode TSA begins background checks on hazmat drivers Exel rolls out new fleet for Habitat in France European road transport industry still in the doldrums British Airways suspends flights to Caracas Taca suspends congestion surcharge in Los Angeles and Long Beach Orlandi president of La Spezia port authority

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Wave wreaks havoc on cruise ship Leif Höegh and Tractebel plan Massachusetts LNG terminal Strong year for Knightsbridge Euronav and Wah Kwong buy suezmax resale NOL doubles profit

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Kidnapped Turkish shipbuilder released Offshore LNG terminal for Massachusetts Aker Kvaerner takes stake in Russian yard OMI reports record earnings

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Oil producers need $34bn of project finance GOVERNMENTS in the Middle East and foreign oil companies will need to raise up to $34bn in project finance from international and regional banks over the next two years to fund energy projects. Höegh and Tractebel eye $900m gas deal NORWEGIAN shipping group Leif Höegh has joined forces with Tractebel in a $900m project which would bring liquefied natural gas to the US on three vessels with regasification facilities. Genmar Kestrel oil transfer gets landmark approval TRANSHIPMENT of Iranian crude oil from damaged suezmax tanker Genmar Kestrel is likely to start just off the coast of Cyprus within the week, after a landmark decision by Cyprus. Master 'threatened with handcuffs and arrest' A LEADING shipowners' protection and indemnity club has expressed concern after a ship's master was allegedly threatened with being handcuffed if he rejected Spanish state-sponsored assistance during efforts to deal with a casualty. Aurora crisis to cost Carnival $48m CARNIVAL'S bill for the cancellation of the Aurora's world cruise due to propulsion problems has now risen to about $48m. Gimmi shelter for rock and rolled Voyager V.Ships -managed cruiseship Voyager docked in the Sardinian port of Cagliari yesterday after suffering wave damage which stove in the wheelhouse windows causing propulsion problems.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Damaged Voyager safe in Sardinia THE 474 Spanish cruise passengers from the damaged cruise ship Voyager are to be flown home today after the ship arrived this morning at the Sardinian port of Cagliari, said Spanish tour operator Iberojet Freight rate hikes illegal SOUTH Korea's Fair Trade Commission has indicted two foreign shipping companies for unfair trade practices including illegal freight rate hikes Korea lines up LNG sellers SOUTH Korea's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy has lined up three "preferred sellers" of LNG for 20-year contracts Boston LNG application filed HOEGH LNG and Tractabel LNG North America will today file an application with the USCG to develop a deep water LNG import terminal north-east of Boston Italian owners choose a president ITALIAN owners have appointed a provisional head of their association before they choose who will run the organisation for the next two years Grimaldi agrees Tin Can concession THE Nigerian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Grimaldi regarding the operation of a new port terminal on Tin Can Island in Lagos state Best ever quarter for OMI Fred Olsen strongly ahead NYK boosts Brazil export capacity Healthy year for Knightsbridge VLs Winds cause Aegean casualties Fears grow for Taiwanese ship, crew Pasha bids for Matson jewel Fesco share sale cancelled Tonnage tax drives shares higher More arrests at Algeria's CNAN

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Record results for Port of Tacoma Pacific Northwest port sets fistful of records in 2004, including total tonnage, containerized cargo. Three lines form Americas Alliance Fed: LA port traffic under control Tepid reception for C-TPAT standards Asian nations dominate shipping industry: UN New York again busiest air-cargo district McDevitt to manage UPS intermodal network ILA presses NY sugar strike Expeditors net climbs Ceres, Yusen appoint terminal execs More vessels for Grindrod

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Funding restructure will 'dilute' maritime security interests, say US ports President Bush's decision to roll port-security grants together into Transportation Infrastructure Protection means maritime interests will have to compete against trains, trucks and public transit for limited dollars, say ports. Shenyang cars keep Dalian driving Trade volumes between the EU and Shenyang, China's car manufacturing base, grew 61.8% year-on-year to US$1.27billion last year, while the trade-deficit reached US$540million, with BMW's aggressive production projects since 2003. Foreign investor to open logistics centre in Gwangyang City HMM reveals huge investment on newbuilds North Med Shuttle to improve Marseilles inland links FESCO stake remains in Russian federal coffers, for now HK exports from major industries enjoy growth PSA sees volume growth both home and overseas

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Isola Blu attracts $45m Stolt-Nielsen has one Finaval ship and cash buyers may have another. Fruit rates turn sour Latest Argentine freight deals point to softening market for reefer tonnage. Norden sells another Norden's Carsten Mortensen is staying flexible about owning steel. Aurora fiasco to cost $50m Delay in repairing troubled cruiseship's propulsion system will hit Carnival shareholders. Grindrod expands fleet South African group signals commitment to shipping with $330m investment in newbuildings and used vessels. Taxing quarter for Belships Oslo-listed Belships handed most of its fourth-quarter earnings to the revenuers. Shipowners aim high Laskaridis and Constantakopoulos backed carriers in privatisation bid for Olympic Airways. Japan holds 22 January detention list dominated by general cargoships and reefers. Cement ship hits light A specialised Klaveness ship is holed and leaking in the mouth of a Danish fjord. Hot scrap price paid Greek owner nets a record rate on product tanker from Bangladesh breakers. Fred Olsen tanks up The Olsen twins, Ganger Rolf and Bonheur, report net quarterly profits of $92m. Hajara in pole position SCI's personnel director and LNG enthusiast is favourite to succeed PK Srivastava in top job. Owners team up on LNG terminal Leif Hoegh and Tractebel want to build an LNG port served by regasification ships off US east coast. IHC Caland in the clear Sale of two yards to Dutch bank has been given anti-trust clearance by EC. Kuribayashi kicks on Japanese ro-ro owner steams toward full-year profit target in first three quarters. Knightsbridge in the money Profit up 80% as VLCC owner stays on course despite end of long term Shell charter. Howe Robinson snubs Baltic UK containership broker has little interest in helping launch Exchange's new box market assessments. Iraqi thugs free Sadikoglu Tuzla Shipyard owner Kahraman Sadikoglu is free after two months in captivity. HMM in boxship bonanza South Korean liner operator joins boxship ordering bandwagon with nine-ship deal worth $910m. GNV gets a break Tax breaks lift profit at Italian ferry operator in 2004. Jaya jumps Singapore owner and shipbuilder has seen its second quarter profits almost triple from a year ago. Titanic profits for Titan Hong Kong tanker owner quadruples earnings in 2004 thanks to insatiable Chinese demand for oil.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
NOL's stock climbs to record high Record charter rates fuel OMI's profits Maersk Sealand to withdraw direct U.S.-to-Genoa link US Airways extends plan of reorganization McDevitt succeeds Mahoney as UPS VP for global transportation Emirates SkyCargo, SAS Cargo start two freighter services Chamber looks for highway, transit dollars Union Pacific to spend $1 billion on tracks NACA, Box Consolidators enter reciprocal agreement Paradigm picks Dauernheim as president CBP to unveil C-TPAT requirements GAO: U.S. must measure trade capacity building efforts Bush nominates Crawford for FDA chief Chertoff vote expected today on homeland security appointment U.S., Andean countries take another step closer to free-trade agreement U.S. presses WTO members to reach "endgame" Doha document Stearns launches bill to coordinate cargo theft data MISC, Keer set up Sudanese venture Ports take security funding message to Capitol Hill Tacoma box traffic up 3% Cashon joins Ceres, Yusen Edwards joins P&O Ports North America Sharkey elected Port Canaveral chairman

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FEBRUARY 15, 2005
Large Navy order to Götaverken Cityvarvet The shiprepair yard Götaverken Cityvarvet in Göteborg has secured an order for a major conversion/re-fitting of the Swedish ... ACL buys ro-pax vessel Göteborg-based Atlantic Container Line, ACL, has aquired the 29,725-GT ro-pax vessel "Prometheus". According to the Swedish Ships ... Finnish Navy orders missile craft from Aker Finnyards Aker Finnyards will build a fourth missile boat of the "Hamina"-class for the Finnish Navy. The order is worth ...