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Stakes raised in Malacca Strait with first Japanese victims
MALACCA Strait pirates are being hunted down in an unprecedented response after sparking diplomatic and naval fury by kidnapping two Japanese and one Filipino from a Japanese-owned tug.
HK's Feb container traffic up 2.6% on China trade
HUTCHISON Whampoa Ltd, Cosco Pacific Ltd and other operators of Hong Kong's port handled 2.6 per cent more containers last month as China's growing trade with the US and Europe boosted shipments.
India's ship scrap prices surpass Bangladesh's
THE price paid for ships to be scrapped in India rose last week, surpassing prices in Bangladesh for the first time since 2003 because of higher demand for recycled steel plates.
Norway's map agency charged

Strait Talk

Attack will redouble Tokyo's efforts
THE chances are that senior diplomats in the Japanese embassy in Jakarta have had little rest over the past couple of days.

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Shipping News

Stakes raised in Malacca Strait with first Japanese victims
MALACCA Strait pirates are being hunted down in an unprecedented response after sparking diplomatic and naval fury by kidnapping two Japanese and one Filipino from a Japanese-owned tug.
HK's Feb container traffic up 2.6% on China trade
HUTCHISON Whampoa Ltd, Cosco Pacific Ltd and other operators of Hong Kong's port handled 2.6 per cent more containers last month as China's growing trade with the US and Europe boosted shipments.
India's ship scrap prices surpass Bangladesh's
THE price paid for ships to be scrapped in India rose last week, surpassing prices in Bangladesh for the first time since 2003 because of higher demand for recycled steel plates.
Norway's map agency charged

Strait Talk

Attack will redouble Tokyo's efforts
THE chances are that senior diplomats in the Japanese embassy in Jakarta have had little rest over the past couple of days.

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K + N posts best financial results in 115-year history Vancouver chief calls for 24-hour off-dock facility operation Asean nations look to bilateral trade deals to ward off China threat Easter spending in US tipped to slip TNT wins Dutch business award in HK First Madrid to Beijing/Shanghai flights to begin in May Cathay to expand schedule Dragonair to fly more often to Beijing via codeshare Urumqi airport logistics centre to be built Lynden International appoints new manager

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CSL bags major export order from Seatankers Ship scrap prices rise IPBCC explains its stand on Mumbai Congestion Surcharge BAF to rise from S-E Asia, S. Asia to New Zealand Freightwings gets coveted ISO 9001:2000 certificate Indian logistics firms brace against MNCs' entry FinMin to rework FBT to define taxable expenses clearly Comprehensive steel policy to be worked out Budget proposal amounts to double taxation of employees' benefits, say insurers Exim Bank study projects textile exports to touch $ 70 bn by 2014 FTAs only hitting industries'CII Tea without sugar! Industry winces at flood of bitter imports Cash withdrawals tax rebate likely for cos Swelling imports widen trade gap to $ 24 bn in April-Feb. 2004-05 Oilseeds development fund from Customs collections mooted Kamal Nath sees malta as useful interlocutor in talks with EC Rajesh Kapadia is IMC's President-elect Santhanam takes over as Consultative Committee Chairman of City Chambers

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MARCH 15, 2005
IFO380, IFO180 reach record highs in Singapore Key IFO grades the highest recorded according to Bunkerworld data, as fuel oil assessments also climb and crude oil prices threaten October's record high of $55.67 a barrel. Malacca Straits: Resumed piracy attacks renew fears in Singapore A recent spate of piracy attacks in the Malacca Straits has renewed fears over the threat of a possible terrorist attack in Singapore. Proliferation of SECAs could mean fuel shortages The possibility of a proliferation of Sulphur Emissions Control Areas (SECAs) where the maximum permissible sulphur content would be 1.5% could lead to a shortage of the necessary fuels globally, delegates told at Singapore shipping forum. Bunker tankers escape South Korean single hull tanker ban Market sources say South Korean bunker tankers do not fall within the limits for the country's impending single hulled tanker ban. Saudi Armaco halts HSFO exports for summer Saudi oil giant to halt 380 cst term exports for summer months, despite shipping out in excess of 500,000 mt in Q105. Vancouver, Seattle see high prices on refinery turnarounds Suppliers hopeful that marine diesel oil prices will soften upon refinery resumption as cruise season approaches. Shell sustains inverted pricing policy in Houston No let up as oil major's bunkering arm continues to offer IFO380 bunker fuel at inverted prices to high sulphur fuel oil assessments in Houston.

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MARCH 15, 2005
Paris Air Show to include first public appearance of Airbus A380 South Korea selects RFID system from Savi Technology and LG CNS Californian senator introduces port security bills PWC Logistics forms JV with Al Bateen Investment and Bin Jabr Saudi Railways Organisation invites bids for Landbridge project Envirotainer adds South African representative to GSA network Maersk introduces Hispaniola service Minoan Lines names new CEO

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MARCH 15, 2005
Aussie bulker access row ABS approves LNG pyramids US issues East Africa attack warning Gun battle off Yemen

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MARCH 15, 2005
Cruising heads for 11 million passenger mark Trico exits Chaper 11 Upsurge in pirate activity

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Fincantieri linked with Bahamas repair plan FINCANTIERI is eyeing a diversification into the shiprepair and conversion business through the acquisition of a stake in Grand Bahama Shipyard, according to market reports in Italy. Legal battle launched over alleged inaccuracies in £30m sale of VLCCs KELLOGG Brown and Root and Brazil-based Halliburton Produtos have launched a legal battle for damages in a row over the purchase of two ex-Concordia Maritime very large crude carriers sold for $15m each. Indonesian warships hunt pirates after kidnappings INDONESIA is sending three warships to the Malacca Strait to hunt down pirates who have kidnapped five seafarers in three days. Veteran Greenberg sidelined amid US insurance upheaval REGULATORY upheavals in insurance have claimed the biggest scalp to date with the sidelining of Maurice (Hank) Greenberg, the autocrat of the industry for years.

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MARCH 15, 2005
LNG consolidation forecast NORWEGIAN owner Leif Hoegh believes new entrants and growing pressure on terms and margins are likely to result in consolidation within the LNG sector Toll in talks for Stena Challenger TOLL Shipping is reportedly poised to charter the 1,600 passenger ferry Stena Challenger for its Interisland Line India to import 1M tonnes of sugar INDIA will import more than one million tonnes of raw sugar in the coming months to feed the sugar factories of Uttar Pradesh state after a sharp fall in the sugar cane crop Stolt VP Wakely dumps stock STOLT executive vice president John Wakely sold all his company stock today, following sell-offs earlier this month by the firm's chairman and chief executive Coega terminals get the go-ahead SOUTH African Port Operations has been given the go-ahead to start investing in bulk and container terminal infrastructure at the new Eastern Cape port of Coega New fears on Russian oil safety GROWING Russian oil exports mean that another Prestige-type accident is inevitable, ITOPF managing director Tosh Moller has warned Mersey Docks steady during change Greeks claim oil pipeline closer Indian cruise tax cuts proposed SembCorp clarifies Solitaire issue Billion tonne ore target met PSA to fast-track terminal growth MedAcruise venture set up Fincantieri to buy Bahamas yard Master slated over security call Cautious Tasmania backs Spirit

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MARCH 15, 2005
NCBFAA: Brace for China apparel flood Ports and carriers advised to gear up for onslaught of textile and apparel imports as China enters quota-free era. Port exec urges post-boom plans EU pushing U.S. to open trans-Atlantic air-cargo market ICS expands at Jaxport U.S. wins food names case Canada funds port security S.A. shift for Hamburg Süd FPS adds Mauritius hub Parrett to lead USCIB CN lock-out/strike OK'd

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MARCH 15, 2005
PONL Mondriaan precursor to post-panamax ordering spree P&O Nedlloyd (PONL) is exploring the shipbuilding market for additional shipbuilding capacity with a view to ordering eight more 8,478TEU ships. CIRB ruling opens door to intermodal disruption New Guinea Pacific Line splits in two Swire's CCS adds new Tasman string EU buyers step into Indian seafood shortfall Silport signs co-operations agreements for terminal development APM Terminals to operate and manage Apapa Container Terminal Some Euro-ports still lacking ISPS security plan, ESPO reports Shenzhen and HK volumes to converge in 2007 Task force calls for single NA trading-zone by 2010 ABP open safety course at Hull

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MARCH 15, 2005
TTA pursues bulker Thai owner forms new subsidiary to buy Elmira handymax. Claims puzzle for Cefor Norwegian hull insurers face another underwriting loss despite absence of major casualties. Restructuring boosts DFDS Danish ferry operator beats forecast result as strategy shift yields benefit. Tasmania mulls ferry hand-out State government likely to retain loss-making Spirit of Tasmania III. Fincantieri looks overseas Italian shipbuilder may buy stake in Grand Bahama repair yard to boost cruise connection. DVB turns in solid year Dagfinn Lunde happy as bank claims drive towards more syndication work paying off. Down in B and up in A Peter Livanos continues juggling shares in Oslo-listed Odfjell. MISC wants full control Malaysian owner looking to buy 100% of its yard unit Malaysia Shipyard & Engineering. K Line rides convertible New bond offering set for April will fund growing newbuilding programme. Minibulker listing set to go Norway's Kristian Eidesvik has sold 35% of Wilson ASA for NOK 288m ($47m), exceeding his target. Tidewater six-pack to Norway A Norwegian IPO scheme has emerged as the buyer of six anchor handlers for $202m. Wakely sells out Stolt vp latest to dispose of shares following end of blackout period. Toll chases P&O ferry New Zealand ferry operation to be beefed up with charter deal for UK owner's unwanted ship. Mersey Docks notches profit Liverpool-based ports and feedership group builds earnings as rival considers offer. Excelerate links with ChevTex Texan regas ship player finds oil major partner to take up delivered gas supplies. Qatargas details berth deal LNG producing giant's Ali Al-Hammadi puts outline numbers to long-term supply deal with Korean shipbuilders. Emission rules may lead to shortages Expansion of Marpol Annex VI SOx Emission Control Areas (SECA) could spell trouble for owners. Rocknes "unaware" of charted rock Prosecutor claims state mapping agency "failed to point out" underwater rocks in Bergen inlet.

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MARCH 15, 2005
Leif Hoegh doubles operating profit, restructures business Evergreen, COSCO add Chinese ports to Brazilian service Malacca Straits experiences upswing in pirate attacks P&O Nedlloyd christens first 8,450-TEU containership US Airways agrees second $125 million finance package Masterson to leave FedEx June 1 Canadian Pacific Railway buys 35 hybrid locomotives Kuehne + Nagel net earnings rose 23.1% in 2004 Gabriel Technologies names Angus chief technology officer Industry sees gap between Asia, U.S. in tackling port congestion COSCO Pacific terminals reach 23-million-TEU traffic Port of Seattle's profits rise on higher volumes Hong Kong port: "Shippers will shift more cargoes to Shenzhen ports"

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MARCH 15, 2005
NHS charged after "Rocknes" accident Norwegian Hydrographical Society (NHS) (Statens Kartverk Sj') is charged with negligence for not having provided information about the uncharted rock ... Danish shipping woman new president in wallenius Lines Lone Fønss Schrøder has been appointed president of Wallenius Lines from 1 October, when she succeeds Christer Olsson who has ... Torm buys pool-partner's fleet Dampskibsselskabet Torm has purchased six product carriers, which already sail in the Torm MR-pool and has spent some USD ...