BRIEFS

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*Shipping News* Transpacific container lines warn of more rate hikes TRANSPACIFIC container lines, including Neptune Orient Lines , are warning of additional rate hikes and cost-based charges this year as a result of rising costs associated with an over-taxed supply chain stretching from China's factories to North America's stores. Bunkering gets GST waiver for local fuel oil THE Government has introduced an Approved Marine Fuel Trader scheme under which qualifying bunker operators will not have to pay the Goods and Services Tax on marine fuel oil purchased locally for bunkering purposes. Ship shortage may push up Persian Gulf tanker rates THE cost of shipping crude oil from the Persian Gulf to refineries in Asia and the US may rise this week as oil companies hire ships to load in March amid a shortage of the newer vessels they prefer. Ship scrap prices may fall from record if supply surges China boats capsize, 19 sailors missing Big rescue operation

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Top Asian port operators mull over IPOs Box ship orders show no signs of abating China ranked third in container shipbuilding last year Shanxi rail projects to be completed in 2005 Strong container demand spells good news for China DHL to develop new east coast sorting centre SIA may start Australia-US flights within one year UA views mergers as its ticket out of bankruptcy Boeing selects EGAT to convert passenger jets into freighters

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Simatech Shipping's m.v. Sima Pars makes maiden call at MICT MoS move to introduce Bill to regulate shipping agents GAC India handles 1st cruise vessel for 2005 in Mumbai Tea exports rising India, Slovenia sign double taxation avoidance pact Iran may sell 50 bn cu. mtrs gas a year to India Solvent extractors scouting Pak market Ahoy! JNPCT strikes magic million on Feb. 20! CII-AP seeks modernisation of Vizag Port Import pepper only via Cochin Port, pleads Kerala Chief Minister DGFT's mandatory inspection norm causes scrap pile-up at Kandla Port Rlys freight earnings up by 11 pc in April-January 2004-05 Railways start computerisation of goods sheds Corporates, manufacturing sector in for tax relief Ficci wants excise duty on steel, cement lowered RBI gives jewellery exporters more time to repay loans Extend facility to ICDs, CFSs urge industry chambers Andhra chamber hopes to sign trade pact with Iran shortly CCEA clears consolidated IT system for Customs, excise & service taxes Seal of quality being made compulsory for soyameal products Forex reserves rise to $ 129.98 bn Business Confidence Index surges Texprocil to open New York office in April

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
IBC April conference programme completed Bunker conference puts emphasis on sulphur and related issues on the eve of Marpol Annex VI coming into force. Teekay's Q4 profit soars 34-fold on record spot tanker rates Greek owner fined $1 million after whistle-blowing Greek shipowner agrees to pay $1 million for pollution offences in latest whistle-blower case. Cold snap boosts crude and distillate prices After solid gains for US light crude on Friday, oil prices continued firm in London today led by gasoil. Russian barge operator makes plea to state Barge operator, Volgotanker has made a plea to the Russian government to put an end to a plan to sell the state's 20% stake in the company. Barge congestion, arbitrage nulify blend stock circulation Arrival of blending stock having little impact on market amid barge congestion, good demand and imminent departure of Asia-bound cargoes from Rotterdam. Claims filed against LG-Caltex after high cat fines Sources in Busan today said that shipowners are making claims against refiner and bunker supplier LG-Caltex following complaints of off-spec fuel in the market in January, but supplier denies the claims. Rotterdam opens week on firm footing Ailing bulker blocking 40 vessels on Suez Singapore bunker player expands team

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Suez blockage TOP Tankers earnings soar Co-ordinated approach to scrapping Graig confirms seven handymax options

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Environmentalists slam ship scrapping meeting Guily plea in bypass pipe pollution case

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
TSA member carriers eye ways to cover rising costs Port of Tacoma releases Winter edition of Pacific Gateway Coast Guard Auxiliary making history in Silverdale Department of Homeland Security adds Seattle to technology program IICL announces second reefer course for 2005

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Mitropoulos says Panama register should take on more active role INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos has urged Panama to live up to its role as the world's most important flag state by taking a greater role in education and the technical aspects of shipping. Brussels in regulatory clampdown on classification industry THE European Commission is considering a comprehensive shake-up of the classification society industry as part of its forthcoming package of maritime safety proposals, industry representa- tives have been told. Owners faces P&I increases at next renewal after recent hard bargaining SHIPOWNERS, fresh from arguing over premiums for their 2005 liability insurance, are realising they are likely to be faced with calls for similar uncomfortable increases in 2006. TSA fires warning shot ahead of rate round SHIPPERS moving cargo from Asia to the US have received a warning shot from ocean carriers as the two sides prepare for the annual round of contract renewals that will set the tone for the coming year. Oceana backs pollution directive OCEANA, the international organisation dedicated to campaigning for cleaner seas, has called on Europe to approve the controversial criminal sanctions directive in order to stop what it described as the "serious, chronic pollution" caused by routine illegal oil discharges from ships, writes Brian Reyes in Gibraltar.

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Tanker Gerrita safe at Sullom Voe THE 112,046dwt tanker Gerrita has arrived at Sullom Voe, Shetland Islands this evening under tow after losing power on Saturday morning en route from the Caribbean to Murmansk, Russia Bunker suppliers get tax break BUNKER operators in Singapore have been granted a waiver of the Goods and Services Tax under the Approved Marine Fuel Trader Scheme of the Ministry of Finance Great Polaris refloated THE Korean flagged bulk carrier Great Polaris has been refloated after breaking down while transiting the Suez Canal on Saturday Cosco Pacific eyes Long Beach HONG Kong-listed port operator Cosco Pacific plans to spend $350M on eight port projects this year including Long Beach in the US Attica buys stake in rival Minoan ATTICA Holdings, the Athens-listed ferry company, will acquire a 9.51% stake in rival ferry operator Minoan Lines for about €22M ($28.7M) NSCSA buys into LPG major NATIONAL Shipping Co of Saudi Arabia is to move into the petroleum gas sector by acquiring a 30.3% stake in Petredec, the LPG shipping company, for $50M New broom sweeps clean in Romania Kandla congested by scrap imports Denmark fines Norbulk for pollution $250M box expansion at Manzanillo Singapore boost for ship leasing Lords end bill of lading confusion Third Deltaport berth moves forward Jinhui reports $50M net profit Port death prompts drug calls Star to resume Phuket cruises

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Exporter body criticises Melbourne channel deepening The Australian Peak Shippers' Association (APSA) has come out against Melbourne's channel-deepening project, claiming the only beneficiaries will be the profits of some major international carriers. Panama boosts box-revenues through room-to-grow terminal offer Cosco adds northern Chinese port to all-water service Bush security blockades Rhine shipping Shanghai and Shenzhen both up 41% in January throughput CMA CGM l'Astrolabe navigates Asia-South America/South Africa trade Gwangyang crane bid on hold after boycott from domestic companies Container volumes between Japan and China up 18.8% Australia and NZ look to ASEAN free trade deal Geveran increases shares of Korean carrier market, with new shares in HMM WTO working party looks to rail concessions for Russia accession South Korean shipyard wins three orders for six containerships

Gotland got less
Sweden's Rederi AB Gotland is reporting weaker earnings for the last eight months.
No delay for Erika trial
Tanker charterers' liability for pollution is set to go on trial in France.
Kawasaki wins latest yard battle
Appeal against Japanese group's purchase of Philippines' Philseco thrown out by Supreme Court.
Minoan stock soars
Investors push share price up 10% following Attica investment.
SSC sets up new chemical unit
Though Exachem Pte Ltd not expected to add to bottom line for several months.
Saudis go for Petredec
Abdulla Nojaidi-led NSCSA is taking a $50m punt on LPG carriers.
Greek owner fined $1m
Obstruction of justice charge ramps up gravity of controversial oily water pollution case.
Durres gets cash injection
Turkish-owned Albanian yard targets slice of Med shipbuilding and repair business.
Attica gets into Minoan Lines
Pericles Panagopulos-led ferry operator takes 9.51% stake in rival owner.
Jinhui quadruples profit
Chinese cargo boom keeps bulker owner buoyant despite $63m freight futures write off.
Imarex off to good start
Freight derivatives clearing house cleans up in January.
Dredging vet lifts stake in Vita
Chong Thim Pheng snaps up more shares in newly listed Singapore shipping-to-property group.
Gerrita adrift off UK
Ugland-managed aframax losses engine power due to breakdown 80 miles north west of Shetland.
Cosco Corp revels in dry heat
Singapore-listed bulker owner benefits from strong markets and profit from Chinese shipyard interests.
Handelsbanken takes the money
Finnlines' fourth-biggest shareholder sells total holding of 5.46%.
Mipo confirms Nedlloyd trio
Dutch owner signs for three panamaxes at Korean yard for delivery in 2008.
Seyang cape blocks Suez
Broken down Korean bulker Great Solaris blocking over 40 ships from transiting waterway.
Star set for Phuket return
Malaysian cruise line to resume port calls at Thai island devastated by Boxing Day tsunami.

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Pacific carriers to consider pass-through of cost increases China Shipping to enter South American market COSCO signing ceremony for 10,000-TEU ships United revises debt-repayment plan US Airways agrees $125 million finance package Boeing selects builders for 787 cargo shuttle British Airways World Cargo carried volumes jump 8.1% Singapore Airlines adds freighter services to Nagoya, Istanbul CaroTrans, Cargo Marketing form strategic partnership ICE delivers 215 computers to Colombia Customs

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FEBRUARY 21, 2005
Danish-built engine for super-tug in China Danish engine manufactors MAN-B&W/Alpha in Frederikshavn has secured a contract for the delivery of the propulsion plant ... Fjord 1 recalculates costs for gas ferries It is now apparent that Fjord 1 Nordvestlandske did not have the complete information on the fuel consumption of the ... Record scrapping price paid for tanker Alang shipbreakers in India has paid a record USD 470 per ldt for 59,250 DWT (11,908 ldt), 1977-built tanker ...