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Singamas doubles 2004 profit on China demand
SINGAMAS Container Holdings Ltd, the world's second-largest manufacturer of shipping containers, said profit nearly doubled last year on the back of global container shipping demand fuelled by China's surging export market.
Lua Cheng Eng back at helm of SembCorp Marine
SEMBCORP Marine has announced the return of Lua Cheng Eng, with his appointment as non-executive chairman and director on the SembMarine board, effective yesterday.
China Merchants posts 40% rise in 2004 profit
CHINA Merchants Holdings reported a 40 per cent rise in 2004 net profit yesterday, driven by higher contributions from a container-making unit and growth in its port business amid a global trade boom.
Mediterranean Sea oil tanker rates surge
Royalty in trouble

Strait Talk

Hey, so do Asian shippers want it or not?
NOW and again, somebody says something that initially seems trivial but, on second reading, is actually quite profound.

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Shipping News

Singamas doubles 2004 profit on China demand
SINGAMAS Container Holdings Ltd, the world's second-largest manufacturer of shipping containers, said profit nearly doubled last year on the back of global container shipping demand fuelled by China's surging export market.
Lua Cheng Eng back at helm of SembCorp Marine
SEMBCORP Marine has announced the return of Lua Cheng Eng, with his appointment as non-executive chairman and director on the SembMarine board, effective yesterday.
China Merchants posts 40% rise in 2004 profit
CHINA Merchants Holdings reported a 40 per cent rise in 2004 net profit yesterday, driven by higher contributions from a container-making unit and growth in its port business amid a global trade boom.
Mediterranean Sea oil tanker rates surge
Royalty in trouble

Strait Talk

Hey, so do Asian shippers want it or not?
NOW and again, somebody says something that initially seems trivial but, on second reading, is actually quite profound.

	web site

China lays out 15-yr development plan for transport sector S E Asia, S Asia/Australia Trade Agreement to raise rates Mainland shipping industry to maintain steady growth in 2005 US rail freight traffic registers strong gain in Feb IRISL moves 22m tonnes of cargo in 2004 China-Singapore trade to reach new high in 2005 Tasman acquires new agent in Singapore Beijing lags behind as competitive Chinese city Korean Air appoints new HK chief Airbus calls for global check on A310, A300-600 rudders Revamped IL-76 cargo aircraft prepares for June test flights

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Asiatic Shipping to commence dedicated liner service to Umm Qasr & S-E Asia Eastbound trade increases by 17 pc WSA Shipping's Vadodara office inaugurated Shipping industry posts 38 pc growth-Baalu National Shipping Board favours extension of coastal voyages to Persian Gulf Algeria set to buy Indian wheat Tuticorin Port to upgrade connecting roads Mumbai Port becoming favourite gateway for car exporters Kandla Port sets new single-day cargo handling record James Mackintosh sets loading record RGCT set to be handed over to DPI on March 28 with unions falling in line Cochin Port resumes timber handling after 23 years Customs duty paid on services imports for export production may be refunded Fieo seeks freight subsidy for landlocked states WTO-compatible export sops being worked out Govt likely to reimburse exporters for taxes paid on inter-state sales of raw items Proposed FBT, lower depreciation rates leave India Inc nervous Forex reserves rise by $ 2.87 bn in a week

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MARCH 22, 2005
KPI-Shell partnership to focus on China, India Shell and KPI will explore opportunities across the downstream chain, from supply and refining to distribution and marketing of petroleum products. Italy: Key ports still struggling with fuel oil availability Genoa struggles with demand outstripping resupply and storage capacity, while Augusta's refinery maintenance continues to strain stocks levels. Ceremony marks official handover of new Fujairah bunkering piers Tidalmarine syndicate hands over Fujairah Mini Finger Pier project to Vopak in official ceremony, highlighting that the two new berths will consolidate Fujairah's position as an increasingly important global bunker market. High-density fuels reported in another Brazilian port A month after a number of samples from Rio Grande triggered a bunker alert due to off-spec density, DNVPS has reported a spate of high-density fuel samples from Rio de Janeiro. Rotterdam market stable again, Antwerp tight for prompt Singapore-Fujairah price differential widens further Demand in Fujairah remains below average despite an even further widening of the price differential between the UAE port and Singapore. Titan expands fleet, more acquisitions expected Titan has said it is to expand its fleet with two new vessels, more acquisitions are expected this year. Total Lubmarine invests $2 million in new test engine Lubmarine has installed a new test engine at its research facility in Lyons and reveals increased research and development budget for 2005. Salvors demand immunity from EU pollution directive The International Salvage Union (ISU) delivered a stern warning that salvors may refuse to offer aid if they do not receive immunity from prosecution in preventing potential pollution. Bunker fuel price spike hits Carnival earnings Bunker fuel costs during company's second quarter 23% higher than average prices over the past three quarters, says cruise line.

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MARCH 22, 2005
Jacky Maeder dies at 82 Carrier411 launches on-line carrier monitoring service RFG welcomes Lords report on European railfreight Schenker constructing new Korean logistics centre Rail access to port of Gothenburg to be improved Singapore Airlines Cargo extends freighter services Smyril Line forms new freight operator

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MARCH 22, 2005
Carnival's record Q1 USCG and RN ships retrieve hijacked fishing vessel Aker boxship deal confirmed Busy month for Panama Canal

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MARCH 22, 2005
Rowan gets contract for second Tarzan jackup Offshore Rig SCORE soars Navy issues CJR replacement ship solicitation

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French seafarers clash with police over registry reform STRIKING French seafarers clashed with riot police yesterday as they sought to disrupt services through the Channel tunnel and block access to the nearby A16 motorway. The protest was part of a new wave of action to mark the arrival before the National Assembly of a Bill creating a new French international register. UK firms to fill '£700m' pension gap Pension liabilities totalling hundreds of millions of pounds will now be spread among hundreds of British shipping-related companies following a court ruling on the allocation of the Merchant Navy Officers' Pension Fund deficit. Brussels crestfallen as critics reject oil spill criminalisation defence again THE European Commission has hit back at critics of its controversial push for tougher action against pollution from ships, insisting there was no intention to criminalise all seafarers caught up in oil spill incidents. Two more heads roll in AIG investigation ON ANOTHER dramatic day at leading US insurer American International Group, the company fired its chief financial officer along with a senior executive at its reinsurance unit for refusing to co-operate with government regulators investigating its dealings with General Re, writes John McLaughlin in New York.

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MARCH 22, 2005
CMA hears China warning CHINA trade has been a bonanza for rates, but the country is also escalating its ship-ownership role, with consequences for global crewing and shipbuilding, delegates at the Connecticut Maritime Association conference heard yesterday Alliance shuns Amsterdam's Ceres RUMOURS in the press that Ceres Paragon container terminal at Amsterdam is expecting calls from Grand Alliance partners have not been confirmed CalMac strike called off THE 12-hour strike planned to hit ferry services operated by Scotland's Caledonian MacBrayne tomorrow has been called off IMAREX raises funds before listing IMAREX, the freight derivatives trading exchange, has been involved in a flurry of activity in the run-up to its initial public offering on the Oslo Børs TransEuropa pushes into the Med SLOVENIA-based TransEuropa Shipping Lines has expanded its Mediterranean operations with the charter of Brittany Ferries' former Duc de Normandie to Ferrimaroc Fairplay ends venture talk FAIRPLAY, the German towage specialist, has clarified that it will maintain its independent harbour towage services in Rotterdam Cochin agrees with DPI on workers Underpaid dockers paralyse Douala CAPA ports tariff increase Stockholm to build cruise terminal Volgotanker says reports are gossip Tankers sold on doctor's orders Ferry lines threaten court action Idemitsu, Mitsubishi in LPG talks Clarksons completes Ferrobulk buy China Merchants invests in repair

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MARCH 22, 2005
Boxship orders lead pack Containerships outpace orders for bulk vessels, tankers as owners and carriers bet big that long liner rally will continue. Asia shippers rip rate hikes DHL slims U.S. losses Sinotrans profit up Union Pacific raises estimate Study: FTA millions missed Hub renames logistics unit Sea Box gets Army deal Bulgaria selling fleet

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MARCH 22, 2005
Truckers are the weakest link in PierPass system Fears that congestion will again slow cargo flow through US West Coast ports are again arising as truckers claim there are not enough drivers to meet demand. Asian shippers accuse 'monopolistic' lines of rate abuse The Asian Shippers' Council (ASC) is demanding that exporters be compensated for delays at port and terminals, and slamming the Transpacific Rate Agreement (TSA) for its planned rate increases. Port developments in second tier cities to ease Chinese freight bottlenecks West Coast ports cover Security costs with rate rise Wanzhou gets largest terminal in Three Gorges region Panama Canal railway set to double volumes in 2005 Singamas revels in box building frenzy Canadian intermodal loadings decline

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MARCH 22, 2005
Free: Richard Wingfield Feds return ex-Stolt manager's passport, lift travel ban for New Zealander but antitrust charges remain in effect for now. Caps off for LoBiondo US congressman pushes for punishing increase in pollution liabilities in wake of Athos I spill. Volgotanker loses Yukos Troubled Russian owner is not carrying any more oil for biggest customer, and denies sell-off of controlling stake. Tesma creates UK arm Eitzen-owned shipmanager gunning to operate 30 vessels out of Scottish subsidiary by 2007. SIAT lifts profit 15% Italian marine insurer bumps up pre-tax earnings on the back of weak dollar. Sovcomflot surges Booming tanker markets boosted earnings at Russian owner in 2004 as it added four ships to fleet. Premuda in its prime Italian tanker and bulker owner clocks best year ever. Pension payout for P&O UK group to cough up £125m to repair deficit in seafarers' superannuation fund. New highs at Panama Canal Tonnage and reservations broke records in February at vital waterway. Damen faces late challenge Ukrainian citizen files lawsuit against sell-off of Okean yard - five years after Dutch group bought it. Keppel bags Marathon contract Singapore yard will convert Odin into FPSO for Alvheim oil field. Haisheng slides again Profits down at listed chemical tanker arm of China Shipping Group. Forth fancies Firth transfers UK ports group could tap into ship-to-ship market in Scotland. 40 tankers for Brazil? Maybe, but it's not local oil company Petrobras that is being linked to this newbuilding splurge. Ferry price rise on cards Speculation that Greek government will boost ferry fares by up to 6%, although owners want more. Corner Brook suffers fire Blighted Gorthon Lines paper carrier runs into trouble 700 miles west of UK mainland. Chong ups Vita stake Founder of local dredging company snaps up more shares in newly listed Singapore shipping group. TOP takes Taintless Evangelos Pistiolis' US listed tanker firm confirms delivery of first of Latsis handysize tanker trio.

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MARCH 22, 2005
Asian Shippers' Council rejects congestion surcharges COSCO, Yang Ming firm up new PNW service Wallenius Wilhelmsen to start U.S./Middle East service Horizon Lines adds seasonal Tacoma/Alaska service OOCL names another 8,063-TEU ship Lufthansa Cargo raises fuel surcharge CP Railway, employees sign agreement Meeting helps mend broker-carrier relations Target acquires Air Cargo International Court of International Trade denies U.S. request to dismiss CITA case Japan promises to address U.S. beef trade opening G8 targets illegal log trade from Africa New York cabbage producer denied trade help Schenker creates Russia distribution network Sandler & Travis consulting arm lands Browning China Merchants' net profit rises 40% Record tonnage transits Panama Canal

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MARCH 22, 2005
APM Terminals in another China project APM Terminals, the terminal arm of A.P. Møller-Mærsk, is participating in yet another giant Chinese port project. APM Terminals ... Jetlink begins sailings in April Jetlink is now likely to start sailing between Moss and Frederikshavn with HSC "Jetlink Express" in April, and not before ... IMO critical to criminalisation of seafarers IMO is critical to the recent decision ny the European Parliament to adopt legislation introducing criminal penalties in cases of ...