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IMO calls for urgent UN action on piracy off Somalia
THE problem of piracy in the seas off Somalia needs action by the United Nations, says the general assembly of the International Maritime Organisation.
EU aims to make European shipping safe by 2007
THE European Union plans to make its shipping as close as possible to 'risk-free' by 2007 under plans adopted on Wednesday to weed out unsafe rust-buckets and step up inspections, the bloc's transport chief said on Wednesday.
Smit workers may extend 24-hour strike after talks fail
WORKERS at Smit Internationale NV, a Dutch provider of port towing services, may extend a strike at the company today, disrupting shipping at Rotterdam harbour, after negotiations about solving the dispute broke down yesterday.

Admiralty Casebook

Death sparks call for health checks for seamen
THE death of an electrician from a heart attack while his vessel was at anchor off Queensland has prompted an Australian authority to recommend stricter medical tests on seafarers worldwide, including possibly international medical examination standards.

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Shipping News

IMO calls for urgent UN action on piracy off Somalia
THE problem of piracy in the seas off Somalia needs action by the United Nations, says the general assembly of the International Maritime Organisation.
EU aims to make European shipping safe by 2007
THE European Union plans to make its shipping as close as possible to 'risk-free' by 2007 under plans adopted on Wednesday to weed out unsafe rust-buckets and step up inspections, the bloc's transport chief said on Wednesday.
Smit workers may extend 24-hour strike after talks fail
WORKERS at Smit Internationale NV, a Dutch provider of port towing services, may extend a strike at the company today, disrupting shipping at Rotterdam harbour, after negotiations about solving the dispute broke down yesterday.

Admiralty Casebook

Death sparks call for health checks for seamen
THE death of an electrician from a heart attack while his vessel was at anchor off Queensland has prompted an Australian authority to recommend stricter medical tests on seafarers worldwide, including possibly international medical examination standards.

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Massive investment in Beijing-Tianjin transportation links Giant cranes to arrive at Tacoma port soon DHL, Kerry Logistics among winners at HK's inaugural logistics awards FedEx plans to roll out powerpad globally following HK success Auckland throughput rises in October New director at Port of Olympia UAL reports US$71m operating loss in October UPS announces rates and service adjustments for 2006 Malev set to join oneworld alliance JD Cha takes over helm of LLC (US JV)

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More mergers & alliances between leading global container lines envisaged DCI set to join hands with Belgian co. to undertake mega projects India, Chile agree to reduce trade tariff Paradip Port proves its mettle Rlys may emulate Chinese set-up RIL to set up 30-m tonne capacity refinery at Jamnagar SEZ Nalco wins Capexil award 2004-05 Automobile exports zoom Karnataka explores export market for milk products Ficci and Indonesian chamber to step up trade ties

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
IMO calls for UN action on Somali pirates Seafarers injured in two pirate attacks in Iraqi Water Brussels unveils Erika 3 package Imarex launches bunker futures trading Exmar in new LNG carrier deal Turkish shipping "needs to do more"

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
EC unveils more maritime regulatory proposals No state aid for Fincantieri cruise ship Navy gets go ahead for DD(X) production

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Chavez unveils huge infrastructure plan VENEZUELA'S president has unveiled an ambitious $100bn, five-year investment plan financed mainly by windfall oil revenues to fund national projects including upgrading port facilities. Fulford-Smith says Clarksons will exploit Dubai potential H CLARKSON intends to build its new Dubai office into a regional service hub. Strike Club calls for 'moderate' 5% increase DIRECTORS of the Strike Club have announced a 5% increase in advance call rates for the policy year which starts on February 1, writes James Brewer. Self-fulfilling prophecy fear for bearish S&P SECONDHAND bulk carrier prices could be on the brink of a sharp downturn, after a serious slide in recent weeks. Goldenport to amass $200m war chest in planned flotation Goldenport Holdings, the Paris Dragnis shipping company seeking a London listing, will have a war chest for acquisitions of more than $200m after the planned flotation goes ahead. Hurricanes put $485m boot into Wellington ONE of the flagship syndicates at Lloyd's, Wellington Underwriting, has been further battered by hurricane losses, prompting analysts to ask whether there is further sliding ahead elsewhere in the London market. Lloyd's List online gets ABCE approval WOULD YOU drive a car without an MOT? Fix a ship without an ISM certificate? Enter the US without ISPS compliance?

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
Irish Ferries denies crew raid IRISH Ferries has denied allegations that it hired security guards to evict the master and crew from its own ferry the Isle of Inishmore earlier this afternoon (Thursday 24 November) Indian seamen's strike postponed THE Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) has postponed its one-day strike from tomorrow (Friday 25 November) until 13 December at the request of Bombay High Court Erika III gets industry thumbs-up INDUSTRY reaction to the long-awaited third package of maritime safety measures from the European Commission has been broadly positive SSY to open in India UK-based shipbroker Simpson Spence & Young is preparing to open an Indian operation, seeing the country as one of the world's fastest-growing economies Manning sector goes back to school THE Philippines' manning sector is taking steps to improve the quality of its maritime education and addressing the shortage of qualified ship officers in the international trade Shell to sell Hazira equity SHELL is planning to sell part or all of its new $600M LNG terminal at Hazira in Gujarat, after failing to find buyers for the LNG it planned to import Cruise ships go back to Cozumel China starts on new mega yard Africans seek end to US/EU 'dumping' Rhenus boosts shortsea services HSH Nordbank ramps up profits Maznah crew hopes brighten Tanker refloated in Puerto Rico MISC profit tops $400M Maher seeks strategic partner

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
Corruption charges follow Indian port and depot raids India's Central Bureau of Investigation yesterday raided 33 work places, including ports and ICDs and registered four cases against senior officials on charges of corruption and other irregularities. Victorian Government backs inland intermodal hubs The Victorian state government is to pump A$20m (US$14.6m) into inland intermodal hubs to improve links between regional centres and Melbourne Port. Unit 45 predicts end of the swapbody Irish Ferries hit labour squall at Welsh port Interest-groups unite to reject ports package CSCL sends newbuilds to Asia/Europe service Hanjin deploys newbuilds on transpacific trade Canadian box ports receive large slice of security funding Australia's APEC exports up 10% Smit staff walk out

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
Ferry labour drama Confrontation as Irish officers barricade themselves in engine room as security guards bid to evict crew from ship. EC bans cruise aid Financial package that would have given Fincantieri $35m of aid for Costa Magica spooks Brussels. Canadians get busy Bigger than usual port state control list for November. War walkout threat British officers may quit war zone committee in protest over shipowners' hard line on Somalia Fake ticket crackdown Philippines introduces internet verification of seafarers certificates as crew exports continue to grow. Russia adopts new register rules Lower house of parliament approves tax measures designed to boost domestic flag. BW Gas floats free Share trades 5% down on listing price as stabilisation support for gas carrier owner ends. Sperchios refloated off Puerto Rico No pollution reported as Pleiades Shipping tanker proceeds to anchorage for inspection. BSL eyes Germany Estonian ferry line is planning to invest big money to expand its route network. Third quarter boost for Namsos Norwegian ferry owner builds revenues and profits to 30 September. Teekay LNG completes share issue US listed gas and tanker operator pockets $105m from secondary offering. Summer sun shines on Minoan Greek ferry owner boosted by busier tourist season as profits and revenues grow.

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
Environment ministers agree on Baltic Sea priority The minsters for environment in the Baltic Sea coastal states have met in Stockholm to discuss the environment problems in ... "Fjord Norway" is not flagged out Fjord Line has decided to keep MS "Fjord Norway" under Norwegian flag, at least through 2006, and 300 jobs are ... First South American built ship to Maersk A.P. Møller-Mærsk have taken delivery of the newbuilding ever from a South American shipyard. It is the "Maersk Dispatcher ...

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NOVEMBER 24, 2005
'World's first' onboard emission monitoring contract sealed UK-based Martek Marine Ltd. claims to have secured the world's first contract for supply of engine emissions monitoring systems for a series of new LNG carriers built by DSME in South Korea. E.A. Gibson and LQM form broker alliance Amalgamation of London-based broker teams "made an awful lot of sense", Nigel Draffin tells Bunkerworld. Singapore and Asian markets fear imminent fuel oil squeeze January cargo fixtures to Asia discouraged by high freight rates just as peak Chinese demand is forecast, squeeze also predicted in Singapore's bunker market. Hong Kong firm says bunker supply role continues Callany's managing director has rebuffed reports that the firm has exited from the delivered bunker business. Rotterdam operations hit by another strike Workers at Rotterdam's largest towage and salvage firm have initiated 24-hour strike. Rotterdam barge market bids/offers $5 apart this morning Russia: Hedging policies to be clarified soon Clarification of Russia's policies on derivatives trading will allow the country's bunker companies to hedge their exposure. Industry association to ensure fully open and honest competition President of Russia's bunkering association says guaranteeing fair competition and protecting the image of ports in the country are rationale behind its formation.