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Shipping News

China admits shipping ban is a mistake, Japan says
CHINA has acknowledged that closing a disputed area in the East China Sea to international shipping was a mistake, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.
S Korean Q1 ship orders hit record US$12b
HYUNDAI Heavy Industries Co and South Korea's eight other dockyards said orders for new vessels surged to a record US$12 billion in the first quarter because of a rush of contracts before a stricter design rule took effect.
US must engage port operators on security issues: Hutchison
THE United States needs to engage overseas port operators rather than antagonise them if it hopes to implement tough new anti-terror rules, the head of Hong Kong's top port operator said.
US to patrol pirate-infested waters: Somalia

Strait Talk

US fighting terror with protectionism and ineptitude
SO, is anybody out there familiar with the details of the Conference Report for the US Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006? No? I thought not.

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Shipping News

China admits shipping ban is a mistake, Japan says
CHINA has acknowledged that closing a disputed area in the East China Sea to international shipping was a mistake, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.
S Korean Q1 ship orders hit record US$12b
HYUNDAI Heavy Industries Co and South Korea's eight other dockyards said orders for new vessels surged to a record US$12 billion in the first quarter because of a rush of contracts before a stricter design rule took effect.
US must engage port operators on security issues: Hutchison
THE United States needs to engage overseas port operators rather than antagonise them if it hopes to implement tough new anti-terror rules, the head of Hong Kong's top port operator said.
US to patrol pirate-infested waters: Somalia

Strait Talk

US fighting terror with protectionism and ineptitude
SO, is anybody out there familiar with the details of the Conference Report for the US Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006? No? I thought not.

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Patrick agrees to Toll's US$4.2b takeover offer NYK to purchase Dalian IPO shares Ningbo Q1 box volume grows nearly 40pc SITC offers Japan service Shanghai Blue Cloud to open Xiamen office Seattle prepares for container expansion with lease renewals Klang dredging gets underway Jurong's March throughput falls 2.67pc y-o-y Boeing signs agreement with China for 80 737s Changi's airfreight volumes rise 9pc over Jan-March period Qingdao airport and SATS to set up cargo joint venture China, Japan strengthen Customs co-operation

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First vessel on SYMS' KCI service calls at MICT WCA Family takes in IFA, Dubai, as 1,500th member MoS to raise retirement age of port workers; to offer VRS 76 vessels on SCI's 6-yr shopping list Pak to withdraw import duty on Indian tea PM, German Chancellor to open Hannover fair 2nd VLCC comes a-calling at Mundra Port's SPM Now, Plan panel fancies East-West dedicated rail freight corridor Private parties may be allowed to lay stretches of rail tracks too 'Thick web' rails to roll the freight Agri product exporters in EOUs, SEZs not to enjoy benefits under 3 schemes Vanaspati makers want TRQ imposed on imports from Sri Lanka Export credit rate limit hiked by 25 bps to LIBOR plus 100 bps Management programme on FTP at WTC today IMC youth body signs MoU with IYEC

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Time: matters displays above average growth Mallory Alexander handles sensitive flight simulators New Cotif comes into force

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APRIL 18, 2006
K Line orders 3 VLCCs Seaspan's revenue dips China imposes security levy Pirate attacks in Gelasa Strait

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Port firms mobilise in Australia as Toll deal spooks logistics sector AUSTRALIA could become a new battleground between competing national and international port operators as the likes of DP World and International Container Terminals Inc digest news of the expected merger between Toll and Patrick. Toll extends offer for SembCorp TOLL Holdings has extended its offer for SembCorp Logistics, having only received acceptances from just under 75% of shareholders the day before it was due to close. US goes all out to bring LNG ship boost to domestic flag THE US is poised to pass legislation designed to attract liquefied natural gas carriers to the domestic flag by promising "top priority" in the licensing process that aspiring LNG importers and terminal operators have to undergo. Oil prices reach new high OIL prices soared to record levels as traders returned after the long weekend break to renewed fears of supply disruptions.

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APRIL 18, 2006
LUKoil tankers go to Palmali LUKOIL Arctic Tanker's 10-vessel fleet was sold last week to Palmali Poor maintenance leads to fires MOST fires onboard passenger/cargo ships in the Philippines' domestic trade have started in the ships' enginerooms, mainly caused by a lack of proper maintenance Indian seafarers accused of murder SEVEN Indian seafarers have been charged with murdering another member of the crew of the NIS-registered chemical tanker Champion Pioneer Seaspan reports rudder cracks SEASPAN Corp has found cracks in the rudders on three ships and reports an expansion of its fleet on charter to China Shipping and Cosco Princess reassures on balcony safety PRINCESS Cruises has announced new safety procedures to prevent a repeat of the blaze on the Star Princess last month that destroyed more than 100 cabins Patrick accepts revised Toll bid One missing as Indonesian ferry sinks Directors approve SNCM privatisation American Club confirms 30% call USN on piracy patrol off Somalia Indonesian owners sound log warning

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APRIL 18, 2006
Union seeks end to NY-NJ port walk-out Job action by ILA mechanics disrupts truck traffic in and out of marine terminals in Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal. Asia imports up 20%: TSA Schwab tabbed as new U.S. Trade Representative Court orders Evergreen to bargain with ILA Great Lakes carriers say more dredging needed Weak response to NSAs: Survey Gains for JB Hunt, Werner Former ILA VP Flowers dies BNSF eyes site for third logistics park

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APRIL 18, 2006
Toll finally wins Patrick Patrick Corporation's Good Friday eve acceptance of an improved takeover offer from Toll Holdings has brought the eight-month-long battle to an end. Latest Betuwe twist sees Towrail dumped The ongoing Betuwe Line concession saga took a surprise twist today as Amsterdam and Rotterdam ports agreed to join ProRail to market and operate the line. Forces gather to fight mega Toll With the combined Toll/Patrick business estimated to be up to 15 times the size of its nearest competitor, speculation has begun about closer co-operation between Australia's second and third-tier players. Dalian Port may buy assets from parent company Yantian throughput falls 2% in 2005 CSCL 2005 net profit falls DPW replaced on Gangavaram Port project DP World to expand Djibouti operations with new box-terminal Rotterdam to track transhipment trends with new statistics CMA CGM, CSCL and Hatsu to launch Atlantic link Xiamen Port earnings up 4.7% Three more berths at Pyeongtaek St Petersburg MLT facility sees 28% increase in Q1

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APRIL 18, 2006
Global sells out of box Malaysian tanker and containership owner Global Carriers is now just a tanker owner. SCI to splash the cash Shipping Corp of India (SCI) names target vessels in a planned INR 150bn ($3.3bn) 76-ship order programme. Eagle sets dividend Soph Zoullas-led handymax owner Eagle Bulk Shipping's share hopped on announcement of a somewhat lower quarterly dividend. Seatrans profit rises Bergen based chemical tanker and forest products carrier owner makes 10% more kroner. IHC digs deep Dredging and offshore shipbuilder IHC Holland Merwede unearths a massive profit increase in 2005. Profit slides at CSCL Tonnage-hungry China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) sees profit go down the tube as new vessels set to come online. Romanian yard flooded Losses mount as Danube waters inundate 70% of Damen's Galati facility. MBC in tonnage hunt Malaysian Bulk Carriers (MBC) targets fleet renewal as profitable ship sales in 2005 free up cash reserves. China admits ban error China owns up to a technical error which saw Japanese vessels turned away from 'no-sail' area in the East China Sea. Seaspan trio damaged Minor damage found to rudder horn on three 4,250-teu containerships during drydockings. Seaspan's profits slip Vancouver boxship player sees first quarter decline as increased operating costs hit bottom line. K Line seals VLCC trio Japanese shipowner books more very large double-hull tanker tonnage at domestic shipyards. Viking opts for Wartsila Finnish owner goes domestic in choice of propulsion plant for ro-pax newbuilding at Aker Yards. Somalia OKs US patrols The US Navy has been granted permission to patrol coastal waters in an effort to combat piracy.

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APRIL 18, 2006
CMA CGM, China Shipping, Hatsu to start transatlantic loop Evergreen to start Indonesian feeder INTTRA sees sharp growth in China Crowley drops Dominican Republic calls to get back on schedule Airport operator BAA declines Goldman Sachs offer World Air names Towe CFO, receives Nasdaq hearing date Cargo Wise-edi merging air freight applications BNSF looking at Kansas for new logistics, intermodal facility TCG names chairman Deutsche Bahn restructures logistics management Toll acquisition of Patrick to create logistics powerhouse U.S. not expected to block Canadian beef shipments USDA changes import rules for small seed lots Retailer Michael's to open DC in Jacksonville U.S. to provide more than 2,000 metric tons of food aid to Djibouti Tung rejoins BAX as director in South China Shipper survey shows emerging interest in NSAs Smart Logistics joins United Shipping Inc. SEKO names director for the Americas California anti-idling bill worries terminal operators DP World to start construction on Djibouti terminal Ship calls up in L.A.-Long Beach, but ports still smooth Sutcliffe appointed chairman of British ports group

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APRIL 18, 2006
Deltamarin forms joint venture in China The Finnish company Delta-Sigma Ltd, which is the owner of Deltamarin Ltd and Deltamarin Contracting Ltd, and the Chinese ... Successful bridge passage Royal Caribbean Cruise Line had a successful passage of the Great Belt Bridge last Friday, when the latest newbuilding from ... Maersk on the move in UK The Maersk Co. Ltd, London, founded in 1948 and the oldest subsidiary in the Maersk Group, has announced the move ...

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APRIL 18, 2006
PDVSA advises holiday on Wednesday Port wins another 'clean air' award Los Angeles receiving more recognition for its emissions programmes ahead of cold ironing conference. Bulls run loose on Wall Street US bunker prices nearing record levels as oil setting yet another new high. US plans SECA following Annex VI ratification Government analysing emissions controls and expecting that a SECA is 'inevitable' in the near future. Europe: Group I base oil supply tight for next six months 'Fundamental shift' in base oil supply and demand, says industry expert. Fuel cost optimisation drives engine selection The need to optimise fuel consumption and cost as well as increased payload capacity have driven the selection of engine for new Viking Line vessel. Finnlines: MARPOL regulations will raise fuel costs 20% Finnlines CEO says imminent sulphur emissions legislation will raise fuel costs by 20%. Almost no offers in firm Rotterdam market OPEC to maintain high output level this year Sufficient crude stocks present to meet unexpected supply shortage, say OPEC officials. Bunker costs erode operating profit Japanese shipping firm likely to post lower than forecast operating profit for the year ended March 31.