BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

China ruling hands victory to shippers in THC battle
SHIPPERS have claimed another victory in the fight against controversial terminal handling charges levied by container shipping lines after the Chinese government said the practice was anti-competitive.
Norwegian rig workers seek higher wages
NORWEGIAN oil rig workers will demand increased pay in talks with rig owners, as high fuel prices boost exploration for oil and gas deposits, raising demand for drilling rigs.
International Container buys Indon port operator
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc, which operates ports in the Philippines and four other countries, bought 95 per cent of an Indonesian port operator for US$5.6 million.
Tanker rates may fall on vessel availability

Port Shots

Port Shots
NORWEGIAN company IM Skaugen has entered into a new equity joint venture in China with Zhangjiagang Shenghui Chemical Machinery which makes steel vessels and structures for refinery and petrochemical production facilities and whose expertise fits in well with Skaugen's gas carrier new building plans.

web site

Shipping News

China ruling hands victory to shippers in THC battle
SHIPPERS have claimed another victory in the fight against controversial terminal handling charges levied by container shipping lines after the Chinese government said the practice was anti-competitive.
Norwegian rig workers seek higher wages
NORWEGIAN oil rig workers will demand increased pay in talks with rig owners, as high fuel prices boost exploration for oil and gas deposits, raising demand for drilling rigs.
International Container buys Indon port operator
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc, which operates ports in the Philippines and four other countries, bought 95 per cent of an Indonesian port operator for US$5.6 million.
Tanker rates may fall on vessel availability

Port Shots

Port Shots
NORWEGIAN company IM Skaugen has entered into a new equity joint venture in China with Zhangjiagang Shenghui Chemical Machinery which makes steel vessels and structures for refinery and petrochemical production facilities and whose expertise fits in well with Skaugen's gas carrier new building plans.

	web site

TSK to launch Herculean Asian service Mainland transportation firms postpone HK IPOs K + N to provide supply chain services for Haier MISC Logistics sign JV with Rais Hassan Ageing US rail network riles shippers Evergreen takes Best Intra-Asia line award again at AFSCA EVA opens cargo centre in Hong Kong Lufthansa Cargo makes organisational changes Cathay awarded `Airline of Year' accolade by OAG

	web site

OOCL's AMS to strengthen presence in Middle East, Indian Subcontinent NYK's net profit up by 29 pc DP World plans share sales to international investors MOL Logistics wins green iso certification Le Havre fancies PSA as an investor C. Jivram Joshi & Sons stuffs 1st box at MICT for IDX service 21 pc rise in pepper exports during Jan-March 'Focus Africa' scheme blurs with inter-Ministerial spat State exports 33 pc more wine Rubber exports show unprecedented growth Tea export target for 2006-07 fixed at 200 m kg Cotton exports projected to increase to 3.5 m bales in MY 2006-07 Port Pipavav handles 1st main line vessel Kerala's LDF govt committed to Vizhinjam port, avers Minister US lawmakers allot more for ports security KPT chief confident of hitting fiscal cargo-handling target Chowgules to develop strategic Jaigad portr Industry growth of 8 per cent in 2005-06 CII survey sees business upbeat on GDP growth, exports EPO emerges as billion-dollar opportunity for EEPC Well-defined, stable policy vital for core sector PPP funding-Chidambaram Forex reserves rise to $ 163.7 bn 25 integrated textile parks in 18 months, promises Minister Adani Exports to be split into 4 strategic business units Madhya Pradesh poised to become investors' paradise Velji Dosabhai & Sons goes places Chidambaram rules out long-term capital gains tax on shares Privately-promoted CFS to come up in Durgapur

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Polish Register launches small ship safety drive American Airlines Cargo pleased with new ground handling solution at London Heathrow Airport ICF to launch Hamburg'Budapest shuttle Kuehne + Nagel provides services to Haier IT Europe

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Pirates attack bunker tanker Small spill, big news in Hawaii US local police to enforce federal law at sea Record Q1 for TEN Skaugen in new Chinese JV

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
DHS issues TWIC proposal Batam yard to build 180 m DSV

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Capt. removed from cruise ship for odor of alcohol on breath Coast Guard extends contract for Deepwater modernization work Ceremony marks opening of Willamette Falls Locks Husky expansion in Tacoma paves way for larger "K" Line ships Richardson, Veitch named winners of 2006 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards

	web site

Warning of 'surprise' searches does not threaten security says USCG THE PRACTICE of alerting some incoming ships in advance about "surprise" security inspections does not compromise national maritime security, the US Coast Guard has declared. IMO agrees on tracking requirements REQUIREMENTS for long-range identification and tracking of ships on security and safety grounds have been agreed by the International Maritime Organization at its Maritime Safety Committee. Mercury master sacked after breath test THE master of a Celebrity Cruises cruiseship has been sacked after he failed a US Coast Guard alcohol breath test in Seattle last Friday, writes Rajesh Joshi in New York. Ladyman seeks wide-ranging input for UK ports review UK TERMINAL operators, shipowners and shippers are being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a far-reaching policy review that will dictate national port strategy for the next quarter of a century. London awaits Gateway ruling TEN months after giving conditional approval for a new deepsea container terminal near London, the government has yet to grant final consent, writes Janet Porter.

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Clarksons lures senior S&P brokers BRAEMAR Seascope has put out a press statement announcing the resignation of two of its senior Sale and Purchase brokers; they are joining Clarksons Aker unveils French organisation Argentine wheat export ban averted Drunken cruise master fired Coal jeopardises LNG growth LNG contracts embrace flexibility Gear problem slows V-Max Frontline tanker in Hawaii spill Volcano interrupts Caribbean talks Seafarers overcome by fumes Australia-Iraq wheat deal collapses

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
TSA releases port ID card proposal Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard set proposed rules for Transportation Workers Identification Credential. Charter rally as box lines face cargo surge MSC to call Seattle "K" Line completes latest phase of Tacoma expansion Grand Alliance diverts ships from Rotterdam's ECT Advisory board endorses Panama Canal expansion Richardson, Veitch to be honored with AOTOS award Oakland export boxes fall Maritime Day ceremonies honor merchant seamen

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
UK minister promises ports review with open mind and open arms to investors The UK's Shipping Minister has promised an open-minded ports review to 2030, excluding nothing but investment protectionism, which he said had been 'very damaging' to US investment attractiveness. Bureaucratic hat-tricks keep towage competition shut out of Le Havre Netherlands towage firm Kotug has accused France of 'uninhibited indecisiveness and protectionism', after another administrative blow against its new independent harbour towage operation at Le Havre. Weekend blockade adds to Santos woes ACCC tackles stevedores' power New Mooring decision due next month Suez 'all-water' services mooted as solution for both UK and USEC Seoul to debate port security fee Maersk expands NZ-South Pacific service TWIC proposals published, setting consultation clock ticking

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
New tug burns on Hudson Crowley ATB unit launched less than two months ago has engine fire on Hudson River, but no one hurt. Deal of the year It has been a year of mega acquisitions of companies and fleets but who has pulled off the hottest transaction? Vote in TradeWinds latest poll and you could soon have an Apple iPod nano in your pocket. Clarksons snatches Braemar pair Andi Case and Julian Brynteson have quit Braemar Seascope to take senior positions at rival London brokerage. Soft landing US-flag operator Maritrans unfurls golden parachutes for top management. Freak wave injures five Unlucky vessel Pont-Aven causes Britanny Ferries more headaches as freak wave causes damage and injuries. Guadalupe chief walks Former chief engineer of OMI tanker gets probation and fine as government closes Guadalupe waste oil case. First quarter jump at LSC Lithuanian dry cargoship owner posts profit rise, after offloading two old bulkers. Double Hull profit climbs Charter revenue of OSG tanker owning spin off rises under profit sharing deal. Namura burns its bridges Japanese yard will bring hull block assembly 100% in-house by cutting back on bridge-building operations. QM2 crewman remanded Filipino electrician will remain in UK custody on murder charge until court case on 26 May. Baalu backs yards Indian shipping minister could provide up to $1.5bn for modernisation of country's expanding shipbuilding sector. Prisco tanker attacked Armed pirates make off with a sum of cash as Russian tanker is attacked off the coast of Guinea. Skaugen gets tanked up Norwegian owner takes 50% stake in Chinese cargo tank and cooling plant manufacturer to equip gas carrier newbuildings. Fesco sailor killed Cable crushes Russian sailor as Fesco-owned containership prepares to leave New Zealand port. Drunken cruise captain fired Celebrity Cruises captain fired and facing jail term after being found over the limit on-board vessel in Seattle. Three held in UK Port state inspectors detain trio of ships during April, including North Korean bulker. Harwich has surprise visitor UK port handles its biggest ever vessel after Costa cruiseship diverted from Dover in high winds.

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Horizon plans common stock sale MSC to add Felixstowe to transatlantic loop Costa Container Lines to add Brazil port call to Intramerica service Zim starts Kingston/East Coast South America feeder Emirates Shipping Line names agents for Malta, Tunisia UPS studying needs of smaller Latin America businesses UP improving Oakland/Newark track in California WCO takes baby steps towards mutual recognition of certified shippers GAO: U.S. agriculture still vulnerable to foreign pests Commerce forms deemed export advisory committee Canadian government wants lumber shippers to go along with trade deal China to levy port security charges "K" Line to implement terminal management system at Tacoma

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Order book record ' again Danish shipowners have at present 240 units on order mainly in the Far Eastern area, some 37 ships more than ... Escalation of Norwegian ferry strike Norway's damaging domestic ferry and passenger vessel strike was escalated Saturday when another 21 vessels were hit. For the first ... Svithoid aims at 15 vessels In 3-5 years, Stockholm-based Svithoid Tankers expects to operate at fleet of 15 product tankers below 10,000 DWT ...

	web site
MAY 22, 2006
Ventrin expands team in wake of tanker addition Point Lisas supplier announces new team members after bunkering service goes island-wide. OSG in further US oil spill charges Chief engineer accused of tampering with 'anti-tricking' equipment installed by OSG. Auckland: Marine services team up for oversize bunker call Oversize vessel poses operational difficulties for bunker call. Higher bunker prices boost Singapore wholesale trade Bunkering makes positive contribution to Singapore's Q1 wholesale trade index, though overall slowdown is noted. Rotterdam bears take hold MPA reinstates Singapore supplier's bunker licence The port authority has accepted an Appeals Panel's recommendation to reinstate a supplier's bunker licence.