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Shipping News

Liner agreements key to growth, say shipowners
ASIAN shipowners and operators have reaffirmed what they say is the 'important role' of shipping line agreements in maintaining the health of the liner trade but acknowledged they need to make greater efforts in seeking the understanding of shippers and governments.
Asian shipowners seek leading role
REFLECTING the growing significance of Asia and the Asian commercial fleet, the Asian Shipowners' Forum is moving forward with plans to establish a permanent presence to strengthen its voice on the global maritime stage.
Indian logistics firm sees profits soar with Singapore base
AN Indian logistics and express cargo company which set up its regional base in Singapore recently has seen its turnover grow to $11 million in just nine months.
No piracy in Jamaican waters, says port official

Strait Talk

The brave move to cash in on hull conversion rules
WHEN, in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident, the International Maritime Organization introduced regulations phasing out single-hull tankers, it was widely assumed that there would be very few conversions of vessels from single to double-hull configuration.

web site

Shipping News

Liner agreements key to growth, say shipowners
ASIAN shipowners and operators have reaffirmed what they say is the 'important role' of shipping line agreements in maintaining the health of the liner trade but acknowledged they need to make greater efforts in seeking the understanding of shippers and governments.
Asian shipowners seek leading role
REFLECTING the growing significance of Asia and the Asian commercial fleet, the Asian Shipowners' Forum is moving forward with plans to establish a permanent presence to strengthen its voice on the global maritime stage.
Indian logistics firm sees profits soar with Singapore base
AN Indian logistics and express cargo company which set up its regional base in Singapore recently has seen its turnover grow to $11 million in just nine months.
No piracy in Jamaican waters, says port official

Strait Talk

The brave move to cash in on hull conversion rules
WHEN, in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident, the International Maritime Organization introduced regulations phasing out single-hull tankers, it was widely assumed that there would be very few conversions of vessels from single to double-hull configuration.

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Schenker Logistics signs lease agreement for second Kedah facility New US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner named PierPASS diverts 2m trucks from LA daytime port traffic

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AGS World Transport launches India operations, assures dedication & commitment Exporters urge MoS to streamline ship hiring norms MICT's reefer slots bear fruit! PPT's bid to augment cargo throughput CONCOR runs 30-FEU-laden train from ICD-Sanathnagar to Vizag Port CWC joins hands with Rlys to set up warehouse at Kandla Port Ensure proper use of green box concept-G-20 PPP in core projects: Empowered group to frame common norms for bidders FM for 'Plan outside of Plan' by states IT Ministry enters SEZ fray; seeks removal of tier-III norm PMO favours extension of SEZ tax sops to STPs

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MAY 30, 2006
Shoot-out off Mogadishu Strong LPG market boosts BW Gas Strong LPG market boosts BW Gas New ship lifts Golar's profit LR in PSC initiative

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MAY 30, 2006
Kvichak builds cats for Puerto Rico Incat wins order for 112 m cats Wartsila power for Tallink and Color Line ships

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Allianz sets new course as it sheds marine reinsurance EUROPE'S largest insurer, Allianz, is exiting the active marine reinsurance business. As part of the reorganisation of its industrial insurance operations the company has already shed business with a premium volume of €60m ($77m), Allianz manager Axel Theis said. More will follow. ITF calls for a 'cultural shift' in seafarer safety A CULTURAL change needs to take place to protect seafarers from carrying out illegal acts such as double book-keeping or they could face penalties for asserting their rights, according to the head of the International Transport Workers Federation. Gulf Navigation shrugs off market fears with IPO plan GULF Navigation plans to raise almost $250m through an initial public offering to support its fleet expansion programme, writes Tony Gray. Antitrust immunity must not be abolished, say Asian shipowners ASIAN shipowners say that antitrust immunity is crucial for the health of the shipping industry.

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MAY 30, 2006
Asians to set up owners secretariat ASIAN Shipowners' Forum members have recorded a "strong will" to set up a secretariat to represent their interests on a permanent basis, as Asian companies become ever more influential Grindrod CEO Clark to step down GRINDROD chief executive Ivan Clark is to step down at the end of the year Stena cuts back on HSS sailings STENA Line has reduced the number of sailings operated by its three HSS fast ferries in response to the continuing high oil prices Buyout targets US terminal operator KINDER Morgan, a giant in the US products and coal terminal sectors, is the target of the largest management buyout in history Grimaldi boosts Tyrrhenian links GRIMALDI Group of Naples has started a new route linking Civitavecchia, Catania and Valletta with the ro-pax vessel Euroferry Malta Bulker sinking: last victim sought SPAIN'S maritime safety authority is seeking the remaining seafarer from a sunken cement carrier after the body of the first officer was found Civitavecchia cruise award blocked Aruba loses Carnival's cruise calls Viral infection ends cruise North-Western profit collapses Golar sees bright future for gas Malacca move disappoints owners Pan Canal to offer extra auction slot

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MAY 30, 2006
Maersk plans to cut ship emissions Pilot program using ultra low-sulfur fuel could provide ocean carriers with a practical way to meet strict port pollution standards. Senate confirms Basham as Customs chief "K" Line terminal unit signs Long Beach lease Early gains for Seaway NOL volumes increase Vancouver leads PNW ports LA-Long Beach to get 'clean' locos Butler joins CSNA FedEx buys Watkins, expands LTL unit Conflo Lines looks to open Libya market

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MAY 30, 2006
Netherlands road and barge estimate 'damages' from ECT delays The container trucking section of Netherlands road haulage organisation TLN has tabled 'damages' of '1m (US$1.28m) per week for delays following ECT's terminal-system changeover. Asian shipowners: shipping industry needs anti-trust crutch to stay healthy Anti-trust immunity is a key factor in ensuring the health of the shipping industry, according to the Asian Shipowners' Forum, citing long-term investment planning. Global box terminal capacity crunch will see charges rise OOCL and TSK to launch joint service SITC to launch new China/Japan service New Orleans to build two postpanamax berths as recovery gathers pace South Korea to overhaul port control, streamlining utilisation FESCO's German ships near completion US Customs nominee passed by Senate

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MAY 30, 2006
SDS vs LMSR The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is claiming credit for interfering with the loading of the Maersk-operated USNS Pomeroy. Quintana retains lead Support for rivals in TradeWinds "Deal of the Year" poll is growing but Paul Slater still believes Theodore Angelopoulos has pulled off a notable ship sale coup. Novoship defends result A difference in Russian and international accounting practices explains profit slump, Novoship says. Chinese deny ore story Unconfirmed reports of capesize charter action overnight could mean somebody jumped the gun as confusion reigns over the price of iron ore. Union targets Blue Star Maersk's Hamburg containership manager latest to face boycott action in German ports. Fantaasia goes to Morocco Moroccan ferry company emerges as eventual charterer of Tallink's Fantaasia. Spirit of Tasmania faces axe Tasmanian government to decide on fate of struggling ferry next week, but ship looks doomed. Attica denies takeover Greek ferry operator pours cold water on media reports of interest in north European expansion. SNCM sale rubber-stamped Controversial sell-off of loss-making French ferry line approved by European Commission. Louis logs a loss Doubled deficit fails to dent optimism at Cypriot cruise group. Norden profit plunges Danish shipowner still rings up $55m result despite declining freight market reducing ebitda by over 40%. Hurtigruten goes south Rapid expansion into Antarctic cruising hurts the Hurtigruten Group of Norway as losses widen. Cash for Ketchikan Alaskan shipbuilder to benefit from $70m in state funds as it seeks to boost capacity. Up and down at BW Gas Revenues up at Bergesen Worldwide Gas but profit halved as net financial items dwindle. Wartsila seals ferry double Finnish engine maker supplying power for Tallink and Color Line vessels. Golar scores in first quarter Norwegian LNG carrier owner sees profits jump with addition of newbuilding and better spot rates.

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MAY 30, 2006
APL's volumes up, revenues down China Shipping establishes two Dubai agencies NYK opens representative office in Moscow OOCL, TSK Line to merge Middle East services NYK conducts joint antiterrorism drill with Hong Kong police FedEx buys Watkins Motor Lines CBP roll out of truck manifest nears completion Canadian Pacific Railway finalizes sale of Latta Subdivision UP improving Blairstown/Nevada track in Iowa "K" Line affiliate starts trucking services in Guangdong Province Norfolk Southern line resumes service Senate confirms Basham to lead CBP Kuehne + Nagel opens logistics center in Bratislava Toll issues notice of compulsory acquisition to Patrick shareholders GeoLogistics, Nor-Cargo team up Clark resigns as Grindrod CEO U-Freight switches Korean freight hub, promotes Chung Port Everglades, airport combination proposed "K" Line and Long Beach lease calls for cold-ironing of ships Maersk vessels to burn low sulfur fuel near California coast

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MAY 30, 2006
Transatlantic expands offshore fleet Transatlantic in Skärhamn, Sweden has through its 50/50-owned associated company Trans Viking aquired an AHTS vessel (Anchor Handling ... Gard financial health improves Gard P&I, with 130 million grt worth of tonnage in its books, has announced a surplus of USD 49.0 ...

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MAY 30, 2006
Low-sulphur fuel will cost Maersk 'millions' more Shipowner carrying extra cost and shrugging off concerns with fuel switching in California waters. Record bunker delivery time achieved in Rotterdam 700 cst fuel oil supplied at speeds up to 2,200 mt/h during trials to test the maximum intake on AP Møller-Maersk vessels. Mediterranean: New oil & bunkering terminal in operation from mid-2007 The new port development has been mooted as a very strong competitor to ports in the Gibraltar triangle. Istanbul's third bunker conference gets underway The third International Istanbul Bunker Conference, organised by the Turkish Bunker Association, gets underway today. Prices hold steady in Singapore market Bunker prices relatively unchanged since last Friday, avails of MGO remains tight.