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Shipping News

Shipping downturn bottoming out
THE downturn in the global container shipping sector has nearly bottomed out with the start of a cyclical upturn expected by 2008 bringing with it a 5 per cent rise in freight rates across all major trades, according to a bullish new Credit Suisse report.
Royal Caribbean posts US$46.6m Q4 earnings
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises, the world's second-largest cruise operator, posted its first fourth-quarter profit since 2002 on revenue from its Freedom of the Seas ship.
PSA Int'l signs accord to run Pakistan port
PSA International announced yesterday the signing of a 40-year concession agreement to run Pakistan's China-built multi-purpose port at Gwadar, confirming several earlier media reports about the deal.

Strait Talk

Get real on minimum manning
AS A RULE, the statements coming from the International Shipping Federation are well thought out and sensible.

web site

Shipping News

Shipping downturn bottoming out
THE downturn in the global container shipping sector has nearly bottomed out with the start of a cyclical upturn expected by 2008 bringing with it a 5 per cent rise in freight rates across all major trades, according to a bullish new Credit Suisse report.
Royal Caribbean posts US$46.6m Q4 earnings
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises, the world's second-largest cruise operator, posted its first fourth-quarter profit since 2002 on revenue from its Freedom of the Seas ship.
PSA Int'l signs accord to run Pakistan port
PSA International announced yesterday the signing of a 40-year concession agreement to run Pakistan's China-built multi-purpose port at Gwadar, confirming several earlier media reports about the deal.

Strait Talk

Get real on minimum manning
AS A RULE, the statements coming from the International Shipping Federation are well thought out and sensible.

	web site

Software firm sees disaster July 1 with new UK customs system Liaoning foreign trade value up 18pc last year Lianyungang handled 60,000 TEU sea-rail intermodal boxes in 2006 Singapore's PSA granted investment licence for new port in Vietnam Idaho becomes ACE compliant at Canadian border points Geodis launches new web site Lufthansa Cargo starts company for airfreight handling QantasLink to expand regional aircraft fleet Sun Hung Kai Properties, Cathay Pacific vie for HK terminal contract

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Shipowners spent whopping $ 106 bn on fleet expansion in 2006 Used rigs become costlier than new ones SKS (Ship), IWAI form JV to build & operate small ships on waterways Dumping duty/CVD on Chinese industrial products mooted MoS for formation of council to resolve port sector issues India may help Myanmar develop Sittwe port to benefit of N-E states Sesa Goa now using NMP to export ore Vizag Port excels again in alumina powder discharge Lalu rules out private sector role in Rlys' core sector Foreign airlines may be allowed 49 pc stake in cargo operations China executes projects on time, says Chidambaram Petro production boosts core sector growth to 8.3 pc in Dec. Subsidy for pepper export withdrawn Optimism builds up on GDP growth rate Team visits China, Singapore to study SEZ tax sops

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Fonseca new COO of TNT Express Western Europe CREATE3S - a new short sea shipping concept DHL launches domestic express airfreight service in China Serbia: Zelvoz rail carriage factory up for sale

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Golden Ocean fixes capesize vessels Famous Pacific looks for a boss PSA in Vietnam port project WWL picks Iversen

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
AAPA: Budget underfunds port security, dredging Statoil signs emergency response vessel LOI's

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BP takes control OIL major takes back control of ships' officers in its growing fleet from the hands of Dorchester Atlantic Marine. BP looks at fitting scrubbers on new tankers Panama signs-up for IMO flag-state audit THE Panama Maritime Authority has submitted a formal application to participate in the voluntary flag state audit. More Calls for novel approach to tackle ship emissions INTERNATIONAL Chamber of Shipping proposes new 'goal-based' approach, by encouraging innovation, and balancing it against the available technology.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Euro cruise 'now worth $10.75Bn' BRUSSELS 06 February ' European cruise tourism is currently valued at €8.3Bn ($10.75Bn) in direct expenditure, according to figures released by the European Cruise Council Defence clock ticking for Trafigura COMMODITY trader and charterer Trafigura has been given until June to file a defence in the UK High Court against a claim by poisoning victims in the Ivory Coast last year Russian oil export plans clarified THE Russian companies in charge of a new crude oil export pipeline to the Aegean have set up a formal consortium, but President Putin says he favours direct deliveries Tirrenia goes head-to-head ITALIAN state-controlled ferry operator Tirrenia di Navigazione is to open its five top routes to competition from private sector operators, without the benefit of subsidies Rickmers to raise $300M from listing GERMANY'S Rickmers is to raise about $300M from a listing in Singapore of a business trust based on its container vessels, financial sources said today Hugo strengthens ties with Requiaos THE special relationship between Venezuela president Hugo Chavez and Brazil's Requiao brothers has marked another milestone Celebrity confirms technical fixes Cruise shares dip on outlook Owners shocked by Pan Canal toll hike Over-ordering 'could burst bubble'

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Retailers oppose all-scan, urge Congress to support scan pilot program National Retail Federation urges Senate Committee to reject proposal to add 100-percent scanning of U.S.-bound cargo to recently-passed House security legislation. Port of Tacoma expects slim TEU growth in 2007 U.S. air cargo falls Marad will require MSP repairs in U.S. yards Customs Update: H.R. 1 and more data requirements Little delay expected for Wilmington cranes after mishap India port strike postponed KCS hits profit mark APL's Agron to Customs trade security panel New chief for UK's ABP PSA gets Gwadar terminal

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
UPDATED: CSCL in talks to buy stake in UK truck firm China Shipping Container Lines is in negotiations to acquire shares in a truck company based in the UK. Long Beach proposes new container terminal Hutchison, APM Terminals look for Brisbane stake Heavy rain curbs box-traffic at Indonesian hub Alianca to press ahead with new terminal despite increasing S. Brazilian capacity Rickmers Group to raise US$300m through boxship-trust listing in Singapore Australian shippers face rising charges Box backlog diminishing at Deltaport PSA projects Gwadar as part of network, with added spur to inland links Northern Europe sees biggest rises in December retail spending

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
'The mini Frontline' US analyst thinks Golden Ocean's relationship with SFI will literally pay big dividends. Finance costs hit USS Profits fall 70% for tanker and barge operator in 2006, as trouble mounts on latest newbuilding. US Shipping, Chinese hulls Jones Act power is serious about double-hulling up to six elderly ITBs, but not in US shipyards. Rickmers for Lion listing? Favourable Singapore tax exemptions could tempt German boxship owner into $300m shipping fund listing. BLRT to benefit Norway's Fiskerstrand to use Estonian yard group for hull work after new Saaremaa order. PTSC sets sights on IPO Philippines National Oil Co's shipping arm wants two more tankers to boost value ahead of listing. Gibson taps Richardson Master helmsman fingered to take over as next head of UK broker. BP in manning overhaul Oil major to take direct control of officer recruitment after ending twenty-year relationship with Dorchester Marine. SCI orders two MRs in China Jingling Shipyard to build two 47,000-dwt product tankers for Shipping Corp of India. Malaysia mobilises Malacca force Coast guard agency wants new patrol ships and thousands more staff to combat piracy. Damen teams with Vinashin New Dutch-Vietnamese joint venture yard in Haiphong will focus on offshore ships and tugs. NSCSA opts out Saudi VLCC owner exits one-ship chemical carrier joint venture with boxship player UASC, netting $4m profit. Svithoid makes it six Long-term charter of Turkish tanker adds to Swedish newcomer's growing fleet. Samskip swallows Saltire Icelandic reefer player buys Scottish NVOCC to broaden UK reach. Ship pilot missing in US Search reportedly called off for man who fell into sea while transferring to US-flagged bulk carrier. Action averted downunder Standoff between ITF and Greek capesize owner halted after co-ordinator boards vessel in Australia at second attempt. Precious pockets $40m Thai shipowner rakes in the cash after fleet spring-clean. Vinashin unveils offshore unit New subsidiary Vinaoffshore to build floating storage and offloading ships. SFI bags GOG pair Two Golden Ocean capesize newbuildings at Daehan sold to Ship Finance International and leased back for 15 years. Wartsila in dreamland Finnish ship engine maker calls 2006 the best year in the history of modern shipbuilding. Kuribayashi keeps profit coming Japanese owner continues earnings resurrection with strong nine-month result. PGS adds one Norwegian offshore vessel owner charters in eleventh ship for seismic survey work. Precious sells Wana Naree Bangkok-based shipowner sheds first tonnage of 2007 with sale of 1980-built handysize bulker.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Asian carriers' shares jump after ratings upgrade FEFC doubling St. Petersburg emergency surcharge Wallenius Wilhelmsen selects Iversen as president, CEO CTSA's bunker surcharges stay put Rickmers Group names three box ships FastShip seeking cargo commitments Evergreen's Chang receives Tan Sri title from Malaysia Pilot missing in Delaware Bay United's January cargo down 11% SAS Cargo appoints Knudsen VP of global sales Bush seeks $67 billion for DOT FedEx Freight launches long-haul LTL service DHS requests 8% budget increase Texas firm to alter face of California fuel market Kuehne + Nagel buys Norwegian customs clearance firm TDS Logistics, Walsh Western merge CORRECTION: H.R. 1 comes with hefty price tag Famous Pacific looking to fill new role AAPA frustrated by funding level for dredging Panama Canal releases addition details on toll hikes RBS gives Ontario Teachers credit facility for terminals PSA signs 40-year Gwadar concession Port of Los Angeles commissioners doubt need for new oil terminals ABP selects Jones to replace Lerenius "Queen Mary 2" sets record for San Francisco Bay

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Former Sovjet submarine sank off the Danish coast A former Sovjet submarine of the Whiskey class sank yesterday some 25 nautical miles off Thybor'n on the Danish westcoast ... Sweeping WW management changes Nils Petter Dyvik is to step down as president and CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) from 1 April to ... Golden Ocean sells to SFI and b/b charter back John Fredriksen controlled Golden Ocean sells two 170,000 DWT capesize newbuildings from Daehan Shipbuilding in China to Ship Finance International ...

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FEBRUARY 6, 2007
Fresh look at scrubbers Wärtsilä says its marine scrubber portfolio will include scrubbers with a difference. Lube producers brace for REACH Legislation New European chemicals legislation will challenge lube manufacturers but may have limited cost impact for marine lube buyers. ARA market remains firm Hopes fade for an end to Mumbai bunker crisis State authorities "still deliberating" as bunker volumes fall. Asian market faces price surge Taiwan's CPC raises posted prices to curb "huge buying demand" from owners searching for fuel in tight East Asian market.