BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Push for ending tax on cadet berths
IN an attempt to tackle an impending critical shortage of seafarers, global tanker group Intertanko is pushing for an exemption from tonnage taxes for designated cadet berths on board ships as it promotes its policy of having two cadet berths per vessel.
China shipyard to invest 2m yuan in maritime IPOs
GUANGZHOU Shipyard International, the mainland's only publicly traded shipbuilder, will take advantage of its substantial cash reserves to invest two million yuan in mainland shipping-related companies at their initial public offering stage, The Standard reported on Monday.
Asia bulk freight rates at 28-month high
BULK freight rates for major Asian routes hit a 28-month high yesterday, as demand for time-charter bookings increased and port congestion persisted, tightening available tonnage.

Strait Talk

A project that needs support
THE welfare of seafarers is not something the bunker industry normally has time to get particularly concerned about.

web site

Shipping News

Push for ending tax on cadet berths
IN an attempt to tackle an impending critical shortage of seafarers, global tanker group Intertanko is pushing for an exemption from tonnage taxes for designated cadet berths on board ships as it promotes its policy of having two cadet berths per vessel.
China shipyard to invest 2m yuan in maritime IPOs
GUANGZHOU Shipyard International, the mainland's only publicly traded shipbuilder, will take advantage of its substantial cash reserves to invest two million yuan in mainland shipping-related companies at their initial public offering stage, The Standard reported on Monday.
Asia bulk freight rates at 28-month high
BULK freight rates for major Asian routes hit a 28-month high yesterday, as demand for time-charter bookings increased and port congestion persisted, tightening available tonnage.

Strait Talk

A project that needs support
THE welfare of seafarers is not something the bunker industry normally has time to get particularly concerned about.

	web site

WTSA to hike rates for Asia-bound wastepaper Yantian box handlers end strike, gaining rights and pay hike Houston port seeks approval for US$5m in security funding Ghana opens container terminal at Tema Port NZ to provide software for new Gdansk box terminal in Poland Joint funding for Fraser River debris trap approved Asiana Airlines links up with Cargo Community Network MidAmerica Airport lands first international cargo flight GM picks FedEx as best supplier for 9th year

	web site

Globelink WW to strengthen presence in India Essar Shipping & Logistics to acquire 6 vessels under foreign flag Pirates free Indian & UN ships Kochi becomes shipping exam centre Oilmeal exports yield Rs 4,300 cr. NMPT celebrates Maritime Day Foreign outfits to be roped into dredging JVs Kulkarni announces bonus settlement Sethu channel dredging work resumes Puducherry port construction suspended Consultants for preliminary study of 4 new rail freight corridors may be selected by May-end CONCOR to offer end-to-end solutions to retain competitive edge ICD-Pithampur puts up good show in 2006-07 BCHAA to initiate dialogue with cargo carriers 8 pc duty may be slapped on 40 textile machinery items Exporter-friendly foreign trade policy on cards Rice exporters seek uniform tax policy RIL mega SEZ may split into 5 zones US trade chief coming tomorrow New regional chiefs of CII for 2007-08

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Two missing following Greek cruise sinking ITF responds to Slovenian allegations MOL to launch 44 new iron ore carriers Busan cruise terminal opens

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Bharati Shipyard issues clarification on Swan deal Lockheed offers Navy new LCS proposal Marad reorganizes India's ABG wins four ship order from Cyprus Fred Olsen to stretch Norwegian Crown VT to supply Trinidad & Tobago Coastguard vessels

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Plenty of places of refuge available says EU MORE than half of the European Union's coastal states have identified their entire coastline as potential places of refuge for ships in distress, says the European commission. Samsung cautions on LNG carrier orders SOUTH Korean yard warns that LNG carrier orders will likely fall at the bottom end of predictions as projects continue to suffer delays. Sea Diamond sinking down to 'human error' GREEK Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyannis says focus is now on environmental protection and finding missing passengers.

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Kefaloyannis focuses on human error SANTORINI 10 April ' Greek shipping minister Manolis Kefaloyannis went to Santorini today to visit the site of the Sea Diamond sinking Ezra buys into engineering firm EZRA Holdings, which operates a fleet of support vessels for charter to the offshore oil and gas industry, has bought a 21% stake in engineering group Nylect Technology Migrant Watch: US/Caribbean#3 SEVEN Cuban migrants rescued last Thursday (5 April) were said to be the the latest in a small but growing number arriving in south-west rather than eastern Florida by sea Migrant Watch: US/Caribbean#2 ELEVEN members of a Cuban-American migrant smuggling ring were indicted yesterday in Miami Migrant Watch: US/Caribbean#1 THEUS Congress is considering a new bill to bolster USCG efforts to stop maritime migrant smuggling, making the activity a federal felony with heavy penalties Pirates take over products tanker THE IMB Piracy Reporting Centre this week records what was effectively the hijack of a products tanker in Indonesian waters on the afternoon of 14 March PNSC shares soar on blaze report Kremlin pushes for gas cartel Fred Olsen to lengthen Balmoral Rokia Delmas dismantling begins Collision reveals poor communications MOL unveils ore fleet expansion 20 feared lost after China collision China yard launches Singapore IPO

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Retailers predict record U.S. container volumes coming this summer Survey urges shippers to plan ahead for their logistics needs as this year's peak shipping season is shaping up to be the busiest ever. China cuts steel export rebate Italia Marittima upgrades trans-Pacific all-water service DP World targets huge increase in terminal capacity Marad reorganizes offices No change for TACA fuel fee U.S. Lines adds Oakland call NWA Cargo opens freighter service to Guangzhou Surge for 3PL market Talks resume after strike at Port-of-Spain Wilmington deploys cranes

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Fifty per cent increased throughput not enough to ensure KIT profit A 50% year-on-year increase in container throughput by Korea International Terminals was not enough to stave off an operating loss of KRW3bn (US$3.24m) in 2006. China's Q1 trade surplus blossoms ' with taste of bitter fruit to come A "surprise" fall in China's March trade surplus has obscured a Q1-on-Q1 rise of nearly 100% in the country's trade surplus, to US$46.4bn, sharpening questions of trade relations and currency. Alternatives being sought for East Java shippers Inadequate rolling stock on a rail-link from East Java to BJTI terminal at Tanjung Perak Port Surabaya has prompted complaints from East Java shippers, as well as alternative infrastructure plans. Mumbai Customs House agents to have dialogue with "non-co-operative carriers" US government progressing on radiation monitor upgrade to "smart" machines CN announces new NA operating entity

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
CSCL profit collapse Result of Shanghai based liner operator slumps as a result of higher bunker bills and lower freight rates. Shaken AND stirred Ex-Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and neighbours happy after proposed US LNG terminal is rejected. STX takes two at STX STX Shipbuilding gets $80m order from sister company STX Pan Ocean for supramax duo. G&A damper Overhead costs lower bank's earnings outlook for bulker player, but not its 'buy' rating. One51 doubles ICG stake Potential suitor takes holding in Irish Continental Group to 18% as owner says it will reimburse MBO if it fails. Balmoral cost soars Fred Olsen ploughs extra $80m into lengthening "wonderful" aging cruiseship. Ships freed in Somalia Ransoms paid to secure release of Rozen and Nimatullah with security fears delaying release announcement. Japan collision claims one Chief engineer presumed drowned after ships collide off Japan's Wakayama on Saturday. ABG bags Essar quartet Order for four dry-bulk supramaxes pushes orderbook at Indian yard towards $1bn mark. Swan song has Indian air Bharati Shpiyard said to have scooped up one of UK's oldest shipbuilders Swan Hunter. Cowen heads Economou IPO George Economou-backed Oceanfreight has detailed its initial fleet of long-term chartered bulkers. Profits slide at Ezra Lionel Lee-led offshore operator sees performance dip on less gains from vessel disposals.

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
MarAd office shuffle focuses on infrastructure, environment Tani named chairman of "K" Line's Turkish agency Maritime executive and pioneer Clark dies NWA Cargo starts Guangdong service to shave day off transit time U.S. rail freight down in March CN to expand non-rail services U.S. files WTO complaints against China ADB: India needs $320 billion in infrastructure to increase growth Schwab going to India to strengthen bilateral trade ties Pacer refinances long-term debt Starbucks brewing up expansion in South Carolina Maersk Logistics opens offices in Belarus, Georgia Summit Global Logistics chooses LOG-NET system Panama Canal Authority delays toll hikes APM said to be eyeing New Zealand terminal TraPac to manage Oakland cargo for U.S. Lines CBP Web site to help post-incident trade recovery Call for new container port in London

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Fred Olsen rename and lengthen cruise vessel Cruise vessel Norwegian Crown, currently on bareboat charter to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, will be ... Port of Esbjerg with more cargo and higher profit Port of Esbjerg took it share of the prosperity of Denmark in 2006. The ports profit raised from DKK 22.6 ... Two coasters released from Somalia rebels The two coasters, which were high-jacked outside Mogadishu some weeks ago has been released from the rebels that seized ...

	web site
APRIL 10, 2007
Fujairah projects 'will go ahead' Abu Dhabi's IPIC says it will go ahead with new oil refinery at Fujairah despite the possible withdrawal of JV partner. German owners launch bunker unit Major owners to pool bunker buying with United Fuel Services. Rotterdam market quiet Tuesday morning Titan affirms interest in Chinese market Titan Petrochemicals Group to establish stronger bunkering business in the Shanghai region. Mundra port seeks new terminal Mundra Port, Indian Oiltanking in JV to build liquid products terminal with bunker fuel storage capacity.