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Shipping News

More needed to counter fuel costs
In the same way that Western medicine is said to treat the symptoms and not the cause of an illness, the current measures that most shipping companies are taking to deal with the rising cost of fuel may not work in the long run.
China takes delivery of second locally built LNG tanker
China took delivery of the second locally built liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in Shanghai last week as the world's second-biggest energy user imports more of the cleaner-burning fuel to meet rising domestic demand.

Strait Talk

Move with care on slow steaming
HIGH bunker prices, as well as environmental considerations, have led many shipowners to consider 'slow steaming' as a way of reducing fuel consumption.

web site

Shipping News

More needed to counter fuel costs
In the same way that Western medicine is said to treat the symptoms and not the cause of an illness, the current measures that most shipping companies are taking to deal with the rising cost of fuel may not work in the long run.
China takes delivery of second locally built LNG tanker
China took delivery of the second locally built liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in Shanghai last week as the world's second-biggest energy user imports more of the cleaner-burning fuel to meet rising domestic demand.

Strait Talk

Move with care on slow steaming
HIGH bunker prices, as well as environmental considerations, have led many shipowners to consider 'slow steaming' as a way of reducing fuel consumption.

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Sinotrans-CTS merger would create firm second to Cosco in size Pearl River feeder group to levy US$30.75 BAF per FEU in August Chongqing road freight rate up 15 to 20pc Maersk Line celebrates 80th birthday, looks back at first '200-TEU' ship Cargo up, but Kenyan agents and forwarders die off in face of modernity Hangzhou express industry to impose rate increase Heavy lift airline Maximus nearly doubles revenue in first half TNT launches Thailand road hub for heavy freight network connectivity Deccan to set up Indian farmers' cargo hub at Nagpur (Mihan) Airport South African Airways named airline of the year

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"K" Line (India) to provide enhanced services to trade GE's shipping institute drafting new course for officers ESC, ELAA back European law on application of competition rules to liner shipping Transpacific rates to stay under pressure, but Europe-Mideast-China's rates will head North-report Slower growth in oil demand, new armada of tankers may combine to shrink bottomlines, says survey Soyameal exports in June shoot up by unprecedented 270 pc Petrochem products exports face curbs Silk exports retain sheen despite rising rupee 70 pc price difference! Hong Kong accounts for exports worth $ 6 bn in 2007-08 Port strike averted at 11th hour Baalu lists steps taken to improve cargo capacity CBEC chief launches courier operations at Ahmedabad ACC Cargo movers now prefer 4-wheeler light commercial vehicles Unique concept launched to revolutionise logistics industry India's trade environment satisfactory-WB report Minister urges PM to review export duty on iron or CBEC may be renamed CBECST

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JULY 15, 2008
Emirates increases Sao Paulo frequency Rumour that FedEx wants to buy TNT

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JULY 15, 2008
ICS "surprised" by Med levy proposal Golar and Bluewater link for SA bid Seadrill takes delivery of ultra-deepwater drillship OOCL ship saves 14 ABS and PRS in bulker safety project

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JULY 15, 2008
Island Offshore back at Aker Yards Drill package start-up woes for Seadrill semi Bush and Pelosi spar over OCS drilling DNV type approval for ballast water treatment system Bollinger delivers tank barge to K-Sea

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JULY 15, 2008
Containerships could be forced off-hire by fuel costs NOL chief executive Ron Widdows has predicted service pull-backs as capacity begins to outstrip demand. New NOL chief Widdows won't rule out mergers Imarex and Baltic clash on Worldscale rate equivalents BALTIC and brokerage run into discrepancy problems on first day of publishing complementary rates.

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JULY 15, 2008
Poland wins EU extension POLAND has been given an extension until October to come up with a restructuring and privatisation plan for its shipyards. Brazilian fund to thrash out deal DEBORAH Teixeira, the head of the Fundo de Mercante Marinha maritime fund, will meet with Brazilian transport ministry officials this week to seek a solution to the funding crisis affecting its yards SCI building at half-speed SHIPPING Corp of India has been able to place just half of its planned orders because yards across the globe are overbooked ' just as government figures continue to show a drop in Indian-flagged tonnage Seven killed at Vietnam port A CRANE collapsed today as it was being set up at a port in Vietnam, killing seven workers, Vietnam's government-run newspaper has reported Brazil oil strike called ineffective BRAZIL's Campos Basin platforms have enacted contingency moves to counter strikers and are producing at more than 96% of capacity, the government-run oil giant Petrobras has claimed STX to spend $35M on China yard SOUTH Korea's STX Shipbuilding plans to invest 35Bn won ($34.7M) to set up a wholly owned subsidiary in China, STX (Dalian) Business

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JULY 15, 2008
Legislators pass California box fee bill The $30-per-TEU charge at LA-Long Beach and Oakland would help fund infrastructure, air quality improvement projects. ILWU contract talks continue Samudera adds feeder ExpressRail Staten Island tops box volume estimates Nelson quits Jaxport board Lamy: Doha deal possible Halifax TEUs tumble OSHA plans shipyard safety course First flight for Boeing freighter India averts port strike Botany terminal tops record

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Halifax box decline prompts CN rail cutback More strike woes for Brazilian shippers DP World Southampton hope new cranes bring better fortune UK's coastguard chief urges extra vigilance during weekend strike

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JULY 15, 2008
Brazil takes four Petrobras signs five- and six-year drilling contracts for four Transocean-owned units, including a drillship. Making waves ABS and Polish Register join hands in R&D efforts in elderly bulker reliability and vessel stability in extreme waves. Ultra spin-off Analyst estimates that George Economou's proposed spin-off of ultra-deepwater assets could mean a $67-per-share dividend of the new company's stock. Scrap happy Marad trumpets $5.77m in sales of seven merchant reserve fleet ships to recycling firms. Crunched! Lloyd Fonds slashes profit forecast in half amid murky financial markets and lines up 'savings measures'. Not so fast Anders Holm-led Nexus pays out $34m to put back the delivery of its second vessel. Two to rise Analyst says Teekay Tankers and Hansson-led Nordic American should be best performers during earnings season. Greek ship clipped Panamax bulk-carrier Atlantic Eagle damaged after striking object off Western Australia. Island adds one Norwegian offshore owner returns to Aker Yards to ink $240m newbuilding. African boost Suezmax owners to win more business into Europe in coming weeks as US demand falls, output rises. Daewoo delay Unions preventing Korea Development Bank staff from carrying out due diligence. Mercy mission MOL's training ship delivers aid to typhoon-hit Philippines, as cadets help with clean-up. Boxing clever Feedership operator Qatar Navigation has revealed a much higher profit for the first six months of 2008. Sevan exercises Oslo-listed offshore player to take up options on two drilling units in China, says Cosco. Infamous five Quintet of boxships make up Hong Kong's June detention list, including Yang Ming and Hapag-Lloyd vessels. Golar gets Gandria Hoegh vessel goes to Gary Smith-led owner as it chases FSRU opening with PetroSA. FOE flags costs Fred Olsen Energy warns of increased costs as newbuilds come on stream, but profit on the up. Seadrill stalled Start-up of John Fredriksen's latest rig newbuilding delayed by two months after testing overruns. Take it back! Vietnam's Hyundai-Vinashin Shipyard facing penalty after trying to bury waste in small village. Football frenzy A record turn-out of 19 teams battled for 2008's Marine Challenge Cup in London, but who came out on top? Ferry death UK police name man who fell from LD Lines ship in English Channel. Handy six pack Chinese owner to order handymax sextet for greener and more efficient inland and coastal trades. Monopoly over Malta to issue international tender for ferry services to smaller island of Gozo. US aids Timber Crew of stricken Lehmann Timber said to be "in good condition" as US Navy destroyer intervenes. Tallink trouble Workers wants 50% pay hike from Estonian ferry owner, with strike action threatened. Fresh finance Geophysical firm Polarcus secures $140m in extra financing to go towards newbuilds. Petra fixes pair Malaysian offshore player charters two anchor handlers to domestic oil major Petronas. Gdynia strike? Polish shipyard workers voting on walk-out over possible closure in restructuring row with Europe. Baoshan buys in Steel giant fuses with China Merchants Holdings to headline $600m expansion of Zhanjiang Port. Pemex says no Mexican oil company rejects domestic owner TMM's offer of five products tankers for charter. Back to normal Singapore's PSA sees year-on-year increase of nearly 12% in volumes, as Jurong slips to 5.5%.

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JULY 15, 2008
FEFC downgrades volumes Andersen joins Inchcape Shipping Services Boeing teething problems during first-flight test of 777 Freighter GAO: CBP officers at land border ports need more radiation detectors Martin appointed president of Waterways Council Krebs promoted to senior VP of Mid-Ship Marine Nitto Sinotrans lease distribution space in Dalian PMA notes isolated ILWU slowdown actions, talks continue Lowenthal amends Calif. container fee bill, vote could come Tuesday S.C., Ga. joint port project moves forward Court: Puerto Rico Port Authority immune from complaint

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JULY 15, 2008
Fuel prices affecting armed services The US Navy looks at alternative ways to reduce fuel consumption. End of Durban ex-pipe bunkering one step closer Durban 'desperate for another barge' although spot market outlook remains grim. Arbitrage volumes at eight month low Western fuel cargoes dip as demand stays weak and freight rates climb. Global bunker market report Gazprom Neft gives bunker sales figures Russian oil giant sold over a quarter of a million tonnes in first six months of the year. Office move for O.W. Bunker South Africa Rotterdam market firming again Fresh highs for Singapore and other Asian ports Another day of record bunker prices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo Bay. Felixstowe invests in oil spill equipment UK's biggest port is ready to handle oil pollution emergencies. Japanese fishermen strike over soaring fuel costs Unprecedented nationwide protest as cost of fuel triples since 2004. Petrobras opens bid for 22 new tankers Newbuildings wanted include three bunker tankers, eight product carriers, and four suezmaxes. Salvage firm needs to ensure 'zero oil spill' Philippine Coast Guard concerned about the bunker fuel still trapped in sunken ferry.