BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

DCNS' ambitions take wing
FRENCH naval defence systems provider DCNS is building on its successful partnership with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Marine in the Formidable-class frigate programme to take its ambitions in the region forward.
Navigating through global downturn
IN recent years, shipping's sphere of influence has been moving inexorably eastwards. Asia has become the dominant force in world seaborne trade, affecting both imports and exports, and Asian interests now control more than half of the global merchant fleet.
Rig count to bottom out by Q2: report
Oil and natural gas rigs operating in the United States, which dropped to a five-year low of 1,085 last week, could bottom out at 800 to 1,000 as soon as the second quarter, according to a Pritchard Capital Partners report on Monday.

Strait Talk

Silver lining for marine insurers
I AM writing this from a hotel room overlooking the very busy Middle Eastern bunkering anchorage at Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. A well-informed source tells me that there has been no let-up in the number of ship calls and that a 12-day maximum stay period has been imposed. The restriction is designed to stop owners using the anchorage to lay up their ships.

web site

Shipping News

DCNS' ambitions take wing
FRENCH naval defence systems provider DCNS is building on its successful partnership with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Marine in the Formidable-class frigate programme to take its ambitions in the region forward.
Navigating through global downturn
IN recent years, shipping's sphere of influence has been moving inexorably eastwards. Asia has become the dominant force in world seaborne trade, affecting both imports and exports, and Asian interests now control more than half of the global merchant fleet.
Rig count to bottom out by Q2: report
Oil and natural gas rigs operating in the United States, which dropped to a five-year low of 1,085 last week, could bottom out at 800 to 1,000 as soon as the second quarter, according to a Pritchard Capital Partners report on Monday.

Strait Talk

Silver lining for marine insurers
I AM writing this from a hotel room overlooking the very busy Middle Eastern bunkering anchorage at Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. A well-informed source tells me that there has been no let-up in the number of ship calls and that a 12-day maximum stay period has been imposed. The restriction is designed to stop owners using the anchorage to lay up their ships.

	web site

CKYH rationalise Far East/US East Coast services YICT introduces a new MSC European service Maersk China's chairman Tom Behren-Sorensen resigns COSCO becomes world's fifth largest terminal operator BNSF, CSX expand coverage of US Southeast box service APM Terminals eyes box terminal development in Bristol Melford International Terminal pushes for new box terminal in Halifax GAC Bunker Fuels appoints new general manager China Postal Airlines introduces second Boeing 737-400 freighter Frankfurt, Heathrow, Gatwick air freight keeps on falling V Australia agrees new LA cargo contract with WFS Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport January cargo volume falls to new low

	web site

Maersk Line's ME3 service to call at Port Pipavav MPT Logistics celebrating 4 decades of success Piracy on high seas thwarted Govt seeks Bangladesh's permission for river transit of machinery to Tripura 4S successfully deploys warehouse management software at Rohlig in Poland Exim Bank may extend more loans to Africa Cement export ban sought Market flush with imported edible oils US told to lift curbs on dual-use tech Photographs of Mumbai Port's glorious past on show New 1-day record of unloading ammonium nitrate in bulk by Vizag Por Farmers seek higher compensation for land sold for railway corridor ICD-Sabarmati waives gate fee Ficci study sees optimism gripping 30 pc of companies Fall in forex reserves attributed mainly to valuation losses as RBI stays aloof No order yet on soya oil duty cut Fine-tune IT spending to generate revenues, RBI's Deputy Governor exhorts banking & financial services sector Economy to revive in 7 months-PM WTO warns of 9 pc fall in global trade

	web site
MARCH 23, 2009
Dnata Cargo went all chocolaty for Mother's Day Mothers in the UAE were able to celebrate their recent special day with more chocolate than ever before after Dnata Cargo handled its largest single shipment of the sweet trea... RS Components renews DB Schenker contract for a further 12 months RS Components has reinforced its working relationship with DB Schenker, a provider of European land distribution services across eight countries, by renewing its contract with them... Ceva Logistics: more turnover, less profit in 2008 The Dutch service provider Ceva Logistics reported a net loss of EUR 125 million in 2008, compared to a net loss of EUR 196 million in 2007, and consolidated revenues of EUR 6... FedEx with heavy drop in Q3 profit The US CEP and logistics giant FedEx Corp reported a profit of USD 97 million for Q3, ending on 28 February. This is a major fall of 75%, compared to the same period last year. Rev... Grendi adds third ro-ro vessel to Sardinia trade lane The Italian shipping company Grendi Trasporti Marittimi, based in Genoa, has purchased a third ro-ro ship to strengthen its links from the port of Genoa (Italy) to Caglia... Ship-breaking on tidal beaches is illegal The International Ship Recycling Association (ISRA) is quite clear; Bangladeshi ship breakers who are using tidal beaches are, as ISRA understands the court decision, illegal. The ... CKYH rationalising services The CKYH alliance, comprising Coscon, "K"Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping, is rationalising its Far East' US east coast services, effective April 2009. The CKYH alliance believe... Thomann nominated for this year's Swiss fairness prize Luzi Thomann's commercial vehicle company has been nominated for the highest award for fairness in Swiss industry. The public are able to join in by voting on-line, according to a ... MOL car carrier "Jasmine Ace" escapes pirate attack off Somalia The Tokyo-based shipping line MOL reported that its car carrier "Jasmine Ace" was fired on by pirates in two high-speed boats about 480 miles (about 900 km) east of Somalia on... Finnair strengthens network Finland's national airline Finnair will add three weekly flights on its Helsinki-Tokyo service during the peak summer season from 13 June to 30 September. Finnair currently operate... Qatar Airways expands route network The Middle East-based carrier Qatar Airways is expanding its route network from its Doha hub (Qatar) and will offer a new daily non-stop service to Houston TX (USA), from 30 March.... Air Berlin offers new services from Dusseldorf Dusseldorf airport is starting its summer season on 29 March with new airlines (such as Aerosvit, Orenair and Icelandair) and new destinations (Bari, Edinburgh, Reykjavik, Venice a... Fly Thai to Frankfurt in an A380 Thailand's flag carrier Thai Airways initially wants to deploy its gigantic Airbus A380 on the Bangkok-Frankfurt/ Main route. The new widebody aircraft will be put into service in ... Lufthansa with drastic profit reduction The German national airline Lufthansa reported group profits of EUR 599 million in 2008. This was a plunge of 63.8% down from the EUR 1.655 billion generated in...

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
MOL ship fired on Bunker buying "is boardroom issue" CKYH Alliance rejigs Pacific services Global downturn hits Marseilles Fos

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Cummings stays focused on USCG acquisition reform FreeSeas negotiates loan covenant waivers Teekay LNG plans public offering Golden Ocean set to unveil restructuring plan Carnival first quarter income is up ThyssenKrupp to sell Greek shipyard

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
J Lauritzen profits halve DANISH shipping group profits more than halve to $154.7m in 2008 after achieving a record result of $347.1m in 2007. J. Lauritzen: big orderbook no problem French port director quits over union deal NANTES-Saint Nazaire port chief, Fran'ois Marendet, told agreement ran counter to provisions of port reform laws. Lloyd's marine sector premiums hit £1.3bn BUSINESS rises by 9% but report stresses collapse of ship values will result in price renegotiations.

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Hapag investors expected to cut GERMAN container line Hapag-Lloyd will be under pressure to reduce costs and capacity from its new shareholders as a consequence the sale of a majority stake to the Hamburg 'Albert Ballin' consortium O brave new worlds for shipping! ACADEMICS today predicted several potential 'worlds' for shipping as it struggles to recover from the recession

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Former FRA Chief Sees Rail Overhaul Geodis Wilson Streamlines Customs Filings Steel Imports Plummet in February U.S. Ports Plan Clean-Truck Programs DHL Provider Loses $64 Million FedEx: Labor Bill Endangers Plane Purchases DOT Plans New Mexican Truck Program Official Says Highway Trust Fund Nears Shortfall S&P Cuts KCS Debt Rating Non-asset Player's Profits Rise TradeBeam Launches Duty Rate Calculator LA Says Clean-Trucks Plan Moves Forward Recession Reshapes Trucking Zim, Grand Alliance to Cooperate Norwegian Brewer Deploys IBM RFID System Air Canada Extends Unisys Contracts OOIL's 2008 Profit Dropped 89 Percent Nestlé Selects GT Nexus for Ocean Freight Suez Canal Container Terminal Offers Deeper Draft KCS Takes Liquidity Steps Hub Cites Recession Impact CMA CGM to Start Export Reefer Service Desk DOT Seeks New Cross-Border Program FMC to Meet March 25 Scandinavian Logistics Firm Boosts Net Income Japan OKs Tonnage Tax for Shipping Firms IATA Revises Loss Forecast Downward IAI Delivers Converted Freighter Alabama Hardens Steel Transport Pepsi Moves to Plastic Pallets Agility Income Falls Specialist Urges National Port Pollution Policy Seattle Port Postpones Rail Acquisition

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Feeder ship grounded by drunken crew TPT's Chetty sees South Africa hub potential Obama's trillion dollar gamble boosts stocks Maersk China chairman quits Hapag's uneasy parental control

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Not done growing In WebTV interview, V.Ships president Roberto Giorgi suggests thirst for growth not quenched. Tough time seen Number of VLCCs fixed in March in lowest in recent history, broker Basil Mavroleon tells TradeWinds WebTV. West Africa too Pirate worries in the Gulf of Aden gets the spotlight, but Intertanko chief says the Gulf of Guinea may even be worse. Chemical bottom? Chembulk's Jack Noonan says chemical tanker market has flattened out and may be "bottoming out". TGP to issue stock Teekay LNG spin-off Teekay LNG Partners has announced plans for 4m share issue. Not persuaded! KPMG role under fire as Armada's efforts to win creditor support for scheme of arrangement fails to convince Transfield. Lauritzen lower "Considerably lower" profit expected at Torben Janholt-led J Lauritzen this year after weaker 2008. Aries sees red A write-down due to the falling value of its containership fleet stretches fourth quarter loss at Nasdaq-listed shipowner. Lloyd's fraud fear Marine insurance market turns in strong performance but warns 'collapse' in ship values may lead to scams. Rescue round two John Fredriksen ready to dip into his pockets for a second time in possible $100m share issue, Golden Ocean says. FOP scraps FPSO Knock Taggart sent to breaker's yard booking Fred Olsen Production a $1m gain. Carnival cuts Micky Arison-led cruise giant braced for lower-than-expected annual profit but first quarter strong. FreeSeas waived Two banks to ignore any covenants breach by Ion Varouxakis-led shipowner this year as it refinances separate facility used for handy purchase. Marfin yard bid? Greek investment group reported to be teaming up with French partner to launch Hellenic Shipyards takeover offer. Second strike Ferry hits quay at Koparneset, Norway - owner Tide Sjo's second accident in two weeks. Ningbo rises Chinese bulker owner sees 2008 profit rise 75% as domestic volumes increase. Bakosch back Former Scandlines chief returns to Baltic shipping as CEO of ro-ro owner Finnlines. Dry debut looms The vessel formerly known as the Exxon Valdez will enter the weakened dry-cargo market within a month after ore carrier conversion is complete, says its new captain. Deal crunched D'Amico International accepts cut price offer for two product tankers after credit crunch threatened sale. Scrapping saved? Bangladeshi breakers win three-week stay of execution in row over environmental clearance. Help at hand Mystery Malaysian investor pens preliminary takeover deal with struggling shipbuilder C&Heavy Industries. Spill in New York Flyover set for Tuesday as small amount of fuel oil spills during bunkering of Italian ship. Hebridean sells UK cruise operator quits international market and halves fleet in tough market. Tembek tumult Some residents near UK's South Hook terminal kick up a stink about noise from LNG ship. Communards cash Ukraine allocates money to shipyard to pay off wage arrears, but assets may be sold in return. Ro-ro bond bid Finnlines to issue EUR 21m hybrid bond to major shareholders with rights issue set for May. Cargoship saved Multraship tug tows Dutch vessel to safety off Netherlands after its cargo shifted in heavy seas. All at sea MSC Fantasia to accommodate Barack Obama and rest of G8 leaders at 2009 summit. Aussies hold 27 Swire, STX Pan Ocean and D'Amico among ships detained by Australians due to PSC failings. Not our fault Former Chantiers chief Patrick Boissier denies responsibility for QM2 gangway collapse that killed 16. Stocks rally US listed shipping firms ride the Wall Street rally, despite the recent fall in dry and wet freight rates.

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
TUI completes Hapag-Lloyd sale CMA CGM responds on S&P rating Israeli press says Zim to trim staff 10% Obama hypocritical on Mexican trucks, says Post, BTA Hub forecasts drop in intermodal, truck brokerage Great Lakes group calls for more dredging funds WTO: China's IPR protection not enough Agility revenue up 16%, profit even Michener to Foreign Agricultural Service head Econocaribe offers Middle East service SBS, Avion cement U.S-Italy forwarding deal Suez Canal Container Terminal dredged to 47 feet Marseille container volume down 25% Court sides with ATA on SoCal truck plan

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
New CEO for Finnlines Mr. Christer Antson has resigned as Finnlines Plc's President and CEO. Mr. Uwe Bakosch has been appointed as the new President and CEO for Finnlines Plc. He is at present Norwegian offshore cancellations Siem Offshore has cancelled two out of ten newbuildings at Kleven Maritime. The yard has been experiencing problems with subcontractors. The two anchor handlers were supposed to have been delivered Baltic Pilot takes on redundant Finnish pilots Privately owned Baltic Pilot will offer state employed Finnish pilots employment. The offer is valid for the period the pilots are made redundant and on condition that they are allowed Reprieve for Bangladeshi shipbreakers The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has given the Bangladeshi shipbreaking industry a grace period by overturning a verdict in a lower court that scrap yards would be ordered to close Bimco wants CO2 tax Philip Embiricos, Bimco president, prefers a CO2 tax to a carbon trading system, he told the Connecticut Maritime Association, according to Fairplay. A trading system would be difficult to allocate Sale of Hapag-Lloyd concluded The German consortium Albert Ballin Holding GmbH & Co. KG's purchase of the German container shipping operator Hapag-Lloyd is now officially completed. The consortium agreed to pay EUR 4.45 Prestige trio to be tried in Spanish court A Spanish judge has decided to go ahead with the prosecution of the master, first officer and chief engineer of the tanker Prestige, which sank in November 2002 and caused MOL ship in piracy attack The Japanese shipping company MOL's ((Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd) car carrier Jasmine Ace was fired on by pirates in two high-speed boats about 900 km east of Somalia on

	web site
MARCH 24, 2009
Sharp drop in bunker prices drives Carnival 'costs down' Carnival boasts strong Q1 results with cost saving measures and softening fuel prices. Europe: Prices continue to firm Double digit price gains in South Europe. Venezuelan bunkering 'continues as normal' PDVSA says no disruptions as President Chavez orders port takeover. New bunker project going ahead in New Zealand Bunker barge loading-jetty should be ready in August. Sealub Alliance enters Southern African market Distribution and infrastructure 'already in place' through partnership with local private company. 2011 start for Chemoil's UAE terminal expansion 75% of capacity dedicated to dark fuels which 'could include' crude oil for third parties. Vitol on track to double capacity in Fujairah Expects bunker demand to hold steady during economic downturn. Bunker market under more pressure to consolidate O.W. Bunker says the role of the bunker supplier is changing. Asia: Bunkers prices firming Singapore's marine gas oil prices up on higher demand, traders say. Armada raises bonus pool The dry bulk operator increases share of future profits into the pool after feedback from creditors. OPEC output compliance may threaten economic recovery Higher oil prices cuased by lower oil output may stifle global economic recovery, CGES says. Sinobunker moves into Zhanjiang New bunkering service starts with one 500 mt capacity barge. Singapore Q2 bunker premiums to settle lower Q2 term premiums likely to fall below Q1 premiums on softer demand.