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Shipping News

Sayonara, Kuroya-san
AFTER over half a decade in Singapore, former K Line Pte Ltd (KLPL) managing director and executive chairman Kenichi Kuroya is stepping down from the local posting to head back to company headquarters in Japan.
Stronger action urged to stop piracy
THE continuing piracy menace in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean was discussed at a joint workshop organised by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Monday - and there was a strong call from the shipping community for stronger action.
Maersk sees slow recovery
Container shipping markets have been more active than expected in early 2010, but that is apparently linked to restocking and activity is likely to taper off, the head of AP Moller-Maersk said.

Strait Talk

Protecting the hapless seafarer
THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated 2010 the Year of the Seafarer. The aim is to raise the profile of the seafarer in the eyes of the general public. The head of the IMO secretariat, secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos, is personally highly committed to the project and to seeing it makes a difference.

Motoring

Vietnam to pick Japanese contractor for bullet train
Vietnam, planning to build Southeast Asia's first bullet train, will select a Japanese group as lead contractor for the US$56 billion project as it boosts infrastructure spending to support economic growth.
US, Mexico closer to resolving trucking row
The US Congress could be moving closer to allowing Mexican trucks to haul cargo through the United States, helping to end a trade dispute hurting some exporters, the US Trade Representative said on Monday.
Washington, New York brace for more snow storms
A US$20 cab ride to the airport skyrocketed to the 'snow rate' of US$100 in the US capital, and those travellers who could get to the airport or train station still had to haggle or wait in long lines to escape the snowbound region.
Bernhard's new role boosts Daimler shares
Mexico to build Fiat 500 to boost Chrysler

web site

Shipping News

Sayonara, Kuroya-san
AFTER over half a decade in Singapore, former K Line Pte Ltd (KLPL) managing director and executive chairman Kenichi Kuroya is stepping down from the local posting to head back to company headquarters in Japan.
Stronger action urged to stop piracy
THE continuing piracy menace in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean was discussed at a joint workshop organised by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Monday - and there was a strong call from the shipping community for stronger action.
Maersk sees slow recovery
Container shipping markets have been more active than expected in early 2010, but that is apparently linked to restocking and activity is likely to taper off, the head of AP Moller-Maersk said.

Strait Talk

Protecting the hapless seafarer
THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated 2010 the Year of the Seafarer. The aim is to raise the profile of the seafarer in the eyes of the general public. The head of the IMO secretariat, secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos, is personally highly committed to the project and to seeing it makes a difference.

Motoring

Vietnam to pick Japanese contractor for bullet train
Vietnam, planning to build Southeast Asia's first bullet train, will select a Japanese group as lead contractor for the US$56 billion project as it boosts infrastructure spending to support economic growth.
US, Mexico closer to resolving trucking row
The US Congress could be moving closer to allowing Mexican trucks to haul cargo through the United States, helping to end a trade dispute hurting some exporters, the US Trade Representative said on Monday.
Washington, New York brace for more snow storms
A US$20 cab ride to the airport skyrocketed to the 'snow rate' of US$100 in the US capital, and those travellers who could get to the airport or train station still had to haggle or wait in long lines to escape the snowbound region.
Bernhard's new role boosts Daimler shares
Mexico to build Fiat 500 to boost Chrysler

web site

Shipping News

Sayonara, Kuroya-san
AFTER over half a decade in Singapore, former K Line Pte Ltd (KLPL) managing director and executive chairman Kenichi Kuroya is stepping down from the local posting to head back to company headquarters in Japan.
Stronger action urged to stop piracy
THE continuing piracy menace in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean was discussed at a joint workshop organised by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Monday - and there was a strong call from the shipping community for stronger action.
Maersk sees slow recovery
Container shipping markets have been more active than expected in early 2010, but that is apparently linked to restocking and activity is likely to taper off, the head of AP Moller-Maersk said.

Strait Talk

Protecting the hapless seafarer
THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated 2010 the Year of the Seafarer. The aim is to raise the profile of the seafarer in the eyes of the general public. The head of the IMO secretariat, secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos, is personally highly committed to the project and to seeing it makes a difference.

Motoring

Vietnam to pick Japanese contractor for bullet train
Vietnam, planning to build Southeast Asia's first bullet train, will select a Japanese group as lead contractor for the US$56 billion project as it boosts infrastructure spending to support economic growth.
US, Mexico closer to resolving trucking row
The US Congress could be moving closer to allowing Mexican trucks to haul cargo through the United States, helping to end a trade dispute hurting some exporters, the US Trade Representative said on Monday.
Washington, New York brace for more snow storms
A US$20 cab ride to the airport skyrocketed to the 'snow rate' of US$100 in the US capital, and those travellers who could get to the airport or train station still had to haggle or wait in long lines to escape the snowbound region.
Bernhard's new role boosts Daimler shares
Mexico to build Fiat 500 to boost Chrysler

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Zim raises westbound Asia to Europe rates US$350/TEU OOCL and Evergreen hike transatlantic rates High rates prompt Wan Hai, PIL to return to Asia-Europe trade NYK suffers US$289 million loss - 85.9pc decline Port tracker: US box traffic expected to rise 25pc in first half CenterPoint opens America's biggest inland port south of Chicago Guangxi to develop three 100-million tonne ports in three years Le Havre off 10pc to 2.2 million TEU, but beats other north European ports BA World Cargo revenue falls 25pc from April-December Martinair stops in Moscow on Amsterdam-Hong Kong route New EU air cargo 'rules leave security loopholes open' Boeing's 747-8 freighter takes to the skies for the first time

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MSC to implement rate restoration on Westbound trade lanes Mercator to acquire MR product tanker Sharma sees trade with Gulf nations booming Optimism on cotton, textile export front KoPT serves notice on ABG Haldia Bulk Terminals 20 km roads a day by June, vows Nath Mamata woos India Inc with infra projects Overseas borrowings fall to $1.56 billion in Dec. '09 With economy looking brighter than ever, stimulus may be budgeted for exit Time for action to accelerate momentum of economy-India Inc SEZs sweep global gloom aside to post scorching 127 pc export growth in April-Dec. 2009 India Inc scouting for overseas acquisitions Sharma feels export sops may be phased out in select sectors Price purchase preference policy in MSME sector's pre-Budget wish-list Indo-US Economic Summit by IACC MEDC holding biz meet IMC engagement

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FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Hupac reports steepest volume decrease in company history The Swiss intermodal operator Hupac registered a double-digit drop in traffic last year - the first time in its 40-year history. Road haulage shipments sank by 13.5% to 607,284 uni... Euro-Leasing launches MAN Retail as second brand The German company Euro-Leasing has announced that it is to develop MAN Rental, its second brand. The latter is active in the truck rental and fleet management sector. The MAN... Nigerian railway takes delivery of GE Transportation locomotives The Nigerian transport ministry and GE Transportation have announced that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has taken delivery of the first five C25 diesel locomotives, introducing ... CIT calls for unified railway laws The International Rail Transport Committee (CIT), together with 100 participants in the "Berner Tage" event, has appealed to lawmakers in Europe and Asia for unified rail... Germany: Chair for sustainable logistics The German logistics service provider Dachser has endowed the European Business School (EBS) in Wiesbaden with a chair for sustainable logistics. The holder is Profess... Swan Logistics and Hercules form JV California (USA)-based Swan Logistics has signed a joint venture agreement with Hong Kong-based Hercules Logistics and Forwarding to expand its Asian distribution base. The new ent... American Airlines Cargo increases fuel surcharge from Korea The US carrier American Airlines Cargo is increasing its fuel surcharge from Korea on 16 February. AA's new fuel surcharges are based on the air waybill execution date, and not on ... Air France-KLM reports more airfreight in January The Franco-Dutch aviation group Air France-KLM reported that its volume of cargo rose in the first month of the current year. The carrier transported 865 million RTK in Januar... AEA says 16.5% less freight in months 11 and 12 The Association of European Airlines (AEA) recently published transport figures for the last two months of 2009. AEA's 36 members posted a drop of 6.8% in freight volumes in Novemb... Air China adding flights from Beijing to Vancouver Air China, China's national airline and official flag carrier, has announced it will add three more flights a week in addition to its daily non-stop flights from Vancouver (Canada)... Swiss Rhine ports lost throughput last year Total throughput in the Swiss inland ports on the River Rhine declined by 10.7% to 6.44 million t last year. Whilst container handling dropped by 12.6%, oil imports grew by 17% - t... Quehenberger an independent operator again Having taken over the Augustin Network group, Christian F'rstaller, Rodolphe Schoettel and Rudi Quehenberger are now also taking over the core business of the Salzburg-based former... Jaguar Land Rover renews Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics contract The Scandinavian logistics provider Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has renewed a contract with Jaguar Land Rover to ship its vehicles from the UK to North America and Oceania... Rossiya Airlines included in register of customs carriers Russia's largest state-owned air company Rossiya Airlines, based in St Petersburg, has regained its status as a customs carrier. The receipt of the certificate enables the air... Emons Group selected by EU Marco Polo programme to help reduce traffic The Emons Group has been recognised by admission to the European Commission's Marco Polo programme for traffic avoidance. The Marco Polo stimulation has been granted to the Emons G... Green Cargo reports big loss in 2009 The recession hit Green Cargo very hard in 2009. Rail transport volumes fell by 24%, which contributed to the company's EUR 21.5 million loss after financial items. Several group a... New 500 km coal railway in Queensland Resourcehouse, an Australian mining corporation, has announced the construction of a 495 km railway line to the hinterland from the Queensland coast. The track has been designed to...

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Jones Act offshore services segment has major economic impact American Commercial Lines beats analysts' expectations Maryland study finds huge potential for offshore wind

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
MCA staff unhappy with pay and senior managers Survey reveals line managers more popular than top brass Salary slowing search for new boss Restructure deal eases pressure on Ocean Tankers Company wins breathing space from bankers after securing covenant waivers Almi agrees VLCC order at Daewoo Greek owner follows last year's 10-suezmax series with larger pair Less tankers to be used for floating storage in 2010 Only 119 vessels deployed in January, down from November's record of 149 Bulker deliveries boost Knightsbridge income Capesize pair offsets falling earnings from tanker operations

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Pirates release Al Khaliq PIRATES have released hijacked bulk carrier Al Khaliq after a ransom was paid, EU NAVFOR said today China copper dive expected SHIPMENTS of refined copper to China are expected to drop by 53% to about 1.5M tonnes this year, according to the country's largest metals trader Carriers locked out of Haiti MIAMI River carriers trying to transport supplies to Haiti are discovering they can't compete with larger carriers, a relief group told Fairplay today Dubai sets up business watchdog DUBAI'S ruler is creating a new trade and business watchdog to regulate the emirate's volatile businesses, IHS Global Insight reported today Hard times seen for LNG A GAS SECTOR consultant is warning that LNG projects might win shareholder approval at a slower pace because of a supply surplus, IHS Global Insight reported today P&O Ferrymasters joins net LOGISTICS World Alliance has a new member: P&O Ferrymasters, the door-to-door logistics subsidiary of P&O Ferries

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Vitran Narrows Loss to $4 Million in 2009 Senate Set to Extend SAFETEA-LU New York/NJ Terminal Weather Closings to be Determined Charleston Hears Plans to Redevelop Union Pier OOCL Hikes Trans-Pacific Rates Norfolk Southern Ends Force Majeure Bar Association Endorses Rotterdam Rules Schneider to Hire 2,100 Regional Drivers Transnet to Raise $2 Billion through Bonds Crowley Promotes Two in Caribbean Division More Logistics Hubs Key to Disaster Response Evergreen Hikes Westbound Trans-Atlantic Rates Lufthansa Cargo Volume Surges 18.6 Percent JAL Picks American Airlines Over Delta European Intermodal Operator Sees Improvement Trailer Bridge Swings to Q4 Profit Oceania VSA Service to Add Vessel FMC Meeting Postponed Damaged Lock Stalls Ohio River Traffic COAC Meeting Slated For Feb. 25

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Maruba Simmons finally departs Rio CSAV Norasia starts upper Middle East Gulf service Felixstowe workforce reject pay offer Dow below 10,000 on EuroZone fears Delta to start new service between St Petersburg and Tilbury

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Trico sells AHTS Joe Compofelice-led offshore owner offloads laid-up anchor handler, brokers say. Guns ready Analyst says John Fredriksen's Knightsbridge Tankers may look to use $120m shelf registration for vessel acquisitions. Getting personal Sovcomflot corruption trial told that Yuri Nikitin would fail the AP Moller chartering test. Camden fixed After attempt to sell the ship, Knightsbridge Tankers takes VLCC out of the spot market for 30-month bareboat charter. Al Khaliq free Confirmation of ransom payment to Somali pirates who release Indian bulker and 26 crew. Olsen double Norwegian owner splashes $320m on wind turbine installation vessels. Options clash Differences in the approach of Sovcomflot and AP Moller to chartering options highlighted at Russian corruption trial. Ransom 'paid' Somali pirates ready release of Panama-flagged ship and crew after claiming $3.1m ransom. Out for a month Irish Ferries halts bookings on Oscar Wilde, which suffered a fire featured in this week's "Casualty file", for more than a month. ACL profit surprise American Commercial Lines shares jump by more than 24% after tug and barge owner's quarterly results shatter analyst expectations. VLCCs lose out Full-year profit dashed at John Fredriksen's Knightsbridge Tankers as VLCC rates tumble. Eight down Italian owner pens $70m product tanker pair at STX to stretch the yard's strong start to 2010. Tankers return First fuel shipment delivered at Port-au-Prince terminal after Seacor Holdings and Win Group effort. President quits Fernando Sanchez Ugarte resigns from Grupo TMM following financial restructuring. Latvia stable Baltic nation's port volumes held up well in 2009, as oil exports increased. Uljanik for sale Croatian government wants $74m for controlling stake in profitable shipyard as it tries again with privatisation. CMB buys back Marc Saverys-led shipowner splashes out $2m on its own stock. ACL tanks US barge and shipyard player turns to loss in 2009 as activity declines. January sales Buyers rush to pick up tankers and boxships as bargain hunting sets S&P market alight. Storing less Number of tankers tied up on storage contracts dropped 20% in January, SSY says. Marco Polo grows Singapore-listed charterer and shipbuilder sees bottom line boosted by stronger showing from both arms. Court clearance Singapore's High Court approves debt repayment scheme for offshore owner and shipbuilder Jaya Holdings. Survey sinking Belgian hydrographic survey vessel goes down at Zeebrugge, but no injuries reported. Titan to tank Hong Kong shipbuilder and storage specialist set for "substantial loss" as newbuilding orders dry up. Canal spill Dutch cargoship loses 500 litres of oil into Kiel Canal in Germany. Svitzer seals deal Danish group wins 20-year contract for marine services at new Angolan LNG terminal. Arctic adventure Transatlantic anchor handler fixed for three years work off Alaska with Shell. Boxes overboard Finnish vessel loses three containers in Baltic, one of which contained hazardous chemicals. Coscol slashed Full-year profit down 90% at Cosco's heavy lift and ro-ro owner as revenues dive. Thais offload Thailand's Precious Shipping and Thoresen Thai have confirmed the sale of one bulker each. Keppel adds two Singapore yard confirms tug orders alongside Boskalis contract to take order haul to SGD140m. Panama go ahead Work on the second largest contract of the Panama Canal Expansion Program has officially begun.

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Transatlantic lines plan further rate hikes Ho: Shippers will recall opportunistic lines Trailer Bridge reports Q4 profit UPS to sideline 300 pilots Jet, FedEx reportedly in talks on venture US Airways names Globe Air Cargo U.K. agent Forum develops supply chain emissions guidelines U.S. outlines National Export Initiative U.S. seizes food from filthy Wis. Warehouse Wine logistics spat Famous Pacific expands in New Zealand Damco names reefer development leader Retail box traffic forecast to rise 25%

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Vessel choice by EMSA sparks union protests A vessel contracted by the European Maritime Safety Agency, EMSA, for oil spill response has been criticised by the Anglo-Dutch officer union Nautilus. The 4,156 GT bunker tanker Sara Transatlantic icebreaker to Alaska for three years Swedish shipowner Transatlantic has secured a two-year charter with an option for a further year for its AHTS/icebreaker Tor Viking. The vessel is chartered by Shell Offshore, beginning The search operation for containers is closed The Swedish Coast Guard's aircraft KBV 501, did not observe any parts of the three containers, which were lost from the vessel Linda on Saturday, yesterday afternoon. The containers, one

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FEBRUARY 9, 2010
Bunker prices firming in Rotterdam Another customs strike scheduled in Piraues for February 16-18. Fujairah reports tight barging schedules Fujairah prices up after three days of losses. Bunker prices are 'continuing concern' But Odfjell says part if its exposure is already hedged 'at attractive levels'. UK agency wants regulation of off-shore bunkering Moves to regulate ship-to-ship cargo transfers put spot-light on bunkering. Reports of 'filter choking' following bunkering Fuel testing agency warns of substances 'not normally present' in bunker fuels. Bunker prices generally firm Demand in Singapore and Hong Kong weakens. Titan issues earnings warning for 2009 Blames weak shipbuilding market conditions, significant increase in double-hull tankers. Six surveying firms accredited in Singapore A further 43 awaiting accreditation pending assessment.