BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Asia demand seen boosting tanker rates
Freight rates for crude tankers on key Asian routes may rebound slightly from last week's 2010 lows on expectations that Asian demand will pick up next month, traders and analysts said yesterday.
Baltic index drops to one-month low
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates to ship dry commodities, fell on Monday but firmer freight derivatives contract buying was providing some support to the market.
Iraq gets maritime fleet since US-led invasion
Iraq's state sea transport company signed a five-year contract with Global Refinery of Switzerland on Monday to jointly operate 66 ships, Iraqi officials and the Swiss firm said.
Seafarers take centre stage

Strait Talk

Going green ahead of schedule
SOMETIMES, it can seem that debates on environmental issues affecting shipping are really only the concern of the European countries, the US and a few others.

web site

Shipping News

Asia demand seen boosting tanker rates
Freight rates for crude tankers on key Asian routes may rebound slightly from last week's 2010 lows on expectations that Asian demand will pick up next month, traders and analysts said yesterday.
Baltic index drops to one-month low
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates to ship dry commodities, fell on Monday but firmer freight derivatives contract buying was providing some support to the market.
Iraq gets maritime fleet since US-led invasion
Iraq's state sea transport company signed a five-year contract with Global Refinery of Switzerland on Monday to jointly operate 66 ships, Iraqi officials and the Swiss firm said.
Seafarers take centre stage

Strait Talk

Going green ahead of schedule
SOMETIMES, it can seem that debates on environmental issues affecting shipping are really only the concern of the European countries, the US and a few others.

	web site

Little change comes to Alphaliner's Top 50 box rankings Alphaliner's Top 50 container lines LA-LB box taxes risk driving away 43pc of imports: study Cosco launches feeder services centred on Nansha's GOCT Shandong's box exports surge 1,500pc in August Guangxi-ASEAN trade up 38.6pc to US$3.11 billion this year China Railway opens Shandong's first intermodal centre ESC backs EU move to boost railway industry competition International Chamber of Commerce updates Incoterms Prince Rupert to offer cold ironing shore power to box ships Coyne builds Afghan presence with new Boeing 747-400F India develops air cargo infrastructure to meet future growth Chongqing air cargo value up 25pc to US$420 million in 7 months

	web site
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
ALS (Freight Management Group) opens new Hamburg office The Hull-based 3PL and heavylift specialist ALS (Freight Management Group) recently opened a new office in Hamburg (Germany) to assist in the ALS Group's strategic network and busi... Western Union and DHL to extend joint services to Europe Western Union, a leading provider of international money transfer services, and CEP provider DHL Express, have agreed to extend their cooperation. Plans include international payme... Comm Scope selects TDG as logistics provider for northern Europe Comm Scope, a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has selected the British logistics service provider TDG to be its single northern Europe logist... Continental and United's shareholders approve merger The US justice ministry and the EU Commission raised no objections to the planned merger of Continental Airlines with United Airlines, thus clearing the way for the entities' share... ASL concludes major acquisition Aergo Capital Limited and the ASL Aviation Group Limited (ASL), a joint venture between the Belgian maritime group CMB and the private equity fund 3P Air Freighters, are set to sel... MASkargo orders two more A330-200F freighters Malaysia Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for two more A330-200F freighters, following the conversion of two existing options. The latest contract increases the airline... Michael Jek retires at NYK Line Hamburg-based NYK Line (Germany) will bid its authorised signatory Michael Jek farewell on 30 September, when he retires. Jek has been with the enterprise for more than 42 years, f... Norilsk Nickel ships metal through Northern Sea route for first time The company Norilsk Nickel shipped the first consignment of metal through the eastern segment of the Northern Sea route, from Murmansk to Dudinka, Pusan and Shanghai, on the ... WWPC members combine to haul sugar plant from India to Sudan The Sudanese project forwarding specialists called Darka for Trading and Services, a member of the WWPC for Sudan, has successfully transported 4,100 cbm of heavy cargo over 1,100 ... Evergreen Line adding extra vessel to KHP service The Evergreen Line has added a ship, the "Uni Concord", to its Kaohsiung-Haiphong shuttle service (KHP service) on account of vigorous growth in the Vietnamese economy. T...

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Metro Machine gets $7.2 million Navy contract mod Container giants coordinate antipiracy efforts BP to join industry well containment initiative

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Marine highway system projects net $7 million in DOT funding Washington governor visits Shanghai World Expo Port of Tacoma schedules free tour of port operations Bellingham Airport paving work completed on schedule President nominates pair for Federal Maritime Commission

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
MSC prepared to use armed guards to protect its ships Line may take unilateral action unless more is done to tackle piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean For hire: anti-piracy patrol boat with armed personnel Armed guards prove a sticking point as insurers try to clarify cover Unions back use of armed guards on vessels Singapore in move to become arbitration hub Launch of its own ship sale form could pose a threat to London and New York So why not Singapore? Hughes hits back at International Group critics Describing it as a cartel is totally misguided , says Shipowners Claims Bureau... International Group vital for global trade End to frozen chicken ban heats up reefer rates Owners looking for sustained recovery in fourth quarter as demand starts to rise Chinese mill closures hit capesize fortunes

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Scorpio scoops another bargain SCORPIO Tankers is to acquire a 2-year-old LR2 Aframax tanker for $52.2M Big Three box with pirates THE WORLD'S top three box shipping companies today issued a joint alert to strike piracy while the iron's hot, now that the monsoon season's completion is sounding an all-clear for attackers Dockwise seeks $100M for design DUTCH shipowner Dockwise is to raise $100M to invest in a new type of semi-submersible vessel, Fairplay was told today Yemen thwarts pirate attack YEMENI coastguards have reportedly prevented an attempt by Somali pirates to hijack a foreign vessel in the Bab al-Mandab Strait Practice for a sea calamity Shares rise ' not you, shipping Vietnam to receive Siberian oil VLCC glut keeps the lid on Hey you, get off of my ship Carnival settles pod case Behind BDI's negative turn Puntland said to target pirates

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Retailer Group Stays Neutral on Carrier Antitrust Bill US Chamber to Introduce Transporation Index Kerry Promises Infrastructure Bank Bill for Next Session DOT Proposes Texting Ban For Hazmat Truckers UPS Reviewing Driver Cell Phone Use SC Ports to Replace Operating System Atlas Air Boosts Profit Forecast Greek Truck Strike Enters Second Week Home Construction Rose 10.5 Percent in August Port Nehru to Relent on Fees Accrued During Shutdown Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM Join Forces Against Piracy Airlines Triple 2010 Profit Forecast to $8.9 Billion "K" Line Listed in "Good Global" Investment Index

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Liner majors declare war on pirates US antitrust immunity under the spotlight China-Japan trawler row boils over Bet your shirt on it: no double-dip Ill winds boon for US cotton producers

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Greek fined $4m in US Judge slaps Irika Shipping with maximum probation period and hefty fine as "serial polluter" faces fallout from Iorana incident. Jones Act fuels wind woes US Department of Energy eyes foreign ships for wind-farm projects but Jones Act is still an issue, report claims. Liner big guns in anti-piracy push Maersk Line, MSC and CMA CGM place old rivalries aside to battle pirate threat. World Fuel wraps up offering New York-listed bunker giant banks $219m from latest stock sale as underwriters feast on leftovers. Polarcus predicts earnings upgrade Oslo-listed seismic owner says $3m streamer splash may boost newbuilding's earnings power by 25%. MISC yard IPO to net $550m Advisor places price on Malaysia Marine & Heavy Engineering as shareholders back float. Carnival clinches quarterly gain Micky Arison-led cruise giant sees third-quarter profit climb as consumers seek comfort in summer cruising. Crew stuck on "floating prison" Seven Indonesians fighting for back-pay on Saudi tanker off Bahrain since February. Trico PSV pair to be sold US shipowner is close to securing an $8.5m deal to sell two platform supply vessels. Russian sells tanker to Scorpio Mystery Russian outfit also given two optional sales contracts from Emanuele Lauro-led Scorpio which confirms LR2 purchase. Greens hit Stena ship off UK Sit-in protest onboard drillship Stena Carron off Shetland to disrupt deepwater drilling after BP disaster. Frontline bags VL 'for free' Analysts give thumps up to orderbook reshuffle by John Fredriksen's flagship tanker company. Puntland 'to take on pirates' Somali region's government sends naval vessels to fight hijackers with chemical tankers on radar. Seatrans may reflag tankers Norwegian owner could leave domestic register due to new restrictions on Polish crew. Spirit takes a pounding Pacifica cargoship needs tug assistance after being damaged in heavy seas off New Zealand Sasco sends ship to Shanghai Russian owner launches one vessel on container run from Vladivostok, and could expand capacity. Orderbook 'haunts' dry sectors Alarming number of dry-cargo newbuildings set to enter key sectors despite axing of over 500 orders in the past year. Russia scraps NSC stake sale Lack of bidders cited for cancellation of auction of 20% in cargoship operator. Bulker bash caused by tide Japanese capesize hit Berge Bulk vessel off Wales after failing to identify strong current in passage plan. Stig takes the wheel at Maersk AP Moller-Maersk appoints Stig Hoffmeyer to boost profitability at its FPSO and LNG operations. Shanghai reaches top spot China claims giant port is now biggest in the world after August box throughput reached record high. Japan still going strong Shipbuilders see third consecutive month of order levels in excess of 1mgt, according to official figures. Another Vinashin arrest Tally of Vietnamese shipbuilding executives in custody following Vinashin woes reaches six. Brit crew 'too fat' for ferries Stena Line's Pim de Lange stirs up a storm after claiming potential UK recruits are "quite fat and covered in tattoos". Cougars on prowl at RCCL Royal Caribbean hosts second voyage for older women and younger men after Carnival said not again. Rare owl removed from cruiseship Wildlife officers take protected burrowing bird from giant Oasis of the Seas in Florida. Kirkland reaches end of line Historic 1924-built wooden ferry unable to be repaired after fire in the US.

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Puerto Rico settlement detailed Brierre joins Williams Mullen Cathay signs contract for six 777s EgyptAir adds capacity from U.K., Ireland Obama endorses heavy rigs on Maine, Vt. Interstates Tropical to acquire V.I. Cargo Services

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Fjord Line ends summer season Fjord line A/S has ended the summer season for the fast ferry Fjord Cat on the Hirtshals'Kristiansand service. During the summer Fjord Cat sailed 654 voyages between the

	web site
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
MOL report details emission reduction targets Aims for 10% reduction per tonne-mile of CO2, SOx and NOx by 2015, pledges continued investment in technology to cut emissions. Distillate prices jump in Durban NYMEX showing losses of more than $1.50 in early trading. Bunker markets climb Good barge avails for accommodating even prompt arrivals in Rotterdam. Engine maker in deal to expand use of scrubber system Aims to 'bring clean and efficient engine technology to the market' with eye on upcoming emission regulations. Uptick in bunker fuel prices amid slack demand Demand was mostly low at key Asian bunker ports. HPCL launches 'largest bunkering terminal' at Indian port Indian refiner plans to reduce value-added tax on bunkers sold from the terminal, market sources say. Indonesia 'to stop' subsidised diesel sales to ships BPHMigas orders Pertamina to stop selling subsidised fuels to local industry buyers. Crisis sees 'little change' in top 50 liner operators No major bankruptcies, consolidation 'limited', says report. Statoil hires managers for IPO of fuel retail unit May raise as much as $1 billion, making it the biggest IPO in Norway since 2006.