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Asia tanker rates seen firming on China demand
Rates for crude tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to increase this week on strong Chinese demand and rising bunker prices, shipbrokers said yesterday.
Tanker rates soften amid slower business
Clean petroleum tanker rates on top global export routes were steady to lower on Monday as slower business ate into earnings in the transatlantic market.
Port delays weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt
Ongoing port delays and reduced banking services continue to weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt although the country does not face any grain shortages, trade and shipping sources said on Monday.
US agency opens inquiry into impact of slow steaming
Japan shipyards cry foul over Korean won

Strait Talk

Enclosed lifeboats doing more harm than good
THE road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Certainly, there were nothing but good intentions back in the mid-80s when delegates to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to make enclosed lifeboats, and thus also on-load release hooks, mandatory.

Shipping Times

Japan rail firm to build world's fastest train
Central Japan Railway Co, whose high-speed trains carried more passengers than the world's largest airline last year, is staking 5.1 trillion yen (S$79 billion) on building the world's fastest train.
Amtrak plans U$13.5b high-speed rail project
Amtrak is proposing a US$13.5 billion project that will include building two commuter rail tunnels from New Jersey to New York by 2020, replacing a US$9.77 billion project that New Jersey governor Chris Christie killed.

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Shipping News

Asia tanker rates seen firming on China demand
Rates for crude tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to increase this week on strong Chinese demand and rising bunker prices, shipbrokers said yesterday.
Tanker rates soften amid slower business
Clean petroleum tanker rates on top global export routes were steady to lower on Monday as slower business ate into earnings in the transatlantic market.
Port delays weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt
Ongoing port delays and reduced banking services continue to weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt although the country does not face any grain shortages, trade and shipping sources said on Monday.
US agency opens inquiry into impact of slow steaming
Japan shipyards cry foul over Korean won

Strait Talk

Enclosed lifeboats doing more harm than good
THE road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Certainly, there were nothing but good intentions back in the mid-80s when delegates to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to make enclosed lifeboats, and thus also on-load release hooks, mandatory.

Shipping Times

Japan rail firm to build world's fastest train
Central Japan Railway Co, whose high-speed trains carried more passengers than the world's largest airline last year, is staking 5.1 trillion yen (S$79 billion) on building the world's fastest train.
Amtrak plans U$13.5b high-speed rail project
Amtrak is proposing a US$13.5 billion project that will include building two commuter rail tunnels from New Jersey to New York by 2020, replacing a US$9.77 billion project that New Jersey governor Chris Christie killed.

web site

Shipping News

Asia tanker rates seen firming on China demand
Rates for crude tankers on key Asian freight routes are expected to increase this week on strong Chinese demand and rising bunker prices, shipbrokers said yesterday.
Tanker rates soften amid slower business
Clean petroleum tanker rates on top global export routes were steady to lower on Monday as slower business ate into earnings in the transatlantic market.
Port delays weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt
Ongoing port delays and reduced banking services continue to weigh on cargo shipments to Egypt although the country does not face any grain shortages, trade and shipping sources said on Monday.
US agency opens inquiry into impact of slow steaming
Japan shipyards cry foul over Korean won

Strait Talk

Enclosed lifeboats doing more harm than good
THE road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Certainly, there were nothing but good intentions back in the mid-80s when delegates to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to make enclosed lifeboats, and thus also on-load release hooks, mandatory.

Shipping Times

Japan rail firm to build world's fastest train
Central Japan Railway Co, whose high-speed trains carried more passengers than the world's largest airline last year, is staking 5.1 trillion yen (S$79 billion) on building the world's fastest train.
Amtrak plans U$13.5b high-speed rail project
Amtrak is proposing a US$13.5 billion project that will include building two commuter rail tunnels from New Jersey to New York by 2020, replacing a US$9.77 billion project that New Jersey governor Chris Christie killed.

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Shanghai foreign trade value increased 32.8pc in 2010 If Suez shuts, it's back to fast steaming round the Cape CMA CGM maintains business-as-usual stance in Egypt China's manufacturing output slows to five-month low MSC adds Seattle call on California Express string Vancouver expects an extra four million TEU by 2030 Panama expansion casts doubts on Portland expansion plans Cargotec to buy US terminal IT provider Navis Safmarine enhances 225 Service with West Africa, Med calls APMT's Lagos Apapa terminal aims to upgrade efficiency Containerised grain boosts New Orleans volume 31pc in 2010 Samsung rolls out system to fend off pirates IBS Software reports year of air transport penetration Weiss Rohlig Taiwan wins Comtrend east Europe trade Leeward Islands Air Transport starts regional air cargo service

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A.P. Moller-Maersk has its focus on emerging markets Cochin Shipyard's divestment plan deferred INTTRA & Amital Data announce alliance to improve ocean supply chain efficiencies SCI's Q3 net profit surges 40.7 pc 138 pc for the nine months FTA workshops on the anvil Lack of infra, labour hindering leather exports Report on transaction cost released Textile sector wants cotton export cap raised Advantages of Thar Dry Port, regular rail service highlighted at trade meet MPSEZ's Q3 net profit jumps 40 pc Air traffic, freight load up in 2010 Rlys, DFCCIL to finalise eastern corridor, concession pact soon Egypt disruptions could hit fertiliser output GDP to grow at 8.6 pc Iran crude payment impasse resolved DIESL wins 'Customer & Brand Loyalty' award in logistics New Secretary-General, Vice-Chairman for ICC

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Namibia airport upgrades The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is undertaking substantial capital projects, including runway rehabilitation at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako international airport. The NAD 120 millio... Panalpina opens Chongqing branch Panalpina is expanding into western China by opening an office in Chongqing, following the establishment of its Wuhan centralised services centre and its Chengdu office in the regi... Iberia leads European Oneworld airlines to use Sita aircom services Iberia, British Airways, Finnair and Malev Hungarian Airlines, the European members of the Oneworld alliance, have selected Sita to provide voice and data services, including the V... Magnit places major MAN truck order in Russia MAN Avtomobili Rossiya (MAR), a subsidiary of Germany's MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, has been awarded a major contract for 1,700 trucks from MAN's TGS range. A master agreement has been... IMS Rail Switzerland takes over ICF rail container links The newly-founded company IMS Rail Switzerland and its 20-strong workforce, based in Basel, took over ICF West's former services to/from Rotterdam on 1 February. At the beginn... SDV lands Singapore Airlines spare parts contract SDV, a global supply chain management leader with a network of 520 offices in 90 countries and ranked amongst the world's top 10 transport and logistics companies, has signed a sev... Airbus cancels Flyington Freighters A330-200F order Airbus has cancelled Flyington Freighters' order for twelve A330-200Fs, following "non-payment of pre-delivery payments" by the enterprise. The Indian firm became the fir... German firm S.A.T. Sea-Air Transport not acquired by Toll Group The D'sseldorf-based German company S.A.T. Sea-Air Transport has clarified that it is not affected by the Australian Toll Group's recently-published information concerning the acqu... European freight exchange Trans growing strongly In December 2010 Trans, a European internet-based freight platform where users exchange information about available loads and vehicles, reported that it had more than doubled the n... Militzer & Münch and ATC Group in exclusive partnership The St Gallen-based Swiss logistics service provider Militzer & Münch International Holding and Turkey's ATC Group entered into an exclusive partnership for road and railfreigh... Liberia brings IMO contributions up to date The Republic of Liberia recently paid its annual assessment contribution for 2011 to the International Maritime Organization. Binyah C. Kesselly, the commissioner of the Liberian m... Rhine accident underlines need for pan-European approach The accident of the chemical tanker barge "Waldhof" on the River Rhine near St Goarshausen (Germany) on 13 January seriously hampered traffic on the river for many weeks.... Safmarine enhances South to West Africa container service Safmarine has enhanced its fully-containerised service between South Africa and West Africa, called 225, by connecting West Africa via Dakar and Algeciras. The new weekly service, ...

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Canadian prairie farmers get into ship owning BOEMRE to prepare EIS for West and Central GOM lease sales Praise for offshore wind initiative from Newport News ally SS United States Conservancy to hold NYC fund raiser Italian flag tanker is latest pirate hijacking victim

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Lloyd's List numbers show decline in shipping casualties Port of Seattle backs city's pact with WSDOT Trucking association backs President's plan to rebuild Port of Grays Harbor delivers record cargo numbers in 2010 MOL changing face of refrigerated cargo sales team

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Rates soar on LNG carrier drought First time in five years spot vessels unavailable Rates stuck as iron ore demand weakens Owners attempt to drive up rates by anchoring vessels and ballasting ships under slow steam Aframax earnings stuck below operating costs Prospects for the global fleet of aframaxes remain uninspiring after a slow week, with time charter equivalent earnings staying well below operating costs on all major routes Panamax paper lifts spot rates Panamax paper contracts traded for the second quarter in the forward freight agreements market have risen to their highest value in four weeks to over $18,000 per day Chinese breakers step up competition for scrap tonnage At least three bulk carriers were reported sold for scrap in the past week as owners continued to face lower freight rates in the dry sector Insurers keep watchful eye on Suez Canal cargo risk Insurers have some concerns as the political situation in Egypt continues to deteriorate Tanker owners face making losses for next seven years New report says only suezmaxes will escape negative earnings as the sector remains 'an unattractive investment for short-term gains' Suez strikes not affecting ship transits Workers employed Suez Canal Authority subsidiaries have gone on strike Chris Gray takes helm at Noatum Ports Appointed chairman of newly renamed Dragados DFDS Irish Sea routes sale under probe UK's Office of Fair Trading refers proposed acquisition for in-depth analysis CMA CGM set to raise $800m from bond issue High-yield issue will help French container line return to firmer financial footing Bodouroglou emerges as buyer of CMA CGM box pair Greek owner pays $53m per vessel for charter-back deal with French container line Consumers will pay for Indian Ocean boycott Industry considers the economic effect of sending ships around the Cape of Good Hope in a bid to evade Somali pirates Chinese demand for imported cars shifts up a gear China's rising middle class has brought about a global change in the movement of vessels owned by the big three players in the car carrier market Volumes surging, but operating costs are rising faster A sad game of exploitation on Bangladesh's beaches The NGO Platform on Shipbreaking stands by its commitment to seeing the Basel Convention enforced IMO has adopted a co-ordinated approach to e-navigation Court of Appeal confirms law on implied terms in sales of gasoil Supreme Court overturns insurer's inherent vice claim Insurer forced to pay $10m to Global Process Systems over dispute over cargo loss overboard during voyage Piracy fight needs greater military might Chamber of Shipping head Jan Kopernicki calls for stronger military and political backing Bigger bulker fleet helps boost Knightsbridge profit Posts $38.5m profit for 2010, a 77% surge on 2009 Investors continue to shy away from KG funds Amounts raised by companies in 2010 remain at same levels as in 2009 Fresh safety concerns over lifeboat drills Fatal accident involving Wilh. Wilhelmsen car carrier puts safety issues related to lifeboats back in spotlight Dublin port cargo volumes grow 6% Port predicts increased traffic in 2011 despite Ireland's economic woes Keep up the inspections Any country contemplating relaxation of inspection regimes should think carefully about the wider consequences of its actions War of words With the greatest respect, the transpacific carriers have a dreadful record of correctly calling the future UK search and rescue privatisation move hits hurdle Government puts outsourcing on hold after "irregularities" in bidding process Pirates hijack D'Amato tanker off Yemen Aframax Savina Caylyn seized with 22 crew onboard

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Chamber chief warns UK BRITAIN'S austerity moves might harm seafarer training, the UK Chamber of Shipping's chief has warned.1140004.timg Mundra profits jump 40% MUNDRA Port & Special Economic Zone today reported a 40% jump in net profits for the October-December quarter.649365.timg CMB to sell Hessenatie BELGIUM'S CMB has agreed to sell its warehousing subsidiary Hessenatie Logistics to Belgian logistics operator Groep H Essers.571405.timg Vostochny box route added VOSTOCHNY Stevedoring said today it is receiving its first containers from Shanghai on a new service operated by Sakhalin Shipping.507313.timg UK/Africa cable ready for final link CABLE ships have landed the West Africa Cable System seafloor link in Swakopmund, Namibia, IHS Global Insight reported today.1137712.timg RR signs gas-propulsion deal ROLLS-Royce has signed a £20M ($32M) contract to supply engines and propulsion equipment for four gas-fuelled ferries to be built for the Norwegian operator Torghatten.699342.timg Hundreds saved from fire MORE THAN 200 people have reportedly been rescued after a ferry caught fire today in Indonesia.595533.timg Dip in profits at Bharati INDIA'S Bharati Shipyard announced today that it recorded a 30% year-on-year fall in net profits for the October-December quarter.649572.timg Box scarcity warned A CARGO surge might result in a shortage of containers this summer, the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement has warned.648700.timg Capesize owners face fall in coal demand BROKERS told Fairplay today many Capesize owners are bracing for loss-making fixtures as demand for coal imports drops.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
DHL Executive Discusses Logistics for Life Sciences, Health Care (Video) DHL's Angelos Orfanos discusses life sciences and healthcare supply chains. Cochin Dockworkers' Strike Enters Seventh Day India's Port of Cochin was at a standstill for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday as port terminal authorities and... Intermodal Grows 14.7 Percent on International Containers U.S. intermodal volume grew 14.7 percent in 2010 in a strong recovery from the steep downturn the year before that... Canadian Longshoremen, Employers Resume Talks Contract negotiations resumed this week in Vancouver between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the British Columbia Maritime... FMC Slow Steaming Inquiry Gets Under Way The Federal Maritime Commission's inquiry into the effects of slow steaming on the maritime marketplace is officially under way. The... Toll Relocates HQ, Opens Branch Offices Toll Global Forwarding Americas relocated their corporate headquarters to Springfield Gardens, N.Y. and opened branch offices in Philadelphia and Atlanta.... LaHood Touts $53 Billion High-Speed Rail Plan Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday morning announced the Obama administration's plan to continue construction... JFK Freight Growth Slows in November Freight tonnage at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport grew 12.2 percent in November over the same month a... Global Ship Lease to Sell $500 Million in Stock Global Ship Lease filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of up to... Hamburg Container Volume Grew 12.7 Percent in 2010 The port of Hamburg increased container traffic almost 13 percent in 2010 from the previous year, driven by booming German... Kintetsu World Express Net Profit Doubles Kintetsu World Express, Japan's second-largest international forwarder, said its net profit surged 103.4 percent in the nine months ending Dec.... Mumbai Container Volume Surges 31 Percent Container throughput at India's Port of Mumbai surged 31 percent year-over-year in the April-January period, the port authority said Tuesday....

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Hamburg back on track Italian tanker pirated Train strike expected in Germany Hapag-Lloyd joins peers in withdrawing US chassis Idled boxship fleet depleted

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Blu Navy scraps Primrose Italian operator may need a date for St Valentine's Day dance after scrapping elderly passenger carrier, brokers say. Tidewater on the fence Critics question viability of Brazilian yards as US offshore giant grapples with 'substantial delay' tied to workboat order. Harpain bags Brazil hire German gas owner poised to rake in $6m from charter forged with Brazilian plastics player, brokers say. Phoenix swoops in US operator emerges from the ashes to sink talons into Greek bulker tied to Lomar Shipping, brokers claim. Bulker still hanging around Vessel abandoned by previous owner remains a problem for port of Chennai in India four years on. One dead after fall Seafarer dies in UK hospital after accident which injured three others, Wilh Wilhelmsen confirms. VLCCF empty handed Upon reporting weaker Q4 profit, John Fredriksen-led owner says hunt for tonnage has so far been fruitless. Tanker forced aground Sea Mermid lodged 100 metres from Sharjah beach after gales hit region. CMRE bags Maersk trio AP Moller-Maersk unmasked as the seller of three container vessels to newly listed Greek owner. Second Pacifica ship grounds New Zealand operator defends safety record after two vessels go aground in a week. Ferry breached by smash Hull of Norway's Basto I opened after it hit quay at Moss in storm. BlackRock ups OSG stake Hedge fund buys up more shares in New York-listed tanker owner to boast near $90m wegde. Ashika trial postponed Tongan ferry manslaughter hearing scrapped after juror found to have criminal conviction. Naikai Zosen on the up Japanese shipbuilder raises nine-month profit despite declining revenues. 225 saved from ferry inferno All passengers rescued after Indonesian ferry KMP Silvia rocked by blast off Jakarta. Four crew injured after fall Filipino crewmen in hospital after falling from a Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carrier at UK port. D'Amato tanker hijacked Pirates seize Fratelli D'Amato aframax Savina Caylyn after sustained grenade assault in Indian Ocean.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Locke calls for India trade liberalization India needs to lower high tariffs and other administrative barriers to trade if economic cooperation with the United States is going to reach its full potential, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in New Delhi Monday. Locke, who is leading a ... U.S., Canada to align border security, regulations The United States and Canada have agreed to study the idea of treating their common border as a permeable membrane that smoothes the way for legitimate commerce, and apply common security techniques to their outward-facing maritime and air borders... NS provides switching at Port of Indiana The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor in Lake Michigan has added onsite, dedicated rail-switching service provided by Norfolk Southern. 'This partnership creates several opportunities for our customers to grow business, including implementing unit train... CBP parks Land Border Carrier Initiative Program U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in aTuesdayFederal Registernoticethat it will officially end its Land Border Carrier Initiative Program (LBCIP), effective March 10. LBCIP was established as a voluntary industry partnership program through ... UPS boosts Israel, Slovakia air freight presence UPS has expanded its Express Freight service into Israel and Slovakia to serve expanding high-tech, industrial and automotive industries in those countries.The air freight service offers one- to three-business day door-to-door service, including c... MOL makes reefer cargo appointments MOL (America) said Monday it has made four appointments in support of its refrigerated cargo services. Mark McQueen has been named regional manager, reefer sales, Atlantic region; Larry Flading, regional manager, reefer sales, central region; and ... Hapag-Lloyd to phase out chassis Hapag-Lloyd has become the latest carrier to announce plans to reduce its involvement in the container chassis business. The German carrier said it would gradually implement a revised chassis program throughout the United States in 2011 and no lon... China/India cargo forecast to grow 20% in 2011 Cargo trade between China and India could grow 20 percent this year, according to South China-based Maersk Line executive Soren Karas.The figure was reported in aBloombergreport Monday on growing trade between the world's two most populous nations... Reaching India's full potential Locke calls for India trade liberalization India needs to lower high tariffs and other administrative barriers to trade if economic cooperation with the United States is going to reach its full potential, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in ... An 'intermestic' market

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Suez Canal shutdown ' heavy blow to the shipping industry A potential Suez Canal shutdown, caused by the civil unrest in Egypt, would have a severe impact on the container shipping industry, according to the shipping analysis company Alphaliner. A Another ferry contract for Hvide Sande The Danish yard Hvide Sande Skibs- & Bådebyggeri has signed a contract for the construction of another domestic double-ended ferry. The new ferry will be delivered in the summer of

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011
O.W. Bunker strengthens operations in West Africa Two new build vessels will be installed with mass flow meters to enable 'quick and accurate measuring' during bunkering operations. Norway and INTERTANKO propose sweeping changes to fuel controls Paper submitted to IMO calls for 'a new approach to the control of bunkers' to prevent supply of fuels that endanger safety, health and environment. Middle East prices movements mixed Avails tight in Fujairah and Durban. Rotterdam and Hamburg markets soften Bunkerworld data showed a spread of more than $10 between high and low prices for some fuel grades. Bunker prices push-up tanker rates IFO prices in Fujairah hub have risen almost $100 since the start of the year. FAL Energy out of the Fujairah spot market Supplier expects to be out of the spot market for the rest of the month. Italy-based trader now supplying in Augusta Alpha Trading supplying 380 cSt material and MGO. Bunker prices mixed at major ports Demand largely below average at key Asian ports. Bunker supplies ease in Karachi Local refiners resume supplies of bunker fuels last week, according to local suppliers. US Defense agency on bunker hunt Seeking to acquire bunkers for vessels operated by Department of Defense and federal civilian agencies. 'No major improvement' in dry bulk market until 2014-2015 Dry bulk shipping firms risk breaching multiple covenants due to falling ship values and weak contract cover. FebHong Kong bunker avails 'remain tight' No replenishment cargoes have arrived at the port since start of February, according to traders. FebEMSA launches tender for oil spill recovery vessels Vessels to operate at five locations in European waters. Dan-Bunkering starts ops in Monaco New office to strengthen Dan-Bunkering's position in the global bunker market, company says. FebAmericas prices remain stable The front-month WTI contract for March closed up $0.04 to $87.52 per barrel.