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Call for code of conduct as security 'cowboys' emerge
Maritime security firms have come together to create a code of conduct and ethics, prompted by alarm over the rising number of companies without seaborne experience aiming to cash in on the surge in Somali piracy.
Supertanker surplus cuts freight rates
Hiring canal boats in London costs more than supertankers earn from shipping Saudi Arabian crude to Japan as a glut of the oil transporters cuts freight rates on the industry's most important trade route.
Crude oil tanker rates still depressed at W48s
Crude oil tanker rates were steady, helped by lower bunker fuel costs although earnings continued to struggle to cover operating costs.

Strait Talk

Losses at sea continuing at an alarming rate
A COUPLE of months ago, the Maltese-flag bulk carrier, the 75,208 dwt Oliva, set off from Singapore for Brazil with a cargo of soyabeans. She didn't make it to Brazil, though; she ran aground off Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic in March, causing severe environmental damage in an internationally recognised bird sanctuary with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Shipping Times

Bombardier in US$3b rail order with Siemens
Bombardier Inc's train unit has partnered with Siemens AG for what could be a US$3 billion-plus share of a high-speed rail contract in Germany, the Canadian company said on Monday.
High-speed Beijing-Shanghai railway to run trials
A long-anticipated high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai is due to begin trial operations today, as China continued with its lavish rail spending boom despite recent losses and scandals.

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Shipping News

Call for code of conduct as security 'cowboys' emerge
Maritime security firms have come together to create a code of conduct and ethics, prompted by alarm over the rising number of companies without seaborne experience aiming to cash in on the surge in Somali piracy.
Supertanker surplus cuts freight rates
Hiring canal boats in London costs more than supertankers earn from shipping Saudi Arabian crude to Japan as a glut of the oil transporters cuts freight rates on the industry's most important trade route.
Crude oil tanker rates still depressed at W48s
Crude oil tanker rates were steady, helped by lower bunker fuel costs although earnings continued to struggle to cover operating costs.

Strait Talk

Losses at sea continuing at an alarming rate
A COUPLE of months ago, the Maltese-flag bulk carrier, the 75,208 dwt Oliva, set off from Singapore for Brazil with a cargo of soyabeans. She didn't make it to Brazil, though; she ran aground off Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic in March, causing severe environmental damage in an internationally recognised bird sanctuary with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Shipping Times

Bombardier in US$3b rail order with Siemens
Bombardier Inc's train unit has partnered with Siemens AG for what could be a US$3 billion-plus share of a high-speed rail contract in Germany, the Canadian company said on Monday.
High-speed Beijing-Shanghai railway to run trials
A long-anticipated high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai is due to begin trial operations today, as China continued with its lavish rail spending boom despite recent losses and scandals.

web site

Shipping News

Call for code of conduct as security 'cowboys' emerge
Maritime security firms have come together to create a code of conduct and ethics, prompted by alarm over the rising number of companies without seaborne experience aiming to cash in on the surge in Somali piracy.
Supertanker surplus cuts freight rates
Hiring canal boats in London costs more than supertankers earn from shipping Saudi Arabian crude to Japan as a glut of the oil transporters cuts freight rates on the industry's most important trade route.
Crude oil tanker rates still depressed at W48s
Crude oil tanker rates were steady, helped by lower bunker fuel costs although earnings continued to struggle to cover operating costs.

Strait Talk

Losses at sea continuing at an alarming rate
A COUPLE of months ago, the Maltese-flag bulk carrier, the 75,208 dwt Oliva, set off from Singapore for Brazil with a cargo of soyabeans. She didn't make it to Brazil, though; she ran aground off Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic in March, causing severe environmental damage in an internationally recognised bird sanctuary with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Shipping Times

Bombardier in US$3b rail order with Siemens
Bombardier Inc's train unit has partnered with Siemens AG for what could be a US$3 billion-plus share of a high-speed rail contract in Germany, the Canadian company said on Monday.
High-speed Beijing-Shanghai railway to run trials
A long-anticipated high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai is due to begin trial operations today, as China continued with its lavish rail spending boom despite recent losses and scandals.

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Taicang faces life without TCC as it reports first quarter volume up 30pc Top admiralty lawyer seeks IMO to immunise armed guards on ships Transshipments to Fujian's nearby provinces nearly double in first quarter Interstate Container invests US$13 million in container packing for produce Virginia Port Authority expects to run Richmond harbour from July European forwarders enjoy April growth, but fear worse to come FedEx Trade Networks opens more offices in France, Spain, India Air cargo leads Seattle's Expeditors quarterly profit rise of 49pc TSA grows uncertain of Dec 31 deadline for 100pc bellyhold screening

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FWPL successfully executes engineering & logistics for mammoth project GL bolsters support of green ship recycling in Asia ESPLL split into Essar Ports & Essar Shipping ICTT receives ISO 28000 certification New Mangalore Port receives 2nd box vessel this fiscal Five-yr lock-in period envisaged for infra debt funds Food inflation slows to three-week low KASEZ exports grow 17.5 pc in 2010-11 SAIL plans pellet plant in Jharkhand

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MAY 10, 2011
Siemens builds first trains for Sochi in Russia Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways (RZD), and Peter Löscher, Siemens CEO, recently held a ceremony to mark the official launch of train production for the Russian city... Air Cargo Center Berlin: construction work started Building work on the new BBI airport's airfreight centre for co-loaded cargo began last week. The freight platform, which comprises 12,000 sqm of hall space and 7,000 sqm of office... Royal Jordanian B787 delivery delayed again Amman-based Royal Jordanian Airlines has said that it will receive its first of 11 Boeing B787s in 2014, almost four years after it initially intended. The carrier will receive its... Flightcare Cargo joins Cargo 2000 Flightcare Cargo Belgium and Flightcare Cargo Spain are the 18th and 19th ground handlers respectively to join the Iata quality programme Cargo 2000. Part of FCC Holding and a foun... Construction begins on USD 105 million Memphis intermodal facility The US rail service provider Norfolk Southern Railways recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility in Rossville TN (USA). The USD ... Hazmat warehouse in port of Hamburg changes hands The German service provider Lehnkering is taking over K+P Gefahrgut Logistik GmbH's hazardous goods storage facility in Hamburg, as well as the staff that work there. Leh... Eurosib inviting you to presentation in Munich The Russian rail service provider Eurosib is holding a short presentation at the Russian Federation's Ministry of Transport's stand (B3 229/330) at the Munich Transport Logistics F... Logistic Services Danubius is now DB Schenker Rail Romania Logistic Services Danubius SRL was recently renamed DB Schenker Rail Romania SRL in Bucharest (Romania). The objectives of DB Schenker Rail Romania include shifting more freight fr... Siemens wins its single largest mobile mining order Siemens Industry has received its biggest mobile mining order from Hitachi Construction Truck Machinery (HCTM). The contract foresees that Siemens will provide 50 additional EH4500... UK: Yorkshire now Britain's hot spot for truck theft The Yorkshire Post has reported that figures from the UK's national policing unit for heavy goods vehicle crime reveal that in West Yorkshire alone, trucks and other commercial veh... Moore Stephens calls on HMRC to consult on tonnage tax Leading accountant and shipping adviser, Moore Stephens, says companies operating within UK tonnage tax might consider leaving the UK, as a result of HMRC's decision to unilaterall... Shipping company alliance CKYH launches sixth Far East service The container shipping companies Cosco, K Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping, which operate under the name CKYH - the Green Alliance, are launching a new liner service from Asia t... BDB criticises WSV reform The German inland shipping organisation (Bundesverband der Deutschen Binnenschiffahrt/BDB) recently said that the Federal Transport Ministry's second report on the reorganisat... The ITJ team and "Heidi J" awaiting you in Munich The ITJ and its editorial and sales staff would like to accord you a warm welcome to the transport logistic trade fair, the world's largest exhibition for transport and logistics w... Expeditors International reports higher profit Seattle-based forwarding and logistics service provider Expeditors International of Washington Inc. reported a Q1/2011 net profit of USD 91 million, 49% more than USD 61 million in... Ceva launches new organization for global supply chain management Logistics and SCM specialist Ceva Logistics is to create a new organization called Supply Chain Solutions. Ceva has taken this step in response to the changing and evolving needs o... Basel: name change for the world's oldest forwarders' association The association of Basel freight forwarding and logistics companies (Basler Speditions-Logistiker/(VBSL), which was founded in 1882, is adopting a new name. Attendees o... Karl Gross boosts management of Hamburg branch office The German forwarding company Karl Gross Internationale Spedition recently boosted the managerial team at its Hamburg branch office by the addition of Steffen Fulst. He was previou...

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MAY 10, 2011
P&I club warns: Don't put garbage in WCR STX OSV reports strong first quarter Metro Machine awarded $78.8 million Navy contract

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MAY 10, 2011
Port of Vancouver nets DOT grant for freight access project Port Metro Vancouver announces Blue Circle Award winners for 2010 NYK continues commitment to Chinese maritime universities Crowley launches two barges to serve Western Alaska customers Panama Canal Authority inks MOU with soy coalition

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MAY 10, 2011
Costamare orders five 8,800 teu vessels for Evergreen service Brings spree since going public last November to 20 vessels valued at more than $1bn Long-term VLCC fixtures secured amid volatile market Period rates boosted but daily rates remain low BG's LNG shipping dips but liquefaction profits rise UK gas giant BG Group saw profits from its liquefied natural gas shipping operation fall 14% in the first quarter of 2011, against the same period last year Lower time charter earnings drive Scorpio Tankers into the red Product tanker outlook encouraging, says Emanuele Lauro Aframaxes flat as bunker dip bolsters charterers' position Rates on all major routes depressed as owners fear situation is unlikely to improve in short term Panamaxes benefit from rise in Indian coal imports Panamax vessels are snatching up coal voyages from Indonesia and Australia's east coast to coal-hungry India Maersk Broker to expand in Greece Senior brokers from Greek market to be recruited as London chief moves to Athens Essar to split shipping and ports to tighten possible investors' focus Nature of risk and competition involved in each business is distinct and capable of attracting different stakeholders, says company Knightsbridge says excess tonnage is frustrating plan to grow dividends John Fredriksen company reports 16% fall in profit as revenues slip EMEC appoints new board Senior executive from electronics firm Kongsberg to replace Wärtsilä's Eskola as president K Line puts two car carriers into cold lay up Carrier takes action as Japan car exports fall 25% in March Antwerp aims to link with Chongqing by land-only train service Rail connection will complement maritime cargo flows rather than compete, says port president Private security tackles pirates but fears raised over industry 'cowboys' Calls for code of practice to guide armed guards on vessels, now used on around 10% of transits in the Indian Ocean Worrying development Rosatomflot's icebreakers, even the nuclear ones, are all ageing beasts built in the Soviet era Eagle Bulk sinks to loss after Korea Line bad debt provision Supramax bulker specialist slides to a $5.8m net loss for the first three months Precious first quarter profit dives Books net profit of $3.6m, a quarter of the figure recorded in same period a year ago Asia traffic boosts Deutsche Post DHL revenues Group posts $18.4bn first quarter revenues and sees operating margins improve Fuel for thought An International Maritime Organization consideration of ISO 8217 should resume as soon as possible TOP Ships set for reverse stock split as it plots $115m offering Evangelos Pistiolis-led owner aims to reduce debt and hunt ships Kiel sees surge in ro-ro volumes Port on track to break 6m tonne barrier as ro-ro traffic lifts handling figures Eyebrows fully raised To be caught red handed with a 4 km oil slick trailing your ship by French spotter plane smacks of blatant disregard of the rules or, quite simply, pure stupidity Warning over ballast system handling Updated communique pays special attention to procedures for treatment Private Chinese yards will get state backing Government to put jobs ahead of fleet capacity concerns in effort to keep shipbuilders afloat Merck to focus on carriers' carbon footprint Pharma company also expresses concerns about quality and freight rates OOCL returns to Samsung Heavy for four more 13,000 teu ships Hong Kong carrier to pay $136m per vessel in follow up to March order for six boxships Diana Containerships targets up to $172m from public offering Simeon Palios-led owner is negotiating two 3,500 teu secondhand vessels and sees ample number of boxships for acquisition TBS falls to $17m loss in first quarter Weak rates continue to hit dry bulk operator after it secures reprieve from lenders IMO to discuss private armed security guidelines Providers will be vetted by shipowners and operators to keep out 'cowboys' CSAV beats Maersk in reliability Drewry study puts Chilean line top of league as Danish giant slips in first quarter of 2011 Sinochem International looks to build its empire Chinese player considers chemical tanker spinoff despite struggling market

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MAY 10, 2011
US coal exports surge US COAL exports are expected to reach 90M tonnes this year, the highest volumes in more than two decades, according to two major producers Iran to aid Bahrainis IRAN WAS reported today to be readying aid ships to be sent next week to support government foes in Bahrain Greeks seize 132 migrants GREEK port authorities have seized 132 migrants trying to slip illegally into Italy Top seeks $100M lifeline EMBATTLED tanker and bulker owner Top Ships has proposed a heavily dilutive equity sale to meet its debt obligations SeaFrance shrugs off P&O's move STRUGGLING Dover Strait ferry operator SeaFrance told Fairplay today that it does not expect a complaint by rival P&O to affect the EC's decision on its recapitalisation scheme Precious profits drop 77% THAI DRYBULK carrier Precious Shipping today posted a 77% fall in net income for the first quarter, largely because of fewer asset sales than in the quarter last year Japan to ship more LNG from Oz JX NIPPON has become the latest Japanese buyer to sign a deal to buy LNG from Chevron's Gorgon project off Western Australia, IHS World Energy Markets reported today Pakistani breakers grab VLCC share PAKISTANI shipbreakers attracted VLCCs last week as environmental requirements in Bangladesh and India and lower scrap prices in China deterred owners VLCC bunker break seen SINGAPORE brokers told Fairplay today that VLCC owners are finding some relief from lower bunker prices Tran-Pacific box rates rise TRANS-Pacific box rates have improved further, while the rate of decline in Asia/Europe box rates has slowed Essar finalises split INDIA'S Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics has announced the completion of its demerger into separate units for ports and shipping STX OSV keeps offshore focus NORWEGIAN shipbuilder STX OSV has told Fairplay it plans to maintain its focus on offshore vessels, despite its order for eight LPG carriers from Transpetro Diana Containerships plots growth NEWLY listed Diana Containerships has launched a follow-on offering to pay for two more ship acquisitions Teekay's rating pared CREDIT agency Moody's has graded down its ratings of Teekay's corporate family and its senior unsecured debt TBS back in crisis mode BULKER and tweendecker owner TBS suffered heavy losses in its first quarter and warned that it must raise more cash to meet 2H11 obligations

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MAY 10, 2011
Bill Aims to Increase Truck Parking Spaces Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., will re-introduce a bill Wednesday aimed at creating safer and more secure parking spaces for long-haul... USPS Loss Reaches $2.2 Billion The U.S. Postal Service's red ink got deeper in its fiscal second quarter, as continued high costs and a 3.1... Truckload Capacity Seen Tightening The weekly Longbow Research Truckload Barometer increased 1.3 percent last week, ending a month-long drop in April, indicating tighter availability... Gernandt to Succeed Kuehne as K+N Chairman Karl Gernandt will succeed Klaus-Michael Kuehne as chairman of German forwarder and logistics company Kuehne + Nagel. Kuehne announced... YRC Worldwide to Hire Network Engineers YRC Worldwide is searching for engineers to help optimize its network to save fuel ' and money ' by making... ATSG Profit Falls 61 Percent Air Transport Services Group saw net profit drop 61 percent in the first quarter ending March 31 from the same... Higher Fuel Costs Pinch Sysco Income A $14 million increase in fuel costs helped boost operating expenses at food service company Sysco 10.6 percent in the... US Wholesale Inventories Up, Sales Growing Faster U.S. wholesalers' inventories rose for the 15th straight month in March but sales grew even faster, signaling that companies will... Seaspan Adds 60th Ship to Fleet Container ship owner-charterer Seaspan took delivery of its 60th ship, which has been chartered to "K" Line. The Berlin... Asia-Europe Bunker Surcharge Hits Record High Ocean container carriers are levying record bunker fuel surcharges on shipping lanes between Asia and North Europe route, an industry... China Trade Surplus Hits $11.43 Billion China's trade surplus jumped to $11.43 billion in April as surging exports outpaced import growth despite government efforts to shift... Survey Finds Japan's Firms Pessimistic on 2011 Results One-third of Japanese firms expect to see their revenue and profit decline in the fiscal year 2011-2012 which started on... UN Forecasts 1.5 Percent Japan Economy Growth Japan's economic growth will slow to 1.5 percent in inflation-adjusted terms this year from 3.9 percent last year, the United... India's Port Container Traffic Inches Up 2 Percent Container traffic at major ports in India grew a mere 2 percent in April compared with a year earlier, according... Emirates Boosts Cargo Revenue to Record $2.4 Billion Emirates SkyCargo boosted revenue 27.6 percent to a record $2.4 billion in the 12 months through the end of March... Diana Containerships Eyes $172.5 Million Offering Diana Containerships is planning a public offering of up to $172.5 million to pay down debt and build its fleet... Deutsche Post DHL Operating Profit Jumps to $906 Million Deutsche Post DHL increased first quarter operating profit 23 percent from a year ago to $906 million as strong growth... Lufthansa Cargo Traffic Jumps 24.8 Percent Lufthansa Cargo boosted freight traffic by 24.8 percent in April from a year ago, driven by surging volumes across its...

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MAY 10, 2011
Schedule reliability down China's trade surplus soars Shippers warned to expect higher BAFs FMC 'taking up' new container freight indices/derivatives HSBC research reveals MENA strength

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MAY 10, 2011
Beluga's bunker battle Another chapter added to saga of insolvent German heavy-lift operator as legal drama unfolds in California. Omega hits snooze Banks dial back debt clock by three days as George Kassiotis-controlled product tanker owner races to restructure loan packages. Rates sting Scorpio Emanuele Lauro sees product tanker recovery on the horizon following first-quarter loss but duration of revival remains unclear. OOIL slips in four more Hong Kong-listed boxship owner takes 13,000-teu haul at Samsung to 10 with $544m splash. BSL starts Swedish service Estonian company using DFDS ro-ro for new run from Paldiski to Kapellskar. Solvang still not happy Oslo-listed owner says performance of its shipping division remains unsatisfactory despite a return to the black. Dof chases fresh bankroll Oslo-listed offshore group calls on capital markets to fill financing gap tied to STX Europe order. Platou turns positive Slump in container rates has bottomed out says RS Platou Markets as it upgrades sector and two leading owners. Lampke lines up takeover German liner player PWL Group strikes deal with Sloman Neptun for its ship agency business. Knightsbridge lags Street John Fredriksen-controlled shipowner sees first quarter numbers land short of forecasts. Dry's depressing reality Bulker owners face four more years of pain as record orderbook is delivered, analyst warns. Precious profit slashed Thai bulker owner sees revenues dwindle in first quarter, while operating costs rise. Siem back in the black Oslo-listed offshore shipowner posts a profit in the first quarter as AHTS investment pays off. Investments bail out Wan Hai Taiwanese container line's first quarter profit rises despite growing operating costs.

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MAY 10, 2011
Steinke to receive Connie Award Richard D. Steinke, who will retire this year as executive director of the Port of Long Beach, has been selected to receive the Containerization & Intermodal Institute's (CII) Connie Award. Steinke During his 14-year career at the port, Steinke le... Essar Shipping splits in half Mumbai-based Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics Ltd. said Monday it is dividing its operations into two companies -- Essar Ports and Essar Shipping. For every three shares held of the current company, shareholders will get two shares of Essar Ports a... Shipco restarts LCL service to Greece Non-vessel-operating common carrier Shipco Transport has restarted its direct less-than-containerload service from New York to Piraeus, Greece, citing an uptake in cargo volumes to the Mediterranean from the United States. The service will improve ... Soy shippers, Panama Canal partner on trade The Soy Transportation Coalition on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Panama Canal Authority, marking the first time that a shipper organization has offered to partner on promoting the 2014 expansion of the Panama Canal. At the ... Higher volumes, rates pull BNSF forward BNSF Railway had first quarter net profit of $607 million, 20 percent more than the $506 million recorded in the same 2010 period, according to a summary of its results provided by parent company Berkshire Hathaway last week. Berkshire provided a q... Four new board members for TIACA The International Air Cargo Association has named four new members to its board of directors, the organization said Monday. The new TIACA board members are: Oliver Evans, chief cargo officer of Swiss International Airlines. Neel Shah, senior vi... TBS reports loss as revenue shrinks TBS International said it had a first quarter net loss of $18 million compared to a $7.8 million loss in the same 2010 period. Revenue was $89.8 million in the first quarter compared to $100.1 million in the first quarter of 2010. The company warne... Drewry: Liner reliability falls in Q1 Container service reliability declined for the second quarter in a row during the first quarter of 2011, according toDrewry Maritime Research's latest Schedule Reliability Insightreport. The proportion of the 2,972 vessel calls arriving on time at... Low rates 'reduce incentive'? Low rates 'reduce incentive'? Low rates 'reduce incentive'?... Quarterly results Higher volumes, rates pull BNSF forwardBNSF Railway had first quarter net profit of $607 million, 20 percent more than the $506 million recorded in the same 2010 period, according to a summary of its results provided by parent company Berkshire Hat...

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MAY 10, 2011
Middle East prices mixed Avails 'extremely tight' in Durban. Port of Gothenburg outlines environmental incentives Sweeteners include differentiated port dues, low sulphur fuel reimbursement and funds for retrofitting vessels with LNG propulsion. Cruise industry shrinks as environmental rules tighten International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators expects another fall in passenger numbers. Rotterdam prices rise Congestion at Rotterdam loading terminals. RCCL highlights fuel strategy advantage Has kept relative fuel cost and consumption down, tells Bunkerworld conference about its emission mitigation strategies. BAFs outstripping bunker price increases Alphaliner says bunker surcharges are at a record high. Bridge reopens after bunker barge collision Investigation continuing into cause of Fremantle accident. Asian bunker prices generally firming Demand mostly low at key Asian bunker ports on Tuesday, say traders. Bulk carrier runs aground, leaks bunkers in Philippines Vessel enroute to India when it ran aground in southern Philippines on Sunday morning. Australian bunker station gets upgrade With the addition of two new sewage pump-out units. NYK gets 'excellent' rating for environmental efforts Shipping company gets top rating from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Rising bunker prices putting 'pressure' on profits Political unrest and increase in demand for crude and refined oils 'has had direct impact on cost of bunkers.'