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Shipping News

US car imports boost car-carrier rates
The fastest growth in US demand for imported cars since 2006 is boosting rates for the vessels delivering them, spurring analysts to predict a 68 per cent gain in profit for Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA, the largest fleet operator.
Capesize hire costs fall to 14-year low
Hire costs for capesizes, the largest ships that carry dry-bulk commodities, fell to a 14-year low amid a shortage of cargoes to load at Atlantic Ocean ports.
Tanker earnings soften on activity slowdown
Crude oil tanker earnings on the major Middle East route were weaker on Monday as a slowdown in activity and mounting vessel availability ate into gains notched up earlier this month.
Deutsche Bank's ship loans swell as rivals submerge

Strait Talk

EU decision on Somali piracy a positive move
THERE has been some good, some bad and some mixed news on piracy in the past couple of weeks. The good news is that the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) is to take action against Somali pirates on land.

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Shipping News

US car imports boost car-carrier rates
The fastest growth in US demand for imported cars since 2006 is boosting rates for the vessels delivering them, spurring analysts to predict a 68 per cent gain in profit for Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA, the largest fleet operator.
Capesize hire costs fall to 14-year low
Hire costs for capesizes, the largest ships that carry dry-bulk commodities, fell to a 14-year low amid a shortage of cargoes to load at Atlantic Ocean ports.
Tanker earnings soften on activity slowdown
Crude oil tanker earnings on the major Middle East route were weaker on Monday as a slowdown in activity and mounting vessel availability ate into gains notched up earlier this month.
Deutsche Bank's ship loans swell as rivals submerge

Strait Talk

EU decision on Somali piracy a positive move
THERE has been some good, some bad and some mixed news on piracy in the past couple of weeks. The good news is that the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) is to take action against Somali pirates on land.

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Hyundai increases China-subcontinent rate US$400/TEU from April 15 Hapag levies north Europe-Far East US$200/TEU bunker surcharge April 16 MSC to levy US$100/box repositioning surcharge on North Europe-Asia trade Wan Hai Lines to raise Asia-East India rates US$150/TEU in April Auckland back in talks, but April 6 lockout looms after fuzzy court ruling New Tianjin-Japan shipping route enlivens trade across Sea of Japan APM T wins 33-year concession for Costa Rica CT, 10 miles from Panama Montreal gets US$15.7 million to up box capacity 12.8pc to 1.8 million TEU AP Moller-Maersk CEO faces heart surgery again and 2 months of sick leave Hard-pressed Spain sells or shuts down transport, logistics holdings South Carolina Ports awards US$42.7 million for Navy Base Terminal project Canadian National to acquire 161 locomotives to meet traffic growth SIA and South African Airlines fined US$5.79 million for price-fixing Qantas pay dispute faces compulsory arbitration for first time ever Chongqing signs cooperation deals with six international air carriers US Customs, TSA, sidestep 100pc screening to profile air cargo instead

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Curtains to rise on BHP 2012 tomorrow MSC announces rationalisation of ISES & I-Med services Shipping confidence up on expectation of rate increases but new investment appetite wanes Chinese demand for Indian handicrafts on the rise India, Indonesia agree to expedite CECA talks PAP agitation affects box movement to & from JN Port, CFSs Record loading of kaolin at Kandla Port Samsara Group appointed Port of Amsterdam's representative in India

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MARCH 27, 2012
Volumes rising at Russia's seaports Russia's seaports handled a total of 535 million t of goods in 2011. The target for the current year is 560 million t. (ku) Atlanta welcomes return of Air France-KLM/Martinair air cargo service Today (27 March), Air France-KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo are beginning a scheduled air cargo service to Atlanta GA (USA), in addition to existing passenger flights. The French ai... DSV and Fläkt Woods sign new contract The transport service provider DSV Road Ltd and Fläkt Woods UK have signed a three-year contract renewal for handling domestic and international road freight. Using its dedicated v... Albany ring road Australia: planning set to start on stages two and three Australia's federal labour government has agreed to cover half the USD 1 million cost of completing the planning and detailed work on the remaining two stages of the Albany ring ro... Ukraine: state railways obtaining 54 electric locomotives The Ukraine state railways UkrZaliznytsia (UZ) plans to expand its fleet with 50 electric locomotives. The new VL11M/6 traction units that are being manufactured by Georgia's... DHL boosts intercontinental service with new RTW flight Effective today (27 March), DHL, one of the world's leading international express services providers, is significantly enhancing its intercontinental delivery capabilities. The lau... Cargo 2000 platinum membership for Swiss WorldCargo Swiss WorldCargo, the cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines, has been classified as a Cargo 2000 platinum member 201", the highest of four categor... Cossutta and Grimaldi to manage logistics for Serbia-made Fiat cars The Trieste (Italy)-based company Cossutta Trasort & Logistics has signed a final agreement to manage the outbound trade of Fiat cars manufactured in the Kragujevac car factory... First major step for Euro Carex, the European high-speed rail freight network Euro Carex has achieved a major first: the first test of a high-speed freight train running between Lyon St Exupéry airport (France) and St. Pancras international station in London... UTi Worldwide Inc reports lower net income in Q4/2012 UTi Worldwide Inc has reported the financial results for its fiscal Q4/2012 ended 31 January 2012. Q4/2012, revenues amounted to USD 1.154 billion, an increase of 0.7% f... FedEx with good results in Q3/2012 The US express service provider FedEx reported consolidated revenue of USD 10.56 billion in Q3, up 9% from USD 9.66 billion for the same period in the preceding year. Operating in... Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited restructured management Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has reshuffled its senior management team. Tan Chee Hong, formerly Hactl executive director - information services, has been promoted ...

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MARCH 27, 2012
Virginia approves plan for prototype offshore wind turbine installation Ilios Shipping sentenced to $2 million criminal penalty in Agios Emilianos case Bollinger Shipyards team on Bouchard ATB conversion Salvage of capsized tug in dry dock successful Abu Dhabi Ship Building steps up focus on MRO services

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MARCH 27, 2012
New Columbia River pilot boat set to launch from Foss shipyard Trade between NAFTA partners up during month of January ATA trucking index climbs during February Tug INVADER refloated following sinking of drydock Horizon plans to restructure vessel charter agreements

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MARCH 27, 2012
Emissions control study highlights role of fuel prices Danish Green Ship of the Future project compares the choice of fuel, and technologies, for use in future ECAs NewLead bulker held in New Orleans over alleged arrears Federal judge issues Rule B order Piraeus annual profits dip as privatisation looms Port reports container and cruise growth DFDS and LDA in cross-Channel and Mediterranean partnership Joint venture creates nine-vessel company Moroccan ferries remain stranded in Algeciras Government steps in as crews on Comarit and Comanav Ferry vessels suffer in financial crisis Snow show for ice-class tonnage Aframax rates feel the chill as Baltic thaws India oil demand boosts tanker triangulation Iranian oil supply loss strengthens New Delhi's ties with Brazil Horizon offers debt restructuring plan Company allocates 10% of stock to liabilities on laid-up tonnage India to send more iron ore to South Korea State-owned miner MMTC granted export permit IG reinsurance faces review before 2013 Rating agencies and regulators fear system's 'apparent fragility' The dance of Jaya Acquisition talks may have tapered off, but the Singapore-listed offshore vessel builder and operator still has winning moves Car carrier market on verge of rates boom Orderbook is nearly empty and demand will jump this year Torm offered $200m rescue package But debt mountain could scupper the deal Paribus raises $6.7m for KG opportunity fund Supplying capital to struggling businesses can be done on very favourable terms, but demands strong nerves Deeble becomes first female president of UK Chamber of Shipping P&O chief calls for more stability in shipping IG clubs to exclude IIR clause Inclusion leaves shipowners liable SISI sees Chinese shipping industry bottoming out in first quarter Margins will increase on recovering box shipping markets, says Shanghai institute CSD secures intra-company loan China's banks reluctant to lend to shipping Europe opens window of opportunity for IMO to develop CO2 measures European market-based measure will take five years to come into force, giving IMO time to find international solution Singamas profits up 49% Box supplier improves sales this year Aberdeen completes $30m upgrade Scottish port targets larger, heavier cargoes New order Damco tackles changing purchase patterns Damco launches 'GPS-style' supply chain tool Dynamic flow control aims to cut manual processes Finnlines posts 8% increase in annual revenue Ferry operator buys China-built tonnage Nice cash if you can get it CSD struggles to secure cheap bank loans Vietnam's Vinashin case goes to court Ex-chairman accused of defrauding and bankrupting the company Alliances penalise the most efficient members, study shows Some alliance partners will see the average reliability of the product reduced compared to their own operational performance Rivals cash in after Maersk cancels eastbound bookings MSC and CMA CGM announce surcharges as Europe-Asia box space tightens Boxship ordering collapses Moribund start to the year reflects a crash in freight rates that is only just being reversed NOL launches perpetual bond Singapore dollar-denominated offering planned

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MARCH 27, 2012
Jaccar to expand into bulk, gas sectors JACCAR, the Jacques de Chateauvieux-led investment company, said today it hopes to mimic its offshore success in the gas and drybulk sectors Ningbo Marine falls to $1M 2011 loss SHANGHAI-listed Ningbo Marine unveiled net operating losses today of 5.5M yuan ($1M) for 2011, compared with a profit of 43.7M yuan ($7M) a year earlier JV's $1.33Bn purchase of Maersk LNG is completed TEEKAY LNG and Marubeni have completed their $1.33Bn bid to acquire Maersk LNG A/S, with its eight LNG carriers Channel ferry JV set up DANISH ferry operator DFDS said today it has taken an 82% majority in a company set up with partner LDA, which will take over their Channel ferry activities Chinese breakers buck trend CHINESE breakers are again bucking the soft trend in recycling, raising prices even as rival South Asians refused to budge GenMar seals creditor deal BANKRUPT General Maritime and its unsecured creditors committee have finally reached an agreement that paves the way for restructuring Two China Shipping units close deal CHINA Shipping Development said today the shipbuilder plans to borrow 2Bn yuan ($300M) from CS Finance COSCO Pacific's revenues jump 34% COSCO's terminal division COSCO Pacific today said its net profits in 2011 were $398M, up from $366M the year before NewLead bulker targeted A UNIT of trading giant Vitol has attached a bulker managed owned by NASDAQ-listed NewLead Zodiac buys Sanko ships ZODIAC Maritime Agencies is said to have bought two modern Panamax bulkers from troubled Japanese owner Sanko Steamship Capesize newbuildings sold A KOREA Line newbuilding Capesize bulker is one of two such ships said to have been resold last week MR tanker sales reflect sector confidence BUYERS are continuing to commit to medium-range products tankers, reflecting confidence in the sector VINASHIN trial begins MANAGERS of shipbuilding giant VINASHIN went on trial today in Vietnam's northern port city Haiphong, IHS Global Insight reported

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MARCH 27, 2012
Illios Shipping Fined for Illegal Waste Dumping The Department of Justice ordered Illios Shipping to pay $2 million in criminal fines after the Greek carrier admitted to... Shipper Group Enters Trucker Hours-of-Service Battle Shipper association NASSTRAC joined the legal battle over truck driver hours-of-service rules, challenging a lawsuit seeking shorter daily hours for... TIA's Voltmann Details Legislative Affecting Freight Brokers, 2012 Economic Outlook (Video) Robert Voltmann, CEO and president of Transportation Intermediaries Association, details legislative action relating to freight brokers and what his members... Truck Tonnage Index Rises 5.5 Percent A key indicator of trucking activity rose 0.5 percent in February from January, signaling truck freight volumes are rising after... Rickmers and TOTE Join World Shipping Council Rickmers-Linie and TOTE have joined the World Shipping Council as the newest members of the Washington-based maritime association. With... UASC to Hike Europe-Asia Cargo Rates United Arab Shipping Company will apply a general rate increase on eastbound cargo from North Europe to Asia and the... Fedex Trade Networks Expands in US FedEx Trade Networks is expanding its U.S. freight forwarding operations, opening offices in Phoenix, St. Louis, Mo., and Milwaukee, Wis.... Trailer, Truck Orders Create Backlogs Truck trailer makers are struggling to keep up with demand, as strong orders create production backlogs, according to vehicle market... Horizon Expects $6.4 Million Fourth Quarter Loss Horizon Lines said Tuesday it expects to report a fourth quarter loss of $6.4 million from continuing operations basis on... DP World Repays $3 Billion Loan Early Global ports operator DP World is tapping its cash resources to repay a $3 billion revolving credit facility six months... Yokohama Container Volume Slides 6.2 Percent International trade through Japan's Port of Yokohama declined 6.2 percent in 2011 from 2010 to 2.8 million 20-foot equivalent units,... Hanjin Takes Delivery of First 13,000-TEU Ships Hanjin Shipping took delivery of the first two of a series of nine 13,100-TEU capacity container ships that it started... Operating Profit, Traffic Soar at Russia's Global Ports Russia's Global Ports booked net income of $146.9 million in 2011, up 23 percent on the previous year, as its... Obama Team Pushing Export Promotion Initiatives Encouraging small and midsize companies to enter the export arena will put the U.S. on the fast track to sustaining... Supreme Court Seeks Solicitor General's Opinion in Clean-Trucks Case A challenge to the Port of Los Angeles concession requirements for motor carriers moved a step closer to the U.S.... MSC Imposes Equipment Surcharge in Europe-Asia Trade Mediterranean Shipping Co is imposing an "equipment imbalance" surcharge and "no-show" penalties on the North Europe-Asia route after rival Maersk... Diesel Prices Hit 33-Month High Diesel prices across the U.S. hit a 33-month high in the week ending March 26, climbing half a cent as...

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MARCH 27, 2012
Are carriers playing mind games? You have just returned from the Far East after a highly successful but exhausting sales trip. Your newly-launched upgraded widgets are in high demand. Your e-mail ... CMA CGM forges new deal with MSC and CSAV in Europe/ECSA trade Further signs of the close co-operation evolving between MSC and CMA CGM and CSAV can be seen from the latest deal just announced in the trade linking northern ... Canadian National expands coverage of US/Canada Canadian National Railway Company (CN) railway is aiming to expand its coverage of the US and Canada for international cargo movement this year and to this end ... USTDA to advise on Casablanca's security plans The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded more than USD570,000 to Marsa Maroc, a leading terminal operator and stevedore that is active in Morocco's ... Auckland 'wharfies' win pre-lock-out pay The Ports of Auckland [PoA] has made a 'good faith' pledge to honour the pay of 300 Maritime New Zealand Union [MNZU] port workers who have been prevented from ... DP World to retire USD3 billion of debt early DP World is to use its cash reserves to retire an outstanding USD3 billion loan under an existing revolving credit facility that matures in October 2012. The repayments ... Hanjin takes delivery of first 13,000TEU vessels Eimskip meet expectations Icelandic shipping and transport group, Eimskip, has posted an after tax profit of EUR13.1 (USD17.5) million profit for 2011 compared to a EUR12.2 (USD16.3) million ... Iranian bulker pirated 3000km from Somalia A 63,400 dwt Iranian-owned bulk carrier and its 23 crew was seized off the Maldives by suspected Somalia-based pirates yesterday, more than 3,000km from the shores ... DP World offers 3G communications DP World has introduced a 3G internet service for container liner operators calling at its flagship Jebel Ali port complex in the UAE.It means that ocean carriers ... EU extends anti-piracy naval force fight to the beaches The European Union has confirmed an extension of the EU NAVFOR counter-piracy mission [Operation ATLANATA] off the Horn of Africa until ...

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MARCH 27, 2012
SDRL backs NAD campaign John Fredriksen-led offshore contractor steps in as underwriter for North Atlantic Drilling in $300m pledge drive. FOW wins wind work German utility turns to Fred Olsen Windcarrier for offshore installation vessel as delivery approaches. Carnival storms Japan Costa Concordia backlash fails to derail Tokyo expansion drive as US cruise giant races to cash in on burgeoning market. CMA CGM ditches Germans French line teams with MSC, CSAV to South America, replacing pact with Hapag-Lloyd and Hamburg Sud. Horizon Lines to slash debt Cash-strapped US containership owner agrees deal with bondholders to convert notes into stock. Marshals seize NEWL bulker US judge signs off on arrest warrant after Mansel cries foul over contentious product tanker charter contracts. DFDS and LDA form new JV Ferry owners deepen ties with new company covering cross Channel and North African services. Timebomb ticks for US fleet S&P says replacing more than 1,000 elderly domestic ships is not going to be easy. Sanko sell-off goes on Struggling Japanese owner offloads another two vessels to raise money, this time modern panamax bulkers. Cido ship dodges pirates An armed security team fights off an attack on a tanker off Tanzania, sources say. Torm lines up investors Danish tanker owner's salvation may be at hand as two groups ready to plough in up to $200m. RBS halts Iran charter pay Eurotankers of Greece going to court after bank blocks Great Eastern's cash for aframax crude lifting in Iran. Yard workers in chains Twelve former Cantieri Navale di Trapani men lock themselves to gates in Italy over sackings.

- Ocean news	web site
MARCH 27, 2012
Cross-border cloud computing More than dock-side bluster When bad things happen to good cargo Open to question? Backyard brawling Idle times Liner carriers attempt revenue grab LETTER: Slow steaming's potential air cargo boon The fork in the road - Part 1 Sold on sustainability

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MARCH 27, 2012
Outreach events ahead of SMW 2012 Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to increase awareness about the maritime industry among the general public. Grindrod and Vitol confirm deal for 50% stake in Cockett 'Vitol is the ideal partner to support Cockett's global growth strategy', says Cockett's Beeson. Lube suppliers form alliance Chevron Marine Lubricants signs cooperation agreements with Gazpromneft subsidiary. Rotterdam IFO prices generally stable Some suppliers fully booked until end of the month in Rotterdam. High bunker prices 'draining' ship operators of cash International banking group says shipping is facing a 'financing gap'. Prices firm slightly in Fujairah Tight avails for prompt supplies in Fujairah. Torm in talks with two potential investor groups Negotiating $100-200 million in equity and cash that could 'eliminate' risk of 'in-court solution' for troubled operator. Fuel prices 'killing everybody' in current market Saving fuel has moved from being a 'marketing tool' to a necessity, says Tom Boardley, Marine Director at LR. 'Confusion' over Russia's fuel oil tax policy 'No unity in the government about the efficiency of the current system,' say sources. Bunker prices largely up in Asian markets Weak demand in Singapore and Tokyo. Ship operators warned against evading ECA compliance 'Don't try to flog the log,' John Aitken tells conference. Low speed engine passes factory tests for market introduction Parameters for fuel consumption, exhaust gas emissions and other readings 'well within accepted limits', says Wartsila. Supplier's exit 'to impact' Japanese bunker market Itochu Enex's exit will remove about 36,600 mt of bunkers from the local spot market, players say. Value of Sri Lanka petroleum exports up 106% Mainly due to increased exports from the bunkering sector. India to 'ensure' EEDI and SEEMP compliance Initiates necessary steps for survey/inspection of Indian ships. US firm to reintroduce marine gas turbine engines Due to narrowing price differential between MGO and HFO material since mid-2000. UK shipping firm orders more fuel efficient newbuilds Lomar places order for up to six 2,200 TEU containerships from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in China.