Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.

Dismiss

World Maritime News - 27 March, 1998

23 views

Skip to first unread message

Steve Schultz

unread,

Mar 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/28/98

World Maritime News - 27 March, 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUSINESS

N.Y.K. to buy Showa Line

Nippon Yusen Kaisha will buy Showa Line, which operates more than 90
ships.

Vessels may have to pay for sailing in Baltic Sea

Countries on the Baltic Sea agreed 26 March on measures to clean the
area's enviroment which include fees on vessels. Ships would pay the fee at
the first Baltic port of call. The measures must be approved by the
legislatures of Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Russia and Sweden.

Icelandic fishing crews strike

Fishing vessel crews in Iceland resumed a strike on 15 March. Attempts
by an Icelandic government mediator were accepted by labor unions but
rejected by vessel owners. The strike was postponed on 11 Feb. pending the
results of an investigation by a special committee named by the Icelandic
Fisheries Ministry. The committee recomended formation of a commission to
examine fish pricing and crew wages, establish a public system for trading
quotas and a ban on transferring more than 50 percent of any vessel's quota
each year.

Sea Bridge Shipping sold

Growth Industries Inc. announced 26 March it has bought Fragrance
Express Inc., a fragrance distribution company which owns Sea Bridge
Shipping Inc. Sea Bridge Shipping, based in Miami, offers container liner
service between the Carribean, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica,
Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Vlasov Group increase MC Shipping stake

Vlasov Group now has almost 50 percent of MC Shipping Inc. after a
ships-for-shares and cash deal.

Conterm sold

An international investment group has purchased Conmel A.B., which
operates Conterm Group, a non-vessel operating common carrier.

German committee approves shipping bill

A German parliamentary committee has approved a new shipping bill that
includes tax cuts.

Philippines takes action against substandard schools, to open own

The Philippine government will stop substandard maritime schools from
accepting applicants for the 1998-1999 school year and will close them down
by 2002. However, about 20 schools are being indentified as "centers of
excellence" and they will each receive at least 3 million Philippine
pesos/U.S.$80,000. Meanwhile, the Philippine Commission on Higher Education
has submitted a proposal to Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos to
establish the country's first maritime university. The commission has
requested that Ramos approve the proposal and release 10 million
pesos/U.S.$264,000 for a study. To be named the Asian Maritime University,
it would offer undergraduate and graduate programs in maritime subjects
such as marine engineering, marine environment, naval architecture,
oceanography and other areas. The commission has recommended two options.
First, the university could be state-owned through conversion of the
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy or the Philippines' National Maritime
Polytechnic. Alternatively, a new institution could be formed by
participation of private investors in a joint venture. The Association of
Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines and the International
Shipping Federation have expressed interest in being part of the venture.

Wharf Holdings to pay legal costs

Wharf Holdings has been ordered to pay as much as U.S.$45.2 million
million in legal costs after a court ruled against a former subsidiary.

Den Norske Bank files suit against former Greek manager

Den Norske Bank has filed a lawsuit against its former Greek shipping
portfolio manager and is seeking U.S.$1.933 million. The suit alleges
Dimitris Antonatos, who left the bank last year, took "bribes, secret
commissions or secret profits." Antonatos was head of the representative
office in Piraeus, Greece, since it was formed in March 1996.

Senator Line to get capital increase

Senator Line will receive 55 million German marks/U.S.$30 million from
its shareholders in a new capital increase. Most of the funding will be
provided by Hanjin, which controls about 80 percent of the company. Other
funding will come from Deutsche Seereederei GmbH Rostock.

Attica Enterprises to get capital injection

Shareholders of Attica Enterprises have approved a new 20.18 billion
Greek drachma/U.S.$63.65 million capital increase for a 127 billion
drachma/U.S.$400 million ferry newbuilding program that will double its
fleet. The one-for-five rights issue of 6.3 million shares will cost 3,200
drachmas/U.S.$10 per share. A total of 6,307,200 shares will be offered to
fund four vessels. They will be delivered in 2000 and 2001.

Marine Reponse Alliance and Marine Spill Response to co-ordinate services

Marine Response Alliance and Marine Spill Response Corp. have signed a
memorandum of understanding to co-ordinate emergency spill response
services for clients of the two businesses. Marine Response Alliance
provides emergency towing, salvage, firefighting and environmental response
around the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and the Carribean by
serving as a central point for Crowley Marine Services Inc., Marine
Pollution Control, Moran Services Corp., Williams Fire and Hazard Control
and others. Marine Spill Reponse provides petroleum spill response along
the U.S. coastline, Hawaii and the Carribean.

Loki shareholders approve bonds

Shareholders of Loki have approved a convertible bond issue an
extraordinary meeting.

Atlanic Container Line may split stock

Shareholders of Atlantic Container Line will be asked on 30 March to
approve splitting the company's stock at a ratio of 2-to-1.

Panama to open office in the Philippines

Panama will open a maritime office in Manila, the Philippines, in
mid-April, primarily to aid in licensing people in the region for work
aboard Panamanian-registry vessels. Panama is also forming offices in
London and New York. According to Panama, Philippine citizens account for
60 percent of the 180,000 crewmembers aboard ships under its registry.

Bona Shipholding to change tax residence

Bona Shipholding Ltd. has announced plans to change its tax residence
by the end of next year.

China Shipping Development raises money for purchases

China Shipping Development has raised U.S.$49.1 million to fund the
purchase of 19 tankers from its parent at a cost of U.S.$173 million. The
ships total 550,000 deadweight tons with an average age of 15 years.
Fifteen are from China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co.'s Guangzhou unit and four
are from Dalian. They will be paid for with a third in cash, a third in new
shares and a third in a three-year installment deal.

Acomarit unit to manage Canada Steamship Lines vessels

The Glasgow, Scotland, office of Acomarit (United Kingdom) Ltd. has
received a technical management contract for six ships affiliated with
Canada Steamship Lines Inc. The CSL Cabo (Liberian-registry 31,364-dwt
motor bulk carrier built in 1971) and the CSL Trailblazer (26,608-dwt bulk
carrier) are now handled by the New Orleans office of Barber Ship
Management Ltd. The CSL Atlas (Bahamian-registry 68,178-dwt,
227.8-meter/747.4-foot motor bulk carrier built in 1990 ) and the Melvyn H.
Baker III (38,900-dwt bulk carrier) are managed in-house. The last two
ships involved are 71,000-dwt bulk carriers being built in China.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sued for plans to dump sand in Columbia River

The Columbia River Crab Fishermen's Association and the Pacific Coast
Federation of Fishermen's Associations filed a lawsuit on 23 March in a
U.S. District Court against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others.
The Army Corps of Engineers is planning to dump sand in the Oregon's
Columbia River that the two groups say will destroy the crab fishery and
nursery. The suit, which is being represented by Earthjustice Legal Defense
Fund, is seeking an injunction against dumping sand dredged from the lower
Columbia on the fishery.

Eurasia opens Singapore office

Eurasia has opened an office in Singapore. It will primarily offer
port services for the company's shipping clients.

Max Global to represent Troy Container Line

Starting next month, Max Global SRL will be the Argentine
representative for Troy Container Line Ltd.

Turkon Line names new agent

Turkon Line has appointed a new general agent for Canada and the
United States. Turkon America Inc. will operate from 100 Plaza Drive,
Secaucus, N.J., 07096. The telephone is 888-9TURKON or 201-866-6966. The
facsimile is 201-866-6529.

U.K. P&I Club names Taiwanese office manager

U.K. P&I Club's recently opened office in Taiwan is being managed by
Transport Mutual Services (Taiwan). It will provide claims handling and
advisory services previously done by Taiwan Maritime Services. The office
will report to Thomas Miller (Asia Pacific) in Hong Kong.

Former master, chief engineer of the Fermanagh Reefer get money

Two Estonian crewmembers aboard the Fermanagh Reefer
(Panamanian-registry 818-dwt refrigerated ship built in 1971) have won a
legal effort to secure back wages. Master Viktor Kuznetsov and Chief
Engineer Valeriy Listov were hired by Fermanagh Shipping and Trading Co. in
December 1996 to crew the ship, which sails between western Africa and
Europe carrying fish. In February 1997, they contracted hepatitis after
sailing from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and went ashore in Spain. In facsimile
messages, Fermanagh Shipping and Trading accused the two of "dishonesty"
for concealing a medical condition they had prior to joining the ship. The
insurer refused to cover expenses and the message concluded, "As far as we
are concerned, when you were discharged from hospital, you should be well
enough to come back to the vessel." The contracts were terminated after
wages for the replacement master, travel expenses of the replacement crew,
medical fees and hotel costs were deducted from their wages. In November,
the crew of the Fermanagh Reefer struck in Ghana, stating they had not been
paid in five months. The wages were paid a few days later and repatriation
arranged. The ship was then re-registered in Ghana as the Nova VI with a
Ghanian crew. In January, the Nova VI was arrested in Ireland through the
actions of Kuzentsov and Listov. The two have now been paid U.S.$15,000 in
compensation and Fermanagh Shipping and Trading also paid for Admiralty
Marshall and legal costs.

Interpool announces dividend

Interpool Inc., the container lessor, said 26 March it will pay a cash
dividend of U.S.$0.375 per share for the first quarter of 1998. The
dividend will be payable on 15 April to shareholders on 1 April. The
aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be about $1.033 million.

More on Holyman renamings

Holyman Ltd. has renamed its three businesses bought from Union
Shipping Group. Coastal Express Line Pty. Ltd. will become Holyman Coastal
Express Pty. Ltd., Union Bulkships Pty. Ltd. will become Holyman Marine
Agencies and Union Stevedoring Services will become Holyman Stevedoring
Services.

U.S. Coast Guard seeking personnel for advisory committee

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applicants to serve on its Merchant
Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, a 19-member group that studies
training, qualification and licensing requirements for U.S. maritime
industry personnel. The deadline is 6 April. Telephone 800-842-8740
extension 7-6890 or 202-267-0214 or fax 202-267-4570.

Inter-Ocean Container Lines starts contest

Inter-Ocean Container Lines Inc. has started a "Frequent Shippers
Reward" Program. All regular co-loaders and shippers of the company can
earn points through regular bookings of less-than-containerload cargoes
until 30 July. The points are put towards prizes that include audio and
video equipment, computer systems, home products and trips.

ROUTES AND SERVICES

Four lines name alliance

Cho Yang Shipping Co. Ltd., Hanjin, Senator Line and United Arab
Shipping Co. have named their consortium the United Alliance.

T.S.A. raises surcharges temporarily

The Transpacific Stabilization Agreement has announced three temporary
surcharges. One, a peak season surcharge, is for U.S.$100 per FEU and
applies to containers originating in Asia except Japan.

Hanjin ends CAX-II

Hanjin has abolished its CAX-II container service. The six 2,661-TEU
containerships of Senator Line that were used on the service will be placed
on the AMA service and five AMA ships will replace four 2,700-TEU
containerships on the CEX route. CAX-II operated between northern China and
western North America.

Tokyo Senpaku Kaisha restructures its routes

Tokyo Senpaku Kaisha will suspend its Orion Service after the 15 April
departure from Tokyo due to low cargo volumes. In its operations, the
company will cut its present 12 ships calling three times per week to eight
ships calling twice a week. Direct calls at Penang, Malaysia, and
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, will be suspended but the ports will be served by a
feeder from Singapore as well as a deal with Nippon Yusen Kaisha. Pasir
Gudang, Malaysia, will be added. The reformed Pegasus rotation will be
Osaka, Tokyo, Shimizu, Nagoya and Kobe in Japan; Manila, the Philippines;
Singapore; Port Klang, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Pasir Gudang;
Singapore; Manila; and Osaka. It will use the 1,400-TEU ships ACX Hibiscus
(Panamanian-registry 24,580-dwt containership built in 1997), ACX Lilac
(Panamanian-registry 24,497-dwt containership built in 1992), ACX Rafflesia
(22,800-dwt containership built in 1997) and ACX Violet
(Panamanian-regustry 24,502-dwt containership built in 1991). The Southern
Cross Service will call at Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya and Kobe in Japan;
Keelung, Taiwan; Hong Kong; Singapore; Jakarta; Singapore; Hong Kong;
Keelung; and Tokyo. The ACX Clover (19,185-dwt containership built in
1982), ACX Daisy (22,536-dwt containership built in 1978), ACX Lily
(Liberian-registry 22,735-dwt containership built in 1990) and ACX Rose
(Panamanian-registry 22,734-dwt containership built in 1990) of 1,000-1,200
TEUs will be used. The new Southern Cross Service rotation starts 13 April
with a departure from Tokyo while the revised Pegasus Service starts from
Osaka 22 April. Both are 28-day fixed-day routes.

Hyundai Merchant Marine, Korea Marine Transportation to offer new route

Hyundai Merchant Marine and Korea Marine Transportation will start a
joint weekly fixed-day container service with the departure of the Hyundai
Sprinter (29,767-dwt containership built in 1997, operated by Hyundai
Merchant Marine) on 7 April from Ulsan, South Korea. The route will use one
2,200-TEU containerships from Korea Marine Transportation and two 1,600-TEU
containerships from Hyundai Merchant Marine. They will be capable of 19.7
knots to 21.5 knots. The rotation will be: Ulsan on Tuesday and Wednesday;
Pusan, South Korea, on Wednesday and Thursday; Keelung, Taiwan, on
Saturday; Hong Kong on Monday; Singapore on Friday; Jakarta, Indonesia, on
Sunday and Monday; Hong Kong on Friday and Saturday; Keelung on Sunday; and
Ulsan. Transit to Jakarta will take 11 days from Ulsan, 10 from Pusan,
eight from Keelung and six from Hong Kong.

Evergreen Marine to start new weekly route

Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd. will start a weekly fixed-day
service in May with seven 1,100-TEU containerships. The rotation is: Port
of New York and New Jersey; Baltimore; Savannah, Ga.; Miami; Colon, Panama;
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela; Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande and San
Francisco do Sul in Brazil; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

New Mediterranean Shipping route to start 16 April

Mediterranean Shipping Co. will start its new service between Europe
and South America on 16 April. The fixed-day service will use seven
1,600-TEU containerships operating at 20 knots. The rotation is: Antwerp,
Belgium; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Bremerhaven and Hamburg in Germany;
Felixstowe, England; Santos, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio Grande
and Santos in Brazil; and Antwerp.

Rostock-Atlantic Linie ends route to United States, joining with Deco Line

Rostock-Atlantik Linie will cease its container service from Europe to
the eastern United States, which was started in November. The company said
unexpectedly high losses necessitated the action. The monthly service uses
the RAL Rostock (German-registry 16,900-dwt, 1,150-TEU containership built
in 1997) calling at Rostock, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Helsingborg,
Sweden; Aarhus, Denmark; Immingham, England; Dublin, Ireland; Greenock,
Scotland; Richmond, Va.; Philadelphia; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The RAL
Rostock will be join the Schwerin (1,184-TEU containership, formerly the
Ara J) on a new route with Deco Line, which will contribute two ships.
Weekly calls will be made starting with the Schwerin on 30 March from
Hamburg, Germany. Calls will be made at Hamburg; Felixstowe, Germany;
Antwerp, Belgium; Rouen, France; Bilbao, Spain; Dakar, Senegal; Conakry,
Guinea; Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; Lagos, Nigeria; and Hamburg. The RAL
Rostock will enter service in mid-April.

Grimaldi Group joins Seagull

Grimaldi Group has joined the Seagull consortium between the
Mediterranean Sea and South America. Seagull comprises Cia. Paullata de
Comercio Marittimo, Costa Container Lines SpA, Italia di Navigazione SpA
and Ybarra/CGM Sud. As of the end of the month, the service will have seven
1,600-TEU containerships and three ro/ro vessels. Grimaldi Group will offer
four ships. Calls are made at Livorno and Genota in Italy; Fos, France;
Barcelona and Valencia in Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Paranagua;
Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Rio Grande,
Itajai, San Francisco and Vitoria in Brazil.

Origin receiving charge for Guangdong cargo to start 1 May

Several companies will apply a cargo origin receiving charge on 1 May
to all shipments received in China's Guangdong province. The charge will be
U.S.$105 per TEU. The companies are: APL, Maersk Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Line,
Nippon Yusen Kaisha, P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd., Pacific
International Lines Ltd., Sea-Land Service Inc., Senator Line, United Arab
Shipping Co., Uniglory Marine Corp. and Wilhelmsen Lines.

New vessel starts service between Dalian and Shanghai

A 15,500-ton passenger and ro/ro ship entered service on 22 March
between the Chinese ports of Dalian and Shangahi. It can carry 1,100
passengers and 200 vehicles at 20 knots. It was built in the Netherlands
for 460 million Chinese yuan/U.S.$55.6 million.

New ferry service between New York and Toronto to start

Shaker Cruise Lines will start a ferry service between Lewiston, N.Y.,
and Toronto, in May, with sailings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Service will be offered between the weekends of the U.S. holidays of
Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Newfoundland contracts for operation of ferries

The Newfoundland government has selected Burry's Marine Division to
operate its ferries between Lewisporte, Newfoundland, and Goose Bay,
Labrador. The contract is for two years with a one-year option. The ferries
include the Northern Ranger (Canadian-registry 662-dwt passenger and
vehicle ferry built in 1986) and the Sir Robert Bond (Canadian-registry
2,000-dwt, 136.1-meter/446.5-foot motor passenger and vehicle ferry built
in 1975).

Te Hukatai enters service in New Zealand

The Te Hukatai, a 24-meter/79-foot fast ferry, has begun service in
New Zealand between Mana on the North Island to Picton on the South Island.
The 150-passenger catamaran will travel at about 30 knots.

CANALS, PORTS AND STRUCTURES

Panama Canal draft restriction dates

The Panama Canal Commission has announced draft restrictions due to
low water levels. The limit is now 11.4 meters/37.5 feet. On 1 April, the
limit will be 11.2 meters/37 feet, on 6 April, it will become 11.1
meters/36.5 feet and on 13 April, it will be 10.9 meters/36 feet. The
latest restriction comes into affect on 19 April, when it will be 10.8
meters/35.5 feet. Ships loaded before 1200 28 March will be cleared to
transit at the 13 April level or less. The restriction is normally 12.0
meters/39.5 feet.

Greek ports closed by weather that kills one

Almost all Greek ports closed 26 March due to severe weather. A
38-year-old man was killed on Rhodes when he was swept away while trying to
secure a line aboard another vessel.

Mumbai hit by strike

The Port of Mumbai, India, has been effectively closed since 19 March
due to a strike by personnel that has reportedly cost the port 2 billion
Indian rupees/U.S.$50 million.

Port Botany closed by another protest

A week-long strike by dockworkers at Patrick's Port Botany in Sydney,
Australia, began 25 March. Patrick said it expects to lose Australian$5
million/U.S.$3.4 million. The Maritime Union of Australia members said they
have not been paid due to provisions of the Australian Workplace Relations
Act that bars payments to personnel in an industrial dispute. MUA members
have been protesting Patrick's decision to lease its Webb Dock in
Melbourne, Australia, to a non-union stevedoring business.

Colombo dockworkers protest

Dockworkers at Colombo, Sri Lanka, struck for a day on 27 March to
protest plans to transfer the Queen Elizabeth Quay to P&O Ports Australia.

New World Infrastructure buying Pacific Ports

New World Infrastructure will buy a 43.7 percent of Pacific Ports Co.
from Fairyoung Holdings for Hong Kong$411.9 million/U.S.$53.18 million and
has made a cash offer for the rest. The stake is 358.2 million shares and
a 4.2 percent per share discount. Fairyoung Holdings said a refundable
deposit of H.K.$41 million/U.S.$5.3 million will be paid when the agrement
is signed with the remaining money to be paid when the deal is complete.
Pacific Ports has container terminals in Xiamen, China, and a breakbulk
terminal in Nanjing, China. New World Infrastructure has a minority stake
in Hong Kong's Container Terminal 3 and the Tianjin, China, container
terminal. New World Infrastructure will have 31.94 percent of Pacific Ports
compared to 32.06 percent of the Asian Infrastructure Fund, which is
managed by American Insurance Group.

Modern Terminals to take over Shekou Container Terminal management

Modern Terminals Ltd. will take over management of Shekou Container
Terminals Ltd. in China's Shenzhen province on 1 May. It is the first
project outside Hong Kong for Modern Terminals and it will not take a stake
in the terminal. Shekou Container Terminals had been operated by P&O Ports.
The terminal handled 213,745 TEUs last year with 280 vessel calls. Shekou
Container Terminals is adding two post-Panamax cranes and two rubber-tired
gantries for U.S.$10 million. The cranes will be built by Zhenhua Port
Machinery Co.

Exolgan to expand in Argentina, Brazil

Exolgan has announced expansion plans for its operations at Buenos
Aires, Argentina, and Santos, Brazil. In Buenos Aires, Exolgan is planning
a third berth, six new Transtainers and a 50 percent increase in yard
space. The Buenos Aires terminal handles 300,000 TEUs annually but with the
expansion, will add 100,000 TEUs to that figure. At Rio Cubatao, Brazil,
near Santos, Exolgan will upgrade its Cosipa operation. It will have two
berths and three gantry cranes for a capacity of 250,000 TEUs. The work
will cost U.S.$80 million.

Largest Philippine oil terminal open

Subic Bay Distributors has opened the largest oil terminal in the
Philippines at Subic Bay. It cost 6 billion Philippine pesos/U.S.$160
million.

Turkey to help fund upgrade of Albanian base

Albania and Turkey signed an agreement 25 March in Ankara, Turkey, for
the reconstruction of tha Albanian naval base of Pashaliman. Turkey will
contribute U.S.$7 million for the upgrading of training facilities and
modernization of equipment.

Singapore to sample bunker fuel, take action against failing cargoes

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore announced 25 March that
it will start sampling bunker fuel at the port and will take punitive
action if the fuel does not meet required standards. The announcement of
the Bunker Quality Inspection System was made at the Singapore
International Bunkering Conference. Unless specified by the buyer, the fuel
will have to been I.S.O.'s 8217 specification of 1996. If it does not,
actions could include a warning, a suspension or cancellation of a
bunkering license.

Pequiven to build pier in Venezuela

Pequiven will build a U.S.$130 million pier with a consortium at the
Jose petroleum complex in eastern Venezuela.

I.C.T.S. wins Rosario concession

International Container Terminal Services Inc. with De Aboitiz has won
the concession to operate the Port of Rosario, Argentina. It bid U.S.$146
million and will invest U.S.$76 million in upgrades. Payment for the
30-year concession will be made over several years.

Vancouver Wharves to add terminal

Vancouver Wharves will build a Canadian$42 million/U.S.$30 million
specialty agricultural terminal on its North Shore as the only such
facility in western North America. Scheduled for completion in July 1999,
it will have a capacity of 25,000 tons in 10 2,500-ton storage bins. There
are plans to add 30,000 tons of additional capacity for C$13
million/U.S.$9.2 million if needed. Equipment will incude a loop rail
track, a railcar dumper, an air-supported conveyor system to the dock and
handling equipment on the dock.

Tallinn reportedly selects loan managers

The Port ot Tallinn, Estonia, has reportedly chosen Bank Gesellschaft
Berlin and Hansapank as lead managers for a U.S.$8.3 million syndicated
loan. The three-year loan will have an interest rate of mark Libor plus 70
basis points. Chase Manhattan, Normura and other German banks were also
said to have been involved.

South African dockworkers protest at Portnet office

About 300 members of the South African Railway and Harbors Workers
Union marched on the Portnet office in Cape Town, South Africa, last week.
They presented Portnet with a petition regarding friction between
dockworkers and port managers.

I.C.T.S. forms insurance unit

International Container Terminal Services Inc. has formed an insurance
broker subsidiary. Titan Insurance Brokers Inc. will provide insurance
services including accident, health fire, life and marine. For the first
year, Titan Insurance Brokers wil only provide insurance for I.C.T.S. but
plans to expand to the maritime industry. The firm has an authorized
capital of 1 million Philippine pesos/U.S.$26,000 and subscribed capital of
250,000 pesos/U.S.$177,000.

Dhamara port project approved

India's Orissa state has approved a proposal by International Seaports
to build a port at Dhamara, India. International Seaports is a joint
venture of Larsen & Toubro, Precious Shipping Ltd. and Stevedoring Services
of America. Dhamara will cover Kanika Sands, a
30-square-kilometer/12-square mile island off the Balasore district. In the
first phase, 12 billion Indian rupees/U.S.$304 million will be spent to
handle eight to 10 million tons of cargo annually. The port will have a
depth of 18.5 meters/60.7 feet. The port will be build on a
build-operate-transfer basis. Orissa will take 5 pecent of the annual
sales. It will be ready by April 2001.

New Mangalore development gets approval

The Indian Commerce Ministry has approved a plan to develop New
Mangalore as a free port. The proposal was made by the Kanara Chamber of
Commerce and Inustry more than a year ago.

Nova America Group to build new Santos sugar terminal

Nova America Group has announced plans to spend U.S.$26 million to
build a new sugar terminal at Santos, Brazil. It will cover 40,000 square
meters/48,000 square yards and will be managed by Logos Engenharia.

Three dredging permits issued for New Jersey and New York

The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently
issued three permits for dredging in New Jersey and New York. Under the
first permit, 304,000 cubic meters/400,000 cubic yards will be dredged from
the Passenger Ship Terminal area and dumped at the Historic Area
Redmediation Site off Sandy Hook, N.J. A second permit will allow Perth
Amboy, N.J., to dredge about 26,600 cubic meters/35,000 cubic yards in the
city. The spoils will be dumped in an abandoned coal mine in Pennfield, Pa.
The final permit will allos maintenance dredging of the Howland Hook Marine
Terminal in New York's Staten Island. Some 68,400 cubic meters/90,000 cubic
yards will be placed in the Newark Bay Confined Disposal Facility in New
Jersey.

New Yokohama port company

New Comprehensive Port Service Co., a new port company at Yokohama,
Japan, will start operations on 1 April. It will have a capitalization of
35.5 million Japanese yen/U.S.$277,000, financed by 17 firms including
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.

Kuwait Petroleum buying vapor recovery unit for Grangemouth

Kuwait Petroleum (Great Britain) will spend 1 million British
pounds/U.S.$1.7 million at Grangemouth, Scotland, for a new vapor recovery
unit at Ross Chemical & Storage Co. The carbon absorption unit by Jordan
Equipment will collect vapor from five bottom loading bays.

Pornet orders IsoSearch system

American Science and Engineering Inc. has received an order from
Portnet, the South African port authority, for a version of its CargoSearch
system called IsoSearch. The system uses the company's Z Backscatter
scanning technology to scan containers and match its contents against the
manifest. The system will combine fixed and mobile equipment.

Gothenburg getting cranes

The Port of Gothenburg, Sweden, has ordered two post-Panamax container
cranes for U.S.$20 million.

Tyne buys new crane

The Port of Tyne, England, has purchased a new 100-ton Liehbherr crane
for 1.6 million British pounds. It will be installed next month at the
Riverside Quay. The LMH 320 will be the largest Liehbherr crane in the
country. It will be able to lift 100 tons to an 18-meter/59-foot radius and
a container under a spreader and hook rotator to 32 meters/105 feet.

Singapore reaches milestone

The Port of Singapore handled its one millionth container on 24 March.
In addition, PSA Corp. handled 14.12 million TEUs last year, according to
recent results announced by the Singapore authority. The amount is an
increase of 9.1 percent from 1996's 12.94 million TEUs. PSA also opened a
representative office in Dalian, China on 26 March.

St. Lawrence Seaway reopens

The St. Lawrence Seaway reopened at 1800 26 March after its seasonal
closure.

Marbela goes into dry dock

Petroleum Co. of Trindad & Tobago was placed the 20,000-barrel
Maritima IV in service as a bunkering vessel while its Marbela is
drydocked. The barge has been in service since 13 March.

SHIPYARDS AND EQUIPMENT

Hitachi Zosen Singapore, Keppel Shipyard to merge

Hitachi Zosen Singapore Pte. Ltd. will merge with Keppel Shipyard in a
deal worth Singaporean$265 million/U.S.$166 million.

Receivership of Halla Engineering & Heavy Industries approved

A South Korean court has approved an application by Halla Group for
receivership of its Halla Engineering & Heavy Industries Ltd. Halla Group,
South Korea's 12th largest conglomerate, or chaebol, collapsed 6 Dec. after
it was declared bankrupt. Halla Group could not obtain funding as banks
refused to provide new loans due to financial measures necessary so South
Korea could receive assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Also,
Halla Group has hired Rothschild Inc. to serve as its financial advisor
during restructuring. Rothschild will palce U.S.$1 billion in bridge
financing to enable subsidiaries to end bankruptcy protection.

Double Eagle orders at Newport News Shipbuilding restructured

Following negotiations, Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. will complete
five of its Double Eagle product tankers before ending commercial vessel
construction in June 1999. Before the announcement to end construction,
Eletson Corp. had three on order: the Agathonissos, which was christened on
3 Feb., the Makronissos and the Dhokos. Hvide Van Ommeren Tankers Ltd. had
five ships on order: the Ambrose Channel, the Brenton Reef, the Cape
Lookout Shoals, the Diamond Shoals and the Frying Pan Shoals.

As a result of the new negotiations, Eletson will only receive the
Agathonissos, which will be operated under long-term bareboat charter. The
other two, Makronissos and Dhokos, were sold back to Newport News
Shipbuilding and Hvide Marine Inc. will take them as well as two of the
five ships for Hvide Van Ommeren Tankers. The other three ships for Hvide
Van Ommeren Tankers have been cancelled. The Makronissos and Dhokos will be
delivered in the final quarter and the two Hvide Marine ships will be
delivered in the first and second quarter of 1999.

In order to accomplish the deal, Newport News Shipbuilding acquired 25
percent of Hvide Van Ommeren Tankers from Union Labor Life Insurance Co.
and Van Ommeren to add to 49.2 percent bought three years ago. Hvide Marine
retained 0.8 percent. Hvide Van Ommeren Tankers was then dissolved, leaving
99.2 percent of the four tankers to Newport News Shipbuilding and 0.8 for
Hvide Marine. By January 2000, Hvide Marine will take at least 25 percent
and has an option to take full control by that date. After that date, Hvide
Marine has right of first refusal until January 2002.

Davie Industries reportedly rejects offer

Davie Industries Inc. has reportedly responded to an offer by Royal
Millennia Group Ltd. by stating that the company is not for sale on its
own. Royal Millennia Group offered U.S.$10 million in cash to Dominion
Bridge Corp.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries to train personnel for venture in China

Kawasaki Heavy Industries will start a six-month training program at
its Noda facility in Japan's Chiba prefecture in June for 100 personnel of
Shanghai COSCO Kawasaki Heavy Industries Steel Structure Co., which was
formed last fall with China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co. and Itochu Corp. In
December, the venture will start ship construction with an annual capacity
of 30,000 metric tons. It is Kawasaki Heavy Industries' first foreign
shipbuilding venture and it will send instructors to Shangha, China, to
train about 350 people there.

U.S. agency seeking placement of two naval facilities on Superfund list

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly identified
Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia as a major polluter and is attempting to
place it on the Superfund National Priorities List. The agency has
identified waste in the area including scrap metal; cutting, hydraulic and
isopolychlorinated biphenyl contaminated oils; cleaning chemicals and
solvents; paint and paint waste; thinners; sandblasting debris; asbestos;
battery electrolytes; plating waste; and solutions from cleaning boilers.
In the past, waste at the shipyard was dumped overboard or on nearby land,
according to the agency, and until 1979, when a treatment plant opened,
industrial waste was often dumped into storm drains that discharged into
the Elizabeth River. At the shipyard, the Acetylene Waste Lagoon, the
Bermed Chemical Disposal Area, the Chemical Waste Pits, the Hydraulic Fill
Area, the Sanitary Landfill and the Scott Center Landfill were identified
for releases of hazardous substances that contaminated surface water. Five
were near Paradise Creek and the agency took samples in 1986 and 1992 that
showed metals pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl and semi-volatile
organic compounds. The six is about 30 meters/100 feet from the southern
branch of the Elizabeth River. The agency is also seeking to place the
Washington Naval Yard on the Superfund National Priorities List. The storm
water system draining the facility in Washington, D.C., which empties into
the Anacostia River, is said to contain metals and polychlorinated
biphenyls.

Fukuoka Shipbuilding completes upgrade

Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co. has completed installation of a new 100-ton
crane and controlled-cutting equipment.

Hitachi Zosen starts standardization of production

Hitachi Zosen Corp. is planning to change from monthly to daily
progress control and add an integrated information system by 2000. Hitachi
Zosen is presently restructuring every job into several stages. Computer
aided design and manufacturing systems will then be linked to allow for
generation of daily orders to complete each job stage. Hitachi Zosen is, in
effect, attempting to quantify skills and experience used individually in
shipbuilding in order to standardize production.

Newport News Shipbuilding declares dividend

Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. said 27 March it has declared a
dividend of U.S.$0.04 per share. The dividend will be paid on 30 April to
shareholders as of 15 April.

TRIBON 4 enhancement announced

Kockums Computer Systems has released information on its TRIBON
Genauigkeit, an enhancement of its TRIBON 4 Shipbuilding system. It was
developed in 1991 and 1992 with the Research Center of German Shipbuilders
led by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG. "Genauigkeit" is German for
"accuracy." The enhancement allows easier allignment of parts during
assembly. Triangles and lines are created automatically during manufacture
of a part and the component becomes a blueprint. The triangles are
generated on both parts of the fillet and butt joints in plates and
profiles. The marks can be used in assembly as well as accuracy control
before and after welding and offer longitudinal, transversal and vertical
allignment.

Cido Shipping orders four ro/ros

Cido Shipping Co. Ltd. has ordered four 10,000-dwt ro/ros from Shin-A
Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in South Korea.

At least three Canada Steamship Lines ships to get new forebodies

Canada Steamship Lines Inc. said 24 March it has awarded a
Canadian$100 million/U.S.$71 million contract to Port Weller Dry Docks Ltd.
for the construction of up to five new forebodies for existing vessels. The
construction involves building a new hull forward from the engine room and
accomodations area and then joining the two sections. Some 6,000 tons of
steel will be involved for construction of each section. The new forebody
design is by CSE Marine Services Inc. with Canal Marine and Port Weller Dry
Docks. The contract means that the St. Catharines, Ontario, shipyard will
have work for about 300 employees year-round for the next three years and
possibly five years. The first three reconstructions will be delivered in
the spring of 1999, 2000 and 2001 with the options possible in 2002 and
2003. The first ship to be worked on will be the J.W. McGiffin
(Canadian-registry 22,716-gt, 33,402-dwt, 16,597-nt motor bulk carrier
built in 1972 by Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd. at Collingwood,
Ontario) and forebody work will begin in June. The ship will enter Port
Weller Dry Docks at the completion of the 1998 navigation season on the
North American Great Lakes. All vessels are 222.5 meters/730.0 feet long
with a 23.12-meter/75.85-foot beam. As a result of the reconstruction, they
will measure 225.5 meters/739.8 feet long with a beam of 23.8 meters/78.1
feet.

Coeclerici Group to get two bulk carriers

Coeclerici Group has bought two 73,300-dwt bulk carriers from Halla
Engineering & Heavy Industries Ltd. The ships will be delivered in April
and May and have been built to the latest I.A.C.S. requirements. They will
be classed by Lloyd's Register of Shipping and registered in Malta. The
cost for the two is between U.S.$49 million and U.S.$50 million. Both were
originally ordered by Marubeni Corp. for lease to Halla Merchant Marine Co.
Ltd. and will now be named the Red Fern and the Red Cedar. Dimensions
include a length of 225 meters/738 feet, a neam of 32.24 meters/105.8 feet
and a draft of 13.75 meters/45.11 feet.

Stena charters two new ro/ros to British Ministry of Defence

Stena has chartered two of its ro/ros being built in Italy to the
British Ministry of Defence on a long-term agreement. They are the second
and third of five 12,350-dwt vessels of the Stena 4 Runner-class at Societa
Esercizio Canteri SpA at Viareggio. The two ships will be operated by the
Royal Fleet Auxiliary. As built, the ships are 182.6 meters/599.1 feet long
with a beam of 25.8 meters/84.6 feet and a draft of 7.3 meters/25 feet.
Each has four Sulzer 8ZA40S diesel engines for 23,040 kilowatts/31,350
brake horsepower at 510 revolutions per minute for 22.5 knots. There are
also two bow thrusters. The vessels have a lane capacity of 2,705
meters/8,875 feet with a deck height of five meters/16 feet and a garage
deck height of 6.8 meters/22 feet.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines orders L.P.G. carrier

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has ordered a
78,000-cubic-meter/101,400-cubic-yard liquefied petroleum gas carrier from
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. It will be a on long-term charter to
Itochu Corp. starting in November 1999 after delivery from Nagasaki, Japan.
The ship will transport L.P.G. from Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates.

Wallenius Lines orders PCTC from Daewoo

Wallenius Lines has ordeed a 22,800-dwt pure car and truck carrier
from Daewoo in South Korea. It will carry 5,850 vehicles.

New British/Irish aids to navigation vessel ordered

British Shipping Minister Glenda Jackson has approved construction of
a new vessel to service aids to navigation for the General Lighthouse
Authorities in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The 80-meter/262-foot vessel
will be built by Damen in the Netherlands for U.S.$32 million. To be
delivered in late 1999, it will replace the Granuaile (Irish-registry
1,026-dwt ship built in 1970). Some U.S.$5 million will be funded by the
Irish Department of the Marine and Natural Resources with the rest from the
British General Lighthouse fund, which is financed by dues on vessels
calling at British and Irish ports. The new ship will have a buoy working
area aft and will be able to carry 18 buoys. A 20-ton crane will be fitted
and the vessel will have dynamic positioning capability for buoy handling
in winds up to 30 knots. Other capabilities include pollution response and
search and rescue as well helicopter recovery and refuelling equipment. It
will be based at the Commissioners of Irish Lights station at Dun
Laoghaire, Ireland.

Aker MTW Werft to build P&O Nedlloyd Container Line ships

P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. has ordered five 5,000-TEU
containerships in Germany including three at Kvaerner Warnow-Werft GmbH and
two at Aker MTW Werft. The 54,000-dwt vessels will be delivered at the end
of 2000 to another party who will charter them under a long-term deal to
P&O Nedlloyd Container Line.

Canadian Coast Guard to get FLAG II

The Canadian Coast Guard will install the FLAG II vessel tracking
system on its fleet of 125 vessels under a Canadian$2.1 million/U.S.$1.5
million contract with Racal-Thorn Defence, Software Kinetics and Stratos
Mobile Networks. They will provide vessel location information through six
Locator control centers.

United States to provide guarantee to Ghana for power barges

The U.S. Department of Transportation said 23 March it will provide
Ghana with a U.S.$67 million loan guarantee for two barges mounted with
natural gas power plants.

Atlantic Dry-Dock gets largest single vessel contract

Atlantic Dry-Dock Corp. in Florida has begun conversion of the Tarago
(33,660-dwt ro/ro built in 1979) to an equipment prepositioning ship for
the U.S. Marine Corps. It is reportedly the shipyard's largest ever single
vessel contract and is worth U.S.$76 million. At the end of 18 months, the
ship will be renamed the Lt. Harry L. Martin. A transverse watertight
bulkhead will be added above Deck 2 at Frame 204 for a one-compartment
damage stability provision. Deck 2B will be extended while a new portion of
Cargo Deck 3B will be added between Frames 186 and 201 between the port and
starboard mezzanine deck sections. A new superstructure space will provide
more container storage between Frames 104 and 227 above Deck 4. A
self-sustaining lo/lo capability will also be added with two hatchways to
Cargo Holds 3 and 4. Hatch 3 will serve Decks 1 to 4 and Hatch 4 will serve
Deck 3. Two single-pedestal twin-boom cargo cranes will be added. They can
lift 125 tons together. When completed, the ship will discharge all
containers by lo/lo within 72 hours at a pier and will be capable of
handling all cargo except trailers in-stream in Sea State 3. For
accomodation, a new independent deck house will be built aft and to port of
the existing one. The three-level structure will have all service space for
the operational personnel. The Tarago was delivered by Bremer Vulkan
Verbund AG to Transatlantic Rederi and as built, could sail at 18 knots
with more than 17,100 square meters/190,000 square feet of space. It was
built to carry project cargo so has strengthened decks. Traffic flow is
longitudinal on port and starboard with weatherdeck access on the
centerline. There is a 400-ton starboard quarter stern ramp. Finally, the
Tarago has 1,325-kilowatt/1,800-brake-horsepower bow and stern thrusters.

Newpark Marine Fabricators to upgrade rig

First Wave Marine Inc.'s Newpark Marine Fabricators Inc. has signed an
agreement with the Sedco Forex Division of Schlumberger Technology Corp. to
upgrade its semi-submersible rig Lafitte Pincay. The rig has arrived at
Newpark Marine Fabricators in Galveston, Texas, and work will take a month.

Aker MTW Werft to build topside for Aker Maritime

Aker MTW Werft has received an order from Aker Maritime for a
1,100-ton topside for Norsk Hydro's Oseberg natural gas field. It is the
first offshore project by the shipyard. The order is for the topside
structure without piping or other equipment.

Cammell Laird Group to lengthen tanker

Cammell Laird Group P.L.C. has received a contract to lengthen the
Tankerman (Gibraltar-registry 10,716-dwt tanker built in 1983, operated by
James Fisher Tankships Ltd.) by 22 meters/72 feet for 3.5 million British
pounds/U.S.$5.9 million. The work will take an estimated 70 days.

British Columbia Ferry acknowledges cost overruns for Pacificats

The first of three vesels being built for British Columbia Ferry Corp.
will cost about Canadian$86 million/U.S.$61 million, 16 percent more than
its budgeted cost of C$74 million/U.S.$53 million, according to the firm.
The Pacificat catamarans will carry 1,000 passengers and 250 vehicles and
are under Catamaran Ferries International Inc., a subsidiary. The project
has been delayed and the first 122-meter/400-foot vessel is now scheduled
to be launched on 18 June after being delayed in December and January.
Construction delays partly resulted from buckling of different gauge
aluminum plates during welding. It will operate across Georgia Strait
between Horseshow Bay and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island by mid-summer, a year
late.

Club Med 1 arrives for work

The Club Med 1 (Bahamian-registry passenger sailing vessel) has
arrived at Le Havre, France, for a U.S.$10 million upgrade.