Europe Intelligence Wire articles from February 2006

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from February 2006

UT Diary.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Vlad Zhovten TURKEY March 1: Acting foreign minister Borys Tarasiuk makes his official visit to Ankara (to March 2) where he meets senior members of the Turkish government. As expected, the...

EU, U.S. poised to help Ukraine overhaul border troops.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Igor Balchenkov The European Union and United States will help Ukraine reform the system of frontier security after a European pattern. Such changes are provided for in a program for development of...

UMR to boost services to Damascus, Amman.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) In May the Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines (UMR) plan to increase the number of flights between Kiev and the Syrias city of Damascus as well as between Kiev and the Jordans capital Amman owing to considerable...

Dinai Tour seeks to establish cooperation with foreign tourist firms.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Svetlana Sytina The company Dinai Tour, whose priority line of business is reception and rendering of services to foreign tourists in Ukraine, proposes cooperation to overseas tourist firms. In...

American manufacturing orders rejected.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Alla Bakulina The garment factory which is based in the town of Sverdlovsk, Luhansk region, has refused to receive manufacturing orders from American firms. Previously, the enterprise set to any...

BM Bank may buy its Ukrainian counterpart.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Alexei Voskresensky The Kiev-based BM Bank, which is the subsidiary of the Bank of Moscow, contemplates buying a large bank or several midsize banking institutions in Ukraine, according to Vitaly...

Easing visa regime.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Acting foreign minister Borys Tarasiuk believes the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the simplification of a visa regime can be signed in late March. He pointed out that results of the recent...

Dutch company to increase VABank stake to 27%.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) Byline: Volodymyr Obolonsky The company TBIH Financial Services Group NV of the Netherlands, which bought 9.55% of shares of the Kiev-based VABank for $8.75 million last year, intends to increase its stake...

Natural-gas prices to put pressure on inflation, says S&P.
February 28, 2006... (From The Ukrainian Times) The international agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) has confirmed sovereign ratings of Ukraine at the stable level. Specifically, the long-term foreign currency rating was set at BB-, long-term national...

Q4 and Year-End 2005 PDL BioPharma Earnings Conference Call - Research and Markets offers a brief of 'PDL BioPharma' Conference Call.
February 28, 2006... (From Corporate Conference Call Abstracts) CORPORATE CONFERENCE CALL ABSTRACTS-28 February 2006-Q4 and Year-End 2005 PDL BioPharma Earnings Conference Call - Research and Markets offers a brief of 'PDL BioPharma' Conference Call. ...

Hyldager replaces Morse at Inchcape.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) SIMON Morse is stepping down as chief executive of Inchcape Shipping Services just a month after the ship agency firm was bought by Istithmar PJSC, writes Janet Porter. His successor will be Claus Hyldager,...

BW Shipping makes products splash with $449m AL deal.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Eight ships are on order from Germany, writes Marcus Hand in Singapore BW SHIPPING has made a $449m plunge back into owning product tankers, having exited the sector in 2004. BW Shipping, formerly...

US bid to block P'O sale goes before UK High Court.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Judge weighs up last-minute move from Miami, write Janet Porter and Roger Pearson ELLER ' Co, the Miami stevedore involved in US litigation to block the sale of P'O to Dubai's DP World, is taking its case...

Security issue not been debated here, says EU spokesman.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) WHILE the US media and a cross-party coalition of US politicians slam the prospect of a UAE-backed company taking control of six American terminals, in Europe the issue has not even registered on the radar screen,...

DP World hopes findings will allay American fears.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) A 'VOLUNTARY' request by DP World to subject its $6.8bn global takeover of P'O to a deeper 45-day investigation 'under US law' has emerged as the fig leaf with which US lawmakers could potentially cover themselves,...

Greek ferry trial: seven found guilty.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) SEVEN people have been found guilty of contributing to the Express Samina disaster in September 2000, one of Greece's worst modern shipping disasters, writes Nigel Lowry. More than five years after the ferry sank,...

Wreck and pollution cover reaches Yangtse.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Mike Grinter in Hong Kong INLAND waterway operators on the Yangtse River, who have traditionally gone uninsured, will for the first time be able to buy insurance for risks such as wreck removal and oil...

London Lord Mayor starts oriental mission in Mongolia.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Packed Far East itinerary promoting financial services and insurance begins in region famous for Lloyd's 'yaks in transit' cover, writes James Brewer LORD MAYOR of London David Brewer has kicked off the...

Business Briefing.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Grenland still stuck A 36-YEAR- old general cargo ship that ran aground a week ago at the entrance to the northern Spanish port of Aviles remains stuck on rocks amid mounting fears that it will break apart, writes...

NATS issue to fund expansion.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Tony Gray SUEZMAX specialist Nordic American Tanker Shipping plans to raise up to $135m to help fund the acquisition of two tankers in its third public share offering in less than 18 months. Nordic...

Softer freight rates hit MISC results.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Marcus Hand in Singapore THIRD-quarter profits at MISC fell 17% as freight rates decreased, and the Malaysian shipowner expects the market to continue softening. MISC reported a profit before tax of...

TOP Tankers knocks doom merchants as profits double.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Nigel Lowry in Athens TOP Tankers has reported a doubling in profits for 2005, claiming to have outperformed peer companies in spot chartering of its suezmaxes during the year's final quarter. For the...

OSM sets up Singapore operation.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Firm looking to grow offshore business in the region, writes Marcus Hand OSM SHIP Management has set up shop in Singapore with an eye to the region's offshore marketand supervising newbuildings and...

Italy calls on EU to investigate Paris-backed GdF-Suez merger.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: But commission says controversial project does not appear to run foul of competition laws, writes Andrew Spurrier in Paris THE ITALIAN government has denounced as an 'enormous violation' of European Union...

Hyundai Mipo looks to expand production.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) HYUNDAI Mipo Dockyard Co said Monday it will expand its production capacity by up to 17% within two years in a bid to boost competitiveness, writes Mike Grinter in Hong Kong. The South Korean yard says it will take...

Watch out for the lone danger warns P'I Club.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: James Brewer YOU'LL never watch alone when there is the slightest risk of a casualty. That should be the anthem of the world's merchant shipping, a leading insurance mutual has warned, after more...

Cheniere opens an office in France.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) CHENIERE Energy, the US company with several liquefied natural gas import terminal projects, has opened a European office headed by a former senior executive at Gaz de France, writes Tony Gray. Jean Abiteboul has...

Saipem shares leap as Eni announces € 680m sale.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Snamprogetti to merge with construction and engineering unit, writes John McLaughlin SHARES in Saipem leapt by 13.3% % in afternoon trading in Milan yesterday after Eni announced that it would sell its...

VLCCs lose ground as charterers retreat.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Marcus Hand in Singapore Tankers VERY large crude carriers failed to sustain the momentum of the first half the week and now starting to fall back as charterers ease back out of the market. As...

Tanker Fixtures.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) CLEAN Middle East Gulf to Korea Emerald Isle, 50,000t, W187.5, Mar 10. (YNCC) Klaipeda to UK Continent Maersk Radiant, 30,000t, W255, Feb 28. (Charterer not reported) Sweden to Le Havre Halifax, 22,000t,...

Dry Bulk Fixtures.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) MISC North Brazil to Black Sea Vitosha, 24000t, $25.00 per tonne, fio 6000'3000, Mar 1-10. (EDF Man) Global Winner (161,121 dwt, 14.9'60L 15'52B, 1997-built) delivery Dangjin Mar 10-12, redelivery Japan,...

Disruption caused by militants lowers world oil supply.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) OIL supply disruptions such as those caused by Nigerian militants threaten to hurt crude demand and spot tanker rates, warns a leading New York shipbroker, writes Tony Gray. Poten ' Partners says that successful...

Pacific panamaxes momentum falters.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Dry Trade AFTER their recent surge, panamaxes trading in the Pacific Basin began to fall back towards the end of last week, writes Marcus Hand in Singapore . There was no major surprise that the panamax market...

India steels itself to grab the dry bulk spotlight.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Bank predicts production growth will affect freight rates, writes Tony Gray MOVE OVER China it could be India's turn in the dry bulk spotlight. US investment bank Morgan Stanley believes India has the...

TTS makes a breakthrough with German customers.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) SWEDEN'S TTS Ships Equipment reports breakthrough orders from German customers for its cargo access equipment. The company has won an order from J J Sietas calling for delivery of equipment for two 9,500 dwt ro-ro...

Wallenius extends use of EnRoute Live.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Seaware installs voyage route aid system on three more vehicle carriers WALLENIUS Lines has broadened its use of Seaware's EnRoute Live system to help bridge personnel navigate safely around and through...

Epic development for shiprepair software.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) WHAT is claimed to be the first software product designed from day one for the shiprepair industry has made its debut. Epic is an information management system developed by UK-based software company Incremental as...

Repair Round-up.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Russia LITHUANIAN building firm Litana ir Ko has bought a shiprepair yard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and intends to invest about €3.2m ($3.7m) in reconstructing the facility, according to a local report. ...

Paint market has further brush with price hikes.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: High cost of raw materials blamed, writes Hugh O'Mahony UNPRECEDENTED raw material costs have forced International Paint to initiate a new round of price increases. The supplier said it was increasing...

New navigation system standard for Hyundai.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) HYUNDAI Heavy Industries has made official its acceptance of the jointly developed Hyundai-Transas navigation system as a standard product. This marks the completion of a pilot project through which Transas...

Muted joy from Woodside as Chinguetti output begins.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: New Mauritania government rejects PSC amendments agreed with previous administration, writes Pieter Tesch from Nouakchott THE flowing of commercially produced oil from Chinguetti, Mauritania's first...

Constitution platform ahead of schedule.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) KERR-McGee has brought its Constitution spar platform in the Gulf of Mexico on stream two months early, starting production first from the Ticonderoga satellite field. The US independent has used a truss spar...

Nexen launches Ettrick with partners' blessing.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Vessel-based project expected to kick off with 20,000 barrels per day, writes Martyn Wingrove NEXEN has launched its Ettrick oil development in the UK North Sea after all the partners approved the...

Occidental set to raise production.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Offshore Energy is edited by Martyn Wingrove +44 (0)20 7017 4629 martyn.wingrove@informa.com OCCIDENTAL Petroleum expects to raise oil production by 5% per annum in its 2006-2010 growth plan through new...

North Sea investment will rise to GBP11bn.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) INVESTMENT in the UK North Sea will climb to GBP11bn ($19bn) this year as oil companies push ahead with new projects and exploration campaigns, writes Martyn Wingrove. Total spending including exploration, project...

Elixir hopes for a racing start from Jaguar prospect.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) AS the drill bit goes through the Jaguar oil prospect in the northern North Sea, Lond on-listed Elixir Petroleum hopes it will find 300m barrels of oil resources, writes Martyn Wingrove. The Anglo-Australian oil...

Boom in oil prices brings healthy glow to offshore shipbuilding.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: A lack of new and flexible tonnage has prompted owners to invest in newbuilds, writes Hugh O'Mahony Oil prices, still strong at above $60 per barrel, are driving investment in offshore vessel building, but...

Size is what you make it.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) SCALE economies have been largely responsible for pushing up the size of cruiseships to their present level, due to increase exponentially with the 220,000 gt Project Genesis newbuilding recently taken by Aker Yards...

Hansen Weekly Bunker Report.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Hansen Weekly Bunker Report February 21, 2005 Compiled for Lloyd's List by Egil Bjorn-Hansen, Oslo CONTINENT: Somewhat firmer. AFRICA'MIDDLE EAST: Stable. FAR EAST : Mainly stable. USA :...

Co-operation key to strong future, says Seabrex boss.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: De Knijf predicts further consolidation, writes Helen Hill TERMINALS specialising in the perishables and reefer business will be forced to continue consolidating as the number of players in the sector...

DNVPS Bunker Quality Report.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) DNVPS Bunker Quality Report U'F = unfilterable This Bunker Quality Report is based on samples analysed by DNV Petroleum Services and is an abstract from their more detailed fuel quality statistics publication...

LauritzenCool and NYK merger proves seamless.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Janet Porter CREATING a powerful new player in the specialist refrigerated cargo trades has proved to be a relatively seamless affair, despite the lengthy wait for regulatory consent. The European...

China's New Century shipyard opts to use Aveva package.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) ENGINEERING IT solutions provider Aveva has added New Century Shipbuilding to the growing portfolio of Chinese shipbuilders to use its industrial processing software. NCS, of Jingjiang, will utilise Aveva software...

Seatrade seals specialist top spot.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) SEATRADE has consolidated its position as the world's largest operator of specialist reeferships with an acquisition and a large investment in secondhand tonnage, but still has cash to spare for further expansion,...

Change but no change at the Great White Fleet.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) A RECENT management change at the Great White Fleet caught the eye of the shipping world, writes Rajesh Joshi. But a senior executive in the group tells Lloyd's List that the business philosophy of Chiquita Brands...

Gas Market Report.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) NORTH WEST EUROPE : Large cargo propane prices are showing a definite downward movement with a 40 kt cargo arriving in the area and at least two 20 kt cargoes available, all in the first ten days. This along with crude...

Rolls-Royce Marine confident of azipull success.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) THE impact of the azipull thruster in the offshore sector augurs well for its wider application, but selection of this breakthrough technology for merchant ships will depend on factors other than technical argument....

Mr Frost's cool venture maintains its focus.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Seafrost has gone through various incarnations but its emphasis has not changed, writes Rajesh Joshi WITH a name that evokes 'cool' right away, a small shipbroker nestling in cosy Connecticut has...

Timecharter market sustains top operators.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) A SIMPLE distinction between the breakbulk and containerised refrigerated cargo trades is no longer meaningful, writes Janet Porter. These days the market should be split three ways, says Star Reefers boss Simon...

South Korea scoops up perishables from Chile.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) FREE trade agreements with the US, the European Union and South Korea have fuelled growth in Chile's reefer business on traditional and container vessels alike, but the hike in bunker prices is placing extra pressure...

South American meat still in demand.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) MEAT exports from Brazil and Argentina continued to soar last year in the face of import restrictions on key products, writes Rainbow Nelson . Global demand for Brazilian meat continued to grow despite import bans...

Lavinia laces together loose ends with purchase of remaining Riga shares.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) NICHE reefership operator Lavinia acquired full control of Riga Transport Fleet this month, part of a tidying up process throughout the group, writes Janet Porter. The Greek company bought just over 50% of Riga...

Hamburg S'd keeps lips sealed on strategy.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) WITH the delivery of its new flagships completed, it seems that Hamburg S'd has gone silent on its reefer strategy, writes Katrin Berkenkopf. While it spoke out about the reefer market regularly in the past it...

US expansion for Green Reefers after WSI link-up.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) GREEN Reefers, the ambitious reefership operator with a listing in Oslo, has made the first move of what it says will be a concerted expansion strategy in the US, writes Rajesh Joshi in New York. The company has...

Expanding Samskip lines up new Rotterdam base.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Dutch port will become the headquarters for Icelandic firm's international operations, writes Helen Hill AFTER its recent spending spree, Icelandic company Samskip is to centralise its acquisitions into a...

Bananas put skids under reefership confidence.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Spot markets have suddenly deteriorated, writes Janet Porter TOO many ships chasing too few cargoes. That is the scene facing many in the specialist refrigerated cargo trades. Just as owners were...

Pivotal role of Ecuador in global banana trade.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) IT IS difficult to underestimate the importance of Ecuador, the world's top banana exporter, on the international reefer market, writes Rainbow Nelson. Accounting for a third of the world's banana exports with 3.9m...

Box giants raise stakes in South American trades.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Operators feel heat, writes Rainbow Nelson TRADITIONAL reefer operators calling in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina are feeling the heat from container operators adding purpose-built vessels with larger reefer...

Safmarine is ready for supermarket sweep.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) THE 'supermarket container', which allows for the shipment of a diverse range of perishable contents, will spur Safmarine's foray into the northern-based reefer trades this year, writes Nicola Good. The company,...

Mexico signature to end waste dumping.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) A SIGNATURE from Mexico will trigger new international rules governing dumping at sea within a month, writes Hugh O'Mahony. Mexico's ratification of the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine...

New code opens Vietnam to outside business.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Marcus Hand in Hanoi AT the beginning of this year, Vietnam introduced a new national maritime code which sees it offering greater openness to foreign investors and trying to meet international regulation...

Allan to advise Egypt on safety.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Former chairman of the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee Tom Allan is to provide technical advice to the government of Egypt on a number of maritime safety issues arising from the Al-Salam...

World Briefing.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Saudi shootout SAUDI forces killed five suspected militants believed to be linked to an al-Qaeda attack on the world's biggest oil processing plant, the Interior Ministry said. A shootout erupted at dawn...

Last Word.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Mission's message IN case you've forgotten, tomorrow is doubly significant this year. It isSt David's Day and therefore important to Welsh people all over the world, but also Ash Wednesday andthe first day of Lent...

'Farmers' port' grows crop of new activities.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Hueneme gains status of leading reefer hub, writes Rajesh Joshi PORT Hueneme, located strategically a short distance north of Los Angeles, has become the largest reefer port on the US west coast as the...

It's business as usual after hurricanes, says Dole.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) DOLE, the US banana giant, was in the news last summer when its facility, along with that operated by the Great White Fleet in Gulfport, Mississippi, was badly mauled by Hurricane Katrina, writes Rajesh Joshi. The...

Reefer rumours as Chiquita executive leaves Great White.
February 28, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Brown will not be replaced, write Rajesh Joshi and Janet Porter TOP management changes at Chiquita's Great White Fleet are creating a stir in the refrigerated cargo trades. Jeffrey Brown, the...

GOOD CAUSE FUNDING CHEERS SOUTH SOMERSET GROUPS.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-39 28 February 2006 GOOD CAUSE FUNDING CHEERS SOUTH SOMERSET GROUPS Two groups in South Somerset are to receive grants totalling...

SOUTH HAMS PROJECT CELEBRATES BIG LOTTERY FUNDING.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-30 28 February 2006 SOUTH HAMS PROJECT CELEBRATES BIG LOTTERY FUNDING South Hams Lifestyles is to receive a grant of GBP65,037 from the...

TORRIDGE VOLUNTARY SERVICE AWARDED BIG LOTTERY FUNDING.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-31 28 February 2006 TORRIDGE VOLUNTARY SERVICE AWARDED BIG LOTTERY FUNDING Devon based Torridge Voluntary Services has today been awarded...

BIG LOTTERY FUNDING FOR PORTLAND CENTRE.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-32 28 February 2006 BIG LOTTERY FUNDING FOR PORTLAND CENTRE The Portland Centre has been awarded a grant of GBP128,220 today from the Big...

EXETER GROUPS WIN OUT WITH ALMOST 250K IN BIG LOTTERY FUNDING.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-33 28 February 2006 EXETER GROUPS WIN OUT WITH ALMOST GBP250K IN BIG LOTTERY FUNDING Two Exeter projects are today receiving GBP243,902...

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GROUPS BENEFIT FROM BIG LOTTERY FUNDING.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-34 28 February 2006 GLOUCESTERSHIRE GROUPS BENEFIT FROM BIG LOTTERY FUNDING The Forest of Dean Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) will receive...

GOOD CAUSE FUNDING CHEERS NORTH SOMERSET GROUPS.
February 28, 2006... (From Government News Network (Was Hermes-Government Press Releases)) ] BIG LOTTERY FUND 06-02-35 28 February 2006 GOOD CAUSE FUNDING CHEERS NORTH SOMERSET GROUPS The Community Self Build Agency and Action for Blind People have been...