Europe Intelligence Wire articles from October 2006, page 20

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from October 2006

Survey shows surprise fall in UK retail sales.
October 31, 2006... (From FT Investor (Pulses)) Retail sales fell unexpectedly in October, registering their first decline in seven months despite evidence of improving consumer confidence, reports released on Tuesday showed. In its latest Distributive...

Rambler Media bought by Russian media holding Prof-Media for undisclosed amount.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX UK (Focus)) LONDON (AFX) - Rambler Media Ltd said that Russian media holding company Prof-Media's unit PM Invest Company Ltd has acquired a 48.8 pct stake in it, and has agreed to buy an additional 6 pct stake from Endicott...

Vornado Realty Trust 3Q FFO improves.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX UK (Focus)) PARAMUS, N.J. (AFX) - Real estate investment trust Vornado Realty Trust said Tuesday its third-quarter funds from operations more than doubled due to increased net income and higher revenue. Funds from...

EBTM PLC - AGM Statement.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3158L EBTM PLC 31 October 2006 Date: 31 October 2006 On behalf of: EBTM PLC ("EBTM" or the "Company") EBTM plc Result of Annual General Meeting and Chairmanship Change The Board of EBTM are pleased to announce...

Planit Holdings PLC - Annual Report and Accounts.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3160L Planit Holdings PLC 31 October 2006 Planit Holdings Plc Planit Holdings Plc announces it has published its annual report for the year ended 30 April 2006. The annual report is available electronically at...

Sonic Absolute Ret - Net Asset Value.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3164L Sonic Absolute Return Fund Ltd. 31 October 2006 COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT For immediate release 31 October 2006 Sonic Absolute Return Fund Ltd. (THE "FUND") Re: Net Asset Value of the Fund The Directors of the...

York Inv Ltd - Interim Report.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3161L York Investment Ltd 31 October 2006 York Investment Limited 31 October 2006 Re: Semi-Annual Report for the period from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006 Unaudited Contact: Stephen Loughlin - J & E Davy...

HBOS PLC - Director/PDMR Shareholding.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3163L HBOS PLC 31 October 2006 HBOS PLC (The 'Company') Notification of Directors' interests in ordinary shares of 25 pence each pursuant to Disclosure Rule 3.1.4 R (1) (b) HBOS Plc Employee Trust Limited ('the...

Development Secs.PLC - Blocklisting Interim Review.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3162L Development Securities PLC 31 October 2006 BLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN Information provided on this form must be typed or printed electronically. To: The FSA Date: 31 October 2006 1. Name of applicant:...

Turkiye Petrol Rafin - 3rd Quarter Results.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3159L Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS 31 October 2006 ANNOUNCEMENT: Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corp. -TUPRAS, Turkey's leading industrial petroleum company, announces 9 Month financials for 2006 prepared in...

Trouble at sea continues for SNCM (La SNCM rencontre un nouvel ecueil).
October 31, 2006... (From Le Figaro) The battle between French ferry operators Societe Nationale Corse Mediterranee (SNCM) and Compagnie Meridionale de Navigation (CMN) rumbles on. The pair have worked together running ferry services to and from Corsica for...

Change of management ahead for Jungheinrich (Jungheinrich sucht neuen Vorstandschef).
October 31, 2006... (From Financial Times Deutschland) Jungheinrich, the German material handling equipment manufacturer, expects its search for a permanent replacement for management board chairman Cletus von Pichler to require a period of two to six...

French PC market continues to grow (Dynamique marche francais de PC).
October 31, 2006... (From Le Figaro) More than 2 million PCs were sold in France during the third quarter of this year, representing a 10.7 per cent increase on the same period in 2005. US giant Hewlett-Packard is still the leader in the French market, with...

Morgan Stanley to buy investment management business FrontPoint Partners.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) LONDON (AFX) - Morgan Stanley said its investment management division has agreed to buy investment management business Frontpoint Partners for an undisclosed sum in a deal seen closing in December this year. ...

Royal Caribbean gets approvals for deal.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) MIAMI (AFX) - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the world's second-largest cruise company, said Tuesday it received antitrust approvals from Spain and Portugal for its acquisition of Madrid-based cruise and tour...

AT&T unit wins 64.1 mln usd consulting contract with US Army.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) VIENNA (AFX) - AT&T Inc's Government Solutions unit said it has won a contract worth 64.1 mln usd with the US Department of the Army to improve its financial processes. The deal, initially covering one year...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Pharmaceuticals and chemicals highlights to 15:40 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:22:52 Uroplasty receives FDA approval on implant MINNEAPOLIS (AFX) - Medical device maker Uroplasty Inc. said Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration granted its Macroplastique implants...

Utah Medical boosts dividend by 5 percent.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) SALT LAKE CITY (AFX) - Utah Medical Products Inc., a maker of disposable and reusable specialty medical devices, on Tuesday said it raised its quarterly dividend by 5 percent to 21 cents. The new dividend,...

Google acquires wiki company JotSpot.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) NEW YORK (AFX) - Google Inc., expanding its efforts at providing software that helps users create and post their own materials on the Internet, has acquired a California startup that develops online...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: TMT highlights to 15:40 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:39:24 AT&T unit wins 64.1 mln usd consulting contract with US Army VIENNA (AFX) - AT&T Inc's Government Solutions unit said it has won a contract worth 64.1 mln usd with the US Department of...

Seadrill withdraws mandatory offer for Eastern Drilling, to cut stake to 40 pct.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) OSLO (AFX) - Seadrill ASA said it has decided to use its right to reduce its shareholding in Eastern Drilling ASA to less than 40 pct. The move is a consequence of the Oslo Stock Exchange's decision to...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 15:45 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:20:47 Valero Energy 3Q profit surges SAN ANTONIO (AFX) - Valero Energy Corp., the nation's largest independent oil refiner, on Tuesday posted an 86 percent rise in its third-quarter profit on...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Consumer and retailing highlights to 15:45 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:42:17 HBOS should reimburse savers in European Home Retail's Farepak - UK MPs LONDON (AFX) - MPs led by Labour's Frank Field have called on HBOS PLC to refund monies owed to savers in European...

AFX economic and business calendar to Tuesday Nov 14.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) LONDON (AFX) - Key items expected in the two weeks to Tuesday Nov 14 (approx GMT times) WEDNESDAY NOV 1 ASIA -Bridgestone Corp Q3 results -Japan Oct new car sales -Japan's Suzuki Motor H1...

Slough Estates to buy San Diego property from Ligand for 47.6 mln usd.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) LONDON (AFX) - Slough Estates PLC unit Slough Estates USA ("SEUSA") said it has agreed to acquire a property in San Diego, California, for 47.6 mln usd. SEUSA is buying the corporate headquarters and two...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 15:50 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:45:24 Slough Estates to buy San Diego property from Ligand for 47.6 mln usd LONDON (AFX) - Slough Estates PLC unit Slough Estates USA ("SEUSA") said it has agreed to acquire a property in San...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Aerospace and transportation highlights to 15:40 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:04:56 Visteon records $177M loss for 3Q DETROIT (AFX) - Auto parts maker Visteon Corp. reported Tuesday a narrower loss of $177 million for the third quarter because of reduced auomobile...

Greek EFG Eurobank 9-mths group net up 27 pct to 489 mln eur, beating forecasts.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) ATHENS (AFX) - Greek EFG Eurobank said that its nine-month group net profits rose 27 pct year-on-year to 489 mln eur under IFRS due to solid lending growth, which beat analysis consensus expectations of 477.9...

Nam Tai posts lower 3Q profit.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) NEW YORK (AFX) - Hong Kong electronics manufacturer Nam Tai Electronics Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit declined as its product mix shifted toward lower-margin items, but results were ahead of Wall...

Adams reorganizes management positions.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) CHESTER, N.J. (AFX) - Drug developer Adams Respiratory Therapeutics Inc. said Tuesday it enlarged its executive management team and promoted two members as part of an organizational change. Robert D. Casale...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Banking and insurance highlights to 15:45 GMT.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) 2006-10-31 15:16:49 Loews 3Q Profit Up NEW YORK (AFX) - Diversified holding company Loews Corp. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit more than doubled on improvements at two of its subsidiaries. 2006-10-31...

Wall Street mixed at open.
October 31, 2006... (From FT Investor (Pulses)) Wall Street stocks were trading lower to mixed on Tuesday as consumer confidence fell in October, according to the latest survey of the closely watched economic indicator. The Conference Board said its index...

HBOS should reimburse savers in European Home Retail's Farepak - UK MPs.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX Europe (Focus)) LONDON (AFX) - MPs led by Labour's Frank Field have called on HBOS PLC to refund monies owed to savers in European Home Retail PLC's hampers unit Farepak Food & Gifts Ltd. Field has tabled an Early Day...

Gyrus Group PLC - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3168L Gyrus Group PLC 31 October 2006 GYRUS GROUP PLC ("the Company") The Company was informed on 31 October 2006 that FMR Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and Fidelity International Limited (FIL)...

Bedlam Funds plc - Change of Name of Shares.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3170L Bedlam Funds plc 31 October 2006 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEDLAM FUNDS PLC (the "Company") Re: Change of Name of Shares 31st October 2006 The Directors of the Funds wish to...

Kingfisher PLC - Director/PDMR Shareholding.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3169L Kingfisher PLC 31 October 2006 Kingfisher 1993 Employee Share Ownership Plan Trust ("the ESOP") Kingfisher plc became aware on 31st October 2006 that certain Directors of Kingfisher plc, whose names are...

Walker (Thomas) PLC - Final Results.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3166L Walker (Thomas) PLC 31 October 2006 Thomas Walker PLC Preliminary Statement on the Results for the Year ending 30 June 2006 The 2006 results for Thomas Walker PLC have benefited from a six month...

McAlpine (Alfred). - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3172L McAlpine (Alfred) PLC 31 October 2006 SCHEDULE 10 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES 1. Name of company ALFRED McALPINE PLC 2. Name of shareholder having a major interest DEUTSCHE BANK AG 3. Please...

Putnam World Tst II - Dividend Payments.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3171L Putnam World Trust II 31 October 2006 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT For Immediate Release 31 October, 2006 PUTNAM WORLD TRUST II Re: Dividend Payments The Directors of Putnam Investments Limited, the...

Damovo III S.A. - Interim Report.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3174L Damovo III S.A. 31 October 2006 DAMOVO III S.A 31 October 2006 Re: Interim Report for the period ended 30 October 2006 Contact: Deutsche Bank Lux Tel: +352 421 22 639 A COPY OF THE ABOVE ANNOUNCEMENT IS...

AEA Technology PLC - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3173L AEA Technology PLC 31 October 2006 SCHEDULE 10 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES 1. Name of company AEA Technology plc 2. Name of shareholder having a major interest Schroder Investment Management...

MM Institutional Fnd - Circular to Shareholders -AGM.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3181L MM Institutional Funds Plc 31 October 2006 MM Institutional Funds Plc 31 October 2006 Re: Circular to Shareholders - Annual General Meeting Including Special Business Contact: Amy Leonard - J & E Davy...

Signum EMDP Limited - Change of Name.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3183L Signum EMDP Limited 31 October 2006 COMPANY ANNOUNCENT Immediate Release 31 October 2006 Signum EMDP Limited Re: Change of Name of Company. The Directors of the Company wish to announce that with effect...

Loades PLC - Purchase of own shares.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3176L Loades PLC 31 October 2006 LOADES PLC 31 October 2006 PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES Loades Plc (the "Company") announces that on 31 October 2006 it purchased 2,050 of its own ordinary shares of 25p each...

Pochin's PLC - Director/PDMR Shareholding.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3180L Pochin's PLC 31 October 2006 31 October 2006 Pochin's PLC (the 'Company') Director/PDMR Shareholding The Company was notified today that Mr J C Pochin, a director of a subsidiary company, disposed of...

Smart Telecom plc - Result of 3G Court Case.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3178L Smart Telecom plc 31 October 2006 Smart Telecom plc ("Smart" or "the Company") Result of 3G Court Case Today at the High Court Commercial Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly announced his decision in favour of...

MM Institutional Fnd - Annual Report.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3186L MM Institutional Funds Plc 31 October 2006 MM Institutional Funds Plc 31 October 2006 Re: Audited Financial Statements and Report for the Thirteen Month Period ended 30 June 2006 Contact: Stephen Loughlin...

Alexandra PLC - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3184L Alexandra PLC 31 October 2006 Alexandra plc ("the Company") Holding in Company The Company was informed on 26 October 2006 by AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd that they are interested in 5,026,525 ordinary...

Fortune Oil PLC - Blocklisting Interim Review.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3147L Fortune Oil PLC 31 October 2006 BLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM MUST BE TYPED OR PRINTED ELECTRONICALLY. To: The FSA Date: 31 October 2006 1. Name of applicant: FORTUNE...

F&C Asset Mgmnt ITs - Net Asset Value(s).
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3182L F&C Asset Mgmnt Investment Trusts 31 October 2006 From: Michael Campbell- F&C Asset Management plc To: RNS Date of Announcement: 31/10/06-NAV's as at close of business on 30/10/06 F & C Asset Management...

MM 360 Funds plc - Annual Report etc.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3187L MM 360 Funds plc 31 October 2006 MM 360 FUNDS PLC 31 October 2006 Re: Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2006 and Circular to Shareholders Contact: J & E Davy Elaine...

Rio Tinto - Transaction in Own Shares.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3189L Rio Tinto PLC 31 October 2006 Rio Tinto plc Transaction in Own Shares 31 October 2006 Rio Tinto plc announces today that it has transferred to participants in its employee share schemes the following...

Polski Koncern Nft. - EGM Agenda correction.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3188L Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen S.A. 31 October 2006 Correction to the Agenda for the Extraordinary General Meeting of PKN ORLEN on 30 November 2006 Regulatory announcement 67/2006 Polski Koncern Naftowy...

Scott Wilson Group - Additional Listing.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3190L Scott Wilson Group plc 31 October 2006 Scott Wilson ("Scott Wilson" or "the Company") Additional Listing Following the recently announced acquisition of Ferguson McIlveen LLP, application has been made for...

LondonStockExGroup - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3191L London Stock Exchange Group PLC 31 October 2006 London Stock Exchange Group plc 31 October 2006 London Stock Exchange Group plc received the following letter from UBS on 30 October 2006. Pursuant to...

LondonStockExGroup - Director/PDMR Shareholding.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3194L London Stock Exchange Group PLC 31 October 2006 NOTIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS, PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY OR CONNECTED PERSONS This form is intended for use by an issuer to...

Empire Interactive - Offer Document Posted.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3175L Empire Interactive PLC 31 October 2006 Silverstar Acquisitions plc 31 October 2006 Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where the making of...

The Cayenne Trust - Net Asset Value(s).
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3208L The Cayenne Trust Plc 31 October 2006 THE CAYENNE TRUST PLC It is announced that the un-audited Net Asset Values of the above trust (inclusive of accumulated income) managed by Cayenne Asset Management...

Uniq PLC - Holding(s) in Company.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3209L Uniq PLC 31 October 2006 NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES 1. Name of company Uniq plc 2. Name of shareholder having a major interest BriTel Fund Trustees Ltd/Hermes 3. Please state whether...

New City Hgh Yld Tst - Net Asset Value(s).
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3200L New City High Yield Trust PLC 31 October 2006 NAV's as at close of business on 30/10/06 F & C Asset Management plc Investment Trusts announces the unaudited Net Asset Values for the following Investment...

Elders Investment - Investment Manager.
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3211L Elders Investment Company Ltd 31 October 2006 COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT For Immediate Release 31 October 2006 ELDeRS Investment Company Limited Re: Investment Manager The directors of Elders Investment Company...

DBAG invests in Heim & Haus (DBAG beendet Akquisitions-Phase).
October 31, 2006... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG), the German investment company, together with its parallel fund DBAG Fund IV and management board members of the family company H H Heim & Haus Holding, have acquired Heim & Haus. The...

AIM VCT2 PLC - Net Asset Value(s).
October 31, 2006... (From AFX CNF) RNS Number:3203L AIM VCT2 PLC 31 October 2006 NAV's as at close of business on 30/10/06 F & C Asset Management plc Investment Trusts announces the unaudited Net Asset Values for the following Investment Trusts. (Pence per...

Ergo seeks life and property insurance partners in India (Ergo sucht Partner in Indien).
October 31, 2006... (From Borsen-Zeitung) Ergo, the primary insurance subsidiary of German reinsurer Munich Re, is seeking partners in India for a joint venture in accident/damage insurance and life assurance, according to a company source. Activity on the...

PNG gas reignited by Oil Search.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) It is the infrastructure project worth billions that will not die. Every month, it seems, more bad news in heaped upon it and not long after, major players such as Oil Search come up with reason for hope. So it...

Finance vehicle Gas Link Global to float in Australia next year.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Liquified Natural Gas Ltd, the Australian gas firm allied with tanker tycoon John Fredriksen, will float its Gas Link Global business in Australia next year, a spokeswoman has confirmed. The company flagged the...

Lines win shipper support over post-conference regime.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: ELAA survey challenges Brussels' hard line stance on discussions, writes Janet Porter CONTAINER lines have produced a trump card in discussions with Brussels over what should replace conferences, with some...

Orion Cruises to add Melanesia and second ship to South Pacific.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Latest move builds on luxury expeditionary ecotourism that was pioneered by Orion managing director Sarina Bratton The highest profile woman in the Australian cruise industry, Orion Expedition Cruises'...

Estelle Maersk debut delayed by propeller shaft failure.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) THE introduction of Maersk's second containership behemoth a sister vessel to the 11,000 teu Emma Maersk has been postponed by at least a fortnight after a propeller shaft failure during sea trials, writes Ralf...

Going Solar: the quest to quench a nation's thirst.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: 'Green' ferry company wants to transport fresh water to Australia's parched interior THE northern hemisphere is used to schemes involving tankers and the transport of drinking water to thirsty parts of the...

Share options on offer to secure ship crew loyalty.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Marcus Hand in Singapore SHIP managers faced with a shortage of senior officers are considering giving share options to seafarers as a way to increase loyalty. Poaching of qualified senior officers...

Shipping faces call for carbon pricing.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Stern Report commits UK to push IMO for tighter emissions controls, writes David Osler CARBON pricing should be extended to the shipping industry, according to a major review of climate change issues...

Melbourne port boss fights for deeper channel.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Work essential to keep pace with ever-larger ships but dredging work may extend until 2009 As elsewhere in the world, being chief executive of a major port company can be a thankless task. You fight...

Cosco Corp eyes offshore.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Marcus Hand in Singapore NINE-MONTH profits for Singapore-listed Cosco Corp jumped 32% to S$160m ($95m) as it aims for more high value offshore marine work next year. Cosco Corp reported a net profit...

Healthy growth sees Exmar plans forge ahead.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Belgian operator finds LPG and LNG key to its third-quarter results, writes Helen Hill in Amsterdam Independent tanker operator Exmar reported a healthy third quarter in its core activities, with LPG and...

Customs brokers fear debacle as tariff orders switch looms.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Two months to go and implementation of the imports phase of the Integrated Cargo System's Cargo Management Re-engineering initiative is still fresh in the memory It is safe to say customs brokers were too...

Statoil tax bill damps down net income.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) RISING taxes and lower than expected production levels hit Statoil's net income in the third quarter, but its increased exploration budget is paying off, writes Martyn Wingrove . The Norwegian state oil group...

Standard to set 5% general increase.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Leading mutual moderates its tone after rebalancing its underwriting book, writes James Brewer STANDARD P'I, one of the leading providers of protection and indemnity cover for shipowners, is to ask its...

Torres Strait pilotage law makes waves.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Compulsory pilotage in the Torres Strait came into effect in Australian and Papua New Guinean law on October 6, much to the chagrin of International Maritime Organization member states who feared for free passage...

Investment drive brings Tallink triple the profit.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Jerry Frank NORTHERN Baltic ferry group Tallink has booked a threefold profit growth, buoyed by a €1bn ($1.27bn) investment drive, including its summer swallow-up of Finnish rival Silja. ...

Corsica Ferries caught in TT-Line fallout.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Sale of Spirit of Tasmania III still subject of uncertain comment Corsica Ferries' A$111.5m ($85.5m) purchase of TT-Lines' loss-making Sydney-Devonport cruise ferry Spirit of Tasmania III brought to an end...

Freight growth sees DFDS adjust figures to $68m.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) BALTIC and north European freight volume growth has spurred Danish group DFDS to readjust for the second time this year its 2006 profit estimate to DKr400m ($68m), writes Jerry Frank. The Copenhagen ro-ro outfit...

Panalpina profits meet full forecast.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Katrin Berkenkopf in Cologne SWISS logistics group Panalpina has reported a 44% increase in net earnings for the first nine months of this year. The group reported SFr119m ($95m) in net profits, on a net...

Toll's Patrick purchase last link in land chain.
October 31, 2006... (From Lloyds List) Byline: Creative approach to solving fuel cost burden as company looks ahead to another big buy It was the desire to own the last controllable variable in the supply chain that drove Toll Holdings' takeover of...