DP World Ltd., the world's fourth-biggest port operator, has been certified as a partner in the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism initiative.The Dubai government-owned company said, it was rolling out the standards throughout its network of 44 terminals across the world.The validation will provide DP World customers with benefits “including priority clearance of containers,” which will help the efficient flow of goods to market, DP World Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Sharaf said.

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India International Maritime and Expo (IIMLE 2009) will be held from 10th April to 12th April 2009. The Expo is being organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), All India Association of Industries (AIAI) jointly with World Trade Centre (WTC), and Mumbai in association with Shipping and Port Organizations.

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Masdar Abu Dhabi-based has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) to explore carbon dioxide capture and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives at Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) in Taweelah.

Maersk Line has signed a 10-year agreement with Hutchison Ports for terminal usage at Trinity Terminal in the Port of Felixstowe, UK.

Moody's Investors Service has assigned an A2 underlying rating to the $385 million of Series 2008A&B Customer Facility Charge Revenue Bonds issued by the Port of Seattle ("the port"). The outlook is stable. The underlying rating is based on the historically strong demand for rental car transactions, which is closely tied to enplanement levels, and the diverse and economically sound local service market. The bonds are not expected to be insured at this time.

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Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) CargoGulf has unveiled improved services from the UK to the Middle East. Now, the company is operating direct groupage services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jeddah.

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Oman's government has signed an memorandum of understanding with the Port of Salalah for the construction and operating of three additional deepwater container berths, which will give the port a total of nine berths totalling 3,555 metres in length. Berth 7-9 is the first stage of Terminal 2 and will encompass 1,350 metres quay wall and add additional three million TEU (20 foot container equivalent unit) to the annual capacity. Berth 7 is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2011, with berth 8 and 9 scheduled for completion in 2012.

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Port of Vladivostok in the first half of 2008, handled 3.154.3 million tonnes of cargo (+54%, year-on-year). In the reported period, the company handled 1.714.7 million tonnes of export cargo; 889 500 tonnes of import cargo; 550 100 tonnes of coastal trade cargo.

Petrolesport's Container Handling up 27% in H1 2008 .In the first half of 2008, container handling of Petrolesport container terminal totaled 250,000 TEU (+27%, year-on-year). In June the terminal handled 47 000 TEU (+32.7%, year-on-year). Petrolesport is a stevedoring company of the Big Port of St. Petersburg.

Port of New Orleans General cargo fell 26% in the first four months of 2008, and container traffic was nearly flat. A national decline in steel exports has brought volume near its lowest point since 1991. If the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, shows similar results the port will have handled less than the 6.9 million tons of general cargo that passed through 17 years ago.

Port of Portland container volume in May grew 1.6 percent on-year following a rare year-on-year slide in April when it plummeted nearly 18 percent. May volume gained nearly 2,500 TEUs, or 13.7 percent, to 20,484 TEUs, from the April total. For the January-May period, the Oregon port posted a 1.7-percent increase in container volume to 104,053 TEUs.

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Tai Chong Cheang Steamship Co. (H.K.) Ltd. announced the contract signing of two 180,000 deadweight tons “capesize” bulk carriers to be built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME). Delivery of the two vessels to “TCC” is scheduled during the 2nd and 4th Quarters of 2011 respectively. The two vessels will be flying the HKSAR flag which brings the total number of Hong Kong registered vessels in TCC's fleet to 9 totaling an aggregate deadweight tonnage of 1.5 million tons.

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United Arab Shipping Company S.A.G. announced the signing of a newbuilding contract for nine 13,100 teus ships (A13) with Samsung Heavy Industries. The contract constitutes the biggest containership newbuilding order ever placed by a GCC owned company, and is valued in excess of USD 1.5 bln.

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VODOHOD, the largest river cruise company in Russia, special FAM river cruises on board the most luxury cruise ship in Russia, Aquarius, named after the spirit of water, Aquarius meets the international standards of quality.

Vostochny Port stevedoring company handled 7 891 800 tonnes of different types of cargo in January-June 2008 (99% against the same period of 2007). In June 008, the company handled 1 535 900 tonnes of cargo (-0.2%). Specialized Coal Handling Terminal handled 6 896 400 tonnes of coal in the reported period (93% against the same period of 2007). In June 2008, the terminal handled 1 308 800 tonnes of cargo (94% against the same period of 2007). Universal Handling Terminal handled 995 300 tonnes of different types of cargo in January-May 2008 (+76%). In June 2008, PPK-1 handled 227 100 tonnes of cargo in June 2008 (+48%).

Volga Shipping Company (Volga-Flot, Nizhniy Novgorod) partially paid dividends for 2006. Total volume of dividends attributed to preference shares totaled RUR20 528 073 (RUR42.58 pr share), total volume of dividends attributed to common shares was RUR18 251 928 (RUR12 per share). Total volume of dividends paid on preference shares totaled RUR743 548 (3.6%), total volume of dividends paid on common shares was RUR16 592 340 (90.9%). The issuer failed to fulfill its liabilities because the account details of some shareholders for transfer of dividends were unknown or incorrect, some of the shareholders failed to apply for the dividends. The volume of outstanding commitments totaled RUR21 444 113. (USD1 = RUR5245).

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Wartsila has acquired the global ship design group Vik-Sandvik, a leading independent group providing design and engineering services to ship owners and the ship building industry worldwide. The value of the acquisition is EUR 132 millions, with an additional maximum sum of EUR 38 millions to be paid based on the performance of the business over the next three years. In 2007, Vik-Sandvik's turnover was EUR 55 millions and the profitability is on a very good level. The number of employees is 410.

Wärtsilä has acquired the global ship design group Vik-Sandvik, a leading independent group providing design and engineering services to ship owners and the ship building industry worldwide. The value of the acquisition is EUR 132 millions, with an additional maximum sum of EUR 38 millions to be paid based on the performance of the business over the next three years. In 2007, Vik-Sandvik's turnover was EUR 55 millions and the profitability is on a very good level. The number of employees is 410.

Wärtsilä Corporation developed the new 820 mm-bore low-speed marine engines are proving to be highly successful in the market. With the second engine passing its factory acceptance test, orders booked by Wärtsilä's licensed engine builders have amounted to 129 engines with an aggregate power of 4415 MW (6.0 million bhp). The engines are being installed in panamax-sized container ships, large tankers such as VLCCs (Very Large Crude Oil Carriers), and VLOCs (Very Large Ore Carriers) being constructed at shipyards in South Korea, China and Germany.