At present, the firm provides ad-hoc services in the Klang Valley, but plans to expand its logistics business there next year.

“To tap the Klang Valley market, we will have to provide regular logistics services,” said Transocean’s executive director Thong Yow Chuan.

Mr Thong said that Transocean’s Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport offices would help the company expand in the Klang Valley, adding the company would also increase its sales team from the current 20.

According to Malaysia’s thestar online web site, the move is aimed at increasing Transocean’s paid-up capital to US$10.5 million from $7.87 million.

For its first quarter ended August, the group incurred a loss before taxation of $230,263 on $2.89 million in revenue.

The withdrawal of the Spirt of Enterprise, owned by New Zealand shipping company Pacifica, from coastal service is expected to lead to 22 job losses.

Maritime Union general secretary Trevor Hanson said: “As every year goes by, the New Zealand shipping industry is being killed off – and with the lack of action, we have to say it is being deliberately killed off.”

Pacifica said it had decided to retire the vessel because it could not compete against international carriers on rates.

Mike Osborne has joined Neologex as director of supply chain solutions, while Glen Harckum has taken the position as director of support services.

As director of supply chain solutions, Mr Osborne will be responsible for the development, implementation, and operation of Neologex’s technology-enabled solutions.

Mr Osborne brings more than 20 years of experience in 3PL management and consulting to his new role.

Mr Osborne joins Neologex from Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, where he provided strategic guidance and developed business plans for Fortune 500 clients.

Prior to that, Mr Osborne founded shiptransportal.com, an online value-added network of leading truckload carriers.

In his new role, Mr Harckum will work with the SCOR model to develop repeatable best practices, leverage emerging industry standards to gather and manage data content, and integrate Six Sigma techniques into the development and deployment of Neologex solutions and on-the-ground services.

Announcing the launch of Aerospace 100, Robert Adams, chairman of the Aerospace Forum Asia, said: “Hong Kong is one of the great aviation centres of the world.

“We have unsurpassed airport infrastructure and three top quality home carriers in Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong’s continuing growth as an international and regional hub drives a vigorous and profitable network of supporting industries including engineering and maintenance, cargo handling, logistics and freight-forwarding, aircraft leasing and finance and of course tourism.

“Following the success of China’s first manned space flight, this is a fantastic opportunity for the Hong Kong community as a whole to take pride in the strength and quality of our aviation industry.”

Aerospace 100 is co-ordinated by the Aerospace Forum Asia with the support of the Civil Aviation Department and the Economic Development and Labour Bureau.

The first event on the programme is an Open Day Carnival on December 7 from 0900-1700hrs at West Kowloon Heliport, hosted by Helicopters Hong Kong Ltd.

Free shuttle bus services for the public will be provided from various locations to the heliport.

Hong Kong Aviation Days will also take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14, at the apron of the old Kai Tak Airport.

The price is based on the same valuation of Spanair that was applied when the SAS Group acquired a majority holding in the airline in 2002.

The remaining 5.1 per cent will be retained by Teinver for the time being, but there is a possibility for the company to sell its remaining shareholding in Spanair to SAS.

The SAS Group is also entitled to acquire Teinver’s remaining shares in Spanair on the same terms and conditions as Teinver is able to sell its shares to the SAS Group.

This agreement follows the SAS Group’s strategy of having a full shareholding in its subsidiaries.

Since the SAS Group acquired its majority holding in Spanair, Spanair has improved its profitability and, in its most recent interim report (for the third quarter of 2003), the airline posted a pre-tax profit of MSEK238.

The SAS group regards Spanair as a highly attractive airline, in view of its favorable position in the Spanish market, which is one of the largest in Europe in terms of numbers of passengers and anticipated faster growth than other European markets.

No changes are planned in the structure of Spanair’s management and board of directors as a result of the transaction.

The arrival of the aircraft marks the completion of a EUR1 billion (US$1.12 billion) four-year project that has created the quietest and most advanced fleet in the transport industry.

The 34th aircraft was delivered on October 29 and will regularly serve DHL’s operations throughout Europe.

The B757SF is the quietest aircraft in its category. The fleet as a whole reduces noise impact by 77 per cent, and CO2 emissions by 13 per cent, compared to the fleet of B727F’s, which it replaces.

The new fleet ensures DHL continues to comply with, or exceeds, all international aircraft noise and emission standards.

“The completion of DHL’s B757SF fleet is a significant milestone in DHL’s continual efforts to minimise the environment impacts of our operations,” said Terry Nord, head of DHL’s Global Network.

“We will continue to invest and to work with all relevant parties to ensure we lead the industry in both the environmental credentials and the capabilities of our fleet.”

Imports for the same period amounted to $8.16 billion, up 31.5 per cent, while exports were $5.59 billion, up 41.6 per cent.

Since May, the value for foreign trade for Zhuhai has increased month by month, according to customs figures, and set a new record for import and export trade in September.

October remained high at $1.56 billion, up six per cent over the same period last year.

In the first 10 months, the number of private enterprises engaging in foreign trade increased by 58, bringing the total number to more than 400.

Exports by these private enterprises were valued at $620 million, up 25.2 per cent compared with the same period last year, while exports by state owned enterprises were valued at $500 million, a rise of 7.3 per cent.

The three times weekly service is operated by Cosco using 16 TEU capacity barges. Slot bookings can also be made on the new service.

Before the introduction of the new feeder service, export cargo had to be transported by truck to either Shanghai or Ningbo and later be loaded on to vessels for overseas markets.

The feeder service is expected to be cheaper than the land service.

The service will also be more convienent as cargo will no longer have to be cleared by customs in different locations.

“The port is `reshaping’ finance and increasing our strategic planning function,” said Jeff Smith, senior director of Finance and Administration.

“I believe that Alvaro’s professional strengths will complement the port’s emphasis on creating economic growth in Tacoma and Pierce County.” “Regionally, the economic impact of the Port of Tacoma will continue to grow in its significance,” said Mr Torres-Amigo.

“For me, this is an exciting opportunity to grow professionally with a fast-moving organisation.”

In addition to naming a new director of Financial Planning, the port’s finance and administration department was recently restructured.

According to Mr Smith, the department staff met over a three-month period to develop a plan to prepare itself to meet the port’s emerging challenges.

“The Port of Tacoma is in the midst of its largest-ever capital investment programme,” Mr Smith said.

“We have a responsibility to be a steward of port assets and finances. With that in mind, we are increasing our department’s role in long-term strategic planning.”