24

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Lloyd's List DCN offices in Sydney and Melbourne close today at 12:30 and will re-open on January 4. This is our final newswire bulletin of 2010 and we will resume daily service on January 6.

Green light for Rio Tinto's huge Pilbara expansion

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett has given the official go-ahead to the first stage of a multi-billion dollar expansion project by iron ore giant Rio Tinto.

Toll Group divests property and buys chicken

Toll Group has again been active in the company sale and purchase market selling down its minority stake in a petroleum services business while acquiring a specialist poultry transport business.

MUA puts positive spin on DP World sale

The sale of DP World assets should be helpful in securing investment, national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, Paddy Crumlin, said yesterday.

MSC grabs top spot in US export trades

Mediterranean Shipping Co carried more US containerised exports than any other carrier in the first nine months of this year after a substantial increase in volumes.

50th VLOC enters service

Brazilian mining giant Vale is among leading companies converting very large crude carriers for dry bulk use.

Boxship freight rates remain healthy despite fall

Freight rates for containerised cargoes are ending 2010 on a downward path after steaming ahead in the early part of the year.