News From Lloyd's List DCN

In today's print edition of Lloyd's List DCN...

Slow-steaming drawbacks, empty park debate raging, reefer market heats up, FreightLink prepares for sale -- reports and analysis in Lloyd's List DCN's print edition today.

Coal deliveries resume as NCIG terminal swings into action

Coal trains have re-commenced deliveries to Newcastle, with a 7200-tonne load for the city's newest terminal one of those to reach the port this morning.

Distributor for drowsiness detector

Truck and trailer part distributor Paccar Parts has added the Optalert driver drowsiness technology to its range.

More truck rest stops for Queensland

The first of three new rest areas for truck drivers who use Queensland’s Flinders and Landsborough highways is currently under construction.

Derailment plays havoc with Newcastle coal exports

Coal shipments from the port of Newcastle could be disrupted for several more days after a weekend train derailment cut most deliveries to the port.

Future unclear for Gladstone LNG Project

Uncertainty has begun to hover over the Gladstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project, with the possibility raised today of other firms gaining involvement and the expiry of the Golar LNG sale and purchase heads of agreement (HOA) for export of the gas.

Industry bid for QR a stunt: Fraser

A fierce debate over the future of Queensland's bulk haulage tracks has intensified at the weekend with the state's treasurer, Andrew Fraser, accusing the coal industry of undermining the controversial infrastructure sell-off.

Call for amendment to heavy vehicle licensing

The trucking industry will face a skills shortage if Australia's transport ministers fail to relax the existing licensing system, the Australian Trucking Association says.

National infrastructure award for PoMC channel project

Melbourne's $1bn channel deepening project scooped the pool at the National Infrastructure Awards held in Sydney last night.

Rail tops industry confidence meter: survey

The rail sector has emerged as the most optimistic about its sustainability in 2010, although there are signs some global transport companies have seen light at the end of the metaphorical tunnel.

QR shakes up Seafreighter services

QR has further rejigged its Seafreighter rail services to the port of Brisbane, with the changes benefiting Gladstone and Bundaberg.

Earnings flat despite record iron ore, coal exports

Australia exported record volumes of iron ore and coal in the last three months of 2009 on the back of robust demand from Japan, South Korea and China.

VTA, SAL to cooperate on empty container parks

The Victorian Transport Association and Shipping Australia agreed yesterday to form two working groups to tackle Melbourne's empty container crisis.

Albanese, ASA launch tribute year to seafarers

Federal transport minister Anthony Albanese joined the Australian Shipowners Association yesterday in officially launching the International Year of the Seafarer.

Riverwijs upgrades Dampier tugs

Riverwijs has commissioned four new tugs for its Western Australian operations.

Brian Kingston named Prime Infrastructure chief

Investment firm Prime Infrastructure has chosen Brookfield Asset Management senior managing partner Brian Kingston as its new managing director and chief executive.

Bligh to ignore miners' stance on QR sell-off

Queensland coal producers have united to bid for ownership of QR’s coal rail network in central Queensland in the face of an unyielding position from the state government.

QR structure the right one for all players: Hockridge

Comparisons between the de-monopolisation of Telstra and the likely structure of a listed QR National were unfair, because the markets within which the two companies operated were like "chalk and cheese", QR chief executive Lance Hockridge said yesterday.

Martyn to step down as ATA chairman

Australian Trucking Association chairman Trevor Martyn will not seek re-election at the peak body's annual general meeting at the end of the month.

ACCC backs junior iron ore push for rail access

Australia’s competition regulator has thrown its support behind a group of junior iron ore producers looking to collectively bargain for access to the rail tracks owned by their larger counterparts in the Pilbara region.