Cruise merger faces U.K. competion probe
The proposed Princess-RCCL merger has been referred to the U.K.'s Competition Commission

Chinese shipbuilding on a roll
CSIC expects to win orders for 1.4 million gt of ships this year

Another waterways merger
Privately held Ingram Industries is to acquire Midland enterprises

Singapore: Bunker record despite corruption and contamination questions
Singapore announced record bunker sales the same week a bunker supplier was suspended from doing business after a bribery scandal

IMO buckles on STCW deadline
IMO has issued advice to Port State Control officers that, for a period of six months after the February 1, 2002 implementation deadline for the revised Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95), ships whose officers do not hold STCW 95 certificates or flag state endorsements need not be detained.

Northrop shakes up NNS engineering
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Newport News sector today announced the appointment of Matthew J. Mulherin as sector vice president of the CVNX programand a "restructuring" of the yard's engineering organization

South Carolina House moves to ban gaming cruises
Ships that set sail from South Carolina ports into international waters for the specific purpose of offering gambling would be banned under a measure passed by a House panel

New president for OMI
Tanker owner OMI Corporation announces that Robert Bugbee has been elected president and chief operating officer.

Seabourn Cruise Line reports reservations boom
Ultra luxury cruise operator Seabourn Cruise Line reports that it has experienced a three-month wave in which it booked net revenues exceeding those in the same period last year by 307 percent.

ITF alleges 'inhuman' treatment of crew of ship in Port Canaveral
Two International Transport Workers' Federation inspectors report "inhuman" conditions on a "Miami River" boat

IMO moves on stowaways
IMO is attempting to grapple with the problem of stowaways and people smuggling.

Masa-yards to build spa ships
Kvaerner has signed a memorandum of understanding to build two ships for Canyon Ranch.

Drillship suspends operations
Smedvig says it has temporarily halted operations by its drillship West Navion. The decision was taken after cracks were discovered in the wire sheaves in the hoisting system of the dual derrick set