Elf, TotalFina Takeover Fight Heats Up
The takeover battle between Elf Aquitaine and TotalFina has reportedly taken a more hostile tone, pushing back the prospect of friendly merger talks between France's two largest oil companies.
Oil Companies Spent More, Earned Less In 1998
Worldwide capital spending by publicly traded energy firms reportedly increased in 1998 even though falling oil prices sent revenues and profits plummeting.
Rotterdam Port Volume Dips In First Half
The volume of goods shipped through Rotterdam port in the first six months of 1999 reportedly fell 3.7 percent from levels recorded a year ago to 151.6 million tons.
First Olsen Sees Weak Tanker Market Through 1999
First Olsen Tankers Ltd. reportedly expects weak tanker markets to continue until the end of the year.
Skaugen Seeks Gas Consolidation
I.M. Skaugen is reportedly working on consolidating its position in the gas carrier market after beating off a hostile takeover by Italy's Navigazione Montanari.
Scrapping Needed To Put Life Into VLCC Market
Large scale tanker scrapping in the immediate future is the only medicine likely to put life this year into a freight market flat out on its back, according to shipping sources.