Page 55: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2000)

Record Trade Surplus Boosted

By Shipsales

Finland posted a record monthly trade surplus for October, boosted by a major deal by one of its shipyards and acceler- ating economic recovery. The customs board's preliminary data for October showed a trade surplus of a record $ 1.4 billion, with exports up 14 percent year- on-year at $4.1 billion and imports up six percent at $2.7 billion. October saw the departure from Finland of Voyager of the Seas, the world's largest cruiser ship.

It was built by Kvaerner's Masa-Yards for Royal Caribbean.

Economists said that despite this one- off item, the data added to evidence from figures in the past few months indicating that the economy was back on track after being hit by the Russian crisis and a global economic slowdown last autumn. In September, Finnish exports grew eight percent after a flat

August and a seven percent fall in July.

September industrial production increased by 5.2 percent, 2.1 percent in

August and 3.9 percent in July. Growth was also driven up by export revenues from the booming technical products industry, which is led by telecommuni- cations equipment maker Nokia.

Neptun Maritime

Earnings Drop

Finnish passenger ferry operator Nep- tun Maritime — controlled by Sea Con- tainers — recently reported the follow- ing earnings (million USD unless stat- ed): 1999

Jan-Sept

Net sales 410

Operating profit 40

Non-recurring items' at operating level 3

Profit after fin items 16.4

Earnings per share (thousands) 267 1998

Jan-Sept 451.5 30.9 nil 4.1 (loss) 144 (loss)

Allied Systems Delivers SOLAS

Approved Davit

Allied Systems of Sherwood, Ore. recently tested and delivered its pre- miere SOLAS certified rescue boat davit. Since supplying almost 200 simi- lar davits to a variety of U.S. and for- eign governmental agencies, Allied is in preparations to offer boat davit systems to the global commercial sector.

Designated Model D-6000S. the recently certified unit has a 6,000-lb. rated SWL. Allied is currently finalizing

MaK Now Offering

Post-Sales Service

MaK Motoren GmbH & Co. signed a contract with Alstom U.K., manufactur- er of Napier turbochargers, regarding the take-over of all service activities on

MaK engines equipped with Napier tur- bochargers. Following this take-over,

MaK is now offering for various engine series full service from a single source, both for engine and turbocharger, allow- ing for direct contact for all issues regarding operation, spare parts supply, maintenance, servicing and repair.

Napier Turbochargers have been in successful use for several years on vari- ous MaK engine series such as 6/8/9 M 32, 9 M 453 C, 6 M 552 C, and selected

M 551 engines.

Circle 1 on Reader Service Card a lower capacity, less expensive, 3,200- lb. SWL rated unit for smaller vessel or platform applications. The company has also developed its own constant-tension winch system for added safety in high sea state operations.

Factory loaded and tested, the Allied units, which require three-phase electri- cal supply only, are complete and ready for operation.

Circle 2 on Reader Service Card

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NOTHING REMOVES & CONTAINS

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Diesel HUSKY

February, 2000 Circle 231 on Reader Service Card 55