Panama Canal upgrade remains at standstill amid $1.6 bn cash gap

Panama Canal upgrade remains at standstill amid $1.6 bn cash gap

 

Panama City (AFP)

 

Work on expanding the Panama Canal is unlikely to resume Saturday as local officials face negotiations with foreign builders after the project was halted in a dispute over cost overruns.

 

The multi-billion-dollar plan to build larger locks on the 80-kilometer (50-mile) waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans stopped Friday in a row over who will pay an additional $1.6 billion (1.2 billion euros) bill.

 

The independent Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and GUPC consortium -- a group of international builders headed by Spain's Sacry Vallehermoso -- exchanged proposals throughout the day, but without a deal.

 

"We keep open the possibility of reaching an agreement, and we are making an effort towards that goal," said ACP chief Jorge Quijano.

 

According to the builders, "talks with the ACP are ongoing and are expected to continue next week."

 

Bankers financing the 3.2 billion contract (2.3 billion euros) to expand the canal visited the worksite on Friday.

 

The project is designed to widen the canal so that massive cargo ships can pass through.

 

It is one of the world's most ambitious biggest civil engineering projects and was due to be completed next year.

 

The builders have said completion may be delayed by up to five years.

 

The consortium has accused the Panama Canal Authority of breaking off negotiations.

 

It says the authority failed in obligations to pay a $50 million bill and to help pay workers and subcontractors.

 

GUPC had offered to split the cost of finishing the dig with the Canal Authority and then let arbitrators decide who pays for the overrun.

 

The Panamanians suggest a deal could be reached if the builders commit to specific dates for stages of the job to be ready.

 

There would also be a ban on further cost overruns.

 

The GUPC claims unforseen geological difficulties have forced them to spend much more on cement than expected.

 

They say that they based their estimates on data provided by the Canal Authority that was incorrect.

 

The consortium of builders includes Italy's Impreglio, Jan de Nul from Belgium, and Panama's Constructora Urbana.

 

The original canal, built by the United States mostly with workers brought in from the Caribbean, was completed in 1914.

 

It offers a shortcut and safer journey for maritime traffic, is used by 13,000-14,000 ships each year, handling five percent of world sea trade.

 

The canal generates $960 million a year for Panama, nearly 10 percent of the country's total annual income

 

(Agence France-Presse, 8 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

http://www.afp.com/en/news/topstories/panama-canal-upgrade-remains-standstill-amid-16-bn-cash-gap

 

Spain-led venture halts work on Panama canal over $1.6 bn overrun

Spain-led venture halts work on Panama canal over $1.6 bn overrun

 

[caption id="attachment_12031" align="alignnone" width="400"] (View of halted expansion works at Panama Canal locks, in Cocoli, near Panama City, on 5 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman (AFP, Rodrigo Arangua))[/caption]

 

By Katell Abiven (AFP)

 

Madrid — A Spanish-led consortium said Friday it has halted work on expanding the Panama canal, which handles five percent of world sea trade, in a row about cost overruns.

 

The multi-billion-dollar project to build extra locks on the 80-kilometre (50-mile) waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans ground to a halt because of a dispute over who will pay for $1.6 billion (1.2 billion euros) in overruns.

 

"While awaiting an agreement to enable the finalisation of construction, work has been suspended on the project," said a statement by the GUPC consortium, led by Spanish construction group Sacyr.

 

The project to widen the canal so massive cargo ships can pass through it -- one of the biggest civil engineering operations in the world -- was due to be completed next year.

 

But GUPC has said completion may be delayed by up to five years, as each side has accused the other of breaking the deal.

 

The European Union's industry commissioner, Antonio Tajani, who has mediated the dispute, warned that the interruption of the dig would be "bad news" for the world economy.

 

The consortium accused the Panama Canal Authority of breaking off negotiations.

 

It says the authority failed in obligations to pay a $50 million bill and to help pay workers and subcontractors.

 

GUPC had offered to split the cost of finishing the dig with the canal authority and then let arbitrators decide who pays for the overrun.

 

It said late Thursday it had submitted a further new proposal to settle the dispute.

 

"The GUPC continues as always to seek an agreement on co-financing in line with the contracts and relevant legislation, with the aim of a joint and immediate resolution," the consortium said.

 

The canal authority had claimed on Wednesday that the builders had already stopped work, but Sacyr denied that at the time, insisting it was seeking to avoid a shutdown.

 

The canal is being widened to permit the passage of ships carrying up to 12,000 containers, twice the current limit.

 

But the disputed contract to build a third set of locks, due initially to be completed this year, was already running nine months late and since the beginning of this year work has slowed down further.

 

GUPC is in dispute with the canal authority in part over geological difficulties which have obliged the builders to spend much more on cement than expected.

 

The canal, completed in 1914 to offer a short cut and safer journey for maritime traffic, is used by 13,000-14,000 ships each year.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 7 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

 

Hanoi (AFP)

 

Communist Vietnam's first private airline, VietJetAir, said Wednesday that it was close to finalising a $ 6.1 billion order for 62 Airbus aircraft.

 

The deal is expected to be signed at the Singapore Airshow next month, VietJetAir's managing director Luu Duc Khanh told AFP.

 

VietJetAir and Airbus signed a letter of intent in September for the purchase of 62 A320 medium-haul aircraft worth US$ 6.1 billion at catalogue prices, and for options for another 30.

 

The low-cost carrier began operating in late 2011 and is the first private airline in Vietnam to offer domestic and international flights.

 

It currently serves 11 cities in Vietnam plus Bangkok.

 

Last year, the carrier took delivery of a ninth leased A320.

 

The letter of intent was for 14 of the current single-aisle A320 model and 42 of the new A320Neo due to enter into service in 2015, which promises airlines considerably better fuel efficiency.

 

Another six planes will be the longer A321 version, which can be configured with up to 220 seats.

 

While VietJetAir has a good foothold in the Vietnamese market, analysts say it is facing stiff competition in the low-cost segment in Southeast Asia, behind Malaysia's Air Asia, Lion Air of Indonesia, Singapore's Tiger Airways and Jetstar of Australia.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 28 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Ferry services cancelled due to bad weather

Ferry services cancelled due to bad weather

 

ANA-MPA -- Bad weather led to the cancellation of several ferry services on Tuesday, while the car ferry "Aqua Maria" was unable to dock at the tiny island of Agios Efstratios and had to continue its journey to Kavala without stopping.

 

It was due to let off seven passengers and one truck and take four passengers and two trucks from the island.

 

Authorities have ordered all ferries in Piraeus port to remain in the dock, cancelling scheduled trips to the islands apart from one trip at 18:00 to Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, due to forecasts of gale-force winds expected to reach up to 9-10 Beaufort at sea on Tuesday night.

 

The only ferry that will sail from Rafina on Tuesday is the 17:30 stopping at Andros, Tinos, C and the 18:00 ferry for Marmari.

 

The harbour in Lavrio will be closed and there will be no ferry journeys to Alexandroupolis-Samothrace, Kavala-Prinos and Keramoti-Thassos.

 

The only trip on the Agia Maria - Nea Styra ferry will be at 17:30, while on the Oropos-Eretria and Arkitsa-Aidipsos ferry links there will be trips at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00.

 

The only journey on the Volos-Sporades ferry link was at 16:00.

 

The ferry company ANEK Lines also announced the cancellation of journeys by the car ferries 'Elyros' and 'Latos' due to leave at 21:00 from Piraeus for Hania, Crete.

 

The two ferries will carry out the journey at the same time on Wednesday if conditions allow.

 

The company has also cancelled a trip by the "Preveli" from Rhodes to Iraklio, stopping at Halki, Pigadia, Kassos and Siteia.

 

(Athens News Agency, 10 Tuesday December 2013 The Roman)

 

News: France TGV

News: France TGV

 

[caption id="attachment_10389" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Thomas Samson)[/caption]

 

Train-choco

 

Un TGV décoré avec une plaquette de chocolat en gare de Lyon à Paris.

 

Train-choco

 

TGV decorated with a chocolate bar in online parking Lyon in Paris.

 

(AFP - Thomas Samson)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 28 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Neige : huit départements en alerte orange Snow: Eight departments in orange alert

Neige : huit départements en alerte orange

 

(Le Monde.fr avec AFP | 22.11.2013 à 08h13 • Mis à jour le 22.11.2013 à 08h28)

 

[caption id="attachment_10149" align="alignnone" width="534"] (Huit départements sont encore en alerte orange, selon Météo France. | Capture Météo France) (Eight departments are still orange alert, according to Météo France. | Weather Capture France)[/caption]

 

L'alerte orange persiste dans huit départements, vendredi 22 novembre : l'Ain, l'Allier, l'Isère, la Loire, la Haute-Loire, le Puy-de-Dôme, le Rhône et la Saône-et-Loire sont touchés par un épisode neigeux "suffisamment notable" pour engendrer des difficultés de circulation, précise Météo France dans son bulletin matinal.

 

Les chutes de neige, faibles en début de nuit, se sont intensifiées à l'aube.

 

Elles doivent se poursuivre vendredi avant de faiblir peu à peu par l'est.

 

Météo France précise que les précipitations neigeuses persisteront néanmoins durant la nuit de vendredi à samedi dans le Massif central et prévoit la fin de l'épisode neigeux, au plus tôt, samedi vers 21 heures.

 

La région de Saint-Etienne, déjà paralysée mercredi, sera la plus touchée avec 20 à 30 centimètres attendus au sol.

 

Météo France prédit également de 3 à 10 centimètres sur le Rhône et la Haute-Saône et de 10 à 20 centimètres dans l'est du Massif central.

 

TROIS MORTS

 

[caption id="attachment_10148" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Météo France appelle à la vigilance sur les routes enneigées et verglacées. | AFP/PASCAL POCHARD CASABIANCA) (Weather France calls for vigilance on snowy and icy roads. | AFP/PASCAL POCHARD CASABIANCA)[/caption]

 

Quelques dégâts peuvent affecter les réseaux de distribution d'électricité et de téléphone, précise l'agence météorologique.

 

Jeudi, environ 36 000 foyers restaient privés d'électricité en France vers 19 heures, notamment en Rhône-Alpes, selon un décompte d'ERDF, qui espérait pouvoir rétablir le courant dans 90 % des habitations "dans la soirée".

 

Météo France réitère ses conseils de prudence, et conseille aux automobilistes de prévoir un équipement minimum (couverture, eau...) en cas de blocage sur la route durant plusieurs heures.

 

L'agence météorologique appelle également à la vigilance sur les routes enneigées et verglacées et invite la population à se renseigner sur les conditions de circulation avant de prendre la route.

 

Les intempéries ont déjà causé la mort de trois personnes.

 

Jeudi matin dans le Haut-Rhin, une automobiliste de 20 ans a péri après avoir perdu le contrôle de son véhicule à cause de la neige.

 

En Haute-Marne, un accident de car sur l'A31 a coûté la vie à une femme, dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi, et blessé grièvement deux autres personnes.

 

Mercredi soir, un technicien d'ERDF est mort électrocuté lors d'un dépannage sur le réseau basse tension dans le Puy-de-Dôme, touché par les intempéries.

 

(Le Monde, 21 jeudi novembre 2013 La Romaine)

 

 

 

Snow: Eight departments in orange alert

 

(Le Monde.fr with AFP | 22/11/2013 at 08h13 • Updated 22/11/2013 at 8:28 )

 

The orange alert persists in eight departments, Friday, Nov. 22 : Ain, Allier  Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, Puy-de- Dome, the Rhone and the Saone- et-Loire affected by snowfall "sufficiently significant" to generate traffic problems, says Meteo France in its morning newsletter.

 

Snowfall, low early night, intensified at dawn.

 

They must continue Friday before weakening gradually from the east.

 

Meteo France said that the snowfall still persist during the night from Friday to Saturday in the Massif Central and the expected end of the episode snowy, at the earliest, Saturday around 21 hours.

 

Saint -Etienne, already paralyzed Wednesday will be the most affected with 20 to 30 centimeters expected on the ground.

 

France also predicts weather from March to October centimeters on Rhone and the Haute-Saône and 10 to 20 centimeters in eastern Massif Central.

 

THREE DEAD

 

Some damage can affect the electricity distribution networks and telephone, the meteorological agency said .

 

Thursday, about 36,000 homes were still without electricity in France to 19 hours, including Rhone-Alpes, according to a tally of ERDF, which hoped to restore power to 90 % of homes "in the evening."

 

Weather France reiterates its safety recommendations, and advises motorists to allow a minimum equipment (cover, water ...) in case of blocking the road for several hours.

 

The meteorological agency also calls for vigilance on snowy and icy roads and invites the public to learn about traffic conditions before hitting the road.

 

The weather has already caused the death of three people.

 

Thursday morning in the Upper Rhine, a 20 -year-old motorist died after losing control of his vehicle due to the snow.

 

Haute-Marne, a bus accident on the A31 has killed a woman in the night from Wednesday to Thursday, and seriously injured two others.

 

Wednesday night, a technician ERDF died electrocuted when troubleshooting on the low voltage network in Puy-de-Dome, affected by the weather.

 

(Le Monde, 21 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Traffic stuck

News: Traffic stuck

 

[caption id="attachment_10092" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Philippe Desmazes)[/caption]

 

Caída de la nieve

 

Unos coches y camiones, atascados en la carretera A47 debido a la nieve caída en Saint-Chamond, cerca de la ciudad francesa de Saint-Etienne, el miércoles 20 de noviembre de 2013.

 

Snow fall

 

Some cars and trucks stuck on the A47 road due to snow fall in Saint-Chamond, near the French city of Saint-Etienne, on Wednesday, November 20, 2013.

 

(AFP - Philippe Desmazes)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 21 Thursday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 22 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Typhoon No. 14 Monorail re-start at 6:30

Typhoon No. 14 Monorail re-start at 6:30

 

【台風２４号】モノレール、午後６時半から運行再開

 

台風２４号の影響で１０月７日午後１時以降運休していた沖縄都市モノレールは、午後６時半以降は運行を再開すると発表した。

 

那覇空港駅発は同６時３２分、首里駅発は同６時３３分から運行する。

 

沖縄都市モノレールは「風雨が予測より強くならなかった状況や、気象庁や天気ニュースの情報から今後も勢力が再び強まらないと判断し、（首都圏の鉄道の）運行再開を決めた」と再開の理由を説明した。

 

【琉球新報電子版】

 

（琉球新報、2013年10月7日）

 

翻訳は後ほどします。