ICTSI confirms strike in Poland facility A dock controller checks his list as workers unload a container off a ship at the Manila International Container Terminal, the flagship facility of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. The company, which runs ports in the Philippines and nine other countries, said its Gdynia, Poland, port operations have been "adversely affected" by a strike, it said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange. The strike was declared on March 20 because of a deadlock in 2008 salary negotiations. The company said it will continue to seek a "fair solution." --Bloomberg

SHANGHAI—DP World Ltd., the Dubai-controlled port operator, aims to boost its container-handling capacity in China by 30 percent this year because of the country’s surging trade growth.

The company plans to add four container berths in Qingdao, eastern China, and a second venture in the northern port of Tianjin, Kris Chang, managing director of DP World China, said in an interview in Shanghai Monday. DP World had a capacity of 10 million cargo boxes in China and Hong Kong at the end of 2007.

DP World raised $4.96 billion in the Middle East’s largest initial share sale last year to fund expansion plans, as Dubai aims to become a global transport hub for Asia, Europe and Africa. The company plans to add facilities in China after the country’s exports surged 26 percent last year.

“We’re still a newcomer in China and we will continue to expand our portfolio here,” said Chang.

The company currently operates terminals in Qingdao, Tianjin, Yantai and Hong Kong, with a total of 19 container berths.

DP World aims to boost its global capacity to 90 million 20-foot boxes by 2017 from 48 million last year, through a combination of new ventures and expansion at existing ports, Chang said.

The company handled 43.3 million boxes in 2007 at its 42 terminals worldwide, an increase of 18 percent from a year earlier. It aims to have 56 terminals in 27 countries by 2017, Chang said. New projects include plans in Peru, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Vietnam, he added. (Bloomberg)

DP World to expand Chinese capacity

SHANGHAI—DP World Ltd., the Dubai-controlled port operator, aims to boost its container-handling capacity in China by 30 percent this year because of the country’s surging trade growth.

HONG KONG—Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Asia’s third-largest air-freight carrier, will invest HK$4.8 billion ($618 million) in a cargo terminal at Hong Kong airport, as China’s surging exports boost air-freight traffic.

NEW YORK—Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise-line company, said first-quarter profit fell less than analysts estimated after fuel and other operating costs were lower than the company expected.

HONG KONG—Hong Kong officials said they had found no signs of life in a tugboat that sank after a collision two days ago, and were continuing attempts to rescue 18 missing Ukrainian crew.

NEW YORK—Marathon Acquisition Corp., a New York-based takeover company, agreed to buy 66 percent of containership-owner Global Ship Lease Inc. in a transaction the companies valued at about $1 billion.