Employees of DCNS, French naval shipbuilder, listen as Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president, speaks during the inauguration of the country’s latest and fourth nuclear-powered submarine Le Terrible in Cherbourg, France, on March 21. President Nicolas Sarkozy affirmed at the launch France’s commitment to a strategy of nuclear deterrence, saying countries in the Middle East and Asia are developing missiles that pose a threat to Europe. --Bloomberg

GERMAN officials torpedoed a plan by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to cooperate in the shipbuilding industry on a level similar to the European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co., Der Spiegel reported. While French interest in maritime cooperation might be greater, German shipbuilding harbors are “a little better than the French,” Chancellery Chief of Staff Thomas de Maiziere told the German magazine.

Defense officials said no private cooperation was possible as long as French shipbuilder DCNS remains in state hands, according to Der Spiegel. (Bloomberg)

Levy on tankers may start in 3rd quarter

THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said it is in no hurry in implementing the law that slaps a 10-centavo levy on tankers for every movement of oil products, but the agency wants all holes to be plugged before the law takes effect.

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has asked Malacañang to take over the resolution of the labor dispute at Dumaguete Port in the central part of the country, after the situation went from bad to worse, while the state firm and shipping companies are counting their losses.

THE cost of shipping Middle East crude to Asia, which climbed for the first time in 11 days Thursday, may rise as the number of shipments in April exceeds expectations and refineries start looking for vessels to load next month.