HHLA GRANTED A DIVIDEND, SECURED JOBS AND PAID TAXES
Hamburg, Germany. Klaus-Dieter Peters, Chairman of the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) Executive Board, stated that: “During a far-reaching economic crisis, HHLA maintained its position. The Group generated a base for continued dividend payments, it secured jobs, paid taxes and invested. Along with our strong earnings power and our solid balance sheet structure, this constitutes a good foundation for further development.” The Annual General Meeting approved the proposal for the distribution of a results-related dividend of €0.40 per ‘A share’ of the subgroup Port Logistics, amounting to just under €28 m (previous year €70 m). On June 16, 2010, 1,100 shareholders attended the third Annual General Meeting of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) since its stock exchange debut in 2007.

AgroPress News Service, June 2010

HORN OF AFRICA SERVICE
Cape Town, South Africa. Africa shipping specialist Safmarine has announced the launch of its first direct, fully-containerised service between the Far East, the Arabian Gulf and the Horn of Africa, which will be introduced June 2010 with direct sailings Djibouti and Port Sudan, Egypt. These two ports are currently served by transhipment via either Salalah, Yemen,  or Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Capacity is not expected to increase significantly with the introduction of the new Horn of Africa service, which will be jointly operated by Safmarine and Maersk Line.  This is because the shipping lines will use the same service to cater for Far East/Middle East volumes. Vessels with a nominal capacity of approximately 2,900 TEU will be deployed on this service which will have the following rotation: Tanjung Pelepas, Indonesia; Jebel Ali, UAE; Djibouti; Jeddah; Port Sudan;Djibouti; Tanjung Pelepas. Regarding the security situation on the Horn of Africa waters, Safmarine stated the following: Safmarine remains vigilant and constantly monitors the situation in the Gulf of Aden and the area off the Somali coast. The Group regularly updates its policy and procedures, based on available civilian and military intelligence as well as best practices. Further to this we are using both visible and non-visible means of protection on board the vessels.

AgroPress News Service, May 2010

CALIFORNIA ALMOND CROP IN GOOD CONDITION
Modesto, California. The National Agricultural Statistics Service of the US Department of Agriculture cooperating with the Californian Department of Food and Agriculture has released the subjective forecast for the California almond crop 2010. The NASS team has conducted a telephone survey April 23-May 4 on 485 growers of which 317 responded. The forecast is at 1.53 billion pounds (694,620 t), 8.5% above 2009 on a bearing acreage of 740’acres (314,000 ha). According to the growers due to cool weather the insect pressure was less than in the last few years. The trees are growing well and the crop is in good condition, growers reported.

AgroPress News Service, May 2010

DOLE ON TV IN ROMANIA
Paris, France/Bukarest, Romania. For the first anniversary of its set up in Romania, Dole launches a TV campaign supporting its leader position and showing its ambition for future growth. After having supplied Romanian retailers and wholesalers through a distributor since the 90s, today Dole Europe, with its new division Dole Romania, already stands out as a key leader, intending to cover 25% of the 8 millions banana boxes of the estimated yearly national market. Standing out as the leader of fresh fruit and vegetables, Dole has launched its first marketing campaign in Romania with the base line “Orice banană vrea să fie Dole” (Every banana wants to be Dole.) The national campaign consists of a TV spot that will be broadcast over several weeks since April 12th on the main media channels, and will be supported by several important BTL and trade marketing activities. Dole Europe imports a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables from both Dole Food Company’s own farms and independent growers situated all over the world. The company focuses on four core values: competence, responsibility, integrity and enthusiasm.

AgroPress News Service, April 2010