Asian Hub/Feeder Nets: The Dynamics of Restructuring

In less than 25 years containerisation has restructured the way in which regional Asia handles its manufactured and break-bulk cargoes. In 1972 the commissioning of the purpose-built container terminals in Hong Kong and Singapore focused container shipping services, and particularly the trans-Pacific and the traditional Far- East/Europe services, into hub/Feeder networks in which the two ports were the undisputed first order centres. Somewhat later, Kaohsiung and to a lesser extent Pusan, developed as important hubs. But now, in the mid 1990’s, earlier and simpler structures of hub/feeder networks are being quickly transformed into much more complex patterns. Continuing high growth rates of containerised cargo, an increased number of ports with relatively high throughputs and the simple proliferation of ports - particularly but not only in China - have been important factors; but the reorganisation of global liner shipping into a small number of alliances capable of operating larger ships, more complex service patterns and with exceptional market power has been critical. The new shipping networks will be hierarchically organised with high cost-high efficiency first order ports serving high cost-high efficiency shipping services and lower cost-lower efficiency ports serving appropriately segmented shipping markets. In the longer term former feeder ports may be linked into direct call networks; but in practice hub/feeder operations will continue over a long period of time

Increasing levels of the endocannabinoid 2-AG is neuroprotective in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Date of Acceptance: 28/07/2015 The authors are grateful to the staff of the Medical Research Facility for their help with the animal care. This work was supported by the NHS Endowment fund 09/03 and the Wellcome Trust (WT080782MF). We thank Merck & Co. Inc., Rathway NJ, USA for the supply of DFU.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Reforming Ports: Issues in the Privatisation Debate

Privatisation and corporatisation strategies are part of an ongoing microeconomic reform program aimed at commercialising and raising efficiency in the public sector. Within this ethos, ownership and efficiency are perceived to be inextricably linked. This paper examines port reform strategies implemented in Australia in recent times in particular in light of efficiency improvements. It raises also some unresolved social and policy issues associated with public ownership of commercial and profit oriented business and the provision of public good

Productivity of Australian Container Terminals: Some Critical Issues

Terminals: a Review which was prepared for the Western Australian Department of Transport and which was completed in April 1996. The Department was concerned at the continuing low levels of stevedoring productivity at Australian container terminals generally - despite an intensive waterfront reform program - and at terminals in the Port of Fremantle more particularly. The conventional wisdom was that low productivity was a function of a number of factors - inadequate infrastructure, poor equipment, bad work practices, poor labour relations; but in our view the central issue was, and remains, the inadequacy of the policy framework erected on Enterprise Based Agreements (EBAs) and set in place under the WIRA arrangements by the end of 1991. The initial Report focused on this issue with specific reference to the EBA framework adopted by P&O Ports; and to the new Productivity Employment Proposal or PEP scheme mooted by the company. Specific reference was also made to the Port of Fremantle where both major stevedoring companies - P&O Ports and Patrick - were operating under EBAs. In 1996 the industry is still some way off an appropriate framework and mechanisms for achieving higher stevedoring productivity - the PEP scheme is still under scrutiny; Patrick, despite a prolonged and often acrimonious debate with its Union counterpart, found it necessary to resort to arbitration to revise its EBA; and the proposed Australian Workplace Agreements of the new coalition Government will enter into law in 1997. Not surprisingly, our research is continuing

EDDY CURRENT DETECTION OF Al-Si PENETRATIONS IN CANNED SLUGS

An instrument for detecting Al-Si alloy penetrations in the Al jacket of fuel slugs is described. The instrument is of the eddy current type, and the sensing element is a small probe that does not touch the specimen under inspection. Al-Si inclusions 0.020 in. in diameter that penetrate to within 0.005 in. of the can surface can be detected. The response of the circuits is such that a slug 8 in. long can be scanned in 45 sec. (auth