Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Tuesday, May 28, 1996
Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Tuesday, May 28, 1996
Republican Sen. Jesse Helms last week introduced the measure to reform the Jones Act of 1920, which prohibits foreign ships from carrying cargo between U.S. ports. The Hawaii Shippers' Council, an organization of businesses opposed to the Jones Act, said it supports the bill because it will bring greater competition and lower freight costs.
Matson Navigation Co. and Sea-Land Service, which between them haul most of the sea freight from the mainland to Hawaii, oppose it, saying it would harm the U.S. maritime industry and lessen the reliability of the national transportation system.
The mission's organizer, the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, says participants will be able to make high-level business and government contacts that could lead to future work. The trade mission is scheduled for Aug. 5-9.
Seiji Naya, DBEDT director, said the Hawaii experts will participate in group briefings for Thai officials, make presentations at a seminar and be able to take part in one-on-one matchmaker sessions to get acquainted with Thai connections.
For more information, call the DBEDT's Industry Development Branch at 587-2750.
The carrier, which already has ordered 15 of the two-engine 777 models, will order 15 of those 300-seat planes, worth about $2 billion, the Journal said.
British Air also agreed to order up to 15 of the 440-seat 747 jumbo jets, valued at up to $2.2 billion, a deal first reported in the Sunday Times of London.
A Boeing spokesman in Seattle said any announcements about orders would be made by the customer. British Airways officials in London characterized the reports as speculation and declined further comment.