The driver of an express train that crashed in central Vietnam, killing 11 passengers on board last weekend, has been arrested, police said on the afternoon Mar. 15.

Vietnam's north-south railway traffic resumed Sunday amid concerns over the quality of the country's railroad system after the worst train crash in 30 years on Saturday.

The State Securities Commission (SSC) has coordinated with the Asia Development Bank (ADB) to hold the second seminar on the draft Securities Law with the aim of submitting it to the National Assembly for approval in 2006.

Port and container security has always been a concern, and with the threat of potential terrorist activities, they continue to be on the forefront.

Transport Canada has tightened investment rules for private port authorities after a small Cape Breton board lost over $60,000 on the stock market.

A city councilman and anti-war activists are taking the U.S. Coast Guard and Port of Olympia officials to task for not better publicizing a new permanent West Bay security zone for future military shipments.

Ninety-five per cent of Vietnam's ships and seaports have fulfilled the requirements set by the International Code for Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS), according to the Vietnam National Maritime Bureau (Vinamarine).

FEFC Members Lines are currently in individual carrier discussions with certain European terminal operators who have recently announced their intention to start charging an ISPS terminal surcharge. These discussions by the individual carriers and terminals are currently ongoing to establish the rationale and cost element components of the terminal ISPS surcharges being proposed. Individual carriers have not yet fully accepted the Terminals' arguments for imposing the proposed ISPS terminal surcharge levels, which, in some cases are being forced upon the Lines. Failure to agree could cause severe disruption to the movement of cargo

Malaysia has criticised Australia's plan to establish an 1,000-nautical-mile maritime security zone and warned Australia against military threatening actions through the new controversial plan.

The new biometric ID card for seafarers is ready for implementation. This follows a successful pilot test of the card, according to the International Labour Organisation. The ILO director of standards, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, said, "This paves the way for countries to start issuing the secure identity documents".