(HONG KONG) China Cosco Holdings, the flagship of the country's premier shipping conglomerate, beat forecasts to more than double its first-half earnings as China's unabated demand for resources and materials lifted freight rates.

(HONG KONG/SHANGHAI) China Shipping Container Lines Co, the country's second-largest cargo-box carrier, said first-half profit dropped 45 per cent after fuel costs surged and the global economic slowdown stunted demand.

(MANILA) A Philippines ferry captain sailed toward the eye of a typhoon in a disastrous error of judgement that left nearly 800 people dead, according to an official probe reported yesterday.