THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996 TAG: 9606220372
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 52 lines
Baltimore port reports increase in cargo tonnage
The port of Baltimore, Hampton Roads' rival a day's sail up the Chesapeake Bay, said that in 1995 it handled 31.1 million tons of cargo. That's a 19 percent increase from 1994's 26 million tons and its best year since 1981. Baltimore's growth was fueled almost entirely by bulk cargos such as coal and grain. Bulk cargos increased 23.4 percent or nearly 5 million tons to 25.5 million tons. Baltimore's general cargo, mostly shipped in containers, rose a mere 1.6 percent to 5.5 million tons. Hampton Roads, comparatively, handled about twice as much total cargo in 1995 and the region's terminals shipped 9.1 million tons of general cargo. (Staff)
USAir to equip jets with telephones
In an agreement with GTE, USAir said it will equip its jet aircraft with airborne telephones supplied by the provider of inflight telephones. The Advanced Digital Airfone Service will give USAir's passengers advanced inflight communications capabilities such as enabling them to make and receive calls, send and receive data and faxes, access their e-mail and voice mail, and even conduct conference calls. GTE Airfone, a wholly owned subsidiary of GTE Corp., is a leading provider of inflight telephones to the airline industry. Installation of the equipment will begin in August and about half the fleet will be equipped by year's end. It is expected to complete the work in the first half of 1997. (Staff)
Virginia exports to China worth over $253 million
More than $253 million of goods produced in Virginia was exported to China in 1995, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The business group is lobbying Congress to approve ``most favored nation'' trading status for China, one of the world's fastest growing markets. Virginia-produced goods shipped to China are dominated by chemicals, machinery, food and other agricultural products. Other exports include paper, tobacco, rubber, plastic and scrap waste. Approval of most favored nation status for China is facing stiff debate in Congress over Chinese trade policies, human rights and China's suspected role in nuclear proliferation. (Staff)
Judge gives approval in pharmacy lawsuit
A federal judge gave final approval to a $351 million settlement of a lawsuit accusing the nation's largest drug makers of conspiring to illegally deny discounts to pharmacies. The settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras calls for 11 defendants to pay money to about 41,000 pharmacies. It also allows pharmacies to qualify for discounts now offered to HMOs, hospitals and mail-order retailers. The drug companies that are parties to the deal are American Home Products Corp.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.; Glaxo Wellcome PLC; Eli Lilly and Co.; Knoll Pharmaceutical Co.; Merck & Co.; Pfizer Inc.; Schering-Plough Corp.; SmithKline Beecham PLC; Warner-Lambert Co.; and Zeneca Inc. (AP) by CNB