Moody’s Reviews Rating of Midland Enterprises
Moody's Investors Service placed the debt rating of Midland Enterprises debt under review for potential downgrade following the announcement by its parent company, KeySpan Corporation, of KeySpan's intent to sell Midland to Ingram Industries. close during the second quarter of 2002. Moody's review will focus on the treatment of Midland debt securities within Ingram's capital structure, the market position of Midland when combined with Ingram's own inland barge operations, and the prospects for improving free cash flow in the slow growth barge business. Ingram is a privately held company and is presently unrated by Moody's. Moody's will also assess whether sufficient information will be available to monitor the rating of Midland securities once the transaction is closed.
Port of NY/NJ Sets Record, Announces Security Initiatives
International cargo volumes in the Port of New York and New Jersey hit record levels in 2005, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia and Port Authority Vice Chairman Charles A. Gargano said today as they revealed new port security initiatives, including a public-private task force and a demonstration of technology to enhance security at the East Coast’s largest seaport. Containerized cargo volumes in the Port of New York and New Jersey rose 7.6 percent in 2005 to a new record high, continuing to exceed the authority’s projected cargo growth levels. The dollar value of all cargo moving through the port exceeded $132 billion for the first time, up 15.6 percent from 2004.
