Shipping Search - Archive

Early Reports Contradicted by Officials

SOMALILAND – The vessel which others reported last week as pirated whilst in Somali waters has in fact been detained by port authorities in a commercial shipping dispute according to local officials. The vessel, reportedly the MV Layla-S is apparently a fleet sister of the Maria Star, a vessel which lost cargo after catching fire in a previous incident. Reports state that a local businessman has obtained a Court injunction to impound the Layla-S after she had finished discharging freight in the Somaliland port of Berbera, the former capital and the main seaport for British Somaliland.

Great Eastern Shipping Figures Confirm Condition of the Markets

INDIA – Mumbai based bulk shipping company Great Eastern Shipping (GE) revealed that their net quarterly profit to 31st December was down 68% as various factors affected the trade. The company, which owns 32 crude, product and gas carriers plus 6 dry bulk vessels, confirmed low tanker rates for the period, only rising just before the end of the third quarter, were a major influence on the figures

New Report Stokes Demands

UK – The British Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called for greater investment in road infrastructure along with a more intelligent approach to speed limits to bring greater safety benefits to all road users. The comments come in response to concern arising from the Road Safety Foundation’s (RSF) report into the safety of England’s trunk roads.

Air Transport Figures Prompt Cry for Unity

WORLDWIDE – The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) which represents the interests of 4.6 million workers in over 750 trades unions globally, and numbers over 635,000 aviation workers amongst them, today called for dialogue between all the relevant parties involved in the industry in an all out attempt to resolve the ongoing problems brought on by the recession. The call came following the revelations on the parlous state of commercial aviation by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) this week.

Security Director of Schneider National Gives Advice

USA – Anyone involved in the freight industry, wherever they may be, knows the problems that theft from shipments pose to them by causing increased costs due to either increased insurance premiums on their cargoes or else the loss of custom as clients lose faith in a providers ability to deliver their goods intact and in good order.

Japanese Group Take a Bullish Approach

JAPAN – Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) announced today that they are upwardly revising their forecast for the year to 31st March 2010 with regard to their shipping operations. The company view is that the dry bulk market has steadied up due to increased coal and iron ore demand from China and that the demand for their tanker vessels will increase due to withdrawal of single hulled VLCC’s. They are also predicting a rise in demand for global container freight and are confident the newly imposed rate restrictions will hold.

Tata Aim to Dominate Home Market

INDIA – Reports are in this week that Tata Motors, whose board meet today to consider their audited results to December, have received a single order this week for 150 of their World Standard trucks introduced last May. Tata, fourth largest commercial vehicle manufacturer worldwide and owners of such prestigious marques as Jaguar and Land Rover have used the engine technology from their Daewoo Truck subsidiary to enable the range to haul payloads up to 75 tonnes.

Significant Step in International Cooperation

SOMALIA – In a significant development the Chinese have agreed to integrate their anti-piracy patrols off of the Horn of Africa with those of the EU, NATO and the US. Up until now the Chinese had largely limited their operations to protecting their own shipping in the region and this latest move is a major step for international cooperation in combating the menace.

Prestigious Contract for Shipper

WORLDWIDE – The GAC Group is to be the logistics services provider to the AT&T Williams Formula One (F1) motor racing team. GAC are to support Williams by overseeing the team’s freight requirements for future Grand Prix races which take place in nineteen different countries on five continents.

Global Trade Downturn Hits Carrier

CHINA – China Shipping Container Lines, the China Shipping Group subsidiary and the country’s largest native container shippers, today posted a warning that they expect to post a net loss for last year due to the adverse trading conditions which have swept through the world's freight markets.

“Lukewarm” Response in Difficult Market

INDIA – Having failed to attract sufficient subscriptions to its initial public offering (IPO) on the secondary market after two week falls on the Bombay Stock Exchange of around 8%, Mumbai based Aqua Logistics, whose interests range from shipping and transport to heavy lift and project freight forwarding, were forced to extend the offer until the 2nd February.

Haulage Companies Show they Know how to Innovate and Treat Staff

US – This week saw the results of the annual “Best Fleet for Drivers” awards given by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), in conjunction with CarriersEdge. This is the second time the awards have been made and their purpose is to illustrate trucking companies operating 10 or more vehicles who provide the best workplace experience for their drivers. The survey, in order to uncover the winners, incorporate drivers’ evidence and opinions, what a company offer in the way of training plus other programmes and how effective these are.

Nadiro And Fassmer Cooperate On Innovative Project

DENMARK / GERMANY - German lifeboat manufacturer Fassmer has entered into a cooperation agreement with Nadiro, a subsidiary of Danish shipping giant Moller-Maersk, to combine their life boats with Nadiro’s new container-based launch system.

A$126 Million in New Rolling Stock

AUSTRALIA - UGL Limited today announced that it continues to strengthen its presence in the rail sector with a new contract to supply 15 new C44ACHi locomotives and 160 freight wagons for QR Limited’s coal haulage expansion in the Hunter Valley.

Suspected Mother Ship Operating in Area

GULF OF ADEN – The US Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) has issued a warning to mariners concerning suspicions that a vessel acting as a ‘mother-ship’ to pirates has started operating off of the Yemeni island of Socotra.

Darka Shipping Land Support Contract for $50 million Deal

SUDAN – News reaches us that Darka Shipping Agencies, a member of the Darka for Trading and Services group of companies based in Port Sudan, have signed the deal they announced last week to handle the supply chain requirements of the Red Sea Petroleum Operating Company (RSPOC) contract for the first offshore drilling campaign in the Sudanese Red Sea.

Humpback Whale Gives Truckers a Boost

IRELAND – UK – Irish Ferries tell us that a young male humpback whale has been spotted in the Irish Sea, an unusual visitor to these shores but one which is likely to become a more regular sight. The ferry group have long collaborated with researchers from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group who regularly check up on cetaceans from the decks of the company’s ships on the Holyhead to Dublin and Pembroke to Rosslare services.

New facility will Streamline Distribution Services

US – Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the California based transport management subsidiary of Con-way Incorporated, have renovated a 134,000 square foot warehouse in a technology park in Bay City, Michigan in order to streamline the supply chain of a major customer, Dow Wolff Cellulosics.

Drivers can Use Single Card to Settle Road Charges in Five States

EUROPE - The British International Freight Association (BIFA) have advised us of a new website for drivers using the Eurovignette Toll Payments System. The scheme is open to all trucks exceeding 12 tonnes when loaded, in the countries using the scheme.

Hard Year Ahead for Operators

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its figures both for December and 2009 which reveal, not entirely unsurprisingly, that air freight figures for the year were massively down from 2008.

MAC Holdings Partner on New Freight Service

SRI LANKA / BALTIC STATES - MAC Holdings – a member of the EGSAC cargo GSSA network - has been appointed to represent airBaltic Cargo offline in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This is the first time that the airline has been represented in Sri Lanka, and freight is already beginning to flow on this new route. MAC Holdings is using interline agreements with Kuwait Airways and Jet Airways to connect to the airline’s Riga (Latvia) hub.

RHA Urges Truckers to be Vigilant

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned freight hauliers of a series of thefts from trucks parked overnight at a number of locations around England.

Car Drivers “Kill People Too” say Truckers Groups

US – Trucking companies across the country have united in their criticism of Tuesday’s ruling to ban texting whilst driving in trucks – because it doesn’t go far enough. Overall support for the ruling was overwhelming with many of the nation’s haulage and drayage groups having already introduced a ban on their own staff using the technology whilst in motion. But what of private motorists?

Update on Korean ‘No-Go’ Zone

KOREA’S – Following on from yesterday’s report of North Korea’s creation of a shipping exclusion zone off the Korean peninsula’s western coast, the military of the North (Korean Peoples Army / KPA) has conducted a series of artillery firings into the seas just north of the disputed maritime border, the Northern Limit Line (NLL). This in turn earned a response from the South Korean military.

VP Skydives to Honour Staff Safety Record

US – Con-way Trucking, the full load carrying subsidiary of Con-way Incorporated showed a video to its drivers recently of Randy Cornell, Vice President of Safety and Recruiting, fulfilling his promise to skydive should the staff meet the company’s safety targets.

Evolution Time Critical Now Assisting Titan

WORLDWIDE – Automotive critical logistics experts Evolution Time Critical (ETC) are utilising their experience to assist a leading marine salvage company by making sure that specialist equipment and parts are delivered to recovery sites via their instant response services.

Cornish Council Refer Planning Bid Back to Committee

UK – The argument over the siting of a ferry terminal in the Cornish coastal town of Penzance looks as if it is set to continue unabated. Yesterday Cornwall Council decided that they would resubmit the controversial “Option A” which places the facility for both freight and passenger traffic to and from the Isles of Scilly in the existing town harbour. They have found against alternative plans proposed by local interest groups.

Missile Tests Suspected

KOREA – The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK / North) has issued a warning to shipping to avoid a large area off the western side of the peninsula. This has traditionally been a sign of an impending missile test by the country.

Association Continues Lobbying for Sleeping Berth Options

US - Following on from our piece on the 21st January the American Trucking Association (ATA) yesterday used their appearance before the latest Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) “listening session”, held in Los Angeles, to reiterate the role of drivers Hours of Service regulations in reducing truck related fatalities since their inception.

Expansion To Exploit Oil Opportunities

RUSSIA - Swiss-based logistics provider Panalpina is opening an office in the Russian city of Murmansk, located close to the country’s borders with Norway and Finland. The company has been focusing on this area for many years, primarily because of Shtokman Gas Field Development.

Alliance Extends Both Companies O&G Reach

DUBAI - Barloworld Logistics Middle East & Asia has signed a memorandum of agreement with Hexomatrixx, reinforcing the company’s position as its official logistics partner for Dubai and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Figures Much as Expected from Port Giants

DUBAI –UAE- DP World produced its figures for 2009 and, as expected, they showed a drop of 8% in the number of TEU’s handled throughout the year at the company’s 28 “Consolidated 1” freight terminals world wide. Once new facilities, added during the course of last year, are excluded this actually represents a 10% reduction in trade. Altogether the groups 50 operational terminals were down 6% against 2008 figures.

Vessel Tracking Research Illustrates the “Global Highways”

WORLDWIDE – For anyone interested in how patterns of world trade are dominated by sea freight a new report from the Journal of the Royal Society Interface makes essential reading. It is a most comprehensive survey of the movements of 16,363 cargo vessels, including container ships, dry bulk carriers and tankers all over 10,000 gross tonnes taken from 2007 data.

Transport Paper is “flawed and offers nothing new”

UK – A new report “Public procurement – the lessons of rail privatisation” was published on the 21st January to be met by severe criticism from private rail body the Rail Freight Group. The report, from Baroness Sally Greengross OBE, was intended to draw conclusions from the privatisation of rail transport in the UK but has been accused by the Rail Freight Group (RFG) who say it offers nothing by way of comment on the sector.

Staff Layoffs were Justified and Properly Conducted

UK – As mentioned previously, The Road Haulage Association (RHA) was accused last week of unfair dismissal in a case brought by an aggrieved ex member of staff. The Tribunal found unanimously in the Associations favour after hearing the facts of the case and agreed that the RHA had properly followed all the statutory dismissal and redundancy procedures. The organisation represents the views and opinions of thousands of UK trucking companies from freight delivery firms to waste management and tanker operators.

Also Secure ISO 9001 for Three Offices

INDONESIA – PT FPS Indonesia has opened its new branch office for Tanjun Priok, Jakarta’s main port. The office, which is part of the Famous Pacific Shipping group’s logistics and freight-forwarding association, will handle freight through the port from its location in Tangerang.

Two Major new Appointments for Kent Company

UK – US – SBS Worldwide, the freight forwarder and logistics and supply chain management company with head offices in Dartford, Kent, have now made two senior managerial appointments to strengthen their services. Lars Kloch, has moved from Geodis Wilson where he has held several posts since 2004, including Business Development Director for the Americas and Global Account Director. Mr Kloch will become the first Managing Director appointed by SBS in its expanding US market, having previously gained experience with Exel Logistics and Dan Transport, Denmark, now DSV.

Eagle Shipping Expansion Continues Apace

USA – New York City-based dry bulk freight specialist Eagle Bulk Shipping has taken delivery of its latest two additions to its fleet. The bulk carriers Egret Bulker and the Golden Eagle have already been placed on time charters on three and one year contracts respectively.

Investors Eyes on Group with Wide Ranging Transport Portfolio

US – Celadon, best known as a dedicated truck company throughout America, will produce its latest figures today after the market closes. Through its subsidiary companies Celadon hauls freight into Mexico and Canada and numbers many Fortune 500 listed companies amongst its clients. By providing third party logistics as well as e commerce products the group offers a reasonable snapshot of road based trends.

Baltic Dry Index To Be Better Than Last Year – Zhang

CHINA – China Cosco’s President, Mr. Zhang Liang, has predicted that due to increased demand for bulk commodities in China the Baltic Dry Index, which charts global commodity shipping rates, will see an increase of over 50% this year in comparison to 2009.

Council are “astounded” at Surcharges

ASIA – The Asian Shippers Council (ASC), an integration of national shipper’s Councils from around the region and based in Singapore is a body who rarely issue press releases. This week however the normally peaceable body has expressed its incandescent rage with the members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) who, as announced here just before Christmas, have introduced an emergency revenue programme to boost their members’ finances after record losses. Details of the individual levies proposed can be seen our previous article.

Chinese Coal and Currency has a Major Influence

World Wide – In a difficult time for global shipping there will always be bargain hunters and sales of older vessels continue to turn over despite hard times. Last week saw the sale of the Neptune Discoverer, a deal which enabled the vessels owners, Neptune Marine, a subsidiary of Jasper Investments, to clear the outstanding $120 million bank loan owing on the ship and pocket some $30 million in change to bolster its reserves. There are also three reports of Capesize vessels changing hands in the past few days, allegedly to Chinese interests.

Japanese Company Continues to Develop New Ideas

JAPAN – Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) have given details of their latest R&D projects that they hope will make useful additions to the global shipping industry in terms of greater efficiency for operations and improved environmental benefits.

New Asia – Americas Work for Swiss Company

PANAMA – Swiss logistics group Panalpina has been chosen by Samsung Panama to handle a variety of the electronic giant’s American freight and warehousing requirements. Three new deals have been struck which sees Panalpina winning new business and reaffirming existing contracts.

Postal Service may lead the way for Delivery Vehicles

US –In the past few months we have carried many articles on the increasing numbers of electric vans and trucks being developed and trialled throughout the world. Larger companies face the problem that, despite the low running and maintenance cost promised, the initial cost of a new vehicle is comparatively still quite high at a time when investment in plant and machinery is bound to be depressed. Now the US Postal Service is on a serious quest to gain the long term benefits of electric drive trains whilst retaining their existing delivery fleet.

Will Discuss Methods to Cut Cargo Crime

USA – Intermodal freight operator Schneider National has teamed up with logistics security specialists FreightWatch International and trade publication Kane’s Beverage News Daily to help tackle the issue of freight thefts. In the United States alone, cargo thefts grew 12 percent in 2009 and 13 percent in 2008.

Reversal of Policy Decision will Decrease Dangers

VIRGINIA - US – A decision to permanently close 19 safety rest areas and welcome centres made last year by the Commonwealth Transportation Board was reversed this week after lobbying by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Virginia Trucking Association (VTA). The original decision to reduce such facilities in the state from 42 to 23 was made for budgetary reasons but was criticised as “the wrong place to cut funds” by the ATA.

2009 Winners Announced in London

UK – The winners of the prestigious British International Freight Association (BIFA) awards nominated in 2009 were announced at the organisations 21st annual lunch held at the Brewery yesterday. In all there were thirty finalists, selected from the original nominations, who vied for the eight awards on offer.

CSX and Union Pacific Announce True to Form Results

US – As was foretold here on the 12th January the fourth quarter results for the two American rail freight giants were no better than anticipated. It is still likely that the sector will slowly recover, and indeed take a larger slice of business from the trucking community, but such events cannot happen overnight. North America still has a lot more investment to make in its rail freight and inter modal infrastructure before shipping via rail cars becomes preferable to trucks.

Government Decides Against Sell Off

INDIA – The Indian government has decided against selling off any of its shares in the country’s biggest shipping company, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), despite a statement issued in July of last year that they would consider such a move as part of a wider plan to sell off government assets. SCI’s shares fell by 5.57 percent by the end of trading in Mumbai after the announcement.

Economic Situation Continues Haulage Firms Misery but Some Fight Back

UNITED KINGDOM – US – CANADA – Tales of difficulties for haulage companies are continuing this month as the fiscal problems for the logistics sector continue. Earlier this month European Commercial Freight was wound up after a creditors meeting. With a debt deficiency of over £480,000 the Hull based truck company went into liquidation on the 5th January. Meanwhile Harris Logistics, based in Milton Keynes, who ran five freight vehicles, folded this week after their own liquidation on 6th January. Debts were around £140,000.

Premier Acknowledges Problems as Election Looms

AUSTRALIA – Amongst the pre election rhetoric from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was a ray of hope for the beleaguered logistics industry which the premier admitted, for the first time in his tenure, was vital to the country’s future well being. As well as the usual lengthy references to supply chain coordination and “freight nodes” Mr Rudd referred to the case for dedicated road and rail freight infrastructure development to support the shipping of freight between customers, suppliers and the ports.

Four Flights to Blighted Country and Santo Domingo

USA / HAITI – FedEx has reported that it has successfully delivered over 180 tonnes in critical supplies for aid organisations which are endeavouring to assist survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Price last week.

Vader Cleaner a Boon for Fleet Managers

USA – JIM Mfg of Welcome, MN, have developed a new trailer cleaning machine that could prove invaluable to fleet operators. The innovative, self-contained mobile brush wash system can be used by anyone familiar with driving a forklift, is ecologically much friendlier than existing chemical cleaners and usable in your own yard, dispensing with the need to spend the time, effort, and money to take trailer after trailer through an offsite commercial facility, or an expensive, onsite washing bay.

ATA Claim Reduced Accidents Prove Drivers Hours are Best Left Alone

US – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has used just released statistics from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to illustrate that the current hours of service for truck drivers involved in all areas of logistics were working well and should not be tampered with. The statement came at a “listening session” conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the body responsible for imposition and management of all road related safety matters.

Sporting Events are likely to Spur Growth

MUNICH – GERMANY – Following the announcement last week that they were forming a new company together with Rheinmetall, the German military machine manufacturer, called Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH, for the production of wheeled military trucks, and the report last month on their tie up with Force Motors in India it seems MAN are now to expand their production in Brazil by around 30% anticipating a big rise in truck and bus sales over the next few months. MAN bought up Volkswagen's Brazilian heavy truck production facilities in December 2008 for around €1.2 billion (the two company’s complex financial arrangements have been discussed here before) and now the Resende plant is being asked to turn out over 70,000 trucks annually, many still to be marketed under the VW brand.

Fresh Emission Control Effort by Council

WORLDWIDE - The World Shipping Council (WSC), the body which represents the interests of approximately 90% of the world’s global liner capacity, has produced a new proposal for an international standard that will control the level of shipping’s carbon dioxide emissions. The shipping industry currently produces around 3% of total carbon emission per annum.

Celebrity Event for Transaid

UK – ‘Sexiest Voice on the Radio’ Sally Boazman, better known as BBC Radio 2’s much loved Sally Traffic, is hosting a one woman show in aid of international development charity Transaid on Saturday 6 March 2010 at North London’s ArtsDepot.

Nominate a Woman Who Inspires You Today

UK – There are three weeks remaining for women who work in the freight, shipping and logistics industries to be nominated for the UK’s MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards 2010.

Faith in Rates Recovery Leads to Fleet Investment

DENMARK – Danish shipping line Norden has revealed that it is to purchase three additional product tankers to add to its fleet. The purchase reflects the bulk carrier and tanker operator’s faith that shipping rates are recovering and the investment will “…generate favourable returns as freight rates gradually normalise.”

GT Nexus Reports Increasing Use of Their Web Network

USA – Californian-based GT Nexus reports that customers using their web-based logistics management portal recorded spent over $10 billion of their air-and-sea freight requirements throughout 2009.

First of Sixteen for Extreme Cargo Specialists

GERMANY – Beluga Shipping GmbH, the innovative heavy lift and project cargo specialists, announced this week that the maiden voyage of the first of their new super heavy lift vessels which will form the flagships of their fleet. Sixteen new vessels are on order and the “Beluga Houston” (pictured) is of the P-series ice class with a deadweight tonnage of 20,000 tonnes. Freight carried on the inaugural trip included payloads of up to 485 tonnes each. With the new acquisitions the company fleet of specialist vessels should reach around 75 by 2012.

Visions Tyrano to be Assessed

LOS ANGELES – The Port of Los Angeles, which is already committed to drastically improving the air quality at the facility through the banning of older freight trucks, has now announced they are to trial the Vision Industries Tyrano rig to check the suitability of the vehicle for short-to-medium range drayage.

Federal Authority must respond to Court Action

US – When you rely on the goodwill of a Government department in the everyday course of your business filing a lawsuit against them is akin to poking a bear with a stick. When you’ve waited over fifteen years for clarification of a fairly simple matter, like what a haulage company should retain to evidence a truck drivers hours, for example, then even a Saint’s patience might expire.

Laser Weapon Potential Answer to Hijacks

SOMALIA / UK / FINLAND - A new weapon in the fight against piracy and maritime hijacking is set to make its debut in the next few weeks in the waters around the Horn of Africa when a vessel equipped with a potentially revolutionary laser weapon sails through the troubled region.

Central US Freight Traffic is a Tempting Prize for Neighbours

US – Normally a pronouncement from the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transport (SCT) that the country intended to become the number one choice for ports of access for the lucrative US box trade would be met with howls of derision. In current circumstances however US ports are coming under increasing pressure from their neighbours to both North and South. Import container freight has always been the target of both East and West Coast US ports but now the race to acquire reduced cargo traffic levels is hotting up.

Harbour Crane Sales Down as Ships Propulsion Maker Moves East

WORLD WIDE – The crisis which has blighted the worlds freight transport groups over the past months has inevitably had a knock on effect across all the supporting industry sectors. We have seen some, like shipping container maker Singamas Container Holdings Ltd., diversify to add value to their standard product lines as we have reported previously however what can one do when your goods are shipping essentials which find themselves in a much more competitive market?

Greater Range for Both Companies

EUROPE / ASIA - GAC Transfer Services and ship-to-ship (STS) service provider MariFlex have launched a new joint service: ‘GAC Transfer Services - Powered by MariFlex’ (GTSM). The new service will provide a wider range of options and choice of (STS) transfer locations across Europe, Asia, the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Boeing bids for NASA Cargo Contract

HOUSTON / USA – Boeing is not normally a company most would consider as a freight business. Generally you would expect their products to be used for carrying cargo in the hands of others. But now the aerospace giant is bidding for a logistics contract that will see the company move into the field. Of course, this being Boeing it is no ordinary contract – rather it’s NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) Cargo Mission Contract.

Recession Impacts on Russian Trade

RUSSIA – Russian Railways (RZD) has released its freight figures today for 2009. Due to the global economic situation the nationalised company reports that tonnages hauled were down by fifteen percent at 1.1082 billion tons handled.

Programme for Recovery Announced for 2010

SOUTH KOREA – Hanjin Shipping, the country’s largest bulk and container shipping company, have announced they will make a stand in the coming months against the erosion of freight rates world wide as the current economic downturn persists. Just last month the company joined with fellow members of the Asia Australia Discussion Agreement (AADA) to set new rates for Chinese export cargoes which came into force this week. Yesterday the company announced a freight rate restoration programme for all FCL shipments on the Trans Atlantic routes, that is between North America, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, both East and West bound.

Minister’s Promises Ring Hollow Now to Investors

TOKYO – JAPAN – The words of Transport Minister Seiji Maehara to Japanese Airline(JAL) investors last September when he stated the company “would not be broken up” are finally back to haunt him today as a special board meeting is convened preparatory to filing for bankruptcy. Earlier Mr Maehara repeated that “The government wants to continue to support JAL to ensure its continued stable and safe operations” but as company boss Haruka Nishimatsu clears his desk observers note that the restructuring of passenger and air freight operations has, so far, proved too little, too late.

Nine Years of Solid Support Rewarded

EUROPE – IVECO, one of the world’s largest producers of commercial vehicles and buses, has awarded Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) a renewal of its current logistics service contract for a further period of three years. K+N have already undertaken the role as primary logistics supplier to IVECO for nine years.

Disparate Tests to Establish Transport Competence

US – The revised World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) has shown encouraging signs that countries across the globe are making progress in upgrading their efficiency in the transport of freight. The previous survey was conducted in 2007 and a comparison shows clearly that certain countries have performed particularly well in the interim. China, India, Uganda, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and South Africa have all excelled.. Germany have again proved to be the highest performer overall.

Indonesia and New Zealand services cease whilst Tonga and Uganda seek Replacement Ships

INDONESIA – NEW ZEALAND – TONGA- UGANDA – Freight traffic slewed to a halt in Indonesia as weekend services were suspended due to the extreme weather. Padangbai Port in Eastern Bali saw over two kilometres of trucks queuing for days awaiting a transit to Lembar Port after state owned ferry company PT Indonesia suspended almost all sailings. The route, which carries 21 scheduled sailings per hour, was reduced to a dozen or so since Thursday night, picking calmer periods during the gales to allow at least some passages. The worry for logistics companies is that many of the trucks carry perishable goods and some have now been stuck for three days. Hundreds of fishing boats are also being forced to remain in port until the weather abates.

Global Competition Kicks Off In Europe

SWEDEN – Heavy truck manufacturer Scania has launched its annual challenge to find the world’s best young truck driver with the start of registration for competitors in the European heats. The Scania Driver Competitions 2010 will run across 28 countries and over 45,000 drivers are expected to enter throughout the year, with the winner taking home a brand-new R-series truck.

Pirates Resolve Fight Over Huge Cash Drop

SOMALIA – A new and worrying development, though one that is hardly surprising, has occurred concerning the scourge of piracy off the coast of Somalia. It now seems that shipping owners who pay large ransoms' to hijackers could well end up endangering their vessels and crews.

Konecranes buys up two Support Companies

UK – DENMARK – Konecranes, the Finnish based freight lifting business manufacturer and maintenance company, announced this week the acquisition of two machine tool engineering companies to enhance their presence in the servicing of lifting equipment of all types in the two countries. The two new group members are AH Maskinservice A/S of Horsens, East Jutland and Axis Machine Tool Engineers Limited from East Kilbride in Scotland. The two companies turn over several million euros per annum principally from maintenance and supply of spares and tools to local customers with hydraulic equipment, many within the oil service industry.

Traders Warned to Prepare for Delays as UK Customs Migrates Processing Software

UK – One of the UK’s leading developer and supplier of customs processing software, Agency Sector Management (ASM), is reminding agents that CHIEF, HM Revenue and Customs’ computerised system which facilitates the efficient passage of legitimate goods into and out of the United Kingdom, will be off-line for part of the weekend as it is migrating from BT to a new service provider - Capgemini.

Spanish to UK Service to Finish

SPAIN / UK – P&O Ferries have announced that they intend not to replace the Pride of Bilbao when the charter expires on the vessel in September, 2010. The freight and passenger ferry has served on the Portsmouth-to-Bilbao run for fifteen years, but the need for replacement and existing financial losses on the route mean that the service is to be discontinued.

Bulk Shipper Set to Reverse the Trend

GREECE – Bulk cargo operator Diana Shipping has announced their intention to form a new company in the next twelve-to-eighteen months that shall operate in the freight container markets. The move is contrary to the recent trend that has seen container operators investing more heavily in the bulk shipping sectors, whose rates have proven far more resilient throughout the recession

Baltic Max Feeder May Contravene Competition Laws

EUROPE – The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into the Baltic Max Feeder agreement which was designed to lay up excess vessels on the European feeder routes with the cost being shared between members of the group collectively.

Union Pacific’s Answers to Concerns

USA – Those who follow developments in the rail freight industry could hardly have missed the furore that occurred when Union Pacific (UP) ran their longest ever train through California last weekend. At 18,061-feet long (3.4 miles) and weighing in at 15,498 tons, this monster has caused both the California Public Utilities Commission and local Congresswoman Grace Napolitano to express concerns on grounds both of safety and inconvenience to road users who had to wait at crossings for the behemoth to pass.

Novel Uses Found for the Ubiquitous TEU whilst Design Innovations Proceed

WORLDWIDE – Ever since the very first shipping containers started to appear in the 1950’s they have spread like a virus across the world, a mute empire of brand names built of steel, wood and fibreglass. From the embryonic US military boxes and inter modal developments of American trucking companies, observers have always cast a sideways glance and considered what else the simple yet strong and effective 20th century tea chest could be useful for.

ATA Calls for Industry to Get New Response Guides

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has called for companies that transport dangerous goods like lithium ion batteries, fuel cells or petrol-ethanol blends to update their copies of the Dangerous Goods - Initial Emergency Response Guide (HB76).

Working Time Directive 5 Years Old Points out RHA

UK –The Road Haulage Association (RHA) have pointed out that the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations, the agreements which are necessarily in place between truck drivers and their companies, will be five years old in a few weeks. The RHA points out that many companies across the country prepared agreements with their staff at the inception of the statute and therefore need to renegotiate terms before the contracts expire.

IMB Reports Over 400 Attacks in 2009

WORLDWIDE – The ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre’s (IMB PRC) annual report on piracy has revealed that their were 406 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on shipping throughout 2009. This is the highest number since 2003.

Redmail to Concentrate on Newspaper Delivery

AUSTRIA – In a move to ‘create value’ the Dutch TNT Group’s Austrian subsidiary, Redmail, has terminated its addressed mail delivery business activities in Austria due to what it describes as ‘limits [on] real competition in Austria’ in that particular market.

New Assistance Pledges Given

ISRAEL / CYPRUS - The governments of Cyprus and Israel have signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in the sector of commercial shipping. The agreement was signed yesterday, in Nicosia, by the Minister of Communications and Works Nicos Nicolaides and Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus.

However, Twitter Rumours Are False

USA / HAITI – Atlanta-based freight and parcel carrier UPS has announced they are to donate more than $1 million worth of support to the international efforts to assist the survivors of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. The contribution shall be made up of $500,000 in cash with the rest made up of in-kind support services.

New Shareholders Needed

GERMANY – Freight supremo Klaus-Michael Kuehne has publically stated that he would like to see fellow investors in troubled shipping line Hapag-Lloyd sell their stock.

Looks to Exploit Wind Farm Boom

SINGAPORE / CHINA – Singapore-based heavy lifting and haulage specialist Hiap Tong Corporation (HTC) has today announced that they have signed a joint venture agreement with Inner Mongolia Wulanchabu An Da Heavy Lift and Transport Co. Ltd. (IMAD), a heavy freight company based in China.

Four Year Deal to Support Government Department

ENGLAND – Freight and logistics company Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has won a four-year contract to handle the English Highways Agency national distribution and warehousing needs following a rigorous tender process.

Recognises Work of Professional Drivers Foundation

UK – The Professional Drivers Foundation, a charity which offers assistance to lorry drivers and their dependants in the event that they are unable to work, has secured former British motorcycle champion and five-time winner of the World Truck Racing title Steve Parrish as their patron.

More Misery Follows Atrocious Weather

FRANCE – After a prolonged period of freezing conditions across Europe there are reports today of even more delays for passengers and air freight customers in France today. French air traffic controllers have launched a strike which is bound to affect the country’s airports as severe weather warnings were announced again across the country.

Resurrected Cargo Airline Continues to Expand Destination

ITALY - Following the successful start to its scheduled operations in September 2009, Cargoitalia is adding two new freight destinations to its network. From January 16th, the airline commences a bi-weekly service to Dubai. This new stop on Cargoitalia’s Wednesday and Saturday service to Hong Kong replaces the outbound technical stop in Almaty, which is retained on inbound flights.

Win FA Cup Final Tickets

WORLDWIDE – Leading provider of shipping, logistics and marine services GAC has launched a novel new competition for members of the global freight community. If you fancy yourself as a football buff then GAC are offering the chance for you to win two tickets to see the FA Cup final in May, in addition to supplying two return air tickets and three nights’ accommodation in London.

Minister Predicts Increased Tonnages for This Year

CHINA – In contrast to their American brethren, China’s railways are experiencing solid growth with yet more projected. China’s Minister for Railways, Liu Zhijun, has predicted that the country’s rail network will haul 3.5 billion tonnes of freight in 2010, up by some 5.4 percent on this years record breaking figure of 3.32 billion tonnes.

Declining Revenues Affect All the Major Carriers

US – The decreased demand for coal has been a factor crucial to profits for the country’s rail carriers for the past few months. Those whose business relies heavily on transporting the fuel for the nations power stations will demonstrate over the next few weeks how successful they have been in keeping shareholders happy in the light of reduced revenues across the rail freight sector and the results are likely to be interpreted as favourable compared to many of the larger truck operators and sea freight carriers, despite the trials and tribulations in the sector.

Giant of the Skies Brought Low by Pensioners

JAPAN – Troubled airline Japan Airlines (JAL) has seen its shares value collapse by 45% today over fears that the company’s former workers will not agree to a cut in their pensions in order to secure JAL a state bailout.

New Impetus for Environmental Jobs

USA – The American Government has announced they are to invest around $115 million dollars in three projects that are aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and improving emission standards in heavy trucks and buses. The federal government’s grants are conditional on being matched by the recipient companies.

CMA CGM will not call regularly at Bushehr

FRANCE – IRAN – Reports in the Iranian press this week proclaiming that French giant shipping line CMA CGM had “begun operations” into the port of Bushehr have been denied by the company who described a call made to the port by the 1100 TEU container vessel “Simba” as “Exceptional”

Will Handle Medical Supplies and Distribution

CHILE – Kuehne + Nagel has been awarded an exclusive logistics contract to manage the warehousing and distribution activities for Roche Chile, one of the world’s largest biotech company’s. Under the terms of the agreement, Kuehne + Nagel will handle end products and raw materials. The services also cover the handling of sensitive cargo such as temperature-controlled biotechnological products and psychotropic medicines.

New Year Starting Well for Greek Specialist

GREECE – Dry bulk charter specialist Diana Shipping announced today that it has secured a further two time charter contracts for its Panamax fleet. Both contracts are scheduled to last for between eleven and thirteen months and are expected to gross an estimated $15.5 million for Diana Shipping if the minimum charter periods are utilised.

£3 Million Commitment to Sector

UK – Wincanton, a major logistics and supply chain management provider in the UK, has increased its ability to handle the company’s growing presence in the foodservice sector by committing £3 million to the development of an 110,000 square foot handling and distribution hub in Manchester.

Increased Demand for Services Leads to Expansion of Escort Boat Fleet

GULF OF ADEN - Texas-based maritime security company Espada Logistics and Security-MENA has announced that they have purchased five additional armed, fast-patrol vessels for use in the Gulf of Aden due to increased demand for their protection services to shipping caused by the growing number of pirate attacks that are occurring in the region.

Bad Weather Presents Danger from Liverpool to Liaodong

WORLD WIDE – The extreme weather conditions continued to claim casualties, both corporal and commercial this week as hundreds of incidents ranging from another train stuck in the Channel Tunnel and closure of Felixstowe Port to desperate rescues in the China Sea and rail services across the US suspended by the big freeze, brought a halt or unwelcome delays to logistics across the world. Freight deliveries and collections have been affected drastically across the globe by bad weather affecting areas not normally touched by the cold.

Significant Mark for Subic Bay Shipyard

TURKEY / PHILLIPINES / KOREA – Turkish-based Kaptanoglu Shipping Lines has taken delivery of their newest vessel, the 114,000 ton deadweight oil tanker Leyla K, in a ceremony at Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. Philippines (HHIC-Philippines) Redondo Peninsula shipyard.

ATA Demand Standards Should Improve Through Legislation

US – The American Trucking Association (ATA) have requested the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concentrate on driver behaviour when formulating their 2010 – 2015 Strategic Plan. This follows the line consistently taken in the ATA’s safety agenda of 2008.

Two Panamax Dry Bulkers on Separate Two Year Charters

GREECE – Dry Bulk Specialist Diana Shipping has announced that it has been awarded two new time charter contracts for its Panamax bulk carriers the, m/v Nirefs and m/v Erato. The new contracts, both for a period of around two years, are expected to generate Diana some $27.5 million in gross revenue.

Gotthard Link Closed to Trucks

SWITZERLAND – The extreme winter conditions that are being experienced across the Northern hemisphere has now begun to interfere with the transport and logistics across the Alps.

Recessions Impacts Major Shipping Centre

SINGAPORE – Figures released yesterday by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) show the extent that the global recession has had on one of world’s biggest ports in terms of tonnages handled.

First Overseas Base for Household Name Company

JAPAN – SINGAPORE – Yamato Transport, the delivery arm of Japanese giant Yamato Holdings has chosen Singapore as its first overseas based express delivery operation in an attempt to capture a share of the millions of small deliveries made each year within the island state.

Vision and Capacity Cooperate on Development

USA - Vision Industries Corp, producers of the zero emission plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cell hybrid Tyrano truck, has joined with Capacity of Texas, Inc. to build a Zero Emissions Terminal Tractor (ZETT). The ZETT will be built on Capacity’s existing diesel/electric hybrid platform, the PHETT, and instead will be powered by Visions plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Weather responsible for ongoing problems SEE UPDATE BELOW - Train Cleared from Tunnel

UK – With most of the country under varying depths of snow and ice and temperatures plunging to -20 degrees Centigrade in places another problem has struck at the operator of Eurotunnel when a Eurostar train broke down whilst in transit this morning. Before Christmas services had to be suspended due to “fluffy snow” blowing into motor intakes and fouling the locomotives’ electrical circuits. This time “traction problems” are reportedly the problem. Eurostar are advising passengers to check departures and warning of possible delays and cancellations. Eurotunnel say freight drivers will be able to access the terminal normally but to expect delays of two hours to services and possibly more problems to come.

Will Another Tragedy Instigate a Review of Vessels and Procedures?

PHILIPPINES – There have been five separate incidents in a month affecting the network of small RoRo vessels that serve as an essential economic lifeline for both passengers and freight throughout the disparate network of islands that make up the region, most of which make for horrendous reading and leave local authorities and shipping company executives facing serious questions.

Even Bad Weather has a Positive Effect on Shares

ASIA – After pre holiday falls the gradual rise of the Baltic Dry Index this week, at one stage reaching its highest point in a month, has caused stocks in regional shipping groups to pick up this week. With the commencement of a New Year there are positive noises from many analysts who foresee a slow recovery for the sector.

Takes Greater Stake in Specialist Bulk Carrier

JAPAN / SWITZERLAND – Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) has increased its investment share in Swiss specialist commodity bulk freight carrier Gearbulk Holding Limited from 40% to 49%. The increase has been in effect since the end of December 2009.

Felixstowe Shuts in High Winds and Icy Storm

UK – Operation Stack, the Police system for queuing freight trucks had to be operated last night as Felixstowe container port was closed to all traffic. At the time of writing the port remains closed to all traffic but the situation will be reviewed in an hour or so (8am Thursday). The weather means all RoRo and Ferry services have had to be suspended.

Gorgon Project Major Win for Oil and Gas Division

AUSTRALIA - DB Schenker has won the contract to supply national and global logistics support to the Gorgon Project by Kellogg Joint Venture, a consortium between Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell. The four-year deal is expected earn Schenker’s some A$500 million (£285 million) and see the freight giant shift more than two million tons of freight.

Latest on Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

CALIFORNIA – US – The American Trucking Association (ATA) has given details of its plans to alter the intentions of the Port of Los Angeles as to who is allowed access under the concession plan proposed by Port authorities. In what appears to be a civilised dispute, the ATA yesterday filed its final response seeking a summary judgement for its challenge. Summary judgement would allow the Court to decide certain aspects of a case without recourse to trial providing there is no dispute between the two parties regarding the facts of the matter.

Maritime Transport Acquires DHL Container Logistics whilst HDN Takes Parcel Delivery Service

UK – DHL (UK) has begun the New Year by selling both its container haulage business and certain domestic parcel carriage services to two former competitors. Maritime Transport has taken over DHL’s UK container arm whilst Home Delivery Network (HDN) has bought DHL’s day-specific parcel business.

‘Chance of a Lifetime’ for Freight Workers

UK / TANZANIA / ETHIOPIA – International development charity Transaid is calling for members of the freight haulage and logistics industries to participate in two brand new African challenges for 2010 and 2011 that the organisation is arranging following the success of its Cycle Zambia 2009 event, which raised over £100,000.

EU Requirements mean Increased Cash Reserves Required – but RHA Also Face Problems

UK – The Road Haulage Association have expressed their objection in the strongest possible terms after the Department of Transport declared any company plying for hire and reward under normal licences must now have cash reserves 30% above what was formerly required. Previously a freight haulier was required to show cash reserves of £6,200 for the first vehicle in a fleet then £3,400 for each subsequent truck. The revised figures, in place from the 1st of this month are £8,100 and £4,500 respectively.

More Disappointment as Tamar Bridge Fees set to Rise

UK – At a time when shipping and transport businesses are suffering from existing costs there is increased dissatisfaction within the haulage industry at the ambivalent attitude adopted by the authorities toward the cost of freight transport. The latest news is of a Public Enquiry to be held at Plymouth’s Lower Guildhall from 10am on the 13th January where it is proposed to raise the toll charges across the board for vehicles transiting between Devon and Cornwall. The fees for an articulated lorry is set to rise from £11 to £16.50, an astonishing 50% increase when Government have said they will do all they can to keep costs for transport companies as low as possible.

Now working with Hellmann Worldwide in Poland

UK / POLAND - Customers using Davies Turner’s overland trailer services between the UK and Poland can now benefit from direct door-to-door services with Tuesday and Friday departures from the company’s main distribution centres in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Dartford.

Fight Goes On to Ensure Fair Play amid new Piracy Allegations

EAST AFRICA – Kenya has long struggled to lose the image of a corrupt society which clings to it so persistently. The past month or so has seen an increase in the arguments over corruption, particularly in and around the Port of Mombasa with regard to misdeclaration of imported shipments in the thousands of shipping containers which pass through the docks. Now certain sections of the media have even hinted at possible links between the port and the increasing number of pirate attacks launched from neighbouring Somalia.

Track Lowered to Accommodate Larger Wagons

UK – Work was underway over the Christmas period in the Southampton rail tunnel ensuring the tunnel could remain open next year without seriously disrupting current schedules. With thousands of shipping containers passing through the local port it is essential that the rail distribution network can carry higher boxes on standard rail trucks and this has necessitated lowering the track through the Victorian tunnel.

Faster Clearance for Fresh Produce, AEO update and Bank Details change

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) have detailed current changes underway by HM Revenue & Customs. The faster Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS) which affects any importer of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit from outside the EU will come into full effect from 16th February 2010. Since March 2009 when the scheme was first trialled there are now 90 importers and agents registered and clearance times are set to reduce from two hours to around ten minutes. There will be two final briefing sessions at the Premier Inn Heathrow on the 6th and 10th February. Full details can be obtained from the Food and Environment Research Agency website.

From This Month Only Accredited Hauliers Can Enter Felixstowe Dock

UK – Drivers wishing to enter the Port of Felixstowe from 25th January 2010 will have to be registered with the RHIDES scheme (Road Haulage Identity System). Without the suitable registration in place, and corresponding biometric check, it was already impossible to operate the self service access gates required when collecting shipping containers from the docks. From now any driver who is not a member of the scheme, so called “orphan” drivers, will need to register or they will receive a warning telling them they must be “adopted” by a company by the 25th January or entry will be impossible.

Container Shipments in Le Havre Hit by 24 Hour Strike Whilst Indian Government Negotiate with Unions

FRANCE / INDIA – France’s biggest container port, Le Havre, has seen shipments grind to a halt due to a 24-hour strike by dockers.

Perth Facility Explosion sees Vehicles Damaged but no Reported Casualties

AUSTRALIA – Mystery surrounds the circumstances surrounding the explosion of a fertiliser truck last night which in turn caused a series of fires and smaller explosions at the Greyhound Freight Terminal in Welshpool, Perth. An eye witness stated he was riding a motorcycle past the Moriarty Road depot when the first explosion occurred and was nearly knocked off the machine by the blast. The police were also passing and immediately witnessed several more explosions when they blocked the street with their vehicle.

All Too Familiar Story as New Zealand Based Freight Transport Group Folds

NEW ZEALAND – Reports today indicate that Auckland based Rapid Roadfreighters went into liquidation just before Christmas. In a situation which mirrors that of Arrow Trucking of Tulsa in the US it appears nobody appraised the staff of 250, many of whom attended pre Christmas celebrations and stopped work for the holidays without knowing they had seen the last of their jobs. The company which runs around 200 trucks from eleven transport terminals around both North and South Islands, did not even inform depot managers of the company’s demise, allowing staff parties to proceed on Christmas Eve and presumably ensuring all vehicles were secured in company premises before mentioning the collapse.

Still Much Ground to be Recovered – IATA

WORLDWIDE - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that air freight traffic for November 2009 has increased globally by 9.5% when compared to the same month of last year. Though the figures are positive IATA points out that these results are exaggerated by the massive slump in demand that occurred in the second half of 2008.

Piracy and Oversupply Plague the Trade Routes whilst Trucking Consolidates

WORLD WIDE – 2010 sees the annual piracy map published by the International Maritime Bureau start as always with a clean sheet. Everyone in the shipping world however knows that before long the first yellow and red flags indicating attempts and successes for the fastest growing sector of our business. A look at the past five years’ maps gives the clearest possible indication of how the crime of piracy has not only burgeoned, but been exported across the world. Every type of vessel is a target now, from the humblest fishing boat, through tankers, container ships and bulk carriers to cruise liners.