Shipping Search - Archive

Somali Islamic Fundamentalists Ban and Burn Red Cross Deliveries

SOMALIA – Who’d be a truck driver in Somalia? Regular readers will know that we try to print only articles which have relevance in the world of freight and logistics movements but the latest happenings in South and Central Somalia give an indication of the difficulties facing the region and provide an insight into a country where piracy, kidnap and extortion are the only growth industries. The further sophistication of methods to deter and eliminate pirates which we have detailed previously, plus several fatally flawed attacks, has made that particular field ever more hazardous for those who pursue the trade.

Security for Reputable Box Carriers Needs Improvement

IRAN – WORLDWIDE – A report published yesterday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reinforces the points made in the Handy Shipping Guide article last May that suspect cargoes are regularly being transported in freight containers on vessels which themselves do not belong to countries directly involved in sanction breaking activities.

Dentressangle 2011 Revenue Returns Show Progress toward Globalisation

FRANCE – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Despite being known principally for its European road haulage operations a policy of expansion and acquisition has transformed Norbert Dentressangle into a truly international group incorporating different elements including freight forwarding and general logistics. Figures release yesterday show revenue up in 2011 to €3,576 million, a 26% jump from the previous years figure.

Billions to be Spent on Infrastructure Development this Year

US – Things are looking positive on the freight rail scene at the moment with the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announcing yesterday that its members, including all the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, intend to invest a record $13 billion in capital expenditures in 2012 to expand, upgrade, and enhance the nation's freight rail network. The cargo carrying rail companies claim this will also mean a projected 15,000 new employees before the end of the year in new jobs and the replacement of retirees.

Eurotunnel Thrives Compared to Some Sea Borne Rivals

UK – FRANCE – EUROPE – In the same month that we have witnessed the demise of RoRo ferry operator SeaFrance, Eurotunnel, the cross channel rail bound piggy back service, has recorded growth of around 16% last year on its truck shuttles which pushed the company’s share of the market up to 38% representing an upswing of 3.5% against the previous year. Eurotunnel was swift to point out however that this must be balanced against the 12% drop overall in traffic since the high point achieved in 2007. The company’s intermodal services have also shown steady growth in a sector in which they have no competition.

Highway Platoons Under the Control of Lead Vehicle Become a Reality

EUROPE – To a freight truck driver or a logistics professional a ‘Road Train’ is a truck and drawbar trailer, but in modern parlance through the corridors of power in Europe the phrase has a much more literal meaning, and a lot of people are working toward making a safer method of highway motoring which would see vehicles travelling in a ‘train’ under the control of a single lead vehicle being handled by a professional driver and which might well have interesting ramifications for long distance road haulage movements.

Obama Statement Will Speed Fuel Conversion

US – UK – WORLDWIDE – The announcement by President Obama this week during his State of the Union address in which he described the US as ‘the Saudi Arabia of natural gas’ may have a profound effect on the uptake of trucks used by the freight industry after the President’s commitment to offer a tax break which will see purchasers of natural gas powered trucks receive a credit for 50% of the extra cost levied on them against one driven by diesel or petrol. This should mean that cargo carrying vehicles will join other logistics sectors already using the technology as a matter of course and one major less than truckload (LTL) road haulage company has already signed up.

Departure of Chief Operating Officer as Revenue Rises

US – Despite an 8% drop in coal shipments, a commodity representing almost a quarter of its revenue and a fall of over 5% in their intermodal cargo which accounts for 35% of turnover, CSX the US freight railroad still managed to post a profit up 6% in the last quarter of 2011. The rise against last year of stock earnings up to $0.43 per share was attributed to improved rail freight rates across the board.

AirBridgeCargo Receives First of Five 747-8's

US – RUSSIA – Moscow headquartered AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, took delivery yesterday of the first of five new Boeing 747-8 Freighters becoming one of a growing list of leading cargo carriers to invest in Boeing’s latest freight aeroplane. Previous purchasers in the past few months include Etihad’s Crystal Cargo, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air and Atlas Air Worldwide which operates for British Airways.

Acquisition Means Increased Competition in Future

UK – The announcement two days ago that Otter Port Holdings, owners of Forth Ports has purchased the 67% of Tilbury Container Services (TCS) which it didn’t previously own makes for an interesting development in the life of the River Thames as a key hub for British and Continental freight movements. The move means Forth Ports has bought out the other two one third shareholders in a key centre for shipping, namely Associated British Ports (ABP) and DP World.

Belgium May Come to a Standstill

BELGIUM – The proposed general strike in the country planned for Monday is likely to cause delays for logistics customers with cargo flights cancelled and intermodal services likely to be affected. The stoppage has been timed to coincide with the meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on the 30th January and is a reaction to proposed changes to employment contracts resulting in later retirements for many and reduced benefits.

'Code Red' Maintained Countrywide

BULGARIA – Drivers of freight vehicles are warned that the sub arctic conditions which have seen the country covered with snow this week are still making many roads impassable and attempts to travel in heavy lorries illegal in some regions of the country. Trucks are reported as having to park up at various border points notably those crossing into Turkey and Greece after a ‘Code Red’ situation was declared.

CEVA Snare Another Supply Chain Contract

SPAIN – Freight and logistics company CEVA has ‘netted’ another five year supply chain contract with garden supplies company Intermas Nets, S.A. Working from its warehousing hub at Subirats, near Barcelona, CEVA staff will manage Intermas’ inbound logistics, warehousing activities, order preparation and outbound logistics for 2,500 garden products, which will be then distributed to 1,500 stores across Iberia.

Impatex Introduces Latest Features to Browser Based Format

UK – Few suppliers of bespoke software for the freight forwarding sector can claim to have been around as long as, or as successful, as Hampshire based Impatex which has been supplying Customs processing systems for over thirty years now. The company’s web-based NetFreight product is designed particularly for small to medium sized multimodal forwarders and the system has just undergone its largest-ever upgrade, embodying many new and enhanced features with the latest release particularly designed to satisfy the needs of larger, multi-branch customers.

EU HGV's Will Have to Pay on British Roads

UK – The Department for Transport (DfT) today fulfilled a manifesto commitment by the Coalition Government and launched a consultation on a proposed road user charging scheme for heavy goods vehicles (HGV’s) of 12 tonnes and over. The intention is to ensure that foreign registered road haulage trucks pay toward the cost of transport infrastructure in Britain on a comparable basis with those of their native counterparts. In a statement Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning said:

Bristol Dock will be Hub for US Wheels

UK – Freight forwarder GEFCO UK, recently named both UK Automotive Logistics Company 2012 and European Logistics Company 2012 by the Institute of Transport Management has been awarded a contract by Chevrolet to provide a new vehicle distribution service throughout Britain. Under the new arrangement, GEFCO provides finished vehicle logistics for onward distribution of Chevrolet products to approximately 33 dealers across the North of England, Scotland, South West England and Northern Ireland.

Staying in Touch Makes for a Happy Ship

WORLDWIDE – As ship owners and operators cut costs it is often the humble crewman who suffers. The ruling this week in the Philippines to ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention on biometric identification will help some of those who are habitually mistreated, often spending countless months aboard with no communication with home and family. For others however working for credible freight and shipping companies such as leading German container ship and bulk carrier owner Reederei Thomas Schulte, life is now to be a little more pleasant.

Deutsche Post DHL Align With German Government Against EU Commission

GERMANY – Mail and logistics group Deutsche Post DHL, in an alliance with the German Federal Government, is to appeal at the European Court of Justice against the state aid ruling made today by the European Commission. The decision came after the Commission’s investigation begun in 2007 studying allegations of unlawful state support to Deutsche Post AG. This followed on from an earlier investigation started in 2002 which concluded in September 2010 after Deutsche Post successfully appealed a previous ruling.

Helicopters Swoop In To Kill Pirate Gang

SOMALIA – Reports from the region regarding the rescue of two hostages today by US forces paint a vivid picture of the fragmented society that has spawned the current wave of pirate attacks. A unit deployed in the area consisting of US Navy Seals together with other specialist troops from Army, Navy, Marine and US Air Force factions has apparently been in place for some while awaiting instructions for any possible intervention in hostage or terrorist situations. The rescue did not involve victims from freight or passenger vessels as Dane Poul Hagen Thisted and American Jessica Buchanan were seized in the town of Galkayo in October while working for the Danish Demining Group (DDG) a branch of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)a non-profit organisation that works worldwide to help victims of conflict.

Panalpina Launch Six New Options

ASIA – Swiss freight forwarding group Panalpina announced today they would be increasing their regional Less than Container Load (LCL) services through their in house carrier Pantainer Express Line. The company says it is a reaction to greater demand from Intra Asian trade customers, especially in the consumer, high-tech and telecom industry, to further optimize their supply chains for smaller orders.

Philippines Ratifies Convention 185 This Week

PHILIPPINES – WORLDWIDE – Nine years after it was first mooted by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, Convention No. 185 has finally been ratified by the Republic of the Philippines. This now means that Filipino seamen, who represent around 25% of the labour force on merchant and other shipping ranging from general cargo and bulk freight vessels to tugboats and passenger liners, will now carry biometric identification designed to eliminate fraud and identity theft and ensure fair treatment of crews.

MacAndrews Expands Existing Services

UK – POLAND –SWEDEN – For those with long associations with the UK or Spanish shipping industry the name of MacAndrews is one that will be familiar having been involved in the movement of freight by water for well over 150 years. Indeed the company’s origins go right back to the 1770’s before moving on to be a key player in the short sea trade well before the onset of box traffic. Lately though the company, now a subsidiary of French container giant CMA CGM, has been at the forefront of the environmental drive to encourage a switch of cargo from road to greener maritime carriage.

Unveiling of Stand Alone Pneumatic Cargo Transfer System

US – The next major exposition for supply chain related businesses, Modex 2012, which opens in Atlanta, Georgia on the 6th February will provide many visitors from the freight community with a chance to examine machinery and cargo handling equipment which includes cutting edge technology. One such product uses air lift technology to enable items to be moved literally with one finger in warehouse situations.

More political clout gathers over sea-wolves, but will it achieve anything?

NEW YORK – The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, 20 January 2012, at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss matters related to the IMO’s work and cooperation between the UN and the IMO to combat Somalia-based piracy.

FAC Meeting Scheduled for Today

EUROPE / WORLDWIDE - EU Foreign Ministers are to discuss adding further sanctions on Iran and Syria when they meet in Brussels today (23rd January). In a written statement to the UK’s Parliament announcing the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting the Minister for Europe, David Lidington, said that he expected the EU to expand and strengthen its sanctions against Iran, including an oil embargo and further restrictions on finance, petrochemicals and gold.

New Arrangements for Heavy Shipments

USA / AZERBAIJAN – World Airways and Silk Way Airlines have completed a teaming agreement to provide outsized air freight service to the U.S. military. The agreement provides freight services beginning in January utilizing Silk Way’s IL-76 aircraft. The new service complements World Airways operations for the US Military that it has been operating since 1955.

Port of Gothenburg Fuel Switch Program Begins Next Week

SWEDEN – Next week one of the world’s largest freight container vessels, the Edith Maersk, will perform her first call to the Port of Gothenburg with low sulphur fuel as part of the port’s “Fuel Switch Program” which aims to drastically reduce air pollution by 90 percent within the port control area and improve the health of the residents of Gothenburg.

UK Ceremony Witnesses Supply Chain Professionals' Positive Approach

UK – London yesterday hosted the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards for achievements within the logistics industry and the event, sponsored by SDV, was agreed to be a success by all present. As usual there were highlights and the title of Young Freight Forwarder of the Year, this time presented by Virgin Atlantic Cargo, is always one which is both fiercely contested and keenly anticipated with the 2011 winner being Radius Logistics UK youthful representative, Izabela Trojanowska.

SDV Invests in FAST

MIDDLE EAST – EUROPE – SDV International Logistics has confirmed it has taken stakes in various parts of the FAST group of freight forwarding companies. Following several years of co-operation between the two SDV recently took a minority interest in FAST Mondial & Marine, desribed as the top freight forwarder in the Lebanon having a staff of ninety and an annual turnover of $30 million.

Less Than a Month to Get a Name Down for the Best in the Industry

UK - There is less than a month to go for the UK’s brightest female talent within transport and logistics to enter the MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, which champion role models and showcase the breadth of opportunities available to women. From freight drivers to Green Goddesses this is the chance for women in the logistics sector, whether in a shipping company or elsewhere in the supply chain, to achieve recognition.

'Pitifully Small' Investment in Transport Slated by Rail Freight Group

UK – Minister for Housing and Transport, Keith Brown, has announced a £50 million investment in revised greener transport options including assisting the transfer of freight from road to rail as well as spending on low carbon transport methods, cycling and a £2 million pound spend on greener buses. It is not known how much of the money will be allocated to promote intermodal transport methods.

North Sea RoRo Aims at Three Crossings Each Way Weekly

UK – SWEDEN – SCANDINAVIA – Next week will witness the inception of a brand new Roll On Roll Off ferry service between Killingholme and Gothenburg, the second addition for the Immingham region this month after DFDS Seaways added an extra freight only vessel to the Rotterdam service. The new service will offer three return crossings weekly and has been started by North Sea RoRo, a company so new at the time of writing their website is not yet functional, and backed by freight forwarding group NTEX.

Depressed Measurement Educates a New Generation

WORLDWIDE – In May 2008 all was well with the world and those who earn their living centred around the shipping of bulk freight commodities munched happily on their expensive lunches blissfully unaware of what was to happen to them over the next six months. The Baltic Dry Index, cruising on a high at well in excess of 11,000 points was about to start an unprecedented nose dive into the 1100’s by October, a point it hit last Thursday since which it has dropped further.

Stop24 Folkestone Serves Ferries and Channel Tunnel Alike

UK – EUROPE - A brand new customs clearance facility site and lorry park has launched at Stop24 Folkestone Services. Conveniently located 5 minutes drive from the Euro Tunnel and 15 minutes from the Port of Dover at Junction 11 on the M20, the UK’s first purpose built custom clearance facility, which opened for trucks in the summer, from this week will provide clients with a quick and professional clearance service. Two of the UK’s most prominent customs clearance agents Channel Ports and Harbour Shipping are using the new facility to provide international freight truck drivers with efficient and secure services.

Changing Face of Britain's Best Known Haulier

UK – News from the multimodal logistics group Stobart Group this week resembles a big money game of Find the Lady. Today’s investor release tells of the acquisition of all the assets of the W.A. Developments International Group (WADI), the so called ‘Moneypenny’ portfolio. In line with recent Stobart transactions this one is far removed from the company’s freight and road haulage origins.

Another Large Contract Heads for Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN –EUROPE – Unfortunately there is nothing like a war zone or an area of political conflict to generate large volumes of work for those in the freight and logistics sector and the recent situation in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan has proved no different. We have witnessed several Middle Eastern headquartered companies responsible for lucrative contracts, Kuwait based Agility still has an ongoing dispute with the US Government only to be succeeded by Anham, and now their fellow countrymen at Move One Logistics has unveiled their latest project to Afghanistan.

Nigerian Strike Ends Whilst Freight Vessels Wait and Corruption Allegations Pursued

NIGERIA – After a week of countrywide stoppages the general strike was called off yesterday after a move by the government designed to appease the mass of protestors whilst still clinging to a shred of credibility. The unrest caused the cessation of all export and import freight as ports and container terminals closed to shipping leaving dozens of cargo vessels moored to await instructions, just one factor which helped increase the inflation that was hitting the populace as deliveries of essentials dried up or doubled in price.

BIFA Publishes Web Page to Assist Supply Chain Stakeholders

UK – In order to assist freight forwarders and others in the supply chain in the run up to the London Olympic and Paralympic games which take place in the Summer the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has added a dedicated area on its website to offer logistics advice to provide information that will help mitigate disruption to cargo collection and delivery activities.

Descartes Reveal Latest Cloud Based Logistics Control Modules

CANADA – US - WORLDWIDE – Ontario headquartered Descartes Systems Group has made what it terms ‘significant extensions’ to the company’s Microsoft-based Logistics Flow Control solution. Descartes claim the new modules provide retailers with better coordination of supplier managed freight shipments and synchronize commercial and logistics documentation required for accurate import Customs duty filings.

HPH Unveil Latest Pay as You Go Global Cargo Monitoring

WORLDWIDE – With track and trace now an essential component in the supply chain Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) has introduced its system to oversee freight movements. The system, to be known as StellarTrak™, has been developed together with global wireless monitoring specialist LoadStar, both companies being subsidiaries of parent group Hutchison Whampoa. The web based system provides customers with next generation cargo security, monitoring and tracks assets such as shipping containers.

High Level Talks to Set Up Rail and Road Links

INDIA – JAPAN – A busy week in New Delhi with meetings between Indian Government officials and a trade delegation from their Japanese counterparts intended to pave the way for infrastructure developments which will have a major impact on parts of the freight, logistics and road haulage sectors.

Korean Coastguard Search for Survivors

SOUTH KOREA – Reports are coming in of an explosion off the coast after a freight vessel sailing to the North of Jawol Island with a cargo of petroleum suffered an accident killing at least three of the crew. The vessel, the Doola 3, had sailed from the port of South Korea’s third largest city, Incheon en route for Daesan in South Chungcheong Province.

Companies the Length of Britain Need to Enter Their Own Events

UK – It won’t just be freight and logistics interests in London that need to prepare for the forthcoming Olympics according to Transport for London (TfL) which has prepared something for everyone in the commercial sector who might be affected. All that’s required now is for everybody, from retailers to express couriers, to familiarise themselves with the unavoidable restrictions and the best way to avoid them or minimise their inconvenience.

Stolen US Meat Thefts May Run to Millions of Dollars

US – WORLWIDE – As we are always saying at the Handy Shipping Guide ‘If you didn’t think it, breathe it or give birth to it – somebody probably delivered it’ making the freight and logistics industry the biggest in the world. Unfortunately, as we know only too well, our business activities therefore attract thieves and con artists and the latest internet scam combines the latest technology with old fashioned criminal brass neck. Road haulage outfits have been victims of a sophisticated truck scam on an unprecedented scale.

Ex Schneider Boss Dies at 76 + Who's Gone Where and from Whom

WORLDWIDE – Here is a review of recent appointments and departures within the shipping, freight and logistics sectors, but first we are sad to announce the death of a name famous in the world of US trucking with the sad demise of Donald (Don) J. Schneider, chairman emeritus and former president and CEO of Schneider National, Inc. who passed away today at the age of 76 after a long battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

Thirteen an Unlucky Number as Hijackers Seized

SOMALIA – GULF OF ADEN – Friday the 13th proved the undoing for thirteen would be pirates as the NATO counter piracy task force Operation Ocean Shield, which battles against the threat to freight and passenger vessels in the region, had another success after the American missile destroyer USS Carney picked up the trail of a suspected pirate vessel a day earlier. Yesterday the Royal Navy support vessel RFA Fort Victoria intercepted the small craft, believed to be a Dhow acting as a mother ship, and launched its helicopter which fired warning shots.

Five wounded and One Missing off Somalia

SOMALIA – After successfully accompanying a World Food Programme ship carrying aid into Somalia and while operating close to the Somali port of Mogadishu yesterday the Spanish warship ESPS Patino was attacked with light calibre weapons after pirates presumably mistook her for a freighter. The skiff bearing seven men were immediately fired upon and the EU Navfor flagship launched her helicopter which caused the would be hijackers to throw boarding ladders, weapons and fuel barrels over the side.

Freightliner to Handle Increased MSC Traffic

UK – Following the relocation of their services to the newly commissioned berths 8 and 9 at the Port of Felixstowe, Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) has contracted its increased container movements by rail to the North West of England with Freightliner Ltd. Freightliner claim the increase in traffic volume will result in six thousand truck movements from UK roads each year by expanding the existing agreement between the two companies with 30,000 containers per annum using the intermodal services. Kelvin Wilden, Operations Director, MSC (UK) Ltd commented:

Liebherr to supply its 100th Mobile Harbour Crane to Africa

AFRICA –GERMANY - In March 2012, Liebherr is going to deliver its one hundredth mobile harbour crane (LHM), type LHM 550, to APM Terminals Apapa. Their fleet will then comprise nine heavy-duty machines operating at terminals in Benin, Luanda and Apapa. Being one of Liebherr’s major customers in Africa, APM Terminals Apapa has played an important role in reaching this 100th delivery milestone in early 2012. A review of the impact the German group has had on the bulk freight and container handling market in the Continent reveals over twenty five years of progress.

Expertise Spawned in Europe Will Drive New American Project

US – An ocean project between two American subsidiaries of major European shipping lines, Denmark’s Maersk Line and Germany’s Rickmers- Linie has taken another step forward with Maersk’s reflagging under US registry of Maersk Illinois, its newest multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is one of two sister vessels that US company Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) acquired in cooperation with Rickmers-Linie (America) in September 2011 and which will sail for the Maersk-Rickmers US Flag Project Carrier providing break bulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring US flag service.

Another Asian Investment for Gebruder Weiss

JAPAN – EUROPE – US - Logistics and freight forwarding conglomeration Weiss Röhlig has announced it has acquired JHB Express, a twelve year old international logistics company specializing in sea and air freight, based in Osaka, Japan effective from the 1st January,as part of the joint venture company’s continued Asian expansion plans. The purchase price has not been disclosed. Joe Lässer, Director Air and Sea for Gebrüder Weiss commented:

Eurogate Buys Fourth Tranche of Straddle Carriers from Konecranes

GERMANY – Container terminal and logistics operator Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg GmbH has placed its fourth order with mechanical handling equipment supplier Konecranes which will bring the number straddle carriers on the freight specialist’s fleet from the same manufacturer’s stable to fifty five. The latest order booked in the second and fourth quarter of 2011 and scheduled for delivery later this year, comprises fourteen straddle carriers for container handling and includes the supply of maintenance services.

Hot Spots in the Workplace Identified and Streamlined

UK – WORLDWIDE – ATMS a company which specialises in supply chain improvement technologies has moved back into the warehouse with its latest development. Seemingly less exotic than some of the global freight tracking solutions the group provides HeatMap highlights areas of high activity inside a warehouse to enable management to optimise the logistics of stock movement.

Leading Industry Figures Comment on Government Announcement

UK – Having recently started their new Poland/UK High Speed 1 oversize container service and teamed up with Network Rail to transport trains from Basel, Switzerland into the Hams Hall intermodal freight terminal in Birmingham, a move they say will save 100,000 kilometres of truck carriage with the resultant CO2 emission savings, DB Schenker was quick to make a statement supporting the Government statement regarding future development of the High Speed 2 infrastructure project which it says will secure the future growth of rail freight traffic. DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd Chief Executive Alain Thauvette was enthusiastic at the news saying:

Report of Another Tanker Seized

GULF OF ADEN – IRAN – SOMALIA - Another Iranian tanker has been seized by pirates whilst transiting the Gulf. Just this week two other Iranian registered fishing vessels were rescued by US and Danish patrols having been taken by hijackers. Currently twenty five suspected pirates are being held aboard the HDMS Absalon awaiting a decision on their fate after they surrendered when shots were fired from the Danish vessel to bring the fishing dhow they had taken to a halt (full report HERE). US forces arrested five men and freed thirteen after the other fishing craft pirated six weeks ago, was retaken by an American ship.

Plan to Open New Dover Calais Joint Service whilst Humber Traffic Grows

UK – FRANCE - NETHERLANDS – DFDS Seaways have announced their intention to expand services on their freight only route from Immingham to Rotterdam and have joined with LD Lines to take up the slack left by the liquidation of SeaFrance. Just days after the French group went into liquidation the two companies reiterated their sentiments that there was capacity on for a RoRo service on the Dover and Calais route. The ferry groups have cooperated before, in November DFDS chartered an LD Lines vessel, the Norman Spirit to bolster its Dunkerque/Dover services.

CEVA Warehousing is by the Book

ITALY- The logistics of any form of publishing contract is usually welcomed by freight and logistics companies despite the labour intensive nature of the work, making them a prime target for any half decent sales team. Now CEVA, a company which epitomises the international nature of the shipping business given its geographical pedigree, informs us that it has been awarded a five year supply chain contract by a key player in the Italian school publishing sector La Scuola S.p.A.

Fledgling Box Outfit Keeps Increasing Fleet

GREECE – Diana Shipping’s partly owned subsidiary Diana Containerships Inc which was registered in the Marshall Islands in 2010 to diversify the group’s shipping interests has signed today two Memoranda of Agreement with APL (Bermuda) Ltd. for the purchase of two Panamax container vessels the m/v APL Sardonyx and the m/v APL Spinel with anticipated delivery within the first quarter of this year at a price of $30 million each.

Ukrainians Needed Union Help to Escape Liverpool Abandonment

UK – UKRAINE – Despite the best efforts of ship owners and unions alike the three remaining Ukrainian crew of the freighter Dyckburg, a 5,000 tonne dwt dry cargo carrier flying a flag of convenience from Antigua and Barbuda, gave up their fight this week to rescue anything from the impossible situation they found themselves in after being detained in Liverpool by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency since September.

Tribunal Decision Looks to Sound Death Knell for SeaFrance

FRANCE – Despite saying in November that it would be the 28th January before RoRo Ferry operator SeaFrance was finally liquidated the pronouncement today by the Tribunal de Commerce that last minute attempts to save the ailing freight and passenger carrier are not viable effectively finishes the company which commenced cross channel services fifteen years ago and was owned by French national railway group SNCF.

Four New Deals a Quarter of a Billion Dollars Agreed

DENMARK – BRAZIL – AUSTRALIA – The A. P. Moller - Maersk Group may be world leaders in container shipping but the company has diversified operations giving it a broader based portfolio than any of its smaller rivals. One of the areas it is currently giving a lot of attention to is support services for the marine oil and gas industries and this week its specialist arm Maersk Supply Service announced the signing of four new contracts worth in the region of $250 million.

Severe Weather Accounts for Two Ships Over the Weekend

NEW ZEALAND – AUSTRALIA – The tempestuous weather experienced in the region over past weeks has finally claimed the MV Rena, the container ship which became stranded on a reef off the coast of North Island back in October and as news came in of her hull breaking open a similar fate befell a bulk vessel the MV Typhoon which broke its moorings off Christmas Island and foundered on rocks.

Great and the Good of BIFA Members to Gather in London Again

UK – Just as belts begin to ease (hopefully) after Christmas the British shipping and logistics industries look forward to another British International Freight Association (BIFA) Freight Service Awards ceremony to be held on the 19th January at The Brewery in London’s Chisnall Street.

Centrally Situated Industrial Park Attracts Kerry Investment

CHINA – Kerry Logistics, already with a strong presence in the country, has announced plans to build a dedicated logistics centre in Zhengzhou in Henan Province, a city which has seen a recent influx of other European freight forwarding groups such as Kuehne + Nagel. The new hub will be built on 70,000 sq. m of land sited at the Singapore International Logistics Industrial Park in Zhengzhou, adjacent to the national highway to the east and to the Longhai Railway in the north and is 20km to the southeast of the city centre.

Bulgarian Cargo to be Split from Passenger Services

BULGARIA – In an interview yesterday the head of the Government’s Privatisation Agency confirmed that plans are going ahead as planned to privatise freight services as national rail company BDZ fights to get approval for a loan of hundreds of millions of pounds to save it from collapse. Just last month a three week strike by the company’s workers against planned job cuts and reforms was ended. Freight services include the ‘piggy backing’ of cargo carrying road trucks via the pan European transport corridor which runs from Turkey in the South up into Central Europe.

Yet Another Harrowing Disaster to End the Year

PHILIPPINES – JAPAN - In late December the eyes of much of the Western world were focused only on forthcoming Christmas celebrations and so, at the end of a year dogged by tragedy, many did not even notice the horrors occurring across the other side of the world. Fortunately this did not apply in Asia and now container and bulk freight shipping group Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have revealed the part they played in trying to assuage the problems there.

Joanna Back on the Campaign Trail as Eyes Turn Again Toward Live Animal Transport

UK – EUROPE – NEW ZEALAND - Cutting polluting emissions and fuel consumption have taken up many column inches as the freight and logistics market concentrates on making a better impression with consumers and customers for the past few years. One particular branch of road haulage transport and sea freight which was highlighted vividly a few years ago had faded from the public consciousness however after initially engendering great public interest.

First Presence in Inner Mongolia for Schenker Whilst Dalian Helps Plug Jade Cargo Gap

CHINA – ‘As one door closes’ a new air cargo carrier commences services in the same week one closes and a European forwarder expands its operations in the country. German multi modal freight forwarder DB Schenker was amongst the first tranche of European logistics companies to venture into, what was then the comparatively small market of mainland China back in the 1970’s. The company opened its first representative office in Beijing in 1982 and has increased its presence there steadily ever since.

Annual Review from CSX Shows Confidence in the Track Borne Cargo Sector

US – The annual review of investment activity from cargo carriers CSX Corporation, headquartered in Florida but serving the entire length of the East coast and into the District of Columbia, gives an idea of the size of US rail freight business and demonstrates the inherent capability of track based cargo carriage over road haulage when huge distances are involved. During 2011 the company which provides bulk and intermodal rail services throughout its 21,000 mile network has witnessed customers commit to 124 new or expanded facilities on CSX and its short line railroad partners worth almost $1.4 billion.

Parliamentary Committee Says Shipping Needs Unambiguous Defence Guidelines

OMAN – SOMALIA - UK – INDIAN OCEAN – Whilst interested parties pore over the 72 page report from a UK Parliamentary Committee which calls for clear and unambiguous guidelines for shipmasters on the use of armed force against pirates we have reports coming in of another cargo vessel hijacked, this time close to the Omani coast off Salalah, close to the Yemeni border.

Austria and Eastern European Business to Global

JORDAN – Eastern Europe – Austria - Royal Jordanian Airlines has awarded its cargo GSSA contract for Austria and Eastern Europe to Globe Air Cargo, part of the ECS Group. The full GSSA contract covers sales, marketing, operations and planning and also includes road freight haulage feeder services from countries in Eastern Europe to Vienna and trucking to points across Europe for cargo arriving in Austria from Amman by air.

Another New Ilyushin for Volga-Dnepr

RUSSIA - Volga-Dnepr Airlines has added a fourth modernized IL-76TD-90VD cargo aircraft to its fleet with the new plane completing its inaugural commercial cargo flight on New Years Eve from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport to Bahrain before returning to Moscow. The purchase follows contract agreement at the MAKS 2007 International Aerospace Show and the aircraft was delivered from Tashkent to Ulyanovsk, Russia, in November to be painted in Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ livery.

Extreme Weather World Wide Affects Supply Chains

UK - AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND – Weather is a factor that all freight and logistics companies are used to dealing with and if it be snow slowing deliveries or incessant rain, somehow the cargo normally gets through. As 2012 begins however there seem to be more problems than usual with the climatic conditions that are affecting the supply chain.

Downturn in Asian Trade Blamed for Problems

CHINA – Freight only carrier Jade Cargo has ceased operations until further notice whilst the company discusses financial restructuring with its stakeholders. The company blames overall weak air cargo demand and officially ceased all services on New Years Eve.

Schenker Score Highly in the Frozen North Cargo Stakes

NORWAY – ARCTIC CIRCLE – GERMANY – Proponents of rail freight argue consistently that it conserves energy and reduces pollution compared to road haulage but to do so there must be an efficient and practical service with a good percentage of take up of the available space. To make a profit on such a service demands excellent road links to the intermodal terminals with dedicated railheads for bulk cargo customers, not always easily achievable given the amount of infrastructure necessary for such projects.

Last Year Ended on a Low Note - But Can We Expect Better to Come?

WORLDWIDE – The problem of oversupply in the shipping industry has become a familiar situation, and, with more new build container and bulk cargo vessels due off the blocks in the coming months, things are unlikely to get easier for the worlds freight carriers during 2012. So what do we face in the next twelve months? By all accounts it looks as if the situation, whilst currently disappointing, could get much worse for certain sectors with some companies more exposed than others.

Intermodal Changes Prompt New Investments and Designs

US – WORLDWIDE - High cube containers are the new black according to many of the intermodal companies as the logistics sector embraces the chance to fit in more freight per box now that rail routes worldwide are being improved and enlarged and the technology to construct the cargo carriers’ advances.

Drivers Laid Off as Boxes Build Up

AUSTRALIA – Battle lines are being drawn as unions start to flex their collective muscles with the adoption of new worker friendly policies by the Labour Government. Industrial actions are to be seen across the country and the freight and logistics industries are being particularly hard hit with stoppages in one sector causing lay offs elsewhere along the supply chain.

Ballast Water Treatment Group Aim For Smaller Vessels

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – As we face a year in which overcapacity in the shipping markets is likely to keep charter prices and freight rates down it is even more important for cargo vessel operators to ensure their ships are fully compliant with all the required international standards. As we have written so often, one of the key areas which many ship owners and operators need to address is that of the control of ballast water emissions.

AP Moller Maersk CEO Hospitalised in Switzerland

DENMARK – SWITZERLAND - News in over the holiday period that Nils S. Andersen, CEO of transport conglomerate and the world’s largest container shipping group A.P. Moller – Maersk, was taken into hospital on the 30th December after suffering illness and has been successfully operated on.

When is a Hazardous Load Not Dangerous?

AUSTRALIA – The flooding which has plagued the Northern Territory has brought to the fore the controversial matter of transporting hazardous cargo after a freight train was derailed when passing the Edith River Crossing, a well known beauty spot, and cutting the entire rail corridor. Original reports stated that the train carried bulk iron ore but now it appears, according to local reports, that at least part of the cargo was copper concentrate which contained quantities of radioactive uranium which has entered the river system as a result of the accident.