Shipping Search - Archive

As University Promotes the Cause of Commerce Burma Tries to Hide a Darker Side

MYANMAR – At the first World Maritime University (WMU) Regional Conference which took place in the former Burmese capital of Yangon, the Myanmar Department of Marine Administration (DMA) signed a five year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the role of Myanmar in the global freight and shipping industry and support the country’s seafaring students in academic fields. Many freight forwarders and logistics groups have recently entered the emerging Myanmar market and this only looks set to increase as it becomes a major sourcing country and consumer market for global freight customers in the near future.

Logistics Suppliers Delighted to Win in Some Hard Fought Categories

UK – With the voting completed and the celebrations over, jubilant winners from Britain’s shipping and forwarding community of the annual British International Freight Association’s (BIFA) Awards are revelling in their success after proving victorious against some very tough opposition. One group of course had an unfettered run to their own title, the TT Club receiving a very well deserved honorary award in recognition for the Club’s twenty-five year support of the event. Brian Sullivan, TT Club’s Development Director in accepting the award said:

Ever Larger Box Boats to be Constructed in Japan

JAPAN – After months of speculation, and as we hinted at in our story earlier this week, the first official order has been placed for series of 20,000 TEU container ships. Imabari Shipbuilding has secured the newbuilding order via the Marubeni Corporation, for an as yet unnamed end user, for eleven units of 20,000 TEU Ultra-Large Container Carriers, measuring around 400 metres in length by 59 metres wide. The first vessel is scheduled to be completed in early 2018.

Senior Moves in the Shipping and Associated Sectors

EUROPE – Starting this week’s appointments in the freight and logistics industry is the announcement from the Commercial Vehicle Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which has elected Martin Lundstedt as its new Chairman for 2015. Lundstedt, President and CEO of Scania, succeeds Wolfgang Bernhard, Head of Daimler Trucks, who took over the Chairmanship of ACEA's Commercial Vehicle Board in 2013, and went on to serve a second term in 2014.

Vote for Your Favourite Ad and You May Win One of Ten Available Prizes

UK – WORLDWIDE – One project freight forwarding agency has grown tired of the fact that the shipping sector is habitually ignored by the general public. Now Tuscor Lloyds is endeavouring to offer a unique marketing message to promote a traditional industry renowned for its anonymity. From puzzles to riddles, illustrations to photography, optical illusions and more, the Manchester based team are busy creating a plethora of original adverts that feature in trade press, online and throughout promotional materials with the intention to relay their specialist services in the most unique, inventive way.

New Truck Donated to Police Whilst Registered FORS Operators Get a Free Toolkit

UK – More than two years ago the Metropolitan Police launched its award winning ‘Exchanging Places’ programme to educate both HGV drivers and their fellow road using cyclists, giving both the chance to appreciate the problems faced by the other. An essential tool in the programme is a suitable commercial vehicle and, thanks to the generous support of Mercedes-Benz and the continued funding from Transport for London (TfL) a new Actros truck supplied by Sparshatts of Kent, will cost the Police service only the fuel needed in the course of the programme.

Giant Russian Plane Transports 70 Tonne Consignment from China Whilst Agency Opens New Finnish Service

RUSSIA – CHINA – FINLAND – Heavy lift air freight specialist Volga-Dnepr Airlines has marked the start of its 25th year anniversary in a way it knows best, by using its extensive knowledge to seamlessly move unique, outsize and heavyweight cargo. Volga-Dnepr transported a 70 tonne electrodynamic vibration tester from Shanghai, China to the Russian city of Chelyabinsk on board one of its An-124-100 freighters. To help load the cargo, the airline’s engineers developed special handling equipment. Azat Yakupov, Senior Engineer at Volga-Dnepr Airlines, explained:

Cargo Carrying Capability Being Utilised to Full Extent as Giant Box Vessel Beats Previous Total

WORLDWIDE – Maersk Line’s Triple E behemoth, the Maersk McKinney Moller left the port of Algeciras, Spain en route to Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, at the beginning of the week with a record load of 18,168 TEU’s, breaking the record held previously by her sister ship the Mary Maersk, which in August 2014 had sailed the same route with a total of 17,603 TEUs. By exceeding the 18,000 TEU barrier, the container shipping line crosses a once inconceivable boundary as some of the world’s biggest players in the ocean freight industry looks to compete for the title of world’s largest ship. Speaking on the subject of the vessel’s accomplishment, Captain of Maersk McKinney Moller, Niels Vestergaard Pedersen said:

Minnows May Grow to Be Giants Given Time and Effort

GERMANY – UK – Two companies in the field of logistics are celebrating birthdays this year, whilst Independent Freight is celebrating the completion of its first ten years in business with a new HQ and warehousing facility in Nuneaton, forwarding group Kuehne + Nagel has a considerably longer pedigree in this, its 125th anniversary year.

Penalty for Endangering Aircraft May Top a Million Dollars

US – The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $1.3 million civil penalty against United Airlines of Chicago, Illinois, for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations, by providing inadequate information about the cargo aboard aircraft carrying freight and passengers on both domestic and international flights. United has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

With 180 Years of Experience Analysis of Market Carries Some Weight

UK – FAR EAST – Analysing future cargo trends is a notoriously dangerous game but few shipping companies have the sort of pedigree which Hull based freight forwarding and liner agency John Good possess with over 180 years of experience in the world transport market, so when the still independent company chooses to assess the Far East trade in which it has so long been a player it is doubtless worth listening to.

New Generation Giant Box Vessels Continue to Proliferate

TAIWAN – The Evergreen Group, owners of Evergreen Line which currently lies in fifth position* as the world’s largest container shipping group in terms of TEU space, has announced the signing of time charter agreements for five more 18,000 TEU vessels to add to the six similar ships signed up by Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) and its subsidiary last December. The deal is with Japanese group Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (Shoei) and the craft are planned for delivery from 2018 through 2019.

RMT Presents Case to Parliament Showing Scandalous Underpayment to Seafarers

UK – A new report, commissioned by the specialist transport trade union RMT from maritime specialists at Cardiff University has found serious loopholes in the country’s legislation regarding the minimum wage paid to seafarers. A shocking table of shame indicates that on some UK RoRo freight and passenger ferries crews are being paid at the rate of just £2.25 per hour as opposed to the current rate of £6.50 for workers over 21, and a minimum even for first year apprentices of £2.73.

Now Technology Enhances What is Already a Securer, Door Less, Box Concept

US – DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – The door less CakeBoxx container shipping concept, which we described in full when UK group Pentalver started offering the uniquely designed boxes to the European market last September, is to receive a new layer of protection to what is already promoted as a more secure method of transporting freight overseas. The US company, headquartered in Florida, has worked with the Virginia based office of Danish asset tracking group Globe Tracker International towards a strategic partnership.

FTA everywoman Award Nominations Close Shortly

UK – For those who know an exceptional woman in the freight industry, and let’s face it there are so many, you have a few days to nominate your choice for this year’s FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards. The categories are as varied as ever and include everything from HGV and train drivers to site and warehouse managers and operatives, directors to youngsters making their way up the corporate ladder.

Report Shows Dramatic Reductions in Pollution Can Be Achieved

US – Way back in 2009 we wrote how the Californian ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles had achieved a reduction in pollution from trucks dropping and collecting freight containers of 80% and 70% respectively with their programme of banning older lorries, a tactic not without contention and indeed Court activity. Now their northerly neighbour, the Port of Oakland, has released a video demonstrating its own success in the same area.

Accident Cause to be Determined by Court

US – The latest story emerging from America will only reinforce the impression which many outsiders have that this is the land of the lawsuit. Our picture shows Philadelphia firemen atop a bus involved in an accident on 2 February 2013. The bus ploughed into a bridge which was too low for the vehicle resulting in injuries to eleven people who are now suing all and sundry, including the manufacturers of the GPS systems utilised by the driver.

Agricultural and Industrial Group Outsource Warehousing and Parts Distribution

UK – Unipart Logistics, the supply chain and freight forwarding division of the Unipart group, has secured an initial five year contract with Kubota UK to manage its national parts distribution and logistics functions. Unipart Logistics will provide distribution from its National Distribution Centre in Cowley, Oxford with the 24/7 operation running both warehousing and distribution, including the provision of mission critical components, to support Kubota’s extensive customer base both in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic Countries. Unipart will also supply components straight to Kubota’s assembly line in Thame.

State of the Art Signage Has the Ability to Show Live Stream Footage

UK – Truck drivers and other motorists will welcome the new system of state of the art road signs being installed in Greater Manchester, the first eight of which are now operational. The variable messaging signs (VMS) are now fully operational on roads across the region, displaying live journey time estimates and details of road traffic incidents and disruption. A further 19 signs are expected to be operational by the end of March 2015.

Japanese Product May be Destined to Become Popular Overseas When Available

JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – From next month drivers in Japan will be able to purchase a new device from Fujitsu designed to promote safer driving. According to the Japanese National Police Agency's ‘Occurrence of Traffic Accidents in 2013’, almost 70% of serious accidents are caused by driver error, even after factors such as skill and driving violations are removed from the equation. The new system, named FEELythm, may well have special significance for road haulage freight and passenger carrying operators.

Gateway from UK to Netherlands Opens Up Markets in the Hinterland

UK – NETHERLANDS – One of the UK’s leading independent freight forwarding groups is extending its road trailer services into Europe with the inception of daily groupage movements to and from the Netherlands. Trucks will depart Davies Turner's Dartford depot at 14:00 hours each weekday enabling British exporters to anticipate next day deliveries on the Continent.

Sign Up for the European Cycle Ride of the Year, Get Fit and Gain Free Publicity for Your Firm

UK – IRELAND – International transport development charity Transaid, is once again challenging members of the freight and logistics industry to swap trucks, buses and trains for bicycles with the launch of its fourth annual European cycle ride. After the success of last year's London to Belgium ride, which saw the charitable volunteers raise over £75,000 to help Transaid to continue its vital projects in Africa, this year’s challenge will see fundraisers set off from the Brecon Beacons for a three day, 350 kilometre journey to Dublin.

Who is Now Working for Who and Where

WORLDWIDE – Changes in the senior sales staff at the freight arm of United Airlines, United Cargo, kicks off this week’s round up of staff movements from all across the logistics supply chain. United has appointed former Director of Italy and Switzerland at Air France-KLM, Jacques Leijssenaar as Vice President of Cargo Sales – EMEIA. Leijssenaar’s appointment forms part of a wider reshuffle in United Cargo’s ‘new alignment’ which all four sales regions now reporting directly to Jan Krems, United Cargo President.

Drones - an apology (a la Private Eye)

US – MEXICO – It must be confessed that, in the past, we have been a little, shall we say, sceptical, as to the value of drones as a key component in the logistics supply chain. As a freight delivery system the drawbacks of unmanned hunks of metal flying blindly across cities simply seemed to us a series of lawsuits waiting to happen, not to mention a magnet for every potential thief with an airgun or catapult.

Emission Reduction Features High on the Agenda of All in the Transport Sector

WORLDWIDE – GERMANY – DENMARK – At a time when environmental matters are increasingly a more pressing responsibility for companies, and in the transport sector particularly, more and more firms are trying to find different ways to help customers improve their environmental footprint and demonstrate their ‘green’ credentials. Emphasising their ongoing commitment to sustainable growth, freight forwarding group DB Schenker Logistics, and container shipping giant Maersk Line, have signed a joint six-year strategic agreement aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from the ocean freight sector.

BIFA Awards Judge All That's Best in UK Cargo Market

UK – Once again the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards were an unqualified success today as the finalists gathered in hope and expectation at the usual venue of the Brewery in London. The mood amongst the gathered clan of freight forwarding agents was buoyant and the talk was of improving fortunes. A surprise Award featured this year as the TT Club was awarded a special honour to mark its continued support of BIFA for the past twenty five years.

New Video Series Illustrates How Far Things Have Come in Thirty Years

US – In an excellent presentation to promote the cause of women in the trucking industry Con-way Inc. has announced the launch of its new ‘Women in Trucking’ web video series, showcasing life as a professional woman truck driver. The series will follow two of Con-way’s top professional drivers: Ina Daly, driver sales representative for Con-way Freight, the less-than-truckload carrier subsidiary of Con-way Inc., and Stephanie Klang, professional driver for Con-way Truckload, the company’s full truckload carrier subsidiary.

Four Terminals Now Serve One US City

US – Third party supply chain specialist Ceva Logistics has expanded its market presence in Chicago with the opening of a fourth facility. The company's Chicago operations near O'Hare International Airport (ORD) now consists of four facilities totalling over 650,000 square feet with 115 total dock doors.

Digital Advances Mean Centralised Academy Can Educate All Partners

FRANCE – CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, has opened its own new university, the CMA CGM Academy, sited within the group’s stunning headquarters in Marseille. The company launched its own first in-house university some years ago to prioritise the training essential to the French company’s partners but says this move strengthens procedures.

US Lawsuit Faces Opposition from Defendants

GERMANY – US – WORLDWIDE – Some of the airlines named in the air cargo carrier price fixing lawsuit brought by Schenker, the freight forwarding and logistics arm of Deutsche Bahn, have filed motions to dismiss the action, one on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired and the other arguing that the suit is not for the jurisdiction of the US Court, alleging that the corporation was ‘forum shopping’.

Dartford Will See HGV Heights and Hazards Identified and Managed Remotely

UK – Since it launched on November 30 last year, the new Dart Charge has already helped to speed up journeys by removing the need to stop at a barrier to pay the Dartford Crossing charge, averaging around four minutes quicker for journeys northbound (via the tunnels) and nine minutes southbound (across the QE ll bridge) helping both freight and private vehicles pass under or over the Thames on their way round the M25 motorway. With the toll booths scrapped at the Crossing, the Highways Agency has now unveiled a new safety system it plans to implement to identify and manage over height trucks and haulage vehicles carrying dangerous loads before they enter the tunnel, a job that had previously been carried out at the payment barriers.

Pentalver to Open Own Facilities Within London Gateway

UK – Pentalver is a name synonymous with freight containers in all their forms and aspects, and the company, previously strategically located at four British sites from Cannock in the Midlands, down to the South Coast at Southampton, has now opted to confirm the intention announced in our story of April last year, that the company has taken a 9 acre site at the new deep water Thames side port of London Gateway.

Don't Wait Until it's Too Late Says WSC - New Rules Apply From Next Year

WORLDWIDE – As ever there is a tendency in the world of ocean container freight to put off until tomorrow what should really be looked at today. Whilst some companies undertake that which needs to be done, many others delay until regulations overtake them. Witness the mixed reactions this year to the imposition of Emission Control Areas, designed to ensure better quality fuel is used by the shipping industry. That was a requirement introduced under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) MARPOL Convention and, years prior to its introduction, industry professionals were warning that companies should adapt and adopt immediately to avoid problems.

Another Knock Back for ex SeaFrance Staff as Appeal Thrown Out

FRANCE – UK – The Société Coopérative de Production SeaFrance S.A. (SCOP), the organisation set up by ex SeaFrance staff and designated to manage the operations of MyFerryLink, the cross channel RoRo freight and passenger service owned by Groupe Eurotunnel, has had its appeal against closure of the service refused by the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in a judgement published yesterday.

Lord Berkeley Accuses Germany and France of Obstructing the Will of the European Commission

UK – EUROPE – Tony Berkeley, Chairman of the Rail Freight Group, has never been reticent about adopting a position with regard to the management and infrastructure of rail services across Britain and Europe, and has this week launched a detailed and personal assault upon how he views the latest noises emanating from the European Commission with regard to the development, or otherwise, of the future of both passenger and cargo rail transport.

Support from Freight Sector Ensures an Important Year for Transaid

UK – AFRICA – International road haulage charity Transaid has praised the transport and logistics sector after fundraising initiatives helped it to raise more than £160,000 during 2014. The huge and continued level of support has helped Transaid to make a real difference in the developing world, with its Professional Driver Training Projects in Tanzania and Zambia teaching 2,454 HGV and PSV drivers, plus 13 driver trainers in a 12-month period alone. Other highlights in 2014 saw Transaid busy distributing 140 bicycles for its Bicycle Ambulance Project in Zambia, which provides emergency transport in rural areas of Zambia.

Machines Will Help with Essential Infrastructure Works

UK – WEST AFRICA – A vast range of equipment is needed in West Africa to help the fight against the Ebola outbreak there and besides deploying the major casualty vessel RFA Argus and three Merlin helicopters to give logistical support to the medical teams and aid experts working in the field, the UK government has flown out three fork lift trucks supplied by Jungheinrich UK Ltd to support efforts in Sierra Leone.

Courier and Mail Services Unaffected by UK Mail Abandonment

UK – Following an announcement to shareholders by the board of the UK Mail Group last November that it was ‘taking steps’ to address its ailing pallet division, UK Pallets, an announcement last week that the smallest part of the group’s operations was to close came as no surprise. Most of UK Mail activities are based around road freight, and its parcels, mail and courier services are said to be unaffected by the closure, whilst another UK operator has offered a lifeline to some 73 hauliers affected and offered to take over existing customers where appropriate.

Forwarding Operation Buys Majority Stockholding in Swiss Carrier

SWITZERLAND – GERMANY – The Rhenus group, headquartered in Holzwickede, Germany has announced it has taken a majority shareholding in Crossrail AG. Crossrail AG, headquartered in Muttenz near Basel and not to be confused with the current construction of the East/West London underground rail link, is a major Swiss rail carrier with offices in Belgium and Italy. Subject to the usual approval by European antitrust authorities, logistics firm Rhenus will take a 50.1% share in the company in a bid to expand its rail freight business.

Irish Centred Facility Will Deliver Vital Equipment Worldwide

IRELAND – As anyone operating aircraft knows delays caused by the unavailability of replacement parts can be horrendously costly and with this in mind the Air and Sea division of freight and logistics group Norbert Dentressangle has launched a new service in Ireland to support the time-critical movement of aircraft parts around the world.

Global Operation Increases Presence in North and East Africa

SWITZERLAND – KENYA – MOROCCO – Following last month’s contribution to fight the scourge of Ebola in Africa, Swiss headquartered freight forwarding and logistics outfit Panalpina has continued its development on the Dark Continent with two new bases in Morocco and Kenya. The offices in Casablanca and Nairobi became fully operational in January, and support Panalpina’s growth strategy for the region. In both economies, opportunities for growth exist predominantly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Once Again Volvo Trucks Sponsors America's Road Team

US – The America's Road Team programme, sponsored by Volvo Trucks, is a national public outreach effort led by expert professional truck drivers who have logged millions of accident-free miles. Now Volvo Trucks has unveiled, a 2015 Volvo VNL 780 model equipped with advanced safety features and the chosen vehicle to pull the mobile classroom ‘Interstate One’ designed to educate the American public on matters of safety within the road haulage community.

Finally Recriminations from South of the Border Force Equal Opportunity on Previously Restricted Trade

US – MEXICO – The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened the door for Mexican road freight operators to conduct long-haul, cross-border trucking services in the United States, following the conclusion of a three year pilot programme which evaluated the safety of Mexican based hauliers to operate on the other side of the border, as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) trucking provisions. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said:

Shipowners and State Must do More to Protect and Promote Shipping Industry

UK – Nautilus International, the trade union and professional organisation for maritime professionals at sea and ashore, has launched an attack on government support for the training of UK seafarers which it says needs to be dramatically increased if the nation is to avoid a serious maritime skills shortage within the next decade. The union is calling for the UK to take full advantage of the European Union state aid guidelines to ensure that shipowners receive more help with the costs of training British seafarers.

Thanks to Concerted Naval Vigilance and Best Management Practices Hijack Levels are Way Down

WORLDWIDE – The annual report from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) shows incidents of piracy in 2014 at its lowest level in eight years, with a total of 245 incidents recorded worldwide. Whilst the number of attacks have decreased for the fourth consecutive year, there has been a noticeable upward trend in the number of vessels successfully hijacked, with 21 in 2014 compared to 12 in 2013. This increase is attributed entirely to the rise in small coastal tanker hijackings in South East Asian waters in 2014 whilst the menace of Somali pirates against container and bulk freight vessels has reduced considerably thanks to Best Management Practices and a constant vigil by the world’s naval forces.

All the Weeks Global Staff Movements

SWEDEN – We start this week’s round up of staff moves in the freight and logistics arena with news that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Maritime University (WMU) have announced the appointment of Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry as the new President to head the University. Currently the Director of the International Labour Standards Department of the International Labour Office of the International Labour Organization (ILO), she is expected to assume office as WMU President, in Malmö, Sweden, in July.

Annual everywoman Award Nominations Get Off to an Auspicious Start

UK – Rarely can the launch of an awards nomination ceremony have been seen in such an auspicious setting than was seen on the banks of the Thames last night when the FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards got under way in no less a setting than the Houses of Parliament. The event is now in its eighth year and was kick started this year by Mary Macleod MP under the watchful eye of sponsors ASDA and DHL and lead sponsor the Freight Transport Association.

Long Established Firm John Good Recognised Once Again

UK – Management and staff at the John Good Group, established in 1833 and in which the Good family still maintains control as majority shareholders, were delighted by the news it has been included in the shortlist for both the Yorkshire Family Business of the Year and the Transport & Logistics Family Business of the Year Award 2015. John Good, which operates in the Shipping & Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution and Corporate & Leisure Travel sectors is also in line for further honours.

Consolidation of Business Interests for Independent Group

BELGIUM – Trans Ocean Pacific (TOP), the NVOCC subsidiary of Europe Cargo BVBA, has been absorbed into the parent business with effect from 1 January 2015. Europe Cargo is the Belgian member of the independent freight forwarding and consolidation organisation FPS and the newly merged companies see clear advantages to continuing their activities in Belgium under a single name in the future.

New Shuttles Will Offer More Cross Channel Services

FRANCE – UK – Despite the blow of having to shed its cross Channel RoRo freight and passenger ferry service MyFerryLink after the recent judgement against it, Groupe Eurotunnel has announced an expansion of its undersea services with the revelation it is purchasing an additional three Freight Shuttles to meet growing demand.

Summit to Discuss the Problem Scheduled

UK – Ever pro-active, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced a one-day industry Summit to tackle the problem which is worrying anyone involved in the road haulage trade, that of a chronic shortage of qualified professional drivers. The FTA Industry Summit - ‘Solving the Driver Crisis’ will be held on Thursday 12 March at the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry with a capacity of up to 500 places. The event will bring together government officials, professional HR advisors, and experienced operators to work towards solutions to the current driver crisis. James Hookham, MD - Membership & Policy said:

Three New Moscow Locations and Staff Increases

AUSTRIA – RUSSIA – Austrian headquartered freight forwarding and logistics group Gebrüder Weiss says it has closed a gap in its global network with the news it is opening new facilities in Moscow. The new team in the Russian capital, currently consisting of nine employees, will henceforth be offering services in the area of air and sea freight, land transport and multimodal solutions, logistics and project business.

Scottish Storms Deprive Isle of Harris of Power and Communications

UK – With the position of inter-island ferry operator often comes social responsibilities that exceed those of a normal freight or passenger ocean carrier, no matter where in the world one operates. Often the ships provide the sole lifeline in times of hardship no matter the cause, weather, disaster etc. This week the storms which swept the Scottish coastline with winds well over 100mph caused a Caledonian MacBrayne RoRo ferry to intervene to assist residents of the remote Isle of Harris

Two Sides Still Snipe as They Negotiate Respective Positions

US – After reading the latest press releases from the two sides involved in the West Coast port dispute one can have nothing but sympathy for the federal mediators now charged with trying to bring harmony in what has become an increasingly acrimonious row. Both the workers, represented by the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), and the employers in the form of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), issued statements yesterday which may as well have been in different languages, so at variance were they.

Meanwhile Adoption of New IT System Proceeds

RUSSIA – Volga-Dnepr Airlines, which is currently adopting Lufthansa Systems’ Lido/iRouteManual, Lido/Enroute and Lido/DocView IT solutions to simplify cockpit processes, is also busy promoting its new ‘cargo supermarket’ concept which utilises the best use of Russian and Western transport aircraft within the parent group’s fleet, and uses a recent case to illustrate its policy.

Major Extension of Offices and Services for Allseas Global

UK – CENTRAL ASIA – MIDDLE EAST – It is not unusual for a logistics group to announce the opening of a new overseas office but project and general freight forwarding group Allseas Global Logistics has revealed its plans for a very significant expansion for the UK-based outfit which will include new, fully staffed offices in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, a joint venture in Pakistan, a partnership agreement in Kuwait and Iraq and the continued expansion of Allseas’ highly successful Dubai office.

40,000 Pounds Investment Means Complete Picture of Vehicle Activity

UK – Most UK freight professionals will be familiar with John G Russell (Transport) Ltd, the Glasgow based multimodal logistics provider mainly known for its road haulage activities, and now the Russell logistics group has invested £40,000 in placing forward-facing cameras in each of its 200+ road vehicles to help identify the causes of accidents and improve driver performance.

Warm Reception for Dropping of Fuel and Other Surcharges

UAE – WORLDWIDE – In a move that has been welcomed throughout the freight forwarding industry, Emirates SkyCargo is set to return to an ‘all-in pricing’ structure that will see the airline put an end to the current setup of a base rate plus surcharges, and instead bring back a single charge based on weight/cube, and include fuel and security surcharges. The new pricing strategy will initially be rolled out on air freight shipments to and from Europe from February 1st and then on the airline's global network from March 1st.

UK Court Decision Goes Against Eurotunnel so MyFerryLink On the Market

UK – FRANCE – Today saw the publication of what was thought would be the ‘final’ decision in the controversial case involving Groupe Eurotunnel and its subsidiary MyFerryLink, the RoRo freight and passenger ferry service which rose from the ashes of the SeaFrance collapse. The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) today handed down its verdict on the latest appeal after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had banned operations by the operator back in September 2014. The verdict today confirmed the original UK decision that one group was controlling too much of the traffic in the market and that operations must cease.

Who Has Gone Where Over Christmas

UK – Our first round-up of staff changes in the world of shipping and logistics in 2015 starts with the announcement from the Freight Transport Association that its Chief Executive Officer, Theo de Pencier, is to retire, after eight years leading the Association. Current Managing Director of Finance & Operations, David Wells has been named as de Pencier's successor effective May 1. Theo de Pencier will continue as the FTA Chief Executive until the end of April and will work together with Wells during the first few months to ensure a smooth transition.

Tearing Up Rail Line Reduced Competition in EU Market says Commission

LITHUANIA – LATVIA – The European Commission (EC) has informed the Lithuanian state-owned rail operator Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (LG) that it suspects the company of reducing competition in the rail freight markets in Lithuania and Latvia by removing a railway track connecting the two countries. Such behaviour, if established, would breach EU antitrust rules that prohibit the abuse of dominant market positions. The EC suggests that the removal of this track may have prevented customers from using the services of other rail operators for the transport of cargo between the two countries.

2014 Looks Like it Was a Good Year for Canal Area

NETHERLANDS – Many ports around the world are showing an upswing in trade of late and the seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, are claiming a record transhipment of more than 97.4 million tonnes in 2014 according to provisional figures. If confirmed this will mean a new high in terms of tonnage for the combined ports compared to the 95.8 million tonnes in 2013, a 1.7% increase.

Asian Company Moves into Middle Eastern and Canadian Markets

MIDDLE EAST – CANADA – Asian headquartered Kerry Logistics has expanded its global network with two recent strategic acquisitions in a bid to strengthen its presence in the freight forwarding market in Canada and across the Middle East.

Biggest Vessel Title Will be Short Lived as MSC Box Carrier Prepares to Sail

UK – WORLDWIDE – With the media frenzy surrounding the arrival at Felixstowe of the world’s largest container ship (by capacity) the CSCL Globe, freight and logistics professionals will be smiling wryly knowing this is a title which will soon be surrendered to the next mega vessel to slide off the blocks, the MSC Oscar, the Mediterranean Shipping Company behemoth scheduled to undertake her maiden voyage on January 25. In the past year or so we have seen this accolade bestowed on various vessels and of course there are different parameters to decide what constitutes ‘biggest’.

New London Congress Backed by Heavyweight Retailers

UK – WORLDWIDE – With e-commerce sales in Europe set to rise by 18% to £131.2 billion by the end of 2014 according to some analysts, and increased volumes putting unprecedented demands on the supply chains of e-commerce and omni-channel retailers, comes a new event offering an insight to those concerned with logistics and supply chain.

Steps Introduced for a Safer Future for Those Required to Work Amongst the Boxes

WORLDWIDE – Over the course of the six decades since the first introduction of containerisation the role of the traditional docker has largely disappeared. There are still however aspects of loading or offloading containerised freight from ever larger vessels that still present a very clear danger to those charged with being present quayside or aboard box vessels to perform essential tasks. In an article this month the TT Club has again illustrated perfectly the problems associated with twistlocks and other securing devices, handling containers in general, and indicated some possible solutions.

Repeat Israeli Order for Finnish Manufacturer

ISRAEL – FINLAND – Finnish based Konecranes has received a repeat order for three Rail Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes from Haifa Port Company in Israel. The RMGs will work in container freight yard operations, lifting 1-over-5 containers high with a lifting capacity of 40 tonnes and a railspan of 32 metres. Like the majority of the Konecranes RMGs already working at the Haifa container terminal, the new RMGs will be equipped with Active Load Control for high stacking productivity and DGPS skew control.

Both Sides Need to Consider the Others Point of View before Cargo Terminals Return to Normal

US – Our report on December 29 regarding the possibility of mediation in the West Coast docks dispute which is currently crippling large sections of container and bulk freight movements, elicited an immediate response from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), criticising the management of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) which represents the employers, for not sending their most senior Executive members to the negotiations. The ILWU said that the eleven members of the PMA’s Board of Directors are largely carriers but also are the chief officers of the largest terminals, none of whom have had any direct participation in negotiations since the parties began bargaining in May.

French Box Carrier Signs Memorandum of Agreement

FRANCE – ANGOLA – French container line CMA CGM is to expand its African interests having just signed a ‘logistics memorandum of agreements’ with the Multiparques Group. The deal was signed in Paris last month in the presence of the French and Angola Foreign Affairs Ministers, Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. George Rebelo Pinto Chicoti. The plan is to develop a freight and logistics terminal before the end of 2015 to extend the group’s influence and business interests in Angola.

Five Year Extension of Service Agreement with Animal Feed Shipper

UK – The Port of Tilbury has started the New Year in good style as from January 1 a new agreement with Cefetra, one of the leading supply chain managers in the UK, to handle animal feed imports through the Thames side port for the East Anglian area, came into effect. The new deal will see the freight terminal at Tilbury handling thousands of tonnes of animal feed each year. The port will also provide a dedicated 60,000 metric tonne storage facility on the quayside which will ensure the product is well protected and easily accessible for onward road transportation to customers.

Another Government Sponsored Initiative Collapses

UK – With a sort of horrible prescience we wrote in December 2013 of the tendency for government sponsored initiatives to be prone to failure after the Skills Funding Agency closed down the National Skills Academy for Logistics when it failed to achieve its objectives to promote the supply chain industry. The article at the time set out the aims for the Skills for Logistics (SfL), the Sector Skills Council for the Freight Logistics industry and, in a detailed Q&A, illustrated the way forward as far as recruiting talent and formalising industry qualifications.

Whilst Eight Souls Perish in Tragic Accident the Skill of a Crew Avoids Major Disaster

UK – With around 90% of the world’s trade being conducted via the ocean freight industry, accidents involving cargo ships are of course a regular feature of the world’s news. The spectacular demise of two specialised vessels just off the coast of Britain within 24 hours leaving eight crew dead however is notable as UK waters, although sometimes hazardous, are generally relatively safe in comparison to areas of the world where shipwrecks are often all too frequent.

Investment Meant Local Companies Could Provide Support for New Warehouse Development

UK – Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s ‘Growing the Humber’ Regional Growth Fund Grant Programme (RGF) programme is a £30 million scheme to help grow businesses in the Humber area, that is North and North East Lincolnshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull and the capital available has enabled fourteen local businesses to help develop a major new warehouse facility in east Hull for the locally based freight forwarding and logistics group Neil and Brown.

With Wintry Conditions Descending There is No Excuse Not to Stay Abreast of What's Happening

UK – With news stories few and far between as the country remains closed for business this week, a timely reminder from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), as night time temperatures plunge to as low as -9°C, regarding precautions and techniques required by road haulage operators to reduce the risk of problems when driving in wintry conditions.