Shipping Search - Archive

NGO Assistance Helps Improve Safety

ZAMBIA – It’s not uncommon to hear people in the West bemoaning the restrictions placed upon them by health and safety regulations. All too often it seems that all consideration for common sense has been discounted and that legislation is imposed by bureaucrats as much to tie everything up in red tape as for any proper purpose, but when one sees the counter wise situation where people are not protected by proper controls the cost can be shocking.

Stuck Trucks Causes Anger with Officials

UK – The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, has called for all lorry drivers using satnavs to use commercial models, following a ‘fresh catalogue of chaos on the nation's roads. Acknowledging that while the majority of lorry drivers are reputable and responsible, the LGA says that a minority cut corners by using cheaper satnavs designed for cars that don’t provide sufficient details for HGV drivers, leading them through routes with low bridges and narrow roads.

Lifesaving Group Gets Practical Help with Series of Fundraisers You Can Join

UK – The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is, for obvious reasons, a charity much favoured by members of the shipping and freight forwarding fraternity. Now global logistics operator, GAC UK, has nominated the organisation as its designated charity for 2017. For nearly 200 years, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea through lifeboat search and rescue, lifeguards, water safety initiatives and flood rescue, and last year the charity was the focal point of the compelling BBC documentary, ‘Saving Lives At Sea’.

3PL Switch to Make Cost and Efficiency Savings

UK – Freight group Walker Logistics claims it has produced both cost and efficiency savings for a notable client after taking over the online and high street retail supply chain needs of Underground, a brand whose range of men’s and women’s footwear enjoys a cult following worldwide. Before partnering with Berkshire-based Walker, Underground had employed the services of two individual logistics firms, one with responsibility for its B2B operation and another to fulfil internet sales. The 3PL switch to Walker’s means that both channels to market are managed from the same facility, thus producing the consequent savings.

Deaths Preventable with Proper Care and Maintenance

UK – Brake, the road safety charity, has condemned the sentencing of two men found guilty of the manslaughter of three men and a little girl as ‘unduly lenient’. In response to Friday’s sentencing at Bath Crown Court of Matthew Gordon to seven years, six months and Peter Wood to five years, three months, both employees of a Wiltshire road haulage company, campaigns director for Brake, said:

John Good Shipping Takes Liverpool Premises

UK – Despite being one of the longest established names in the commercial maritime world John Good Shipping is still looking to the future, as evidenced by the opening of a new office in Liverpool to further expand its freight forwarding, ship agency and airfreight activities in the North West. It is less than two years since the company opened its new headquarters on the east coast at Hessle and the decision to make the latest move comes after a number of years considering a range of different opportunities, with John Good opening the doors of a newly refurbished 2,200 square foot office at Burlington House, Waterloo, just minutes from the Port of Liverpool.

Some Transport Industry Movers and Shakers Swap Jobs

US – This week’s round up of freight and logistics appointments begin with news that FedEx has announced that David Bronczek will assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of the FedEx Corporation, effective February 1, where he will be responsible for marketing, sales, and all FedEx operating companies. Though his appointment was previously announced in October, the company say that ‘substantial progress’ in in the integration of TNT into FedEx Express has accelerated Bronczek's promotion by 11 months.

Abbey buys Armet

UK – Liverpool based specialist logistics provider, Abbey Logistics has acquired the complete share capital of bulk liquid food transport firm, Armet Logistics, for an undisclosed sum. With the combined businesses expected to generate turnover in excess of £70 million in 2017/18, Abbey will gain Armet's large bulk road tanker fleet as well as a tank wash facility in Liverpool. Steve Granite, Abbey Logistics Group CEO said:

News Bites from the Transport Sector

THE NETHERLANDS – DSV has been appointed to manage operations for Primark out of a new logistics centre in the Netherlands. The 65,000 m² warehouse located in Roosendaal in the south of the country is owned by the client and runs on Primark’s Warehouse Management System. Peter van der Maas, Managing Director DSV Solutions the Netherlands, said:

Direct Vision Just One Factor in Causes of Accidents

UK – Following our article on the London Mayor’s new consultation paper concerning the ‘Direct Vision Standard’, the amount of visibility an HGV driver has from his cab, the country’s two top road freight associations have reacted with some scorn over the proposals. Despite the whole road haulage lobby supporting such improvements, evidenced by changes vehicle design and retrospective adjustments, Sadiq Khan stands accused of obscuring the fact that vision from the cab has not proved the key factor in most serious incidents between cyclists and lorries.

Field Trials of New, and Forgotten, Systems Scheduled Over Next Three Years

UK – The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), a public-private partnership between top global energy and engineering companies and the UK Government, has published a new report which highlights affordable measures and technologies that could be taken to reduce both fuel consumption and carbon emissions from ocean shipping. With the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) predicting that maritime emissions could potentially rise by 250% by 2050 compared to 2011 levels the ETI hopes that freight shipping lines will implement the measures they propose.

Expected to Prove Export Boon for Sub Continental Rice Market

SAUDI ARABIA – DUBAI – INDIA -- Qatar Navigation (Milaha), a maritime and logistics conglomerate based in Doha, has signed an agreement with the Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT) in India, to start the first direct common carrier feeder service between Saudi Arabia and India. The frequency of the first-of-its-kind service will be weekly and will connect Kandla directly with Jebel Ali in Dubai, and Dammam and Jubail in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the launch of the new service, Milaha’s President and CEO Mr. Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai said:

New Apprenticeship Scheme Makes a Start on Addressing the Balance

UK – Over the years, many vested road haulage industry interests have warned of chronic shortage of skilled workers in the UK's freight and logistics sector and with increasing pressures on the industry to deliver goods to increasingly tight timescales, the need for skilled HGV drivers only becomes more evident. The industry estimates that there could be up to 35,000 vacancies for trained operators across the country. To start addressing the problem, government funding to train up to 200 HGV drivers is being made available to Freight Transport Association (FTA) members through a new partnership with The Real Apprenticeship Company (TRAC).

Expansion of European Coverage from This Month

UK – SPAIN –BELGIUM – SWEDEN – Following the news in December that Swedish Orient Line (SOL) had appointed John Good Shipping as agents for its new freight ferry services opening this month between Tilbury, Zeebrugge and the Latvian Port of Ventpils, comes details of a three way cooperation between SOL, P&O and Finnlines to extend each other’s reach into their respective territories. Spanish and Iberian Peninsula exporters will now be able to transport their goods directly to markets in mainland Britain and Sweden using the Bilbao and Santander to Teesport, Tilbury or Gothenburg links. The services are operated with RoRo vessels that are suitable for all kinds of commodities: trailers, RoRo, containers, mobile and break bulk.

HGV Driver Goes the Extra Mile (and Three Million More)

UK – We have often featured the exploits of US truck drivers who regularly chalk up huge mileages in their long careers, a feat made much more plausible given the size of the country and the nature of the work. Although a million miles is fairly commonplace for road haulage drivers, it is rare for a British driver to match the achievements of Eric Tranter, an HGV driver who has been delivering concrete blocks since joining Telford based Besblock on April Fools’ Day, 1974 racking up a mileage equivalent to travelling to the moon and back 12 times, or circumnavigating the earth over 120 times!

TfL Launches Consultation but Intends to Stiffen Regulations Yet Again

UK – Road haulage operators have responded after Transport for London (TfL) released research which it says proves that having direct vision from the cab of a lorry rather than relying on mirrors and monitors has a substantial impact on improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The findings have been published as TfL launches the first consultation, running for 12 weeks until April 18, into the use of its 'zero to five star' Direct Vision Standard for HGVs operating in the Capital, which will aim to identify how the new Standard can be best used to reduce road casualties on London's roads. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said:

But Are the Days of Wine and Roses About to End?

US – A boom in demand from markets in Asia has seen agricultural export tonnage at the Port of Oakland grow by 233% in the last five years, and produce of this type now accounts for 53% of the Ports total export freight tonnage. In 2016 Oakland shipped 3.9 million metric tonnes whereas in comparison 2012 saw the figure at a ‘mere’ 1.2 million tonnes.

Much Will Depend on How the New President Sees the Situation

US – CUBA – The inauguration of President Trump leaves many area of US policy in some doubt, none more so than in the area of Foreign Trade, as has been evidenced by the recent scrapping of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, a move which some of his supporters are mistakenly trumpeting, no pun intended, as a policy aimed at cheap Chinese imports. The President’s unpredictability however also leaves many unanswered questions such as where he stands on the question of relations with Cuba, a country which has gradually had thawing relations with its larger neighbour, particularly as concerns both freight and tourist matters.

Deep Concerns over Budget Shortfall and Disruption Time

UK – The Rail Freight Group’s (RFG) Chairman, Lord Berkeley, is to raise concerns with the Government which the organisation has over the projected costs for the controversial High Speed 2 rail project. According to the RFG a new cost estimate for Phase 1 of HS2 (from London to the West Midlands) presented to ministers last week, demonstrated that its construction costs were likely to be more than double the Government’s budget of £24.3 billion. The RFG sites the Government’s own Railway Method of Measurement, which it states is currently given a total cost for the initial Phase 1 costs of £54 billion instead of the original projections.

Five Million Pound Order for New Box Movers

UK – Pentalver, one of the UK's foremost providers of container-related services, has announced it is investing £5 million in handling equipment after signing a deal with asset management and engineering services specialist Briggs Equipment. Pentalver will be adding 19 new Hyster machines to its fleet following a detailed tender process involving an in-depth assessment of the marketplace and potential suppliers. The new machines will complement the existing 22 Hyster container handlers, also purchased via Briggs in 2015, which boosted the Pentalver group's container handling capabilities across its terminals at Cannock, Felixstowe, Southampton, Tilbury and London Gateway.

Self-Braking Trucks, Postcard Sized Parcel Trackers and Ferry Figures

UK – To open this brief round-up of freight and logistics snippets, in which we range from ferries to a device which can even detect a parcel being dropped, comes good news from the Port of Dover which has announced another record year of freight traffic. The Port handled 2.6 million freight vehicles in 2016 with freight volumes increasing by 32% in just the last four years. Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover said:

'Connecting Ships, Ports and People' Will Continue 2016 Mantra

UK – WORLDWIDE – The Port of Felixstowe played host to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Secretary General, Kitack Lim, as he announced the theme of this year's World Maritime Day. Focussing on the importance of coherent and connected development across all maritime sectors, ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’ will centre on improving the cooperation between ports and ships and developing a closer partnership between the two sectors. Lim said:

Owner Driver and Small Fleet Representatives for the ATA Council to be Selected

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has opened voter registration for the election of owner driver and small fleet representatives to the ATA General Council. The two positions are designed to represent the interests of smaller operators in the Australian road haulage industry with the owner driver member representing those in the trucking industry who own, are purchasing, or are leasing one truck and who drive it whilst the small fleet member represents those in the trucking industry who own, are purchasing, or are leasing between two to five trucks. The members hold office for two years.

Partnership Intends to Help Remote and Poor Communities

WORLDWIDE – Freight and logistics outfit the Deutsche Post DHL Group have got together with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), and announced a global partnership to help improve vaccine supply chains in Gavi-supported countries with the intention of delivering life-saving medicines to some of the most remote and poorest people on the planet.

Staff News Throughout the Transport Industry

CANADA – The train has left the station for one railway executive as we begin this week’s staff appointments with rail freight news as Canadian Pacific Railway has named Keith Creel as its new President and CEO, effective January 31, following E. Hunter Harrison's decision to retire from CP. Harrison will take holiday leave effective immediately until January 31, and Creel will assume the CEO's responsibilities during this period.

Publishes Free Advice to Secure Dangerous Shipments

WORLDWIDE – As part of its campaign to improve standards with the safe packing of unit loads, including shipping containers, specialist freight transport insurer, TT Club has issued specific guidelines on packing and securing coiled materials in containers. According to the organisation their investigations into incidents along the international supply chain, whether on roads, rail, inland waterway or at sea, can often be attributed to poor practices in the packing of cargo transport units (CTUs) and coiled materials are a particular hazard.

Olympic Star Hosts BIFA Yearly Celebration of Prowess

UK – Once again the Brewery in London’s Chiswell Street was the scene of this year’s British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards, and guest host for the event was Olympic swimming star and well known sports broadcaster Sharron Davies MBE. Always a lively occasion, an introduction from Robert Keen, BIFA Director General was followed by a speech from Sir Peter Bottomley, the Association’s President which inevitably touched on Brexit, a subject which had particular resonance with the gathered audience.

MoU Signed at Davos to Boost Disaster Reaction Program

SWITZERLAND – At a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos the world's third largest container terminal operator, DP World, signed an MoU to join the United Nations World Food Program’s (WFP) Logistics Emergency Teams (LET) system. DP World now joins Agility, UPS and Maersk in the programme which allows the WFP to access an extensive global network of freight transportation and logistics expertise, meaning life-saving assistance can be provided more quickly and efficiently following natural disasters. Stephen Cahill, Global Logistics Cluster Coordinator at the World Food Programme, welcomed the new LET member, saying:

Peters & May Start New Company for Innovative Load Carriers

UK – Specialist Boat and oversize freight shippers the Peters & May Group has acquired two patented load systems. The systems were developed over several years with the aim at reducing costs and increasing flexibility for out of gauge cargo loaded on container vessels. The resulting patented ‘Flat Rail’ & ‘Cat Cradle’ systems present clients with a revolutionary alternative to expensive break bulk shipments.

Lack of Detail Disconcerting for Some in the Industry

UK – The speech by Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday concerning the British government’s position on Brexit and confirmation that her government would proceed with plans to withdraw Britain from the European Union has alleviated concerns from ‘Leave’ advocates that that she intends to follow through on the referendum results and set out some of the basic agenda for the negotiations that will entail. However, the lack of solid details has alarmed some parties in the UK’s freight and logistics industry as they continue to be concerned about how quitting will the EU will affect their members.

Major Reductions in Crossing Costs between England and Wales Proposed but More Hoped For

UK – With the Severn River Crossings due to come back into public ownership in late 2017/early 2018, the government is proposing to abolish the higher toll prices for vans and small buses, and halve the tolls for all vehicles, keeping the promise from former Chancellor George Osborne, who had initially announced such plans in his final budget. The government hopes that the move to reduce the charge will make a significant difference to commuters, travellers, and small businesses in particular, with some drivers seeing savings of more than 75%.

South African Port Improvement Continues to Progress Well

SOUTH AFRICA – A R1.5 billion ($111.4 million/ £91 million / €104) project to improve one of Africa’s busiest ports has reported that works to improve it for modern usage is progressing well. The Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) six-berth reconstruction project at the Maydon Wharf Precinct in the Port of Durban has completed the deepening of Berths 13 and 14. Both berths are now fully operational. Constructed more than 90 years ago, the Maydon Wharf Precinct is one of the oldest cargo terminals and is the largest breakbulk and dry bulk handling precinct in the Port of Durban covering 120 hectares of port land.

Local Youngster Sought Worthy to Win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet

UK – Much has been made of late with regard to the anonymity of the freight industry amongst the general public. Logistics is not only ignored as a career by the majority of people, it is barely understood how vital it is to every facet of everyday life. Now Lancing-based South Link Logistics is raising the profile of the sector by launching an award scheme to recognise secondary school children in Sussex who have gone the extra mile and deserve to be rewarded for their achievement. The first GEM Award will go to a young person who has done something great in their local community and South Link is calling out to schools, family members and friends to send in nominations.

Compensation for US Marine Reef Sanctuary

US – The two Greek shipping companies at the centre of the latest ‘magic pipe’ incident, have been ordered to pay corporate penalties totalling $2.7 million after being convicted for obstructing justice, violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), tampering with witnesses and conspiracy. Each company was ordered to pay part of its penalty to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary in recognition of the threat posed by illegal discharges of oily waste to the marine environment.

New Report Studies Vital Food Supplies Leading Up To 2030

UK – This week sees the release of a major new study commissioned by the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) to investigate potential logistical problems which will arise In connection with the supply of foodstuffs to London in forthcoming years. The findings however could easily be transferred to any similar urban conurbation worldwide. ‘Feeding London 2030’ is not intended to proffer solutions but to open a debate as to how best to deal with the complex logistics involved in the supply chain as relevant to the food industry.

Continued Growth Due to New Initiatives

THE NETHERLANDS – Europe’s third largest air cargo hub, Amsterdam Schiphol, has reported a 2.5% year-on-year growth in 2016 with a record total flown cargo throughput of 1.66 million tonnes. December figures were up 10.4% on the same month in 2015 at 149,000 tonnes. Freight throughput for January to November was 1.51 million tonnes. Asia remains Schiphol’s largest market, with Shanghai, China, the busiest destination, and new direct flights launched to Xi’an and Ningbo, both in China. Cargo Director Jonas van Stekelenburg observed:

Snippets of Industry News to Peruse After the Weekend

WORLDWIDE – As we all get back into the groove after the holiday period we’ve waded through the freight and logistics industry news so you don’t have to, to give you a basic summary of some sector events and new supply chain contracts that occurred in the business last week including another huge heavy lift air movement.

French Coastal Ports Suffer in Wake of the 2016 Migrant Crisis

FRANCE – Despite our recent upbeat piece mentioning Cross Channel traffic, the Port of Dover in particular, it seems things have not been quite so rosy throughout the past year across the water at Port Boulogne Calais. These two distinct locations at Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer now choose to be viewed as a collective enterprise under the development umbrella of the Société des Ports du Détroit, so events at one can mitigate or enhance the results of the other. 2016 it seems was quite successful in terms of freight tonnage, unfortunately outside influences acted negatively against this.

Part of Wider Discussions on Investment in Subcontinent

INDIA – UAE – The Chairman and CEO of port and logistics group DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, met this week with the Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi at the 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held in Ahmedabad, India. The pair discussed India’s growing economy and maritime and inland trade. The Sultan also joined a Global CEOs' meeting at the Summit chaired by the Prime Minister and hosting 35 foreign business leaders and 23 Indian industrialists where he outlined the importance of the innovation and opportunities for investors in trade, logistics and the maritime sector.

New Fuel Efficient Engines Making their Mark with Freight Interests

CANADA – UK – News of how road haulage operators are enhancing their freight fleets on either side of the Atlantic for the New Year as Volvo Trucks North America recently handed over nineteen of its VNL 300 models to Ontario-based Purolator, marking the first Canadian delivery of trucks equipped with Volvo’s new 2017, D13 engines. The company claims this evolution of its proven predecessor has had several improvements made to it which enhance performance and fuel efficiency for users by an average of 2.5% on the previous model. Jeff Lester, senior vice president of sales for Volvo Trucks North America said:

Road Haulage Sector Will See Electric Vans and Hydrogen Powered Trucks

UK – Transport Minister John Hayes has announced the winners of the £20 million funding for the Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trial. Vans will go electric and lorries will run on hydrogen dual-fuel under a the government programme to cut emissions and improve air quality. The funding, announced at the Sustainable Road Transport Conference, in central London, is being given to 20 firms who set out plans for innovative ways to deploy low and zero emission vehicles. The freight industry accounts for about 30% of the UK’s CO₂ transport emissions and the money will help fleets get their new vehicles on the roads from mid-2017 onwards. Transport Minister John Hayes said:

Newly Designed Vessels Aim to Carry Formerly Proscribed Gas

AUSTRALIA – JAPAN – The two countries have signed a memorandum which will allow liquid hydrogen to be safely shipped in bulk for the first time. Ship containment systems are being developed in Japan that will be capable of safely transporting liquid hydrogen in bulk from Australia to Japan as part of a pilot project scheduled to commence in 2020. Merchant ships are now powered by, and carry in bulk, other gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) but hydrogen, with its calamitous history, has remained a no-no.

New Personnel Will Examine Future Potentials and Legislations

US – Following on from the news late last year that China is to set a single standard for autonomous vehicles on its roads the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that it has selected the personnel to establish its new advisory committee focused on examining the impact of automation and potential required legislation across a range of transportation mediums. A full list of new appointees can be seen in our global appointments article published earlier today.

Signs up Drivers for Training Scheme to Help Victims

US – In an effort to help eradicate the scourge that is human trafficking UPS Freight has announced that they are going to work with non-profit Truckers Against Traffickers (TAT) to train some 8,000 of their road haulage drivers to spot and respond to signs of sex slavery across the US. Drivers have the task of delivering goods to all sections of every community and therefore regularly notice things to which occasional visitors may be oblivious. Rich McArdle, president of UPS Freight, said in a statement:

Host of Global Personnel Changes Include US Department of Transport

WORLDWIDE – The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has announced Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Kevin Byrne to take over from out-going President, Paul Brooks. Byrne is a CILT veteran, having joined the then CIT in Ireland in 1992 as a Chartered Member. In 2002 he became a Chartered Fellow. Having served on the national council for many years, he was elected National President for two years, beginning in 2003, and an International Vice President in 2010. In January 2015 he was appointed as President-Elect of CILT International.

Less Than a Month Now to Name the Women in the Industry Deserving Recognition

UK – The nominations for the 2017 FTA everywoman Transport & Logistics Awards were well and truly opened last night at a celebration in Central London. Hosted by sponsors KPMG at its Grosvenor Street offices the event gave everywoman founders Maxine Benson and Karen Gill the opportunity to explain to the many companies associated with the forthcoming event a chance to explain how the latest award categories have been updated to reflect the changes seen recently in the freight and logistics sector.

What is happening in the Industry this week?

US – Shipping container volumes reached an all-time high at the Port of Oakland in 2016, with the port handling the equivalent of 1.83 million loaded 20-foot containers last year, up 7.6% from 2015 and topping the previous record of 1.82 million 20-footers set in 2013. The Port attributed the milestone to a year-long containerised export boom as well as growth in imports. Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll, said:

American Airlines to Put on Widebody Jet Service to meet Demand

PUERTO RICO – From April, American Airlines will add a daily, nonstop widebody service between San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport (SJU) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The daily Airbus A330-200 widebody route will be in addition to the two-daily narrow-body flights already in place and is intended to significantly boost American’s cargo capacity to the island, with pharmaceutical freight exports one of the main drivers.

US Army Spends 142 Million Dollars on New Forklifts

US – UK – Not all handling equipment is built to work in docks and container freight terminals but all are certainly logistics related. Now equipment manufacturer JCB has started 2017 with a bang by winning one of the biggest single orders in its 71-year history, a $142 million (£117 million / € 134.5 million) contract to supply the United States Army with 1,600, 527-58M rough terrain forklifts. The vehicles will be used to support US military operations around the world loading and unloading aircraft and shipping containers. JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said:

Combination of Brains and Experience Paying Dividends for Ferry Customers as Tunnel Breaks Records

UK – An effort to combat heavy congestion around the busiest ferry terminal in Europe has reported that it has achieved useful results, according to the Port of Dover. Working with the University of Kent to map traffic flows around the Port, and on the arterial links that connect it to the wider road network, the project has seen traffic specialists at the Port and academics from the University’s Business School analyse data concerning vehicle movements through the Eastern docks, which provide the primary ferry services between Europe and the UK.

Experimental System Designers Selected for Competition

SINGAPORE – The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) and the Singapore Ministry of Transport (MOT) have agreed with Toyota Tsusho and Scania to design and test an autonomous truck platooning system for use on Singapore’s public roads. The scheme entails a human-driven truck leading a convoy of three driverless trucks. The Singapore trials will see the trucks transport containers from one port terminal to another which will according to the stakeholders alleviate a shortage of manpower and allow more freight movement to be conducted at night to ease traffic congestion.

Maritime Crime Continues to Move Away from Indian Ocean

WORLDWIDE – According to the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau's (ICC IMB) annual piracy report, 2016 saw crew kidnappings at a 10 year high despite global piracy reaching its lowest levels since 1998. In its 2016 report, IMB recorded 191 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on the world’s seas, of which 150 vessels were boarded, 22 attempted attacks, 12 vessels fired upon, and seven vessels hijacked. The Director of the IMB, which through its Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) has monitored world piracy since 1991, Pottengal Mukundan, has once again reiterated the need to ships to stay vigilant in high-risk areas, saying:

Truck Tracking Firm Publishes Help for Drivers

US – As is so often the case the lines between state and federal regulations can become blurred and are often confusing, and there is no industry where this occurs more than that of freight and logistics. With winter in Europe now setting in drivers on a ‘night out’ will be firing up their night heaters to stay safe and warm in their sleeper cabs. British road haulage units are traditionally fitted with small diesel fired night heaters which are usually more than adequate for the purpose. This however is not the norm across the Atlantic.

Twelve Million Tonne plus Deal in Three British Ports

UK – GAC UK has signed a three-year terminal and marine services deal with Valero Logistics UK Ltd. Under the agreement GAC UK will manage and support the discharge of 12-14 million tonnes of clean petroleum products each from up to 180 tankers a year at the ports of Cardiff and Plymouth. On 1 April, its raft of jetty operation services for the energy giant will be extended to include Avonmouth.

Kerry Buys German Media Transport Specialist

CHINA – GERMANY – Kerry Logistics Network Limited, one of Asia’s leading logistics providers, has continued to expand its European operations by acquiring Multi Logistics GmbH, a specialist film and media logistics provider that has been in the market for over 30 years. The expansion is part of Kerry Logistics’ continual global development plan and will add four offices and bring in additional logistics expertise to its existing resources and network in Germany.

IATA to Meet with BIFA and CASS Stakeholders This Month

UK – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reportedly informed the British International Freight Association (BIFA) of a proposal to introduce an annual administration charge for CASS Associates in the UK, with effect from 2018. The Cargo Agency Settlement System (CASS) programme was established by IATA in 1991 following concerns by its member airlines over deteriorating credit control issues. CASS in the UK was subsequently introduced into IATA's Cargo Agency Program for all member UK forwarders, but was also made available to non-member UK forwarders, known as CASS Associates, without charge.

UPS Latest Acquisition to Tie Up with North American Operation

UK – US – Freightex, a UK-based brokerage provider of road haulage freight services has been bought by US logistics giant UPS. The acquisition immediately establishes UPS’s presence in the growing UK and European third-party logistics (3PL) brokerage and specialist freight transportation market and creates a new global and regional platform for UPS from an established base of customers and carriers. The full terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Severe Winter Conditions Expected

UK – Following on from last week’s road closures to road haulage outfits in Bulgaria due to extreme winter weather much of Europe has been hit by extreme winter weather sweeping down from the Arctic, with snow even settling on some of the Greek island resorts in the Mediterranean. However, the snow has so far missed the British Isles, which has had a warm temperature pocket insulating both the UK and Ireland. This situation is about to change and road users should prepare accordingly.

New Tooth-Care Brand Appoints Pick and Pack Distribution Specialist

UK – Taylor’s 32, a new natural tooth-care brand, has appointed Walker Logistics to handle its business-to-business (B2B) order fulfilment processes and freight shipping in the UK. Initially, much of Walker’s work will involve rolling out stock to the supermarket chain Waitrose, at first in bulk and then in replenishment size orders, as Taylor’s 32 has signed an agreement giving the retailer exclusive access to its range of natural whitening toothpastes for six months following its launch in September 2016.

Government Place Ban on Freight Movements

BULGARIA – The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport has declared that all heavy goods vehicles in the country are to halt and await permission to proceed due to extreme cold weather which has hit the country in recent days. Road haulage operators are warned to seek local advice before entering the country.

New Agreement Sees Extension of European Services

EUROPE – Having expanded its connections with Danish dry cargo and tanker group Norden last month by signing a new global contract for crew logistics and husbandry services, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the shipping and logistics outfit which can trace its history back to 1840’s Calcutta, has now extended its European business with Team Tankers International by way of a new port agency contract across the continent.

Law Change Threatens to Emasculate Press in All Forms

UK – The Handy Shipping Guide rarely strays too far ‘off piste’ with our daily musings entirely devoted to matters concerned with shipping and logistics. Now however we are faced with a situation which affects the everyday lives of British citizens who value freedom of speech. The government is currently running a consultation as to the future of the free press and it is vital that everybody who values this has their say, something which, as we shall explain, is the work of a moment.

Race Against Time Meant a Hazardous First in Arctic Waters

RUSSIA – Hansa Heavy Lift (HHL) has successfully transported the first-ever ship-to-shore (STS) cranes via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) which travels through the Arctic Sea along the northern shore of Russia, relocating them from the port of St Petersburg to the port of Vostochny, spanning both the European and Far East regions of Russia. The transit means that the HHL Valparaiso is the first vessel to sail open hatch through the Northern Sea Route, which is covered by thick ice for most of the year and has a limited window of about two months open to cargo voyages.

DP World London Gateway Team Support Good Causes for Fifth Year

UK – Once again the shipping and logistics sector stood up to be counted in the name of charity recently when DP World London Gateway hosted its fifth annual charity quiz night with the port and logistics park team raising £40,000, bringing the total raised at such events in the past lustrum to £160,000. Customers and suppliers came together at Orsett Hall, close to the new Thames side deep water container port, for a night of fun and fundraising, putting their jigsaw skills and knowledge of the London Gateway facilities to the test.

New Overland Route to Take Eighteen Days

UK – CHINA – Following on from the China Railway Corporation announcement in November that they are now routing a freight train service to Bordeaux in France and Mazar-i-Shariff in Afghanistan comes the announcement that a new inaugural freight train service has departed from Yiwu in Eastern China to London. The 7,400-mile trip will take 18 days and marks yet another European milestone in China’s attempt to resurrect the ancient silk road trade routes as an alternative to sea transportation, the so-called ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. Starting in 2013 there are currently 39 routes linking 16 Chinese cities to 12 European cities.

Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Stockholm Set Records for 2016

UK – BELGIUM – SWEDEN – In a sign of the continuing strength of exports to and from Britain during 2016, P&O Ferries has announced that it handled more freight units at its principal continental hub at Zeebrugge than in any year since it began operations from the Belgian port in 1966. The ferry group handled 420,000 freight units at Zeebrugge last year. This figure surpasses the previous record of 398,650, which was set in 2015, by more than 5%. Contrary to some analysts’ expectations that the Brexit referendum in June would adversely affect trade, volumes were evenly split between the first and second halves of the year.

IMO Moves to Ensure Shipping Adopts Mandatory New Code

ARCTIC – ANTARCTIC – With more and more ships navigating in polar waters, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has moved to address international concern about the protection of the polar environment and the safety of seafarers and passengers with the introduction of new regulations that all ships operating in these harsh and challenging waters must comply with. In the light of some of the horrific pollution scandals we have witnessed in the past few years, involving both freight and passenger carrying cruise liners, the code needs to be applied most rigorously.

Former Competitors Draw Closer to Rationalise Trade

SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Having last month successfully negotiated the terms in a new tie-up with the world two largest container shipping firms, troubled South Korean shipper, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has announced the signing of an MoU with intra-Asia freight trade carriers and local competitors, Heung-A Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine, to form the ‘HMM + K2 Consortium’.

Break Up of Ukrainian/Russian JV Mean Operator Goes It Alone

UK – Following the breakup of Ruslan International, the joint operation between Volga-Dnepr and Antonov Airlines due to the political situation which exists between Russia and Ukraine, the giant AN22, -124 and -225 cargo aircraft it formerly offered for charter to the commercial sector, will now be managed by the aircraft’s owners. Antonov Airlines, has now announced it has appointed a new sales team to take responsibility for continued marketing and operations of arguably the most useful aircraft in the international freight sector.

Will 2017 be a Happy New Year for Supply Chain Criminals with 3D Printers?

WORLDWIDE – Firstly of course a very happy and prosperous New Year to all readers of the Handy Shipping Guide and users of our Freight Directory which will be undergoing even more expansion of both destinations and categories over the next few months. We shall continue to try and offer the major news stories concerned with any logistics matters whilst trying to ensure we remain a little more interesting and off kilter than the rest. For this, the first story of the year we felt it time to address a problem for all cargo carriers and shippers, container terminals and road haulage operators and the like, that of theft in its myriad forms.