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Draft Proposals Granted with Only Minor Changes but Some Still Fear Overhead Increases

UK – Despite the publication today by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) of its Final Determination for plans appertaining to Britain’s railways from 2014 to 2019 concentrating on passenger transport, news that the changes for cargo carriage originally proposed in draft form in June are to be taken up with only minor changes has been greeted with a degree of scepticism by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) but warmly met by the Rail Freight Group (RFG) whose Executive Director, Maggie Simpson, said in a statement:

Princess Royal Praises Transport and Logistics Industry

UK – NIGERIA – Biennial British telethon Comic Relief has granted £1 million to road haulage charity Transaid, which will be used to set up Transaid’s Emergency Transport Scheme (ETS) in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Announced at Transaid’s 15th anniversary celebration at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the charity’s patron Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal who went on to praise the generosity of the logistics industry, the five-year grant will go to support a scheme that has already helped over 10,000 pregnant women in Africa access medical facilities during labour.

Final Document Reads Like a High School History of Transport Paper

US – A tacit admission from John J. Duncan, Jr. the Tennessee based Republican and Chairman of the Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation that, ‘we couldn’t do everything’, sums up the one hundred and four page report which the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released this week intending to point the way forward for the shipment of all cargo types across and beyond US territory in the coming years.

New Research Improves the Viability of a Contentious Power Source

UK – WORLDWIDE – Waste Not - Want Not that is a mantra which resonates in the modern world with many concentrating on recycling whilst those in the field of logistics do their bit for the planet with slow steaming on container shipping routes, hybrid and electric vehicles etc. Now biofuels, oft criticised as perhaps not being as ‘green’ as they are sometimes painted have another reason to be accepted as potentially a viable source of power for both freight and private vehicles – chickens.

Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Achievers Recognised

MIDDLE EAST – Last night (October 29) saw a mixed bag from the world’s container shipping, logistics and freight providers recognised as winners of the annual Lloyds List Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards were announced at a ceremony at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. The awards aim to celebrate achievement in the regions maritime industry with Capt J. C. Anand, Chairman Emeritus and Advisor, Indian Register of Shipping, picking up the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Accord with Teamsters Inches Closer but Spectre of YRC Case Hangs Over Talks

US – It seems peace may be breaking out in the previously acrimonious relationship between North American trucking group ABF Freight System and the unions. Readers of previous stories will know of the accusations levied in Court by ABF, the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation, against direct competitors YRC and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, stating that by deviating from the nationally agreed pay deal and arranging terms more favourable to YRC than to other road haulage groups the pair had effectively colluded and priced ABF out of the market.

Yet Another Accident on a Busy Route

GERMANY – The Kiel Canal has been left closed until further notice after two vessels laden with fertiliser collided on Monday (October 28) at approximately 03:00 local time. The 100 metre long, St. Vincent and Grenadines flagged, 4,380 dwt cargo vessel Siderfly, operated by UK-based Amberseas, on her way to Antwerp from Brunsbüttel, was in collision with the 116 metre long, Netherlands registered, 6,875 dwt LPG tanker Coral Ivory, operated by Antony Veder. The incident has left the Siderfly listing at a 24 degree angle with two large breaks in her hull, measuring about 3 by 5 metres and leaking diesel in the waterway.

Who is Moving Where and When in the World of Logistics

WORLDWIDE – Leading job changes in the shipping industry this week comes the news that at the recent International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) General Meeting, delegates elected the new Presidency and the new Extended Board of FIATA with Italian Francesco Parisi succeeding Singaporean Stanley Lim as President. Lim will now serve as Immediate Past President, his predecessor Jean-Claude Delen, Belgium, the new Treasurer and Heiner Rogge, Germany, remains in the position of Secretary General.

Doubts Over Viability as Lobby Groups Press for Exemptions

FRANCE – Our article in September covered the details (and delayed commencement) of the Ecotaxe, the French governments latest brainwave to gain income from road haulage and freight outfits and even linked to an explanatory video. Now, with the new January 1 deadline looming, it seems that the dramatic changes which will affect all international road carriers entering the initial charging zones, may yet be subject to a further delay with very few having yet fitted the essential on board equipment to calculate their ‘environmental cost’.

Seven Months Marooned in Port Awaiting Judgement

KENYA – A dispute that it is said has dragged on for seven months seems set to continue on after the High Court in Mombasa decreed that the general cargo vessel at the heart of the row be detained whilst matters are resolved. As with the recent Canadian case the delay now seems to centre on the unpaid wages of the crew following a protracted argument over freight charges.

EU Commission to Take Account of Other Road Users When Considering HGV Design

UK – EUROPE – Frustration from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) this week as the organisation has complained that, whilst its members who operate road haulage fleets are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds retrofitting existing equipment to improve visibility in order to lessen the danger to cyclists, the pace of change from the relevant authorities to allow better designed HGV’s has been lamentably slow. Safety and aerodynamics are two key areas which the FTA say could be better served if regulatory barriers to their development were removed.

Honourable Effort to Legislate Far Outside European Territories Will Be Difficult to Enforce When Profit is the Motive

WORLDWIDE – EUROPE – Globally, around one thousand large end-of-life ships are broken up and recycled every year, particularly during times of overcapacity, as we have seen of late in the bulk (and to a lesser extent in general cargo and container shipping) markets, with numerous freight carrying vessels proving of more worth as scrap rather than lying idle. Most ship breaking takes place in South Asia, often on tidal beaches and under dangerous conditions as we have highlighted in some detail previously. Whilst the industry provides thousands of jobs for migrant workers, a lack of environmental protection and safety measures leads to high accident rates, health risks and extensive pollution of coastal areas. In an effort to reduce these negative impacts on EU-registered shipping, the European Parliament has backed plans to end the scrapping of old ships flagged in an EU member country, on third-country beaches and ensure they are recycled in EU-approved facilities worldwide instead.

Canada Leads the Way to Better Pay and Conditions for Those at Sea

CANADA – WORLDWIDE – The Panamanian-flagged bulk cargo carrier Kouyou was detained yesterday in the port of Quebec, Canada, after maritime labour officials determined that crew were owed more than US$51,000 in back-pay, this is the third detention in Canada of a freight vessel under the new international Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) which came into force worldwide in August, and problems aboard the ship were discovered by Gerard Bradbury, an inspector with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and Unifor union.

Aim to Minimise Costs and Maximise Service Offerings

SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Barloworld Logistics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at exploring multimodal collaboration opportunities within the logistics and transport sector. By working together the two companies will aim to maximise road and rail logistics capabilities to reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions and lower cargo transport costs for customers.

Different Political Motivations Apply to Attacks on East African Oilfields

NIGERIA – GULF OF GUINEA – INDIA – The latest pirate attack off the Gulf of Guinea saw two US citizens taken prisoner by raiders from an offshore supply vessel, the 70 metre long C-Retriever, owned by Edison Chouest Offshore of Louisiana. This is the latest attack in the region and, as we have mentioned before, the circumstances of these attacks are very different to those carried out on the African East Coast, aimed as they area at oil recovery sites rather than container and general merchant shipping.

Drivers Hours of Service Changes Have Impacted Productivity say Road Haulage Groups

US – When US trucking company Schneider National presented its testimony to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in February 2011 over the Hours of Service (HOS) changes which were subsequently introduced in July this year, it was very precise as to its methodology. The intermodal and logistics provider stated that production would drop between 3-4% as a result of the proposed changes and is now saying its calculations were based on science, not fiction.

Russian Centenary Celebration Sees Talks on Future of Safety and Ecosystem in the Arctic

ARCTIC – RUSSIA – KOREA – At a time when the future of Arctic shipping is at the forefront, Russia has highlighted the need for safety in traversing the harsh ice conditions at the recent international conference, ‘Arctic Shipping and Offshore Activities: Responding to Safety and Environmental Challenges’, which saw attendance from major players in the shipping industry including the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Mr Koji Sekimizu.

Several Contracts Stretch Company Around the Globe

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – It seems to have been a busy time of late for heavy towing operation Fairmount Marine who have kept us appraised of three major contracts in the energy sector this month alone. Firstly the company’s multipurpose vessel, Fairmount Fuji, has assisted Italian contractor Saipem with its offshore Congo operations performing several cargo runs between Saipem’s Boscongo yard in Pointe Noire and the offshore moored drilling ship Saipem 10,000 whilst also taking care of the transport of Saipem crew members.

How to Cope with the Peaks (and Troughs) of a Seasonal Business

UK – It’s that time of year again and Halloween wouldn’t be the same without the sight of a gap toothed pumpkin, candle aglow and, as for so many other festivals of various types this means a concentrated period of activity for a short space of time. For Lincolnshire-based David Bowman Ltd., Europe's largest pumpkin grower, Autumn is of course the company’s busiest period, with the crop to be harvested, prepared, packed and delivered to the shelves of retail clients in time for the big night. To help cope with this annual spike in activity, the company regularly hires a fleet of counterbalanced forklifts from Jungheinrich UK’s short term rental fleet.

Serious Delivery Option or Publicity Stunt - You Decide

UK – With the unpredictability of British weather a major concern for all freight and logistics outfits, hauliers need to start experimenting with a more diverse range of options to ensure that deliveries arrive on time. Now, parcel carrier CitySprint claims it is trialling an age old method through London, to traverse the ‘inevitable snow’ with the help of Arctic Quest and its pack of trained huskies. Patrick Gallagher, CEO of CitySprint, said:

New Body to be Established Following Memorandum of Understanding

SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Ahead of this year’s Global Ballast Water Management R&D Forum organised under the offices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), representatives from 16 ballast water treatment (BWT) system testing organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to establish the GloBal TestNet, a new group that aims to ‘greater levels of standardisation, transparency and openness in the process of technology approvals’. The signing marks an important milestone in the global effort to address the problem of invasive species transferred through ships’ ballast water, and addresses concerns within the shipping industry about a perceived lack of standardisation and harmonisation among BWT technology test organisations.

Three Stage Programme Aims to Optimise Performance and Cut Fuel and Emissions

SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Time was painting the bottom of a ship had two purposes, to give an amount of protection to the steel plate or timber that generally formed the hull, and to provide a degree of antifouling, keeping the barnacles and boring creatures that both slowed progress and threatened the integrity of the vessel at bay. Today, with fuel costs and emission control of paramount importance the builders of the giant container ships and so-called supertankers demand performance related characteristics from a hull coating on any new build or refurbished craft.

Penalty Notices are 'Huge Financial Burden' on Logistics Industry as New Report Issued

UK – When the Freight Transport Association (FTA) conducted its Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) survey last year it discovered, unsurprisingly, that these instant parking penalty charges are a huge financial burden to the freight and logistics industry, with road haulage operators incurring not just millions of pounds a year in fines but seeing many companies forced to employ dedicated staff purely to pay and appeal PCN’s due to the high volumes inevitably received in the normal course of business, particularly in multi drop urban areas.

Annual Event Sees Supply Chain Professionals Gather in Singapore

ASIA – Last week saw the winners of the Payload Asia Awards announced at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel. Now in its second year, the awards, organised by air cargo industry publication Payload Asia, aims to recognise individuals and organisations that have made a positive impact in the air cargo supply chain, with industry stalwart Ram Menen, former Divisional Senior Vice President of Cargo at Emirates, picking up the Lifetime Achievement Award following his retirement in June of this year.

Stena says Improved Traffic Levels Warrant Extra Ship

UK – Stena Line has quoted improving freight traffic levels as the reason for the increase in its scheduled Irish Sea crossings from the 5th November after adding an additional RoRo ferry sailing on the Belfast-Liverpool (Birkenhead) service. The extra ship means eight more crossings per week which the company says will add greater availability and choice for its cargo customers, and represents a success on a route Stena inherited when it took it over from DFDS as reported in 2011.

One More Position Still to be Filled in UK Company Scheme

UK – In 2010 Schenker Limited, the British arm of freight forwarding group DB Schenker Logistics started its first National Apprenticeship programme and today, October 22, following the success of a first three groups, the company officially welcomed thirteen more young people as its latest intake, with one more vacant position still to be filled.

Daily Shuttle Opens for European Traffic

GERMANY – DENMARK – As of November 4, Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal, a subsidiary of container logistics specialist Samskip, will expand its intermodal network by adding a daily rail freight shuttle service from its intermodal terminal in Duisburg, Germany, to Copenhagen via Odense, Denmark. This service will create a new intermodal freight link between Copenhagen and destinations in Scandinavia, UK, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Twice Weekly Service into Vienna for Cargolux

LUXEMBOURG – AUSTRIA – ASIA – Cargolux, Europe’s largest freight only air carrier, has started a second 747-8 freighter service from Hong Kong to the Austrian capital, reacting to customer demand for more air freight capacity on this route with the initial flight landing an October 17. This means the Luxembourg based cargo airline services the Viennese capital on Thursdays and Saturdays, with management saying they have been ‘enthusiastically accepted’ into the local logistics community.

Cash Flow Problems Blamed after Over 125 years of Service in Various Logistics Roles

UK – Sad news this week with the announcement that Charles Gee, a well-known name in British and international road haulage and freight forwarding circles, has gone into administration having announced the transferral of its C & H transport headquarters to Chatham, Kent from its former Tilbury, Essex base this month. The company, which last year celebrated its 125th anniversary began life as a ship brokers in the City of London and has seen radical changes over the past twenty five years or so.

Railway Will Provide Ideal Solution for Links Across the Desert Regions

UAE – Abu Dhabi and the surrounding Emirates have always looked to the logistics professional and ideal place to run a properly integrated rail system and now Etihad Rail is forging ahead with both passenger and cargo services with the announcement that stage one of its plan to operate services throughout the Arab world is ready to begin. Additionally this week the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with forwarding and warehouse group JBC Express Freight LLC intending to launch an intermodal link with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Two Sides Negotiate in Russia

RUSSIA – WORLDWIDE – This week saw the 10th anniversary meeting of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), formed in 2003 as a mechanism for collective bargaining between maritime employers and maritime unions over the wages and conditions of employment for seafarers serving on foreign flag ships covered by the ‘Special Agreements’ negotiated by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). The Forum is intended to ensure trouble free industrial relations on the freighters and other vessels concerned.

Right Time of the Year to Avoid a Collision

US – Any proposals for slow steaming as generally undertaken by container vessels these days will suit officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose role can be briefly described as the protection of natural resources and the environment. With the right whale migration and calving season about to start, a 10 knot speed limit is about to be imposed along specific areas of the Atlantic seaboard on all sizeable shipping.

Indian Officials in Turmoil over Double Standards

INDIA – INDIAN OCEAN – US – Once again we face the ridiculous situation of those prepared to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others, suffering at the hands of the very authorities whose job it is to protect those same innocents. Our recent piece on the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, belonging to US based maritime security outfit AdvanFort, sheltering from the tropical cyclone which swept across the sea and into the subcontinent was, it seems, a little premature in the light of subsequent actions. The Ohio is part of that select group of private security vessels charged with supporting naval forces in the defence of container and other freight shipping against the pirate threat, and naturally carries the necessary weaponry.

Variety of Staff Movements in Many Parts of the Industry

WORLDWIDE – A very varied range of announcements this week covering many areas of the logistics industry, from container shipping and freight forwarding industries to air cargo, port and road haulage management appointments and departures.

Estimates of Trade Increase in the Billions

UK – EUROPE – CANADA – Yesterday saw a new trade accord signed between the EU and Canada after a joint study assessed the costs and benefits of a closer export/import cooperation between the two. Such agreements are considered essential to maintain a free flow of international trade and to avoid what the two refer to as ‘points of friction’ and the new deal was welcomed by the UK authorities who estimate its worth to the British economy as in excess of £1.3 billion, and is in line with declared government policy.

Overseas GSSA Selected for National Airline

TURKEY – SAUDI ARABIA – Following the recent appointment of Heavyweight Air Express FZCO as the cargo management company for nasair, the Saudi Arabian national carrier, Heavyweight has in turn now appointed leading Turkish cargo general sales and support agency (GSSA) Kargosistem, as its sub-GSSA to represent nasair’s flights from Turkey. Since its launch in the Kingdom in 2007 nasair has transported more than 12 million passengers on over 110,000 flights to date and, as with other carriers, offers freight services using the belly holds of it twenty five strong fleet.

Distribution Centre to Handle Pacific Ports Container Traffic

US – Almost four years to the day since Warren Buffett made one of his much loved ‘big bets’ and took a punt on taking over Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. including the BNSF Railway, for a cool $44 billion, the second largest rail freight company in North America formally opened its latest showcase, the Kansas City intermodal centre and logistics park, designed to handle up to one and a half million cargo containers shipping in annually.

Port Authorities Back Off After Threat of Court Action - Meanwhile UN Military Equipment Delayed and New Cranes get Go Ahead

KENYA – SOUTH SUDAN – The monopolisation of freight en route to South Sudan, details of which were included in our piece earlier this week, has been ‘suspended’ according to local reports. The plan had been to route all cargo between the two countries via a Sudanese registered company, Panda Clearing and Forwarding, which already carries out the logistics for government contracts, and was harshly criticised by warehousing and container shipping interests.

New Service Cuts Box Cargo Transit Time from China to Poland

CHINA – RUSSIA – BELARUS – POLAND – The Austrian headquartered intermodal Far East Land Bridge cargo cooperation, whose members aim to revolutionise rail connectivity along the Trans-Siberian route, saw success as the collective project between the government of the Chinese city of Suzhou in the Jiangsu Province, PKP Cargo (the Polish state railway) and RZD Logistics (part of Russia’s rail behemoth), was declared a success this week, when the first fast container freight train to travel from Suzhou to Warsaw, arrived after a fourteen day transit.

Police Footage Shows Officer Escape from Path of Southbound Wagons as Car Struck Again

US – Thanks to the Woods Cross Police Department we can bring you this amazing footage of a car, struck first by a bulk freight train and subsequently an intermodal train carrying double stacked containers, from which the sole occupant escaped virtually unscathed. As we reported a year ago, not a day goes by in the Handy Shipping Guide offices without several reports of train incidents but this one is worth reporting.

Terms of Deal Undisclosed

US – CANADA – Illinois headquartered Livingston International, started post-war by sports fanatic Gerry Livingston as an export packing company, has since grown into a major customs brokerage and freight forwarding group, has acquired the assets of Ontario headquartered Advantex Express Inc. as well as the shares of its US subsidiaries. Livingston CEO Steve Preston, and who only took up the job in August, said in a statement:

UN Declares Russia to be Breaking International Law

RUSSIA – The conflict involving the country’s Federal Customs Service’s (FCS) actions in imposing additional conditions, including guarantees, on freight and road haulage parties conducting export, import and domestic TIR operations, has, once again, been declared illegal by the responsible bodies of the United Nations. Governments with contracting associates of the TIR Convention, having confirmed a breach of international law, have called for an immediate cancellation of the policy, described by the FCS as ‘modifications’, but lambasted by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), as ‘flagrant defiance of the law’.

Genuine Company Names Used in Ever More Sophisticated Schemes from Tax Rebates to 'Long Firms'

WORLDWIDE – It seems you are not worth knowing these days if someone, somewhere isn’t using you as an excuse to try and scam somebody. Receiving hundreds of e mails every day means we at the Handy Shipping Guide have become quite sophisticated (we hope!) at detecting most phishing schemes etc. aimed at extorting our bank details but we, along with other freight and logistics interests, have also been directly targeted by people using our identity, so here are a few things to look out for if you offer forwarding or similar industry services, whether company or individual.

Staff Reductions Part of European Restructuring Plan

SWEDEN – BELGIUM – FRANCE – Volvo Trucks President Claes Nilsson may well need some of the courage he showed last month, when he stood atop a 15 tonne unit dangling over Gothenburg harbour to demonstrate the strength of the front towing hook on one of the company’s latest models when he pushes through the group’s latest plans which it says will improve logistics and reduce costs per vehicle. Despite overall European truck sales increasing in July, up 20% at 9,959 vehicles and August, a rise of 6% to 7,590 against the 2012 figures, there is to be a major operational shift which will include redundancies.

Plans for Port Office and Extension of Services

CROATIA – FRANCE – As one of the most recent members of the European Union, Croatia is seen by many logistics groups a potential growth market and that has been reinforced with the news that the Gefco group, which specialises in automotive and industrial product logistics, is opening up a new subsidiary in Zagreb. The country’s geographical location means it sits at the border crossroads of several countries and the French freight forwarding company says this position will strengthen its overland and maritime transport operations in the Balkan Peninsula.

London Seminar Will Instruct on How to Ensure You Do Not Transgress IMO/ILO/UNECE Rules

UK – In a recent article we highlighted the inception of a new ‘Cargo Transport Unit’ (CTU) Packing Code from three of the industries senior legislative bodies, in précis the correct way to load a trailer, rail cargo wagon or shipping container. We pointed out at the time that, at around three hundred pages, this draft version was no light read, and now we learn that the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), the NGO which represents the global freight handling industry, is to hold a seminar to run through the details of the new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice.

Saga of Privatisation of European State Track Assets Continues

ROMANIA – POLAND – The long awaited privatisation of the Romanian state owned rail freight company, CFR Marfa, has fallen through after private rail operator Grup Feroviar Roman SA (GFR), failed to come up with the €202 million it needed to purchase a 51% stake in the cargo company. The sale of the country’s rail freight system was a mandatory provision outlined in an agreement in 2011 with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the winning bid was detailed in an earlier story.

Plastic Additions to Fork Lift Truck Components Can Prevent Downtime

UK – Once again it’s time to mention one of the smallest and most innocuous components in the maintenance of ensuring freight is handled without interruption, and one which, quite literally, forms a link in the supply chain. Down time on materials handling equipment is the bane of any professional distribution manager, any company moving goods is loathe these days to over-equip a warehouse and the loss of a forklift truck, even for a few hours, can be a major setback.

Voyage of Stena Tanker Illustrates Potential Savings

ARCTIC – RUSSIA – KOREA – In September we wrote of the Stena Polaris and her transit through the North East Passage, a place which is bound to see ever increasing traffic as the ice seemingly recedes for longer periods year on year. As pointed out then, the shorter route across the top of the world means reduced transit times for container freight and bulk vessels alike, crucial in difficult times. Shipping to South Korea via the North East Passage, compared with sailing via the Suez Canal, India and the Strait of Malacca, cuts 10-13 days off the voyage. A medium-sized tanker such as the Stena Polaris saves around 400 tonnes of fuel which represents savings of $300,000 in addition to environmental benefits.

With the Feature Film of the Maersk Alabama Incident at the Box Office Guards Dodge the Typhoon

INDIAN OCEAN – We wrote four years ago quoting Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama thanking his rescuers as he collected a ‘Mariner of the Year award’ and continuing on to say, ‘We have to have some arms on the ships’, after his rescue from Somali pirates, to whom he had surrendered, fearing for the safety of his crew. Now, maritime personnel from AdvanFort, one of those now legally supplying just such protection, have cause to thank their own saviours in turn.

Essex Event on Trafalgar Day Sees the Launch of an Historical Record of Little Remembered Events

UK – Something happening this month is a celebration by maritime and transport unions of two events which occurred well over two hundred years ago off the English coast, but which provided possibly one of the most significant moments in the history of the labour movement – the first occasion the red flag was raised during a bout of industrial action. At noon on Monday October 21 (Trafalgar Day) both trades unionists and historians will gather at the Crooked Billet Public House in High Street, Old Leigh in Essex (SS9 2EP) to witness the official launch of a new history of the events.

Firm Loses Fortune to Dishonest Employee Who Walks Free

UK – A cautionary tale this week for any company, but particularly to those operating small to medium sized road haulage operations where the costs for fuel and vehicle parts can represent a high proportion of turnover, many such outfits make the business of maintaining precise and well-ordered records one of the least important facets of their day to day procedures.

German Company Expands into Finland and Sweden

GERMANY – FINLAND – SWEDEN – The Dachser group has announced it has acquired more shares in Oy Waco Logistics, an air and ocean freight forwarding group headquartered in Vantaa, southern Finland and with a presence in the commercial centres of Lahti, Oulo, Tampere, and Vaasa. The news comes shortly after the German group started construction on a new logistics terminal in Gothenburg.

Cooperation Sees Regular Service Undertaken by German Partners

SPAIN – UK – NETHERLANDS – Shipping group OPDR (Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei), which currently operates short sea container services spanning the three countries as well as the Canary Isles, Germany, Portugal and Morocco, and with a logistics network stretching beyond, is to inaugurate a new domestic and feeder container service between Bilbao, Felixstowe and Rotterdam this month in cooperation with Hamburg based Team Lines, which runs a similar operation from the Iberian Peninsula to the Baltic.

From Thames Barges to Scows Off America's East Coast - There's Very Little New in Logistics

US – It is over forty years since a Thames barge loaded up with a hundred tonnes of freight upriver at Tilbury and left to ply her way along the Essex and Suffolk coasts to the mouth of the River Orwell, finally to offload the last paying cargo aboard a type of vessel which had sailed the local waters for almost two centuries. Now preserved and raced annually in their home waters, 2013 saw the 150th anniversary of the first Thames Sailing Barge Match, part of this type of craft's unique design is now being utilised in a project across the Atlantic, in a bid to revive the small sailing vessel as a means of delivering goods to local communities.

Company Buys into Designer and Builder of Commercial Projects

SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – The Freight Links Group, whose main business is the provision of forwarding and logistics services from its headquarters in Singapore, and through its own offices situated in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and China, also has a subsidiary interest in warehouse property management, and has this week announced further investment in the field.

Appointment of Jack of All Trades Group Outrages Local Shipping Companies

KENYA – SOUTH SUDAN – According to local press, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has appointed Panda Clearing and Forwarding, part of the Panda Petroleum & Supplies group of companies, as the sole body allowed to process all cargo destined for South Sudan from the Port of Mombasa. This move has drawn predictable criticism from industry bodies, the Kenya International Freight & Warehouse Association (KIFWA) and the Container Freight Station Association (CFSA), which are demanding that the KPA reverse its decision, as it creates a monopoly on the route.

Get Your Bike Checked Out and Sit Where a Haulier Does Courtesy of Crossrail This Week

UK – A lot of work has gone on lately in an attempt to ameliorate the relationship between cyclists and HGV drivers and this week sees a partnership between the City of London Police and Crossrail hosting an ‘Exchanging Places’ event for bike riders in order to familiarise them with the problem faced by those who have to negotiate sometimes crowded and narrow urban streets in a big road haulage rig or a high side 8 wheel tipper truck.

Experts Will Examine Details of Safety at Sea Revisions to Packing Code

WORLDWIDE – In the past few weeks we have written regarding the revision to the SOLAS convention to mandate the verification of gross mass of containers prior to loading on board a ship, as was agreed in September at a meeting of the IMO Sub-committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC). The physical requirements of actually weighing every single container, at every global port of exit, a scheme strongly favoured by the unions concerned, meant that proposal was rejected in favour of the more easily achieved option of having the gross mass verified by an approved shipper.

South American Market Targeted for New Economy of Scale Solutions

NETHERLANDS – CHILE – SOUTH AMERICA – Dutch shipping group Seatrade, which runs a fleet of around 100 refrigerated vessels, together with fruit exporters Pacific Seaways, its main Chilean based customer, have joined forces to create Global Reefers NV, a new company which is to focus on supplying reefers and cold chain container services for fruit exporters in Chile, Peru and Colombia. The two companies, which have a business relationship going back over 20 years, launched the new business earlier this month in Valparaiso and both will be equally represented on the board of the new venture. Pacific Seaways CEO, Francisco Labarca, has been appointed as Global Reefers’ Managing Director and he said:

New Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM Alliance Under Fire as Global Shippers' Forum Raises Concerns

ASIA – EUROPE – As we predicted in an article in June, the proposal by the ‘Big 3’ in the world of container shipping, Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM, to form the P3 alliance in order to consolidate their individual offerings on the major East – West trade lanes across Asia – Europe, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic, is coming under fire from freight interests, with the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) raising its concerns with the European Commission Competition Directorate in Brussels, a step which may only be a preliminary to further such enquiries in other jurisdictions.

To Scrap - or Not to Scrap? Overcapacity Still the Bane of the Industry

UK – WORLDWIDE – If you told the world’s container shipping companies that they would be able to increase the average rates they charged customers by 140% in just a year they would be understandably happy, just as their clients, faced with a rate 240% of what it stood at twelve months previously, would doubtless be less than enthusiastic. The increase however represents the performance last year of the Baltic Dry Index and, in the world of bulk freight rates, neither carrier nor customer seems particularly enamoured of the current situation.

Meanwhile Another Energy Exploration Vessel Also Commissioned

SOUTH KOREA – ASIA – EUROPE – The expected slowdown in winter trade has prompted the announcement of forthcoming reductions in several Asia – Europe freight services this week whilst Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has celebrated the christening of its latest 13,208 TEU containership at a ceremony on Geoje Island in South Korea. Leased to Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line of Japan, the MV NYK Hyperion is the eighth in the series of ten vessels OOCL ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries.

Will the EU Blink Again in the Light of Universal Acceptance for Market Based Pollution Measures?

WORLDWIDE – The story we ran upon hearing the news that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had reached a decision on a mechanism to reduce aviation emissions told how the announcement delighted the International Air Transport Association (IATA), unsurprising as the organisation represents both passenger as well as cargo interests. Now however there has been a heartfelt welcome to the move from the big representatives of freight forwarding and logistics groups who see it as a realistic approach to resolve a problem which all players in the aviation industry recognise.

Intermodal Exhibition Provides Carrier with an Excellent Excuse for Self Congratulation

US – GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – The name Carrier Transicold is familiar to people everywhere, although often they may not remember exactly why. The brand appears on reefer units right across the globe and the company’s place in cold supply chain history is assured as it approaches production of its one millionth ‘picture frame’ refrigeration unit, so called because with its flat, square frame, that first self-contained system fitted compactly on the front wall of a corrugated steel insulated shipping box. Now the derivatives of that system have been universally employed throughout trucks, trailers as well as containers.

Liebherr Produce Hybrid Mobile Harbour/Offshore Design

WORLDWIDE – Materials handling manufacturers Liebherr have been busy again the month with the first delivery of one of the group’s cranes being installed in Tilbury in the UK, apparently due to a rise in shipping consignments, and specifications of a new design of mobile/offshore harbour crane, the first of which was delivered earlier this year. Also, one of the company’s executives is due to present at a major conference in an effort to highlight the avoidance of accidents.

Several Container Line Executives Elevated Amongst Other Changes

WORLDWIDE – News of some confirmed high level changes in the logistics field to note starting with the September 2013 meeting in Chile of the World Shipping Council (WSC) during which the membership elected six Executives to new two year terms on its Board of Directors. Randy Chen, Wan Hai Lines; Morten Engelstoft, Maersk Line; Ottmar Gast, Hamburg Süd; Ulrich Kranich, Hapag-Lloyd AG; Andy Tung, Orient Overseas Container Line; and Xu Minjie, COSCO Container Lines. In addition, the board of directors named Hidetoshi Maruyama, Director and Managing Corporate Officer of NYK Group, to the WSC board to fill the seat previously held by Tadaaki Naito of NYK Group.

Abu Dhabi to Host Annual High Level Forum for Industry Leaders

UAE – With billions going into developing port infrastructure worldwide, the 2nd annual Port Management Strategy Summit which takes place next year in Abu Dhabi from February 11 to 12, has announced its line-up of speakers who will gather to discuss ‘how to seize new opportunities with value-added port strategies in today’s market and create maximum impact in the business’.

Two Companies Join to Monitor Potentially Dangerous Events When Cargo Under Way

DENMARK – ESTONIA – WORLDWIDE – Every shipper of toxic or flammable materials knows the inherent dangers of shipping large quantities via tank transport whether it be via a road haulage scenario or as part of an ocean container freight movement. Now two groups with separate but complimentary technological expertise have joined together to find a solution of leakage of hazardous goods whilst in transit.

Resilience Demonstrated by Vessels Despite the Severest Damage to Hulls

SOUTH AFRICA – Almost two months after foundering off Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the aft part of the Panamanian flagged bulk carrier MV Smart was towed away and scuppered 28 nautical miles out where the water depth exceeds 1,000 metres. The 151,279 dwt vessel ran aground on August 19 and subsequently spilt in two, in an incident similar to both the sinking’s of the MOL Comfort and the Swanland.

Formal Industry Qualification Provides Some Measure of Insurance that Your Animals are Well Treated

IRELAND – WORLDWIDE – Choosing a freight forwarding agent or shipping company when you are unsure of your ground can be stressful enough, moving one’s pet to another country can, for many people be the most harrowing of experiences. Even looking through something like our own Freight Directory cannot guarantee the first class service every owner demands and the only clue to true professionalism is the industry qualifications which any export agent shows on their advertisement.

TfL Plans Policy in the Light of Olympic Games Experience

UK – The London Freight Forum which meets twice a year and brings together elements from transport operators, businesses, trade associations, regulators and highway authorities, has unveiled details of the latest developments decided upon at its recent meeting regarding trials for out of hours deliveries and collections around the capital. The meeting, in which representatives from both the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) were involved, builds on the success of work undertaken during last year’s Olympic Games events.

IATA Claims Environmental Victory and Publishes Year on Year Numbers as Russian Airline Announces Growth and Ground Handling Company Wins in Jordan

JORDAN – RUSSIA – WORLDWIDE – This week saw the release of the latest world air cargo statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which show ‘a continued modest improvement’ in air freight numbers during August. The organisation also pronounced a victory in its bid to negotiate a carbon offset scheme for the industry. Meanwhile Russian group AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has mirrored this performance with a rise in tonnages carried and a joint venture between Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Royal Jordanian Airlines has won preferred bidder status for some of the works available at the new Queen Alia International Airport terminal in Amman.

Working Closely with Suppliers and Collaborators Brings Benefits

WORLDWIDE – Two companies which seem to be enjoying a degree of mutual success are materials handling specialist Jungheinrich and freight forwarding and 3PL group Ceva Logistics. In the UK, the fork lift truck specialist announced a £6million investment in its already extensive fleet taking the total of models available for customers to hire to over 4,000, most of which are under two years old. Meanwhile, at a ceremony in Florida, Jungheinrich was presented with Ceva’s European Supplier of the Year title at an awards event designed to recognise best practice and excellence amongst the supply chain company’s providers.

First Boxes Delivered as New Quayside Cranes Arrive

UK – The pace is picking up as London Gateway, Europe’s latest deep water port, prepares to receive its first official cargoes. So far this month there have been several significant developments with the arrival of more of the giant cranes required to handle the anticipated flow of shipping containers and the naming of a locomotive to celebrate the partnership between port developers DP World and rail freight operator DB Schenker.

Stoke Based Prohire Buys Out Nottingham Specialist

UK – Prohire plc, the Stoke on Trent based independent commercial vehicle contract hire and fleet management company established in 1997, has announced it has acquired the assets of RH Rentals for an undisclosed sum. RH Rentals operated from the Nottingham premises of truck dealership RH Commercials and RH Rentals existing client contract base is to be migrated over by the Prohire Senior Management team.

Two Conferences and Exhibitions on Opposite Side of the World Highlight a Growing Importance of the Lifescience Supply Chain

NETHERLANDS – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – The import and export of pharmaceuticals is definitely playing a major role for Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport these days as other sources of traffic change their intermodal requirements. Not only has the air freight hub has partnered with Air France KLM Cargo, Cargosafe, AAA (Amsterdam Airport Area) and logistics service provider IJS Global to provide the main sponsorship for this year’s Life Sciences Supply Chain Summit but Schiphol is to co-host the Pharma Shippers Forum at the Air Cargo India Conference and Exhibition next February.

At 50,000 Square Metres the Largest in the Country

CZECH REPUBLIC – Professional Parcel Logistics (PPL), a fully-owned subsidiary of DHL Freight, has opened the largest parcel hub in the Czech Republic, measuring 50,000 square metres including 12,000 square metres of warehouses, depot buildings and administration, all of which cost DHL a total of €24.7 million. The new facility, located in Rícany-Jazlovice, serves as the new central hub for parcel shipments and as a regional depot for the area east of Prague and Central Bohemia.

Once Again Millions of Euros Levied for Anti-Competitive Behaviour

SPAIN – Yet again we see leaders in the shipping and forwarding community being hit with massive fines from the authorities for cartel type behaviour. The rash of prosecutions we have witnessed over the past couple of years have accumulated staggering amounts of cash for those who preside over the markets but rarely seem to compensate the end users who are the ultimate losers in these deals. This time it is the Spanish Competition Commission (CNC) which has fined several shipping companies, forwarders and freight industry associations, over €43 million for fixing the rates of container transportation in and out of the Port of Valencia between 1998 and 2011.

Japanese Car Group Selects Logistics Partner

UKRAINE – Swiss based freight forwarder and logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel has been awarded a 3-year contract for warehousing services to support the supply of spare parts and accessories to Toyota retailers and service stations in the Ukraine.

Cambodian Office for Japanese Logistics Operator

CAMBODIA – Freight forwarding and contract logistics service provider Yusen Logistics has expanded its Asian operations by establishing Yusen Logistics (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh after seeing a steady growth in both the air and ocean cargo export and import shipping markets within the country.

Lampedusa - Island of Misery - Scandal of Fleeing Migrant Deaths Which Exceed 20,000 in Recent Past

ITALY – MEDITERRANEAN – Unfortunately our article of two days ago pointing out the dangers which refugees encounter when fleeing from North Africa into Europe, and telling of the recent involvement of container shipping in the rescue of hundreds of people from small boats, became horribly prescient with the news that hundreds have drowned in an accident yesterday just a kilometre or so from the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.

On Line Leaflets Can Prevent Prosecution or Worse While Other Government Action Cheers Industry

UK – In an effort to assist those in the road haulage sector who run smaller grades of vehicles, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) recently published a couple of leaflets of particular relevance to operators and drivers of vans. Both are free to download and whilst the first ‘Staying Legal’ is a short catch-all guide to the basics of running a light goods vehicle, the second ‘Best Practice Guide’ aims to ensure the high failure rate of vans at MOT test is reduced by the driver being aware of what to look for.

Expert Opinions from Agriculture, Chemical and Other Industries Sought

US – The meeting earlier this week of the Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation was delayed an hour due to the hiatus currently enveloping the Washington political scene but the turnout was sufficient to see the latest meeting of the group which aims to improve links in every mode of transport, from pipeline, through air, road, rail and water, get under way regardless. Chairman John Duncan’s (Republican, Tennessee) opening remarks stressed how competition these days emanated from many quarters where before there was none and it was essential for the US to continuously investigate ways to deliver transport systems more efficiently.

Another Victory for EU Navfor as Seychelles Court Passes Sentences up to 16 Years

SOMALIA – SEYCHELLES – Justice, it seems, moves slightly faster in the Seychelles than in Kenya judging by yesterday’s events at the Seychelles Supreme Court when eleven convicted pirates received sentences of between 18 months to 16 years. The men were captured by operatives belonging to the EU Naval Force on the 11th May 2012 after the warship’s Lynx helicopter sighted a suspicious fishing dhow towing 2 skiffs, 400 nautical miles off the Somali coast.

Meanwhile Safety Campaign Continues

JAPAN – Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is normally thought of as a just a container line but with the announcement this week that the company has signed the deal with Kansai Electric Power, for joint ownership of two new build liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers that will sail under long-term charter contracts signed in June last year. At that time two Japanese companies, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, were contracted to construct the vessels which will be owned by a Bahamas-based MOL subsidiary, in which Kansai will hold a 70% share.

Evergreen Boss Dies at Sixty One

TAIWAN – Container shipping group Evergreen Marine has announced that its Chairman Capt. Zongjin Wang, has died from an unspecified illness on September 20, at the age of 61. Wang joined the company in 1976 as an officer and was eventually promoted to the top management of Evergreen Container Terminal (Thailand) Ltd in 1997. He worked his way up through the ranks before being elected Chairman in June 2011. Taking over from Capt. Wang, Zhengyong Zhang has, as of October 1, been formally appointed as Chairman of the Board having taking the position in a temporary capacity following Zongjin Wang’s unfortunate demise. Evergreen has also appointed Zhang Xinyi as General Manager, replacing Zhengyong Zhang.

Danish Design Could Change the Image of the 'Banana Boat'

DENMARK – SWEDEN – SWITZERLAND – A collaboration between Stena RoRo and Swiss registered outfit Reefer Intel, has resulted in what is being called a revolutionary design of reefer vessel which is liable to change the image of a ‘banana boat’ for ever. The two turned to Danish naval architects Knud E. Hansen A/S to come up with a ship which would cut costs and improve turn round times and the result was unveiled at the recent Cool Logistics Global Conference in Rotterdam.

Round the World Event Presents a Unique Shipping Challenge

WORLDWIDE – With the excitement level still high after the most exciting ever America’s Cup series, interest in the sport of ocean yacht racing is at a peak and, having reported on the development of GAC Pindar since its inception, we can now report on a most exciting development for the yacht racing and development team and freight company tie up, with the news that the group has been appointed the official logistics provider for the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's most prestigious round-the-world sailing event.

Motorways Will Be Free to Use for Thirty Days to Demonstrate Advantages of Faster Transits

IRELAND – Following on from the recent trial negotiated between the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the M6 Toll Authority in the UK to suspend charges for HGV’s travelling on the chargeable section of the motorway for the whole of July, lobbying by the Freight Transport Association of Ireland (FTAI) and others has seemingly managed to persuade the minister responsible into arranging a similar 30 day ‘toll-holiday’ trial which is to take place in November 2013 across a number of routes including the M1, M3, M6 and the Limerick Tunnel.

Pirates Notwithstanding, there are Other Human Tragedies at Sea

ITALY – MEDITERRANEAN – Whilst stories based on the tragedy inflicted by pirates have proved grist to the publicity mill over the past few years, merchant shipping has had a massive part to play in another human tragedy which persistently misses the headlines. During the last two weeks of September we have reports of at least three container and multipurpose cargo vessels which played their part in rescuing hundreds of lives out at sea.

All Small Businesses in the Supply Chain with Fleets of Any Size Can Benefit from DfT Supported Events

UK – Britain’s supply chain is constructed of many small to medium size enterprises (SME’s) with different sized fleets comprised of a host vehicles of various sizes. Now Brake, the road safety charity, is calling on all organisations working with small businesses to help spread the road safety message, by promoting its series of free and low-cost webinars and seminars aimed at road haulage outfits and freight couriers, as well as any other group using vehicles as part of their operation, to make themselves aware of Brake's ‘Essential guide for SME’s'.

Partners Say Forwarders Will Welcome Increased Availability

US – JAPAN – Two companies hosted a special reception for customers in Chicago to celebrate the introduction of double-daily flights to Tokyo, which commenced in September. Globe Air Cargo welcomed the launch of All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) second daily flight from Chicago, stating it will provide an important boost in cargo capacity for freight forwarders wanting to access the airline’s network of passenger and freighter services throughout Asia. Regular cargo traffic ex New York and Chicago to Japan includes automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics, steel products and whisky. Addressing guests at the event, Mr Akira Okada, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of All Nippon Airways, said:

Information Sought After Man Killed on B Road

UK – The unfortunate death of a young man in Scotland last week has caused local police to ask for information via the services of the Road Haulage Association. On Monday 25th September the body of Robert Finlayson aged 22 was found in the centre of the B7078 Carlisle Road ½ mile north of the Draffan Road Blackwood. If you, your drivers or one of your vehicles was on the B7078 between 04:00 and 04:45 on Monday the 25th September 2013, the Road Policing Unit and Motherwell Police Office would like to speak to you. A statement from Inspector Calum Maider of the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Motherwell, says:

Mondrian Exhibits Carried Safely to Russia as New Plane Arrives from Boeing

RUSSIA – THE NETHERLANDS – US – AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of the Volga-Dnepr Group and Russia’s largest cargo airline, was recently entrusted with the movement of 34 paintings by the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian worth in excess of €130 million, onboard two freight flights from Amsterdam to Moscow.

(But Youngsters Have the Chance of a Trip Overseas)

US – The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), is the United States member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarder Associations (FIATA) and represents third party logistics (3PL) companies in North America. With the new regulations governing the actions of freight forwarding companies coming into force this month, the organisation has been offering bond services to forwarders who, as yet, are unprepared for the stricter regulations.

Several Players Making (or Hinting at) Moves in the Market

RUSSIA – FINLAND – UAE – Whilst Russian Railways (RzD) boss Vladimir Yakunin is talking of re-purchasing freight wagons in a bid to re-enter the cargo market, Freight One, the rail freight company snapped up by Universal Cargo Logistics Holding (UCLH) has just completed the acquisition of StalTrans, the Cherepovets based company owned by steel group Severstal, and which transports most of that company’s product.