Shipping Search - Archive

Ninety Two Crowley Ships Honoured by Chamber of Shipping

US – Florida based Crowley Maritime Corporation specialises in marine activities spread across a very broad spectrum via project freight solutions and logistic services both domestically and internationally and now the 119 year old company has seen a large part of its fleet of vessels, which range from container ships to salvage craft, honoured for their impeccable environmental record.

Innovative Product Makes Its Debut At Hamburg Show

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – In January we featured advances in freight container refrigeration systems using the natural refrigerant CO2. The system underwent testing by by German shipping line Hapag Lloyd and, appropriately enough, the German port of Hamburg was the backdrop this week as the new Carrier Transicold product made its debut at the Intermodal Europe Show. By using CO2 as a natural refrigerant in reefer boxes, the Carrier Transicold NaturaLINE design improves upon the company’s best in class performer PrimeLINE unit’s ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a further 28% percent compared to previous units. David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold said:

Kargosistem Gains Another GSSA Contract

TURKEY – Low cost carrier Corendon Airlines, founded in Antalya in 2004, has appointed Kargosistem as its cargo General Sales and Service Agents (GSSA) for its home country. The freight agency was won following a competitive tender process and the Istanbul based company will provide sales, marketing, reservations, post-flights, revenue collection and claims handling for Corendon, which operates over twenty flights per week from three Turkish airports to around 90 destinations in Europe, Scandinavia and Kazakhstan.

Indian Subcontinent to Northern Europe Routes Adjusted

INDIA – BANGLADESH – SRI LANKA – EUROPE - The rationalisation of regional shipping line Safmarine, and its closer amalgamation with mother company Maersk which we wrote of last month, proceeds, with the changes being made to the company’s Prime 2 service, connecting the South and East of the Indian Subcontinent with North Europe and currently operated together with Maersk’s parallel Icon service. As from February 2012 the ocean freight container route will be amalgamated into the A.P Moller-Maersk Group’s Asia–Europe network. Kris Van Den Brande, Safmarine’s Trade Director, explained:

Government Speaks Out On Multimodal Future

UK - Chancellor George Osborne today announced the Government would be investing £55m into the Strategic Rail Freight Network, as part of his Autumn Statement saying the funding would help deliver schemes that remove bottlenecks and improve capability and longer term connectivity to the UK's major ports. The proposals come at the same time as the publication by the Department for Transport (DfT) of Policy Guidance on Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges (SRFI’s), announced as part of The Logistics Growth Review which looks toward more intermodal exchanges between rail and road haulage services.

Cancellation and Reduction Will Assist Freight Carriers

UK - The speech by Chancellor George Osborne was today welcomed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) which was the first of the freight industry's representatives to comment on the announcement that the proposed January fuel duty increase will be cancelled and that the 5 pence per litre proposed for August 2012 will be reduced to 3 pence per litre. RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning was first out of the blocks praising the decision and saying:

Numerous e Petitions Raised as HGV costs Spiral Upward

UK – Following the news that public pressure had caused the Government to revise their increase in tolls at the Dartford Crossing, the proposed increases were deferred until April at the earliest some days ago following a three month consultation, the road haulage lobby, in particular the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is now targeting what have been called unwarranted increases in the charges for HGV’s using the Severn crossing.

Load Factors Reduce Despite Market Contraction

WORLDWIDE – The latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) report on air traffic shows a mixed picture for carriers with growth in passenger numbers but freight tonnage down quite sharply for the world’s cargo carriers as overall tonnage fell by 4.7% in October against last years figures. Despite a note of panic from some commentators at the news it is a hardly surprising development as air freight comes under pressure from cheaper alternatives at a time when austerity is the buzzword for manufacturers, particularly of high end goods. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO said:

LaHood Stumps Up $215 Million After Disaster Strikes

US - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will provide a total of $215,198,775 from its emergency relief program to 34 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and federal lands agencies to reimburse them for infrastructure repairs to roads and bridges caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes and other natural and catastrophic disasters.

K + N Keep Hill Rom Healthy

US – WORLDWIDE – Global freight forwarder and logistics group Kuehne + Nagel was delighted to announce that it has received an award from one of its customers for improvements to their supply chain resulting in cost savings and better service quality through the use of consolidated and improved processes and control systems.

Thirteen Not Unlucky for Some

IRELAND – NETHERLANDS – EUROPE - It has been a good November for companies within container shipping and ferry divisions of the Irish Continental Group in terms of industry accolades. Earlier this month their Netherlands based freight carrier Eucon Shipping and Transport won the Short Sea Shipping Company of the Year Award 2011, sponsored by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), which recognises the strategically important role of short sea shipping to the Republic’s economy. Eucon offers Irish exporters access to worldwide markets via its regular feeder services to Rotterdam, Antwerp and Southampton operating from the ports of Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

Seatruck Plans for Growth in the Unaccompanied Trailer Bracket

UK – IRELAND – Following the launch this month of Stena Line’s new ‘Superfast’ RoRo ferries across the Irish Sea, comes news that Seatruck, the only operator to offer freight only services between Britain and the Irish Republic has launched the second in a series of four new ferries for unaccompanied trailers with the first due to go into service on the company’s Liverpool-Dublin route next month.

One Dead and Five Still Missing as Search Continues

UK – Questions were raised today after the sinking of the merchant vessel Swanland which went down in the early hours of this morning. The ship put out a mayday call at 2 am when she got into difficulties in gale force winds around ten miles off the Lleyn peninsula, North Wales. Five Russian crew members are still missing after two others had been rescued from the life rafts to which they were clinging. The vessel is an 81 metre freighter which was believed to be carrying a cargo of up to 3,000 tonnes of limestone.

US and Canada Head for More Record Production Levels

US – CANADA - CHINA – Whilst export shipments of waste products, principally metal and paper products, have soared in recent years as China has steadily increased her exports of finished products to the West leaving piles of second hand products and packaging ready for recycling some sectors have made parallel gains in shipping certain types of freight in the opposite direction as manufacturing fodder for the machine which is the Asian supply chain.

ITF Announces New Pay Rates for Seamen and Criticizes Scandinavian Ship Owners

UK – WORLDWIDE – FAROE ISLANDS – The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has this week set out its new benchmark rate, which lays out the monthly payment for an AB (able seaman) on a vessel covered by the organisation's total crew cost (TCC) agreement, for the next three years. The agreements are widely used on bulk freight and container vessels globally. At the same time the union organisation has come out against the Faroe Islands second ship register and declared it a flag of convenience.

Belgian Show Launches Latest Fuel Saving Project

BELGIUM – GERMANY – EUROPE – Always the way, you wait weeks for a decent Mercedes Benz story then two come along at once. Freight trailers are not the first thing one comes up with when the archetypal German car and truck maker is discussed but now the marque is making some pretty bold claims for a new breed of trailer they have come up with in a comprehensive design study which investigates ways of reducing the enormous drag a 13.6 metre articulated vehicle produces. Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its ideas for the first time on the occasion of the “Trailer 2011” show taking place between the 25th and 29th November in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Allseas Global Logistics Scoops Industry Award

UK - JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – The triple tragedy of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis which struck Japan earlier this year had a huge impact on the country including the need for the urgent commissioning of a desperately needed, newly built nuclear power station at Shimane, but new government regulations following the Fukushima crisis meant it was not permitted to open until emergency power back-up was in place. Now Allseas Global Logistics, no stranger to industry accolades, has been awarded the title of Project/Heavylift Freight Forwarder of the Year by the International Freighting Weekly for its sterling work in assisting in the recovery effort.

Low Running Costs and Emissions May Win Over Logistics Operators

UK– Despite some serious sales resistance, electrically powered vehicles, including freight delivery vans, are set to become the standard in the small to medium vehicle range. Currently (pardon the pun) this reluctance is due to an initially high investment cost coupled with a reticence to trust the continuing mileage range of the vehicles between charges.

New Legislation Promotes New Facilities

NETHERLANDS / EUROPE - The port of Amsterdam is gearing-up for a boom in biomass volumes as a result of an increasing focus on renewable energy and new Dutch Government proposals which means that the port could see handling of biomass products rise from a current 1.5 million tonnes per annum to 6 million by 2020.

New contract for commercial aviation support

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA – Kuehne + Nagel have announced that they have been awarded a contract to manage Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer’s logistics and parts management distribution for the Middle East and Africa from its distribution centre in Dubai Logistics City (DLC).

More developments set for the future

WORLDWIDE – Freight forwarder and supply chain specialists Damco has had it’s new web portal application – myDamco – hailed as "one of the leading web solutions" in the logistics industry by one of the world’s top IT research and advisory companies.

An Industry View from Freight Forwarder and Project Cargo Specialists

WORLDWIDE – As certain sectors of the freight and logistics market contract it is seen increasingly necessary for ocean carriers to adopt a more flexible attitude in order to collate as much suitable cargo as they can in order to maximise revenue. In an interview Neel Ratti of Manchester based freight forwarders and project cargo specialists Tuscor Lloyds speaks out with his views on how the container shipping lines are seeking new and innovative ways to handle shipments outside their usual range.

Forces Ask that Senders Only Post to Known Recipients or Donate to Charities

UK - AFGHANISTAN – With the freight and logistics industries in the UK struggling with reduced demand in the last three years it seems novel to report that one part of the sector is struggling to match seasonal demand and asking potential customers not to use their services. However, that is exactly what the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) which serves military personnel in Afghanistan is asking for. According to the head of British military postal services in the country, Captain Chloe Russell, the usual surge in use of the BFPO at this time of year is being compounded by well-wishers sending parcels to troops they don’t know.

Low Maintenance Buoys Cut the Cost of Navigation

WORLDWIDE – Any seafarer knows the importance of the weather worn buoys which guide freight, passenger and fishing fleets alike safely through the shipping channels and harbours around the world. Usually the familiar rusting steel ‘barrels’ or newer plastic style markers need care and attention to ensure they continue to provide their essential service. Now developments by Trelleborg Offshore can mean less maintenance, and consequently lower long term costs for those responsible for ensuring safe navigable routes.

Six and a Half Million Pounds Disbursed to Good Causes

WORLDWIDE - The Seafarers’ Trust, the charity arm of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), has just released details of its latest £6.5 million donations bringing the total given in grants so far in 2011 to £9 million. The cross-industry Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) involving representatives from across the container shipping and bulk freight community which was officially launched in London in September, and today published its first guides to helping piracy victims, receives £750,000 over three years as part of its £3.3 million programme to address the problems facing seafarers and the families of freight and other ocean going vessels affected by piracy.

Now That's What We call a Warehouse!

HONG KONG – Even in a city state known for its architectural style Kerry Logistics’ Product Customization and Consolidation Centre (PC3) in Tai Po stands out. This purpose-built facility has already received LEED (Gold) certification, an internationally-recognized green building accreditation and now has become first industrial building in Hong Kong to be HK-BEAM (Gold) certified. The purpose built freight and logistics centre is a key component in the supply chain which Kerry provides for its customers.

Be Cool with New Groupage Service to the UK

FRANCE – UK - Porter & Laker, part of the JF Hillebrand group and logistics provider to the independent wine trade, has launched a new temperature-controlled groupage service from Bordeaux to the UK. The freight service will run fortnightly, offering local collection direct from chateaux and transportation in smaller temperature controlled vehicles. These then return to Hillebrand’s secure temperature-controlled consolidation warehouse in Bordeaux, before onward transportation to the UK destination.

From Road Haulage to Air Cargo - The Financial Problems Should Worry All Of Us

WORLDWIDE – Strikes and lockouts seem to be the order of the day as the world faces numerous financial and political problems. As 2011 comes to an ignominious end the freight industry seems to be particularly vulnerable as disenchanted logistics workers seek to secure their future earnings at a time when world shipping tonnages fluctuate. Don’t hold your breath for a Happy New Year as bulk carriers struggle to reach economical freight rates and container lines tear up tariffs due to half empty ships and too many new builds looming. Road haulage although rallying slightly lately in some countries, must also battle the spectre of oversupply.

European and Canadian Delegates Praise Safety and Innovation

UK – Thursday 1st December will see twenty six European and Canadian delegates gather in the picturesque setting of the HMS President at Victoria Embankment on the Thames in London. The event is the first time in seven years that the UK has hosted the EuroTra Winter General Assembly hosted by the European Transport Training Association (EuroTra)and is aimed specifically at the needs of the freight and logistics sector particularly with regard to the problems of the road haulage industry discussing topics such as driver shortages, retention of drivers and the impact of initial and periodic training in Europe.

Global Logistics Group Expands Operations

TAIWAN – EUROPE – Global freight and logistics group Weiss Röhlig has launched a weekly consolidation service between Hamburg and Taiwan citing the growing demand for imported products from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic following the introduction of the company’s container groupage service from Taiwan to the Czech Republic earlier this year.

First Time New Rolling Stock Approved for Eurotunnel

FRANCE – UK – EUROPE - Following our story last month telling of the adoption of WH Davis built ‘Superlow 45’ rail wagons were making the carriage of high cube containers possible comes the news that Eurotunnel has now sanctioned the use of Modalohr rail wagons which enable faster intermodal transfer of four metre high semi trailers loaded with cargo to and from freight trains for transit through the Channel Tunnel.

Anger at the Current Situation Pervades the Industry Worldwide

UK – SOMALIA – WORLDWIDE - Our article of a couple of days ago told of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which is currently meeting in London and mentioned in passing that piracy remains high on the agenda. Now Sarosh Zaiwalla, a specialist in shipping law and a Permanent Representative to the IMO has commented on the current situation as regards the hijacking of bulk freight and container vessels passing through the troubled waters of the Gulf of Aden and beyond.

New Jobs and Facilities to Support SUV Supply

US – After having successfully retained their Italian Magneti Marelli contract for another four years CEVA Logistics have further increased their automotive related workload in Kentucky now that the Ford Motor Company have asked them to provide supply chain support services at the manufacturers assembly plant in Louisville. To support the production of the new Ford Escape CEVA are tasked with deconsolidating inbound freight containers, small lot logistics, returnable container management and transportation to and from the plant.

Korean Air in the Dock This Time - With More to Come

AUSTRALIA – Yet another air freight cartel lumbers on (if you want to see how bad things are just type cartel into the News Search box above). This time its back to sunny Australia, only it’s not so sunny for Korean Air following the Federal Court’s decision earlier today to slap them with a A$5.5 million fine for breaching anti trust legislation. This now brings to eight the number of air cargo carriers hit with fines totalling over A$50 million to date.

Track Borne Projects Steam Ahead as Labour Talks Resolved

US – INDIA – SOUTH AFRICA –FRANCE - ESTONIA – Talks between the rail unions and employers inch toward a settlement acceptable to all parties in the US with ten unions now having accepted terms and lessening the likelihood of a strike which could freeze track borne freight deliveries and cost the country a reported $2 billion a day according to the Association of American Railroads.

Change to Law - But Rules Must be Obeyed

UK – Last week saw a change to Britain’s driving laws to permit people suffering from insulin treated diabetes to work within the road haulage industry as commercial vehicle drivers of all Group 2 category vehicles including lorries and buses. UK drivers are subject to EU regulations which set out the minimum medical standards for licences and car and motorcycle driving laws changed in a similar way in September 2010.

PMC Opens Up to New Members

PANAMA – With plans well under way to enlarge the Panama Canal making it capable of handling double its previous capacity the Panama Maritime Chamber (PMC) has opened its membership to international ship owners with vessels registered in Panama for the first time. The PMC has been in operation since the inception of the passage, almost a century ago and acts as a forum to foster a legal, regulatory and procedural climate which suits the 180 plus freight and passenger vessel owning companies which comprise its membership.

IMO Meet in London for Biennial Assembly

UK – WORLDWIDE – Tomorrow (21st November 2011) the 27th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will meet in London in a session scheduled to last until the 30th November. All 170 Member States and three Associate Members are entitled to attend the Assembly, which is IMO’s highest governing body. The intergovernmental organizations with which agreements of co-operation have been concluded and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO are also invited to attend. Two of the main subjects under discussion will be the recent IMO-commissioned study into the impact of mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping and the current marine migraine of piracy.

DSV and CEVA Retain Major Accounts

EUROPE – Two of the world’s major freight forwarding and logistics groups reported the retention of important contracts this past week. DSV Road Ltd has been awarded a new two-year contract to provide road haulage services for all export shipments for Gurit (UK) Ltd to its customers throughout Europe.The agreement, an extension of an 18 month contract which commenced in 2010, will see DSV Road transport full and part loads from Gurit’s UK production site to the rest of Europe.

Women in Logistics UK Continue the Good Work - How About You?

UK – After a very successful AGM last week with motivational speaker, business coach and author Kerrianne Cartmer-Edwards setting the tone with an engaging presentation on unlocking your potential, having a successful mindset and strategies on how to Out-think & Out-perform the competition (and make the shift from Great to Fabulous in your life and career), the assembled sixty attendees provided a cross section of the freight community at the gathering of Women in Logistics UK.

MOL Slough Off Their East European Agents

JAPAN – EASTERN EUROPE – DENMARK – Etc.Etc. – A fairly standard press release this week from Japanese freight carrier Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced the container shipping line is about to ditch its liner agents in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary as part of its strategy to ‘grow closer to customers’. The box line says it will continue to work closely together with freight agents Multi Shipping during the transfer of operations to ensure a smooth transition. Jochen Veldmann, Executive Director Area for MOL Europe, says the company is establishing its own presence to increase its commitment to the fast-growing region of Eastern Europe, adding:

100,000 Pounds Worth of Equipment Vanished in the Night

UK – Freight companies were today asked to look out for four lorries stolen during the early hours of this morning from the premises of G Moore Haulage, Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire in view of the growing trade to ship plant and vehicles overseas following thefts.

H & S is a Social Issue Even Bigger Than Environmental Concerns Says Maersk Boss

WORLDWIDE – Anyone running a modern day company, particularly those involved in the freight and logistics industry where the marriage of clerical with physical tasks often overlap, has to make safety a priority. Accidents within the supply chain range between extremes from a paper cut to a death, or deaths, whilst working. This month container and bulk shipping giant Maersk inaugurated a safety day for their executives which served to illustrate the typical level of commitment required of today’s employers.

Russian Railways Invests in New Electric Locomotives After Slump in Profits

RUSSIA – Russian Railways (RzD) yesterday published its financial results for the first nine months of the year, a turbulent time for the state owned carrier which has been shedding some of its older freight assets recently. At the same time however it announced the latest details on its commitment to modernise and improve services with the result of its recent tests on the experimental ES10 ‘Granit’ electric train.

Innovative Fork Lift Truck Design Solves a Problem for Drivers

UK – When faced with a problem not peculiar to just their industry South Eastern Tanker Services (SETS) turned to handling equipment suppliers Cooper Specialised Handling for a solution. SETS are one of the largest tanker cleaning operators in Southern England and had concerns for the welfare of their fork truck drivers when handling containers around their premises. Chris Barnes, Sales Manager of Cooper SH, explained:

Sea France Awaits the Coup de grace

FRANCE – After the stoppage of all Sea France's passenger and freight RoRo ferry services for 48 hours the Tribunal de Commerce in Paris today confirmed the French ferry firm, in receivership since last year, was bankrupt but allowed it to continue to operate services until the 28th January. At that time, if the matter is not settled the company must cease trading.

140 Years of Hamburg Sud

GERMANY - Anyone who happens to be involved freight distribution and who finds themselves in Hamburg in the next few months might be interested in stopping off at the International Maritime Museum for a nostalgic look at a unique glimpse into the history of the Hamburg Süd shipping group. Primarily know for container transport the company predates the origin of the ubiquitous cargo box by almost a century.

Second Congress Will Address Infrastructure Concerns

RUSSIA – The second Russian Railway Conference will open in Moscow's Manej Central Exhibition Hall on Friday (18th November) for two days of discussions on the strategic development of Russia's railway system in the context of the state's socio-economic interests, and the rail system’s ability to meet the economy's growing needs in terms of freight and passenger traffic, as well as strategies for improving efficiency and innovating in order to improve services.

Long Awaited Scottish Irish Service Commences

UK – The first of the two ‘Superfast’ RoRo freight and passenger ferries has arrived at Loch Ryan Port ready to serve on the new Stena Line fast link between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Superfast VII will be joined by her sister ship Superfast VIII later this week at their new purpose built 27 acre Scottish port in Cairnryan approximately seven miles north from its current home port of Stranraer ready to commence the service on the 21st November.

Two Transport Groups Make the Top Ten

US – It may not seem a matter of great import to the rest of the world but the current conflicts in which the country is involved have turned public attention to the welfare of their service personnel even after they have left the armed forces, particularly as many may be carrying various disabilities for their trouble. Every year since 2006 G.I. Jobs has published a list of the companies which have proved most friendly to the returning forces and once again the freight and logistics industry are well represented.

Q3 Figures for Agility Group Published

KUWAIT – US - WORLDWIDE – As is evidenced by the generally poor third quarter figures published recently the freight and logistics sector has been unsurprisingly damaged by the global economic slowdown but some shipping groups have had to face potentially more serious problems in the past financial year such as in the case of Agility. The freight forwarder and supply chain specialists suffered the acrimonious loss of US government business as we reported in an ongoing saga which can be tracked back through our previous stories.

First Step Toward a Proper European Standard for Lorry Parking

UK – EUROPE – Parking a truck at night, particularly with a full load of freight, can be a problem for any HGV driver,even in many of the most advanced countries in the world, sometimes with the most tragic consequences. Now the Department for Transport (DfT) has produced a comprehensive study aimed at focusing politicians on improving the situation in the UK and working towards an acceptable European standard and the publication has been warmly welcomed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).

Novodata Support a Good Cause - Again

UK – Freight truck drivers spend many hours alone on the road and this often engenders a close community spirit when they are actually off the highway. The Professional Drivers Foundation (PDF) was established to assist its fellows who were suffering through difficult times and it relies entirely on the support of others to survive. At the CV (Commercial Vehicle) show last year patron Steve Parrish received a cheque for £2,500 from Novadata TAB from Braintree which enabled the Foundation to help a great many lorry drivers who desperately needed urgent financial support during sickness and hard times.

Lloyds Register Announce New Online Courses

UK – WORLDWIDE - In order to ensure the competence of those responsible for ensuring the compliance with current marine coatings standards and to promote maritime safety Lloyd’s Register now offers new online courses to help meet the demand for qualified inspectors. Many container and bulk freight vessel designers and builders/re-furbishers now find it necessary to research, produce and apply coatings which lower the friction of a hull as it passes through the water as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce fuel usage and decrease harmful emissions.

Talk of Mergers as the Reality of Q3 Figures Dawn

JAPAN – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – As the container shipping lines try to talk up some very disappointing, if expected, results for the third quarter of 2011 everyone in the market is reviewing their options for the future. With all the big lines struggling to turn any sort of profit the fact that there is oversupply in the industry leaves all the players with poor hands when it comes to their own salvation.

Time and EU Regulations Wait for No Man

UK – Research we have undertaken has shown that many road haulage operators are still holding back when it comes to the mandatory training which must be undertaken by all commercial HGV drivers. Many freight and logistics companies, particularly SME’s, realise that by September 2014 all of their drivers need to have completed the necessary 35 hours training to comply with the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) requirements. Despite this however many companies are waiting until what they believe is the last possible moment before acting.

Insolvency Service Shows Its Teeth after 'Breathtaking Dishonesty'

UK – The three corrupt directors of a road haulage company have received disqualifications of up to fifteen years for what was described as their ‘breathtaking dishonesty’ including a deliberate fraud during which they obtained fuel knowing they had no means to pay for it. The three will not be allowed to become involved in the promotion, formation or management of any company for the duration of the term.

Twin Fork Set Unit Available in the UK

UK – Manchester based Lift Safe Ltd provide materials handling equipment ranging from furniture cages to roll and reel equipment and but their latest offering, designed to speed consignments through the supply chain, is a little unusual to say the least. The new powered stacker, the Armanni TPE SL DL, can transport two pallets at once and even lift loads over low obstacles.

Unions Praise Maersk for Prompt Action but Fear for Staff Safety

VIETNAM – BRAZIL - WORLDWIDE – The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) which represents over 4 million union members associated with the transport industry has expressed fears over the safety of some reefer shipping containers following fatal accidents. In April of this year there were two incidents at a Cat Lai repair yard in the Port of Ho Chi Minh City whilst repairs were under way on Maersk Line reefer boxes followed by another death in Itajai ,Brazil last month.

DHL Comes Up with a Free Study of Countries Market Relationships

WORLDWIDE – One of the advantages of working for a major corporation is the chance to investigate and publish facts and figures relevant to the market one is concerned with. The latest effort from DHL is worth a look by anyone deeply involved in the global freight and logistics trade, studying as it does the inter relationships between trading partners at a time when the economic situation calls for shipping groups to know exactly what their risks are in the international supply chain.

Local Meeting Covers National Issues

UK – Although the latest meeting of the Rail Freight Group (RFG) yesterday was a regional affair held in Derby the location is particularly significant as the East Midlands is a significant generator of freight traffic, and is also at the crossroads of many through freight routes. The area is increasingly important as a distribution hub for cargo for the retail sector, which generates opportunities for modal shift and an increased use of rail.

Now Damco Release Their Own Q3 Figures

WORLDWIDE – Following our story earlier today commenting on the Q3 statistics of container shipping giant Maersk, the logistics arm of the Danish group, Damco, has now released its own independent third quarter figures. These reveal that year to date Damco’s ocean freight volumes increased 14% compared with the same period in 2010 and airfreight tonnage was up by 23% lifted through the acquisition of China based NTS.

Union Incensed After Two Deaths in Three Days at Tilbury

UK – Road haulage group Meachers Global Logistics have issued a statement extending their sympathy to the family of Peter Hunt, an agency driver, who was killed in an accident at Tilbury Docks in Essex whilst collecting a trailer load of paper. The Dock authorities have also added their condolences and emphasised their commitment to cooperating with police and Health and Safety (HSE) officials who are investigating the matter.

Konecranes to Supply Rail Mounted Giant

FINLAND – BRAZIL – Last month Finnish manufacturer Konecranes announced receipt of an order to supply biggest Goliath gantry crane in the world to Brazilian shipyard Ecovix-Engevix Construcões Oceanicas S.A. The shipyard, located in the city of Rio Grande do Sul, builds drill ships for the oil and gas industry and the immense crane, which in its combination of lifting capacity and rail span will be the biggest Goliath gantry crane in the world, is due for delivery in October next year. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the order, but deliveries of similar scope are typically worth tens of millions of euros.

Q3 Figures Out for Ocean Shipping, Rail, Air and Road Haulage

WORLDWIDE – More third quarter results out recently show the confused state of the global freight and logistics market. Maersk, with the biggest container shipping fleet in the world and a sizeable share of the tanker market admit to poor results despite healthy tonnage increases, mainly due to the collapse of freight rates in both sectors.

Cash and Resources Provided by Industry Giants

THAILAND – ASIA – As a company which maintains an office in the country the Handy Shipping Guide is all too familiar with the problems and the misery associated with the current devastating floods which have caused chaos in the freight and logistics sector. Our branch manager speaking from Bangkok this morning said that currently nothing was being delivered to the worst affected areas. As usual however the container shipping companies have stepped up to assist in what is a very grave situation.

Asian Traffic Declines in Q3

ASIA – US – The figures released by shipping industry analysts this month show a decline in US ocean traffic with the stemming of consumer confidence. Import rates for box traffic have declined up to 25% as the container carriers’ fall back on old habits in a bid to stimulate trade. Bulk freight and oil tanker rates are also showing a decline with Frontline, the world’s largest crude carrier, which paid a dividend in the second quarter of 2008 of $3 per share, forking out just 2 cents in the same period this year.

United Airlines Test Algae Mix

US – As usual when the administration is set a task it considers important the Americans can be relied upon to come up with a strategy to be admired. The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) was set up five years ago to tackle the problem of finding sustainable aircraft fuels and today saw the first ever commercial domestic flight using a blend of bio-fuel and traditional jet fuel. Flight UA1403 from Houston to Chicago was a scheduled passenger service by United Airlines but look out for a regular mix of cargo and passenger flights as the company has vowed to purchase 20 million gallons of bio-fuel per year to which is bound to impact on air freight carriage.

GSSA Spreads its Wings Across Asia

INDIA – In September we told how the ECS Group, which claims to be the world’s largest GSSA, had welcomed the development of new routes by their partners at Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), including a freight service to Delhi and now the European cargo service company has reinforced their determination to develop stronger ties with the sub continental market by opening its first offices in India. The company plans to extend its range beyond the existing forty seven locations spread through thirty countries which it currently operates from.

VesselsValue Site Extends Coverage

UK – WORLDWIDE – Sales and Purchase brokers Seasure Shipping Ltd., members of the Baltic Exchange, launched the useful price guide site VesselsValue.com in May this year to give an indication of the resale price of tankers and bulk freight carriers and has now moved to include container ships in its informative directory. The group claims that the service provides instant, data-driven ship valuations and market insights for vessels and portfolios which are currently being used by players in the commercial banking, investment fund, ship owning and broking sectors.

JF Hillebrand subsidiary scoops contract

SWEDEN - The Absolut Company AB, famous for their range of Vodkas and part of the French-owned Pernod Ricard Group, has entered into an agreement with Lagena Distribution AB for the management of the company's logistics and distribution flows into and out from Sweden to international markets.

Occupy Wall Street Close West Coast Hub for 24 Hours

USA – After violent scenes between some demonstrators and police the Port of Oakland, the USA’s fourth largest port by annual tonnage handled, has been reopened after being closed for almost 24-hours since Wednesday evening by the ‘Occupy Oakland’ offshoot of the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement.

Atlas Air subsidiary to operate freighter for British Airways World Cargo

UK / USA - Boeing celebrated the delivery flight on Thursday of the first 747-8 Freighter for Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. The delivery is the first of nine 747-8 Freighters Atlas Air has on order. Atlas Air's 49 percent subsidiary, Global Supply Systems (GSS), will operate the new freighter for British Airways World Cargo through a five-year wet-lease agreement.

Will Trial New Technologies and Theories

NETHERLANDS - Rutges Cargo, part of the Wallenborn Group, is to participate in the 'Truck of the Future' demonstration program being carried out by the TNO independent research body in cooperation with the Netherlands' Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.

Continued expansion for Chinese hub

HONG KONG, CHINA - Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has signed two more carriers to its freight cargo services as operators; Silkway Airlines and S7. Both airlines started services into Hong Kong on 2 November 2011.

Continues Rapid Indian Expansion

INDIA - Global logistics services provider Logwin has opened a new office in Hyderabad, India, which expands the company’s network to nine offices across the country, a sign of the importance of the Indian logistics market to the company which first established a presence in the subcontinent only in 2008.

Accuses authorities of callous cashing in

LONDON, UK - Proposals to impose additional parking charges beyond the Olympic Route Network during the Games period in London next year have been attacked by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The leading trade body believes that London Councils’ plans to extend the £200 parking fine penalty currently set for the Olympic Route Network (ORN) to surrounding areas is an unjustified, cynical move to cash in on the Games at a time when businesses will be under intense pressure to keep London moving.

States Concerns Over Royal Navy Cuts

UK / WORLDWIDE – Following on from the news that the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, intends to licence British-flagged freight vessels to carry armed security personnel to repel pirate attacks as well as the announcement that cuts to the Royal Navy had meant that no warship had been available throughout the whole of October to deal with any crisis in British waters the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has warned that it is concerned that the Royal Navy will not be able to play its part in the effective protection of international trade should the fleet’s numbers continue to be reduced.

FedEx Trade Networks Expands in Johannesburg, Bologna, Ankara and Izmir

SOUTH AFRICA/ ITALY/ TURKEY— FedEx Trade Networks, the freight forwarding arm of global shipping giant FedEx Corp, has established operations in Johannesburg, South Africa; Bologna, Italy; and Ankara and Izmir, Turkey. As part of the company’s global expansion initiative, which began in 2008, FedEx Trade Networks has opened a total of 45 offices throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.

New aircraft to be delivered in 2012 for DHL Express

USA – ACMI operator (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) Southern Air today announced that it has entered into leases to add two Boeing 777F aircraft to its fleet. The agreement sees Southern now operating four of the new freighter aircraft – the only ACMI provider to do so.

Survey shows costs passed onto consumer

UK - The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced that in a survey of its members based in Kent three out of four transport operators have had to pass on increasing fuel costs to their customers, thereby stoking inflation, with over one in five admitting to having reduced the number of drivers in their workforce. The survey also reported that nearly one third were ‘certain’ to pass on costs further in the following year.

NATO issues warning

A maritime security alert has been issued for the Gulf of Aden after a merchant vessel - reportedly the 11,599 DWT chemical tankers Liquid Velvet - was hijacked yesterday and three other vessels attacked in the last forty-eight hours whilst transiting the area.

First operator of newest Boeing freighter in Asia Pacific

USA/CHINA - Cathay Pacific Airways has begun taking delivery of its new fleet of Boeing 747-8 Freighters, with the first arriving in Hong Kong today. The airline will receive a total of 10 of the new-generation aircraft with four being delivered by the end of this year.

Welcome addition but not the only piracy answer

UK/ INTERNATIONAL – Mariners Union Nautilus International has cautiously welcomed the British Prime Minister’s announcement that British-flagged vessels will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirate attack.

New Convenience for Users

USA – Rail company CSX are the latest transportation provider to offer their customers a phone application to help them track their freight shipments and trains across the CSX network. Named ShipCSX, the application also provides customers with specifications of rail cars such as equipment dimensions and weights.