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After Country's Successful Election to IMO Council Transport Boss Visits Giant Ship

UK – EGYPT – Following a visit to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) executive council elections in London the Egyptian Minister of Transport, His Excellency Dr Saad Mohamed Elgioshy, dropped in at Britain’s largest container port at Felixstowe for a meeting with representatives of the port managers, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), and to see close up one of the world’s largest container ships, the 19,100 TEU CSCL Globe.

Fuel Costs and Driver Shortage Overlooked by Chancellor

UK – Last week the Chancellor’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement was met with somewhat mixed reactions by some of the country’s road freight interests as George Osborne announced funding for a new lorry park to ease the roads in the event of Operation Stack whilst he completely omitted any mention of a cut in fuel duty let alone a freeze. Additionally, Osborne announced that transport capital spending will increase by 50% to a total of £61 billion, funding the largest road investment programme since the 1970's, but in doing so, will also cut 37% of the Department of Transport’s (DfT) resource budget.

Logistics Offering Expanded

AUSTRIA – GERMANY – As one of Europe’s largest freight forwarding groups Gebrüder Weiss already has fingers in numerous pies with specialist subsidiaries running under its holding company umbrella. From rail cargo to logistics consultancy the Lauterach headquartered group is now, like many competitors, looking to the fastest growing field in the sector, home delivery services.

Lessons Taken from Tragedy

JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – The ClassNK Technical Committee has released draft amendments to its rules and guidance for container carriers, based on the recommendations of the reports and investigations of the container ship MOL Comfort, which split in half, caught fire and subsequently sank, two years ago with the loss of her cargo.

Thumbs Up for Acquisition from Oz and the US - Just European Authorities Left

AUSTRALIA – US – EUROPE – This week both the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have given the go ahead for the proposed €4.4 billion acquisition of the Dutch parcel carrier TNT Express by express freight group and US rival, FedEx Corporation, a deal which is expected to be closed in the first half of next year. European legislators remain as the biggest hurdle, having yet to make a formal announcement on the standing of the merger. ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said:

Annual Charity Christmas Carol Service Selling Out Fast

UK – Tickets are selling fast for one of the events which make the run up to Christmas for the City of London’s shipping and forwarding community particularly special. On Wednesday 9 December from 6pm the annual Mission to Seafarers’ Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas event will take place at St Michael Paternoster Royal EC4, the historic home of the world’s leading global maritime welfare charity. Once again the great and the good of London’s logistics community will hear the Lloyd’s Choir provide the musical arrangements.

Whether Improved Document Systems or Train Maintenance - IT Technology is the Key

UK – WORLDWIDE – As the year draws to a close possibly the thing which has most affected the road and rail haulage and freight forwarding sectors during 2015 has been the steady progress of IT technology and how it affects the logistics industry as a whole. The growth of e commerce in all its forms is in part through natural progression to streamline processes, whilst many changes have been driven by alterations in consumer habits, principally the use of online purchases and the demands for faster service.

Crews Pay the Cost in Misery

UK – WORLDWIDE – Sadly it has been our duty to report various catalogues of abuse of the crews of vessels working on ships well past their use by date or for unscrupulous, uncaring owners. Now Ensign Events, together with Human Rights at Sea, have launched the International Maritime Human Rights Conference and Gala Dinner 2016. Taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons in London on September 14th 2016, the event will focus on explicitly addressing the important issue of maritime human rights and associated welfare issues throughout the maritime environment. CEO of Human Rights at Sea, David Hammond said:

What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?

UK – The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) has released its findings on the grounding of the general cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways on February 18, 2015, while on her way from Belfast to Skogn, Norway. The ship ran aground at full speed near Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan peninsula, West Scotland and the MAIB investigation found that the officer of the watch had been heavily inebriated despite a zero tolerance stance taken by the vessel’s owner, DFDS.

Sand Tigers Shipped Safely to New Home

UK – SOUTH AFRICA – An achievement for privately owned UK freight forwarding outfit Davies Turner recently with the first ever Sand Tiger sharks bred in captivity arriving from South Africa. The sharks, named Mandela and uShaka, were exported from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), a not-for-profit organisation in Durban, and the cousins to the great white shark were destined for the National Marine Aquarium (NMA), the UK’s largest aquarium.

Innovative Process Recycles Waste Marine Oil

PORTUGAL – FRANCE – First we had cars running on chip fat and now an enterprising French company has produced its first batch of recycled marine fuel from waste marine oil residues at its refinery in the Port of Sinès, Portugal. The aptly named Ecoslops, headquartered in Paris, says it is the first company to develop technology capable of the process and the Sinès treatment unit has the capacity to produce 30,000 tonnes of recycled fuel every year.

Dispute Drags On Despite Previous Signs of Compromise

LUXEMBOURG – With a meeting of the Cargolux Board of Directors scheduled for 25 November the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) has appealed to shareholders to persuade the freight only airline management to conclude a mutually acceptable compromise on a new collective work agreement (CWA), thereby averting industrial actions at Europe’s largest air cargo carrier. This dispute has dragged on for over a year and in July it seemed peace may have broken out, with the bones of a deal for implementation in October then apparently seen as a reasonable balance for both sides.

Regular Weekly Service from Europe in Route Sharing Cooperation

FRANCE – Despite the fact it sits to the east of Madagascar, Réunion Island is in fact a part of the Eurozone, a status achieved by the fact it is a French département d'outre-mer or overseas department. In August 2014 France’s largest shipping line CMA CGM signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the island as the group’s maritime hub in the Indian Ocean and is now upgrading its connecting container freight services across a large swathe of the globe.

Cross Channel Migrant Situation Continues Unabated

FRANCE – UK – In a sensible move freight drivers will now easily be able to report incidents encountered as they try to ship their trailers from the Port of Calais. The huge number of migrants trying to cross the Channel has resulted in the succession of major and minor incidents with drivers under serious threat and now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has come up with a common sense idea to make reporting incidents simpler and ensure the information can be used to demonstrate how serious the situation has become on a daily basis.

P&O Thames River Route to the Continent is a Success

UK – The River Thames is a far way from its position as the world’s premier port, a status it held for some considerable time in days gone (well) by. The advent of containerisation took trade to Liverpool, Southampton and Felixstowe and elsewhere, but the development of DP World’s London Gateway deep water port is not the only sign that things along the capital’s waterway are undergoing a tangible recovery, as figures just released by P&O for its RoRo and container freight ferry service from its Tilbury base demonstrate.

Indian and Belgian Cooperation Aims to Bring Jafrabad Home

BELGIUM – INDIA – Energy logistics specialist Exmar has entered into a binding Term Sheet with Swan Energy for the joint development and operation of the Jafrabad LNG Port project, to be located in the State of Gujarat, India. Swan, traditionally dealers in real estate and textiles, got into the energy industry in 2008 when it proposed the port development, designed to handle up to five million tonnes of liquid natural gas per annum.

Eight Cranes Utilised Simultaneously for the First Time

SPAIN – For anyone unfamiliar with the process loading or unloading a cargo vessel summons up a mental picture of men sweating deep in the holds whilst a ships derrick lowers and raises boxes and bags. In fact even with a basic knowledge of container freight one might be forgiven for assuming that one shore mounted crane takes on the task of stowing and offloading the 20 and 40 foot boxes whereas in fact the truth is usually much more complicated, a point proven by the Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) which broke a local record recently.

Fuel Protestors Insist Report Shows Their Case is Now Proven

UK – The Chancellor of the Exchequer came under pressure last week from a range of interests, representing both the man on the street and road haulage operators, with the release of a report commissioned by FairFuelUK and part funded by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has prompted an industry wide cry that raising in fuel duty is disadvantageous to the economy. The report, published by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), claims that the lower petrol and diesel prices of 2015 have raised UK GDP by 0.6%, created an extra £11.6 billion of economic activity, 121,000 jobs and boosted government tax revenues.

Maersk Drops Out of Talks as CMA CGM and NOL Discuss Deal

FRANCE – SINGAPORE – Following our story of November 10, container shipping lines CMA CGM and Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), owner of the APL ocean shipping brand, have confirmed they are now in exclusive takeover talks with each other. Two weeks ago both Maersk Line and the French firm, largest and third largest box freight carriers in the world respectively, were looking at a link up with the Singaporean outfit but the Danish company now seems to have lost interest.

Award Winners to be Announced at Gala Event

UK – For many freight forwarding and logistics firms the annual Multimodal exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC is the biggest event in their calendar. Everyone from international road haulage operators to equipment suppliers will again flock to the 9th such industry celebration in May 2016 and now nominations for the FTA Multimodal 2016 awards are open, featuring five new categories to reward best in class across all modes.

Unions Say Safety and Maintenance Standards Will Suffer if Incumbent Operator Loses Out

UK – The bid for the Clyde and Hebridean freight and passenger ferry services are under the spotlight again this week with union plans to lobby the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 25 November in support of the incumbent operator, Calmac, which has run the service since 2007. Previously the Caledonian MacBrayne team had been involved with virtually all Scottish domestic ferry routes for many years. The latest protest is timed to coincide with a Parliamentary debate on the tender process for the services which could see the private outfit Serco taking over from the public sector operator.

Continuing Police Programme Boosted During Road Safety Week

UK – As car and road haulage drivers travelling along one of London’s most iconic roads beat their dashboards and curse under their breath in frustration, comes a further chance for cyclists to exchange places with truck drivers as part of National Road Safety Week (23-29 November 2015). The Freight Transport Association (FTA) will be joining the road safety charity Brake and the Metropolitan Police at the launch of the annual event on Monday 23 November where an Exchanging Places exercise will be taking place at Horse Guards Parade, London, to give cyclists the chance to see the road from the driver’s seat of a large goods vehicle.

Investinblue Piggy Backs on International Festival of Business

UK – The National Maritime Development Group (NMDG) and its dedicated recruitment service, Jobs in Maritime, have launched a unique two day event as part of next year’s International Festival for Business (IFB2016), to promote UK maritime infrastructure development, high technology projects, products, systems and services to industry professionals from around the world. Taking place on the 15th and 16th of June at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, Investinblue will include an official networking drinks reception, a two day conference and a tour of Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club.

Worldwide Movements of Freight Associated Personnel

CANADA – Canadian Pacific has announced the passing of Board Director, Linda Morgan who died on November 4, at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer. She had been a member of Canadian Pacific's Board of Directors since 2006 and was recently chair of the Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Committee and Member of the Audit Committee. Morgan had a long career in the transport industry having served as the Chair of the US Surface Transportation Board and its predecessor, the Interstate Commerce Commission between 1995 and 2002.

Unions Condemn Double Standards

AUSTRALIA – US – Our story last week told of the upset caused by Alcoa, the US giant aluminium corporation, deciding to cease freight operations by scrapping its long serving vessel the MV Portland and dismissing the crew. Union groups were incensed by the decision to lay off staff and employ the services of a vessel under a flag of convenience manned with a foreign crew. We mentioned the restrictions imposed on US domestic sailings by the Jones Act whereby the trade must employ US built and registered ships employing solely US nationals and this point was picked up by a senior official at the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).

New Technology is Not the Stuff of Science Fiction

US – For those of you who imagined that ‘connected vehicles’, i.e. cars or trucks which ‘talk’ to one another, were the stuff of Ray Bradbury novels, think again. The US Department of Transport no less is taking the matter extremely seriously and has launched a website dedicated to informing people about the technology which predicts the rapid adoption of short wave communications to make drivers aware of dangerous situations before they would normally see or hear them, cars ahead swerving to avoid debris in the road for example, or a vehicle running a red light at a crossroads. Over two years ago we reported the progress Ford for example are making in this field.

Collaboration Would Mean Unprecedented Sharing of Cargo Terminals

US – CANADA – Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) known principally as a rail provider but which offers intermodal and logistics freight solutions, has sent an offer letter to Norfolk Southern (NS) to acquire the US based transportation company that would create a transcontinental railroad with the scale and reach to deliver what it says will be ‘improved levels of service to customers and communities while enhancing competition and creating significant shareholder value’. Just last year CP entered into merger talks with competitor CSX which ultimately failed after the two companies could not agree terms.

Both Sides of the Atlantic to Get the Chance to See Innovations in Handling Equipment

FRANCE – US – WORLDWIDE – This week gives an opportunity for potential supply chain customers to review specialised handling equipment from two leading manufacturers on different sides of the Atlantic. The Solutrans exhibition in Lyon has the latest truck mounted forklifts from Manitou whilst in Chicago, Big Lift LLC, the makers of Big Joe equipment, has announced details of its latest two models, available in January. Both freight and logistics providers and manufacturers will doubtless be interested as both firms’ products are ever popular with regular users.

Millions in Fines for Those Guilty of Fuel Fiddle

INDIA – The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed fines totalling around $38 million on three airlines for their part in an air cargo price-fixing cartel relating to fuel surcharges. The CCI opened the antitrust investigation against several airlines in 2013 after receiving a complaint from the Express Industry Council of India, representatives of express courier and freight companies.

Africa Cries Out for Infrastructure Regeneration to Promote Logistics

AFRICA – Unlike many of the ‘reports’ prepared by shipping and freight forwarding groups about the current state of the logistics industry (the current buzzwords are ‘circular economy’ and the still popular ‘leverage’) when DP World produce such a document it is generally worth reading. This week one of the company’s reports is to be revealed at the Africa Global Business Forum (AGBF) where the Dubai headquartered company is a corporate sponsor. The report, 'Africa At The Crossroads: Bridging The Infrastructure Gap', will shortly be available on the DP World website.

Bid to Break Chinese Manufacturing Monopoly

CHILE – Maersk Container Industry (MCI), an independent business unit in the Maersk Group conglomerate, has begun production of the first refrigerated containers and Star Cool refrigeration machines built in South America at its new MCI facility in San Antonio, Chile. The first trial production of these ISO standard 40 foot reefer containers was successfully delivered during the third quarter of 2015 to Maersk Line and CMA CGM operations and shortly thereafter both shipping lines placed new orders. Stig Hoffmeyer, Chief Executive Officer of MCI, said:

Road Haulage Competitor Improves Transit Times

UK – FINLAND – EUROPE – RUSSIA – Last month saw container feeder service company Containerships re-establish freight services with southern England after the short sea end-to-end operator and logistics provider began connections with Germany, Finland, Russia and the Baltic States through London Thamesport. The Finnish owned line runs a fleet of 14 ships across the North and Baltic Seas as well as the Mediterranean in direct competition with established road haulage routes.

Two Giants of Their Respective Industries Team Up on Logistics Emissions

NETHERLANDS – DENMARK – Nothing demonstrates how much influence the efforts to clean up ocean shipping emissions have better that the recent deal struck between Royal Philips and container group Maersk Line. Philips operates its own supply chain initiatives, persuading suppliers from all sectors to come on board. Now the two companies have confirmed their mutual values and ambitions for achieving sustainable growth in a 5-year ‘Carbon Pact’.

Qatar Still Targeted by International Unions Despite Improvements

QATAR – Once more we hear of controversy regarding logistics groups working in, and with, countries which have a dubious record when it comes to human rights. The situation in Myanmar was graphically described in a piece earlier this year and the name of Qatar constantly surfaces on news bulletins with regard to human rights just as more international freight forwarding groups intensify operations in the country.

Tall Ship Sets Off for Australia

UK – AUSTRALIA – WORLDWIDE – Global logistics group GAC, headquartered in Dubai, is to utilise its network of own, and sub-agent, offices to act as the official port agent supporting the latest voyage of the tall ship Tenacious which has sailed from her home port of Southampton for Australia. The three-masted square rigged ship is one of two specially designed sailing vessels owned and operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which was set up in 1978 to give people of all physical abilities the chance to experience sailing first hand.

Serco Described as 'Specialists in Failure'

UK – The current negotiations for the lifeline freight and passenger ferry services on the West Coast of Scotland have taken a new twist with a withering attack on one of the two bidders, Serco, from a senior union representative. A leading UK union has said that the Scottish government should consider carefully any bid from the company in the light of its performance.

Calais is a 'War Zone' with Film of the Situation from a Truck Drivers Cab

FRANCE – As so often happens today’s newspapers are tomorrow's chip wrappers, and so it seems with news of the migrant situation in Calais and surrounds. Now that reinforced security at the Eurotunnel terminal had been assumed to have taken effect, the eyes of the press are focused elsewhere, but the rise in violence this week, with freight trucks, drivers and even police under attack, the area is now most aptly described as a war zone. Both the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have been warning for some time that an escalation of violence would likely result in more deaths if not policed convincingly.

No Jones Act Means Flag of Convenience Can be Utilised

AUSTRALIA – The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents 4.7 million transport workers worldwide, has objected strongly and described as ‘contemptible’ the scrapping of the 36,634 deadweight tonne freighter MV Portland and the dismissal of her crew of forty. The ship trades exclusively between the states of Western Australia and Victoria transporting alumina for the owners, US headquartered Alcoa, the third largest aluminium producer in the world.

'Little Raft' can Float Vertically or Horizontally

PUERTO RICO – WORLDWIDE – News comes from US based survival equipment supplier White Glacier of their latest product which now awaits approval from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Facing the fact that Arctic waters can freeze a person to death in seconds the company took on the challenge of producing a life preserving suit which would defy the polar elements for a whole 24 hours or more, as opposed to the usual current maximum of 6 hours as the IMO prescribe. The new equipment is designed to preserve more lives whether a passenger on a cruise ship, crew on a container vessel or someone jumping from burning oil rig.

Back Home to the Urals for Przewalski Horses

FRANCE – RUSSIA – As we have said many times before the transport of living things is always a delicate business. Now freight airline Volga-Dnepr, having shipped flora in September, has now again turned its skills to fauna with the movement as air cargo of endangered Przewalski horses to the Ural steppes of Russia. One of the Group’s Boeing 737-400SF freighters carried six of the rare horses from Montpellier in France to Orenburg, located on the Ural River some 1,500 kilometres southeast of Moscow, as part of the reintroduction project. The horses were accompanied by three representatives of the Association for the Przewalski Horse to ensure their safety and wellbeing throughout the six-hour flight.

British Designer Expands Production

UK – WORLDWIDE – Britain has always been able to hold its head up in the field of fashion and now one product specific freight forwarder is helping an up-and-coming British fashion brand grow into new markets. Wholesale courier broker Freight Brokers is managing international time critical, sample, and production shipments for London based Body Editions. The label, which specialises in bodysuits, is expanding and recently became available for purchase at Net-a-Porter, Avenue 32, and Alex Eagle.

Director Visits University to See Ongoing Work for Himself

UK – WORLDWIDE – Whilst most freight forwarders are busy enough moving goods around the world there is another breed of logistics professionals embarking on ways to improve the global supply chain at a completely different level. Following a recent visit Wolfgang Lehmacher, Director of Supply Chain and Transport Industries for the World Economic Forum has hailed the expertise of the University of Hull’s Logistics Institute for a study it is currently undertaking.

Air and Waterborne Logistics Pollution Under the Microscope

US – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – At a time when everyone in the logistics game is concentrating on cleaning up their respective acts two companies in very different fields are each ‘doing their bit’ to ensure shipping lines reach their emission targets as regards air and waterborne emissions. Vessels such as containerships will have to contend with ever severer restrictions on what they pump out into the atmosphere and the oceans, and with fierce competition for every kilogramme of freight operators are also conscious of having to keep a weather eye on costs.

Rumours Abound as Major Firms Talk, Deny or Conjoin

WORLDWIDE – The past few months have seen many reports regarding potential mergers between some of the world's largest ocean freight carriers at a time when the industry is suffering from an over-capacity of TEU space and a paucity of suitable freight. Whilst China and South Korea are each considering merging some of their respective container shipping lines, struggling Singapore based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has confirmed that it is in separate preliminary discussions with both CMA CGM and AP Moller Maersk for a potential takeover of NOL, whilst US based intermodal container lessors Triton Container International and TAL, have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create a 5 million TEU intermodal container leasing giant.

Maintenance Boat That Can Lift and Shift Along the River Thames

UK – With 95 miles of the River Thames to manage the Port of London Authority (PLA) has to have a considerable fleet of vessels of various types to cope with a range of jobs from hydrographic surveys to pilot transfers, pollution control to ships escorts, and this week the crew of the launch Tyburn even had to save a woman’s life! Now the latest addition to the PLA’s range of vessels is to be officially named in the presence of shipping minister Robert Goodwill MP, in a ceremony at London’s Tower Pier in December.

Meanwhile a Survey Reveals How the Method is Perceived from a Multimodal and Logistics Standpoint

UK – EUROPE – A recent survey of members by the Rail Freight Group (RFG) has reaffirmed what many already believe as concerns the way rail freight is perceived by those in the field of logistics. One respondent summed up that attitude commenting that most had an innate sympathy for rail as it is ‘the right thing to do’ but commented that unless it improved flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency it would not attract more cargo. Whilst it was accepted that rail handled bulk better than road the need for extending multimodal options to and from the ports was also touched on.

Two Widely Different Ways the Wealthy or Fit Can Make a Difference

UK – AFRICA – Now you have no excuse! The freight and logistics industry’s favourite charity, Transaid, is giving all in the world of shipping (and beyond) two possible options to salve their consciences by helping in vital work that really saves lives and eases the situation for many far less fortunate than themselves.

Regulatory Approvals Granted for Billion Dollar Deal

FRANCE – US – Geodis, the French based supply chain operator and 100% owned subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, has received the regulatory approvals it needed to officially complete the acquisition of Nashville, Tennessee based 3PL outfit, Ozburn-Hessey Logistics (OHL), for an undisclosed fee. OHL will eventually be rebranded as Geodis following the French company’s recent trend of unifying its portfolio of businesses and services under the one name.

Whole of British Industry Sector Vie for Recognition at Prestigious Event

UK – It’s that time again when the focus of the country’s cargo industry looks forward to the first major event of the forthcoming year, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards. The shortlist of finalists for the 2015 prizes have now been announced and, as usual, competition in all categories has been fiercely contested with companies ranging from project forwarding and European road haulage specialists to air cargo and temperature controlled logistics groups.

Discussions on Future Standard Procedures Under Way

BELGIUM – WORLWIDE – Last week Brussels saw a three-day meeting in which the World Customs Organization (WCO)/ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Joint Working Group on Advance Cargo Information (JWGACI) met with a delegation from The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) when the proposed New Advance Data screening regulations which will affect the entire air freight industry were thoroughly discussed.

World's Richest Country Still Won't Pay the Price of Gas Though

US – The US House of Representatives has approved the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform (STRR) Act 2015 which will see an investment of $325 billion in six years to improve the country's crumbling infrastructure and rationalise transportation programmes and projects, a long-needed and overdue solution to the troubled Highway Trust Fund that the trucking industry has long been calling for, though the decision doesn’t quite cover all the bases considering the funding only pays for works in the first three years.

This Week's Staff Moves Begin with Sackings and Prosecutions

CHINA – The week’s staff moves in the shipping, freight and logistics sectors start on a serious note following the disastrous warehouse explosion at the Port of Tianjin earlier this year in August. The President of the State-owned Tianjin Port Group, Zheng Qingyue has been fired and along with his assistant, Li Hongfeng and the Deputy Chief of the company’s Safety Supervision department, Zheng Shuguo. All three will now face criminal proceeding for alleged dereliction of duty. Zheng has also been removed from his position as Director of the Tianjian international Trade and Shipping Centre.

Cutting Edge Educational Products Ready for Client Analysis

PHILIPPINES – NETHERLANDS – NORWAY – As a major provider of ships personnel the Philippines needs to stay abreast of developments in the training of the crews of the future. Now two leading companies in the development and supply of maritime-related educational and operational solutions have joined forces to bring one of the best known sets of simulators and training apps to the country.

Expansion of Services and Territory Prompts Acquisition

SWITZERLAND – NETHERLANDS – KENYA – Global logistics group Panalpina is to acquire a majority stake in Airflo, a freight forwarding company based in Kenya and the Netherlands specialising in the export handling of flowers and vegetables. Financial details have not been revealed and the deal is subject to conditions. Airflo is part of Dutch Flower Group (DFG), the world’s largest flower and plant trader.

Maersk to Shed 4000 Staff Over Two Years

DENMARK – Shipping conglomerate AP Moller Maersk has announced that its container shipping arm, Maersk Line, is to cut at least 4,000 jobs and scale back capacity as a way to defend its position as the world largest container shipping line, in response to worsening market conditions. The deteriorating market has already led to AP Moller Maersk adjusting its 2015 expectations downward by $600 million. Meanwhile the CKYHE Alliance (COSCO, K Line, Yang Ming, Hanjin Shipping & Evergreen) is to cancel 9 voyages on its current Asia-North Europe/Mediterranean service loops.

New Company Will Take Control from April

UK – As with so many companies involved with the maritime sector David MacBrayne Ltd, which has been operating ferry and port facilities the length and breadth of the Clyde and Hebrides for the past 160, years and currently manages operations at 24 ports, harbours and slipways as CalMac Ferries, also strives to succeed in other freight and logistics sectors. Now a new venture with Grimsby based GBA (Holdings), Solent Gateway Ltd, has won a Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract to run one of the UK's busiest military ports.

Storm Caused Tragedy but Could She Have Been Located Earlier?

US – The tragic loss of the El Faro, a US registered RoRo/LoLo cargo vessel during Hurricane Joaquin last month has led for a call to install refined aircraft style ‘black boxes’ in large cargo vessels. The ship went down whilst en route from Jacksonville, Florida, bound for Puerto Rico on the early morning of September 30 with the loss of all 33 hands. The following day the master reported the ship had lost power and had a 15 degree list but that water ingress had been contained. It is likely that the ship then encountered swells of up to 60 feet and 90+ miles per hour winds.

Hot Spot Moves to Asia as Private Security Personnel Reduced

SOUTH EAST ASIA – AFRICA – As detailed in our August article, despite an overall global reduction in serious piracy attacks this year, the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) cautions against complacency in its 2015 report for the year to 30 September which shows that attacks remain a serious concern to shippers in South East Asia. To date 190 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against merchant shipping and other vessels have been officially counted worldwide this year, the greatest number in Indonesia, which tallied 86 mainly low-level incidents, followed by Vietnam with 19 low-level reports.

Five Quayside Giants Arrive and More Straddle Carriers En Route

UK – This week saw five giant quayside cranes sail up the River Mersey for installation at Peel Ports new Liverpool2 container handling facility having travelled the 30,000 kilometres from Shanghai after setting off in August. Meanwhile ten more straddle carriers are due to arrive in Liverpool before the end of the year to support five already installed and working. Peel claims Liverpool2 is the UK’s largest transatlantic deep-sea port and container freight terminal and the overall investment in facilities will allow it to accommodate the majority of the world’s current container fleet, including vessels up to 20,000 TEU or two 13,500 TEU vessels simultaneously.

Major Expansion Plans Announced Forwarders to Benefit

UK – Ever the centre of controversy as Heathrow Airport remains shrouded in fog causing the cancellation of many flights, comes the news that freight capacity at Britain’s premier air hub is to be doubled. The airport management has released plans for an infrastructure expansion which it is anticipated will smooth the flow of cargo and reduce processing times by half, to 4 hours as opposed to the current 8-9.

If Nuclear Programme Deal is Sanctioned Shipping Could be Normalised

UK – IRAN – It may well come as a shock to the younger generation but to any freight forwarder of somewhat advanced years Iran is remembered as a reliable trading partner. British exports would flow, both by road and sea, often via the port city of Khorramshahr, with an amount of proscribed products in the Cold War days, banned by the US and its allies under the Export Control Act of 1949 and reinforced post the Korean War, doubtless wending their subsequent way north to the Soviet Union.

One Terminal Sold Off as Long Term Lease Agreed, Another to be Built

UK – Major news for Britain’s main deep water container ports this week as DP World reveals it has purchased the outstanding 49% stake in DP World Southampton from Associated British Ports (ABP) and agreed with its ex-partner in the venture to extend the operating license agreement on the multimodal terminal for a further 25 years until 2047. Simultaneously the company has confirmed details of the new UPS express package facility at its London Gateway logistics park.

Skills Shortfall Needs Urgent Attention

UK – Whilst most political eyes are focused on Tax Credit matters in the Chancellor's forthcoming Autumn Budget Statement, due on November 25, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) have pressed George Osborne to continue to freeze fuel duty, arguing the tactic actually makes financial sense. Furthermore the RHA insists that it has figures which demonstrate that, if some of the revenue which is passed to the Treasury for fuel duty by road freight operators was used to fund the driver shortfall, the investment would be recouped in terms of income tax and national insurance from the creation of new, and essential, UK driving jobs.

Cases of Young Women Never Fully Examined or Explained

WORLDWIDE – Two unsolved cases have been used by the maritime union Nautilus International to illustrate a gaping hole in the pursuance of justice aboard vessels when British citizens are involved. Nautilus has joined in the renewed calls, including those from John Prescott, ex deputy Prime Minister and a former ships steward, for a British police investigation into the disappearance of Rebecca Coriam 24,who allegedly fell overboard from the Bahamas registered cruise liner Disney Wonder in March 2011 and Akhona Geveza, a cadet aboard a UK registered container ship.