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24 Hour Pick and Pack Operations Suit Management and Staff

UK – The need for flexible working within the freight industry has never been more important than at this time, particularly as we move into more uncertainty in the uncharted waters of Brexit. One logistics sector player which took a look at its operating procedures was surprised by the reaction of staff when it proposed a solution which suited the company, but might well have been derided by the personnel affected.

Cold Winter Offers Likelihood of Vessel Repairs in Months to Come

WORLDWIDE – Specialist propeller repairers Hydrex Underwater Technology has already registered an increase in the number of freight and container vessels experiencing propeller damage this year as a result of ice. The company states that, whilst the winter months usually result in an increase in propeller repairs, this normally occurs between January and March, however the company reports this year it has already responded to call outs to inspect of a number of vessels suffering with propellers broken or damaged by ice.

Multi Billion Dollar Facility Opens This Week

QATAR – The Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, who is also Chairman of the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), and Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Navigation (Milaha), today witnessed the signing of an agreement between Mwani Qatar and Milaha to establish a new company, QTerminals, to manage the newly constructed Hamad Port. The port, which is scheduled to become fully operational this week, is a $7.4 billion megaproject that the Qatari government expect will boost their logistics industry hugely and make Qatar a key regional hub by 2030.

HPS System Quantifies Reductions in Bunkerage and Pollution

NORWAY – According to figures released today by Jotun, the Norwegian chemicals manufacturer, ships that use its Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) antifouling system can save substantial quantities of fuel over the lifetime of their service, also markedly cutting the creation of carbon dioxide and other pollutants as a result. Working with Cosco Europe, Jotun has monitored the fuel use of a 2008-built, 10,062 TEU container vessel treated with the HPS system and found that, in comparison to other fleet ships that used standard anti foulers, the vessel had reduced fuel costs by $4.5 million and produced some 29,500 less tonnes of carbon dioxide since the HPS was applied to the vessel in 2012.

Domestic Cargoes Up and Tyre Contract for Danish Based Forwarding Outfit

UK – SCANDINAVIA – Lots of good news around the DSV Group this week as the Danish headquartered logistics group has achieved record tonnages of freight throughput for two of its British operating centres whilst, nearer to home, it has come to an agreement with the China based ZC Rubber Group and the German Pneuhage Group for the exclusive distributor rights to sell Westlake tyres in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Cameras Just Make Some Texans See Red

US – The ongoing debate in society which surrounds the ever increasing level of both surveillance and jurisdiction occasioned by the advances in camera and sensor technology is a subject which many feel very strongly about. In the US for example the opinion that each individual should have the right to his or her own freedoms is one which is very deeply ingrained. Now a burgeoning argument over traffic cameras seems likely to be coming to a head just as advances in vehicle management systems move to a new level.

Full Suite of Warehousing Based Services on Offer

UK – Specialist aerospace logistics and warehousing provider B&H Worldwide has been appointed by Logix Aero to operate a new Heathrow parts facility that will provide specialist round-the-clock support to the company’s Aero’s global operations. The deal marks an important step in Logix Aero’s expansion from its traditional role as an aircraft engine lessor into supplying a range of aero parts.

Jacksonville Based Group Wins Contract Potentially Worth $2.3 Billion

US – Jacksonville-based Crowley Logistics, a division of Crowley Maritime Corp., has won a multi-year contract from the US Department of Defence (DoD) to provide haulage service across the US and Canada on behalf of the US military’s Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). The Department of Defence Freight Transportation Services (DFTS) contract, which will run for two years followed with an optional five year follow on, will see Crowley Logistics provide all forms of truck transportation to DoD warehouses, depots and vendor facilities at US military installations. If the full seven years of the contract is implemented the contract is valued at approximately $2.3 billion.

HRH the Princess Royal Commends Mercedes Benz Trucks UK

UK – Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK is celebrating after being commended for its commitment to training and skills development, by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London. Mercedes-Benz was one of 34 organisations honoured with a Princess Royal Training Award by successfully linking their business performance with the development of their staff’s skills, and demonstrating that training can make a significant contribution to productivity and business success.

K Line Adds Capacity in Expectation of Greater Vehicle Imports

THAILAND – AUSTRALIA – Shipping line Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has announced that it is instituting a new RoRo ocean service to complement its existing Thailand-Australia route which will start from the end of November. The new service will sail twice a month from Laem Chabang and visit Fremantle, Adelaide and Melbourne. The move comes in the shadow of impending prosecutions by the Australian authorities.

Hapag-Lloyd and UASC Get Merger Permission

EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Another step has been taken to ratify the proposed merger between German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd and Dubai headquartered shipping company United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) as the European Commission gave its consent, with caveats, to the deal which, when completed, will see the partners form the fifth largest container liner shipping company in the world. The merger already has the approval of Japan, China and South Korea, according to Hapag-Lloyd.

Cross Channel Routes News from Two Major Carriers

EUROPE – Ferry news this week as Eurotunnel reports another record broken, whilst P&O Ferries upgrade its vessels on a lesser known cross Channel route. Le Shuttle Freight, the undersea truck carrying service continues to report ever bigger numbers with 1,483,741 trucks transported through ‘le Pipe’ between New Year’s Day and 25 November 2016, the same number carried during the whole of the previous calendar year, itself a record breaking number.

Moscow Authorities Dismiss the Issue

SYRIA – RUSSIA – At least two Russian flagged tankers are accused of violating EU sanctions by delivering jet fuel to Assad regime ports in Syria, according to Reuters. EU intelligence sources are stated to have identified the Yaz and Mukhalatka as having delivered fuel that is suspected to have been used in Russian and Syrian aircraft in their bombing campaign against rebels in the country.

Pride of Joint Japanese and Swedish Venture Fleet

BELGIUM – JAPAN – SWEDEN – The world’s first dual fuel Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Pure Car/Truck Carrier (PCTC) the M/V Auto Eco had her formal naming ceremony at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium on 21 November 2016. The vessel is the first PCTC of its kind in the world to be fitted with a dual-fuel LNG propulsion system, allowing it to complete a fourteen-day round-trip voyage solely on LNG without refuelling. The Auto Eco is designed to not only meet existing emissions regulations but also exceed them, allowing her to trade in any Emission Control Area (ECA) worldwide. The vessel has also been constructed to meet the highest ice class standard: Super 1A Finish /Swedish Ice Class. Though scheduled to trade in the Baltic Sea the vessel is capable of sailing just about anywhere, including the Northeast or Northwest Passages.

Coventry Based Transport Operator Plans to Offer Vehicle Servicing

UK – Coventry-based Davison Transport has become one of the first transport firms in the UK to take delivery of a set of hydraulic lifts from TOTALKARE. The cabled lifts supplied to road haulage operator Davison Transport will be used to help keep the firm's fleet of eight Volvo and Scania tractor units on the road. The company also plans to offer maintenance services to other truck operators on the new equipment. Chris Toney, Transport Manager at Davison Transport, said:

For Many Unfortunates in Logistics, Freight Forwarding Means Literally Shifting Cargo

WORLDWIDE – As the end of the year approaches and shipping agencies and freight forwarding offices around the globe prepare for Christmas celebrations, it might just be time to pause for thought as to what happens out there at the front line, where for countless generations men, and latterly ever more women, have faced danger in ensuring goods were delivered to every corner of the earth. Whether hauling cargo along icy highways or barren desert roads that main artery of trade, the water, still presents some of the principal, potentially fatal hazards, as some very recent cases demonstrate.

Encouragement from UK Logistics but Brexit Concerns Remain

UK – Despite a general welcome from freight and logistics providers, particularly road haulage operators, the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget statement still sat somewhat in the shadow of uncertainty caused by the forthcoming Brexit negotiations. Despite the ridiculous stance from most mainstream media, which cannot it seems realise that negotiations with our former European partners are over matters which must be discussed behind the closed doors of dozens of countries as well as the European Union officials concerned, this budget has at least demonstrated the government’s current attitude to trade.

Container Line Staff Applauded for Their Charity

UK – Certainly no stranger to winning awards for the excellence of their freight and container shipping services, this month saw Swiss headquartered box line MSC collect an entirely different honour, as the company’s UK staff were recognised for their personal generosity, receiving the top accolade for Most Sustained Scheme and for Best Overall Campaign, in the National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards 2016.

A Quick Roundup of Some Recent Events in the News from Fife to Moscow

SCOTLAND – The county of Fife in Scotland is experiencing a host of development projects currently. The new £1.35Bn Queensferry crossing is due to open next year and the port of Rosyth is adding new customers and industries as we reported earlier this month. This in turn is leading to Scottish companies looking to make the most of these new opportunities including Edinburgh-based removals and personal item shipping specialists Guardian Removals. Guardian’s Max Robinson explained that:

International Tensions Forces Decade Long Cooperation to End

RUSSIA – UKRAINE – UK – The big heavy lift news of the week is that it seems politics has finally sounded the death knell for a partnership which has appeared successful for several years, as Russian air freight carrier Volga-Dnepr has dissolved its Ruslan UK operation after a decade together with Ukrainian partner Antonov. The two merged their fleets of An−124−100 aircraft under the Ruslan banner but will now return to operating as separate entities.

A Record Harvest, a New Energy Deal and an Eerie Silence from Scotland

UK – US – Rail freight in both the US and the UK have in the last few days witnessed a few new developments. In the US, the Midwest states are reporting a record harvest and a surge in food exports that has seen railroad operators running at full capacity whilst CSX has once again been recognised as a major supporter of military veterans. In the UK GB Railfreight (GBRf) has announced the signing of a deal with a global energy company.

Record Return for Supplying US Deep Water Container Freight Facility

FINLAND – US – Just a week after announcing delivery of its 1000^th rubber tyred gantry crane, Finnish based port handling equipment manufacturer Konecranes has finalised a $217 million deal with the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) to build and deliver 86 Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs) that will be at the centre of the port’s expansion projects at its freight container facilities, Virginia International Gateway (VIG) and Norfolk International Terminals (NIT). Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe commented:

Two Bodies Dedicated to Smashing the Glass Ceiling Celebrate

UK – As the years pass so the glass ceiling which prevents women achieving their aspirations in the worlds of commerce and industry is gradually eroded away and logistics is now a leader when it comes to finding talent amongst the fairer sex with more female representation on the warehouse floor, in the cab of the truck and sitting at the boardroom table. Now two of the bodies in part responsible for the rise of women in the freight supply chain have news for Christmas.

Technology Might Offer Manna from Heaven for Those in Critical Need

US – Our recent story on the deployment of Zipline drones to carry critical medical supplies to remote locations in Rwanda has shown that the use of drones and UAV’s as a delivery mechanism is gradually moving from science fiction and testing to reality. Now one of the biggest builders of UAV’s has announced that they are designing a delivery vehicle of far greater capacity with an evolution of the (in)famous Predator drone that could soon be delivering food and medicine, not ordnance, to warzones. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA ASI), manufacturer of the formidable Predator and Reaper UAV’s, is developing the Angel One UAV which will be able to deliver vital humanitarian aid to areas suffering from natural disasters or war.

Personnel Move Announcements in the Logistics Industries

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has announced three new appointments to its senior team starting with the appointment of Vladimir Zubkov as the new Secretary General, replacing Doug Brittin, who retires at the end of the year. Zubkov has more than 40 years’ experience in the air transport industry including senior roles with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and most recently as Vice President of the Volga-Dnepr group of companies. He will take over formally in January, with Brittin remaining in an advisory capacity during the handover.

Ferry Companies Report Rise in Trade as Attacks and Stowaway Numbers Diminish

FRANCE – UK – The widely publicised dismantling of the ‘Jungle’ migrant camp outside the Port of Calais has had a dramatic effect on the number of stowaways trying to cross the English Channel to claim asylum or simply disappear into the UK. The port authorities say that migrants are now being found hidden aboard freight vehicles only twelve times weekly whereas previously the count was that number every single day. Road haulage representatives in Britain however are still concerned that security will be maintained at current levels for the foreseeable future.

Quay to be Used for Shipping Building Materials into the Heart of the City

UK – For many years the story of London’s historic docks and wharves has been one of redevelopment for housing as London’s traditional freight barges have been superceded by road haulage operations. However, the congestion that the expanding city is experiencing as it grows means that some of the remaining sites along the River Thames are now seeing a new lease of life as they are redeveloped to get heavy trucks off the roads, and into the heart of the capital, without clogging its land-bound arteries whilst helping to reduce pollution.

Large Yet Delicate Installation Secures Title for Nottingham Group

UK – Nothing stirs the blood of a true freight forwarder like the successful shipment of a project consignment, and what can be better than to have such success recognised by the industry itself? And so it is for Allseas Global Logistics which collected the trophy for Project/Heavylift Forwarder of the year at the recent Global Freight Awards.

US Transport Department Blocks Airline Cooperation Agreement

US – AUSTRALIA – In a decision which directly affects air freight customers the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a ‘Show Cause Order’ tentatively denying the application of American Airlines (AA) and Qantas Airways to expand their existing alliance for services between the United States and Australia/New Zealand. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted antitrust immunity for a period of five years to the alliance back in February, stating that the collaboration will promote competition between other airlines that provide service on the route, but, in the diametrically opposed view the DOT states that the proposed alliance would ‘substantially reduce or eliminate competition’.

Handbook Looks at the 'Circular Economy' and How to Implement It

WORLDWIDE – Anyone who reads trade press articles regularly, freight related or otherwise, will know the predilection of writers for the latest ‘buzzwords’. Amongst the ‘linears, verticals and portcentrical’s’ however one sometimes discovers a term which precisely describes something of great importance. Such is it with the phrase ‘circular economy’ which has real value in that it is a process which all should aspire to and something which has now has been covered in depth in a new publication aimed at all those in the supply chain.

Bidvest, Sainsburys and Redbridge Recognised

UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced the first three road haulage operators to achieve Truck Excellence accreditation. Bidvest Foodservice, London Borough of Redbridge and Sainsbury’s have all achieved Truck Excellence accreditation, with Redbridge and Bidvest also demonstrating compliance with Transport for London’s (TfL) Work Related Road Risk Clause (WRRR), which is recognised by TfL as an alternative scheme equivalent to FORS Bronze accreditation. Eddie Cross, Head of Transport Engineering Services at London Borough of Redbridge, commented:

HHI to Split Non-Shipbuilding Divisions Off

SOUTH KOREA – Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), has decided to split its non-shipbuilding divisions into independent companies in an effort to improve management efficiency and sharpen its core competitiveness.

ATA Welcomes Government Training Scheme for Former Soldiers

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Trucking Association (ATA), which represents the interests of the country’s road haulage companies, has greeted warmly the announcement that the Australian government is planning to set up an advisory committee and invest more in training soldiers leaving the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for their post military career. The ATA says that the programme offers the promise of alleviating the critical shortage of drivers that the Australian road freight industry is experiencing.

IATA Launch New Tool to Assist Protection of Worlds Rarest Species

WORLDWIDE – Illegal wildlife trade is an issue of global concern. Poaching of iconic wildlife species, including elephants and rhinos is at a record high with their ivory and horn respectively trafficked to distant markets with transnational criminal gangs exploiting the increasingly interconnected air transport system. The aviation sector is committed to playing its part in stopping this illegal trade in wildlife, worth at least $19 billion annually, and to help combat the smuggling of rare and endangered animals the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 265 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic, has launched a new tool to assist freight operators in identifying shipments of illegal cargoes.

Company Record for Charity Funding Raised by Staff

UK – Ipswich-based Mediterranean Shipping Company UK (MSC) has raised a truly impressive £28,900 for its 2015-2016 nominated charity of the year, the Alzheimer’s Society. The money was raised with the company’s employees doing a range of initiatives from bake sales to dress down days and challenge events. Ray Nash, Senior Regional Corporate Fundraising Executive of Alzheimer’s Society said:

Ceva Wins Contracts with Medtronic and Mercedes-Benz

NETHERLANDS – SPAIN – Ceva Logistics has announced that two of its European clients are expanding their supply chain responsibilities with new management agreements at their production and distribution facilities. Netherlands-based Medtronic and Mercedes Benz in Spain have awarded Ceva new contracts at their respective logistics facilities.

Two Freight Groups Pick Up Titles on their Home Turf

CHINA – US – On opposite sides of the world two logistics providers are celebrating being recognised as leaders in their field. Both Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics Network Limited and Chicago-based Redwood Logistics have won awards from prestigious business publications in recognition of the quality of service they offer.

Humberside Firm Commissions Creation of 7 Million Pound Practice Suite

UK – Immingham based Modal Training, which claims the title of the UK's first fully-integrated multimodal logistics training centre, has appointed Norwegian simulator specialist, Offshore Simulator Centre AS (OSC), to create a sophisticated crane driver simulator training suite at its new £7 million centre in Immingham. At the heart of the new suite will be two crane simulators housed in domes, each with seven projectors, capable of creating realistic training environments. There will also be six desktop classroom crane simulators, four deck personnel simulators, an instructor station and a debrief room.

Express Carrier Confirms Developments on Track

US – German headquartered logistics giant DHL Express has said it is continuing its investment plan for the United States and the Americas as growth in the region meets expectations. The company is investing $185 million through 2016-17 in the US and another $105 million in the rest of the Americas. The investment is focused on infrastructure, technology, and people, which the company claims will create some 900 new jobs in the US in 2016 alone.

Warsaw Hub Warehouse Under New Management

POLAND – Kuehne + Nagel Poland (K+N) have signed an agreement with Michelin, one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world, to manage Michelin’s warehouse activities in Poland. It is the first new business under a global master agreement for contract logistics which the Kuehne + Nagel Group and Michelin recently have signed. K+N will be responsible for the management of Michelin’s warehousing activities at the Michelin owned Logistics Centre in the Warsaw and become responsible for the facility’s maintenance, administrative operations and handling services and will implement a new warehouse management system.

Locomotive Renamed in Honour of the Lost

UK – To commemorate railway workers who died in World War One UK rail freight operator Freightliner has renamed one of its locomotives ‘Patriot’. In a naming ceremony that took place on Remembrance Sunday at Freightliner’s maintenance facility in Crewe locomotive 66418 was given its new designation in front of more than forty people, including Graham Wood, whose grandfather, Wilfred Wood VC, a former employee of London North Western Railways, was awarded the Victoria Cross on 28 November 1918 for conspicuous bravery and initiative on the Italian front against Austro-Hungarian forces in World War One.

Celebrations After 21 Year Partnership

US – FINLAND – Port handling equipment builder Konecranes and the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) just celebrated the delivery of the 1000^th rubber tyred gantry (RTG) crane produced by the Finnish manufacturer. In honour of the occasion, the RTG was specially painted with a ‘stars and stripes’ design, as shown, mirroring the US flag.

Growth Attributed to Constraints on SE UK Airports and Access to New Markets

UK – Manchester Airport, the third largest UK airport in terms of value of exports, has reported that it has seen a 10.5% increase in freight cargo tonnage handled in the period April to September in comparison to the same period last year. The airport states that this is down to capacity constraints in the London airports and an increase in the number of non EU-countries it now offers services to.

Awarded A-Rating by International Carbon Emissions Organisation

DUBAI – Global port operator DP World has been awarded a leadership A-score by the UK-based Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), highlighting its role in the Water Transportation - Ports and Services category in implementing best practice in greenhouse gas emissions and improving environmental performance. The award recognises the great steps that DP World has taken to act as a more ecological aware company and the steps it has taken to reduce its environmental footprint.

New Routes Pay Off for ABC

RUSSIA – 2016 is already proving to be a record-breaking year for AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) following a further 30% year-on-year growth in freight tonnage in October to 57,608 tonnes. Even though the year is not yet done ABC has achieved its thirteenth consecutive year of growth. In the 10 months ended 30 October 2016, the airline carried 498,177 tonnes of cargo, a rise of 29% over the same period in 2015. Last year, the airline set a company record of 483,000 tonnes flown.

Oakland and Zeebrugge Both Looking Good

UK – BELGIUM – US – While the collapse of Hanjin and poor freight rates on containers is still a major concern for the freight industry globally, two ports on different continents are reporting that they are confident in the future and reporting improved cargo figures, one of them concerned principally with that very deep sea trade. In the US the Port of Oakland has released new figures showing sizable increases in fruit, nut and meat exports destined primarily for Asia. The agricultural surge has lifted Oakland total export volume 10% over 2015 levels through October.

New Owners Will Run British Operation via Swedish Group

UK – As predicted in our recent article the Eurotunnel Group has completed the sale of GB Railfreight (GBRf), the third largest rail freight operator in the UK, to equity company EQT Infrastructure II. The two companies had been in negotiations since late October when EQT had made its initial offer. GBRf will be run by the Hector Rail group, which is indirectly owned by EQT.

Transport Group Takes Delivery of 200 New Vans

UK – Parcel carrier Yodel, a household name in the UK, has taken delivery of 200 new Mercedes Benz Sprinter 314 CDI Long vans to boost its existing fleet. The vans are the first the company has taken into service that comply with the lower-emission Euro 6 specification. The vehicles will replace other older vans and be based across the company’s nationwide network of 55 service centres.

Another Regulator Stands Ready with Potentially Huge Fines

AUSTRALIA – JAPAN – The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has laid criminal charges against Japanese RoRo cargo carrier Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), in relation to alleged cartel activity concerning the international shipping of cars, trucks, and buses to Australia between July 2009 and September 2012. K Line isn’t exactly a newcomer to antitrust investigations having been involved in several cases worldwide, having already been fined millions of dollars for similar freight cartel activities elsewhere.

Pioneering Meeting Will Explore Impact of Seafarers Health on the Bottom Line

SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – Following our piece last month telling how insurance association the Shipowners Club was pressing owners and operators to improve health at sea, leaders in the shipping industry are being urged to find out how improving crew welfare can have a positive impact on their bottom line at a ground-breaking conference in Singapore. The Wellness at Sea Conference, organised by the Sailors' Society in conjunction with Alexony, and sponsored by Inmarsat and Dorian LPG, will take place on 17 January 2017 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel.

SOLAS VGM Requirements Spur New Cooperation for Cost-Effective Scale

UK – Engineering firm Hy-Dynamix has teamed up with Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) Ltd (DLM) to build new wireless reporting technology into its portable container weighing solution, the Hy-Weigh. The four-corner hydraulic jack system, launched in May, raises containers in situ, and is now operable in a wide range of high and low temperatures, maintaining an accuracy reading of +/-2%, which is required to satisfy the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Verified Gross Mass (VGM) weighing requirements.

Danish Logistics Group Offers Extended System for High Value Cargo

DENMARK – EUROPE – Transport ‘data unifier’ GateHouse Logistics, headquartered in Nørresundby in the north of Denmark, has announced that it has launched a new cloud service to help transport managers better counter high-value road cargo theft. Called ghSecure, the new cloud service is a further module of the firm's telematics unifying system ghTrack. And with Europe wide, multiple thefts every week coming to millions of Euros, it would seem road haulage theft is the new bank robbery.

Five Massive Harbour Cranes Require Extra Radar So Ship Can Navigate

EUROPE – EGYPT – Hamburg based heavy freight transport specialist Hansa Heavy Lift has transported five Terex®Gottwald mobile harbour cranes, weighing a total of 1,400 metric tonnes from Denmark and Belgium to Bulgaria and Egypt. Hansa, which specialise in heavy lift, super heavy lift, and project cargo shipments, had to lift and stow all five cranes on deck, which limited the line of sight for the crew aboard the chosen vessel, the HHL Rio de Janeiro, requiring an extra radar scanner to be installed on the foremast. The crew and loaders also had to deal with very tight load tolerances, which in places was only 20 to 30 centimetres.

UK Haulage Firms Continue to Update Equipment

UK – Two of the leading names in UK road haulage have announced major investment in new equipment recently. The Knights of Old Group has embarked on a further phase of expansion with the addition of 34 new trailers from SDC, worth nearly £1 million. Meanwhile the Maritime Transport group has signed up for 30 new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractors for its contract with Allport Cargo Services.

Surprise Court Result for Smaller Carrier Makes Rival Clucking Mad

KOREA – US – The Korean Court handling the sale of assets from collapsed freight shipping line Hanjin has awarded the defunct company’s prime US – Asia routes to Korea Line. Korea Line will also acquire Hanjin’s stake in the container terminal at Long Beach, California. The announcement has caused some surprise as many industry watchers expected the assets to go to rival Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), now the largest container carrier based in Korea.

CEO Gets Busy in Africa Whilst Company Takes HR Title

DUBAI – WORLDWIDE – Another busy couple of weeks for container port management and logistics group DP World saw the company announce gross container volumes growing by 2.2% on a reported basis, and up 1.0% on a like-for-like basis in the first 9 months of 2016. This at a time when the box carrying shipping lines had a shortage of freight to fill the vessel capacity available. The Dubai headquartered group also saw Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem pay a visit to see President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi and announce it has been awarded the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Government HR Team of the Year Award.

Who is Headed Where in the Shipping Sector

UK – After six years successfully leading Transaid's fundraising operation, Aggie Krasnolucka Hickman has seized the opportunity to move to the transport industries favourite charity's programmes team, where she will work in the field getting closer to the communities that Transaid supports, effective November 14. The Marketing team will, on a temporary basis, report directly to Transaid CEO, Gary Forster, with former Events Manager Florence Bearman returning to run the fundraising operations, effective January 1, 2017.

Matheson Flight Signs Deal with Asian Airline

US – Matheson Flight Extenders, a subsidiary of road haulage specialists Matheson Trucking, has signed a freight consolidation agent agreement with Cathay Pacific Airways in October to provide import/export air cargo services at the Portland International Airport for goods transported to and from Oregon and Asian markets.

Four Year Deal for Watercraft Specialists Aims to Reinstate Paralympics

SPAIN – World Sailing, the world governing body of sailing, and logistics provider GAC Pindar have signed a memorandum of understanding for a long-term partnership. Under the agreement, GAC Pindar will be the exclusive marine logistics and shipping Official Partner of World Sailing until 31 December 2020. GAC Pindar will work with World Sailing to offer sail racing authorities services to help reduce the cost and environmental impact of logistics involved in shipping equipment to events. The specialist logistics provider will also support World Sailing’s mission to reinstate Paralympic Sailing back into the Sports Programme for 2024.

Ship Demolition Up as Overcapacity Persists and the Value of Active Vessels Drops

WORLDWIDE – Latest research from international shipping association, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), shows that containership demolition has reached an all-time high for the year to date and may provide a positive note for the legions of box freight shipping lines which have witnessed problems, to a large extent of their own making. BIMCO’s Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO, Peter Sand commented:

500 Billion Dollars Pledged in Election Campaign (but Don't Mention a Gas Tax)

US – The American public have voted, and Donald Trump is to be the forty-fifth President of the United States. However, given the parlous state of the country’s transport infrastructure, a subject we have covered many times as the notorious Highway Trust Fund had to be propped up year on year and FASTLANE grants not coming anywhere close to the amounts needed, what does that mean for America’s essential road and rail arteries and the country’s logistics industry?

Video Shows How Equipment Handles 6 Boxes at Once

CHINA – WORLDWIDE – A new container handling system, designed to speed the loading and offloading of containerships, will be demonstrated at the Qidong Singamas Offshore Equipment (QSOE) container manufacturing factory in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, near Shanghai on November 28. The equipment enables a crane or reach stacker operator to lift up to six boxes simultaneously, thereby reducing time in port for a ship in transit.

Tankers Destined for New Scottish Facility

UK – A new joint project between Flogas Britain, which claims to be the UK’s leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) provider, and Stolt-Nielsen LNG Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen Limited a global provider of bulk liquid transportation and storage solutions, will see the Norwegian logistics outfit using ‘small scale’ LNG carrier vessels to import LNG via the Port of Rosyth, where it will be stored in bulk before distribution by Flogas to areas of Scotland not currently served by the existing natural-gas grid.

Latest Attempted Hijack Causes EU Naval Chief to Speak Out

SOMALIA – The Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force, EUNAVFOR (Somalia), Major General Rob Magowan CBE, has reiterated the need for continued vigilance at sea after a chemical tanker, CPO Korea, was reported as being attacked by six armed men 330 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia on October 22. The attempted hijack was confirmed after a thorough investigation into the incident.

Port Rotations Announced but Doubts Over the Future Collaboration Remain

WORLDWIDE – After the OCEAN Alliance last week announced its proposed port rotation, the members of the THE Alliance have released details for its planned network offering starting from April 2017. Subject to completion of all relevant regulatory requirements, the THE Alliance, which is made up of Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), and Yang Ming, plans to deploy a fleet of more than 240 vessels in the Asia/Europe, North Atlantic, and Trans-Pacific trade lanes including the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf/Red Sea.

Years of Lobbying to Increase Speed Limits Pays Off

UK – As we reported in 2014, new national speed limits were scheduled to come into force for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway and dual carriageway roads in England and Wales in the following year. The new limits mean HGVs can now travel at 50 mph (up from 40 mph) on single carriageway roads and 60 mph (up from 50 mph) on dual carriageway roads. To study what effect these changes might have to road safety in October 2015 the Department for Transport commissioned a 3-year evaluation of these speed limit changes and the first-year conclusions from that study indicate a positive result which has been welcomed by the road haulage lobby.

Wage Rate Paid to Merchant Seamen 'Beggars Belief'

UK – Or, if you listen to some, not the UK, as sailing between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland isles, all in Britain last time we looked, are considered as ‘international voyages’ according to those running the essential Scottish Island freight and passenger ferry services. And who are these operators with such scant geographical knowledge? Step forward Seatruck Ferries, owned by the Clipper Group and contracted by Northlink Ferries, in turn owned by Serco (a name not unfamiliar in matters of Scottish island ferry controversy) who in turn have been contracted by the Scottish Ministers.

Become New Zealand Team Social Manager for a Day - But Hurry!

EUROPE – NEW ZEALAND – Truck builder Iveco, which just demonstrated its new natural gas powered Stralis truck at London’s ‘Freight in the City’ expo, is launching a competition that rugby fans will doubtless be very keen to take part in. The company is acting as the All Black’s European Supporter for their November tour and is providing six vehicles in its sponsorship of the team, whilst also launching a competition for three lucky winners to share the All Blacks experience first-hand by being the company’s social managers for a day at one of the Kiwi’s games.

UK and Swiss Shipping Lines Tie Up Together

UK – SWITZERLAND – British based Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd and Nova Marine Carriers of Lugano, Switzerland have announced that they are combining their chartering and operation activities. The new arrangement will go into effect from January 1 next year and will see the two traditional short sea ship owners joining forces to service their customers and operate a combined fleet of around sixty vessels.

No Word Regarding the Carriage of Cargo in Government Announcement

UK – Last week’s government announcement that there is to be a new franchise to manage both the controversial proposed HS2 and current InterCity West Coast services has not met with a resounding welcome from stakeholders in the intermodal freight community. The new franchise, the West Coast Partnership, will be responsible for services on both the West Coast Main Line from 2019 and designing and running the initial high speed services from 2026.

Time Again to Name the Successful Logistics and Supply Chain Sector Applicants

UK – As the first Christmas lights appear across the country it is once again time to look forward to the first big logistics industry date of 2017, the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards. The date is set at January 19 and the venue will once again be at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, EC1, which remains a popular choice for the great and the good of the country’s freight forwarders. Always a firm favourite on the shipping and forwarding calendar, the 2016 Awards once again see the return of regular sponsors whilst there are many new names amongst the 37 nominees from 28 companies who will battle it out in the 10 categories.

Noisy and Dirty Lorries Will be Penalised

AUSTRIA – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has informed road haulage outfits using Austrian roads of the planned changes to the current truck and bus toll system in the country, which come into force from January 1, 2017. The new tolling structure is set to include a surcharge for noise and harmful emissions, instead of the previous four-stage bonus-malus system in line with the Euro emission classes. In future there will be only two basic kilometre rates (bonus for tariff group A – Euro VI and tariff group B – Euro 0-V and EEV), with additional external costs for noise and air pollution for the first time.

AMI Aims for More of the Perishables Market

SOUTH AFRICA – Air freight wholesaler AMI has doubled the size of its Cape Town facility and trebled its temperature-controlled storage for perishables. The company has acquired the facility adjacent to its current base at Cape Town International Airport, doubling its warehousing to 1000 square metres. This includes 120 square metres of refrigerated storage, with separate temperature zones for flowers, and fruit and vegetables.

Fruity Developments for North African Growers

MOROCCO – French shipping line CMA CGM is expanding its sailings to and from Morocco with ten weekly calls to the country’s ports. The move is to designed to increase the container company’s offerings to citrus fruit and vegetable growers as the export season for those products begins and will enhance links with the grower’s key market areas of Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Who is Heading Where This Week

UK – Jo Godsmark has been named as Chair of international transport development charity, Transaid, taking over from Graeme McFaull, who steps down after six years in the role. Godsmark became a trustee of Transaid in 2014 and went on to serve as Chair of the Finance and Management Committee. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) and a chartered engineer, she is a Director of Labyrinth Logistics Consulting and heads up the supply chain division.

400 Million Pound Investment is Major Upgrade to Northern England Infrastructure

UK – After two years in construction, operations will officially start today at a new container terminal in the north of England with the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox MP opening Peel Ports owned Liverpool2. The new terminal will complement the existing Royal Seaforth Container Terminal at the Port of Liverpool, which currently handles 45% of trans-Atlantic freight, and will double the ports capacity to two million TEU per annum. It will also allow the biggest new container ships to use the port for the first time and provide better access to the huge Asian container markets.

Supply Chain Sectors Efforts Pass Original Target Handsomely

UK – A campaign by the UK’s freight and logistics industry has raised £1.5 million for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH), bypassing the charity’s original target of £1 million. The Ocean and Shipping Community Advancing Children’s Health and Research organisation (OSCAR), backed by logistics and supply chain stakeholders, has been raising money to help support world-class research at the hospital and at the UCL Institute of Child Health, the results of which will improve children’s lives not just at the hospital but all over the world.

Four Shipping Companies to Begin Cooperation Agreement Sailings in April

WORLDWIDE – Following the recent approval from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the members of the new container lines freight partnership, the OCEAN Alliance (CMA CGM, Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas Container Line) have signed the ‘Day One Product’, which sets out the proposed OCEAN Alliance’s network, including port rotation for each service loop. The four partners will share their capacity on several routes to offer more services, together operating 40 services on the East-West trades with around 100 ports of call and almost 500 port pairs.

Ministers 'Failed to Comply with Supreme Court Judgement'

UK – The High Court has ruled that the UK Government has failed to take sufficient action to tackle air pollution, marking the second time in 18 months that ministers have fallen foul to a judgment on emission controls. In ruling in favour of environmental lawyers, ClientEarth, Mr Justice Garnham said the 2015 Air Quality Plan (AQP), devised when Liz Truss MP was Environment Secretary, failed to comply with a previous Supreme Court judgment and EU directives, saying that the government had ‘erred in law by fixing compliance dates based on over optimistic modelling of pollution levels’. Whilst road haulage vehicles are subject to ever more stringent controls, no credible plans are in place to switch cars to more suitable power sources.

Trash Used to Fuel Power Stations from UK Port Competing for Award

SWEDEN – UK – A new Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) waste import terminal has been opened at the Port of Gothenburg. The terminal, operated by Norwegian-owned waste fuels specialist Geminor, has the capacity to handle about 200,000 tonnes of RDF waste each year. The bulk of the waste arrives from the British Port of Immingham and is then distributed by truck to two power stations.

London Presentation Provides Networking Opportunities

UK – Last week saw 500 of the UK’s leading professionals in the transport and logistics fields gathered at the Lancaster London Hotel for The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Annual Awards Dinner. Honouring individuals, companies and other organisations that have made major contributions to achieving higher and ever improving standards in logistics and transport operations during the last year, the event is hailed as one of the best networking events of the CILT calendar with this year’s Awards receiving a record number of entries.

London to Moscow Route Will Commence Operations This Week

UK – RUSSIA – AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has announced that it is launching a twice-weekly Boeing 747 freighter services between Heathrow (heavily touted this week as the UK’s biggest port by value,) linking into the air freight group’s international network via its Moscow hub, starting November 3. Flights are scheduled for every Thursday and Saturday and offer customers more than 100 tonnes of cargo capacity.

Annual WiL AGM and Conference Provides Unique Networking Opportunities

UK – The annual Women in Logistics (WiL) conference and AGM will be held on Friday, November 25 at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire. The organisation, which ‘does what it says on the tin’ i.e. it aims to support the careers of women in logistics, now has more 3,500 members and is always looking for more women in the industry to join the cause, and this yearly event provides the ideal opportunity for newcomers to get to see what the organisation is all about as it is open to all members and friends of Women in Logistics UK.

Mosul Offensive Upsets Shipments but Critical Supplies Can Get Through

IRAQI KURDISTAN – One company which always seems to be at the heart of things in troubled Middle Eastern conflicts is Dubai headquartered Move One, which has established itself as able to service its customers’ logistical requirements in war zones and difficult operating areas. The company has now reported that, though the current offensive against ISIS is disrupting freight shipments to the region, it is continuing to operate as normally as possible given the circumstances.

New Rail - Road Services to South Asia and Europe Open New Markets and Promise Quicker Deliveries

CHINA – EUROPE – ASIA – The ‘New Silk Road’ transport strategy being implemented by the Chinese government continues to expand as new intermodal routes are opened to Nepal and Afghanistan and clients hoping to exploit faster transit times sign on for shipments between Europe and China. Last Sunday saw the first departure of a new rail-road freight service linking Lanzhou and Kathmandu in Nepal following successful trials in May.

New Report Shows Naval Initiative Having Effect but Private Security Guards Still Held

WORLDWIDE – Pirate attacks on shipping continues to persist off the coasts of West Africa and South East Asia, despite a 20-year low in piracy on the world's seas, according to new figures from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The IMB's latest global piracy report shows that pirates launched 141 attacks in 27 countries and took 110 seafarers hostage in the first nine months of 2016 and kidnapped 49 crew for ransom. Nigeria, a growing hotspot for violent piracy and armed robbery, accounts for 26% of all captures, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Guinea and Ivory Coast.