Shipping Search - Archive

Iran Thinks Small but Home Grown as More Big TEU Carriers Come on Stream in 2013

FRANCE – DENMARK - IRAN – WORLDWIDE – Earlier this month we witnessed the official christening of the world’s largest container vessel, CMA CGM’s gigantic Marco Polo coming in at nearly 400 metres and capable of carrying a staggering 16,000 twenty foot boxes or their equivalent (TEU). The giant ship will soon be surpassed in the container shipping stakes when the first of Maersk’s giant 18,000 TEU Triple E series becomes operational in 2013. Many industry analysts have been sceptical for some while that the Danish freight and energy group will exercise its option for the final ten vessels in their pro forma order having committed to an initial twenty ships from the DSME shipyard in South Korea, a view reinforced by Maersk CEO Nils Andersen last month.

Car Explodes Seconds after Heroic Rescue

US – A reasonably happy story to end the year is that of Scott Teuscher, a driver who has been delivering freight for FedEx Express for eleven years and is being hailed as a hero, a title he disputes, after he dived into a car involved in a serious road crash with a semi truck and rescued the driver just seconds before the vehicle turned into a fireball.

Eventful Time for Japanese Ocean Carrier

JAPAN – A review of events covering the past year’s activities by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) provides an interesting précis of today’s market for a typical shipping group which now spreads its interests across both the container and bulk freight sectors. A year after the Great East Earthquake and Tsunami, and the literally nuclear ramifications which followed, the Japanese company still reeled from both direct and indirect impacts which the events of March 2011 had upon its own organisation and the entire country.

Twenty Two Liberated After the Death of Two Colleagues

SOMALIA – Twenty two families from across the globe received the best Christmas present ever when the crew of the Iceberg 1, held by pirates for 1000 long, miserable days, were finally freed. The Panamanian flagged Ro/Ro cargo vessel was taken in March 2010 and the men reported they were tortured by their captors both physically and mentally until elements of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) rescued all twenty two after a prolonged gun battle with the pirates.

(and of course a prosperous New Year to all in our own personal information supply chain with thanks to all our readers and advertisers)

WORLDWIDE - A vote of thanks from all at the Handy Shipping Guide to everyone who has helped with the phenomenal growth both of the News and Directory, from the 285,000 plus readers in 218 countries who checked us out this year to the loyal advertisers (our only source of income). Thanks to the four and a half thousand freight and logistics associated faithful news hounds who take the Newsletters two or three times a week - we hope we keep things interesting.

Fuel Set to Revolutionise Merchant Shipping Fleet

CHINA – WORLDWIDE - Lloyd’s Register has provided approval in principle (AIP) for the new ‘Clean Sky’ bulk carrier design incorporating a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fuel system. COSCO, Golden Union and Lloyd’s Register started the project in June 2011 to investigate the potential of developing a commercially viable bulk freight carrier design based on an existing COSCO conventional design, but employing gas powered propulsion systems. The ‘Clean Sky’ design builds in flexibility by enabling owners to choose dual, or tri-fuel engines able to burn, heavy fuel oil (HFO) or diesel, as well as LNG. Nick Brown, Lloyd’s Register’s Area General Manager and Marine Manager, Greater China commented:

Combined Effort and Epic Journey to Ensure Trees Arrive in Time

EUROPE – UK – SOUTH AFRICA – Whilst most of us struggle to bring the family Christmas tree home strapped to the roof of the car, Hapag Lloyd Cruises and Virgin Atlantic Cargo did things with a bit more style this year as a seven metre Christmas tree that will greet the ship’s passengers when they congregate in the atrium of the Hapag Lloyd owned cruise ship, MS Europa, on Christmas morning has been delivered in a truly multimodal freight movement by land, air and sea.

Prison Sentence for Latest Offender Caught Cheating

UK – As the economic situation bites the temptation for cutting corners, and indeed the commission of outright fraud, increases and the freight industry is certainly not new to offences such as cube cutting and the recent road tolls swindle. Tachograph fraud is a subject we have touched on previously and now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed the news that Richard Samuel Dewart, owner of Northern Ireland-based Dewart Transport has been convicted of forgery and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 3 years, at Craigavon Crown Court.

Supermarket to Use Gray and Adams Equipment for Freight Test

UK – In October we wrote of the trial which was commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT) to allow the use of 900 longer trailers on British roads in an attempt to see if it would reduce road miles significantly. Many road haulage groups were keen to take part and now we hear Tesco, always keen to demonstrate its green credentials, is now running 25 new 15.65m Gray & Adams refrigerated trailers as part of the trial to decrease the company’s freight mileage.

Four 767's in Latest Order

US - FedEx Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of FedEx Corp., today announced an order for four Boeing 767 Freighters. The order is part of FedEx's initiative to modernise its cargo fleet and James R. Parker, FedEx Express executive vice president for air operations commented:

Company Claims it Will Employ 10,000

UK - Following its launch earlier this month the new Local Letterbox franchise reports a good response to its invitation to anyone interested in opening up a dedicated store to act as local representatives for the scheme which aims to make on line shopping a more realistic option for those who are often not at home when deliveries are made. The company says it has received over 300 enquiries in just ten days and that couriers, retailers, and more importantly, consumers have indicated that they see the need for a better solution to the problems of the home delivery of parcels.

As Predicted Qataris Pull Out and Government Fill the Void for Cargolux Again

LUXEMBOURG – The 35% stake in Europe’s main freight only air carrier, Cargolux Airlines International SA, owned by Qatar Airways, which we wrote of on the 19th November, has been repurchased by the Luxembourg government, apparently for the original sale price from 2011 of $117.50 million. It is reported that the HNA group has expressed an interest in obtaining the stake in Cargolux; the Chinese carrier currently operates a 129 strong fleet including those under the Yangtze River Express cargo brand.

Incorrect Freight Declaration Rife with the Potential to Cause More Disaster

WORLDWIDE – In 2010 five of the world’s major container shipping lines got together to form the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) and funded a procedure whereby information regarding the type of incident, i.e. any dangerous or potentially dangerous occurrence, could be recorded and shared thus increasing the safety of the supply chain.

All Gave Some - Some Gave All

US – In 2001 a shift manager and U.S. veteran at Freightliner’s manufacturing plant in Cleveland, North Carolina suggested to his bosses that they decorate one of their rigs and pay a visit to a local hospital for wounded veterans. The truck, named ‘Ride of Pride’ spawned further generations and last Saturday trucking giant Schneider National’s latest version of the vehicle embarked on a special mission to deliver 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery.

Australian Group Buy Local and European Interests

AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND - EUROPE – Freight and supply chain support group, Ceva Logistics, has announced the sale of both its CEVA Pallecon European container logistics business and its Asia Pacific Pallecon business to Australian company Brambles Limited for €135 million. Both subsidiaries provide a full range of intermediate bulk container’s (IBC) for the packaging of liquid, dry products and general security use. Marvin O. Schlanger, Chief Executive Officer of Ceva, said.

Samsonite Bags Asian Group for Thai Style Services

THAILAND – Global freight and supply chain service provider, Kerry Logistics has secured a major contract from travel luggage company Samsonite (Thailand) to manage its supply chain. The scope of the new deal encompasses general warehousing, value-added services, pick and pack and local transportation services. Paul Melkebeke, Vice President Supply Asia, Samsonite Asia Limited said:

UK Event to Discuss Topics Chosen by Visitors

UK – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE - During the past few years’ attendance at shipping and freight conferences and events in general has fallen but through it all Multimodal has retained its position as the ‘go to’ event for many of the UK and Europe’s logistics professionals. The show is in its sixth year and provides a useful opportunity for networking with others in the industry and showing off, and examining, new products and routes.

K+N Take on Staff and Responsibilities for Crestron

BELGIUM – Crestron Europe, manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, is expanding its contract with freight forwarding group Kuehne + Nagel’s Belgian operation and is bringing all its warehousing activities under one roof. To further support Crestron’s development, Kuehne + Nagel has redesigned all of Crestron’s logistics processes. Starting in January 2013, Kuehne + Nagel will employ about ten of the manufacturing group’s employees and will manage all logistics activities.

900 tonne Lifts to be Possible on Rickmers Latest Chinese Built Acquistions

GERMANY – CHINA – WORLDWIDE – Hamburg headquartered break bulk cargo and heavy lift specialist Rickmers-Linie is to add to its 115 strong fleet of merchant vessels with the purchase of two 20,000dwt newbuildings in 2015, to be built at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). Both of these multi-purpose vessels will be equipped with two 450-tonne cranes (plus one 120-tonne crane) giving the ships the ability to load up to 900 tonnes in a single lift. Rickmers-Linie is part of the Rickmers Group which includes Rickmers Reederei that charters container ships and other craft to various major shipping lines.

Cleaning and Tracking Group Open New Central US Facility

US –Container and Pooling Solutions (CAPS) has introduced its newest shipping container service centre based in Lowell, Arkansas. Increased customer demand in a more central region of the country drove the company’s decision to launch its most recent facility as part of an ongoing national service centre network expansion strategy. Established in 1998, the Michigan-based company provides reusable shipping container rental, tracking, cleaning and repair intended to help suppliers and manufacturers cut cost, eliminate waste, and mitigate risk.

Vigilance and Standards Must be Maintained Say NATO and EU Navfor

SOMALIA – WORLDWIDE – At a meeting at NATO’s new maritime command HQ earlier this month representatives of the three coalition partners that spearhead the war against pirates plaguing the waters of the Indian Ocean gave a complete analysis of the current situation plus a dire warning against complacency by the owners and operators of merchant ships transiting the waters off the Somali coast and beyond. Whilst the attacks against freight shipping such as container vessels and tankers are substantially down Rear Admiral Duncan Potts of EU Navfor and his colleagues were quick to warn against reduced vigilance on the part of both crews and management.

Lengthy Negotiations Result in Mutually Agreed Deal between Family Firms

EUROPE – News in this week that German based logistics group Dachser is moving to acquire the substantial assets of its Iberian partner Azkar in which it previously held a 10% stake. The deal is subject to anti trust authority approval but is scheduled for completion by 15th January 2013. The Azkar freight interests comprise one of the biggest Iberian logistics providers with the company a recognised leader in the groupage sector. With a staff of 3,000+ supported by around 2,000 contracted road haulage drivers it generated €367 million last year from 91 branch offices.

Con-way Honoured for Third Successive Year

US – Road haulage outfit Con-way Truckload, which supplies services to sister company Con-way Freight, has been named Carrier of the Year by Sonoco for the third consecutive year. This is the fourth time the Con-way Inc. subsidiary has earned a carrier award from Sonoco since it began working with the company in 2008. The award is decided by members of Sonoco’s entire logistics department and given to the carrier which excels in three categories, namely Prospector, Helping Hand and Customer Service Representative.

Faith in the Future During a Time of Trouble Pays Off as First South African Student Becomes Master Mariner

SOUTH AFRICA - In 1999, when 16-year-old South African, Tobela Gqabu, applied for a Safmarine bursary to complete his schooling at the Lawhill Maritime Centre – named after a famous sailing ship which saw the maritime education of an earlier generation and which now prepares young South Africans for employment by providing them with maritime-related skills and knowledge while they are still at school - he’d never seen an actual ship, nor had he heard about container shipping line Safmarine or the subjects Maritime Economics and Nautical Science which are offered as part of the national senior certificate curriculum at Lawhill. Thirteen years later, in 2012 and at the age of 28, Tobela Gqabu became the Lawhill Maritime Centre’s first internationally-qualified Master Mariner, having obtained his Master’s Certificate of Competency or Class 1 maritime qualification.

Nine Networks Now Speak with One Voice

WORLDWIDE – Nine major global logistics networks have clubbed together to become founding members of Elite Association of Logistic Networks which officially launched earlier this week. Elite says it will act as a body to represent the independent freight forwarding community by engaging with and participating alongside major global industry associations, regulators and government agencies. A second key objective for Elite is to provide the global logistics industry with visibility and clarity by differentiating bona-fide, high-quality logistics networks from a growing number of ‘rogue’ networks around the world.

Overhaul of Government Transport Departments after New Public Consultation

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has noted how encouraged it is by the way which the road freight sector is holding up despite the overall economic gloom. Figures released yesterday by the Department for Transport (DfT) show that the number of registered heavy goods vehicles operating on UK roads fell by only 5,600 during 2011. Another positive note comes with the news that the DfT intends to publish a consultation to establish the future direction of its four motoring services executive agencies: Driving Standards Agency (DSA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), a consultation YOU can contribute to.

Volvo and Mack Trucks OK for 2014 but Improvements Will Need to Continue for All Manufacturers

US – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have certified Volvo Trucks’ entire Class 8 vehicle lineup and subsidiary company, Mack Trucks’ full lineup of model year 2014 trucks and tractors in accordance with 2014 fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas regulations. Road haulage operators will watch with interest how each manufacturer performs as ever harsher environmental standards are introduced. Dennis Slagle, Executive Vice President Group Trucks Sales & Marketing Americas said:

Record Entry Meant Standards High at Annual Seahorse Christmas Party

UK – One of the main criticisms aimed at the shipping industry is that it is too misogynistic and, as the journalists who specialise in writing up the freight trade are often refugees from the sector, one might suspect the situation to be the same amongst the humble scribes. Any such thoughts were well and truly banished at the annual Seahorse Club Journalism Awards held in London on the 11th December when it was the women who walked away, quite justifiably, with the bulk of the honours.

Underprivileged Children Will Benefit at Christmas Instead

DUBAI – UGANDA – MONGOLIA – This holiday season, instead of purchasing individual corporate gifts, Dubai headquartered global logistics and relocation specialist Move One decided to donate something in order to spread some cheer to the children of Uganda and also surprise the children at the Lotus Children's Centre, in Mongolia.

Forwarders Should Prepare for EU Rule Change in 2015

UK - Forwarding representatives the British International Freight Association (BIFA) tells us that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recently clarified its policy on authorised economic operators (AEO) for imports and exports taking place following the introduction of the European Union’s new Union Customs Code in 2015. Businesses that meet AEO standards will be able to use a fast-track application process for EU customs procedures, reducing administration costs and many forwarders will already have many of the necessary procedures in place. According to an alert from Customs Duty Manager Stuart Irwin at Grant Thornton, the international tax service company:

Assisting With Student Skills May Prove a Shrewd Investment

UK – As the economy wobbles along talk often inevitably revolves around jobs and their creation and the new DP World project to reinvigorate River Thames shipping traffic with the construction of a brand new container port, London Gateway, is already hosting one of the country’s biggest building projects giving jobs to thousands of workers as the first of the giant deepwater berths nears completion.

New Regulations Receive Lukewarm Response Even from Shippers

CANADA – With the move to greener transport systems across the globe rail freight is becoming more important in countries where hitherto the road haulage operator was king but in many of the geographically larger nations cargo shifted on the tracks has always played a crucial part in supporting trade and the economy, and nowhere more so than Canada.

Century Old Bottles Delivered by DHL but Unrest at Employment Policies Continues

SCOTLAND – NEW ZEALAND – TURKEY - WORLDWIDE - DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL, has returned three bottles of rare 1896 Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky, almost 120 years old, by air and road from Scotland to New Zealand. The whisky was left behind in Antarctica by British explorer Ernest Shackleton after a failed expedition in 1909 and excavated by conservators working for the Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand) in 2010. Meanwhile however union dissatisfaction with the company’s employment policies outside of its native Germany persists.

Sites Occupied for Sixty Years will be Developed for Housing

UK – Despite causing some local controversy, Cambridge based road haulage operators Welch's Transport, part of the Welch Group of companies, has been given permission to relocate from its current bases in Stapleford and Great Shelford to a new nine acre headquarters on the outskirts of Duxford. The site of the current premises of Welch's Transport, Welch's Crane Hire and WTL Truck and Van Ltd will be transformed into a new housing development which, the company says will blend naturally with the surrounding, existing housing. The plans for the new headquarters came up against strong opposition from District Councillor for Whittlesford, Thriplow and Heathfield, Peter Topping who, at the district planning committee meeting, said:

Franchisees Sought for Online Package Receipt Project

UK –With failed deliveries estimated to cost the industry £851 million, according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) and with many Royal Mail centres closing as consolidation measures take hold, newly launched start up Local Letterbox Ltd aims to revolutionise the process of receiving online purchases with a national network of convenient and secure parcel shops which will allow customers to both collect and post parcels anytime from 7am till 10pm, 6 days a week.

Aussie Customers Yogurt Production Set to Triple Thanks to AMI

FRANCE – AUSTRALIA – WORLDWIDE – For those who know about shipping cargo by air, Air Menzies International (AMI), is a well known success story offering freight forwarders the chance to ship almost anywhere by consolidation, a process AMI calls wholesaling, and one which they basically invented way back in 1976 and a niche market they have dominated ever since.

Stena Extends Contract with Wireless Communications Provider

EUROPE – RoRo Freight and Passenger ferry services on Stena Line’s European services are to receive expanded WiFi services after the group signed an extended contract with existing wireless communications provider Maritime Communications Partner (MCP). The new contract expands MCP’s services on to an additional two Stena Line vessels, the former Scandlines Ro-pax vessels Sassnitz and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Cutting Fuel and Emissions Can Be Achieved Even By Making Minor Changes

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE- When attempting to save money sometimes the smallest change in behaviour or materials can have a profound effect on the savings to be made and when dealing with the economies of modern merchant shipping cutting fuel consumption also carries the bonus of reduced emissions. This month two of Norway’s leading maritime related companies have joined up to promote a new way for ocean freight and passenger carriers to benefit without the risk of speculative added costs.

Giant Aircraft, Trucks and Seafreight all required to Deliver Satellites

CANADA – RUSSIA – For those brave enough to make the huge investment needed the rewards earned by those who have capital tied up in the huge machines often needed to complete project freight forwarding contracts are more than deserved. When that investment involves the ownership and maintenance of the giant aircraft necessary to ship oversized cargo across the globe such entrepreneurial speculation is even more admirable.

US Haulier Acquires Long Established Operator

US – Alabama headquartered Boyd Bros. Transportation has announced the acquisition of Mid Seven Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa. Both road haulage outfits have similar commercial profiles being flatbed hauling primarily steel products and building materials and the purchase means Boyd has extended its reach further west from its established network which stretches north from Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina up to Ohio.

American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd's Register Get Ahead of the Game

WORLDWIDE – Industry feedback from shipyards, designers and shipowners on the first draft of the harmonised International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Common Structural Rules for tankers and bulk freight carriers (CSR-H) has highlighted its common concerns that the expanded scope of the proposed new Rules could significantly slow the design process and increase associated costs if class societies everywhere do not provide more advanced software to handle the required analyses. These views were expressed at joint IACS and industry seminars, held in order to gather industry input on the new rules.

New Loadbank Rental HQ for Crestchic

UK – WORLDWIDE - Load testing specialists Crestchic has responded to continued growth in demand for its loadbank rental services with a £2 million investment in a new, dedicated state-of-the-art rental facility which is located close to its global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Burton on Trent, UK. Loadbanks are used in the testing of power supplies in the most demanding climactic and environmental conditions and Crestchic operates across seven continents with locations in the UK, North America, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany, India, Brazil and Dubai. The new 26,000 square foot facility will provide a single base for the load testing rental operation which had outgrown its previous premises.

New Designs Make Shipping More Affordable when both Empty and Full

EUROPE –Intermodal transport and logistics provider, Samskip Multimodal and global science- based company DSM have unveiled a new lightweight container which the two have been developing since 2009. The HighQ™ container aims to be 20% lighter than its competitors by incorporating composite panels that replace the commonly used corrugated steel. At the Intermodal Europe 2012 tradeshow, DSM presented a 45 foot high cube prototype which was certified by Lloyd's Register in June 2011 and field tested by Samskip for over one year in harsh conditions.

Gaolan Sees New Service Begin

CHINA – Earlier this month, Zhuhai International Container Terminals Gaolan (ZICTG), the only natural deep-water port in the western Pearl River Delta capable of handling mega-vessels, welcomed the maiden call from MV Eagle Star operating on Gold Star Line’s Haiphong Shuttle Express (HSX) service. ZICTG is a joint venture between Hutchison Delta Ports (HDP) and the Zhuhai Port Holdings Group and the arrival of the box ship signals an increase in foreign freight trade services calling at the port. Ronald Wan, General Manager of ZICTG, commenting on the route expansion said:

Now the East Coast Must Resolve Difficulties

US – It seems the addition of federal mediators to the mix was a key component in settling the dock workers strike which has kept container shipping operations in suspense for eight days after clerical workers walked out at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach leaving over a dozen box vessels loaded with freight marooned outside awaiting unloading.

Ever More Stringent Regulations Being Introduced

WORLDWIDE - The incident involving bombs carried in the belly holds of scheduled passenger aircraft which caused such a media frenzy in 2010 as the public awoke to the practice of shipping freight by this method has had important consequences for all involved in the international air cargo supply chain.

Freezing Conditions Leave Little Hope for Eight Missing Crew

NORTH SEA – It is feared as many as eleven crew members have died following a collision between two ships about forty miles from the Dutch coast yesterday. The 134 metre long, Cypriot flagged, 630 TEU container feeder vessel Corvus J, operated by BG Freight Line, Rotterdam, a subsidiary of the Peel Ports group, was in collision with the Bahamian registered, 148 metre RoRo car carrier Baltic Ace which was en route with a consignment of vehicles from Belgium to Finland.

Osborne Listens to the Powerful Campaign Voice of the Fair Fuel Lobby

UK – A victory came today for FairFuel UK, the Freight Transport Association (FTA), and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) as Chancellor George Osborne announced in his Autumn Statement that the Government will be cancelling the 3 pence per litre increase in fuel duty that was planned for January 1st 2013. The Chancellor also said that the Government will defer the 2013/14 increase from April 1st 2013 to September 1st 2013. RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning said:

DP World Install VBS Premium in Southampton

UK – DP World Southampton has announced a new vehicle booking system (VBS) which, the terminal operator says, will benefit road haulage operators across Britain and further enhance supply chain efficiencies for customers collecting and delivering freight. The introduction of the new system, called VBS Premium, follows a record-breaking year for productivity at the port. A trial of the VBS Premium with 13 of the shipping terminal’s largest hauliers has been described by the container port as an ‘overwhelming success’ to date. Steve McCrindle, Head of Operations, said:

Union Backed Trust Spends More to Aid Piracy Victims and Seafarers in Trouble

WORLDWIDE – The Seafarers Trust is a charitable body set up by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in 1981 dedicated to the spiritual, moral and physical welfare of seafarers, irrespective of nationality, race or creed no matter whether they serve in the container shipping sector, a bulk tanker or on an inter island passenger ferry. Just in the past two years the Trust has donated over £11 million to many different causes for seafarers’ welfare, around $200 million since its inception. This week the Trust announced its plans for the coming year, including a review of its operations, the provision of £1 million in grants, and ongoing provision for seafarers suffering from piracy.

New Domestic Philippine Offerings from FPS

PHILIPPINES – Famous Pacific Forwarding Philippines, a member of the Famous Pacific Shipping (FPS) network of independent forwarders and NVOCCs, has launched two-way domestic ocean services to link the main international ports of Manila and Cebu to key ports throughout the islands. In addition to container freight, Famous Pacific Forwarding is also offering RoRo services, and plans to add conventional capacity at a later date.

Arrived, Going and Gone - Current Staff Movements

AUSTRIA – Kuehne + Nagel has announced the appointment of Dr. Detlef Trefzger as new member of the Management Board from the beginning of March taking over the global responsibility for the Contract Logistics business unit from which Dirk Reich steps down to be at the Chairman’s disposal for special tasks until further notice. Until the 1st March 2013, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kuehne + Nagel, Reinhard Lange, will assume responsibility for Contract Logistics.

Container Port Group Sponsors Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Reception

UK - The Mission to Seafarers has announced that its annual Christmas service and reception, entitled the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, will be held at its international headquarters, St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, in the City of London on 11th December at 5.30pm with a subsequent reception sponsored by container port development and operations group DP World.

Gothenburg is Latest Development for Martin Bencher

SWEDEN – The Martin Bencher Group, one of the world’s longest established freight forwarding and shipping company and which first traded from the UK in 1881, has announced that it opened a new office in Gothenburg, Sweden yesterday, the 3rd of December 2012. It will be managed by Kristoffer Klein, former Operations at Martin Bencher in its Stockholm office.

West Coast Port Dispute Rumbles On

US – The dispute which has effectively closed the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to freight traffic looks set to continue after non stop negotiations have failed to persuade clerical staff to return to work. The latest news we have indicates that three out of six container terminals at Long Beach and seven from eight in L.A. were at a standstill will other office staff refusing to cross picket lines whilst shipping lines waited in frustration for a resolution.

Trade Group Joins with Everywoman Awards

UK – It is time once again to put forward the names of women you feel should be honoured for their hard work and achievements in the supply chain with the sixth annual everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, and this year that title is prefixed with FTA as the Freight Transport Association are title partners for 2013.

Freightliner says Upgrades Have Increased All Round Efficiency

UK – Intermodal rail freight operator, Freightliner Limited has invested in its inland terminal infrastructure throughout 2012 which it says is to expand and retain the level of provision and commitment that the company provides. Freightliner says it had to continually make capital expenditures for the future in its port and terminal network to boost operations for the growing container market’s needs. Recent investments include the procurement of two new cranes at Southampton terminal and a new IT container handling system.

October will see Singapore Crowded with Shipping Professionals

SINGAPORE – The inaugural Air Cargo & Logistics Asia 2013 Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore on 16-18 October, 2013. It will be an international biennial event, which will focus on the air freight, logistics and E-Commerce delivery activities in the Asian and Middle East regions. Marina Sands is also the venue for Sea Asia, the Ocean freight expo being held in April.

Kerry Expand in China to Match Automotive Development

CHINA – With its great experience of the Asian market Kerry Logistics has commenced construction of a new purpose-built 33,700 square metre automotive parts logistics facility in Kunshan to service the supply chain of one of its clients for Daimler Northeast Asia Parts Trading and Services Co Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of Daimler in China.

Now One Brand for Supply Chain Customers

WORLDWIDE – The product and marketing strengths of five industry brands have been combined to form RediGroup - a new business group in the materials handling sector. Comprising RediTechniX, RediFloor, RediBuild, RediFit and RediRack, RediGroup will be able to offer a comprehensive range of stand-alone or turnkey handling and storage solutions to anyone operating in the logistics and supply chain sector.