Shipping Search - Archive

The Nature of Trailer Freight Evolves to Face the Future

UK – As we have long predicted the exit of Britain from the European Community is leading a sea change, quite literally, to the way trailer freight will move between the two.

Giant Units Imported to Enable Handling of Biggest Container Carriers

US – It seems Christmas was a busy time for some, certainly at the Port of Oakland which has been buzzing as the vessel carrying three eagerly awaited new Chinese built cranes from ZPMC manoeuvred in from Drakes Bay off the coast of Northern California into the waters off the port, booms lowered to enable passage under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Direct Vision Standard Imposed and Will Trap the Unwary with Large Fines

UK – Now would seem to be a good time to remind HGV drivers and operators alike that, amidst all the Covid and Brexit confusion, new regulations for London will shortly come into force which, if ignored, will lead to mandatory fines of hundreds of pounds.

So What Did 2020 Mean for Shipping and the Tanker Markets?

WORLDWIDE – It would appear that, having been blamed for the original outbreak of C0vid-19, China is now widely considered as responsible for at least moderating the detrimental effects of the pandemic on the tanker shipping sector.

Implementation Period Needed say Some as Truck Carrier Thanks Negotiators

UK – EUROPE – So, at the last minute a deal, of sorts, was agreed between the European Union and the UK government, but after four years of squabbling, point scoring, Gallic shrugs and scornful stiff upper lips, what does it all actually mean?

What You May Have Missed Whilst Out Christmas Shopping

UK – Menzies Distribution has announced the acquisition of logistics and supply chain services business Bibby Distribution from the 213-year old, family owned Bibby Line Group. The deal sees the addition of 38 new operating sites and a large, young fleet to the Menzies' portfolio.

Make Security Your Number One Resolution

US – WORLDWIDE – Every company in the supply chain should consider one New Year's resolution for 2021, an overhaul of their cyber attack insurance and protocols against such intrusions.

Covid Stretches into the Frozen Wastes

ANTARCTICA – An outbreak of Covid infections at a Chilean research base, forcing the costly and challenging air evacuation of 36 people from Antarctica, has encouraged the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to reinforce its message regarding the use of foreign seafarers.

A Study of What Will Happen from 1 January 2021

UK – EUROPE – This week saw a very interesting look at the realities of life after Brexit for British maritime interests compiled by Jesús Barbadillo, María Cózar and Verónica Saavedra Lobato working for one of the Spanish offices of international law firm Garrigues.

Latvia Hub Opens Up Mongolian Market

MONGOLIA – Kerry Logistics has, via its Globalink Riga Consolidation Hub, launched new multimodal transport products to the landlocked country. The latest products cover road-rail and sea-rail multimodal freight for dry and temperature-controlled cargoes between North America, Europe and Mongolia via the Freeport of Riga, Latvia in the Baltics.

MSC Stumps Up as Mission Seeks Aid for Sustainable Crew Assistance

UK – WORLDWIDE – The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was first in the queue to get the ball rolling in the latest fundraising drive from the Mission to Seafarers which aims to provide a Crew Welfare sustainability programme to ensure that support continues for seafarers as the trials of pandemic continue.

In House Handling of Local Container Freight

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Maersk, which has called there regularly since 1968, is to switch services from Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP) located in the centre of Copenhagen, to a new container operation at Kalundborg as of March 2021.

Countries Queue Up to Close Borders as New Strain Virus Announced

UK – So far twenty one countries have imposed travel restrictions with varying conditions from the UK due to the latest, and more virulent strain of Covid-19. With hospital admissions in the country rising from 24% to over 50% in the past few days the embargo has meant queues of export trailers forming on the approach to ports, particularly to the Kent ports, including Dover.

News You Might Have Overlooked

UK – Road Haulage Association (RHA) chief executive Richard Burnett has written to Under Secretary of State for Transport, Rachel Maclean MP to decry the announcement from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Kent Country Council (KCC) that HGV drivers are to be temporarily banned from taking rest periods apart from their 45-minute break in seven Kent boroughs.

Concerns that Trucks are Gaining Unwarranted Environmental Support

EUROPE – Prior to today's expected adoption of the European Council's first reading position on Eurovignette Directive reform, the European rail freight sector has significant concerns about the Council position, as it runs contrary to the shared climate and transport policy objectives of the Member States themselves. Eurovignettes, whilst not mandatory, allow States to charge road haulage outfits for driving in their territories.

Future Proofing Bulk Shipping Over Three Decades

NORWAY – SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Two big hitters from the maritime world have linked arms on a new project with the aim of develop a new generation of future proof tanker designs. The plan was announced by classification society DNV GL and the world's largest shipyard, the HHI Group, at a recent webinar.

However Passenger Ferry and Cruise Business Stagnates

SPAIN – Despite the ravages of the virus, freight movements blossomed in Mediterranean Valenciaport in November with 485,382 TEUs moved by the port cranes, a figure exceeding the same period in the previous year by 20.5%, a month unaffected by Covid-19.

However Potential Corruption Will Need Serious Attention

KUWAIT – The Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA), a state run operation charged with managing the Ports of Shuwaikh, Doha and Shuaiba for the past forty three years, has recently confirmed that twelve infrastructure projects are in progress under the auspices of the country's development plan 'Kuwait Vision 2035 New Kuwait'.

Hundreds of Thousands Still Stranded by Covid-19 Travel Restrictions

WORLDWIDE – Despite all the promises, plans, plaudits and well-meaning intentions of governments and companies alike, the situation regarding the repatriation of seafarers' during the current crisis leaves much still needing to be actually done, rather than discussed. Now a landmark ruling from the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Committee of Experts has sent a strong message to governments that they have failed in their duty of care towards seafarers under international law during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Use of AI Technology May Help Speed Up Process

UK – WORLDWIDE – It will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever been involved in one, that an online survey last month revealed 44% of managers involved in maritime insurance claims say the biggest challenge they face is the claims process itself taking too long, indeed one might even expect the figure to be higher.

Reports of Shipping Lines Refusing Goods as Ocean Supply Chain Struggles

US – Two Commissioners from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) have written to the World Shipping Council to express their concern regarding reports they have received that certain ocean carriers are refusing to accept export goods from the United States.

Inspection Facilities to Come On Stream by July 2021

UK – Port management group Forth Ports was celebrating today the UK Government funding announcement in support of new and enlarged border infrastructure at the group's key import/export hubs, Grangemouth, Tilbury and Tilbury2, totalling a £11.7 million tranche of the Port Infrastructure Fund.

First Common Carrier Agreement for Combined Transport Group

INDIA – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – As we have pointed out previously there is an ever increasing trend for some of the largest players in the global freight transport supply chain to extend their influence across more individual sectors, turning organisations which previously might have been independent shipping lines or freight forwarders into a unified supplier of multiple logistics services.

Study of Potential Infrastructure Improvements Prompts Cancel HS2 Call

UK – The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has published its final report on the benefits or otherwise on five packages of rail investment based on the potential options on eight key routes in the North and Midlands. Although principally passenger orientated, the report has implications for the future of freight and intermodal transport by rail.

Objections to What are Seen as Unjustified Surcharges

UK – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – The news that a leading container shipping line is introducing an 'Emergency Space Surcharge' on services from South East India ports to the North Continent, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Red Sea and Latin America, has shippers and freight forwarders incandescent with rage.

Firmer Relationship Assured with Existing Partners

EGYPT – ETHIOPIA – Ceva Logistics says it is continuing its expansion programme in the African market with a pair of joint ventures, one in each country.

Vessels Put On High Alert

SAUDI ARABIA – There can be few more terrifying sounds for the crew of a vessel than that of an unexpected explosion. When the ship on which you are serving is an oil tanker, laden with 60,000 tonnes of gasoline, the stress levels can only be imagined.

Who is Going Where and When in the Transport Sector

WORLDWIDE – The World Shipping Council Board of Directors elected two Co-Chairs of the Board to succeed outgoing Board Chair Ron Widdows. Effective since November 24, the WSC Board will be co-chaired by Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd and Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, serving for an initial two-year term.

The Smaller Headlines You Might Have Missed

UK – This week the Department for Transport (DfT) said that in response to pressures on local and national supply chains, and pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, it has introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers' hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales from 12.01am on 10 December 2020 to 11.59pm on 30 December 2020.

Construction of New Terminal Involves Careful Environmental Management

SWEDEN – The Port of Gothenburg's reputation as the only one in the country able to handle the world's largest container vessels will doubtless be enhanced by the current works being undertaken there.

Union Concerns That Cost Cutting Is Leading to Additional Threats

AUSTRALIA – A spillage during a refuelling operation in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, has led to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) once again calling for vessels operating in Australian waters to have experienced local crew on hand to handle such procedures.

A Look at the Vaccine Cold Chain

BELGIUM – WORLDWIDE – Much has been made of the special conditions required to ensure the efficacy of the vaccines against the Covid-19 virus which are now flooding from laboratories to a plethora of points around the world. The question for logisticians is of course simple. How the Devil do you ensure the pharmaceuticals are maintained at temperatures often far below freezing?

YIFFYA World Title Goes to Asia-Pacific Regional Winner

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and TT Club have announced the 2020 winner of the Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award (YIFFYA). Umair Aamir Sheikh from the Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and Asia-Pacific regional winner, picking up the prestigious title.

Shortfall May Influence the Nature of Road Freight Transport

UK – EUROPE – As the week ends so the pace of negotiations for Britain's exit from the EU begin to move with a little more pace. Sunday 13 December has been named as the new 'deadline day', the latest of several it seems. At least this week there was news for UK road haulage operators, although not necessarily good.

Swedish Ferry Operator Cleaning Up in Europe

EUROPE – One of Europe's biggest ferry operators, Stena Line has taken another step in cleaning up its operations while in port. The company has inaugurated a new shore power facility in the Port of Kiel, Germany that will allow the vessels that Stena operates there to draw their power directly from the shore instead of keeping their engines running whilst docked.

Development is Integral to Managing UAEs Covid Vaccination Program

UAE – Healthcare procurement company Rafed and Abu Dhabi Ports have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly launch the largest healthcare and medical supplies cold store distribution centre in the UAE. According to the partners, it will be the most technologically advanced logistics centre in the country once fully online.

State Action Needed Now on Jobs Massacre

UK – The head of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has blasted a report issued by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), stating that it 'is a profound insult'.

Difficulties Recruiting Suitable Experts

UK – WORLDWIDE – The use of apps and mobile technology have made huge changes in the way logistics companies operate, especially in the picking and delivery sections of the industry. However, despite the importance of this new methodology almost three-quarters of transport and logistics firms lack the ability to develop mobile apps in-house.

Crisis in Rival Heavy Lift Cargo Fleet Leads to Decision

UKRAINE – A surge in requirement for heavy airlift capacity has led Antonov Airlines to put its titanic AN-225 Mriya into commercial operation. With a 250-tonne freight capacity, the AN-225 is the largest flying aircraft in the world.

October Freight Figures Released

WORLDWIDE – Figures released this week from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show the recovery for global air freight markets is slower in terms of air cargo demand than the previous month and yearly levels.

Data Gathered Critical in Assisting Environmental Efforts

WORLDWIDE – A new app has been launched which mariners are requested to use to help collect information on maritime pollution and build comprehensive maps designed to inform and empower government and NGO environmental efforts.

Roll Out Will Mean Easier Crew Changes for Seafarers

UK – WORLDWIDE – With most of the world looking anxiously on for more good news of readily available vaccines for the Covid-19 pandemic, Sophia Bullard, Crew Welfare Director at the UK P&I Club took the opportunity to reflect on what a potential successful roll out would mean for the shipping sector, whilst also calling for more gender diversity at sea.

Who is Heading Where in Logistics

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced changes to its leadership with Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO stepping down from his role at the Association effective March 31, 2021.

Don't Miss Out on These Snippets of Industry News

UK – Lloyd's Register (LR) has reached an agreement to acquire Navico Group's C-MAP commercial marine business, which supplies commercial marine cartography and digital publications, shore-side and shipside voyage optimisation, cloud-based fleet management and fleet analytics software.

Not Some Random Hack as Unspecified National Intelligence Service Suspected of Responsibility

WORLDWIDE – An unknown (or unnamed) nation state has been conducting a sophisticated phishing attack targeting companies involved in the cold supply chain for distributing supplies of the coronavirus vaccines.

Relationship Problems and Mental Stress Also Addressed

UK – The charity Seafarers UK has launched the UK Maritime Anchor Fund to support working age UK National merchant seafarers, impacted by Covid-19. The fund, created with key delivery partner charities, aims to provide an end-to-end package of support for seafarers experiencing financial hardship due to Covid-19 related loss of work or disruption of employment opportunities.

BIMCO States EU Rules Still Not Meeting the Mark

EUROPE – The world's largest international shipping association, BIMCO, has issued an updated report which considers the EU's failure to properly deal with the problem of scrapping old ships at the end of their service lives.

Separation of Group but Green Drive Continues

US – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – The board of directors of XPO Logistics Inc has unanimously voted through a plan to spin-off of 100% of its logistics segment as a separate publicly traded company. Meanwhile in Europe the company has taken on another large tranche of liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered trucks for its French fleet of HGVs.

Will the 'Landbridge' Continue to Link Ireland and Europe?

IRELAND – With the looming deadline of Brexit on December 31, shipping lines serving the country are wondering what the future holds in terms of routes for traffic between the Emerald Isle and continental Europe. Traditionally this has run via road over the 'landbridge', with Irish and European trucks crossing via mainland Britain, transiting by road (often with deliveries/pickups on route) and then passing from one of the British ports to their destination.

Yet More False Oil Discharge Incidents See Crew Banned from America

US – Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), a Singapore-based company that owns subsidiaries engaged in international shipping, has been sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, obstruction of justice, and for a failure to notify the US Coast Guard of a hazardous condition on the MV Pac Antares. In other words yet another in a litany of Magic Pipe and similar incidents.

Annual Event Will be a Virtual Celebration

UK – There will be heartfelt digital sobs from many quarters of the British freight forwarding community as the event many look forward to as their one chance every year of a really fine square meal will, as with so many other awards, conferences and social events, be a virtual ceremony this time round.

Report Sets Out Preferred Way to Reduce Emissions Whilst Protecting Businesses

UK – The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Road Freight and Logistics has recommended that the Government pauses the rollout of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) whilst it undertakes a review to consider if they are still required given the efforts by truck and car makers to minimise emissions.

Calls for All Women and Men to Fill in Survey

WORLDWIDE – The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has launched a survey to try and understand the current gender balance in search and rescue (SAR) organisations around the world. The NGO is asking members of the industry, whether paid professionals or volunteers, national, regional or local, to provide details so they can better understand the issue.