Shipping Search - Archive

Some Christmas Period Staff Change Announcements

UK – Richard Burnett, CEO of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) will vacate the position on 31 December after his installation in the role in 2014 when he first joined the organisation from Samworth Brothers Supply Chain after working at Wincanton previously. In a statement he said:

Cyber Security - Help is at Hand

UK – They may read like characters from Lord of the Rings but there is nothing whatsoever entertaining about the hackers and trolls referred to in modern corporate literature. In an attempt to better educate businesses about the best ways to defend against cyber criminals, the government has produced a set of simple processes which it recommends all computer users follow.

Notices of News From Around the Globe This Week

NORWAY – US – WORLDWIDE – Digital learning and human capital management software provider Mintra extended its maritime-specific elearning library earlier this year and has now formed a partnership with shore side and on board medical management outfit Future Care, an international SOS company. Mintra is a provider of safety-critical elearning and crew management software while Future Care provides tele-medical support to thousands of vessels that operate without an on board physician.

Enclosed Spaces Continue to be Principal Killer

WORLDWIDE – Some years ago InterManager, an outfit dedicated to promoting careers in seafaring and representing the views and requirements of all companies involved in the management and crewing of vessels globally, held a survey on the scourge of enclosed space deaths at sea.

In the Interests of All as Union Figures Show Danger Levels Increasing

UK – Warehouse work can be dangerous, as every self-respecting logistics operator with their own terminal will know. It seems the GMB union however is convinced that those distribution facilities run by Amazon are unnecessarily hazardous, and has produced some statistics it says backs this up.

Latest Port Report Contains More Than the Usual Statistics

SWEDEN – The Port of Gothenburg had more to report this month than the usual columns of figures for traffic of various kinds which had passed through. For once record breaking container volumes were not the lead story.

End to End logistics is the Target of the Big Boys

DENMARK – HONG KONG – And so it continues. The determination of the big container shipping lines to extend their influence along the supply chain and up to the end customer's front door took yet another step this week as A P Moller Maersk acquired 100% of Hong Kong based L F Logistics.

As in War for Good or Bad it is Adapt or Die (So That is What We Will Do)

UK – WORLDWIDE – It's not called the supply chain without reason. Supplying and moving goods safely and securely from producer to consignee requires each link to be able to connect to both ends, taking over the freight and passing it on, and this applies for all cargo, from a postcard to an industrial piece weighing thousands of tonnes.

Dedicated New Design Vessels Will Be Required to Transport Waste Gases

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Climate change has accelerated the process whereby different sectors of business are coming together to both fight off the problem whilst hopefully making a profit in doing so. This upsurge in joint industry projects (JIPs) has led to a cooperation between some giants of their own fields to work together in a project just announced.

Data Stolen - Servers Forced to Shut Down - Supply Chain Providers are a Juicy Target

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – One can but only feel sympathy for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics which has been struggling with what appears to be the latest cyber attack on a major supply chain player.

Senior Changes Amongst the Industry Players

US – A veteran Port of Oakland project administrator has been given a key role in planning the Port's maritime future. The Port has appointed Jason Garben Project Management Services Manager in its Maritime Division. Mr Garben joined the Port in 2017 as a Senior Maritime Project Administrator. Before that, he worked as Development Services Director for the city of Suisun.

Some Informative Snippets in Short Form

NORWAY – The rapidly rising rate of infections in the country have contributed to the decision to postpone the upcoming exhibition and event programme at the Nor-Shipping event scheduled to take place from 10 - 13 January. The event normally gathers up to 50,000 international decision makers in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, with around 900 exhibiting companies.

Free Assessment Available to Members to Hopefully Lighten the Burden

UK – Like most businesses. Those in the warehousing and logistics sector tend to put on the blinkers when the word tax is mentioned. With a bevy of various duties and charges ranging across a multitude of areas, from VAT to Capital Gains, Corporation Tax to import levies, the subject tends to simply get passed over to a book keeper or accountant while the management get on with the business at hand.

Concerted Effort Brings Together Specialists in Related Fields

UK – Bold claims are being made by the latest partner to the CELERITAS project, which is focused on the production of high power electrical cells coupled with rapid charging technology. A new initiative being launched this week is expected to almost half the charge times on electric vehicles from 22 minutes to 12 minutes.

Fourteen Trains per Week to Run from Now On

UK – Tesco is increasing its use of rail freight as part of its efforts to meet its commitment to net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035. Over the past year alone the supermarket has increased the number of containers with produce destined for stores transported by rail by nearly 50%.

Assaulted from All Sides Towage Company Asked to Think Again

AUSTRALIA – Regular readers may well have noticed that there has been a long term dispute bubbling down under between tug operator Svitzer, an AP Moller Maersk subsidiary, and its staff affiliated to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) who regularly conduct protests, work stoppages and overtime bans.

Round Trip to Prove Viability of New Generation Heavy Trucks

NETHERLANDS – BELGIUM – A trial shipment to test the viability of all electric heavy duty trucks has just been completed with Berlin headquartered digital freight forwarder sennder partnering with US corporation Cabot to ship a 17+ tonne consignment between Rotterdam and Antwerp.

As in 2011 Group Lays Down a Marker

DENMARK – SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – In August we told how Maersk had decided on how it would source the 'green' methanol which it clearly sees as one of the fuels of the future. Last week the ocean box carrier announced details of the eight 16,000 TEU container ships it will introduce to be powered by the gas.

Death of a Shipping Industry Salesman

UK – This week the biggest rival to the Handy Shipping Guide closed its doors with the news that Lloyd's Loading List is ceasing publication this month. The last printed issue will be published on 27 December and the website is to cease updates from 31 December 2021.

Four Pointed Targets to Digitalise Procedures

UK – EUROPE – In order to solve what it sees as a variety of post-Brexit import and export challenges, DP World is introducing a range of technology products aimed at simplifying and solving possible conundrums for shippers and consignees.

Proposals Put to Competition Authorities

FINLAND – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Two of the biggest names in materials handling, Cargotec which was formed in 2005 from the split up of the Kone Corporation, and Konecranes, which originated in the same stable, are continuing their fight to be allowed to merge.

Youngsters Have the Chance to Get on Board to Upgrade Their Skills

UK – In a year blighted by Covid one might reasonably suspect that any group event dedicated to educating and informing via the normal process of networking with colleagues would be in a depressed state. Fortunately, such is the enthusiasm and drive exhibited by the members and administrators of the British International Freight Association's Young Forwarder Network (YFN) 2021 is ending on a high.

Victors Celebrate Before the Princess Royal

UK – Thursday 9 December 2021 saw Logistics UK hold its annual Awards presentations following a celebratory gala dinner held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London. The evening was held in the presence of the guest of honour, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal.

French Outfit Currently Moving Monthly on New Acquisitions

FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – The determination of container shipping line CMA CGM to permeate every facet of the maritime supply chain continues unabated. Last month the French group extended its terminal handling interests again, this time in Los Angeles, just weeks previously it dipped its toes into eCommerce and in September it was cross Channel ferry trade, and so the list goes on.

Security Ranks High in Current Shipping and Logistics Related Appointments

WORLDWIDE – The recent appointment of Peter Adams, head of maritime security at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to the post of special advisor to the Secretary-General comes at a crucial time. Since the days when pirates and buccaneers roamed the high seas, never has the threat to merchant shipping been greater.

Those Smaller Links from the Supply Chain You May have Missed

CANADA &ndash The first flight of an autonomous air vehicle from Edmonton International Airport has taken place with a Sparrow drone flying to a site in Leduc County, Canada, marking the first time this activity has been approved by NAV Canada, which governs Canada's civil air navigation system. The intention is for operator Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) to undertake carriage of cargo for clients such as Ziing Final Mile and Apple Express.

Port of Middlesbrough Prepares Ship for Linking UK to Denmark

UK – Pictured is the 171 metre long, offshore wind ship Leonardo do Vinci, just after she set a new record as the largest such vessel ever to pass under Middlesbrough's famous Transporter Bridge when en route to the AV Dawson operated port.

Shippers and Carriers Take Opposite Views of New Legislation

US – The passing of HR 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, by the House of Representatives this week, has brought vastly different reactions from those parties most directly affected.

Charity Gathers Funds to Make Christmas a Little More Bearable for Seafarers

UK – WORLDWIDE – Despite the damage caused to many in the transport sector by the pandemic, it seems generosity of spirit lives, as the Mission to Seafarers announced this week it has raised over £465,000 for its ongoing Sustaining Crew Welfare Campaign, thanks to the generosity of donors from across the maritime industry.

First UK Area Announces Local Strategy to Clean Up Emissions

UK – Transport for the North (TfN) has released a Decarbonisation Strategy for the North of England, the first time a regional strategy of this type has been produced, bringing together the region's leaders to speak out with one voice on the climate emergency and how the transport sector must act to address the challenge.

Wet Damage is Most Prevalent Consequence

UK – WORLDWIDE – The dramatic recent weather events will serve to reinforce the latest bulletin from insurance specialists at the TT Club which have pointed out the effects the climatic changes we are currently undergoing are a concern for those managing international supply chains, and for the operators of the transport infrastructure that service them.

From Containers to Tugboats US Logistics Outfit to Target GHGs

NORTH AMERICA – Whilst many trading in the general logistics field have a fairly confined area of expertise, the Florida based Crowley Group infiltrates the supply chain on a variety of different levels, from the warmth of LCL and FCL deep sea operations between the US and Puerto Rico and the Caribbean markets to the delivery of fuel to the frozen wilds of Alaska, or supplying a fleet of tugboats helping load a giant space craft platform bound for Russia.

New Video Available from Insurers to Help Avoid Future Passage Plan Mistakes

UK – WORLDWIDE – With merchant vessels having traded for millennia, and in that time seen shipwrecks, accidents, piracy and all the multiple factors that can lead to injury, loss or otherwise, one might think that there would be no more corners of the law to be explored, every situation already having seen precedents and the ensuing rulings.

HMRC Suggest a Way to Ensure a Trouble Free New Year

UK – As so often with changes to the country's tax regime the major alterations to the way goods are liable to import duty which come into effect on 1st January 2022 as a result of the Brexit agreement, there will be those who have failed to prepare for processes which could have a major impact on their businesses.

Deep Water Strategic Mediterranean Link for Containers and General Cargoes Envisaged

LIBYA – US – After its troubled recent history it seems the North African country is once again starting to attract overseas investment with the news of an agreement to construct a new deep water port 1,000 kilometres from Tripoli, but only 240 north east of Benghazi.

Update Starts with a Gruesome Tale of Suspected Murder

MAURITIUS – A gruesome tale to start this week's run down of news you may have missed as a maritime charity stepped in to hold a prayer service and provide pastoral support to the Filipino crew of a 56,000 dwt Bangladesh flagged bulk carrier after the master was apparently stabbed to death by the ships cook who was taken into custody at Port Louis.

Staff Moves Announced Recently (and Even Some Jobs Available in Belfast)

UK – XPO Logistics has announced the appointment of Dr Nicholas Head to lead the company's environmental and sustainability organisation in the UK and Ireland. He will report to Nigel Rouch, operational excellence director, and Dan Myers, managing director for the region. Dr Head has more than a decade of experience working with organisations of all types to advance environmental goals.

First Flight of Unmanned Drone Unveiling Livestreaming Shortly

UK – BULGARIA – Great claims are being made for an autonomous, airborne drone system we have looked previously. Having signed up two of the biggest names in logistics, DHL and Hellmann earlier this year the unmanned aircraft concerned is due to demonstrate its capabilities in just a few days.

Ceremony Held to Celebrate TEU Record

UK – The Port of Felixstowe reports that it has now passed the 100 million TEU mark in terms of containers handled since moving its first container in the 1960s. Anyone stepping back in time would hardly recognise the port as it stands today. The original box handling terminal, New South Quay, utilised a single Paceco Vickers Portainer crane on its 500 foot long berth.

Materials Handling Suppliers Have Been on the Ball for Decades and the Future Looks Bright

WORLDWIDE – With the desire for green credentials plus the impetus of climate change, and the world of industry moves inexorably to where in many areas, including much of logistics and transport, electricity is king and replacing many traditional forms of fuel, there is one area particularly ripe for the change, that of materials handling.

Pirates Pay the Ultimate Price in Gun Battle - Again

GULF OF GUINEA – There are some dogs which always seem to be the target of others. Often they turn out to be the one animal you just should never mess with if you are a belligerent canine, and that is pretty much the case when pirates come across the frigate Esbern Snare.

International Chamber of Shipping Calls on World Trade Organization for Action

WORLDWIDE – 'Strike while the iron is hot' is a good maxim for the shipping and logistics lobby sectors at the moment with the supply chain showing signs of cracking under the pressure as the Covid pandemic continues to wreak havoc along its multiple, multimodal links.