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Materials Handling Sector Comes Together to Celebrate

UK – All eyes this week were firmly fixed on that most glittering of award ceremonies. No, not the Oscars but the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) Awards 2016, held once again at the International Centre in Shropshire and hosted this time by the ever entertaining Gyles Brandreth. The event is keenly awaited by many in the materials handling industry, if not to win one of the eleven possible categories then at least to enjoy a reliably good night out.

Change in Legislation Could Prove Expensive for Road Freight Hauliers

UK – Road freight operators who work in London have very little time left to respond to a Transport for London (TfL) consultation which considers making extra vision panels in truck doors a mandatory requirement. If imposed it could mean a requirement to retrofit lorries or risk prosecution and the Road Haulage Association (RHA), amongst others, is appealing for as many truckers to respond to the consultation.

These Days Freight and Logistics are Not the Only Concern

NORWAY – These days signing a ships agency agreement involves more than the mundane matters of freight and logistics as illustrated by the new cooperative deal worked out by GAC and the Scandinavian arm of the world’s third largest container shipping company CMA CGM. The agreement between the two covers agency, husbandry and NOx reporting at the Port of Oslo.

What is Happening and Who To This Week in the Appointments Field

UK – DUBAI – Major changes at the top of DP World’s UK container ports leads this week's round-up of staff movements in the freight and logistics sector. DP World London Gateway’s Chief Executive Officer Simon Moore, is going to relocate to the company’s corporate headquarters in Dubai to take on a new role as Senior Vice President of Commercial and Strategy, effective April 1. Moore has led the London Gateway since 2006, through the development phases to its stage as the UK's newest deep water port. General Manager at the London Gateway Port, Cameron Thorpe is to succeed Moore as CEO.

Underwater Restaurant Heads for the Maldives

NEW ZEALAND – MALDIVES – As usual possibly the weeks most interesting trade story tells of another project freight forwarding movement concerning a most unusual cargo. Last week it was dozens of priceless thoroughbred horses, this time it’s the world’s largest underwater restaurant!

From Pollution to Tsunamis - Keys Can Lie Under the Waves

MONACO – A conference to be held in Monaco in June, on the future of ocean floor mapping, will examine the ever-increasing pressures on the oceans of the world, the largest living space on Earth and perhaps its most precious resource, and seek solutions on how to address present and future challenges. The Forum for Future Ocean Floor Mapping will bring together senior representatives, scientists and scholars from major ocean-related and international organisations, to discuss the importance of understanding the shape of the ocean floor in order to address critical issues such as marine pollution and degradation, ocean warming, acidification and the impact of global climate change.

Celebrations as Box Terminal Greets UASC Vessel

SAUDI ARABIA – Celebrations today as what container shipping line the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) described as ‘the world’s greenest ultra-large container vessel’ the 18,800 TEU MV Al Nefud made her maiden call into the Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) at Jeddah Islamic Port. The vessel is the sixth ship of this size which the company has taken into its fleet. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Nabeel Al-Amudi, President of the Saudi Ports Authority and Chairman of UASC, said:

Lloyd's Register and UK P&I Club Release 6th in Series

UK – WORLDWIDE - Lloyd's Register (LR) and the UK P&I Club have released a Life-Saving Appliances pocket checklist app to help ensure that merchant ship personnel, or indeed any sea going crew tasked with safety matters, are trained in how to inspect, maintain and operate life-saving equipment, and that equipment is ready for use at all times. The app also includes a list of common deficiencies to help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and help reduce the risk of port state control detentions.

New ICAO Safety Measure Sees Prohibition as Cargo on Passenger Flights

WORLDWIDE – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Governing Council has adopted a new aviation safety measure prohibiting, on an interim basis, all shipments of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft. The prohibition of lithium-ion cargo shipments on passenger aircraft has been eagerly awaited by industry associations, with long-time advocates, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), welcoming the move to mitigate what it has previously called the ‘most pressing hazmat safety issue’ in the aviation community. Regular readers will remember the associations made previously between fires on board freight aircraft carrying lithium batteries.

Iconic London Building Development Was Proving a Problem for Vehicles

UK – Transport for London (TfL) has introduced long-term, congestion easing measures to relieve traffic obstructions and illegal stopping around The Shard development. In collaboration with the London Bridge Working Group, new vehicle holding areas have been created on Great Dover Street and St Thomas Street to allow freight and construction vehicles to park and wait until they have clear access to the buildings or sites they require access to.

Plans to Develop the Single Sex Sector

UK – It might almost be un-PC to establish a single sex division within an organisation these days but, given the prevalence of men which still exists in much of the transport industry one can forgive the Road Haulage Association (RHA) its latest venture, ‘She’s RHA’, which saw a healthy turnout of 71 guests at its launch and inaugural meeting. She’s RHA will now feature at RHA and logistics industry events throughout the year, including the Spring Conference in Windermere in March, the Commercial Vehicle Show, the Microlise Conference and the RHA’s own Compliance Conference.

And Business is Booming for Boeing

CHINA – When a car outlives its usefulness one cannot change it into a van, however when a passenger jet becomes a little ‘tired’ the option to convert to a freight carrier is one which is seized upon with alacrity, as Boeing’s order book in China amply demonstrates. The workhorse Boeing 737 represents the ideal tool for a cargo carrying airline and the company currently has orders and commitments for up to 55 conversions from seven Chinese based customers. Stan Deal, senior vice president, Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, explains the popularity thus:

EC to Study Box Carriers Traditional Practices as Lines Commit to Change (or else.....)

EUROPE – The European Commission is inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by fifteen container line shipping companies to address concerns relating to concerted practices. The Commission has concerns that box freight companies' practice of publishing their future price increase intentions may harm competition and customers by raising prices for their services to and from Europe, in breach of EU antitrust rules.

Consultations Continue as Auckland Discusses Options

NEW ZEALAND – Following a proposal last year to partially automate its container terminal operations, the Ports of Auckland (POAL) has now moved on to the second round of consultation with staff and unions, seeking feedback on its plan to use robotic straddle carriers in the loading and unloading of trucks and moving containers around the terminal, in response to continued freight growth at the country's largest container port.

Tachograph Offences Can Strip Offenders of Livelihood

UK – Despite the constant revision of the rules there are still road haulage operators, and their staff, who fail to recognise the seriousness of straying from the path of righteousness as far as the UK’s Traffic Commissioners are concerned. Last month the Senior Traffic Commissioner, Beverley Bell, published a comprehensive set of statutory directions to assist those concerned to stay on the right side of the authorities, details of which we published at the time. These guidelines cover all the responsibilities and obligations that both haulage companies, directors, transport managers and drivers have, to ensure their operations are conducted with nothing more hazardous to others than the everyday risks associated with the provision of HGV services.

After a Fishing Fleet Order Heavy Duty Tugs are Also in the Order Book

NORWAY – CHINA – UAE – Tugs are the pit ponies of the maritime trade and Norwegian based Optimarin continues to diversify in its range of customers with the latest order for its ballast water treatment systems to be installed into nine anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels instead of the usual container ships or, as recently, a ten unit order from Atlantis Tankers or even the firm’s first foray into the fishing sector, with US group Fisherman’s Finest trawler fleet.

More Shipping Groups Roll Over After Federal Maritime Commission Investigations

US – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has recovered a total of $520,000 in civil penalties after completing several compromise agreements with various ocean freight companies. The agreed penalties resulted from investigations conducted by the Commission’s Area Representatives from around the country and the parties involved, namely four ocean transportation intermediaries (both non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and freight forwarders) and one other NVOCC. As so often happens with these cases the parties settled and agreed to penalties, but did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act or Commission regulations. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero said:

Drama Surrounds Container Shipping Line and EVA Airways Change

TAIWAN – Drama at the top of one of the world’s largest shipping companies leads this week's freight and logistics staff changes with EVA Airways Chairman Chang Kuo-wei announcing that he is to inherit the position and fortune of his late father, Chang Yung-fa, the Chairman of the Evergreen Group, who passed away last month. It had been expected that Chang Yung-fa was to leave his wealth to his charity foundation but according to Chang Kuo-wei, his father's will named the youngest son to succeed him in the top role, a statement however from the Evergreen Group disputed the claims and denounced Chang Kuo-wei's move to name himself successor and declare the contents of the will as ‘very regrettable’.

Someone Is Unhappy After Antitrust Decision Favours Takeover

BRAZIL – EUROPE – FedEx and TNT have received the first major setback to their planned merger after an ‘unnamed third party’, unsurprisingly believed to be UPS, filed an appeal with Brazil's antitrust authority, Cade, following their recent decision to allow the proposed €4.4 billion acquisition of the Dutch parcel carrier TNT Express by express freight group and US rival, FedEx. Brazil was by no means the first country to give the go-ahead, but by law in Brazil an option to file an appeal for a more in-depth review was exercised, though the news does not seem to worry FedEx and TNT as both expect the deal to close in the first half of 2016.

No Jetlag for the Thoroughbred Herd

HONG KONG – We have stressed before the delicate nature of shipping livestock which, for an average freight forwarder or cargo handler can be a fearful exercise. The pressure is even greater when the livestock in question consists of a veritable herd of some of the world’s most valuable thoroughbred horses, as was the case this week when the 64 competitors for this year’s Longines Masters of Hong Kong arrived.

Transport Scotland Announcement Clears the Way for HGV's

UK – The essential repair works to the Forth Road Bridge are apparently now completed and, according to sources at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Transport Scotland will immediately announce the crossing open to all traffic with effect from 23:00 tomorrow evening, Saturday 20 February. The delays caused to HGVs has meant delays for the road freight carriers who depend on the bridge in a situation which the RHA estimates has cost over £37 million.

DVLA System Suits Harassed Freight Transport Managers

UK – Last month saw the DVLA’s system to enable driving licence checks online take a further step forward as it moved into the ‘beta’ stage. For the uninitiated that’s jargon for ‘Stage B’ having already gone through a process of testing and consultation. The key fact for road haulage operators is that it further simplifies a method to check that any driver working for them, agency or otherwise, has the suitable qualifications and driving record allowable. It should be remembered that Transport Managers are expected to check these details for all freight drivers at regular intervals, usually every 3 months.

Key Stakeholders to Speak on What is to be Done

UK – FRANCE – A forthcoming London conference will hear first-hand from some of the key French stakeholders in the migrant troubles currently plaguing the Northern French ports. Many European freight operators will take a keen interest in what several of the speakers have to say as conditions seem to have improved, and indeed often worsen, of late. At the Pan-European Freight Security And The Migrant Crisis (27-28 April, London), Jean-Marc Puissesseau, President, Port De Calais will evaluate the port's strategy for guaranteeing vehicle and driver safety whilst queuing to get in and out of Calais parking.

New Device Cuts Dangers and Increases Efficiency

US – With the influential Modex exhibition, which concentrates upon innovations in the supply chain, looming up in April one company which believes it has found a logical solution to the problems associated with stacking pallets is using the show to demonstrate its wares. Automation Plus, a Division of CSF Incorporated, like staff at so many freight warehouses, is well aware of the dangers of back strain, particularly when trying to handle heavy wooden pallets, although their product is equally efficient at stacking plastic units.

Fate of the Clyde and Hebrides Lifeline Service to be Decided by May

UK – Decision day draws closer for the choice of which company will run the Clyde and Hebridean Islands RoRo freight and passenger ferry services with the two suitors now permitted to lodge their respective tenders. The choice between the incumbent operator, CalMac Ferries, and the rival bidder, Serco Caledonian Ferries, has led to some extreme bitterness on both the islands and mainland with accusations from unions and others that Serco has a previous history of poor risk management and a litany of failures.

As Relationship Softens America Must Open Up to Imports

US – CUBA – After decades of hostility between the two it seems the possibility of air freight travelling more regularly between the US and Cuba might about to become a reality. The signing of an agreement this week by some of the big guns from both administrations for the re-establishment of scheduled passenger air services between the two countries in the very near future is a further step to normalising relations. Currently most of the restrictions on exports from the US, and the embargo on all imports from Cuba, remain.

Integrated CCTV System Introduced Across Nine Separate Sites

SOUTH AFRICA – In a recent piece we told how the increased threat from terrorists had placed certain mandatory responsibilities on ports across the world to ensure their security measures reached a standard which could be expected to deter criminal action. The article lamented the fact that many were unwilling to pay for the improvements necessary but it seems the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) cannot be included in that group having just funded a state-of-the-art port security system valued at more than $53 million to safeguard its customers, freight and port users, as well as Transnet’s own assets, staff and contractors.

Eurotunnel Plans a Departure Every Seven and a Half Minutes

UK – FRANCE – In a bid to speed more freight vehicles through Eurotunnel has added five new access lanes and a new check-in facility for trucks at its terminal in Folkestone, increasing traffic flow through the terminal up to 300 vehicles per hour. The terminal, and its continental sibling in Coquelles, are both seeing expansion as part of the company’s Terminal 2015 project. Eurotunnel is planning for a 30% + increase in vehicle traffic in the next decade.

Help for Unprepared Shippers to Comply with New SOLAS Regulations

UK – Further to our detailed analysis of the new Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) Regulations which come into force on the 1st July, more of the country’s deep water ports have revealed their plans for assisting shippers in the weighing of containers, a mandatory requirement for all box freight consignments from that date. Lack of a verified container weight document will mean goods cannot be shipped so, after the Port of Felixstowe revealed it will have a system in place for containers arriving unweighed, rival port operator DP World has made a similar declaration.

Regular Round Trip Started This Week

UK – GERMANY – GABON – SOUTH AFRICA – KENYA – This week saw AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), Russia’s largest cargo airline, start its new twice-weekly Boeing 747 freight service to Africa. ABC's new flights will operate every Thursday and Sunday under an ACMI contract with CargoLogicAir (CLA), a sister company also owned by the Volga-Dnepr Group, and using that company’s Air Operator Certificate and flight numbers. The routing will start ex London Stansted (STN) via Frankfurt (FRA) to Libreville (LBV) and onto Johannesburg (JNB), returning to Stansted via Nairobi (NB).

Freight Community Should Sign Up to Consultation Which Closes in March

UK – In a recent story we gave full details of the proposals for the Thames Lower Crossing, a major development in the life of the river as, of all the mass of tunnels and bridges which traverse the waterway, this will be the nearest to the sea and therefore presumably the longest. Now, not only can you have your say on the development, but gain access to a host of information including facts on details ranging from biodiversity and cultural heritage, to traffic modelling and concerns about compulsory purchases. As well as contributing to the consultation and learning the current situation individuals and road haulage operators can receive regular emails giving up to date information.

Leaky Lock Scare Said to be a Thing of the Past

PANAMA – The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) has successfully completed testing on the reinforcements of a section of the third set of locks where cracks had been discovered in August, last year. Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), the consortium responsible for the design and construction of the expansion project, gradually raised the water behind the lock gate to the level in which the seepage was first detected in sill number 3 of the Cocolí locks, following months of repair work which consisted of inserting steel rods into the concrete sills.

Trucks Turned Back at Borders

UKRAINE – RUSSIA – The Ukrainian Government has temporarily blocked Russian road freight transport from entering its territory, in response to Russia’s decision to ban Ukrainian cargo trucks from its borders after Ukrainian nationalists had apparently stopped Russian road haulage operators from reaching Belarus. Relations between the two countries have been strained to say the least following Russia’ annexation of Crimea in 2014, with both countries imposing many restrictions in trade on the other.

DHL Accused of Hazardous Goods Infringements as Global Sale Postulated

US – GERMANY – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed seven civil penalties totalling $455,000 against DHL Express (USA) of Plantation, Florida, for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations, amid rumours that parent company Deutsche Post is looking to offload of the group’s Global Forwarding division, with Japan Post considered by some as a likely purchaser.

Who has Moved Where Within the Industry

WORLDWIDE – UK – Starting things off a little differently in this week’s staff changes in the freight and logistics industry with the Lloyds Register Foundation looking for a Director and a host institution for a programme to build resilience within and between critical global infrastructure sectors, including maritime, transport, water, and healthcare, among others. The foundation anticipates committing £10 million to the international programme which will run for an initial period of five years.

Log In and Say Goodbye to Your Bank Details!

UK – The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning the public of scam emails asking to find attached a receipt from the Fixed Penalty Office. The DVSA never sends fixed penalty notices to customers by email and strongly advises anyone receiving any of these emails to delete it without opening the attachment and forward to its phishing report address.

Report Says Strange Behaviour Needs Investigation

EUROPE – NORTH AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – With the terrible events across North Africa and the Middle East proving an ongoing headache there has been a call for the Portuguese based Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) (MAOC-N) to be given an expanded brief to also investigate and intercept merchant vessels suspected of terrorist related activity. The unit was established nine years ago to deal with the trafficking of narcotics by sea and staffed by experts from seven EU countries and the US.

Volvo Announces Increases Sales and Trials New Overtaking Safety System

NORTH AMERICA – Having only last month announced that its truck division was to split into four separate named units including Mack and Renault, Volvo Trucks North America has this month posted record results achieving all-time highs in 2015 for the US, Canada and NAFTA Class 8 retail sales. The company’s US retail market share was a record 12.4% in 2015, 0.4% better than the previous year. The trucks, popular with many road haulage freight operators sold in big numbers, 30,930 in the US and 4,884 in Canada, up 1% to 16.3% of the market.

Punishment in This Case Keeps Rolling on Even After a Decade of Litigation

US – WORLDWIDE – Air China has entered in to a settlement agreement in the large multidistrict antitrust class action against air freight carriers in New York. Subject to Court approval, the Chinese airline along with its cargo carrying subsidiary, Air China Cargo, has agreed to pay $50 million to settle claims that they colluded with several competitors to fix inflated surcharges on air freight shipments to and from the US and worldwide.

Exporters and Agents - This Means You - and This Means NOW

UK – WORLDWIDE – There are only five months to go before the mandatory changes instituted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) come into force. The amendments need to be clearly understood by freight forwarders and ocean shippers alike to ensure cargo is accepted for shipment. From 1 July 2016 it will be a violation of SOLAS regulations to load a packed container onto a vessel if the Vessel Operator and Marine Terminal Operator do not have a verified container weight declaration.

TNT Sheds Carriers to Comply with EU Regulations

NETHERLANDS – IRELAND – SPAIN – BELGIUM – Express freight and parcel carrier TNT Express, has signed an agreement to sell its airline operations TNT Airways and Pan Air Líneas Aéreas to Dublin headquartered ASL Aviation Group, conditional on the completion of FedEx’s intended acquisition of TNT, which is expected in the first half of 2016 with the two companies waiting on approval from China. TNT says that the change of ownership and control of the two cargo airline operations will ensure continuity of service delivery as well as compliance with EU airline ownership and control rules.

German Shipping Line Report Highlights Increasing Risks

GERMANY – CHINA – WORLDWIDE – Freight carrying giant Hapag-Lloyd has registered a 65% increase in the number of incorrectly declared dangerous goods last year, compared to 2014. Dangerous goods that are declared imprecisely, incorrectly or not at all have the potential to pose a major risk to crews, ships, other cargo and the environment. The release of this information from the German container shipping line coincides with the release of China's official report into the massive chemical explosion at a logistics warehouse in Tianjin in August last year, which killed 165 people and injured 798.

'Superhighway' Safety for Cyclists May Come at a Cost for HGVs

UK – Road haulage operators which have any cause to ever have any of their fleet move through London should seriously think about responding to TfL’s latest series of consultations which began today (February 8) and will only run until March 20. The task is made difficult in that the new ‘Cycle Superhighway’ which the Mayor of London has proposed, is split into several geographical sections, each requiring an individual response. The scheme has prompted an immediate reaction from the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

Changes to Service Schedule Mean Added Opportunities for Transhipment Cargo

EUROPE – FRENCH WEST INDIES – French container line CMA CGM has announced imminent changes to its PCRF line service which links Northern Europe with the French West Indies, by adding two new calls at Zeebrugge and Rotterdam and increasing freight capacity on the route. The company says this will mean customers will benefit from the enhanced import and export cargo opportunities.

Police Take Natural Selection Into the Robot World

NETHERLANDS – UK – WORLDWIDE – Although as an unbiased news source we try to keep things as objective as possible sometimes a personal view, hopefully fuelled by common sense, bleeds through. A review of articles we have published on the use of drones as a freight delivery system will clearly indicate that in our opinion, as far as an everyday thing is concerned, this one is right up there with airships moored in New York and transhipment of all goods bound for city centres being carried on ‘cargocycles’. The latest tactic to ensure the demise of the drone as a delivery system has however a touch of the Flash Gordon or Lord of the Rings about it – Drones vs Eagles.

New CEO Announces Port Handing Figures

DUBAI – WORLDWIDE – Just a few weeks since the departure of long term CEO Mohammed Sharaf, DP World has both installed Group Chairman His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem to the dual role, and announced it handled 61.7 million TEU during 2015, gross container volumes growing by 3.0% on reported basis and 2.4% on a like-for-like basis. The rise in twenty foot equivalent freight units was spurred mainly by increased throughput in Europe and the UAE, with the UK’s latest deep water port at London Gateway playing its part.

Two Class Registers Cooperate

RUSSIA – NORWAY – Polar Code class cargo vessels and ships utilising LNG or other gas powered fuel systems were on the agenda when DNV GL’s Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen recently met with Konstantin Palnikov, Director General of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), to sign a bilateral framework agreement for a cooperation between both class societies, which sets out the general procedure for delegating authority when dual classifying ships.

This Week Sees Departures and Arrivals Throughout the Supply Chain

ISRAEL – Changes of staff in the world of logistics start this week with the news that ocean container group Zim integrated Shipping Services has made several changes to its organisational structure to strengthen three major business units. Effective March 1, Nissim Yochai, currently Managing Global Sales, is appointed Vice President of the Pacific Unit; Danny Hoffman, now Managing Asia-Pacific Area, is appointed Vice President of the Intra-Asia Unit; and Rani Ben-Yehuda, now managing Israel and the Near East Area, is appointed Vice President of the Cross Suez-Atlantic Unit. They will all report directly to Zim’s President and CEO, Rafi Danieli, who recently announced his resignation.

Working Party to Explore Opportunities in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta

HONG KONG – CHINA – Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL) the largest air freight handling group in the territory, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) via its business development arm, HACTL Development Holdings Ltd (HDHL), with another locally registered group, Chu Kong Shipping Enterprises (CKS), with a view to explore the joint development of logistics links and infrastructure in and around Hong Kong International Airport and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in support of the air cargo sector. CKS and Hactl, via logistics subsidiary, Hacis, have a long history of cooperation as former partners in Hong Kong’s Marine Cargo Terminal.

Brazilian Authorities Give Services Merger the Go Ahead

BRAZIL – EUROPE – Brazilian anti-competition authority Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) has given an unconditional approval for the proposed €4.4 billion acquisition of the Dutch parcel carrier TNT Express by express freight group and US rival, FedEx Corporation. David Bronczek, President and CEO, FedEx Express, said:

Revised Opening Schedule Causes Call for Compensation and Further Revision of HGV Drivers Hours

UK – Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) will be given limited access to the Forth Road Bridge starting the night of February 4. Currently, the crossing has been off limits for lorries whilst repairs are underway following the discovery of a fault in December within the truss structure. Traffic Scotland believes that relaxing the HGV restrictions during the night, when traffic volumes are lighter should help to mitigate the impact of this recent closure, without causing over-stressing of the structure. Freight transport and road haulage representatives opinions differ somewhat.

Gantry and Ship to Shore Units Booked by Diverse Operators

FINLAND – US – CANADA – MEXICO – SPAIN – Now the dust has settled, a flurry of orders from freight operations received throughout December have meant a profitable finish to the old year for the Hyvinkää headquartered crane maker Konecranes, which last year agreed to merge with US based materials handling group Terex. Four substantial orders from ports and container terminals for both rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and Ship to Shore (STS) units have all been confirmed.

Church and Mosque Destroyed Whilst Incident Report Line Goes Multilingual

FRANCE – UK – With moves by the French police to create a ‘neutral zone’ between the Jungle migrant camp at Calais and the motorway in a bid to hamper the continuing attacks on freight trucks, this week saw the authorities demolish at least one church and a mosque, both constructed to serve the residents. Our photo, courtesy of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), one of whose members took the shot, shows the conditions facing freight truck drivers approaching the port, with smoke from the fires blocking out visibility dependent on the wind direction.

FTA everywoman Awards Nominations Close Soon

UK – The chance for those of the fairer sex to grab one of this year’s FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards is still on the cards but nominations have to be in by the extended deadline – Monday 8 February. Applications from women in every link of the supply chain are invited to put themselves forward for a chance to gain the approbation of their peers in the freight industry. This is the ninth year of this prestigious programme, which celebrates the women who really stand out, whether they are warehouse managers, train or lorry drivers, senior directors, or school-leavers just setting out on their path to career success.

Listing Vessel Headed for Port

FRANCE – A stricken cargo ship that has for the past week been slowly drifting towards the French coast, is now successfully under tow, following previous failed attempts. The 10,000 tonne Modern Express was on her way from Gabon to Le Havre, France when she lost her engines in a heavy storm early last week, off the northern Spanish coast and 200 miles off the French south-western coast in the Bay of Biscay. Her crew of 22 were safely evacuated on January 26th as she began listing at 40 degrees after her cargo of timber and machinery shifted in heavy seas.

Drive to Electrify the City's Cargo Infrastructure and Increase Safety for Cyclists

UK – Transport for London has launched a new industry-led initiative to reduce the emissions from freight and fleet operators’ vehicles in and around London. Dubbed LoCITY, the five-year programme is set to work across the road haulage industry to increase the availability and uptake of low emission vans and lorries, and will also attempt to demonstrate, through research and real world trials, that using the cleaner vehicles will not negatively impact operations.

British Carrier Awarded Air Operator Certificate

UK – EUROPE – A new player in the European air cargo market has been announced with the news that a British freight only carrier, CargoLogicAir (CLA), has been awarded an Air Operator Certificate by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Aiming at the continental air cargo market the airline plans to offer services on both scheduled and charter flights, with efforts also directed at the oversize logistics sector.

New Licence and Investment Sees Auto Contract Agreed

UK – EUROPE – In a tangible effort to revive the fortunes of the Kentish Port of Ramsgate both Thanet District Council and logistics group Gefco say they have made sizeable investments to reinvigorate facilities there. The result is a new partnership which sees the two proceed with a plan to import and store cars at the port prior to onward distribution around the UK. Ramsgate has been tarnished by the row over live animal exports in the past, a trade currently suspended from there but continuing through nearby Dover.

Rationalisation Will Affect Forwarding and Trucking Employees Alike

US – Almost inevitably the takeover of major player in the fields of Less than Trailer Load (LTL) and road freight, the giant Con-way Inc, by XPO Logistics, which we reported last year, has now led to a raft of redundancies at the carrier as the new owners get down to ‘rationalising’ operations. All Con-way functioning departments, including the Multimodal Division and the freight forwarding arm Menlo, are now integrated into the parent company and bear its identity. Tony Brooks, president of LTL for XPO Logistics, said: