Shipping Search - Archive

New Agreement Designed to Make Life Simpler for French Interests

FRANCE – UK – Whilst everyone in freight and logistics concerned with the European market is concerned as to the position of RoRo ferry traffic post Brexit, very little has been mentioned regarding the route which handles over one quarter of trade between Britain and the EU, the Channel Tunnel.

Express Group Expands in Spain

SPAIN – Freight forwarder and logistics operation DHL Express has officially opened its new hub at Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport in Madrid. The 14,500 m² building, which includes offices, represents an investment of €93 million and should facilitate the sorting of 24,500 packages per hour and the creation of 200 additional jobs.

Maritime Insurance P&I Club Spells Out the Alternatives

WORLDWIDE – It's not just Brexit that has a deadline drawing ever closer, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has decreed that in just ten months' time, on 1 January 2020, under the auspices of the MARPOL convention that the use of heavy fuel oil in merchant vessels will be outlawed. Now the maritime insurance specialist Shipowners' Club has been looking at the four methods a vessel owner or operator can select from in order to comply with the regulations.

Only One Sixth of Firms That Need EORI Have Signed Up So Far

UK – EUROPE – With just over a month to go before Britain exits the European Union the government has published a report ' Implications for Business and Trade of a No Deal Exit' which makes much of the fact that, despite dire warnings that importers should prepare for this scenario, only around one sixth of companies which should have registered for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) registration number, have actually done so.

Unsolicited Acquisition Bid Seems to Have Sparked Action

SWITZERLAND – Much going on at freight forwarding and logistics outfit Panalpina following on from the unsolicited acquisition bid from Denmark's DSV. That bid was initially refused but a second improved offer was under consideration. Now there has been a call from former owner the Ernst Göhner Foundation (EGF) to implement a One Share-One Vote standard at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to be held prior to the annual general meeting.

Death of 18 Year Old Has Prompted Government Action

UK – The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that it will consult on legislation to ban tyres aged 10 years or over from use on buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles, and mini-buses in a bid to help keep road users safe. This follows a research project, launched by the government last year, to look at whether the age of a tyre has a direct impact on its safety. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Finding Those Inevitable Blue Pallets Could Now Be Made Smarter

UK – Anyone versed in the physical side of the business of moving freight is aware of CHEP, in the unmistakeable form of the ubiquitous blue pallets which can be seen dotted around just about every depot and yard in the country. The necessity to store these separately is ingrained within almost all fork lift truck drivers as the wooden platters remain the possessions of the company from which they are hired.

Quick Turn Round as Port Expands

FINLAND – GREECE – Our normal maritime crane order stories are pitched well into the future as the giant machines are generally so long in production but Finnish group and the Thessaloniki Port Authority have bucked that trend this week with details of the 12 Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers apparently wanted post haste by the Greek container port which the makers say will be ready for acceptance in March 2019.

Successful Trial Leads to Official Launch of TIACA Product

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has officially launched its new online Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) tool following its successful trial involving nearly two hundred air cargo supply chain companies. Oman Aviation Services, SATS Ltd at Singapore's Changi Airport, and Asia Airfreight in Hong Kong are the most recent cargo terminal operators to enlist in the program, which aims to improve visibility and facilitate new air freight global standards. Steven Polmans, TIACA Vice Chair, and Head of Cargo and Logistics at Brussels Airport Company, commented:

As Import Tariff Hike Frozen Major Dispute with China in Africa Simmers

DJIBOUTI – DUBAI – US – CHINA – Whilst President Trump's policies of extending import tariffs on Chinese goods seems to be in a state of flux, he has apparently postponed the 15% hike to 25% on around $200 billion's worth of trade items annually which was due to come into force on March 1, elsewhere relations between the two countries are possibly not so mellow.

Africa's Second Longest River Sees Cargo Capabilities Expanding

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Considering its status as the second longest river in Africa the Congo has been slow to develop as a waterway for major trade. The Banana Roads, at the mouth of the estuary is just eight hours steaming from the Port of Matadi and the 92 mile trip leads to the largest import point for the country and the last position before the river becomes unnavigable to all but the smallest craft due to the rapids which lie upstream. Here freight traffic switches to the Kinshasha railhead for an intermodal journey to the capital.

P&I Club sees Rising Tonnages and Revenue

US – WORLDWIDE – The American Club says it has experienced a very positive outcome to the recently-concluded 2019 P&I renewal season. The Club reports mutual P&I and FD&D (freight, demurrage and defence insurance) business saw increases in both tonnage and revenue, while the Club's fixed premium facility, Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM), recorded a significant rise in year-on-year income. The Club also points out good news on the claims and investment fronts.

Beware Multiple 'Originals' Says BIFA

UK – A year ago this month we wrote an article on the dangers in the use of switch Bills of Lading, the practice in which a request is made to the issuer/carrier (or the carrier's agent) to issue a second set of Bills of Lading in substitution for the original documents issued at the time of shipment. Now freight forwarding agents and logistics representative the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has reiterated the perils of mismanaging the process.

With Eyes Like Superman Big Brother Really Will Be Watching You

NORWAY – Located in the tiny village of Straume, in the west of Bergen, a team from ScanReach has been beavering away for the past few years to create a solution which it believes will mean a major step forward in safety at sea and more. The company says a full reveal of the product will be a highlight of the Nor-Shipping 2019 event in June, but has now published the basic details of a technology which will protect both human life and precious assets carried aboard a variety of vessels.

Whose Career is Going Where Next

SWITZERLAND – Imperial Logistics International has announced a series of appointments, with Juergen Mues named to the post of Chief Operating Officer, effective March 15. Reporting to CEO Hakan Bicil, Mues will assume overall responsibility for all operational aspects of the business. Mues joins Imperial Logistics from SBB (Swiss Railways) Cargo, most recently serving as Head of Production and an Executive Board Member.

From Knife Crime to Satellites - Some Pieces You May Have Missed

SWEDEN – JAPAN – This week's run down of freight and logistics items you may have missed starts with the news that Stena RoRo has purchased the RoPax ferry Yamato from the Japanese shipping company Hankyu Ferry. The vessel will be rebuilt at a shipyard in Europe and be fully adapted to European standards, after which it will be chartered out. This process will begin in spring 2020 and the ferry is estimated to be plying its trade by that summer. The 195 metre long ship was built in 2003 and has 2,350 lane metres. Per Westling, CEO Stena RoRo, said:

FAQs Will Help Beat the Drum Problems

UK – The handling of drums, be they carrying freight or simply necessary items for storing lubricants etc. on site, is one area which can give problems to staff working in environments where they are only an occasional form of packaging passing through. Now Welsh based supplier Contact Attachments has issued a series of FAQ's to guide those who are unsure how to safely move what can be an awkward load, no matter the type of drum or the operations needed.

Better Road Infrastructure and Lower Lorry Emissions on the Agenda

EUROPE – A new deal agreed this week to extend minimum standards for road infrastructure now awaits official approval from both the European Parliament and Member States. The move comes at the same time the European Commission is turning its attention to truck emissions and the safety of vulnerable road users, all things which in their own ways will have major impacts on the road haulage industry.

Berkshire Freight Firm Tasked with Fulfilment of Deliveries and Online Orders

UK – When Rich Energy, a recently launched British premium energy drink also available in the US was launched, the manufacturer's looked to find the best way to promote the high-end product and settled on a number of sponsorship packages. Equally important was the necessity to ensure that its outsourced downstream global supply chain operation was in the hands of a suitably competent logistics operation.

Demerger of Offshore Drilling Subsidiary

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – AP Møller-Mærsk has begun the next phase of its restructuring efforts to focus solely on transport and logistics operations, with the demerger and listing of its offshore drilling activities. The move follows the failure to attract sufficient interest when the group tried to sell subsidiary Maersk Drilling last year.

Antitrust Ruling Forbids Marriage of Siemens and Alstom

EUROPE – Whilst freight interests have welcomed the decision of the European Commission earlier this month to disallow the 2017 proposal to merge the rail assets of Germany's Siemens with France's Alstom, there will doubtless be others considerably more disenchanted with the Competition Authority's antitrust ruling.

From Horses to Cars Deal Means Safer Delivery Options

WORLDWIDE – Russian freight only carrier, AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Jettainer, its international service partner for unit load device (ULD) management, have inked a leasing agreement for the provision of ULDs on short term requirement for the transportation of special cargoes.

RoRo Ferry and Rail Terminals, Bulk Cargoes and Cars Can Mean Tripling Job Totals

UK – Forth Ports has received development consent from the Secretary of State for Transport to build Tilbury2, the new multimillion pound port terminal adjacent to the Port of Tilbury's current 930 acre site in Thurrock, on the outskirts of Greater London. The development, to include the new RoRo terminal which we wrote about some twelve months ago, first lodged the planning application with the Planning Inspectorate in October 2017.

Merchant Vessel Operators Can Now Utilise Airborne Technology

FINLAND – SPAIN – PORTUGAL – WORLDWIDE – So how do you go about measuring the harmful emissions from ships, even if the vessel operator may not want you to? With the soon to be mandatory Sulphur Cap regulations fast approaching the answer lies in drone technology, and now Finnish company Aeromon has announced the launch, literally, of its first commercially available Fuel Sulphur Content measurement solution, a device carried via an aerial fixed wing or rotary drone.

Some of the Largest Freight Handling Equipment in America Will Arrive in 2020

US – CHINA – Towering new cranes are coming to the Port of Oakland to handle the latest generation of megaships as the Port announced that its largest marine terminal would install three 300-foot-tall gantry cranes late next year. The $30 million order, which was submitted last week, will go to Oakland International Container Terminal on Oakland Estuary and the units are expected to be amongst the tallest cranes in the nation. The cranes, which measure a colossal 440 feet tall with booms upraised, will be delivered by ship from China. They have to arrive only partially assembled to assure clearance under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Row Brews Over European Commission Concerns on Marine Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems

WORLDWIDE – The Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020), a group made up of various commercial shipping and passenger ship interests operating over 2,000 vessels and devoted to the furtherance of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, or 'scrubbers', has expressed strong concerns about a proposal submitted by the European Commission (EC) which urges the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to change its guidelines on the technology.

Gothenburg Has Oil, Truck, Container, RoRo, Passenger and Track Capabilities

SWEDEN – Figures published by the Port of Gothenburg, the only deep water port in the country able to take the latest generation of mega container ships, show things are looking up with multimodal capability at the new Arken Combi Terminal seeing traffic switching between road freight, rail track and RoRo ferries. Arken replaced the old Combi Terminal which last year handled 60,000 cargo units to add to the near 400,000 TEU which passed through the port by rail.

Another Chapter in the Life of What Was One of Britain's Oldest Shipping Lines

DUBAI – WORLDWIDE – DP World has continued its expansion into the world of shipping and logistics with confirmation that it has acquired the holding company of P&O Ferries and P&O Ferrymasters (together P&O Ferries) thus moving again away from its traditional territory of global port management.

6 Month Moratorium on Safety and Security Paperwork Introduced

UK – There has been an outbreak of common sense emanating from the offices of HMRC in which the government announced there is to be a six month suspension on the introduction of Safety and Security Declarations for road haulage vehicles arriving post Brexit. The conditions originally imposed a mandatory requirement that any trucks arriving from Europe needed to have a document, separate from the need for customs entries for goods imported, in order to obtain a Movement Reference Number (MRN) from HMRC without which the truck, and any freight carried, could not continue their journey.

Containers May Rival Trailers No Matter the Brexit Outcome

TURKEY – UK – One man's meat is another man's poison as the saying goes and, as we approach the cliff edge or otherwise of Brexit, and shippers, importers and freight forwarders try to ameliorate a no-deal situation if it should arise, certain players in the logistics field can view some of their offerings with more than a little confidence.

Company Targets Online Marketplace

ASIA – Kerry Logistics has announced a new joint venture with E-Services Group (ESG), an international e-commerce company in Asia, to strengthen global e-commerce fulfilment capabilities, especially in the Greater China region. The joint venture, titled Kerry ESG, intends to combine Kerry Logistics' global supply chain capabilities with ESG's technology platform, global marketplace networks, and e-commerce expertise to offer etailers cost-efficient solutions internationally.

New Cooperation on Port Infrastructure and Transport Projects

CHINA – FRANCE – AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – Cosco Shipping Lines and Bolloré Transport & Logistics have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two companies, partners for over 20 years, enhance their commercial relations while exploring new opportunities in working together on transport, logistics and port infrastructure projects.

Who is In and Who is Out Around the Global Jobs Market

WORLDWIDE – The week's shipping staff news starts as GEFCO announces the appointment of five new leaders to strengthen the company’s Freight Forwarding business line worldwide. Valentin Elistratov has been named as the Global Commercial Director. Elistratov bring 25 years of experience in the logistics and freight forwarding industry, and has previously worked for DHL and APL Logistics.

Who and When Will Control Shift to if Panalpina Opts for Change?

SWITZERLAND – Freight forwarding and logistics giant Panalpina is certainly the hub of interest at the moment. Having been hit with a €23.6 million fine from the European Court of Justice just a year ago for cartel activities which also cost similar firms dear, the company was the target for an unsolicited bid from Danish group DSV of 1.58 DSV shares and CHF 55 in cash, equating to CHF 170 per share.

Bits and Pieces You May Have Missed (but Would Like to Know)

UK – We begin the weekly update of the freight and shipping industry's smaller items with the news that the need to accommodate the latest 'big box' 50 foot containers has prompted Malcolm Logistics to collaborate with trailer builder SDC and produce a skeletal unit able to carry fit two 20 foot containers as well as 40, 45 and the 50 foot long boxes. Malcolm has taken 28 of the units so far which are fitted with a rear self-steering axle and a soft docking facility to ensure no damage when positioning.

Accusations That Raid Took Too Much Cash

VIETNAM – A robbery from the offices of the highway toll collectors at the busy Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway in southern Vietnam last week has sparked a corruption investigation according to local press sources. The thieves pounced on the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) tolling station and reportedly left with $94,500 in cash. This rang alarm bells as this was allegedly just the morning's takings, yet the whole previous day had only yielded around $43,000.

Motor Racing Event Will Travel the World

WORLDWIDE – Global freight and logistics outfit DHL first started work with Jaguar Land Rover collaborating in the production and transport of its vehicles from manufacturing plants to customers around the world some 23 years ago. Since then technology has moved on and electric and hybrid vehicles are being introduced right across the transport spectrum, from delivery vans and cars to ever larger trucks and HGVs. DHL has now been tasked to support the new Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY after working for over five years helping to promote cleaner transport, as Antonio Arranz, DHL Express Mexico Country Manager, explained:

RoRo Ferry and Oversize Truck Transport Complete Difficult Move

GERMANY – Cuxport, the deep water port that lies between its better known rivals of Hamburg and Bremerhaven is a joint venture between Rhenus SE & Co. KG and HHLA Container Terminals GmbH and demonstrated its versatility recently managing a heavy-lift project involving multimodal transport and handling operations on behalf of freight forwarder, Bohnet. A machine frame weighing 95 tonnes was first transported from Plochingen to Cuxhaven on board an inland waterway vessel, before being moved on to a truck at the Cuxport Terminal and finally shipped from there to Saint-Nazaire in France by RoRo ferry.

Multi Million Euro Facility Intended to Cut Out Transhipment and Feeder Vessel Traffic

BANGLADESH – NETHERLANDS – Royal HaskoningDHV, in partnership with the Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology, has been selected as master plan consultant for the Payra Deep Sea Port Development Project in Bangladesh. The first phase of the green field port development comprises capital dredging works, which will be carried out by Belgium's Jan de Nul under a PPP framework agreement, and the creation of two new port terminals with the presumption that container freight will account for much of the throughput.

Offshore Energy Helps Drive for Expansion

UK – Liebherr were the chosen suppliers when the Port of Great Yarmouth had a need to upgrade its lifting stock to cope with the ever larger cargoes that came with a plethora of markets. The port, owned by the Peel Port group, chose a new crane with an 84 tonne lifting capacity which will allow customers to further utilise the 24-hour deep-water facility which is able to handle larger volumes of bulk freight and unitised cargo.

Two Companies Exchange Global Service Offerings

UK – WORLDWIDE – Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the port agency and marine services firm, has acquired V.Ship's global port agency business, in an agreement which also sees V. Group acquire Inchcape's Global Marine Travel (GMT). The V.Group has expanded its vessel management operations of late snapping up a couple of well-known such businesses itself in the past couple of years, taking over Bibby Ship Management in 2016, and last year acquiring the ship management arm of Norddeutsche Reederei.

Integrated Logistics is the Name of the Game for the Big Players

US – AP Moller-Maersk has announced the acquisition of Vandegrift, a US-based Customs House Broker, representing the first acquisition of the year in what is proving to be a fast-growing diversification in the logistics sector. The Danish shipping and maritime services group said that Customs House Brokerage is a key component in its strategy to become an integrated container logistics company, providing end-to-end solutions to customers. The acquisition will look to enhance Maersk's commercial solutions pipeline and strengthen the logistics presence in the North America market.

Company Says UK Welching on Cargo Deal but Investing in Big Brother Face ID Software

FRANCE – UK – A busy week for Getlink aka Eurotunnel which came out all guns blazing against the UK government over alleged broken pre-Brexit promises whilst taking a giant step for Big Brother as it agrees to fit face recognition technology. First that row, according to the boss of the cash strapped cross Channel undersea outfit Jacques Gounon, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) inherited an agreement made with the British Rail board to develop rail freight options through the tunnel. This is a separate issue to the freight currently carried as a RoRo basis using the cargo shuttle system.

March Meeting Must Adjust Parameters to Meet OECD Projections

WORLDWIDE – With the next phase of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) strategy to deal with emissions from ships about to occur in London between 12-14 March, the largest international shipping association in the world, BIMCO, has criticised the proposed make-up of the programme. BIMCO, which represents a cross section of the ocean freight industry, claims that the inclusion of what it terms 'unrealistically high gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections to predict future transport demand' will skew the survey as it predicts consequently higher emissions.

Freight and Passenger Outfit Deal Gets Approval from European Commission

EUROPE – The European Commission (EC) has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of joint control over Virgin Atlantic by the triumvirate of Air France-KLM, Delta and the Virgin Group. The Commission concluded the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area. The companies say the deal will give better options to both passengers and cargo customers on the transatlantic routes.

Union Claims Obstruction by Mining Group, Ship Owners and Government

AUSTRALIA – The simmering feud between the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and mining giant BHP continues unabated with the union outfit claiming that the coal group throws 'veil of secrecy over its operations in Australian waters'. The ITF says a seafarer aboard an 80,000-tonne bulk carrier, the Villa Deste, contacted it pleading for help. The claim is that the starving crew claims to have no food and no on board wages, and are currently being fed on a $4 food budget per day. An identity redacted copy of the email reads:

Break Bulk and Project Freight Routes Change Port

UK – CARIBBEAN – An international Caribbean ocean shipping service has recently unlocked multiple routes to the Port of Hull, handling thousands of tonnes of break bulk and project cargo per year. Europe Caribbean Line (ECL) represented in the UK by Baltic and European Shipping, saw its first call at Associated British Port's (ABP) Port of Hull this month, with over 300 tonnes of heavy vehicles and industrial components exported to Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad.

Transport Secretary Under Fire After Brexit Debacle - That Arklow Shipping Letter in Full

UK – With ever louder calls for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to fall on his sword after yet another debacle it seems the government is trying to explain its position over the Seaborne Freight affair when it promised to grant a company with no ships and no experience of running a ferry company a figure just shy of £14 million. Reports in the press say that the deal to provide a RoRo ferry service between Ramsgate and Ostend has fallen through, but not for the plethora of reasons which have already been mooted.

Daily Flights Commencing This Summer

UK – US – ISRAEL – Virgin Atlantic has announced new daily flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv, which the airline says will provide more import and export opportunities for freight customers in the UK, US and Israel seeking additional cargo capacity to support the country's buoyant economy.

Big HMRC Win for Wincanton

UK – Wincanton, a company traditionally associated more with the road haulage element of the trade, has been selected by HMRC to provide logistics services to support air and sea freight inspections. The five-year agreement, worth in the region of £71 million, will see Wincanton work together with HMRC to check inbound shipments into the UK, operating two newly established Inland Pre-Clearance sites with associated transport.

Private Freight and Logistics Firm Highest in Top 20 Sales Growth League

UK – Hull-based freight and logistics provider, John Good Group, has been recognised as one of Britain's top 200 companies with the fastest-growing international sales by The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. Compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each February, the prestigious list ranks the UK's highest performing private firms by international growth and puts the company as the very top performer in the shipping and logistics sectors.

Ice Class Ship Makes Gas Refuelling Available in Baltic Sea

GERMANY – Last week Hamburg saw the launching of the world's largest LNG bunker supply vessel as the ice class ship Kairos was christened by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Federal Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The ceremony took place at the Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder, with more than 250 guests witnessing the christening of a ship that, with her 7,500 m³ tank capacity has been a long term project for owners Nauticor.

Scandinavian Cooperation Looks to the Future

NORWAY – FINLAND – Finnish technology group Wärtsilä and Hagland Shipping AS are to retrofit a hybrid propulsion solution on one of the Norwegian based company's fleet, a general cargo vessel the Hagland Captain in what the two say will be the first project of its kind ever in short-sea freight shipping applications.

Management Buy Out Precedes Takeover Announcement

UK – One of the country's best known road haulage operators has changed hands after a management buy-out. Currie Solutions, having rebranded in 2017 from Currie European Transport to better reflect the company's move from road transport into the wider logistics field, is now headed by managing director Stephen Turner who has been employed at the Scottish headquartered firm most of his working life and held his current title for the past nine years.

Our Weekly Look at Shipping Industry Appointments and Departures

WORLDWIDE – This week the list of appointments and departures throughout the freight and logistics supply chain begins with the news that Tigers has expanded its international sales team. Christian Bonnet has been named Regional Director for Global Sales, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is targeting fashion and apparel, with a special interest in e-commerce.

From Customs Procedures to Robotic Warehouses in the Week's Bits and Pieces

UK – Our snippets of freight and logistics news this week starts with a pretty much expected response to the new Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSPs) announced by HMRC this week in a bid to circumvent some of the difficulties arising from a no deal Brexit. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) believes the Government's announcement about simplified customs checks is simply not enough to prepare businesses for a no-deal Brexit. RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said this week:

26 Crew Left Unharmed as Refinery Ceases Production

CAMEROON – There is an air of mystery about the seizure and subsequent release of the bulk tanker Barents Sea one of around 100 container ships and bulk and oil carriers on the Eastern Pacific Shipping fleet controlled by London based billionaire Idan Ofer. The 105,000 dwt ship has been anchored off the country's west coast near the Port of Limbe waiting to discharge after the refinery there shut down, reportedly for lack of crude oil.

Latest Version Will Mesh with Existing Item Retrieval Offering

US – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Atlanta based Dematic, a member of the German industrial truck and supply chain KION Group, is to offer AutoStore's new Black Line cube-storage solution, an upgraded version of that company's established Red Line system. The newly introduced high-density storage and retrieval system follows similar operating principles to its sibling but critically, incorporates significant design innovations that make it far faster and efficient at processing large order volumes.

Experienced Forwarders Left Out and Are Untried Systems Effective and in Time for Brexit?

UK – The freight forwarding community has been buzzing this week after the release by HMRC of the details of the Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) for Customs in the case of a no deal Brexit on 29 March. After consideration of the released information, details which we listed in a previous article, Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), gave his organisation's take on the situation, saying:

Feats Include Rescue from Motorway Crashes

UK – This week saw the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) 2018 Van Excellence Honours celebrated with 14 of the UK's finest van operators and drivers collecting their Awards in a glittering ceremony sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans. The awards recognise and reward the van operators and drivers who have made a significant contribution to the van industry. The prestigious Van Excellence Champion Award went to Graham Davies from Electricity North West and Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles at the FTA commented:

Union Says Inspectors are Blocked and Pay Regulations Broken

AUSTRALIA – Maritime unions around the globe have flags of convenience, and the crews of nationals foreign to the ports they call at, firmly in their sights, with accusations that ship owners are deliberately outsourcing crew duties to cheaper nationalities, even when domestic regulations demand better pay and conditions. Now grist has been added to the union mill in a case which the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is simply terming 'wage theft'.

IATA Full Year Figures Released and Also Show Growth in Capacity

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its full-year 2018 data for global air freight markets which showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) grew by 3.5% compared to 2017. This was significantly lower than the extraordinary 9.7% growth recorded in 2017. IATA says that while a slowdown in freight demand growth was expected following the boost from the inventory restocking cycle in 2017, there are indications that the data also reflects the impact of the increasing headwinds to freight demand from renewed signs of weakness in global trade and economic indicators.

Route Advisory, Navigation and Planning Services Join Weather Under One Banner

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Weather intelligence and ship routing services firm StormGeo, and classification society DNV GL, have signed an agreement to consolidate their fleet performance solutions under one banner. The agreement will combine DNV GL's ECO Insight and Navigator Insight solutions with StormGeo's FleetDSS and ship reporting solutions.

First Debate on International Criminal Activity as Sea Focuses on Links with Terrorism

ERITREA – WORLDWIDE – International maritime crime is becoming 'increasingly sophisticated' as criminal groups exploit jurisdiction and enforcement challenges on the high seas and pose 'immediate danger to people's lives and safety', the UN anti-drugs and crime chief warned the Security Council earlier this week. Speaking via video conference from UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) headquarters in Vienna, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC spotlighted the root causes of transnational organised crime at sea and the linkages between terrorism, piracy and illegal trafficking.

Manager Working for DP World Subsidiary Killed by Militant

SOMALIA – A senior representative of Dubai-based port and logistics operator DP World, has been killed in the port town of Bosaso in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland on Monday 4 February. Paul Anthony Formosa, a Maltese national working in the country as the Construction Project Manager for P&O Ports, a subsidiary of DP World, was reportedly shot and killed by an al-Shabaab militant disguised as a fisherman, who was subsequently shot and killed by one of Formosa's bodyguards.

London Gateway and QVSR Make Life Away More Bearable with Rest and Recreation Centre

UK – Only this week we pointed out the importance of looking after the physical and mental health of seafarers', many of whom are thousands of miles from home with only occasional contact with loved ones. Now Britain's latest deep water container port, DP World's London Gateway, has officially opened its newly refurbished seafarers' centre, with local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Stephen Metcalfe, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Multimodal Show Dinner to be Hosted by Snooker Legend Steve Davis OBE

UK – The Multimodal show held annually at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) remains the pre-eminent British event for those in the shipping and logistics fields to gather, see and demonstrate what is new, and network with fellow professionals, suppliers and clients. With the dust post Brexit hopefully settling, the 2019 version should be an interesting place to be this year.

Technological Boost from BIFA is for Employers and Potential Recruits Alike

UK – There are few in the industry who will be unaware of the current crisis of staffing many branches of the logistics sector with suitable candidates. From heavy goods vehicle drivers to freight forwarding operators, there is a paucity of suitably qualified staff, a problem which can only be addressed by systematic training, particularly given the uncertainty of the status of candidates being recruited overseas with the 'B' word on everyone's lips. Now however the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has taken the bull by the horns and addressed the problem.

Figures Show Growth Despite Contentious Issues

UAE – WORLDWIDE – 2018 proved a turbulent year for many in the container shipping industry and port operator DP World certainly saw its share of controversy with the fight over its box terminal at Doraleh in Djibouti continuing in the Courts after the government there seized control of the facility. Despite this however the group has turned around more cargo than the previous year and has illustrated the strength of its logistics services by publishing two sets of figures for TEU throughput, both including and excluding the contentious areas and newly revised facilities in which it operates.

New TSP Customs Procedures Announced in the Event of No Deal with the EU

UK – EUROPE – There will be a major change in UK policy should the Brexit negotiations end in the 'no-deal' scenario so hated by the majority of the country's shipping and logistics businesses. Whereas it would seem to be inevitable should the result of the ongoing talks end in stalemate immediate customs checks and the application of duty would be mandatory it HMRC, in cooperation with the Treasury, has now revealed another possibility.

Maersk Re-Flags and Declines to Train British Cadets in Future

UK – DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – There is an horrific dose of irony in that, just as the British government has sworn to reinvigorate its shipping industry and establish the flag as a world leader once again, so the largest container shipping company is the world is about to reflag any of its fleet sailing under the Red Ensign to foreign registers. This week Maersk has followed an example set by P&O and others in quitting the Red Duster in favour of another flag.

Global Directory of Help Available Published

WORLDWIDE – The problems which can affect members of a ship's crew at sea can be manifold. Mental health issues can spring unbidden from a multitude of sources; loneliness, concerns over a family's welfare etc. No matter one's religious beliefs, if any, sometimes what's needed is help, advice or simply a conversation with a willing listener in a foreign port. Although the advent of the internet has meant contact with family is much more readily available, sometimes this can be a negative factor when a message brings unwanted news, leaving the seafarer feeling impotent, with no apparent way to assist or deal with the situation.

Details of Next Proposed Dockside Protest Announced

UK – The maritime union RMT is continuing its programme of objections to ferry and other shipping operators who sail under flags of convenience and skirt around UK employment laws and rates of pay with a protest which will take place this Friday, February 8 at Holyhead Port, Anglesey LL65 1DR.

3PL Principal Shareholder Turns Down Initial Offer

SWITZERLAND – DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – DSV, having withdrawn it's bid for fellow freight forwarding and logistics giant CEVA in October 2018 after that company's latest major shareholder, French container shipping line CMA CGM ran interference on the deal, it would seem the Danish group's attempt to wrest control of the Panalpina organisation may also be failing. Panalpina employs around 14,000 people in 500 locations globally.

A Variety of Stories from Logistics Awards Nominations to Liquid Hydrogen Bunker Ships

UK – Our freight and shipping round up starts this week to remind readers that, with just 10 days left to nominate for the 2019 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to showcase the career achievements of yourself or a colleague. The awards are designed to be as inclusive as possible and are open to women at all stages of their career, from those who go above and beyond the call of duty in their role, to leaders in organisations.

Who is Heading Where Around the Globe

FRANCE – Our look at who is heading where this week in the shipping and logistics industry sees CMA CGM announce the appointment of Christine Cabau-Woehrel to the position of Executive Vice President in charge of Assets. Effective March 15, her main responsibilities will include managing the Group’s industrial assets such as its fleet of vessels, its newbuildings, its container fleet, intermodal transport and the Group’s terminals.

Daewoo and Hyundai Look Set to Merge - but Unions Object

SOUTH KOREA – Shipbuilding, once in the van of the country's drive to industrial expansion, is now in a parlous state with China taking an ever larger slice of what was a lucrative market. Korea possesses a wealth of talent but is winning insufficient orders to maintain primacy in an industry that demands enormous overheads and now it looks as if consolidation by two of Korea's most iconic names is on the cards.

2020 Transaid UK Challenge Will Suit Riders of Every Calibre - Sign Up and Help

UK – It has been a really good few weeks for Transaid, the freight and logistics sector's favourite charity and now details of the next proposed, and ever popular, cycle challenge have been revealed. This one is a 'home game' with those taking part riding from Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) with funds raised from the event helping to transform lives by improving commercial driving standards and ensuring better access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.