Shipping Search - Archive

Boeing and Airbus Both Claim Victory as Row Rumbles On

US – EUROPE – If you’re looking for a hot stock tip then put your money into the right US or European law firm. This week saw the World Trade Organization (WTO) formally publish its opinion on the dispute between aerospace behemoths Boeing and Airbus Industries over subsidies paid out by both Governments and individual US states in illegal aid to support the two largest manufacturers of passenger and freight carrying aircraft.

Shares Hit the High Spots as Group Improves Efficiency

US - Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), the North Carolina based less than truckload (LTL) haulage group seems to be on a particular high at the moment. Shares in the group have seen a steady rise peaking this week at $34.77, a one year high. The group, which also offers drayage and international container freight forwarding options, seem to have a grounded approach to advancing the business, even during a period of austerity.

Ship Due to Load Two Smaller Ferries

IRELAND – A 7,000 tonne cargo vessel was stranded this morning on Cashla Bay, Connemara, County Galway after heavy winds during the night drove her ashore. The vessel has been named as the MV Pantanal and local press say she is Canadian registered and German owned but the details given, and the fact she was due to load two sizeable ferries aboard later today, indicate she may be the vessel of that name flagged in Antigua and operated by Danish heavy lift and project cargo specialists Combi Lift.

In Depth Analysis of Requirements for Growth

NEW ZEALAND - A inquiry by the Productivity Commission is to take place in which the agency’s brief is to study the country’s infrastructure and regulatory regime are best suited to promote growth in the international freight sector. The Commission will evaluate the factors influencing the accessibility and efficiency of international logistics services available to New Zealand firms, and opportunities to improve the overall performance of the supply chain for the nation’s shippers.

Liebherr Expand their Stable of Mobile Port Handling Equipment

AUSTRIA – WORLDWIDE – Freight handling specialist Liebherr has again expanded its range of mobile harbour cranes with the formal introduction of the latest in its LHM series, the 420. Available in two variants capable of maximum lifts of 84 and 124 tonnes respectively the new cranes are specially designed with a maximum radius of 48 metres making them suitable for container movement, bulk material, heavy loads and any other cargo handling tasks.

Investigation into Hoax Shipped by UPS

UK – TURKEY – Parcel and freight carrier UPS is embroiled in a bomb scare with the news released today that two weeks ago a fake explosive device was loaded on one of their cargo planes from the UK to Istanbul. Despite increased security a 23 year old man is suspected of managing to ship the hoax bomb using the disguise of a wedding cake box. The man was arrested last week and has since been released on bail.

Battle Lines Drawn in Billion Dollar Fraud Suit

US – KUWAIT- The lengthy case in which Agility Logistics is being prosecuted by no less than the US Government looks destined to continue for some time. The full history of the case can be traced through our previous stories or the dedicated website the freight forwarder has set up for the purpose of putting their side of the argument.

Hillebrand Expands Into Europe

UK – ITALY – British wines and beverage logistics specialists JF Hillebrand has increased its European presence with the acquisition of Italian freight and transport specialist Ferry International SRL. Based in Milan, Ferry International was founded in 1978 and employs 15 staff. The company provides door-to-door shipping services by road, rail and sea to exporters and importers across Italy.

Global Fund New Kawasaki ZX-10R's

UK - International freight forwarder, Global Freight, has announced its sponsorship of British Superbikes (BSB) challenger, MSS Kawasaki, which aims to be a key contender in this year's championship. The Global Freight branding will be on both of the team's all-new Kawasaki ZX-10R superbikes each time they take to the track, in what is considered to be the most competitive national motorcycle racing championship in the world. BSB is watched by more than eight million people on television in the UK alone, with a massive following around the world.

Investment in Drag Reducing Technology is Worthwhile

US – We have covered previously the various adaptations, some quite exotic, available as additions to standard freight trailer designs which can reduce fuel costs, in some cases quite dramatically. With the bog standard road trailer having all the aerodynamic efficiency of a house brick the use of air dams, deflectors and the like have become the norm for haulage operators purchasing equipment but it seems there are always ways to squeeze out the extra mpg.

Government Instructions May Eliminate Private Companies

ETHIOPIA – DJIBOUTI - In a bid to stem the flow of foreign currency from the country and to speed up essential import cargo the Ethiopian Government introduced a multimodal transport system last year by which importers could receive shipping containers through to the dry ports of Modjo and Semera. All thirty state agencies were instructed only to use the services of the approved contractor, Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL), another state monopoly. Many containers have traditionally been delayed upon import at the Port in neighbouring Djibouti and demurrage fees settled in the overseas currency.

First of 22 New Build Ships Named By Maersk

DENMARK – KOREA – WEST AFRICA - Named this week after the capital of Guinea, the Maersk Conakry is the first of a series of twenty two container ships ordered by A.P. Moller-Maersk from Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea. The West Africa MAX, (WAFMAX) vessels will be the largest container ships able to call West Africa and are also the most fuel-efficient, using 30 percent less fuel per container moved than the industry average on the Asia-Africa trade.

Lines Change Schedules in a Bid to Miss Radiation

JAPAN – Some shipping companies are avoiding areas they consider potentially dangerous after the disastrous effects of this months earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The damage to several nuclear reactors has met with scepticism by some and abject terror by others causing a mixed reaction from bulk and container lines alike. German carriers were the first to publicly announce changes to established schedules with container line changing its freight routings from Tokyo, Nagoya and Yokohama whilst retaining the calls into Kobe.

Battle for the Ocean Witnesses Armed Confrontations

SOMALIA- WORLDWIDE – Another busy week in the pirate world this week with a host of attacks and releases on freight vessels including bulk carriers and tankers, whilst the response to the problem has again been much debated, and indeed criticised by a diverse range of interests.

Employers Must Respect the Rights Of Staff and Local Regulations

WORLDWIDE – The current vogue for all things electronic has thrown up some interesting anomalies in the world of logistics and, in particular, road haulage. In the US all larger trucking groups, full load, LTL and drayage operators now routinely install vehicle tracking devices to keep tabs on where a vehicle is at any given time. This aids transport managers to plan routes and keep customers informed as to the progress of consignments as well as deterring crime.

Schiphol Acknowledges Overall Performance

NETHERLANDS – Yesterday saw freight carriers Air France-KLM Cargo receive the Cargo Award in the latest Schiphol Aviation Awards, sponsored by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at a ceremony in De Arendshoeve, Aalsmeer, reportedly the most sustainable green location in the country, and attended by 140 guests from the aviation industry.

Discussions Lead to Mutually Agreed Solution

US – KOREA – The ongoing problems of the Korea Line Corporation (KLC) which went into protective receivership earlier this year, seem to have been partially relieved following today’s announcement that the bulk freight carrier has reached an agreement with its time charter partner, Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., which is effective from the 15th March 2011.

Area at Risk of Attack Extended as Raids Continue

SOMALIA – UK - In the light of not only the continuing attacks by pirates on general freight and container shipping as well as passenger liners and private yachts, fishing boats etc. union bodies have laid out altered terms for the crews of vessels passing through hazardous areas. The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) agreed in London to extend the geographical coverage of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) High Risk Area and terms and conditions applying to such passages.

CMA CGM reinforces its EPIC service between India, Pakistan, the Middle East and Europe

EUROPE – INDIA – PAKISTAN – MIDDLE EAST – French container line CMA CGM have announced they will upgrade their EPIC service as follows from this month. Firstly there will be a deployment of eight container vessels each with a nominal capacity of 5,700 TEU. Freight transit times to the eastern Mediterranean will significantly improve due to a new Westbound call at Port Said from the 30th March. Trips will be reduced by 4 days to Lattakia (Syria) and Istanbul (Turkey), 6 days to Mersin (Turkey) and 7 days to Beirut (Lebanon).

Education is the Way Forward for Crowley

US – With ocean freight coming more and more under the environmental spotlight Florida based Crowley Maritime Corporation, which offers a full range of marine services from break bulk and liner shipping to containers, logistics and salvage, can take credit for pursuing their policy of providing further education for students of maritime matters. Students Ali Stevens and Michael Roy are getting the chance to attend the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport this spring, thanks in part to Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships recently presented by the company.

Osborne Acts After Pleas from Carriers

UK- The Chancellor announced today he would avoid ‘illegal’ changes but cut fuel duty by one pence per litre and cast his eye on the oil producers concluding a Fair Fuel Stabiliser was the way to keep diesel prices lower. The fuel duty escalator will be abolished and duty will be in line with barrel prices. Freight and Logistics groups will no doubt welcome the news.

Bombings and Blockade Continues

LIBYA - The situation for sea borne cargo is obviously somewhat confused at the moment but some facts are arriving regarding the current state of ports in the region. Freight vessels are arriving, apparently without hindrance, into Benghazi harbour, principally carrying supplies for the local populace who are largely opposed to the current government.

Qantas Cited In Investigation

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have issued the result of their investigation of a ‘weight and balance event’ which occurred when unplanned freight was loaded aboard a Qantas Airbus A330‑303 aircraft on the 6th March 2009. The cargo was stowed aboard the plane for dispatch on a scheduled international passenger service between Sydney, New South Wales and Hong Kong.

Eurostat Produce 'Latest' Statistics

EUROPE – Statistics are of course the weapon of choice, indeed often the only tool available, for most analysts, and this applies to the freight transport sector which includes road and rail haulage as well as air cargo and short and deep sea transport. The latest figures produced by eurostat, the Directorate General of the European Commission charged with producing a huge raft of comparative statistics, will doubtless be pored over by logistics experts everywhere as avidly as by those scrutinising other industries.

PD Ports And Rickmers Combine to Ship Extraordinary Contract

UK – CHINA – This month saw PD Ports and Rickmers-Linie cooperate on a project freight contract which the companies say saw Teesport temporarily transformed into a scene resembling a science fiction film with the loading of over 180 futuristic-looking mine arches, each weighing in excess of 27 tonnes, onto the 30,000 dead weight tonne, multipurpose heavy lift vessel Rickmers Jakarta bound for China.

Antonov Swoops in to Help Relief Program

JAPAN – FRANCE – A gigantic An-225, the largest freight aircraft in the world, has been sent to join in the international effort to provide relief supplies to Japan in the wake of the country’s recent earthquake and tsunami. A product of the Soviet space program designed specifically to airlift the Energia rocket's boosters and the Buran space shuttle, the aircraft first flew in 1988 and although two aircraft were ordered, only one An-225 was actually completed.

Timber Specialist Carriers Invest for the Future

UK – The one certain factor in the world of freight and logistics is the inventiveness shown by participants to continually push forward the boundaries of safety, speed of turnaround, working within tight geographical parameters and overall efficiency. In the past few years we have seen the rapid development of laser guided and flexible narrow aisle fork lift trucks, inventions like the Liqi-cord, which deters would be trailer thieves and stowaways and numerous other creative solutions to logistical conundrums.

BIMCO Meeting to Address Future and Environmental Issues

CANADA – WORLDWIDE – Details have been published for the General Meeting of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) this year to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia. The organisation is the leading international shipping trade association representing as it does 65% by tonnage of merchant shipping, including owners of container, bulk cargo and general freight fleets as well as passenger carriers, brokers and agents, with members in 123 countries.

PKP Cargo Finally Invite Bids for Control of Polish Rail Provider

POLAND – Details of the expected sale of Polish road freight carrier PKP Cargo SA have been released by Polish State Railways today. The successful bidder will be able to purchase 50 per cent plus one share in the cargo carrier. Potential investors, having complied with the formal requirements contained in the notice, will be able to download an information memorandum containing basic information on the legal, economic and financial position with 12th May 2011 set as the time limit for submission of initial offers to acquire shares.

Celebrations Countrywide Coincide with Expansion of Transport Services

KUWAIT - As political problems spread across North Africa and the Middle East this is one state which seems unaffected by the continued unrest in the region. Specialists in household and pet relocations worldwide, Move One Inc. tell us they have just opened a new 3,000 square metre warehouse facility to compliment their recently expanded office in the Al-Qiblah district. From here the global logistics company can ship freight to and from Camp Arifjan, one of the largest US Military bases in Kuwait and where all of the duty exemption approvals for cargo in support of the US Military are handled.

Record Profit May be Reinvested

HONG KONG - Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OOIL) which recorded profits after tax of $870 million earlier this month, is set to order up to ten new vessels from Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries, each around 13,000 TEU. With freight levels bouncing back in 2010 the group reported a 39% jump in turnover to in excess of $6 billion.

Radiation and Supply Situation Under Review

JAPAN – 2011 may well be remembered as an annus horribilis by those in the freight and passenger industries with the unsettled situation in North Africa now breaking out into an international conflict to add to the earthquakes which have rocked New Zealand and Japan in recent days. Good logistics are essential when one is faced by a disaster of the scale faced currently in Japan where the tsunami has devastated large areas and caused a major nuclear alert as well as disrupting container and bulk freight shipping schedules.

Korean Air Continue Purchase Policy as Boeing show Webcast of Inaugural 748 Intercontinental Flight

US – KOREA – On Friday Boeing confirmed they had received a further order from Korean Air for two new 747-8 freighters. Korean Air was the number one cargo airline in the world for the sixth consecutive year in 2009, according to World Air Transport Statistics compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the company was the first airline to order both the passenger and freighter versions of the 747-8 back in that year.

MOL Launches Fixed Day Weekly Schedule

EUROPE – WEST AFRICA – Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) have announced an upgrade to their container shipping services to and from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and, when the political situation allows, the Ivory Coast. The company claim the adjustment will result in faster transit times for freight imports and export cargo with Germany, Belgium and the UK and that French customers will benefit from services linking Le Havre with Antwerp and Hamburg.

Latest Round of Cartel Fines - With More to Come

NEW ZEALAND - Anti trust authorities around the globe continue to reap rich rewards from the misdemeanours of air freight shipping groups committed in the past decade. After collecting almost a billion euros and one and a half billion dollars in Europe and the USA from a who’s who of airlines in the past two years, prosecutions continue to hit the big air logistics groups in the pocket for perceived cartel operations. Today saw three airlines fined after admitting anti trust offences whilst the prosecution of another was dropped.

Transhipments Will See a Decade of Development

ASIA – A sea change in the buying habits and economic circumstances of the region has resulted in a shift in freight levels throughout the continent and threatens to further diminish the ocean shipping trade with the West. Transhipment container levels are growing annually in the area with estimates in excess of 9 million TEU’s passing through Hong Kong purely on intra Asian contracts.

Heightened Tensions in the Wake of Israeli Weapons Seizure

MIDDLE EAST - The security situation in the region appears to be deteriorating as the eyes of the world are averted to events in Japan and North Africa. Shippers should be even more aware than ever to ensure freight consignments bound for the region comply with all regulations after Israeli forces seized the Iranian registered MV Victoria and have now issued pictures of her cargo of sophisticated weapons. British freight forwarders have been accused previously of colluding in the illicit arms trade.

ISO Rating and Transport for London Accreditation for California Outfit

US – UK - Clean Diesel Technologies Inc having attained ISO9001 certification for its newly formed UK subsidiary, has been named by Transport for London (TfL) as an accredited supplier of approved diesel emission reduction systems that could ensure vehicles are compliant with the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The company can retrofit any diesel powered vehicle including freight delivery trucks and other commercial vehicles.

Tsunami a Reminder of the Power of Nature

JAPAN- After we wrote recently of Mitsui OSK Lines efforts to assist its home nations stricken populace others in the freight and logistics sector were also immediately offering help and assistance to the victims of the recent disaster. The fact that the Tsunami has undoubtedly killed and made homeless far more than the original earthquake has struck a chord with those who earn their living from transporting cargo across the oceans of the world.

Latest Technology Enters the Supply Chain

US - Visitors to the ProMat 2011 exhibition in Chicago later this month will have an opportunity to see the very latest cutting edge technology entering the supply chain. Three separate suppliers are working together to modernise the handling and tracing of freight within the warehouse environment and beyond.

UK Does Not Sell the Most Expensive Diesel Say Objectors

BULGARIA – Yesterday saw an effective yet peaceful campaign launched by the country’s hauliers against the steeply rising price of fuel. Liaising by way of a nation wide Facebook campaign, haulage companies, other freight associated carriers and private car drivers alike are basically on a ‘go slow’ to demonstrate their ire at the cost of keeping the nations wheels turning.

MOL Step in Immediately with Aid for Stricken Districts

JAPAN – There is no need for us to outline the scale of the disaster unfolding in Japan this week. The earthquake, measuring a colossal 9.0 on the Richter scale was bad enough but the Tsunami which followed has cost countless thousands of lives in a country which thought itself best prepared for such events. Acting with their usual efficiency, multi modal container carrier and ocean freight provider Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) has issued an update on both their vessel status and what they are doing to mitigate the disaster.

Ship Sale Boosts Position but Fuel Cost and Irish Economy are Drag Factors

IRELAND – The Irish Continental Group (ICG), have just released their trading figures and, given the country’s current trading position, the board consider them more than acceptable. The group includes LoLo container line Eucon plus Feederlink Shipping, both based in Holland and trading into Europe, plus cargo and passenger terminal services throughout Ireland and Irish Ferries for both RoRo freight and passenger links with France and the UK.

TITAN Snap Up Boxtainer

UK – DENMARK – TITAN Containers, the privately owned shipping container supply company, has taken over one of Britain’s best known sale and rental groups of ex freight boxes, Essex based Boxtainer. In future the company will be known as TITAN Boxtainer Ltd. In the past two and a half years TITAN have picked up the business of CMS Arctic Store, which was in administration, plus the container rental and sales activities of Container Exchange (UK) Ltd.

New Campaign as we Witness Horrendous New Developments

SOMALIA – The past few weeks have seen some serious new developments in the lawless oceans off the coast. As well as the normal threats to and seizures of container and bulk freight vessels three Danish children and their parents are still being held captive after their abduction at sea whilst sailing in the Indian Ocean. Now some of the shipping industries biggest players are demanding action.

Who's in Who's Out and Where

UK – IRELAND -Paul Gallagher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer in the UK & Ireland for global logistics suppliers Damco with effect from March 1st 2011. Gallagher has a wealth of experience from his almost 30 years' within the shipping, logistics and freight forwarding industry. Starting his career with US Lines in 1982 he moved to Royal Nedlloyd in 1987 and joined A.P. Moller - Maersk when acquiring P&O Nedlloyd in 2005. He has held a number of senior positions in Damco with these roles including tenure of more than 16 years as the Managing Director of Damco Sea & Air before taking up the position of Chief Operations Officer for Damco in UK & Ireland, the position from which he has been promoted.

Consignment Tracking Made Even Easier

WORLDWIDE – After introducing an App for the Apple iPhone last October, DB Schenker Logistics has announced a newer version to make the tracking of freight consignments even easier. The new version can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple iTunes Store.

Education for Crews a Priority for Shippers and Unions Alike

INDIA – Last week container shipping line Safmarine joined together with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the Sailor’s Society and international food producer Cargill, who have interests in the region and for whom Safarine act as freight and logistics providers, for the double opening of the Kakinada Maritime Community Centre and the ITF Seafarer Centre in the port of Kakinada in India. These centres aim to equip the local seafaring community with the necessary resources needed in the maritime industry.

Anti Trust Spotlight Shines on the Carriers

US – There are rumblings of discontent in Washington at the moment about the behaviour of the rail freight carriers, some of whom are being accused of monopolistic behaviour. At a recent hearing of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) rail freight customers demanded federal intervention in a move which may be seen to be taking the industry back where it was before the 1981 Staggers Act.

Shipping Industry is the Driver for Technical Innovations

WORLDWIDE (and beyond) – The news that Boeing have completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Inmarsat-5 spacecraft may seem to have little or no connection with the world of freight forwarding or ocean shipping but a little research reveals, once again, how the logistics industry pervades every aspect of modern life.

System will be First to be Verified by Bureau Veritas

WORLDWIDE – Following the group’s policy of continued emissions reduction, carbon dioxide levels cut already down 26% in the three years to 2010, French container line CMA CGM have launched an ‘eco-calculator’ which will be accessible to all its customers via its e-business platform. This latest tool produces an accurate calculation of the carbon footprint of a journey, based on real data including points of departure and arrival, volume of freight, fuel consumption and vessel speed.

Austrian Sales and Service Team Taken Over by Lifting Group

AUSTRIA – FINLAND – Finnish lifting specialists Konecranes, which has in excess of 10,000 staff in forty six countries tending to the lifting needs of port and freight terminal operatives as well as shipyards and manufacturers have acquired the assets and operations of lift truck service company Zeiss Staplerservice GmbH, headquartered in Sommerein, Austria. The company is specialized in lift truck maintenance service, and the sales and rental of lift trucks.

IATA Programme Taken Up By More Airports

KOREA – NETHERLANDS – The paperless alternative which is being so heavily promoted by IATA as a cheaper, more accurate and simpler documentary system for use by air cargo carriers, freight forwarding agents, handling companies, customs agents and anyone else involved in logistics by air has two new supporters.

Symbolic Demonstration a Week Prior to the Budget

UK – Like an itch that won’t be scratched Peter Carroll, a man in and around the haulage and freight forwarding industries for many years and with an active campaign history, is continuing to pursue the Government by way of his FairFuel UK campaign which next week will present the giant cheque pictured to the Treasury, in a symbolic move just one week before the Budget.

Reduced Transit Times for Consolidated Cargo

MIDDLE EAST – EUROPE – DHL, are continuing their policy of extending consolidated container services by establishing five new direct ocean freight links to the Middle East. The new services will result in a reduction in transit times for LCL cargo of three days with sailings from Bremen to Doha and Damman now taking only 26 days and to Quaboos, Bahrain and Kuwait down to 25 days. Previously the ocean freight route ran via Dubai where it was freighted by trucks overland for delivery to the various destinations.

New Zealand Latest to Benefit from Maersk Switch

NEW ZEALAND – Following on from the keynote speech given by Maersk Oil Trading’s Niels Henrik Lindegaard at the International Bunkering Conference in November, the Maersk group are practicing what they preach with the latest announcement from Maersk Line that their container ships, which carry freight to and from nine ports in the islands, will henceforth switch from bunker fuel to low sulphur oil. Jacob Sterling, Head of Climate & Environment, Maersk Line said:

Relocation as Distribution Hub Closes

UK – Time was when there was a flood of TV adverts to tempt people to move to Milton Keynes, new homes, jobs aplenty but a move this week has demonstrated how times have changed. Tesco have announced the closure of the nearby Fenny Lock distribution centre with a potential for hundreds of redundancies at a time when employment in the area is at a premium, and the drive to move more freight by rail, rather than by road haulage, is a key reason behind the decision.

Ford to Cease Production of Petrol Transit

UK- With fuel prices set to rise any haulage companies considering switching to a LPG van really should make up their minds quickly. Ford Motor Company has announced that it is ceasing production of the petrol Ford Transit on 27 May 2011. The petrol Transit forms the basis of the successful Ashwood’s conversion - so anyone wanting an Ashwood’s LPG Transit will have to act fast, due to lead times, all vehicles must be ordered by 11 March 2011. The vehicles are considered ideal for express parcel carriers and other small volume freight deliveries and collections.

Where to Invest? Pick an Analyst - Any Analyst

WORLDWIDE – A survey of various analysts, often quoted in the financial as opposed to the shipping media, reveals the degree to which uncertainty still reigns supreme amongst the ‘experts’ who advise on the future stock prices of container lines versus bulk freight and tanker operators and owners.

Event Later this Month will Focus on Communication

UK – Women in Logistics UK (WIL) have decided to host an instructional event to advise and promote the use of various forms of social media to anyone involved in the carriage or shipping of freight and supply chain services. They have been lining up some specialist speakers for a Social Media Event on the 23rd March to be held in Stoke on Trent.

Safety Concerns Need Addressing Globally

WORLDWIDE – AUSTRALIA - In this week alone several of the articles we have run concerned the dangers of the freight and logistics industry. The supply chain will always have weak links, necessitating as it does a degree of manual handling – with all its associated risks. Now the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) tell us that the subject will feature at the 2011 Australian Trucking Convention to be held in Canberra at the end of May.

Cory and Gibunco Are Peninsula Partners

GIBRALTAR – Cory Brothers are to offer full ships agency services in the disputed Mediterranean Territory in partnership with Gibunco Ship Agency, part of the Gibunco Group. The British freight group say the operation in the Port of Gibraltar adds strategically to the groups continuing global expansion, complimenting the company’s Singapore office and Far Eastern activities as well as its presence in European and South American logistics.

Seven Countries Band Together to Aid Commercial Operators

EUROPE – The North Sea Region Programme is helping fund the development of a mobile app to assist commercial hauliers in transit with advice on safe parking areas away from districts subject to lorry thefts and freight crime plus advising them on road conditions and directions plus local traffic regulations for commercial trucks.

Chancellor Faces a Barrage as Long Established Haulier Fails

UK – Last week the Freight Transport Association (FTA) opined that the Treasury, whilst having no control over the price of crude oil, was indulging in nothing less than a ‘revenue raising ruse’ by increasing fuel duty in the forthcoming budget. Now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has expressed ‘guarded optimism’ to hints that the Chancellor is considering dropping the measure.

New Zealand Trains Roll Once More - Very Slowly

NEW ZEALAND – After the most traumatic period in its long history following the events in Christchurch and surrounds, rail freight services have been resumed to the Port of Lyttelton. Although having to abide by a 25 kilometres per hour speed restriction container traffic restarted on Wednesday night after what KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn described as a ‘mammoth effort’. Box freight by rail is an essential component in the maintenance of supplies on South Island and even coal trains should be up and running before the weekend finishes.

Danger Zone Now Officially Includes Indian Ocean

UK - INDIAN OCEAN- In the light of the tactics used by Somali pirates in recent months the maritime union, Nautilus International, which represents more than 23,000 seagoing professionals has today secured an agreement with UK ship owners extending the existing ‘high risk’ piracy area into the Indian Ocean. Talks at the national warlike operations area committee arranged in response to the growing spread of pirate attacks on merchant ships and their crews resulted in a new agreement designed to reflect the increased risks. It designates the Indian Ocean as a high risk area, in addition to the previous agreement covering the Gulf of Aden.

First Conviction Emphasises the Likely Penalties

UK – Further to the first conviction of a company under the new corporate manslaughter legislation all companies trading in Britain, particularly those within the logistics sector dealing with potentially dangerous physical risks such as freight warehouses and shipping container terminals, ports etc. should be aware of the scope of the legislation – and the consequences for those organisations found guilty of transgression.

Kuehne + Nagel Hit Their Targets - And Buy Out RH Freight

WORLDWIDE – ‘Tis the season for rolling out annual profits, or downplaying losses but Kuehne + Nagel revealed this week that they will be paying out a dividend increase of 19.6% due to trading figures meeting the group targets for 2010. The Swiss based freight forwarding group saw profits increase in the Asia-Pacific region (22.2%), Middle East-Central Asia-Africa (12.3%) and the Americas (10.8%). In Europe however gross profits were down 2.3%, principally due to a negative currency effect.

But Still Perhaps Some Clouds on the Horizon for Eagle

US – Eagle Bulk Shipping Incorporated, the largest US based shipping company of Handymax size vessels, reported last quarter figures this week showing a mixture of fortunes. Shares in the company had fallen 20% during the quarter as the Baltic Dry Index continued its slump downward but the index has bounced a little lately, recovering from a low of just 1043 on the 4th February to 1281 today, a number last seen in late January.

Under Investment vs Green Issues

WORLDWIDE - Trelleborg Marine Systems, whose port related services and subsidiaries span the globe, have produced a report of interest to anyone involved in the movement of ocean freight. The group’s Barometer Report provides an in-depth insight into a wide range of issues including unscheduled downtime, investment priorities, plus maintenance and supply chain related matters.

MOL Practice What They Preach

WORLDWIDE – As they have for the past four years Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) are holding global safety conferences in 2011 for the benefit of their crews, concentrating on those nations which supply the bulk of the group’s seafarers for their container and other freight vessels. The conferences are intended to explain the MOL Group’s measures to ensure safe operation and encourage an open exchange of information and ideas about those measures.

Cargoitalia Four Months Ahead of Schedule

ITALY – Cargoitalia tell us they have started to send ENS messages for all inbound flights from 1st March, a full four months ahead of the Italian Customs July deadline. The airline must lodge the ENS for each flight at least four hours before touchdown at its Milan (Malpensa) hub. The all freight carrier is the first airline in Italy to submit the new electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) messages, part of the new EU Customs ICS (Import Control System) regime being progressively introduced throughout all EU member states.

IATA and FIATA Split Training but Council Continue to Collaborate

WORLDWIDE – Two names often associated as being joined at the hip by the freight industry have agreed to separate their training programmes. The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) say they have ‘amicably agreed to separate their training activities in order to further their shared objective of providing increased industry solutions to the international air cargo supply chain.’

System Developed to Simplify Administration for Ships Operators

EUROPE - We have reported before on the management systems designed by the part EU funded European maritime transport project, Flagship, which is striving to increase safety and efficiency of freight and passenger vessels across the continent and the latest development by the group has just been revealed. Flagship – RCS has been developed to simplify the process of complying with all the necessary regulations faced by merchant shipping companies.

Fairmount Deliver FPSO Safely

SOUTH KOREA – NORWAY – Project freight forwarding takes many forms but sometimes the simplest can be the most spectacular. When faced with a massive single piece to ship which is destined for a life anchored to the seabed by far the easiest method is simply to pull it into position, even if the destination is over 15,000 miles away.