Shipping Search - Archive

New Scheme to Double Income by 2019

JAPAN – Shipping group Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has recognised it is a truly multimodal carrier and not just a container shipping company with its latest published strategy for growth in the short to medium term. In truth the company’s activities already include a sizeable portfolio of product tankers, car carriers etc. MOL is a great one for publishing plans and has now made the move from single year objectives like its ‘Rise 2013’ ambitions with this latest scheme which it has entitled ‘Steer for 2020’.

35,000 Tonnes Transhipped to Provide Access

RUSSIA – Having the facilities to work on the unloading of bulk freight from up to twenty rail cars simultaneously and the ability to employ a multimodal approach must have proved vital on the construction contract undertaken by the Russian Railways Logistics (RZDL) branch in Saint Petersburg recently. The consignee, the JSC Timber Terminal ‘Factor’, which is developing the cargo handling capability and surrounding infrastructure at the Port of Ust-Luga on the Eastern arm of the Baltic Sea, has the capability for such an undertaking via its own rail head.

Proposed 5 Year Extension of Consortia Regulation Welcomed by Industry Groups

EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Today (31 March) sees the closure of the latest public consultation by the European Commission regarding consortia within the container shipping market and, given the billions of euros and dollars we have witnessed the freight industry having inflicted on it for global cartel activities in the past couple of years, the response from some of the most influential bodies in the sector has been swift and thorough and the opinions forthcoming now are, somewhat predictably, favourable given the preliminary announcement emanating from Brussels.

Several Reports of Increased Activity as Shots Fired

EAST AFRICA – YEMEN – With pirate attack statistics at their lowest levels for six years, a fact attributed to the steep decline in incidents reported off Somalia, a worrying trend has started to emerge, this time in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, a key chokepoint in international shipping which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and which is now witnessing an upsurge of reports of possible pirate activity. The Strait is a busy waterway for freight and more than 3.4 million barrels of oil per day pass through Bab el-Mandeb, which translates from the Arabic as ‘Gate of Tears’ due to it being 18 miles wide at its narrowest point and tricky to navigate. These factors combine to make the slow moving vessels vulnerable to would be pirates as well shipping accidents and terrorist attacks.

Owners Fortunate there were no Deaths or Serious Environmental Damage

UK – GERMANY – The operator of a cargo ship, which grounded in an environmentally sensitive area off the Northumberland coast on March 15, 2013, has been ordered to pay nearly £73,000 in fines and costs after its crew failed to keep a proper lookout. The 1979 dwt MV Danio left Perth, Scotland, with a cargo of logs, destined for Ghent, Belgium. The Master was on watch until around midnight when he handed over to the Chief Officer, who had contracted an eye infection after handling a previous 'dusty' cargo. Press have reported the responsible oprerators as Cux Ship Management GmbH in Cuxhaven Germany, but the vessel is actually listed as one of the ships owned by Reederei Frank Dahl trading at the same address.

Who has Moved Where and When This Week

LUXEMBOURG – We kick off this week’s appointments and staff changes in the supply chain and logistics industry with a series of senior management changes at Cargolux. After months of speculation the air freight carrier has pronounced Dirk Reich to be its new President and CEO, effective immediately after the company’s Chief Financial Officer Richard Forson took over the position at Europe's largest cargo only airline on an interim basis in August 2012. Forson will now continue to serve as Senior Vice President and CFO.

Ship and Two Senior Crew to Remain in Custody

INDIA – So, after months of prevarication the Indian Court decided it could grant bail to most of the crew held captive following their detention, and that of their ship the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, when they were returning from anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean. Yesterday bail was granted to 33 of the 35 men accused whilst still holding the Ukrainian Captain Dudnik Valentyn and the British Security Chief, Paul Towers, in prison, this after several confused appearances in Court in a situation where conflicting stories appear to be the norm. The official charges now appear to be entering Indian territorial waters bearing undeclared arms and purchase of subsidised fuel illegally which equates to smuggling.

French Deals Increase Tonnages for WFS

FRANCE – The air freight handling specialist group Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has won four new cargo contracts for its French operation. The deals, with Air France, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, TMA Cargo and XL Airways, has seen deals awarded to the company which now handles some 40,000 tonnes of cargo a month in Paris and serves 180 airlines across the whole of France.

Reform of Regulations Needed and Agreed by Commons Transport Committee and Trade Union

UK – The RMT trade union, which represents many of Britain’s rail, maritime and transport workers, has given a ‘broadly welcoming’ response to the recent recommendations emanating from the Commons Transport Committee, which endorses the RMT’s view that the Tonnage Tax is in need of an overhaul to further support employment in the country’s freight and passenger shipping sector. The report had three main aims: to promote the UK as a globally competitive location for shipping which encourages maritime trade; to build a maritime skills base that supports a vibrant UK maritime sector; and to ensure that UK shipping is safe, secure and environmentally responsible.

Supply Chain Group Hit with 10,000 Pound Fine after Breaching Health and Safety Guidelines

UK – Anyone operating in a busy freight warehouse environment knows the problems of combining safety with efficiency and speed, and will be familiar with the necessity of carrying on alteration and improvement works ‘out of hours’ when perhaps safety guidelines are relaxed, and regular supervisory staff missing. In such circumstances the essentials of properly prepared risk assessments and method statements become all the more important and now supply chain management group Ceva Logistics has been prosecuted after two employees were left badly injured when they were knocked nearly five metres to the ground.

Insurers and Trucking Groups Join Forces with Police

CANADA – The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) are joining forces, supported by Ontario police services, to launch a national programme to fight cargo theft, a rapidly escalating crime costing Canadians up to CA$5 billion a year and proving a significant problem in transportation hubs in southern Ontario, Vancouver and Montreal. The expansion of the Cargo Theft Reporting pilot programme will make it accessible to all Canadian insurers and trucking associations enabling the sharing of information to help assuage the problem of freight theft, particularly from road haulage operators.

Historic Site Has Traditionally Been Associated with Energy Logistics

UK – Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) have announced a combined total investment of £310 million in the development of the UK’s offshore wind industry with plans to build new wind turbine production and installation facilities which will be spread across two sites located in Yorkshire. Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding three years ago, the new statement means works to convert the old Alexandra Dock in the Port of Hull by infilling around 20 acres will proceed, and ships will call at the newly created ‘Green Port’ to load the giant turbines at the newly created Quay 2005 for distribution and export.

Illinois Terminal Said to Have Violated USERRA Conditions

US – The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a lawsuit against Con-way Freight over allegations that the company violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by failing to promptly reassign Naval Reservist Dale Brown to his former position as a driver with appropriate seniority once he notified the company that he had fully recovered from a temporary service-related medical disability.

As Sir Ben Ainslie Opens New UK Berth, Handling Equipment Groups Profit from Larger Vessels and Increased Tonnage

UK – LATIN AMERICA – TURKEY – WORLDWIDE – Despite the world’s economic woes deep water ports, particularly those capable of handling the new generation of super-size container ships, are engaged in a fiercer than ever competition to stay ahead of their rivals for the available freight handling contracts and the rush to compete is proving a bonus for those involved in supplying container and mobile harbour cranes as well as reach stackers and ancillary equipment. Next Monday (March 31) will see no less a giant maritime figure than Sir Ben Ainslie, Britain's greatest ever Olympic sailor, officially open Southampton's £100 million new box handling facility.

Prevarication May Cost Dearly as Arrangements Lag behind those of Olympics

UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has delivered a rocket to the organisers of the forthcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games reiterating its concerns over a lack of information to help the freight industry prepare for the event and requesting for published detailed information regarding the necessary logistics within the next fifty days.

German Built Ship Has Christening Tinged with History and Nostalgia

GERMANY – SCOTLAND – The latest RoRo freight and passenger ferry was launched at Flensburg in Germany on Friday (March 21) and, when fitting out is completed by September, will serve on Hebridean Island and Clyde shipping group Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac Ferries) Stornaway to Ullapool route. The ceremony itself carried more than a touch of nostalgia as the new vessel was christened the MV Loch Seaforth by her ‘Godmother’, Joan Murray, the eldest daughter of the late Captain John Smith who skippered the original inter island ferry of that name which served for 25 years.

Lines from Three Continents to Serve China to Red Sea

ASIA – RED SEA – French box carrier CMA CGM has introduced its new Asia Southern Red Sea Express (REX3), a fixed-day weekly service that will commence May 8, 2014. The new routing will be in conjunction with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and is in answer to the growing demand and customer requirements in the Red Sea market.

Three Companies Vessels Will Share Common Administrative Base with Echoes of Past Box Conferences

US – WORLDWIDE – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has concluded an extensive review of the proposed P3 Network Vessel Sharing Agreement, announcing that it will allow the Agreement to become effective as scheduled on Monday, March 24, 2014. The pending agreement between the world’s three largest container shipping lines Maersk, CMA CGM, and MSC, would authorise the parties to share vessels and engage in related cooperative operating activities in the trades between the US and Asia, North Europe, and the Mediterranean and the decision came despite last minute protests from shippers groups.

Competition Commission Hints it Will Insist on Withdrawal of Eurotunnel Subsidiary Operation

UK – FRANCE – In the on-going dispute over the future of Eurotunnel’s RoRo cross channel freight and passenger subsidiary MyFerryLink, the UK’s Competition Commission (CC) has ‘provisionally confirmed’ that it has jurisdiction over Eurotunnel’s acquisition of three ferries and related assets, previously belonging to the now liquidated ferry operator SeaFrance. As a result, the CC has concluded that it has no reason to change its opinion and that MyFerryLink must cease operations, even though the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) originally ruled in favour of the merger

Charity and Insurance Study Shows Public Demand for Longer Prison Sentences when Driving Illegally

UK – Road safety charity Brake, in conjunction with insurers Direct Line, has issued a hard hitting report today calling for much heavier sentences for drivers who kill due to their own criminal actions. The report, aimed at all drivers, not particularly the road haulage community but one which should be read and considered by all professional truck drivers and their employers, illustrates several cases which the casual reader may find alarming when considering the facts presented.

Logistics Groups Have Taken to the Joint Programme with Alacrity

US – The SmartWay® programme is a public-private initiative between the Environmental Protection Agancy (EPA) and federal and state authorities and a variety of road haulage outfits, rail freight carriers, logistics groups and others in the supply chain, and now the scheme is celebrating a decade of success in its sworn purpose to improve fuel efficiency and the environmental performance by the way the country transports goods to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Police Want to Use London's Number Plate Recognition Equipment for 'Crime Prevention'

UK – In a move which many will see as containing elements of the Big Brother society, Transport for London (TfL) is canvassing the opinions of drivers with regard to extending the powers which it can take regarding information it derives from the use of number plate recognition technology. Unfortunately the request comes with baggage and will be seen by many, if not most, as containing elements which seem intrusive, perhaps even intimidating.

Government Could Have Gone Further According to Industry Lobbyists

UK – With just one Budget left before the next general election there were bound to be some more eye catching policy moves than the simple suspension of the duty rate change on fuel which the road haulage sector had been crying out for. After ramping up the pressure, as we reported last week, representatives of the industry such as the Freight Transport Association (FTA) nd the Road Haulage Association (RHA) were not as happy about the savings to the industry as one might have expected.

Appointments and Departures in the Supply Chain in the Past Few Days

UK – We start this week’s staff news in the freight and logistics sector with the passing of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) Union’s General Secretary Bob Crow. Never a man to mince his words, Crow remained a controversial figure throughout his years leading the union, but won many battles in order to improve pay and conditions for his members. He died of a heart attack on March 11 at the age of 52. Those wishing to pay their respects are invited leave a message of condolence on the Union’s website, others of course may remember his ‘she can rot in hell’ comment upon hearing of Baroness Thatcher’s death.

Lawyers Dismissed Whilst Thirty Five Strong Crew Await Bail Hearing

UK – INDIA – US – Yesterday the families of six British ex-military personnel incarcerated in India, presented a petition with 145,000 signatures at 10, Downing Street asking that Prime Minister to act on their behalf. Confusion still reigns over the precise facts surrounding the detention of the MV Seaman Guard Ohio and its crew for over five months after she was boarded when returning from an anti-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean. The petition calls upon the Foreign Secretary, William Hague and the government to bring pressure upon the Indian authorities to act whilst an appeal to help provide the men with proper legal representation has been launched.

Tax Credit Boosts 2013 Financials as Passenger Numbers Rise and Pollution Falls

FRANCE – UK – Much happening at Groupe Eurotunnel this week after the cross channel link announced its annual financial results for 2013 with profits tripling to €101 million, aided by a €81 deferred tax asset and increased passenger numbers, but also whilst managing to carry 1.4 million freight trucks throughout the year. The controversial RoRo MyFerryLink service operated after the demise of SeaFrance showed an operating loss however of €22 million. Meanwhile the groups Carbon Trust Certification has been retained after the success of three main projects.

Fairmount Marine Begins with Contract on Home Territory for Both

NETHERLANDS – ITALY – Earlier this month Louis Dreyfus Armateurs sold its interest in both Fairmount Marine B.V. and its affiliate Fairmount Ocean Towage Company B.V., to the Dutch based Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., a marine service provider with a special interest in dredging, offshore energy and port services. The group already owned Smits, a towage company and its salvage sector will be strengthened by the acquisition of the Rotterdam based Fairmount operation. Boskalis lays claim to a fleet of over 1,000 vessels of various types whilst Louis Dreyfus says it wants to concentrate on its bulk freight and logistics activities.

Shake a Leg (or Two) for a Good Cause - (Support from Fat and Lazy People Needed Too)

EUROPE – AFRICA – Road haulage charity Transaid, is once again challenging members of the freight and logistics industry to swap trucks, buses and trains for bicycles (Penny Farthings only required as cash – not as transport!) to take part in its annual European cycle ride, with this year’s challenge seeing fundraisers setting off on a three-day, 340 kilometre adventure to Brussels, where they’ll finish the ride in style arriving at the city’s iconic Grand Place. Previous rides to Paris and Amsterdam have raised a combined total of nearly £230,000, which goes towards improving road safety standards in Africa and increasing access to lifesaving healthcare, and if you can’t take part you can still help. Gary Forster, Transaid’s Chief Executive, said:

Shippers Forum Worries That Cooperation May Lead to Collusion

US – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – With just a few days left before the adjudicators from Europe and the US decide on the legality of the P3 shipping alliance between the world’s premier container shipping lines, there has been a final rallying cry from the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) urging the US Federal Maritime Commission and the European Commission competition authorities to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the grouping of Maersk Line, MSC and CMA CGM is unable restrict competition, reduce choice, or influence rates resulting from its potential dominating position with regard to intercontinental ocean freight trade.

Report Engenders Support from the Logistics Community

UK – As arguments for and against high speed rail become polarised Britain’s cargo carriers seem to be firmly behind the scheme. Unsurprisingly the Rail Freight Group (RFG) is a committed supporter of High Speed 2 (HS2), principally for the additional capacity it will create on the existing UK rail network, and now the forwarding community, in the shape of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), has also welcomed the recent report by HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins, HS2 Plus, into its viability.

Millions of Dollars Added to the Litany of Recent Offences

JAPAN – US – WORLDWIDE – As was anticipated the Japan Fair Trade Commission (TFTC) investigation which stretches back to September 2012 into the alleged collusion of several major shipping lines in the matter of carrying automobiles using specialised RoRo car carrying vessels, seems to have come to a head. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, or K Line as it is usually known, announced today that the JFTC has issued it with cease-and-desist orders and administrative surcharge payment orders, fines by any other name, totalling around $56 million, this just a few days after our last report on US penalties for similar antitrust offences concerning the fixing of freight rates, with more listed below.

Four Fold Increase in Reported Thefts in Five Years

EUROPE – The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) the forum that links global manufacturers, logistics providers, freight carriers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders in a concerted attempt to reduce supply chain crime, is calling for greater collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Europe to combat mounting cargo theft after its 2013 annual report revealed a 66% increase in incidents recorded by the Association and average losses per crime of €235,000 with particularly high percentage involving road haulage traffic.

Fork Lift Truck Association Membership and Change of Address Improves Local Business

UK – Having recently moved to bigger, improved local premises, mechanical handling group Andover Fork Truck Services made the decision to join the ranks of the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) and the company says that the twin changes have already gained the family-run firm new contracts, including for local road haulage interests, as Lee Clapcott, Andover’s Service Director, explains:

IATA Takes a Positive View of the Industry

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – News from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently has been decidedly upbeat, with information released over the past two months showing moderate growth for the carriage of cargo worldwide and generally increasing across most of the geographical air freight markets, with the most recent information predicting that the airline industry remains on track to deliver a second consecutive year of improved profitability.

Danish Group Continues Global Expansion of Services

DENMARK – US – AUSTRALIA – WORLDWIDE – Despite all the talk of new fuels suitable to power the world’s ocean bulk freight and container shipping fleets traditional heavy oil is likely to remain the staple diet of most marine vessels for the foreseeable future and OW Bunker, founded and headquartered in Denmark continues to expand its global operations with recent developments in the US and Australia.

Low Emission HGV Task Force Publishes Recommendations and Gets Industry Support

UK – The recommendations of the Low Emission HGV Task Force on the use of methane and biomethane in HGVs has been published and immediately has put pressure on the government to act and encourage the utilisation of gas in the road haulage industry from small scale to mainstream use. The Low Emission HGV Task Force is led by the Department for Transport (DfT) and includes industry groups such as the Freight Transport Association (FTA) Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT), the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Chicago based firm buys New York Palletiser Supplier

US – Arpac, the specialist packaging supplier based near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, has acquired Lambert (formerly Lamson) Material Handling. Lambert has been a manufacturer of conventional palletisers for over 66 years, introducing the first automatic palletiser to the North American market in 1948.

Services to Transport and Social Works Recognised Once More

TAIWAN – GERMANY – The Chairman of the Evergreen Group, Dr Chang Yung-Fa is certainly no stranger to receiving public accolades, up until this year the good doctor had received no less than fourteen medals of honour plus eight honorary doctorates for various services both to his favoured industry and general good works. The head of the container shipping line has now added a fifteenth award with the presentation of the Federal Republic of Germany’s Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution to the Port of Hamburg; his achievement in the international transportation industry; his devotion to charity and promotion of education and cultural exchange.

Disposal Comes Just One Year After Acquisition

CHINA – HONG KONG – Just a year after investing HK$3.2 billion to purchase Asia Container Terminals Holdings Ltd (ACT), Singapore based Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT) has sold off 60% of the Hong Kong container shipping facility, 40% to Cosco Pacific and 20% to the China Shipping Terminal Development (Hong Kong) Company Limited. The move comes following a fall in HPHT's share price after a profits drop, principally as a result of losses due to the ACT acquisition and the resultant higher depreciation costs, and the damage inflicted by last year's forty day strike at another of the groups Hong Kong terminals.

57,000 Square Metre Site Will Give Room for Future Expansion

BULGARIA – AUSTRIA – Freight forwarding and logistics specialist Gebrüder Weiss, headquartered in Lauterach, Austria, has taken the first steps to moving its former site in Sofia, Bulgaria to a new, modern distribution centre in Elin Pelin, at a projected cost of €8 million. A recent ground breaking ceremony saw a variety of employees witness the initial moves which will culminate in the development of a new transport hub for the Balkans and Central Asia by the end of 2014.

Break Bulk Steam Turbine and Generator Shipment Concluded by Allseas Global

INDIA – UK – The size of a project freight forwarding shipment just completed by Allseas Global is impressive, not only for the overall size of the consignment at almost 174 tonnes and 458 cubic metres, but for the two largest pieces, steam turbines of 75 and 50 tonnes respectively.

Ocean Box Carrier Announces New Port Call is a First for Twenty Years

AFRICA – A novelty this week as French container shipping line CMA CGM announces that it will henceforth include a port call at Buchanan in Liberia claiming to be the only ocean freight carrier to call at the port in twenty years. Exports from the region include locally sourced wood, rubber, palm oil and minerals.

US Outlets Provide Extended Coverage for Linde 2014 Models

US – When times are tough economically it’s up to suppliers to find ways to attract business, preferably without significantly increasing their overheads. Now fork lift truck manufacturer the Linde Material Handling-North America Corporation, part of the German Linde group, has announced a bonus for purchasers of some of its most popular models in the form of a free extended warranty package.

Petition Handed in to Downing Street by FairFuel UK Campaign

UK – The FairFuel UK campaign, backed by various logistics interests such as the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has dealt the next blow in its fight to reduce the cost of fuel for hauliers and private motorists today by presenting a petition to Downing Street calling for a 3p cut in Fuel Duty. The petition was handed in by motoring journalist, Quentin Wilson together with Rob Flello MP Labour Member for Stoke-on-Trent South and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport.

UKWA Pavilion Once Again Provides Marketing Opportunities for Multimodal Attendees

UK – The Multimodal Exhibition held at Birmingham’s NEC has rapidly become the ‘must visit’ event for suppliers as well as the familiar bunch of freight forwarders and shipping lines, port representatives’ etc. providing a chance for networking with contacts and offering an opportunity to promote new products and services. As usual one of the key attractions for many at the event will be the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Pavilion.

New Report from Eminent Sources Studies Fuels of the Future

UK – WORLDWIDE – Whilst many in the shipping industry chatter excitedly about hybrid and LNG technology a new report on marine fuels, published by two bodies which together pack in a wealth of knowledge on the subject, now takes a more considered view of how the bulk cargo, container shipping and tanker freight trade will be powered in the future. Research undertaken by Lloyd’s Register and University College London’s Energy Institute explores in great depth the drivers for the future energy mix in shipping in 2030. This week’s report, Global Marine Fuel Trends 2030, looks at the fuel demand for a sector which accounts for approximately 70% of the global shipping industry’s energy requirement.

Awards and Charity Ball Again Celebrates the Best of the Best Whilst Supporting International Transport Charity

UK – The time is coming around again for the Annual Awards & Charity Ball hosted by Women in Logistics so stretch those weary fingers and hit the links below to demonstrate your support for the best companies and staff in the supply chain by nominating those in the freight industry who deserve recognition. The annual Women in Logistics Awards, now in their third year, will again be paired with a Charity Ball with the money raised going to the transport charity Transaid.

TNT Agree New Technology Contract with Peak-Ryzex

UK – A significant feather in the cap for a company which provides managed supply chain and mobile data capture and transfer information solutions this week as Peak-Ryzex announced it has signed up TNT Express and will support the upgrade of in-cab mobile worker technologies across the logistics company’s UK-wide fleet. Under the contract, Peak-Ryzex will manage more than 10,000 devices, including 2500 new Motorola Solutions PDAs, in what represents one of the largest mobile managed services contracts signed in the UK.

Eddie Stobart Name Retained as Truck Business Changes Hands

UK – After we wrote last year of how the Stobart Group needed to rationalise its business structure following a profit warning, the Company’s Board of Directors has announced that it is to sell the majority stake of its road haulage business, Eddie Stobart Logistics, to holding company DBay Advisors, in a deal worth approximately £280 million. The result of this transaction will leave Stobart with 49% of Eddie Stobart Logistics but crucially, able to reduce its debt. Iain Ferguson, Chairman of Stobart said:

New Page Turner Online Brochures Available

UK – Skills for Logistics, the body dedicated to providing individuals with the skills and supply chain companies with suitably trained personnel, has released a series of three of its online page turner brochures which will be of interest particularly to employers keen on training youngsters looking at a career in road haulage and those looking for a not for profit credit union dedicated to the logistics industry.

In Cab Systems Aid Economy and Record Incidents

US – Always a company that is keen on safety Con-way Freight, the less than truckload road haulage specialist and subsidiary of the logistics group Con-way Inc, has fully deployed Drive Safe Systems™ adding two more in-cab safety performance suites to the three existing ‘sense and alert’ on-board systems that have been factory-installed in every new Con-way Freight tractor since late 2009.

State Airline is 'Misogynistic and Autocratic'

QATAR – The state airline has come in for extreme criticism for the way it treats female employees. Qatar Airways (QR) will be subjected to a barrage of protests tomorrow March 8 (International Women’s Day) for its misogynistic policies. The passenger and air freight carrier stands accused by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) of having totally unacceptable policies specifically aimed at persecuting women who work at the company.

It never rains but.......

US – Just a week after being fined $8.9 million by the US Justice Department for price fixing violations, Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV) has also reached another costly agreement with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to resolve allegations that it violated the Shipping Act by colluding with other ocean freight carriers on the shipment of vehicles by RoRo or specialised car carrier vessels. The FMC has recently reached similar such agreements with K Line, NYK, and MOL, and its affiliate Nissan Motor Car Carriers, collecting over $3.5 million in penalties from the four carriers.

Cooperation Sees Link Up to Confer More Important Information

UK – WORLDWIDE – Vessel fleet security and monitoring specialist, Pole Star, has joined forces with Tidetech and integrated the oceanography specialist’s meteorological data into its commercial marine services. The collaboration means that customers using Pole Star’s Fleet Management, SSAS Alert Advanced and Marine Asset Tracker 2.0 systems will benefit from current and up to seven day weather forecasts displayed as graphical overlays with available weather conditions including sea surface temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction.

Investment After Share Sale with News of Chinese Purchase

GREECE – WORLDWIDE – Following some high level trading of shares recently, dry bulk freight tanker specialist Paragon Shipping Inc, based in Greece and incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, has seemingly invested the near $40 million it announced it had raised last month, as part finance for three new Kamsarmax drybulk carriers. Paragon says the ships will be of an ‘eco design’ each with a carrying capacity of 81,800 dwt.

Inclement UK Weather Closes Original Destinations So Ad Hoc Services on the Thames Give DP World a Chance to Shine

UK – It seems that DP World’s Thames based London Gateway port, whilst still trying to sign up more regular port calls from the ocean container shipping community to enable it to properly challenge established freight hubs such as Felixstowe and Southampton, is carving a niche for itself as a ‘go to’ deep water facility when is all is not well elsewhere.

Manufacturer to Display a Full Range of New and Refurbished Warehouse Equipment

UK – Next week sees a chance for visitors to the showroom of Warrington based materials handling group Jungheinrich UK to win tickets to this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Called ‘The Big Event’ the company is holding a two day intralogistics fair on March 12th and 13th to demonstrate its range of forklift trucks, racking and warehouse management systems to any interested manufacturer or freight and supply chain associated business at first hand and will particularly suit anyone looking to purchase top quality ex rental equipment.

Country is Still at 'High Threat Level'

US –Supply chain security provider FreightWatch has released its annual US Cargo Theft Report which recorded 951 major cargo thefts throughout the United States in 2013, coincidently exactly the same amount as recorded in 2012 and tying for the highest level of theft incidents on record. With an average of 79.25 cargo thefts per month, the US sustained cargo thefts at a rate of 2.6 per day in 2013 and of these thefts, 691 (72.66%) were full-truckload or container thefts and 65 (6.83%) were less-than-truckload losses.

Shipping Industry Told 'Environmental Crimes Will Not be Tolerated'

US – Singapore based bulk liquid freight carrier Odfjell Asia II Pte, a subsidiary of the Norwegian based Odfjell Group, plus one of the company’s senior crew members, have pleaded guilty in federal court in Hartford, Connecticut, for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) on charges related to the illegal discharge of waste oil and oil-contaminated waste water. As we predicted in December this type of case is likely to become more common as more stringent control of environmental regulations bite. The company now faces a $1.2 million penalty with the employee, Senior Engineer Ramil Leuterio employed aboard the tanker Bow Lind, facing imprisonment as well as a maximum fine of $250,000. After the case acting Assistant Attorney General Dreher said:

Less than a Month Before Truckers Have to Pay to Use British Roads

UK – The Department for Transport (DfT) and its chosen partner in the UK HGV Road Levy Scheme, Northgate Public Services is reminding road haulage operators and other interested parties in the freight industry who are likely to use the services of overseas vehicles of 12 tonnes and above on British roads after the 1st of April 2014 that these vehicles will have to pay the appropriate levy prior to the trucks entering the country.

Iconic Aid to RoRo Handling Delivers Once More

UK – MEXICO – In many industries, some branded products become so iconic they transform into the generally used, rather than the specific item, think of ‘Hoover’, ‘Q-Tip’ and ‘Xerox’, in the logistics market the same tends to apply so for shipping freight by way of RoRo we have the Mafi trailer, from a company which manufactures a range of port equipment yet is known by a product universal in its use and appeal, and once again, it was one such trailer which proved a key element in the latest project forwarding movement for Tuscor Lloyd’s.

WSC Changes at the Top

WORLDWIDE – One of the major staff appointments of the week is in the world of containers and bulk freight with the news that the World Shipping Council (WSC) Board of Directors has approved the appointments of Tai Soo Suk, President of Hanjin Shipping to fill the seat previously held by his predecessor at Hanjin Y.M. Kim, and Søren Toft Chief Operating Officer of Maersk Line to fill the seat previously held by his predecessor at Maersk Line Morten Engelstoft.

Interest in the Fuel Grows Steadily

JAPAN – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – As predicted the business of producing, storing, shipping and using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) continues its slow growth with new, and potentially profitable opportunities for many in the logistics sector. As we have pointed out before many of the ocean carriers traditionally associated with container and bulk shipping are taking an interest in the spread of a fuel which many see as the future.

Guides are Freely Available to Ensure both National Regulations and Proper Stowage of Trucks Adhered To

UK – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Despite a fairly aggressive Health and Safety stance in the UK, every year sees several people killed, and hundreds more injured often very seriously, by loads falling from British trucks. The cause generally tends to be the obvious culprit, unsafe or inappropriate practices when loading and securing the cargo, causing freight to shift. Other deaths and injuries occur whilst the vehicles are actually in transit yet the most basic training could ensure such tragedies are avoided. Now it appears road haulage operators are also falling foul of international law simply through ignorance of local regulations regarding the security of loads.

As Independence Referendum Looms Upgrading Northern Infrastructure Would Benefit Shippers as Well as Passengers

UK – (but for how much longer?) – With Scottish independence to be decided in just over six months’ time, there is a somewhat unreal air about all matters Caledonian at the moment, and spending on transport infrastructure is bound to be a key, but uncertain, issue for many in the logistics business. Now the Rail Freight Group (RFG) has spoken up on one key factor in the supply chain, the radical upgrade of Scotland’s rail capability north of the Central Belt, with its firm support going behind the recently launched ‘Inter-City Express’ campaign.

Sixteen Acre Site Holds Ample Transfer and Storage Space for Continued Expansion

UK – Dachser, one of the big hitters amongst European logistics and freight forwarding groups with a turnover exceeding €4 billion per annum, saw its British operation take possession of a new, purpose built facility at Brackmills, Northampton last week. The move brings the base-build phase of the development to completion after the keys were handed over by Roxhill Investments, the developer of the site.