Shipping Search - Archive

Driverless Vehicles and Drones are the Future According to Accountants

US – WORLDWIDE – Traditional supply chains will radically change over the next 5 to 10 years as a result of new technologies, competition and customer demands, according to a study by the Material Handling Institute (MHI) and accounting giants Deloitte. On average, companies surveyed expect to invest heavily in new supply chain technologies over the next two years, with the top 17% spending over $10 million. One aspect highlighted in the report, titled ‘Supply Chain Innovation - Making the impossible possible’, that affects the freight and shipping industry is the emergence of driverless vehicles and drones.

New Safety Spray Really Can Make a Visible Difference

UK – With major changes about to be introduced in London as to the layout and equipment of HGVs in a bid to protect more vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists, a major automotive manufacturer has stepped up with a product aimed at making such people safer by their own efforts. 19,000 cyclists are involved in accidents in the UK every year, many killed or seriously injured by road haulage trucks and now the Volvo group have had creative agency Grey London develop a concept to make cyclists more visible at night and, as our photograph shows, the results are quite remarkable.

More and Bigger Ships Ordered and Delivered Whilst Partnership Finalised

SWITZERLAND – SOUTH KOREA – FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has taken delivery of the MSC Oliver, the second in its series of twenty 19,224 TEU container ships, the joint current holders of the title of the world’s largest vessels in terms of capacity, though how long that sticks remains to be seen as rival line CMA CGM becomes the latest group to join the race for the first 20,000+ TEU Ultra-Large Carriers.

Attempt to Strengthen Brand in Key Baltic Market

GERMANY – ESTONIA – With the collapse of major bunker suppliers at the end of last year and the sharp drop in fuel prices plus the inception of more stringent emission controls the sector is undergoing many changes as it fights ever harder trading conditions to supply freight and passenger vessels with suitable marine oil products.

Comprehensive Training Covers All Major Points of the Industry

UK – Whilst all the talk is of the shortfall of HGV drivers and the lack of awareness amongst youngsters regarding the logistics industry as a career, one not-for-profit based scheme is working toward introducing graduate talent into the freight sector by providing two innovative 4-year Supply Chain Management degree courses that will guarantee a job, should the graduate meet the necessary criteria. The NOVUS scheme, brainchild of Andy Kaye, CEO and founder of recruitment and business consultancy BiS Henderson, covers supply chain management and IT, finance, organisational structure and methods, sociology and psychology, transport network and warehouse design, inventory management and HR management.

Charity Corporate Supporter Honoured by Royal Visit

UK – WORLDWIDE – In her capacity as Patron of international development charity, Transaid, HRH the Princess Royal has been intimately involved in the world of freight and logistics and today paid a visit to one of the charity’s most active supporters whilst viewing Norbert Dentressangle’s operation in Corby, meeting some of the company’s apprentices and young managers.

Pre-Check Service to Eliminate Stress

UK – WORLDWIDE – Since the relaxation of Britain’s quarantine laws and the inception of the UK Pet Travel Scheme in 2001 the system has been rolled out over several territories with great support and success. Now Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to partner the City of London’s Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) to trial a pre-check service for pets landing in the UK on the airline’s flights.

Swedish Equipment Will be Marketed in UK by Corporate Sibling

UK – IRELAND – SWEDEN – Oxford based DEL Equipment (UK), which claims to be Britain’s number one manufacturer of column, tuckaway and bin lifts, has literally raised its game after acquiring the rights to supply, build and support the Swedish manufactured ZEPRO range of cantilever lifts and sliders. Previously DEL has specialised in own lifts, all of which open and close manually whereas the new products are designed for heavy-duty trucks and semi-trailers, and incorporate powered deployment as well as lifting systems.

Another Shipping Based Antitrust Case Lumbers Onward

US – March has so far seen two ocean shipping executives jailed for their roles in a conspiracy to fix prices, allocate customers and rig bids of international ocean freight services for RoRo cargo, such as cars and trucks, to and from the United States and elsewhere, bringing up the total number prosecuted as part of this antitrust case to four. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore field office, Steve Vogt, said:

Risks of Fire and Pollution are Ever Present

UK – Caledonian MacBrayne’s MV Finlaggan ferry has won an International Safety Award with merit from the British Safety Council, and the huge percentage of Scotland’s most famous export carried on commercial freight vehicles by the RoRo ferry played a large part in achieving the award. The safety and handling considerations given to this most precious and revered of cargoes were among many criteria explored in a submission by CalMac to the British Safety Council for its annual awards.

First Order for World's Biggest Box Line Since Triple E Series

DENMARK – CHINA – Maersk Line has signed a new building order with COSCO Shipyard in Zhoushan, China, for seven 3,600 TEU ice class container vessels measuring 200 metres long by 35.2 metres wide, with a 10 metre draft. This order, aiming at the European short sea freight sector, marks the first step in Maersk’s recently announced investment programme, which will see the world’s biggest container shipping line in terms of capacity, try and maintain its global ranking and fend off competition from its 2M partner, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Who Has Left or Arrived This Month

GERMANY – Firstly a major staff change at one of the world’s largest container shipping lines as Chief Financial Officer at Hapag Lloyd, Peter Ganz, has announced his resignation from the company effective April 1. Hapag Lloyd’s largest shareholder CSAV has elected its CFO, Nicholas Burr as Ganz’s successor effective the same day. Hapag Lloyd, which agreed a merger with CSAV last year, has a fleet of around 200 box ships and specialises also in oversize and out of gauge freight movements.

Rio Grande to Aberdeen Presents Specific Problems for Out of Gauge Goods

BRAZIL – UK – The special projects team at freight forwarding and logistics group Tuscor Lloyds recently had to face another awkward multimodal challenge when asked to move 4 giant steel reels, each weighing almost 31 tonnes and standing over 5 metres high, from Rio Grande, Brazil to Aberdeen, Scotland.

First 'FIATA Fellow' for Longstanding Supporter

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – The Members of the Presidency of FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, have decided to honour outstanding members of the logistics industry by awarding eminent personalities who have been significantly beneficial for FIATA with the title of ‘FIATA Fellow’. The object of this title is to enable the Presidency to express appreciation for outstanding contributions to the freight forwarding and logistics industry, esteem deserving individuals, and at the same time, use this award as a means to motivate others to contribute their talents and efforts.

Thieves Sentenced to Million Dollar Penalties and Decades of Imprisonment

US – A father and son pair who owned several road haulage businesses have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 24 years in federal prison for their roles in a 14-year-long conspiracy to steal more than $1 million worth of trucks and trailers and their cargo. Jon ‘Dirk’ Dickerson, of Raytown, Missouri, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole, and his son, Kyle Wayne Dickerson, of Holden, Missouri, was sentenced to nine years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered the Dickersons to pay $995,129 in restitution and a forfeiture money judgment of $1,270,089.

Your Chance to Win a Trophy, Lunch and Prestige!

UK – Last year we wrote a couple of articles about a board game, ‘Business on the Move’, designed to instruct youngsters on the realities of the supply chain and teach them how freight and logistics were vital to their everyday lives. Now the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) is inviting visitors to this year’s Multimodal 2015 event in Birmingham in April to try a specially adapted ‘speed version’ of the game for themselves.

Weekly Shipments Intended to Cut Costs and Transit Times

INDIA – QATAR – Milaha Maritime & Logistics, a subsidiary of the Qatar based Milaha Group which delivers integrated transport and supply chain solutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has announced the launch of the first direct container service between Qatar and India. The non-stop service will connect Qatar’s Doha port with India’s largest port Nhava Sheva, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The move aims to further facilitate the thriving trade activities between the two countries that Milaha says have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the recent years.

One Company Points Out the Importance of Preparation

WORLDWIDE – With the authorities in Hong Kong stating this week that they intend to force vessel operators to use low sulphur fuel from July 2015 after failing to cajole enough to make the switch voluntarily, it is interesting to note the differing reactions of freight, RoRo ferry and container shipping lines around the world to the imposition of Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in the waters of the US, Caribbean, Northern Europe and Canada from January this year.

Major Investment for Port and Provisions Groups

UK – The Port of Tilbury is to develop a £20 million state-of-the art temperature-controlled distribution centre in a deal between owners Forth Ports and food supply chain group NFT Distribution. The intention is to construct a 230,000 square foot building located within the port estate adjacent to the London Container Terminal (LCT) making it one of the largest refrigerated quayside facilities in Europe.

Double Celebration for Forwarding Group

UK – LUXEMBOURG – US – This month sees a couple of significant milestones for DB Schenker which began a cooperation a decade ago with freight only airline Cargolux for the shipment of healthcare products to the US, and which has just seen the first full charter flight of pharmaceuticals on the Indianapolis service. Meanwhile next week will see DB Schenker Logistics UK open a new perishables handling facility at its London Heathrow air cargo hub.

Proximity of Airport Meant Redesign to Cope with Height Restrictions

IRELAND – AUSTRALIA – Liebherr Container Cranes report another successful order for their Killarney factory with the news it is to supply three unique articulated boom, ship to shore container cranes (STS) for delivery to Port Botany, Sydney and a further STS unit for Fisherman’s Island, Brisbane. The height restrictions prevailing at Port Botany, due to its close proximity to Sydney airport meant that first the design needed a thorough testing.

Sole Supplier Deal for Essex Logistics Group

UK – WORLDWIDE – Essex based freight forwarding outfit the Woodland Group is celebrating after signing a three year contract with automotive aftermarket supplier Comma Oil & Chemicals, based across the River Thames in Kent. Although involved with chemical export cargoes in the past, this is the first time Woodland has been appointed to work for a large industry player on a sole supplier basis.

Regulations for Lorry Designs are Changing to Increase Safety of Other Road Users

UK – 1 September 2015 is a date which should concern any and all road haulage operators which have HGVs entering London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) as that signals the imposition of the London Safer Lorry Scheme, as well as numerous restrictions, rules and regulations which freight transport companies must adhere to henceforth.

Annual Report Says Rail Cargo second behind Trucking in Terms of Value

US – This week saw the latest figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics showing the amount of freight shipping across the North and South borders of the US – and the figure for 2014 stands at an impressive $1.2 trillion, up 4.5%. All modes are in the report but again trucking carried the bulk of cargo in terms of value, with those engaged in trans-border trade of the three and a half million drivers employed in the industry accounting for around 60% of that total.

VED and Fuel Duty Stay the Same Whilst Some Possible Help for Driver Shortage

UK – A mixed reaction to the Budget from the bodies concerned with road haulage as they pick apart the fine print to see how it will affect the logistics sector. Obviously the decision to freeze VED on HGVs and a similar policy on fuel duty has been welcomed, but additionally the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said it is pleased that the government has listened to industry on the subjects of driving tests and medical assessments for HGV drivers. An announcement on Severn Bridge Tolls was far less popular.

A Changing World Brings New Responsibilities

WORLDWIDE – With environmental concerns now firmly established as the top item on the agenda of many involved in the world of logistics, this week sees a new report from the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a pioneering coalition of companies from across the global shipping industry focused on uniting commercial growth with sustainable behaviours. SSI certainly has the credentials which demand a hearing with a list of members including Maersk Line, Lloyds Register, Wärtsilä, the American Bureau of Shipping and many others.

Houston Keeps Investing in Handling Equipment

FINLAND – US – Crane and materials handling producer Konecranes reports a further order from the Port of Houston Authority for nine of its Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes. When the order is delivered to the Port Authority’s Bayport Container Terminal in mid-2016 it will bring the number of such Konecranes units operated in Houston to sixty nine. The new cranes are 16-wheel RTGs with a lifting capacity of 40 tonnes and capable of a container stacking height of 1 over 5 with a stacking width of six plus truck lanes wide.

Criminals However Get Ever More Sophisticated When Targeting Freight

US – Supply chain security provider FreightWatch, has released its annual US Cargo Theft Report and it gives outsiders a useful snapshot into the levels of reported, high value freight crime throughout the country. The statistics recorded a 12% decrease in verified reported cargo thefts throughout the United States in 2014, down to 794 from the 951 reported in 2013. FreightWatch has warned haulage operators not to rest on their laurels as the risk outlook for the year ahead remains high as cargo criminals continue to evolve in response to the efforts of industry and Law Enforcement in the US.

When Will America Realise One Must Invest to Retrieve the Most Dangerous of Situations?

US – One of the most urgent problems facing the country today is the lamentable state of much of the vital infrastructure on which transport systems, including multimodal freight methods, depend. This week Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has been viewing a system which may contribute in some way to assisting in identifying faults, which if left to decay, have the potential to cause fatal incidents. Meanwhile, in the same month, an English comedian has probably best summed up the roots of a very serious situation.

Eastern European Tie Up for Polish and Croatian Outfits

POLAND – CROATIA – EUROPE – Polish rail freight carrier PKP Cargo, and its Croatian counterpart HZ Cargo, have signed a cooperation agreement which will see the two national operators join forces to expand their offerings in central and southern Europe. The companies will cooperate to enhance services for their current and new customers, increase the volume of cargo transport in the Baltic-Adriatic corridor, and develop joint logistics offers, all of which is intended to provide better intermodal transport services in the Baltics, Adriatic and Balkans. Chief Executive Officer of PKP Cargo Adam Purwin, said:

Overcrowding Levels Worst Since 2002

UK – The latest Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS) from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has revealed that congestion on UK roads is at the worst it has been for over 10 years. The results from the survey of over 100 logistics operators are seen as an indication of the impact of the increase in domestic road freight activity levels, and further highlight the rate of decline in the reliability of the UK motorway network.

Charity Abseil Seeks Transport Personnel (or Anyone Else) With Taste for Excitement

UK – Now is the chance for those in the freight, shipping and logistics sectors to ‘screw their courage to the sticking place’ and prove their bravery in a very good cause. On June 7, doughty volunteers, each of whom will have raised a minimum of a mere £350 in sponsorship, will get the chance to abseil down the 540 foot high Broadgate Tower in the centre of London’s commercial district. All this and a sparkling drinks reception hosted by Reed Smith to follow for those who make it in one piece!

Three European Groups Win Plaudits in Very Different Categories

DENMARK – UK – NETHERLANDS – Awards showered on the freight and logistics sector this week include environmental, social and performance related accolades spread across Europe. Firstly the development of the world’s first methanol powered RoRo ferry by the Stena Group, covered in detail in our article last month, has been rewarded with a ‘Ship Owner of the Year’ title at the recent Green Ship Technology Conference (GST), held in Copenhagen.

Increased Consumer Activity Spurs More Container Carriage on the Tracks

UK – This month sees the publishing of a new report from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), the body consisting of Britain's passenger train operating companies, freight operators and Network Rail, dedicated to furthering the cause of rail services in the UK. The report, ‘Freight Britain’, undertaken by KPMG, analyses the financial, operational and investment performance of freight operators since privatisation and the impact these have had on the country’s road haulage and container carriage industries and the environment.

Once More German Group is Accused of Serous Malpractice

GERMANY – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – It seems once again the continuing disputes between international labour organisations and German headquartered logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL have boiled up after the return from India of an International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) official charged with discovering the facts behind recent allegations against the freight forwarding and supply chain group over its employment practices outside the home country.

Several High Level Appointments - and Withdrawals

GERMANY – Dr Thomas Lieb has announced that he will leave the Deutsche Bahn Group effective March 31, after he handed in his resignation from his positions as Head of Schenker Logistics and Chairman of Schenker AG. Dr. Lutz Freytag, member of the Management Board of Schenker AG for Finance/ Controlling, will take over the position as Chairman of Management Board of Schenker AG on an interim basis, until a suitable successor has been found. The change at the top of the shipping and freight forwarding group has been reported as being ‘by mutual agreement’.

Lord Digby Jones Will Present Popular Annual UKWA Event at the Dorchester

UK – One of the year’s highlights for those in the warehousing business, and indeed many whose interests generally lie elsewhere in other areas of the logistics supply chain, are the annual United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Awards, once again to be held this year alongside the Annual Luncheon, taking place in the Ballroom Suite of the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London. The event, which is sponsored by fork lift truck and materials handling group Jungheinrich UK, will be held on Wednesday 1 July 2015, and the guest speaker will be none other than former Director General of the CBI and trade minister, Lord Digby Jones.

Over 300 Tonnes per Lift and Twenty Two Rows of Boxes Makes Liebherr's Latest a Leviathan

AUSTRIA – WORLDWIDE – Under the appropriate strap line ‘Size Does Matter’ crane manufacturer Liebherr has launched its latest, and biggest ever, mobile harbour crane, in fact the new LHM800 is now the largest such crane on the market with an extraordinary lifting capacity of up to 308 tonnes, plus the ability to service container ships with 22 wide rows of stacked boxes. The giant machine can also handle bulk freight up to a rate of a staggering 2,300 tonnes per hour.

Using Cheap and Readily Available A/C Gas Can Harm the Environment, the Vehicle and Even the Driver

AUSTRALIA – WORLDWIDE – One part of any automobile, whether it be a saloon car or a big rig with a semi-trailer, which matters vastly differently from country to country, is an efficient air conditioning system. If you are driving a truck across the icy wastes of Alaska you may wish to stop reading now. If however your daily task is in the road haulage game and you pull freight even in what is normally considered a temperate zone, such as the UK, you may be interested in the latest warning from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).

Volume and Complexity with a Hazardous Military Side Makes for a Tricky, but Successful, Transit

JORDAN – UK – Project freight forwarding contracts can come in all shapes and sizes with each posing its own individual problems. Sometimes it is the logistics of moving a single massive piece, whilst others, such as that recently faced by Manchester based Tuscor Lloyds, offer a situation containing a variety of elements, making things somewhat more complex.

Minister Present to Hear the Pleas of the Industry

UK – Solving the upcoming skills shortage in the trucking sector was the sole agenda at the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) recent one day Driver Crisis Summit, an event that proved to be so popular it had been oversubscribed, an indicator of how seriously the road haulage industry is taking the situation, with over 700 registering to hear industry experts from across the supply chain sharing their experiences and solutions on tackling the problem.

Increased Automotive Business from Environmental Scheme Helps Drive Country Subsidiary Forward

SPAIN – French headquartered freight forwarding and logistics group Gefco is celebrating 30 years of activity in Spain this month saying the national subsidiary has managed to establish itself in a competitive logistics market and has maintained its top three position in a difficult economic climate. Last week an event was held to celebrate this thirtieth anniversary, with Luc Nadal, Chairman of the Gefco Group Management Board, major names from the national press and the subsidiaries' employees all in attendance. The event also marked the arrival of Julián Navarro, Gefco Spain's new Managing Director.

Supplier of the Year Award for Brazilian Project

US – Last week General Motors held the ‘2014 Supplier of the Year’ award ceremony in Detroit to recognise its top 78 global suppliers across all areas of the business and third party logistics group Ceva was delighted to receive a mention as the only 3PL provider to collect an award at the event. Steve Kiefer, GM Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain said the companies selected were deserving of the accolades as recognition for their outstanding contributions.

ITF Wants to See MPHRP Join with ISWAN as Thieves Literally Seek Blood from Sailors

UK – EGYPT – WORLDWIDE – Funding for the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) which launched in September 2011 received a boost this week with a statement from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Seafarers’ Trust that it would continue to support the programme despite its initial funding officially ending this month. Thanks to such support the MPHRP has made a significant contribution to the welfare support of those on freighters and other vessels and their families caught up in and affected by pirate attacks and hijackings.

Coastguard Issues Consultation Document Which Will Affect All Those Who Load Export Boxes

UK – With a major change due next year regarding the responsibility of shippers for the declared gross mass of loaded export freight containers, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a consultation document prior to the UK implementation of the revised provisions which come under SOLAS VI Chapter 2 as issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The new regulations require the shipper of containers loaded with cargo to verify and provide the container’s gross mass to any carrier, and terminal representative, prior to it being loaded onto a ship.

Shameful Case of a Vessel Dedicated to Preserving Law on the High Seas

INDIA – Way back in October we wrote that the suspicious circumstances surrounding the detention of the anti-pirate patrol ship Seaman Guard Ohio had already lingered on for far too long, at that stage over a year in fact. Now a joint statement from Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) and The Mission to Seafarers has clarified the position and uncovered the shameful truth that six British men, long with 26 other crew, are still under detention in India 509 days after their initial arrest, even though they were found innocent by Justice Prakash in the Madras High Court on 10 July 2014, more than 8 months ago.

Nature of the Working Environment Has Radically Changed - but More Education Needed

WORLDWIDE – In the Spring of 2014 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) via the World Maritime University (WMU) held a conference in Malmö, Sweden ‘Maritime Women – Global Leadership’ to promote the role of women working in the marine environment. Now the IMO has released a video to support its view that more women should be appointed to senior positions in the industry.

Pharma Trade Must Expand and the Dangers of Lithium Exposed

WORLDWIDE – At this year's World Cargo Symposium, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) identified three vital aspects of the air cargo industry where further action is needed in order to recapture some of the lost market share from the ocean shipping and rail freight sectors as well as increase carriers’ revenues in line with the recent growth seen in volumes. Speaking in Shanghai at the opening of the 9th World Cargo Symposium, IATA Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler, said:

Virgin Atlantic Reports Annual Figures

UK – WORLDWIDE – Regardless of a fluctuating global air cargo market, which the company says saw yields decline for the third successive year, Virgin Atlantic Cargo has reported revenues of £221 million for 2014, down 1.8%, and managing to match the previous year’s air freight totals, carrying 224,139 tonnes for the year as a whole despite a reduction in capacity due to route and aircraft changes. Virgin Atlantic as a whole reported its first profit in four years, £14.4 million on £2.9 billion revenues.

Essex Based Firm Doubles Running Time with New Fleet

UK – Essex based freight and logistics firm Simarco says it has made substantial savings by switching its fork lift fleet entirely to Mitsubishi’s GRENDiA models. A new deal with Bronze Mechanical Handling has seen eight of the trucks, with capacities from 2 to 3 tonnes, replace the Witham headquartered freight company's outgoing fleet of mixed suppliers and brands.

Unit Can Produce Distilled or Drinking Water - Potentially Even on Solar Power

CZECH REPUBLIC – WORLDWIDE – Wastewater treatment systems specialist ACO Marine has launched a novel water recovery system which converts treated waste water into pure distilled water for such applications as general surface cleaning, laundry, showering, toilet flushing, engine cooling or any other fresh water requirement. Suitable for all vessel types a typical unit has a footprint not dissimilar to the size of a small domestic refrigerator, with water-making capacities ranging from 6,000 to 24,000 litres per day.

Lack of a Statement Leads to Speculation About Possible Corruption

DENMARK – INDIA – A veil has been drawn by APM Terminals, the port and container handling subsidiary of the Maersk Group, over the sudden departure last month of three of the companies leading executives. CFO Christian Møller Laursen, CCO and Business Director, Martin Gaard Christiansen, and Head of Global projects, Michael Lund Hansen were allegedly dismissed with immediate effect for ‘breaching company guidelines’.

Mediterranean Shipping Company Giant is the First of Eighteen in Her Class

UK – WORLDWIDE – The largest container ship by capacity ever built made her maiden call at Felixstowe today when the MSC Oscar arrived at the east coast port. Capable of carrying a mind boggling 19,224 TEU, the ship is the first in a class of eighteen such vessels on order for delivery by 2016 for the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The company, headquartered in landlocked Switzerland and founded by Gianluigi Aponte in 1970, still considers itself a family firm, hence the name, also borne by the son of Diego Aponte, MSC’s President and CEO.

All Supply Chain Requirements to be met by Specialist Division

UK – We have pointed out previously that freight forwarding and all round transport group DB Schenker is rapidly becoming the ‘go to’ company to approach when organising the supply chain requirements of a sporting event and now the signing of a three year contract as ‘Preferred Logistics Supplier’ for the Goodwood sporting and entertainments group is set to reinforce that impression.

Cargo Flowing Again After Nine Month Slowdown

US – With tales in the press of how sailors stranded off the west coast of America play basketball and drink beer whilst waiting for the backlog of ships lying outside the ports to be discharged, it’s time to catch up on how things are progressing since the employers of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) came to their still to be ratified agreement on the next five year contract of employment terms for dock workers. The waiting time outside the ports for the container ships before their freight can be discharged remains at two weeks for many, something which apparently little troubles the vessels’ crews, all of whom we spoke to remaining on full pay.

An Award for Growth and a Spanish Anniversary for Manchester Based Company

UK – SPAIN – Double celebrations for logistics and project freight forwarding group Tuscor Lloyds recently as the Manchester based outfit once again featured in the city’s ‘Fastest 50’ Awards whilst in Spain the group saw the tenth year anniversary of trading in the country.

Penalties Under New Intoxicants Legislation Errs Toward Favouring Prescribed Substances

UK – HGV drivers and road haulage operators should pay special attention to the new drug driving laws which came into force at the beginning of March. We have written before of the perils of driving road freight vehicles on Monday mornings whilst under the influence of alcohol, and the benefit of devices such as Alcolocks in defeating the problem. For most trucking companies however drugs are a more insidious and harder to detect problem, and many of course may actually be prescribed for the driver.

Port Terminal Staff Accused of Illegal Payments

DENMARK – THE NETHERLANDS – INDIA – More potential scandal in the world of shipping and freight forwarding this month as three employees from the port operating arm of container giant Maersk have been dismissed from the company for ‘not following internal policies’. Christian Moller Laursen, APM Terminals’ former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Martin Gaard Christiansen, Chief Commercial Officer; and Michael Lund Hansen, Head of Global Project Implementation, were all accused of illegal payments and showing favouritism with concern to practices in India. An investigation is now underway. The cargo industry has been rocked in the past few years by a succession of antitrust and cartel cases and a full report on the story behind this latest affair will follow shortly.

Electronic Navigational Storage Reduces Need for On Board Libraries

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – One of the bugbears of a modern skipper is the necessity for a ship to carry a mountain of documents to ensure complicity with the regulations incumbent upon larger vessels such as container ships and bulk freight carriers. Now Norwegian headquartered chart distributor Nautisk has unveiled its latest navigational solution, NaviTab, a hi-spec hand-held device, suitable for use both onshore and on the bridge, which can contain hundreds of vital books, advisory notices etc. Speaking at the launch of the product in the prestigious surroundings of the HQ of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Central London, Nautisk CEO Thomas Fjeld said:

A New Home for Long Established Yorkshire Headquartered Firm

UK – WORLDWIDE – One of the oldest and most respected names on the British shipping scene celebrated the official opening of a brand new headquarters recently when the Hull based John Good Group, still a genuine family firm after almost 200 years, invited over 170 guests from all aspects of the ocean freight trade to an evening inauguration at the state of the art office building. The new office, based at the sustainable business park, Bridgehead in Hessle, has actually been home to the John Good Group since December 2014 and the offices are now fully occupied by three of the Group’s companies: John Good Shipping, Good Travel Management and DAN Shipping.

Economy of Scale Remain the Buzzwords for Box Cargo Carriers

SOUTH KOREA – JAPAN – DENMARK – Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a deal for the construction and chartering of six 20,150 TEU containerships, the largest ships in terms of capacity currently on order, an announcement that marginally overshadows that of Maersk Line’s, which has announced that it will, for the first time since 2011, place an order for a new series of ships, expected to be between only 18,000 and 19,000 TEU, such is the size of the container shipping industry’s new orders, that we can precede 18,000 TEU with ‘only’ and Maersk tend to use a different system from any other carrier to define carrying capacity.

Rearrangement of Evergreen Service Schedules

ASIA – Container carrier Evergreen Line says it has identified strong growth potential in the Intra-Asia freight trades and is implementing service enhancements for its services to/from Southeast Asian markets. The shipping line will launch its new Taiwan–Shekou–Malacca Strait Service (TSS) later in March and will, at the same time, introduce a dedicated Taiwan – Hong Kong Service (THK).

2014 Went Well - and 2015 Has Started the Same Way Says Hull Agency

UK – TURKEY – Alan Steadman, Turkish Trade Manager of John Good Shipping, the ships agency, freight forwarding and corporate travel group, says the company has started 2015 as it ended 2014, with increased cargo movements and an expansion of its client base on the Turkish – UK trade route. Working in close conjunction with its own group offices based in Istanbul and Izmir, FCL and LCL CONSOL liftings continue to display good year-on-year growth after success in 2014 despite the current backdrop of economic and political uncertainty in Turkey.

June Will See Switch of Control to Comply with EU Directive - and that Eurotunnel Ferry Debacle Just Won't Go Away

FRANCE – UK – From June, the French rail regulator, Autorité de Régulation des Activités Ferroviaires (Araf) and its British counterpart, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will take over the responsibility of monitoring the conditions of access and the tariffs for the Channel Tunnel, from the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC). The change comes after EU criticism of freight and passenger rates.

Permanent Employment as Port Invests in the Future

UK – The London Container Terminal (LCT) situated at Tilbury and currently the third largest such freight facility in the UK with over half a million boxes passing through each year, has announced the creation of 75 new permanent jobs this year as the Forth Port’s owned facility gears up investment. The Port of Tilbury is a significant employer with a workforce of over 1,100, many of whom live in the local area and the company says it is investing millions of pounds across the port in the areas of infra-structure, equipment and people.

IATA Symposium Sees All Facets of Industry Sector Gather in China

CHINA – WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) advises that there is only a week left to register for its 9th World Cargo Symposium (WCS 2015) to be held in Shanghai between March 10-12. Representing 250 of the world’s air cargo and passenger carriers there will be fourteen ‘tracks’ focusing on such things as Technology, Industry Trends, Perishables, Operations & Cargo Handling, e-Cargo, Regulation and more.

However There Is Plenty More Litigation in the Offing

US – GERMANY – It seems the class action brought by freight forwarding company Schenker AG against several airlines after they were found guilty of operating a cartel by US antitrust regulators has been weakened somewhat after the German headquartered group dropped charges against three of the seven cargo air cargo carriers it originally accused of price fixing.

For Once Authorities Ordered to Repay Shipping Groups (rather than the usual reverse situation)

FINLAND – WORLDWIDE – The Helsinki District Court has ruled that the Finnish Government had been in breach of EU law and the Principle of Non-Discrimination when, between 2001 and 2004, the state had charged higher ‘fairway’ dues to vessels in international freight and passenger trade than for those in domestic trade. The court has ordered the state to pay a total of around €91 million, plus another €800,000 in costs, to 52 ocean freight and RoRo ferry companies.

Individuals and Logistics Companies to Receive More Stringent Sentences

UK – In one of its recent ‘Road Transport and Logistics Briefings’, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has pointed out a change in the sentencing guidelines for Health and Safety offences which may in the future mean serious repercussions for those involved in the freight sector. The guidelines were published by the Sentencing Council last November to a chorus of general approval, anyone convicted of causing serious injury or death through poor management is normally deemed to deserve a suitably strict sentence. Now however the new guidelines allow individuals, not simply organisations, to be penalised not only for anyone contravening any health and safety regulations, but judged to having secondary liability for certain offences, or those committed with consent, connivance, or neglect.

Annual Event Shines a Light on the Best in the Business

UK – It’s that time again when the fairer sex involved in transport and the supply chain have the chance to shine with the annual Women in Logistics Awards nominations now being accepted. You have until April 17 to put yourself, or a colleague, forward for one of the three individual awards or the title of ‘Company of the Year’.