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New Wave Categories Continue to Do Well for Logistics Group

CHINA – WORLDWIDE – Tenneco, a leader in automotive spare parts, has awarded freight forwarder Kuehne + Nagel a two-year logistics contract to manage its national warehousing through three distribution centres across mainland China. The first phase of the project involved the opening of a warehouse in Taicang, Jiangsu province, serving East China. This facility consolidated all previous operations from a distribution centre in Shanghai and additional warehouses in Guangzhou and Beijing serving South and North China respectively will open in the coming months. Pierre Li, Senior Vice-President Contract Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel North Asia said:

This Week's Snippets Range from Space Rockets to Jobs in Australia

RUSSIA – FRENCH GUIANA – In yet another major project freight move for the company Volga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered the third stage of a Soyuz-ST launch vehicle to Europe's Spaceport in Cayenne. Its transportation from Samara in Russia to French Guiana is in readiness for the vehicle to launch the American SES-15 satellite into orbit in early April for SES, one of the world's leading satellite communications companies.

Consultation Affecting Freight Carriers in the Capital Ends Shortly

UK – Road haulage companies which operate in London are reminded that they have until only 18 April 2017 to respond to the public consultation based around changing the design of HGV cabs to ensure better direct vision for the driver. Whilst this in itself is in no way a contentious issue for most, the attitude of the current mayor seems to indicate he is unaware of how seriously a sudden change in standards would affect the cost of business in the capital.

Supply Chain Outfit Offers Full Panoply of Services

UK – Supply chain management firm Ceva Logistics, has officially opened a state of the art 215,800 square foot shared-user warehouse at the new iPort intermodal logistics park on the outskirts of Doncaster in the UK. The facility boasts a number of special features including very narrow aisle and gravity fed racking which enable a high density of stock to be stored via a 'first in, first out' system. The site can accommodate up to 28,000 pallets and, as well as being adjacent to a 35 acre rail terminal, offers parking bays for 110 HGV's within its yard area.

Logistics HR News from Around the World

SWITZERLAND – Freight forwarding and 3PL group Panalpina has proposed Dirk Reich as a new Member of the Board at its upcoming AGM on May 3. If accepted, he will succeed Roger Schmid, who will not stand for re-election. Reich was previously the CEO of Cargolux Airlines and has sat on the board of Kuehne + Nagel. With the exception of Schmid, all the other current board members will stand for re-election for another one-year term.

Global Logistics Agency Contract for UK Retailer and New Polish Office

UK – POLAND – Hong Kong based service provider Kerry Logistics has announced a couple of developments in its European portfolio. Firstly, the company has been awarded a contract by Lakeland to be its logistics service provider which will see the freight group provide the homeware retailer with global forwarding services including ocean freight and supply chain solutions, as well as buyer's consolidation services.

MOL's First of Six 20,000 TEU Containerships Delivered

JAPAN – MOL has announced that the world's largest containership, MOL Triumph was delivered from Samsung Heavy Industries on March 27, 2017. MOL's newest vessel, the first of a fleet of six 20,000 TEU-class containerships, measures 400 metres in length and 58.8 metres in width, making her currently the world's largest containership, a title we have seen change hands many times in the past year or two. With a capacity of 20,170 TEU, the vessel is the first 20,000 TEU-class containership deployed in THE Alliance's Asia to Europe trade via the FE2 service.

Allseas Stumps Up for Canadian Professionals in Unique Deal

CANADA – UK – Project freight forwarding outfit Allseas Global Logistics is used to assisting in moving some heavy lifts and out of gauge cargoes around the world, but never before of the human variety! The logistics group has announced a new sponsorship deal with the first Trans-Atlantic sports team in history, Canada's first professional rugby team and rugby league club, Toronto Wolfpack. The team is beginning its first professional season competing in League One, the third tier of the English Rugby League, with hopes of progressing to the Betfred Super League in future. Eric Perez, CEO of the Toronto Wolfpack, said:

BIFA Gets Involved in the Free Trade Discussions

UK – On the day which British Prime Minister Theresa May invokes Article 50, and the negotiations to engineer the country's exit from union with Europe begins, the logistics community is awash with speculation on how things both should, and are likely to evolve. Leading the charge for the freight forwarding lobby is the British International Freight Association (BIFA) which says it will assist the government on discussions centred around the possibilities of free trade or otherwise.

May Mean Harmful Toxin Can Be Used Safely for Reclamation Project

SWEDEN – The Port of Gothenburg is planning to make use of contaminated clay from the seabed to build a new freight terminal at the outer port area at Hisingen, covering 220,000 square metres. The method is currently being tested as part of large-scale field trials using the dredging spoils from routine maintenance at the Göta Älv river.

Test Bed Being Built in Nevada

MIDDLE EAST – Speaking as the closing key note at the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) in Abu Dhabi, Hyperloop One's Senior Vice President of Global Operations, Nick Earle, said that he believed that the projected Hyperloop system had the potential to grab a substantial share of the freight market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and shake-up the regional supply chain with the ability to travel between the gulf states of the GCC in under an hour. During the keynote, Earle said:

Dachser Spend 60 Million Euros on Improvements

GERMANY – Freight forwarders and logistics specialists Dachser are currently creating new capacity for its overland network at several of its German locations with a €60 million investment that will create nearly 35,000 square metres of additional warehouse and office space.

Agreements with Numerous Technology Leaders Reached

FINLAND – WORLDWIDE – Rolls-Royce has been making waves in the world of shipping having recently signed multiple agreements aimed at developing the use of autonomous systems in the maritime industry. Not a name traditionally associated with the world of freight, the company has tried its best to stay in-line with technological advancements in the industry with Rolls-Royce having already entered into several other agreements to make remotely controlled and autonomous deep sea vessels a reality.

Cyclone Debbie Causing Chaos

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is urging everyone on the roads travelling within and to Queensland to drive with extra care as Cyclone Debbie causes chaos in the State. In addition, due to the unpredictable road conditions the Transport and Main Roads department and the Queensland Police Service have restricted heavy vehicle movement. This stops the movement of oversize loads, Dangerous Goods and Agricultural Vehicles within the cyclone affected area for the next 24 hours.

Japanese Shipping Lines Will Combine Operations This Year

SINGAPORE – The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has cleared the proposed joint venture between Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line). Following the demise of South Korean shipper Hanjin, more and more shipping lines have been looking for ways to maintain any semblance of a competitive advantage to stave off any similar repercussions, and as a response Japans three largest container shipping lines sought clearance from antitrust authorities worldwide to merge their box freight businesses and container terminal services arms.

Intrepid Trio to Parachute for Charity

UK – Three daring members of staff from South Link Logistics will be taking part in a tandem sky dive on Saturday 8th July to raise money for St Barnabas House, a hospice charity that provides specialist palliative care services to adults with advanced progressive life-limiting illnesses, both within the hospice and in the comfort of patients own homes across West Sussex.

Konecranes Now Offer Three Year Rental Deals

WORLDWIDE – Finnish crane group Konecranes is now offering premium low- to mid-range capacity cranes for rent, giving a new alternative to buying a crane. Without any large capital investment, customers can get a new crane combined with a service package, where Konecranes takes care of maintenance and spare parts.

Integration with Microsoft Products Offer More Customer Options

UK – US – Specialist software developer Touchpath has improved the utility of its custom TouchWMS warehouse management solution by adding the ability for the system to integrate with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and GP software which is designed with the needs of small and mid-sized companies in mind. The TouchWMS software already integrates with multiple other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, including M3, SAP, BPCS and MAPICS.

Video Released Showing Near Misses

AUSTRALIA – The CBH Group, the largest grain growers cooperative in the country, is warning drivers to be vigilant around rail crossings following a number of vehicles coming close to colliding with its trains and has now released a video with footage of some of the cases to illustrate its point. CBH Group General Manager of Operations David Capper said:

DSV and Mercedes Ally for Operational City Testing

SWEDEN – Logistics group and road haulage operator DSV is currently testing a unique Atego Hybrid truck from Mercedes-Benz in its Malmo city distribution operation. The truck runs on both electricity and the new Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) 100 fuel. After a six-month test period in Malmo city traffic, the project will be evaluated. The results will help determine if electric hybrids can become long-term solutions to distribution in metropolitan areas, which are especially vulnerable to air pollution.

410 Road Tankers to Deliver Water to Drought Stricken Area

SOMALILAND – UAE – In a step away from the group's normal operations DP World is delivering over 4.5 million litres of water to people living in villages in the Sahil region of Somaliland. The water will be distributed in 410 road tankers, carrying 11,000 litres each. It is estimated the vital aid will reach 15,000 people living in villages in the region over the next month. The action is taking place less than a month since the company took over operations for the management and development of a multi-purpose port in Berbera and DP World is working in partnership with the Water Authority to address the urgent needs of people in the region in response to the devastating drought which has been affecting the area for two years.

Row of the Registries as to Who Takes the Silver Medal

MARSHALL ISLANDS – LIBERIA – As we mentioned in our last weekly round-up, the Marshall Islands claim to have overtaken Liberia as the world's second largest registry in terms of deadweight tonnes, something that appears to not sit well with the Liberian Registry which was quick to announce that it has passed the significant milestone of 150 million gross tonnes registered, a statistic it says which keeps it squarely behind the top seed, Panama, specifically in terms of number of ships and gross tonnage.

New Technologies Continue to Assist in Cleaning Up Industry

LUXEMBOURG – UK – A couple of new developments in the airfreight and passenger industry are demonstrating the innovative ways that new ideas are helping to reduce the environmental impact of air transportation. Firstly, Luxembourg based freight only carrier Cargolux Airlines has signed an agreement with German company Trinkaus-Solutions for the use of its squAIR-timber product. Cargolux is the first airline worldwide to introduce the lightweight material in its cargo operations and currently uses it on all pharma shipments out of Luxembourg.

Some of the Industry Titbits This Week in One Easy Read

SINGAPORE – Freight services group Agility has acquired a two story warehouse close to Changi International Airport, giving it more than 600,000 square feet of warehouse space in total in Singapore. The newly acquired 177,000-square-foot warehouse is located in an area with access to an array of logistics services and two major expressways.

Who is Heading Where in the Transport Industry This Week

SOMALIA – This week we start the round-up of freight and logistics related appointments with a tale from the much troubled East coast of Africa as, just a week after the pirates hijacked an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia, Head of the Anti-Piracy Operations in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir 'Duaysane', has been fired apparently over comments he made in regards to illegal fishing. Duaysane was a major player in prosecuting and extraditing pirates and inferred that allowing illegal fishing by outsiders would lead to native fisherman turning back to piracy.

BW Group Become Major Shareholder

BERMUDA – Crude oil tanker company DHT Holdings, has entered into an agreement to purchase global maritime firm BW Group fleet of eleven very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and two new buildings due for delivery in 2018, in a deal worth $538 million. DHT expects the VLCCs to be delivered during the second quarter of 2017 and as a result of the acquisition, will have a fleet with an average age of 6.9 years, consisting of 30 VLCCs, including four new builds for delivery in 2018, and two Aframaxes.

New Report by IGU Released Highlights Possible Benefits to Air Quality

WORLDWIDE – A new report by the International Gas Union (IGU) is calling on more shipping lines and governments to push for the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a primary fuel source for ocean freight vessels, which could play a major role in cleaning up marine transport and greatly benefitting health in a number of coastal regions.

FBI Raid Meeting of the Box Club

US – WORLDWIDE – According to reports, investigators from the Antitrust Division of the US Justice Department have subpoenaed several top executives from some of the world's container shipping lines in relation to a price–fixing probe, in violation of antitrust regulations, not exactly a new accusation for some of companies involved. The FBI raided a meeting of the International Council of Containership Operators, also known as the Box Club, in San Francisco, California, on March 15. Reportedly, Maersk Line, OOCL, Evergreen, and Hapag–Lloyd have confirmed that representatives from their companies received orders to testify.

First of New Class for Crowley Launched

US – PUERTO RICO – Crowley Maritime has announced several developments that strengthens its services to Puerto Rico. Working with VT Halter Marine the company has just launched the first of two new Commitment Class ship, El CoquÍ, one of the worlds first combination container/Roll on-Roll off (ConRo) ships powered by liquefied natural gas. The ship will be able to transport up to 2,400 twenty-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) and a mix of nearly 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro decks. Tom Crowley, company Chairman and CEO said:

We Have Seen Huge Fines in Recent Years - Now Whistleblowers Offered Incentives

UK – WORLDWIDE – With shipping, logistics and associated transport sectors recent record as regards corruption as viewed by the global authorities costing companies right across the industry literally billions, it seems those groups which have escaped prosecution in the past, despite their involvement, by turning 'states evidence' may now actually be able to make a profit from their just discovered honesty. The freight sector has been cursed with the stigma of antitrust and cartel activity and now it seems anyone, in any almost industry, might profit by turning whistleblower.

9,000 TEU Neopanamax MSC Vessel Marks Milestone in Under 9 Months

PANAMA – Less than nine months after the historic inauguration of the Expanded Canal, the Panama Canal has welcomed its 1,000th Neopanamax vessel through the waterway. On March 19, a containership from the world's second largest box freight line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) made the historic 1,000th transit through the Expanded Canal, heading northbound from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Call for EGM and New Directors to be put in Place

UK – After profit warnings were issued in November 2015 and in February 2017 the value of the DX Group, the parcel delivery service which is responsible amongst other things for the distribution of US passports and many legal documents throughout the UK, plummeted 90% according to its main stockholders. The company was formed in 1975 to bypass Royal Mail services during that group's strikes in the 1970's and now the principal shareholders, Gatemore Capital Management LLP, have called for an Extraordinary General Meeting to have the Chairman, Bob Holt, and Non-Executive Director, Paul Murray replaced.

Webinar Gives Fleet Managers Ideas on Policies and Procedures

UK – To raise awareness among fleet managers and professional road haulage drivers Brake, the road safety charity, is teaming up with Vision Express to run a webinar on the risk of poor driver eyesight and the importance of combatting it in any fleet tasked with moving freight, no matter the size of the truck. The 'Look Sharp: Tackling driver eyesight in your fleet' session will take place on Tuesday 4 April 2017.

Gamble on Market Paying Off for Dawson

UK – An inland container storage facility in Teesside has reported record growth over the last year. The £2.6 million Tees Riverside Intermodal Park (TRIP) was part of a £12.5 million investment plan that logistics firm AV Dawson embarked on from 2012 to 2015 to develop its 100 acre freight and logistics terminal in Middlesbrough. The container terminal, which has been operational since 2013, has now reached over 300 units in storage, which continues to grow each month. Paul Wilson, TRIP manager said:

Transaid Cycle Ride Across South Africa Raises Huge Cash Total

UK – SOUTH AFRICA – A team of 40 intrepid cyclists from across the transport and logistics industry safely completed Transaid's 450 kilometre Cycle South Africa challenge last week, after five gruelling days in the saddle. Their efforts have so far raised more than £207,000 for the international development organisation, Transaid's largest ever fundraising total from a single event.

Major Refurbishment Completed

UK – BELGIUM – P&O Ferries will this week formally re-launch its two RoRo ships on the North Sea that sail overnight between Hull and Zeebrugge after a successful multi-million pound refit. The Pride of York and the Pride of Bruges, two 32,000 tonne sister vessels which can carry up to 880 passengers on their 12 hour sailings between Britain and the Continent, have benefited from a major refurbishment designed to improve the on-board freight facilities, shopping, dining and sleeping experience. Janette Bell, Managing Director at P&O Ferries, said:

Spanish Government Backs Down However EU Regulators are Watching

SPAIN – Different time, different country. How things have changed with regard to employment throughout Europe as the Spanish government is reported as having retreated from its sworn plans to liberalise the country's ports. The authorities revealed plans in February to dismantle the current dock workers registration system in a move somewhat reminiscent of the abolition of the Dock Labour Scheme in the UK in April 1989 by Mrs Thatcher's Conservative government. The Spanish announcement led to the threat of widespread industrial disturbances and now we are told the plan has collapsed, at least temporarily.

10 Year Ban Handed Down to Violator Who Conspired With Disqualified Individual

UK – The London and South East Traffic Commissioner, Sarah Bell, is warning operator licence holders who choose to provide cover for disqualified operators that they will face potentially lengthy periods of disqualification from the industry. Miss Bell said the practice of 'fronting' for banned road haulage firms and individuals leads to loss of repute and that anyone tempted to help out a disqualified operator should expect significant consequences on their future ability to operate. She added that it is an aggravating feature when the entity behind the front is already debarred from holding its own licence.

DP World Figures In as Company Supports IMPACT 2030

UAE – As any regular reader will know DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has made a special effort this year to put himself at the forefront of building the port and logistics group's brand, and it is an exercise that seems to be working with the release this week of the company's 2016 financials. The figures seem to show what DP World describes as 'a very good year'.

Stakeholders Should Write Now to Safeguard Future of UK Marine Interests

UK – The inquiry announced by the Transport Committee In December to examine the results of the Maritime Growth Study, the report published by the Department for Transport in September 2015 into the country's maritime sector, has had the deadline for written submissions to its inquiry extended until Friday 2 June, before it starts a series of evidence sessions. This move will give shipping, port and logistics interests a chance to influence future maritime industry policy and an opportunity to comment prior to the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Eleven Cargo Carriers Each Hit with Huge Penalties as Whistleblower Escapes Sanction (Again)

EUROPE – The European Commission has re-adopted a cartel decision against 11 air cargo carriers and imposed a fine totalling €776,465,000 for operating a price-fixing cartel. The Commission's original decision was annulled two years ago, by the General Court on procedural grounds. At the time, the court found that there was a contradiction between the grounds of the decision and the 'operative part', which in summary translates to the fact that some carriers were found responsible for infringements with which they could have no association as they were not employed on the routes concerned. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:

Staff Who Have Moved On Recently

UK – The weekly round-up of freight and logistics staff appointments and departures around the globe begins with the UK where, following the opening of its office in Liverpool in December 2016, long established shipping and port agency group John Good has announced the appointment of Neil Flower as its Agency Manager North West and he will commence in the role on April 3.

Eight Sri Lankans Released Unharmed

SOMALIA – The EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) has confirmed the release of the bulk fuel tanker Aris 13 and her eight Sri Lankan crew, without payment of a ransom, just hours after the pirates and the local maritime force exchanged gunfire. The ship's master confirmed that his crew had suffered no injuries during their 4-day ordeal. The Comoros-flagged vessel had been the first commercial ship hijacked in the waters off the coast of Somalia since the height of Somali piracy in 2012.

Emergency Beer Shipped and Other Items

IRELAND – US – What better way to start the week's roundup of miscellaneous freight and logistics sector items than talk of celebrating Saint Patrick's Day with a cool pint of an Irish beer? When the call came to the International Airline Marketing (IAM) office, the GSA in Dublin for American Airlines Cargo, saying levels of the precious fluid were critically low, the Irish sales agency team sprang into action to ensure expats and locals alike could enjoy their traditional tipple on the big day.

New Initiative Hopes to Boost Smaller Charities by Cutting their Expenses

UK – A Sussex based freight and logistics company is offering charities based in the county a chance to have their goods distributed for free. As part of its Moving Stories initiative South Link will transport any items that can fit on a pallet either around Sussex, from one end of the country to another, or to the site of a large fundraising event. Karl Reidy, South Link Co-founder, commented:

Ship Makes Port Safely Thanks to Skilled Personnel

SOUTH AFRICA – Footage of massive car carrier being brought into the Port of Durban has gone viral after cyclonic weather conditions battered the Durban beach front earlier this week. Marine pilot Rainer Rauntenberg safely steered an automotive vessel into the port despite horrendous conditions. The video shows Rauntenberg, who has been a marine pilot for more than 14 years, successfully steering the vessel under adverse weather conditions with wind speeds fluctuating between thirty and forty knots caused by tropical cyclone Enawo which struck Madagascar last week. Port of Durban Harbour Master Alex Miya said:

Eastern Separatist Areas to be Starved of Commerce

UKRAINE – Tensions between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists have escalated in recent days leading to a decision by the Ukrainian Government to block all road haulage freight and rail cargo into and out of the rebel-held eastern territory. The action formalises an unauthorised rail blockade set up by Ukrainian activists and will reportedly remain in place until the 2015 cease-fire agreement is upheld and the return of the steel and coal businesses, seized within the separatist held territory, are returned to Ukrainian jurisdiction.

Whiff of the Bad Old Days as Skiff Successfully Attacks Vessel

SOMALIA – The EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) has confirmed the hijacking of the tanker Aris 13 by Somali pirates as reported at the beginning of the week. The Comoros–flagged vessel was en route to Mogadishu from Djibouti when she was approached by two armed skiffs and was subsequently seized approximately 18 kilometres off the northern tip of Somalia, marking the first hijacking of a large merchant vessel since the height of Somali piracy in 2012.

Danish Line and MSC Join with HMM to Officially Form 2M+H

DENMARK – SWITZERLAND – SOUTH KOREA – GERMANY – Maersk Line has signed two separate agreements that will likely see the world largest container shipping line in terms of capacity, enhance its current market share, as the industry faces troubling times with shippers turning to mergers and collaborations in an effort to remain viable. Simultaneously the Danish group has snapped up a competitor whilst ratifying the previously announced alliance with two of its traditional rival box lines, including second largest container carrier, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Specialist Trade in Low Countries Continues To Expand as a Million Euros Invested

NETHERLANDS – BELGIUM – LUXEMBOURG – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is developing an early warning system for pharma shippers, a growing market for the Belelux countries, using a one million euro subsidy awarded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and TKI Dinalog, the Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics. The money will fund data collection and monitoring of Pharma Gateway Amsterdam (PGA) freight shipments in order to identify exceptions such as temperature incursions. This data will then be used to design a model to alert shippers when there has been an issue with their consignment.

Giant AN 124 Used to Move Critical Fire Fighting Aircraft

US – CHILE – Georgia based Helicopter Express called upon the expertise of Volga– Dnepr Airlines in fast response transportation services for an urgent delivery of helicopters to fight the outbreak of wildfires that are currently plaguing the Chilean countryside. Helicopter Express, who are contractors to the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Department of Interior (DOI), are highly-respected experts in fire-fighting operations and provide services such as aerial water delivery, prescribed burning, rappelling operations, and personnel delivery. For this mission, they were contracted by the Chilean government.

Agility Team Up With Shell in Global Contest

SINGAPORE – US – UK – Global freight and logistics provider Agility has signed a partnership agreement with Shell to ship vehicles and offer technical advice to teams of university students competing in the annual Shell Eco – marathon and Drivers World Championship events. The competition challenges student teams around the world to design, build, test and drive ultra–energy–efficient vehicles and takes place in Singapore, Detroit and London. It is split into two classes with vehicles in the Prototype class designed for maximum efficiency whilst the UrbanConcept class features vehicles with more practical designs.

Problems and Extra Costs for Deep Sea Box Shippers as TEU Shortage Bites

EUROPE – ASIA – The world of deep sea container shipping is in confusion at the moment precipitated by the slump in trade in recent times following a prolonged burst of expansion primarily driven by the huge volume of cargo in 20 and 40 foot boxes coming from Asia into Europe and North America. This activity caused the shipping lines to invest in the massive new vessels we now see all over the world. Previously a 5,000 TEU ship was considered large, now we see vessels up to four times bigger serving every major ocean trade lane, but global freight forwarding associations are not happy.

Etihad takes Delivery of Dedicated Freight Aircraft

UAE – Etihad Cargo has taken delivery of its tenth freighter, an Airbus A330F. The airline now operates five dedicated Airbus cargo aircraft alongside five Boeing 777 freighters which collectively serve 42 destinations worldwide.

Ninety Year Old Concept Day May Have Come

FINLAND – UK – Norsepower in partnership with Maersk Tankers, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), and Shell Shipping & Maritime, will install and trial Flettner rotor sails on board a Maersk Tankers-owned vessel, in the hopes of providing valuable insights into fuel saving and operation experience. The rotor sails technology was invented more than 90 years ago as a means of producing the lift and propulsion needed to replace old sailing rigs.

Concerns about Future Leading to More Emigration

UK – The ongoing issue of Brexit is certainly eating up a lot of headlines (including this one) and causing debate and concerns across the country. But one canny removals company thinks that where there is crisis there is also opportunity.

But Fear of Future Problems Belaying Listing - Report

UK – IRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Iran's main shipping line, is looking to get listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) but is facing issues due to investors fears that such a stock will not be viable into the future if further issues arise between the US and Iran, according to a report by Reuters. If IRISL were to get listed on the LSE it would be the first company to do so since the Iranian revolution of 1979.

Crowley Complement New Panama Office with Extra Capacity

US – PANAMA – Crowley Maritime has enhanced its ocean container transportation services with a new, weekly sailing connecting Jacksonville and Port Everglades, Florida, more directly with Manzanillo, Panama. This sailing complements a new office in Panama, which combines Crowley's ocean cargo and logistics personnel, to provide streamlined supply chain services.

Old Threat Rises Up Again

SOMALIA – For the first time since 2012, Somali pirates are suspected of hijacking a commercial vessel and kidnapping her crew. The recent years has seen incidents off the coast of Somalia decrease substantially due to the counter piracy efforts from private security guards and self–protection measures on board ships travelling in the region, along with continued monitoring and vigilance from EU Navfor.

Linking Vehicles Electronically Probably the Future

US – Volvo Trucks and Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH) at the University of California, Berkeley recently completed a successful demonstration of partially automated truck platooning. Three Volvo VNL 670 model tractors hauled cargo containers at the Los Angeles Port complex and along Interstate 110, highlighting for public officials and other stakeholders the technology's potential for improving highway safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the capacity of transportation systems.

Payment Received After Seven Months Far From Home

ALGERIA – TURKEY – We are informed by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) that, after an ordeal lasting over 7 months, the 17 crew members of the Panamanian registered bulk cargo carrier Sea Honest, who were abandoned unpaid and unprovisioned in Algeria in July 2016, have finally returned home.

General Reductions in Crime on Sea Freight but Different Threats Coming to the Fore

WORLDWIDE – London-based risk consultancy Control Risks has issued their report for the state of global maritime security for 2016. The report records that there were a total of 540 incidents worldwide last year and that overall there has been a 21% decrease in global maritime security incidents. Much of this can be attributed to an 83% decrease in maritime hijacks globally in 2016 compared with 2015 which is due to a significant decline in hijackings for theft in South-east Asia and the Gulf of Guinea following improvements in regional law enforcement.

Peters and May Complete Record Shipment

NEW CALEDONIA – GREECE – Specialist freight contractors Peters & May Commercial have completed one of their biggest challenges as they successfully transported a 52 metre Austal Alu Cat fast ferry from the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific, 14,700 miles to Piraeus in Greece.

Maersk Line Order NaturaLINE Chillers

WORLDWIDE – Maersk Line, the worlds largest container shipping line, has ordered the first 100 of a total of 200 refrigerated containers to be chilled by Carrier Transicolds NaturaLINE natural refrigerant based system. The NaturaLINE is the first container refrigeration system to use the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide, which is a safe and non-ozone depleting. There is no additional global warming impact resulting from any potential refrigerant leaks, as is the case with traditional systems, since the NaturaLINE unit uses carbon dioxide taken from outdoor air. Ingrid Uppelschoten – Snelderwaard, Head of Global Equipment, Maersk Line said:

Warnings on Dangers of Calcium Hypochlorate Reissued

SOUTH AFRICA – According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority, a fire that broke out on board the Liberian flagged APL Austria last month might likely have been as a result of undeclared or misdeclared cargo. Though investigations are ongoing, the suspected cause of the fire was found possibly to be the chemical calcium hypochlorite, which was found stowed under deck in No.4 cargo hold where the fire broke out, with the crew unaware of its presence.

Versatility Welcomed by Suppliers Enabled by Advance in Connectability

WORLDWIDE – Intellian Technologies, based in Seoul, South Korea, which produces maritime satellite communication antenna technology introduced the v65, a 60cm class Ku/Ka convertible satellite communications system at the recent Satellite 2017 show in Washington DC. The v65 is aimed at driving the adoption of new connectivity solutions in the mobility market by making access to both Ku and Ka band on the same antenna system simple and cost-effective.

The Pentalver Pub Rolls Into Town Again at Next Month's Multimodal Exhibition

UK – Visitors to this year's Multimodal Exhibition, once again to be held at the Birmingham NEC between 4 and 6 April, will again be delighted by the site of the Pen–Tavern, the instant assembly pub provided by container transport, storage and conversion specialists Pentalver. The display module, a stand made up by a three container conversion, will return to the freight forwarding, transport and logistics show for the third year in a row with 2016's display having welcomed over 1000 visitors to the stand, a total which Pentalver hopes to surpass this time around.

The Week's Appointments and Departure Announcements

US – The week 's staff changes begin with news of a move at the top of rail freight and intermodal and logistics giant CSX with former CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway Hunter Harrison being named as the new Chief Executive Officer of the CSX Corporation, effective immediately. He replaces Michael Ward who announced his plan to retire as Chairman and CEO last month and who will now become a consultant to CSX, effective immediately.

Some Snippets of What Has Happened in the Industry This Week

UK – Freight forwarding and supply chain specialists Kewill and LeanLogistics have rebranded as BluJay Solutions and launched the BluJay Global Trade Network. Kewill acquired LeanLogistics in May 2016 and the rebranding marks the completing of the integration between the two companies operations. Doug Braun, CEO, BluJay Solutions said:

Ship Scheduled for Entry Into Service in 2018

UK – AUSTRALIA – VIETNAM – Southampton based ship designers BMT Nigel Gee (BMT) has been commissioned to design a new 85 metre steel-hulled catamaran RoPax ferry for Australian vessel constructors Strategic Marine. The passenger and freight ferry is for Scottish ferry operator Pentland Ferries and BMT will be responsible for concept through to production. The ferry will be built at Strategic Marine's Vietnamese shipyard.

Bankruptcy Guarantee Welcomed by US Commissioner

WORLDWIDE – Container freight shipping consortium THE Alliance has announced its new network sailing schedule which will start from April 2017. More than 240 ships will be deployed on 32 services connecting over 75 major ports throughout Asia, North Europe, the Mediterranean, North America, Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Indian Sub Continent and the Middle East with a wide range of direct port-port-connections. It has also come up with a guarantee for shippers should one of its five members fail financially.

New Trial Will Use Cleaner Fuel in Port Despite No Regulations

CHILE – Hamburg Süd and its customer Electrolux have launched a joint pilot project to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in the Port of Iquique in Chile. Though the port has no regulations on the issue of vessels burning high sulfur heavy fuel oil (HFO) to operate auxiliary engines and boilers during layovers, at the beginning of March the Hamburg Süd container ship Santa Clara, a 7,154 TEU vessel, switched from HFO to higher-grade marine gas oil (MGO). Thanks to the lower sulfur content of MGO, around 95%of sulfur dioxide emissions will be saved proportionally for the Electrolux cargo in this port of call. Dr. Ottmar Gast, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hamburg Süd, said:

Intercontinental Feeder Services See Arrival of New Vessel

UK – The Port of Immingham may claim the title of Britain's largest port in terms of tonnage, mainly due to the vast amount of bulk cargo passing through, meaning 55 million tonnes handled annually, but container freight also is building at one of the four Humber locations managed by Associated British Ports (ABP). Now box feeder specialists A2B has increased its presence with the addition of a newly chartered vessel.

But Too Little Too Late

EUROPE – The General Court of the European Union has annulled, on the ground of a procedural irregularity, a 2013 decision by the Commission the refusal to authorise the merger between UPS and TNT, over fears that it would unfairly constrain the express small package delivery services sector. The result now seems to provide little use to UPS considering last years sale of TNT to UPSs biggest rival, FedEx.

New Developments in Cooperation with Others

FINLAND – Rolls-Royce may not be the first name to spring to mind in the context of freight transport but the company has announced the latest stage in its research and development plans to make remotely controlled and autonomous deep sea vessels a reality in order to reap the benefits of increasing digitalisation in the shipping industry, with plans to establish a global research and development centre in Turku, Finland, to be opened later in the year.

Traffic Commissioners Say a Period of Grace is Not Extendable

UK–In a press release aimed at all UK Operator Licence holders, the Traffic Commissioners have issued a stern warning to companies undertaking road haulage operations which have been granted periods of grace to correct anomalies which could make their licence forfeit. Those outfits which do not meet mandatory financial requirements or who have witnessed the departure or death of a suitably qualified transport manager are often granted a period of grace to rectify matters. The Office of the Traffic Commissioners is pointing out that failure to correct matters within that time frame may well lead to revocation of the licence.

Concerned Drivers Faced With Breaking Driving Hour Laws or Risking Attack

FRANCE – The Freight Transport Association (FTA), a trade body which represents half the UK's road fleet, is calling on French authorities to provide more safe lorry parking for trans-European freight transport around Calais, following the closure of four rest areas on the A16 and A26. Sanef, the French motorway operator, has drastically reduced the number of stops where UK drivers can take their rest on their way to and from the port, the gateway to the continent for the majority of UK–European freight business. Sanef has confirmed that one rest area on the A16 at Aire Bois de la Commanderie and three on the A26 will stay shut until 30 June, due to problems with migrants returning to the Calais area after the closure of the notorious Jungle camp in 2016.

Awards Will be Made in June

UK – To celebrate International Womans day, the search has started for women who are making a difference in the logistics industry, with an annual awards ceremony set to recognise the cream of the crop. Women in Logistics, a UK wide trade organisation championing the women in what is traditionally seen as a male dominated industry. Logistics professionals can nominate themselves or their colleagues in three categories, while a fourth award will recognise the company doing the most to advance the cause of women in the industry.

Special Event Scheduled for June to Commemorate

UK – The Merseyside Maritime Museum is looking for former seafarers who were on stranded ships in the Suez Canal between June 1967 and June 1975, to attend a special 50 year anniversary reunion to be held at the Museum on Thursday 1 June.

Finns and Chinese Combine to Exploit Market

FINLAND – CHINA – Technology group Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have signed an agreement to create a new joint venture company, to be known as CSSC Wärtsilä Electrical & Automation (CWE&A), which will focus on the growing Chinese electrical and automation (E&A) market, especially for high-tech ship applications. The joint venture company is expected to be fully operational before the middle of 2017. Wu Qiang, President of CSSC, commented:

New Port Will Provide Huge Boost in Capacity

SWEDEN – Hutchison Ports has signed a formal agreement with Ports of Stockholm to operate the container terminal under construction at Stockholm Norvik Port. The new port, which is near Nynäshamn 60 kilometres south of the Swedish capital, will have better access, deeper water and greater capacity than the city-centre facilities it will replace. Speaking after the signing, Clemence Cheng, Managing Director Hutchison Ports Europe, said:

Future Developments of Canter Also Hold Promise

UK – The FUSO Canter has won the Light Truck of the Year title at the 2017 Vans A2Z Awards for the fourth year running at a ceremony held at Twickenham, the home of English Rugby. The award recognised the vehicles everyday driveability, strength and durability, and the manufacturer's ongoing commitment to the development of more environmentally-friendly power technologies.

Another Coup for London Gateway and Southampton Port Operators

UK – 'The Alliance', the cooperation between container lines Hapag Lloyd, K Line, MOL, NYK Line and Yang Ming, has opted to make all of it's vessels port call at facilities operated by DP World. The newest deep water port on the River Thames, London Gateway, will receive FE3 and FE5 freight services which connect Asia with Europe and AL1 and AL2, the transatlantic routes whilst DP World Southampton will see FE1, FE2 and FE4 and AL3, AL4 and AL5 respectively.

Renfe and DB Found Guilty of Stifling Competition

SPAIN – The Spanish competition watchdog, CNMC has fined rail freight carriers Renfe and Deutsche Bahn a total of € 75.6 million, over allegation that the two companies, including several subsidiaries, engaged in anti-competitive behaviour. Through alliances and agreements, the two railways, which theoretically should be in competition with each other, were able to maintain almost invariably the ' pre-existing status quo to the liberalisation ' of the rail freight sector in Spain.

DSV Denmark Offers Warehousing and Expertise to Relief Efforts

DENMARK – DSV and the Danish Red Cross have agreed on a new partnership. DSV will allocate 2000 sq. metres of space at their Roskilde warehouse to the Red Cross which will be divided into two spaces – one for storage of relief equipment and one for testing and training, so Red Cross staff can practice set-up and get familiar with new equipment.

Planned to Increase Tonnage Handled by Half

UK – Work has started on the first phase of Poole Harbour Commissioner's (PHC) masterplan which will provide the commercial port with a new 200 metre long deep water quay for bulk and container freight. The £10 million project, which is due for completion by the end of 2017, will ensure that the Port remains competitive with facilities that can accommodate a much wider range of shipping and marine activities. Jim Stewart, PHC's Chief Executive, said:

FTA Says Upcoming UK Budget Should Redress High Costs and Protect Economic Growth

UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA), the UK's largest membership association representing the country's freight and logistics industry, is calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond MP to cut fuel duty in this week's Budget to ensure that Britain's companies can continue to trade cost effectively in a new, post-Brexit environment. Fuel duty in the country currently represents 61.4% of the cost of a litre of bulk diesel (excluding VAT), and FTA estimates that even a 1p rise in fuel duty in the upcoming Budget would have a significant impact on road haulage outfits operating costs. James Hookham, FTA's Deputy Chief Executive, said:

Company Says It Mimics Cab Ordering Model for Logistics Industry

US – The freight industry is currently in a state of flux as new technologies come on line to try and address issues with emissions and greater automation in the industry with autonomous road haulage vehicles and delivery drones. There is also a revolution occurring in the way that customers and logistics service providers interact with a range of companies moving onto the cloud to facilitate their offerings. Now a California-based start up is applying the popular Uber cab-ordering model to the freight and logistics industry across the United States.

CILT Appointment Starts the Weeks Staff News

UK – Robin Proctor FCILT is to become the next President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in the UK. He will take up the one-year presidency from Will Whitehorn FCILT on 12th May. CILT is dedicated to furthering the cause of advancing freight movement using ideas to design and manage supply chain infrastructure and by the use of networking by its professional members.

A Summary of the Industry News that May have Missed the Headlines

BELGIUM – GEFCO has launched a freight forwarding office and warehouse facility in Antwerp, Belgium. The new facility will specialise in Industrial Project Cargo by offering integrated solutions dedicated to high and heavy projects as well as out of gauge shipments. In a statement the company said:

IATA Prepares Advice for Logistics Companies and Manufacturers

WORLDWIDE – It is no secret that lithium batteries are an absolutely critical commodity in todays world. From laptops to phones, music players to e-cigarettes, lithium batteries power just about all of our portable electronics. But so ubiquitous has this sort of technology become that most do not realise just what in the freight industry uses these power sources. And this is an issue as lithium cells have been known to, on occasion, catch fire and explode.

Meeting to Discuss Issues, Which are Considerable

BANGLADESH – INDIA – PAKISTAN – IRAN – TURKEY – After the attention raised by the first freight train to run between China and the UK in January, Indian Railways has leapt on the proverbial band wagon and has announced it wants to set up its own service connecting South Asia with Europe. Their proposal would see container trains running on a route that would link Dhaka, Kolkata, Delhi, Islamabad, Tehran and Istanbul with later links with Yangon in Burma added once a link is completed and further intermodal connections to Kathmandu and Bhutan possible as well through existing services.

Liebherr Commissioned to Build Cranes for China and US

GERMANY – CHINA – IRELAND – US – Crane manufacturer Liebherr has been awarded the contract to supply the heavy-lift crane for the COSCO Orion, a new wind farm installation and platform decommissioning vessel ordered by DEME from COSCO Offshore, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry. With a lifting capacity of 3,000 tonnes at more than 50 metres and a lifting height in excess of 170 metres, the Heavy Lift Crane (HLC) 295000 will be the biggest crane Liebherr has developed so far.

Broadly Welcomed but Concerns Remain on Enforcement

UK – The doubling of penalties for drivers caught on their mobile phones by the British Government has been welcomed by broadly welcomed by road safety charities, though they still fear that the new punishments still do not go far enough and that enforcement of the crime by the police is still under resourced.

DHL Express Pilots New Programme

GERMANY – NETHERLANDS – Major logistics company DHL Express is piloting a new City Hub concept that refines their implementation of the use of cargo bicycles for final delivery in city centres and could enable increased use of those vehicles for inner-city deliveries. Currently undergoing trials in Frankfurt and Utrecht, the City Hub is a customised trailer which can carry up to four containers for the DHL Cubicycle, a customised cargo bicycle which can carry a container with a load of up to 125 kg (one cubic metre in volume). A DHL van delivers the trailer into the city centre, where the containers are loaded on to two Cubicyles for last-mile inner-city delivery. It can then be reloaded for outbound shipments.

Eagle Continues to Modernise Fleet

NORWAY – US – Eagle Bulk Shipping has reached a definitive agreement to purchase six Crown-63 Ultramax dry bulk sister vessels for $99 million. The vessels, which range in age from 2 - 5 years, will be acquired from Norwegian OTC listed Greenship Bulk Trust, with the deal including provisions for Eagle Bulk to potentially purchase an additional three vessels contingent upon final approval from Greenship's unit holders. Gary Vogel, Eagle Bulk's CEO, commented:

Regulations Come Into Force in August 2017

UK – WORLDWIDE – Verifavia Shipping, which supplies ship operators worldwide with independent emissions verification information, has announced it has been fully accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as a global EU monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) verifier. This accreditation enables Verifavia Shipping to perform EU MRV services, not only for the assessment of monitoring plans, but also for the verification of carbon emission reports according to the ISO 14065 standard and regulation 757/2015.

Hanjin Collapse and Overcapacity Means Ripples Still Spreading Through the Trade

SOUTH KOREA – With the worldwide shipping market in the midst of a financial crisis, principally caused by overcapacity, attempts by governments and companies to keep the market sustainable in such troubled times become more widespread, none more so than in South Korea. Having recently overseen the fallout from the bankruptcy of its once largest ocean freight firm, Hanjin Shipping, the Republic will now see the restructuring of its current fourth largest shipping line, SK Shipping, and witnesses promises of support for what is now the country's biggest box carrier.

ICTSI and Portland Part Company Eighteen Years Early After Labour Fiasco

US – Strange how things work out sometimes in the world of freight and logistics. Just moments after publishing our last story regarding dock workers in Madagascar, linked to a 3 year old tale of a dispute at the International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) run Port of Portland, the Philippine headquartered group announced it will terminate a 25–year lease agreement to operate the container facility at the Port's Terminal 6 in agreement with the port's owners. A tough few years has seen the terminal operator's Portland based division, ICTSI Oregon lose major several major container shipping contracts as a result of the crippling labour dispute. From March 31, ICTSI Oregon will be relieved of its long-term lease obligations at the Oregon port, and in exchange, the Port will receive $11.45 million in compensation to rebuild business, as well as additional container handling equipment, spare parts and tools at the terminal. ICTSI Oregon CEO Elvis Ganda, said: