Shipping Search - Archive

As Easter Arrives We Offer Some of the Smaller Shipping Stories You May Have Missed

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – This shortened weeks snippets of news in the world of freight and logistics begins with the announcement that SAL Heavy Lift, a member of the Harren & Partner Group, is to commence a new regular Africa service in response to growing development in oil and gas, refining and transport infrastructure sectors, particularly in West Africa. Scheduled to provide clients a minimum of two sailings per month in each direction via The Cape of Good Hope, SAL's service will now reach even further and offer clients even more options including calls to either North/South America or Australia on inducement.

Appointments and Departures From Around the Profession

SINGAPORE – Shipping industry stalwart Robert Maxwell, Managing Director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) Singapore, died on March 26, after a three-year battle with cancer. Mr Maxwell had a remarkable career in shipping and his contributions to the ocean freight industry were formidable. Maxwell trained as a Mechanical Engineer at Southampton College of Higher Education. He started his career at sea in 1988 as a 2nd Engineer and in 1993 became a Chief Engineer officer sailing on bulk carriers ranging from 149,000 to 186,000 tonnes.

Answers Demanded But So Far Came There None

UK – Lord Tony Berkeley may be due to retire from his position as Chairman of the Rail Freight Group (RFG) in November, but there is no sign that either he or the organisation he has helped guide so well for the past twenty years or so are intending to take it easy on the government with regard to matters so essential to track borne cargo as HS2 and the new West Coast Partnership, which the government put out to tender this week.

Charity and University Study Makes Literally Depressing Reading

UK – WORLDWIDE – According to a study of seafarers' mental health presented at a recent Sailors' Society's Wellness at Sea conference, more than a quarter of seafarers show signs of depression with many not asking for help. The study of more than 1,000 seafarers aboard a range of commercial vessels was carried out by international maritime charity Sailors' Society and Yale University, with more than one in six of the respondents coming from the UK.

Naming Competition to Launch Latest Waste Management Asset

UK – GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Biffa, the waste management company, have christened locomotive 66 783 'The Flying Dustman', to mark the partnership between the two firms. The locomotive has also been painted red in honour of Biffa, rather than the usual blue seen on most of GBRf's other locomotives. The name is a result of a competition à la 'Boaty McBoatface' in which Biffa staff were keen to pay light-hearted homage to the historic passenger train service 'The Flying Scotsman'.

Baltic Base Port Suits Logistics and Transport Operator

ESTONIA – German logistics and transport firm, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has signed an agreement with Kantauro OÜ to purchase 100% of the share of Transiidikeskuse AS, a specialised container freight and multipurpose cargo terminal operator handling everything from break bulk to RoRo, and based at the Muuga Harbour at the Port of Tallinn in Estonia. Upon completion of the transaction, expected in the second quarter of 2018, Transiidikeskuse will become a subsidiary of HHLA International. Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of HHLA's Executive Board, commented:

Large Rise in Costs for Those Operators with Older Trucks

UK – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Jesse Norman MP has announced new measures to change the rates paid by road freight outfits toward the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) levy with effect from February 2019. The move has been met with disappointment from industry leaders with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) stating baldly that the minister's claim that HGVs account for around a fifth of harmful NOx emissions is a shameful exaggeration. Mr Norman said:

TOM Failure Will Hit Road Haulage Freight Sector

UK – TOM Vehicle Rental, which had until recently appeared to be one of the success stories in the field of truck, van and car hire, has gone into administration just 15 months after being taken over by an equity group. Two years ago TOM was considered a major success story in the commercial vehicle hire field with many road haulage outfits as customers. In 2016 the group featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track Top 100 and Top 250 lists and founder Jim Rafferty was lauded as one of the country's leading entrepreneurs.

Chinese and Finnish Cooperation on Latest Generation Craft

CHINA – FINLAND – CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd. (CIMC SOE) has completed the first part of a five vessel order for an unnamed Chinese ship owner with the naming today of two 17,000m³ liquid ethylene gas (LEG) carriers. The remaining three vessels will each be 22,000m³ and the transaction marks a significant occasion for the yard, which was successfully reorganised in August 2017 after filing for bankruptcy in 2016.

Company Has a Litany of Misdemeanours for Vessel Maintenance and Crew Abuses

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC Kia Ora from Australian ports for three months after the operator failed to ensure crew were paid their wages in full and on time, and that critical equipment was maintained. Although the ship bears the MSC prefix she is not operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world's second largest container line, but by Hamburg based Vega Reederei Gmbh & Co. Kg.

Order for 20 Units Adds to a Growing 2019 Order Book

US – FedEx has become the latest firm with road haulage interests to announce an order for Tesla's Semi truck, placing a reservation for 20 of the highly anticipated fully electric trucks which are scheduled to begin production in 2019. The vehicles will be operated by the parcel giant's less-than-truckload unit, FedEx Freight and will replace the diesel trucks in its fleet. FedEx Freight President and CEO Mike Ducker, said:

Alignment Essential for International Maritime Organization to Maintain Credibility

UK – WORLDWIDE – With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) due to meet on April 3 to discuss pollution issues the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says that governments must compromise to help IMO agree an ambitious strategy for the further reduction of CO₂ emissions by shipping that will match the expectations of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Latest Agricultural Freight Figures Heartening but Cloud of Uncertainty on the Horizon

US – The latest figures released by the Port of Oakland may sound heartening, but they came with a side order of scepticism evidencing the fact that President Trump's 'America First' policy may well prove wrong-headed as far as US farmers are concerned. Agricultural exports shipped through the California port have increased 42.7% in volume since 2013 demonstrating the strength of the global market for US produce. Much of that freight however was headed for China and today's announcement came with the rider that growth could stall if foreign governments tax American goods in retaliation for Trump Administration tariff rises.

New Funding Welcomed - But We Are Entitled to More Says Transport Lobby

UK – When the government announced today that it was to make a further £100 million available to councils across the UK to repair potholes and other damage caused by recent extreme weather conditions, it probably thought that it would gain some credibility from the logistics lobby. One suspects the reaction has hardly been as warm as the men in the Ministry would have hoped for. Whilst both the respective industry Associations of Road Haulage (RHA) and Freight Transport (FTA) have welcomed the news, they certainly did so with some reservations.

Hiring or Leasing the Freight Warehouse's Favourite Workhorse Can Have Hidden Costs

UK – Many readers will have encountered a variety of receptions when returning a hired or leased car or van. Sometimes a quickly scribbled signature can be followed by a smile, or possibly later by a hefty bill. Or the dealer may walk round the vehicle scratching his head, stroking his chin emitting slight 'tutting' noises as he does so. Dependant on a multitude of factors, length of hire, value of vehicle, what he had for breakfast, these may be some of the parameters on which the 'fair wear and tear' factor can be assessed. What however when the vehicle in question is an undisputed workhorse? A fork lift truck for example?

DP World Slips Into Banana

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – KAZAKHSTAN – DP World has won a 30 year concession to manage and develop the new greenfield multi-purpose port project at Banana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Port of Banana will be the first deep-sea port in the country along its small coastline of 37 kilometres, which currently only has the riverine port of Matadi. Simultaneously the company has announced it has signed two framework agreements relating to the acquisition, governance and management of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Aktau and Khorgos in Khazakhstan.

Some Big Figures Swap Jobs Throughout the Industry

DENMARK – AP Moller Maersk’s Chief Finance, Strategy and Transformation Officer and registered Director, Jakob Stausholm has announced his intention to leave the company at the end of the month, following the Danish shipping and logistics giant’s ongoing reorganisation. He resigned from his position after Maersk decided to split his job role, in which he oversaw the areas of Finance, Transformation, IT and Digital, into a fully focused Finance function and the responsibilities of IT, Strategy, Digital and Transformation, into another, under the remit of CEO Søren Skou. Stausholm commented:

Some Smaller But No Less Important Stories Around the Industry

NETHERLANDS – In multimodal news the new short-sea container service between Amsterdam and Hull which was announced earlier this month was formally inaugurated this week with the first call of the 340 TEU vessel THEA II at Amsterdam Container Terminal (ACT). The service, operated by Samskip offers three sailings a week on this new route with vessels departing from Amsterdam on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Terminal and intermodal functions are performed by ACT, operated by TMA Logistics in which Hutchison Ports is a 50% shareholder.

London Mayor 'Misguided' Over New Truck Transport Policy

UK – The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for commercial vehicles proposed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan has come in for more heavy criticism this week from the road haulage lobby. Confusion reigns over a system which first came under discussion in 2015 when, during that year, it was noted that a disproportionate number of fatal accidents with cyclists (78%) and pedestrians (20%) in the City's streets involved HGVs, prompting a series of consultations with stakeholders, including representatives of the freight industry.

Specialist Unit Can Purify 100,000 Litres of Contaminated Liquid Per Day

ISRAEL – INDIA – DHL Global Forwarding recently transported a unique integrated water purification vehicle from Israel to India. The vehicle, from GAL Water Technologies, produces high-quality drinking water from contaminated water within seconds and was a gift from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the course of Netanyahu's first visit to India. DHL Global Forwarding Israel was assigned for the transportation and shipped the sensitive and high profile cargo from Caesarea to New Delhi via Tel Aviv and Leipzig as air freight.

Table of Compliance Shows Lack of Will for a Cleaner Environment in South and East of EU

EUROPE – As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) gets set to adopt an Initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy in April, sustainable transport NGO, Transport & Environment (T&E), has carried out research to rank EU member states in terms of the ambition of their declared national positions in the run-up to the IMO climate negotiations. A .pdf of each nation's environmental performance as regards ocean shipping gives a run down on the current position

Four Year Programme to Update the Global Supply Chain Concludes in April

BELGIUM – WORLDWIDE – The CORE project is a four-year €50 million European research project in which 70 partners collaborated to create 'trusted and transparent trade lanes'. The project has been looking at new ways to enhance the speed, reliability, and efficiency of global supply chains, while safeguarding security and improving compliance. The partners range from around the globe, with experience between them in every facet of international trade, from container shipping lines to Customs authorities and logistics providers of every hue.

Stowaways Enter Lorry a Full 170 Miles from Calais

FRANCE – With British eyes firmly on Brexit, particularly those with interests in the freight transport industry, there has been little mention of the current migrant situation as discussions on the Irish border vacillate on a daily basis. Since the final demise of the infamous Jungle camp outside Calais (after an abortive attempt 7 year's previously) there has been only sporadic media interest in the problem, but an incident involving a UK bound truck in the past week reported by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), taken together with various others since the turn of the year, demonstrate clearly that the problem still exists.

Transport Union Wants Such Cases Fully Examined

AUSTRALIA – The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has called for an immediate investigation into the disappearance of 45-year-old seafarer, Arnel Gillo who was reported missing on the March 13 on the Flag of Convenience livestock carrier Galloway Express, bound for Australia.

Freighter Turns Over but Crew Safe

UK – FRANCE – The 2,300 dwt general cargo ship, the Britannica Hav has capsized and turned over following a collision with a Belgium-flagged fishing vessel, the Deborah, in the English Channel. On March 20, the Britannica Hav laden with a cargo of 1,955 tonnes of steel en route from Spain to the UK, collided with the Deborah approximately 50 nautical miles northeast of Cherbourg, France. The seven crew members of the freighter evacuated the ship aboard two life rafts and were recovered the fishing vessel.

With Brexit Firmly in Mind This Year's Sessions Cover a Multitude of Subjects

UK – All the usual suspects have started to make plans for their exhibits or visits to this year's Multimodal show which is once again at the NEC, Birmingham, the 2018 edition running from 1 - 3 May. Considered by many as the UK and Ireland's premier freight transport, logistics and supply chain management event, the show will once again pair demonstrations of the latest technology applicable to the sector, the offerings from suppliers ranging from global ports to vendors of desiccated granules to keep your containerised goods dry, to a range of seminars essential to those who wish to keep abreast of current trends.

Ship Owners Beware! Disgusting Trade Censured by Dutch Court

NETHERLANDS – SOUTH ASIA – The Rotterdam District Court has sentenced, under the auspices of the EU Waste Shipment Regulations, shipping company Seatrade and two of its Directors, for the illegal export of vessels sent for scrapping on the beaches of South Asia. Seatrade and the directors have been fined up to €750,000 and two of its executives have also been banned from holding a position of Director, Commissioner, Advisor or employee of a shipping company for one year.

Long Term Plans Coming to Fruition in 2019

UK – The Port of Dover's flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development has awarded the Buckingham Group a contract to build the new proposed Refrigerated Cargo Terminal (RCT). With a value of £15 million the contract will deliver the construction of a 9,630 square metre multi-purpose refrigerated cargo facility designed to meet the future demands of the business. This development is a direct result of the plans, initially laid down in 2012 and which we reported in 2014 after things first got under way.

Strategy Looks at Environmental Improvements and Local Employment

US – In California earlier this month the Port of Oakland released a new 5-year strategic plan to develop not only freight and logistics in the area, but to work for the benefit of the local community. The strategic plan calls for 8% more containerised cargo volume in Oakland by 2022 and a jump in passenger numbers at the port's International Airport by anything up to 20% by that time meaning 14-15 million people in transit.

Nothing is Agreed Until Everything is Agreed

UK – EUROPE – It seems it doesn't take a lot to ignite the Twittersphere when it comes to news on Brexit. Despite the mantra trailed out by European delegates, 'Nothing is agreed until Everything is agreed', most pundits have been putting a positive spin on the news. However, even those welcoming the fact that the EU will now pass over some of the outstanding disagreements, and delay things with a 21 month transition period running up to December 2020, admit that the mandatory completion details of the withdrawal agreement cast a shadow. The freight and road haulage lobby were quick to comment on the latest news.

Revisions to Asia - Europe Network from May

WORLDWIDE – When the Maersk group took over Hamburg Süd from the Oetker Group, a deal first mooted in 2016 and which the dust settled on in November last year, the German box company became a member of the most exclusive container alliance, joining both its new owners and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the two largest global container lines, benefitting from its association with the 2M Alliance.

March of Environmentally Friendly Commercial Vehicles Continues

UK – The steady march toward a leaner, cleaner future for the road haulage industry took another step this month as three UK customers received the first tranche of all-electric light-duty trucks from Daimler Trucks, the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer. The environmentally friendly 7.5 tonne FUSO eCanter vehicles went to freight and logistics outfits DPD and Wincanton, and flour milling giant Hovis.

Two Acquisitions for UAE Based Operator

DUBAI – PERU – INDIA – DP World, the UAE based group best known for owning and operating ports and container terminals around the globe, has reinforced its move into general logistics with two new acquisitions. DP has picked up Peruvian based Cosmos Agencia Maritima S.A.C. (CAM) for $315.7 million and, together with its joint venture partner the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), acquired a 90% stake in Continental Warehousing Corporation (Nhava Seva) Ltd (CWCNSL), an integrated multimodal logistics player in India.

Investigation Into Blaze in Cargo Hold Under Way

US – OMAN – A week after the fatal fire on board one of Maersk Line's newly built container ships, a vessel owned and operated by the Danish shipping giant's US subsidiary Maersk Line, Limited (MLL), the Maersk Kensington, reported a container on fire in a cargo hold while en route from Salalah, Oman, towards Suez. All 26 crew members are safe and accounted for and the fire is reported to be contained. Safety measures were taken immediately. The crew reacted swiftly and as per procedure, by release of CO₂into the cargo hold to contain the fire.

Running Down the Smaller Industry Stories and Announcements

PHILIPPINES – Container giant the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the principal forces in global transportation and logistics, is expanding its southeast Asian coverage and adding a dedicated agency for customers in the Philippines. MSC will offer new services to connect the Philippines with the rest of its worldwide network of 200 sea trade routes, passing via the key transhipment hubs in the Asia region.

New Company Aims for Rapid Growth

HONG KONG – Hong Kong Air Cargo has launched a road haulage operation to serve the local market alongside its air freight services. Hong Kong Air Cargo Logistics aims to develop the region into a cargo transportation hub across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau, Greater Bay Area.

HR News Across the Industry

US – Rail and intermodal logistics group Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) has announced a series of changes to its executive team, effective May 16. Greg Gantt has been elected to serve as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David Congdon, who has served as the company’s CEO since January 2008 and Vice Chairman of the Board since May 2015. Gantt, who will also retain his current title of President, originally joined ODFL as a Regional Vice President in 1994.

Shareholders Asked to Vote Against Directors at Forthcoming AGM

PHILIPPINES – WORLDWIDE – The row continues between global transport unions and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) which has port and logistics holdings and, by its own admission, has always adopted an aggressive acquisition strategy whenever it perceives an opportunity to and a company which is currently pursuing an active programme to acquire new terminal concessions in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, often as governments divest themselves of nationalised freight handling facilities.

Another Ecologically Friendly Commercial Vehicle

US – Anyone who has visited Thailand and some other parts of south east Asia will be familiar with the ubiquitous tricycles with their frontal wire baskets used for carrying everything from general goods to the mother in law. The reason for their popularity is simple, they are cheap low maintenance and can transport ridiculously large loads for their size. Reliant purely on pedal power their drawback is obvious, particularly in hilly regions, but now a Seattle based company with a sales base in Europe, has come up with an electrically power assisted version which for some will may prove the ideal urban delivery vehicle for small amounts of freight.

40 Foot Unit to be Unveiled at Intermodal Exhibition

CHINA – WORLDWIDE – At this year's Intermodal Asia exhibition, taking place in Shanghai, China, between March 20^th and 22^nd, US and UK based CakeBoxx Technologies will unveil the company' new CakeBoxx 40' shipping container. We have previously illustrated CakeBoxx's unique container design for shippers needing 360 degree side and overhead accsess for loading and unloading, the fact that the units act as a flat rack, which is then completely protected by lowering the body of the box onto the base, means improved security whilst still allowing full securing of the cargo to the rack.

After That Massive Cyber Attack Another Maersk Company Has IT Woes

AUSTRALIA – After the world's largest container shipping line, Maersk, was hit by a massive cyber attack last June another group subsidiary, Svitzer, has revealed that it has suffered a significant data breach, which has seen upwards of 50,000 emails containing private personnel information, auto-forwarded to accounts outside the company. Localised to the company's Australian operations, Svitzer has confirmed that the hack, which began on May 27 last year, affected more than 400 employees before being discovered at the beginning of this month.

Upswing in Business Prompts Growth

SOUTH AFRICA – UK – Virgin Atlantic Cargo is pre-empting the commencement of a second daily service between London and Johannesburg by opening a local Contact Centre in the country's largest city. A 5% growth in business to South Africa and a 4% rise in tonnage ex Johannesburg has helped prompt the April debut of the Contact Centre which heralds the arrival of the new air freight service due to commence 28 October 2018.

New Motor Racing Season Opens in Australia This Month

WORLDWIDE – Freight group DHL has once again been named as the Official Logistics Partner for Formula 1 and this year also becomes the first official partner of the F1 eSports Series. The two first joined in global partnership for the motor racing series in 2004 and say other joint initiatives are also planned, including fan festivals in core and growth markets of Formula 1, as well as new digital formats. Furthermore, DHL will continue to present the DHL Fastest Lap Award and the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award, two prizes for exceptional performances by racing drivers and teams.

It's Back to Court for DP World as Rows Continue in Two, or is it Three or Four? Countries

UAE – SOMALIA – DJIBOUTI – DP World's headache in East Africa shows no signs of abating with the disagreements between Somalia and Somaliland continuing over the Government of Ethiopia's decision to purchase a 19% share in the Port of Berbera. DP World has now apparently been banned from operating anywhere in Somalia. Confusion over the contract boils down basically to the lack of recognition of the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland. Elsewhere, the government of Djibouti has revealed its new ambitions for the DP World's former operation in the Doraleh Container Terminal which it recently seized, as the port and logistics giant looks to once again settle the matter in Court.

Advance of Digital Systems, Cyber Safety and Survey Techniques Require Gradual Evolution

US – WORLDWIDE – Speaking at Shipping 2018, the Connecticut Maritime Association's (CMA) annual conference, and an event that attracts over 2,400 major domestic and international freight and logistics stakeholders each year, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, IACS Chairman and CEO of DNV GL - Maritime, looked at some of the current initiatives, including cyber safety, autonomous vessels survey techniques under the scrutiny of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) that are changing the industry. He said:

Vital Lifeline Scottish Island Services Examined for Second Time in a Year

UK – For the second time this week we hear that the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) is raising the case of another British RoRo ferry service as it calls for the nationalisation of the lifeline routes which service the Shetland Isles. Whereas the previous story told how the union is protesting the wages paid to employees of Condor Ferries, this time it is Serco owned Northlink Ferries, which carries freight and passengers from Scottish ports Scrabster and Aberdeen to Stromness and Kirkwall on the Orkney Isles and Lerwick on Shetland, which is the target.

New Research Reveals Growth in Sector

UK – The British Ports Association (BPA) has published new research by infrastructure advisory firm Moffatt & Nichol which estimates that UK ports and terminals are set to invest approximately £1.7 billion into port infrastructure. The research, part of the British Ports Association's 'Port Futures' programme, identified significant schemes all over the UK and highlights how ports in all parts of the UK are investing in new facilities to foster growth in the UK market. Mark Simmonds, the British Ports Association's Policy Manager and BPA Port Futures Programme Coordinator said:

Three Bodies Found Aboard 15,000 TEU Vessel

DENMARK – INDIA – Following last week's news of the fire onboard the 15,262 TEU Maersk Honam, shipping giant Maersk has regrettably announced that the human remains of three of the four missing crew members have been found on board the vessel. At this point in time the three colleagues are unidentified. The nationalities of the four crew members, all male, are: two Filipinos, one South African, and one Indian.

Free Eye Tests Available for All - Not Just HGV and Van Drivers

UK – This week, March 11 – 17, is World Glaucoma Week and in the UK the road freight industry is doing its bit to help combat a disease that affects around 600,000 Britons alone, half of them undiagnosed. Glaucoma is particularly relevant to the logistics industry as good vision is of course essential to any van or HGV driver. As part of the effort to improve the rate of diagnosis the Road Haulage Association (RHA) is collaborating with sight experts, Vision Express by launching a brand-new Vision Van, a mobile eye-testing facility housed within a customised trailer, designed and built by Cartwright Conversions.

Reinvigorated Workboat Builder Launches Latest Model

UK – WORLDWIDE – Hampshire based specialist boat builder Meercat has launched its newest and most robust vessel to date with the introduction of the twin screw monohull Meercat M18, a multi-purpose workboat. The new vessel is designed to be a cost effective multi-purpose workhorse designed for bigger projects such as port services, construction works, dredging support and offshore maintenance works.

Early Day Motion in Parliament Proposed as Port Demonstration Goes Ahead

UK – CHANNEL ISLES – The campaign being waged by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) enters another phase this week when a protest against RoRo freight and passenger ferry operator Condor will be held from 13:30 hours on Friday 16 March at the Port of Portsmouth. The RMT objects to the pay of overseas workers at a rate considerably below that to which a British registered seaman would be entitled.

Regular Departures Offer Shippers Alternative and Greener Option to Air and Ocean Transport

EUROPE – CHINA – The much vaunted 'New Silk Road' and the trans-Siberian routes to connect the economic areas of China and Europe are the inspiration for the latest services from family owned German based logistics outfit Dachser Rail Services, which has revealed details of its latest intermodal offerings as an alternative to traditional air and sea freight.

Three Existing Cargo Consolidation Points Move to One Location

AUSTRIA – Logistics specialists DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight have signed a purchase agreement for a property in the immediate vicinity of Vienna International Airport. As of summer 2018, DHL Campus Vienna Airport is to be built on an area of around 60,000 square metres in the Fischamend municipality and is intended as an important role as a freight hub for DHL traffic in Eastern Europe in the future.

Greenpeace Action Prompts Chinese Government Acts to Stop Criminals

AFRICA – CHINA – WORLDWIDE – It is an undisputed fact that one of the main drivers of piracy off the Somalian coastline was overfishing by foreign boats which drove native fisherman, employing much simpler and traditional small scale methods, to the brink of poverty. It is no coincidence that the huge naval force employed against the would-be hijackers of container ships and other merchant vessels, are up against small fishing skiffs now plying a much different trade.

Who Is Going Where in the Relevant Sectors

CANADA – Canadian National (CN) has announced that Chief Executive Officer, Luc Jobin, is leaving CN effective immediately. The Board has appointed Jean-Jacques Ruest Interim President and Chief Executive Officer until a permanent replacement is in place. Ruest has been with the company for twenty-two years, the last eight as Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer.

A Quick Look at Some Industry Items You May Have Missed

DENMARK – INDIA – The fire aboard the Maersk Line container ship Maersk Honam has largely subsided and is under control thanks to Indian specialised firefighting vessels, and the survivors of the tragic occurrence are now safely disembarked in the cities of Cochin and Trivandrum in Southern India. They have all received professional medical treatment and are offered crisis counselling, and a majority have been transferred to a hotel. Of the crew members that remain hospitalised some are currently receiving intensive care.

Internet Shopping, a Rising Population, On Time Agenda All Worsening Problems

UK – The point was very clearly made at the recent United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Conference that the old MI5 maxim 'we are only four meals away from anarchy' is as true today as ever, a point illustrated by the fuss engendered during the recent KFC chicken farrago when a short term disturbance to a fairly insignificant contributor to the food chain promoted widespread comment. Urban logistics needs a serious overhaul and the rise of internet shopping and on time delivery demands are worsening the problem almost daily.

Chinese New Year and Buoyant Exports Impact Cargo Figures

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), rose 8% in January compared to the year-earlier period and up 5.8% from December 2017, though as always, the shifting timing of Chinese New Year can distort annual growth rates at the start of each year, so in order to get a more complete picture of the strength of freight demand during the opening months of 2018, IATA says that it will have to wait until it has data for February.

Port Group Invests in Track Borne Export Route to China

NETHERLANDS – CHINA – A new direct rail freight connection has been launched between Amsterdam Container Terminal and Yiwu in China as part of China's New Silk Road initiative. Terminal services for the new rail connection are provided by TMA Logistics, a joint venture between Hutchison Ports and TMA Holdings. The first train set off on its 11,000 kilometre, 16-day journey on March 7, from the intermodal railhead at Amsterdam Container Terminal to the trading hub of Yiwu in Zhejiang province.

UKWA 2018 Event a Resounding Success

UK – As can be seen by our photograph the fairer sex was well represented at this week's United Kingdom Warehouse Association (UKWA) Annual Conference, the last day coinciding with International Women's Day. This two day event however presented something for everyone with 10 hours of lectures from 25 expert speakers, all with something to say that was valid to working in today's logistics environment.

Update on Fire Tragedy on Maersk Cargo Vessel

ARABIAN SEA – Maersk Line have provided an update to the situation in the Arabian Sea where a serious fire broke out in one of the cargo holds on board the Maersk Honam. The container shipping line has confirmed that one of its seafarers, a Thai national that had been part of the 23 evacuated crew members from the distressed vessel, died on Wednesday afternoon due to injuries sustained in connection to the fire. Søren Toft, Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Board of AP Moller – Maersk, said:

Yet Another Global Antitrust Prosecution

INDIA – The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed penalties upon 3 Airlines for concerted action in fixing and revising fuel surcharge on air freight, breaching the country's Competition Act which prohibits anti-competitive agreements. In its order, the CCI identified a further two airlines believed to have taken part in the cartel, but the commission found the actions of the two carriers not to have been in contravention of the law.

Year of Young People Sees Another Initiative

UK – Forth Ports, which owns and operates eight British commercial ports, is doing its bit for the Year of Young people and during Apprentice Week (March 5 -9) has announced that the company will sponsor the Young Logistics Professional of the Year award at this year's Multimodal event in May.

Intention is for Twenty Logistics Facilities Throughout Mexico

MEXICO – US headquartered freight forwarding outfit SEKO Logistics has announced what it describes as a 'massive expansion' of its operations in Mexico. The first phase will see the air and ocean freight and road haulage company operate from locations in Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, McAllen/Reynosa, Mexico City, Monterrey, Toluca, and Queretaro. Phase two is intended to see this network grow to 20 locations with the opening of further warehouse and office operations.

Airlines and Navigators Reinforce Cooperation

SPAIN – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ENAIRE, the Spanish air navigation services provider, together with ACETA, the Spanish Airlines' Association, which represents the top 10 of the country's airlines, have agreed to further reinforce their cooperation for the development and implementation of ENAIRE's Strategic Plan, 'FlightPlan 2020'. This will not only deliver benefits to the travelling public, but impact freight operations and the Spanish economy through reform and modernisation of Spanish airspace and air traffic management (ATM).

Latest UK Facility Opens for Business

UK – iPort Rail, the UK's newest inland rail freight hub, is now open and fully operational, welcoming its first train this week. Located on a 30-acre site within the 337-acre iPort logistics hub, iPort Rail is a state-of-the-art rail freight facility able to accommodate the UK's longest trains up to six times a day. It has storage capacity for 1,500 TEUs and a reach stacker operation with a 115-tonne front axle load.

After DP World Facility Seized - Government Signs New Agreement with Carrier

DJIBOUTI – Just weeks after the government of Djibouti seized control of the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) from DP World, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) has signed an agreement with Pacific International Lines (PIL), container, general cargo and out of gauge freight carrier, and which will see the Singaporean shipping company aim to increase the amount of cargo handled at the port by 33%.

Anxious Wait for Fate of Missing Crew after Cargo Hold Blaze

ARABIAN SEA – Maersk Line has reported a serious fire in the cargo hold of its 15,262 TEU container ship, the Maersk Honam. 23 crew members have been successfully evacuated and search and rescue operations are ongoing for four crew members currently reported missing. Søren Toft, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Executive Board, AP Moller - Maersk, commented:

Transaction System Covers a Quarter of the Global Fleet

WORLDWIDE – Electronic transaction platform, software and information provider INTTRA has added four new significant shipping operations to its carrier network including the Evergreen Marine Corporation, one of the largest container fleets in the world, and Unifeeder, which operates freight feeder services widely in Europe. More than 60 box carriers, including all of the top 10, are now claimed to be INTTRA customers.

CalMac Vessel Built Lifeline Routes to Remote Communities

UK – Last month we remarked on the passing of one of the country's landmark vessels, RMS St Helena as she sailed away on her last official voyage and this month it is the turn of another piece of very British maritime history as ferry operator CalMac reports the retirement of MV Raasay,the last of the Island class ferries which, albeit a much smaller ship, like her Royal Mail carrying sister was one which provided a lifeline to remote island communities.

Inclusivity High on the Agenda

UK – The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), has announced the successful incorporation of Women in Logistics UK (WiL), with effect from March 1. CILT and WiL will be joining forces to create a ground-breaking new forum that will promote diversity and inclusion within the profession. Kevin Richardson FCILT, Chief Executive, CILT(UK), said:

Neighbouring Administration Declares Recent Deal Illegal

SOMALIA – ETHIOPIA – UAE – Global port management group and provider of freight and logistics facilities, DP World, has received a second blow to its operations in Africa, after announcing last week a deal with the government of Ethiopia for the country to acquire a 19% in the port of Berbera, based in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, the Somali government has taken issue with the decision, declaring the deal to be 'non-existent, null and void'.

Landmark in 200 Years of Maritime History

UK – Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight based RoRo ferry operator with roots going back on the island almost two centuries, has made a landmark appointment to coincide with International Women's Day on 8 March 2018. The passenger and freight shipping line has just appointed Alice Duncan, who began her career on a cadetship programme when she was just 18, to the position of captain.

From Port Management and Shipping Lines to Road Haulage Outfits All Under One Roof

UK – Already preparations are well under way for the eleventh year of the Multimodal Exhibition and Conference, the country's premier event for many in the freight and logistics business and which will again be held at Birmingham's NEC, this year from May 1-3. As usual the exhibitors include a who's who of players from the world's of port management, shipping and road haulage, as well as the rail industry being well represented.

Technology Specialist Wares Can Assess Performance and Publish Legally Binding Data

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – Headquartered in Zurich, technology company Nexiot last year signed a deal with VTG Aktiengesellschaft (VTG AG) to equip the rail operator's entire European fleet with its sensors to enable the tracking of the movement of each and every one of the Hamburg headquartered 80,000 or so rail freight wagons. The tracking of logistics assets is becoming more sophisticated enabling ever more information to be collected and assimilated.

Nominations Wanted for Heroes of the Sea

WORLDWIDE – Born out of a tragedy almost 180 years ago, UK national maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, is calling on members of the global maritime and rescue communities to nominate those who have demonstrated outstanding courage and expertise in aiding those in peril at sea, for its 167^th Skill and Gallantry Awards.

BIFA Scheme for Professional Qualification Awaiting Government Approval

UK – This week sees the 11^th National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2018) in the UK at a most appropriate time for the British logistics sector which is working hard to raise the profile of this, our 'anonymous' industry. Whilst the road haulage sector struggles to find enough competent drivers the British International Freight Association (BIFA) is now just awaiting final approval from the for its proposed international freight forwarding apprenticeship scheme.

Some Slices of News from Around the Industry You May Have Missed

UK – With a blanket of snow and ice covering Britain the suggestion from the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon that road freight firms should keep trucks off the country's trunk roads, was met with derision by Road Haulage Association (RHA) chief executive Richard Burnett, who pointed out that, due to the very nature of the logistics industry, many of the HGVs on the road will be half way through a 3-4 day journey and have no alternative but to press on until they reach their delivery destination.

French Take on Danish Oil Activities

DENMARK – Having said its energy divisions would 'require different solutions for future development' when splitting its logistics and energy operations in 2016, AP Møller - Mærsk now tells us that the Danish Energy Agency has approved the sale of the shipping conglomerate’s entire Mærsk Oil & Gas division to French multinational integrated oil and gas giant,Total, as part of Maersk’s strategy to separate its activities in order to create an integrated transport and logistics company. The Danish Energy Agency's Director Morten Bæk welcomed the French presence in the Danish market, saying:

A Look at Staff Changes Related to the Transport Industry

SWEDEN – We start the weekly review of appointments in the industry with some high level changes on the periphery of the freight and logistics sector with the news that the Election Committee of AB Volvo has proposed Eric Elzvik be elected as a new Board Member at the Annual General Meeting on April 5. The Committee also proposed the re-election of Carl-Henric Svanberg, Chairman of the Board, along with Board Members Matti Alahuhta, Eckhard Cordes, James Griffith, Martin Lundstedt, Kathryn Marinello, Martina Merz, Hanne de Mora, and Helena Stjernholm. Lars Westerberg has announced that he will not be standing for re-election.

World's Rarest Marine Mammal Just Collateral Damage in an Evil Trade

MEXICO – US – CHINA – Our photograph shows the moment a poacher in the Gulf of California starts firing a handgun at an aerial drone recording his skiff attempting to catch endangered species. The drone, operated by marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, was replacing its predecessor hit and destroyed by rifle fire in another similar incident six nights previously. The dramatic escalation of hostilities to a point where the poachers are carrying arms has however had one beneficial effect in that Sea Shepherd vessels are now accompanied by armed Marines, Federal Police, Fisheries Officers and agents from the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection on board the organisation's vessels.

First Stage Testing Begins as We Move Toward a Cleaner Future for Shipping

SWEDEN – DENMARK – In a project co-funded by the European Union and Swedish transport interests, RoRo ferry and logistics outfit Stena Line is moving to the next stage of its quest to test new environmentally friendly energy types for the propulsion of vessels. Recently a contract was signed with Callenberg Technology Group for batteries with a capacity of 1 MWh which will be installed on the Stena Jutlandica which operates between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn and, before the summer, battery power in port operation will become a reality.

Stakeholders to Input Ideas for Maritime 2050 Vision

UK – Britain's maritime industry is on the verge of a technological revolution that could make shipping faster, safer and more environmentally friendly, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said, speaking at the government's first Maritime 2050 event, held in the London offices of Moore Stephens on the last day of February. He outlined his vision for the UK to be at the forefront of a 'Smart Shipping' upheaval which is expected to result in the growing use of autonomous and more technologically advanced vessels.

All Deny FMC Charges (and Yet They All Paid Up)

US – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has recovered a total of $465,000 in civil penalties after completing several compromise agreements with six non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs). The agreed penalties resulted from investigations conducted by the Commission's Area Representatives in Houston and Seattle, and by Washington DC headquarters staff, and once again as so many have before, the parties settled and agreed to penalties, but did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act or Commission regulations.

Oversize, Reefer, Flat Rack, Tank and Bulk Containers all Catered for

NETHERLANDS – UK – Multimodal specialist carrier Samskip has launched a new scheduled service between Amsterdam and Hull to commence operations in March. A containership will sail three times a week from each port with the option to use Samskip's intermodal rail, road and barge services to the hinterland.

After a Century a Postal Freight Invoicing System is Being Introduced

WORLDWIDE – Air mail has existed now for over a hundred years yet, despite remaining a vital form of global communication, and a sizeable contributor to the world's air freight, there has up to now never been a standardised set of tools or a platform for the invoicing and settlement of charges between airlines and postal authorities. Now however the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it is addressing the problem with the creation of its Postal Account Settlement System (PASS).