Shipping Search - Archive

London's Former Waste Tip Sees Life Blossom Again

UK – All conscientious developers these days must take into account the effect their projects have on wildlife. Britain, for all its beauty is one of the least bio diverse countries in terms of habitat for native species and many which once were common are now getting progressively rarer.

Another Tale of Success in the Fight Against the Virus

GERMANY – US – The horrible pandemic has at least had some bright spots for some tasked with moving essential items to battle the virus, with most passenger aircraft still grounded the air cargo sector has had to take up as much of the slack as it could.

Millions in Awards for Successful Supply Chain Lobbyists

UK – The seriousness of the spate of cyber-crime which now occupies both the time and resources of many companies and individuals has prompted the government to sponsor a competition with the aim of tackling the problem directly via soft and hardware development. Those in the logistics industry are ideally suited to vie for such an award.

Sophisticated Technology Enables Location of All Staff in Emergencies

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – With the rapid expansion of offshore wind farms risks to individual personnel subject to the vagaries of the environment have increased exponentially. Oil and gas rigs have at least the benefit of one static platform. Should any person fail to rendezvous at a muster station on one their absence is likely to be noted.

Specialist Rose Dedicated to Supporting Seafarers

UK – Following an initiative by the Container Shipping Supporting Seafarers (CSSS) to raise funds for Stella Maris, the world's largest ship-visiting network, a Surrey care home now hosts a rose garden stocked with a very special flower.

From Cross Country UK Bike Ride to African HGV Driver Training

UK – GHANA – Whilst the UK prepares to cut its overseas aid budget one transport charity is pressing on with helping those overseas and this week secured a major sponsorship deal to assist in its many projects from bicycle ambulances to better HGV driver training schemes and the fight against the scourge of malaria.

Stay Vigilant for Corruption in the Supply Chain of the Basest Kind

WORLDWIDE – One wonders just how low some people can stoop as a warning comes from insurance outfit the TT Club. The latest message from the Club to all participants in the supply chain warns of a range of risks due to criminal activity targeting vaccine supply, crimes with the potential to end in deaths.

End to One of the Most Costly Events in the Maritime Calendar

EGYPT – In a way the recent stranding of the 20,000 TEU container ship Ever Given compares with the recent trials and tribulations offered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the vessel is floating free once more, after blocking the Suez Canal completely for the best part of a week, it is time to consider how to avoid such a situation in the future.

Supply Chain to be Maintained but More Vigilance Now in Situ

UK – Whilst during the early days of the pandemic truck drivers were seen as one of the key groups linking the supply chain to ensure supplies of food and other essentials reached everybody who needed them no matter what, the picture now has changed somewhat.

Latest Industry Appointments and Departures

UK – The UK Chamber of Shipping has announced that Bob Sanguinetti has decided to step down as Chief Executive, to embark on a new role as Chief Executive of the Aberdeen Harbour Board, taking up his new role later this year. The recruitment process for a replacement will begin shortly.

Supply Chain Updates from Around the Globe

UK – A TUC report 'Technology Managing People' out this month has engendered a response from the GMB union, many of whose members work logistics and the rest of the supply chain. The report concludes says that employment law is failing to keep pace with the rapid expansion of AI at work.

Cover Hangs on Ensuring Companies Have Taken Appropriate Steps to Protect Themselves

UK – WORLDWIDE – One of the facts that emerged during a year like no other is that business priorities, ways of working and fears have all moved centre stage. Whilst it is understandable that the concerns of CEO's across industries put previously unrated pandemics and health crises at the top of their worry list when asked, we are concerned here with the silver medal position, cyber threats.

Foreign Storage Facilities Appeal to Many

UK – EUROPE – A growing number of British online retailers are seeking to ease the extra customs and tax administration and costs involved in trading with the EU by shifting stock from UK warehouses to storage facilities on the Continent according to one logistics company boss.

Construction on New Riverside Grain Silos Underway

UK – Following a serious fire in July last year, in which fortunately nobody was injured but extensive damage occurred, a start has been made on reconstructing the UK's largest grain terminal at the Port of Tilbury.

EU Transits Slower but a Better Global Picture

UK – WORLDWIDE – Parcel forwarding agent Forward2me has just taken a long look at shipping times to and from the EU post Brexit, and it makes for unhappy, if not entirely unexpected, reading.

Good Report but Room for Improvement Says International Union Outfit

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Doubtless Maersk executives were pleased today when they received their equivalent of a school report from global union representatives, despite a qualified 'could do better'.

New Project to Look at Land, Air and Water Options

UK – Despite some scepticism with regard to the potential of drones in an urban environment it is important to develop and explore the potential of autonomous vehicles, be they land, air or water borne.

Intercontinental Move Had to Account for Covid Regulations

AUSTRALIA – BRAZIL – The latest successful project freight movement for Kiev headquartered Antonov Airlines was completed recently utilising three flights on AN-124 aircraft from the company fleet.

Wind Blamed for Incident

SUEZ CANAL – Up to 24 hours delay is expected to the two dozen or so vessels currently waiting to transit the waterway following an incident in which a containership ran aground whilst exercising a manoeuvre and blocked the canal.

Government Expresses Wish to Promote Exports Countrywide

UK – The government has announced it is to open four major new trade and investment hubs in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North-East of England to 'boost trade and investment and level-up the country'.

Plans to Extend Abilities to Aid Cut Shipping Related Detritus

UK – WORLDWIDE – The Eyesea initiative, the not for profit outfit formed last year to map global pollution and maritime hazards in the never ending battle to eliminate them, has been used this month in support of a coastal clean-up operation.

European Wide Statistics Clearly Show a Need for Improvement

EUROPE – The standards utilised to assess the fitness of drivers have come under severe criticism from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) in a new report it has published. The report examines the current state of play in European countries regarding the assessment of medical fitness to drive, with reference to current EU rules. The EU is currently reviewing the Directive on driver licensing and a revised legal proposal is expected in 2022.

Action Needed to Stay on Track

GERMANY – EUROPE – A week before the UK announced potential forthcoming revisions to its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) policy, industry and research representatives at the Messe Frankfurt Expo spoke at the second edition of its 'Energy4Mobility Expert Talk' series, in cooperation with the Representation of the State of Hessen to the European Union.

Group Claims HGVs Can Run Cleaner on Food Waste and Manure Products

UK – The Gas Vehicle Network (GVN) is calling for gaseous biofuels, such as biomethane and BioLPG, to be central to the Department for Transport's (DfT) anticipated reforms to its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) policy as low carbon, renewable transport fuels.

Less Passenger Services Opens Track to Cargo

UK – Freightliner has successfully completed a trial running of a 'Jumbo' aggregates service between the Peak District and London for its customer, Tarmac. The company says the currently reduced demand for passenger travel has provided an opportunity to timetable the 39-wagon jumbo train on the rail network, transporting stone and construction materials to support critical infrastructure projects.

A Chance to Honour Those Who Risk All to Save Others

UK – WORLDWIDE – Once again the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society is calling for nominations from the members of the maritime and rescue communities naming those who have demonstrated outstanding bravery and expertise in aiding those in peril at sea, for its annual Skill and Gallantry Awards.

A Look at the Global Supply Chain This Week

UK – SEKO Logistics is gearing up for its biggest-ever sports logistics order fulfilment and global shipping campaign as Official Logistics Partner to new Scottish Premiership champions Rangers Football Club. After claiming the record-breaking 55th league title the triumph is expected to unleash unprecedented demand for Rangers kits and its growing range of retail products.

But What Has This Got for the Haulage Operator?

UK – Whilst the government announced today that it is to update the grant scheme for electric cars, vans and trucks with immediate effect, the language of the announcement provides little clarity for the road haulage operator who would wish to reduce emissions by switching part or all of their fleet.

US Headquartered Outfit Looks to Split its Business Up

US – WORLDWIDE – The break-up of XPO Logistics into two separate entities took a step forward this week when a new company name was announced. Somewhat confusingly given the parent company's title, the actual logistics business will soon fall under the auspices of the new outfit, GXO Logistics, Inc.

Time Lapse Video Gives a Sense of Scale

US – Anyone who has never witnessed the discharge at quayside of one of the huge, new generation port cranes may glean some idea of the scale from a new time lapse video shot at the Port of Oakland when it recently took delivery of three of the gigantic machines.

40 Photographs to Celebrate Four Decades of Charity Work

WORLDWIDE – At a time when many crew members are still finding life more stressful than ever before, seafarers around the globe have a chance to lighten the mood a little and possible collect a cash prize in the second ever photography competition by the ITF Seafarers' Trust (ITFST).

Insurance Experts Point Out Crucial Changes

UK – Hands up those who actually read the Terms and Trading Conditions that we all face every single working day. Chances are very few are waving at teacher at the moment. However when those details mean accepting liability it seems one must pay special attention as pointed out this week by the TT Club.

WLP Moves In on South America

URUGUAY – WORLDWIDE – The World Logistics Passport (WLP), a loyalty programme which aims to overcome non-tariff trade barriers by incentivising increased trade through more efficient and cheaper trade processes, gained more ground this week.

Clearances Possible Away from Borders

FRANCE – UK – In the battle to speed up Customs clearances, often delayed by post Brexit problems, Eurotunnel has partnered with inspection, controls, and certification group SGS, to offer customers a web-portal Customs transit solution for those who wish to move their goods under Common Transit Customs procedures and carry out their Customs clearance operations away from the borders.

Intermodal Group Extends Partnership with Box Line

UK – Another win for Maritime Transport this month with the start of a new contract providing committed space for the movement of containers by rail across the country. The two year deal with Maersk commenced on March 1.

One More Way the Shipping Industry Looks to Clean Up

FINLAND – WORLDWIDE – Two of the most contentious subjects as regards the reduction or elimination of harmful emissions produced by the world's ocean going shipping fleet are scrubbers and carbon capture. Nevertheless the technologies exist and are seen by many as suitable routes to assist in the environmental fight.

Scandal of Misguided Crews Ends in a Police Investigation

FIJI – The case we wrote about in an article last month in which passenger and cargo ferry group Goundar Shipping stood accused of serious offences against staff it had recruited overseas has taken a new twist today as police launched an investigation into the potential human trafficking of dozens of Filipino seafarers.

Ignorance of HMRC Scheme Almost Lost a Windfall

UK – A lesson for companies in the supply chain which feel they might be entitled to receive financial incentives from the government after a Lincoln based haulage and warehousing firm received £150,850 in tax relief for multiple projects that qualified under HMRC's criteria.

Lack of Suitably Qualified HGV Personnel is Critical

UK – Nobody connected with the road haulage sector can be unaware of the shortage of suitably qualified drivers, a paucity which exists across the Channel and beyond. To try and address this one of the industry's training agencies has taken steps to address the problem.

Joint Venture Aims to Tackle the Problems of Production

BERMUDA – US – WORLDWIDE – The main problem facing those who would see hydrogen as the fuel source of future choice have always been faced with the stumbling block that is the cost in energy production to successfully produce the gas in quantity.

Technology Aimed at Tanker, Bulk and Container Vessels

NORWAY – SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – Long gone are the days when crew entertainment meant a pallet of plastic boxes each containing a dozen video cassettes showing old movies, TV series and a selection of football matches played months before from around the globe, going aboard with the rest of the ship's stores.

Spanish Port Publishes a History of the Pandemic Effect

SPAIN – Who doesn't love a great photograph? In a strange period of history, the like of which has been unknown to anyone alive today, one shipping industry stalwart has managed to capture the moment in an online book of stunning images.

Ever More Complex Challenges to Meet Race Day Deadlines

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – As the Formula 1 season commences once again the logo of logistics giants DHL will be spotted around the racetracks of the world. The German headquartered group has renewed its long partnership with the Formula 1 organisation.

Some Lower Key Stories from the Supply Chain Sector

UK – Intermodal transport operator, Maritime Transport has paid its own tribute to the NHS, and the valuable contribution key workers across many sectors have made during the pandemic by having 25 new tractor units emblazoned with a wave-shaped rainbow replacing the usual blue Maritime wave, bearing the message 'Thank you key workers'.

Who to Know and Where They Go

UK – Articulated Fork truck maker Narrow Aisle Ltd has appointed Stephen Astbury as the company’s new Head of Strategic Development. He will oversee delivery of sales and commercial and customer strategy across a number of key territories – including the USA and Canada.

Transaid Going Places It Has Never Been Before

UK – GHANA – SWITZERLAND – In an extraordinary year times have been tough for virtually every charitable organisation but good news as Britain's favourite transport charity has secured funding from the Puma Energy Foundation, a Swiss based organisation dedicated to financing good works in the areas of the world it operates in.

Government Rejects Criticism from Logisticians but Somewhere the Truth is Out There

UK – The latest arguments surrounding the success or failure of Britain's exit from the European Union contains more eddies and undertows than the fabled Maelstrom of Saltstraumen. In a week when comments flowed over the government decision to extend the deadline for introducing checks and customs formalities on imports, the Cabinet Office fought back at criticisms from the road haulage lobby.

Chinese Built Vessels to Serve US - Mexican Market

US – The second quarter of 2021 should see the arrival from China of two new rail ferries to serve on the Mobile, Alabama, and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico route, in a joint venture between Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) subsidiary CG Railway (CGR) and SEACOR Holdings Inc.

Warehouses Will be Colder Places as Lithium Batteries Take Over

UK – Those working in logistics warehouses henceforth may find they need a new, warmer wardrobe, with the news that Narrow Aisle Ltd, manufacturer of the iconic Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks, is to cease production of LP Gas-powered Flexi models, turning (presumably very tightly) instead to electric only.

East Anglia to Yorkshire Container Rail Link Commences

UK – A new daily intermodal service operated by GB Railfreight has begun running from the Port of Felixstowe to Maritime Transport's facility at Wakefield Europort. This represents GBRf's seventh intermodal service into a Maritime facility and will operate Monday to Friday from the UK's busiest container port.

Commercial River Traffic to Reduce Pollution Levels

UK – Those with memories as long as some of our venerable senior staff (do you mean aged? Ed) will recollect the River Thames being a much dirtier waterway than it currently is. There remains however much work to be done and, in addition to a variety of schemes to exclude run off water and effluent from the river, a new collaboration aims to take things further forward.

Variety of Events to Promote Gender Equality

WORLDWIDE – With International Women's Day (IWD 2021) falling on 8 March WISTA International, the global organisation for female managers in the shipping industry, announced a plethora of activities to promote the cause of gender equality.

Northern Irish Border Situation Needs Resolution

UK – EUROPE – If anybody was under the misapprehension that the controversies surrounding the UK's exit from the EU in January meant the end of the matter, they must by now be sorely disappointed.

Sparkling Performance Solution to Save Cost and Time

SPAIN – Automation is high on the agenda at the moment and the latest contract win by fork truck and warehouse optimiser Jungheinrich illustrates the point yet again. The company has been commissioned by Codorníu, a Spanish quality cava and wine producer, to automate pallet transport at its San Sadurni De Noya site in the north-east of the country.

Project Shipping Line Reinforces Fleet

SINGAPORE – AAL Shipping (AAL) is taking delivery of two additional 'G-Class' multipurpose heavy lift vessels, expanding its core fleet to 720,200 total deadweight tonnes (DWT). The Pacific Action and AAL Gladstone have both served in the AAL fleet in the past and re-join later this month, the former renamed this week, AAL Gibraltar.

Mandatory Unilateral Transport Revisions Can Kill Companies

UK – As anticipated the unilateral changes imposed on London by Mayor Sadiq Khan have won few friends in the road haulage community. The mandatory Direct Vision Standards (DVS) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) extensions cause problems, particularly for vehicles not native to the city, many bringing essential supplies from overseas.

Design Intended to Eliminate Some Bad Weather Problems

NORWAY – Boat launch specialist Vestdavit is making big claims for its latest innovation, the company's MissionEase system which enables multiple boats to be moved around on the mission deck and safely launched from either side of a mother ship, even in rough weather.

Anti-Jamming and Anti-Spoofing Crucial to Cyber Security

BELGIUM – WORLDWIDE – Leuven headquartered Septentrio, which specialises in high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning solutions, announced today that its receiver has successfully authenticated navigation data of the first OSNMA encrypted GNSS satellite signal. OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) offers end-to-end authentication on a civilian signal, protecting receivers from spoofing attacks.

Sign the Pledge to See More Women Employed in Diverse Roles in the Sector

SWITZERLAND – UK – WORLDWIDE – While women have had a regular place in the aviation sector, this has traditionally been as stewardesses rather than equality in other aspects of the industry. Now Change Horizon and Meantime Communications are calling on businesses, trade associations and individual professionals to sign the Women in Aviation and Logistics Pledge to promote gender equality in the airfreight industry.

Major Industry Players Consult on a Changing Industry

UK – In a wide-ranging logistics users panel discussion, hosted by the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) on Wednesday 3 March, senior supply chain directors representing four major brands spoke of their optimism for the future, the increased importance of automation in warehouses and the key role for 3PL partners in the 'new' post-pandemic, post-Brexit world.

Environmental Concerns Dominate New Vessel Construction

SOUTH KOREA – CHINA – GERMANY – Shipbuilders worldwide have these days to make their products as eco-friendly as possible and the latest order from Hapag Lloyd, the world's fifth largest container line, is no exception.

Some of the Smaller Stories from Another Virus Tinged Week

UK – Rail freight grew by 2.1% in Q3 of 2020-21, according to official statistics issued on 4 March by Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This was driven by a growth in construction materials moved by train, up 6.1%, intermodal, up 2.3% and steel and metals, which increased by 12.3%. This was partly offset by reductions in movement of petroleum products which remained suppressed by ongoing travel restrictions, and coal reflecting the ongoing trend to renewable generation.

Help! This Vehicle Has Been Stolen!

US – WORLDWIDE – Technology moves quickly these days (just look at the vaccine drive) but nowhere it seems faster than in the world of transportation. The latest headline gadget it seems will be the digital vehicle registration plate.

Mandatory Testing Should Extend to Those Most Likely Infected

AUSTRALIA – While it is a fact that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country remains small when compared to elsewhere, just 29,000 recorded compared to 4.19 million in the UK at the time of writing, the state of Victoria has seen over 70% (25,500) of these and 91% of overall deaths, 820 out of 909 nationwide.

UK Logistics Sector Gives a Variable Reaction to Budget

UK – The logistics sector drew breath this week and then released a torrent of words to comment on the Budget measures, taken as they are in the light of chaos caused by both the Covid pandemic and the exit from Europe.

Winners and Losers in Race for Investment

UK – The Chancellor's final announcement in today's Budget speech was the confirmation of where the country's new tranche of Freeports are to be located.

January Airfreight Analysis Released

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its analysis of the global air cargo markets for January 2021 which show demand for air freight returned to the pre-Covid levels of January 2019 for the first time since the onset of the crisis.

Insurance Giant Joins Collective Campaign Group

UK – WORLDWIDE – Corruption is of course the scourge of many businesses but while it is tacitly accepted in many cultures the commercial world generally takes a dim view of corrupt practice.

Struck Off Perhaps but Surely These Cases Demand Prosecution

UK – It seems the good name of logistics continues to be threatened by those who would offer services they have no intention of delivering. While the profession offers a multitude of reliable companies, the bulk of which have professional affiliations, there will always be those who simply look to earn a fast, and illegal, buck.

Promises to Encourage Freight Movement Looked Upon Dubiously

EUROPE – There will be many among the logistics and freight forwarding community in the UK who will have strong reactions to the latest statements from Brussels and beyond with regard to future EU trade policy.

Another Warehouse Facility Under Construction to Accommodate Growth

UK – It seems the benefits of having flexible planning arrangements with the local authority has once again smoothed the path for Britain's newest deep water container port and logistics park on the banks of the River Thames.

Island Schools Closed for a Year Rely on Help from Maritime Charity

PHILIPPINES – As with so many countries, schools in the many diverse islands which make up the archipelago have remained closed during the time the pandemic has been running its course. The difference between trying to maintain standards of learning on some of the far flung provinces however is vastly unlike most mainland states.

Intermodal Logistical Challenge for Project Freight Specialist

HUNGARY – EGYPT – DHL Industrial Projects, a unit of DHL Global Forwarding, has been tasked with the shipment of the largest ever order of rolling stock in the history of Hungary. The company, which provides management of complex project logistics, deep sea charters and heavy-lift cargoes, is to transfer 676 rail coaches in an intermodal movement.

Syria Hit by Air Strikes in Retaliation and More Threatened

GULF OF OMAN – An Israeli-owned Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) car carrier suffered damage after she was struck by explosions on Friday night while transiting eastbound through Gulf of Oman. The MV Helios Ray, which is flagged in the Bahamas and operated by Ray Car Carriers, had departed the Saudi Arabian port of Damman for Singapore when it suffered what the Israeli security services have described as an attack at around 23:40 local time.