Shipping Search - Archive

Extra Flights and Bigger Aircraft Offers Better Cargo Options to Customers

IRELAND / USA - American Airlines (AA) is to increase flights from Dublin to Chicago from four times per week to daily for its summer schedule this year. In addition, the airline is to operate Boeing 767-300’s on the route, which will boost air freight capacity to twelve tonnes per flight.

Don't get too excited, it's a toy

UK – Volvo’s newest addition to its fleet, the FMX junior, will be on display at Truckfest, alongside some of its more grown up siblings. And someone will get the chance to win the must-have-for-truckies-kid toy as it will be raffled off on behalf of the Professional Drivers Fund (PDF), which looks to help out commercial drivers down on their luck.

New Agreement with Deutsche Transport Signed

UK/ GERMANY – Freight forwarder and road transport provider Davis Turner is to expand on its current routes into Germany and central Europe with a new twice-weekly trailer groupage service to Bavaria.

Expect Slight Dip For April From Volcano

WORLDWIDE – The March report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that recovery in the air freight industry worldwide continues at a good pace, with worldwide cargo demand up by 28.1% compared to the same month last year.

Directors To Be Scrutinised For Proper Conduct

UK – The UK’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) has announced that they now intend to enforce much more rigorous checks on transport companies that are seeking membership of the organisation if directors in those companies had previously been declared insolvent.

Great Safety Improvements Made, But More to be Done

AUSTRALIA – Speaking at the 2010 Australian Trucking Convention earlier in the month, road freight legend and founder of one of Australia’s biggest transport companies, Lindsay Fox, called for the industry to embrace the use of new technology, especially ‘black box’ tachographs, to ensure the safety of truck drivers.

New Reefer Sea Service Quick And Green

UK / SPAIN – DFDS Suardiaz Line, part of the DFDS shipping group, are now offering a new door-to-door reefer service between the UK and Spain which they claim means customers can match the speed of conventional trailer services combined with the carbon savings of sea freight with their new daily schedule.

Changing Terms of Payment is Unacceptable and Unaffordable

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA)has come out to openly criticise the defence technology suppliers QinetiQ for drastically altering its terms of payment unilaterally and without notice. The policy of extending terms of payment, particularly from a company with mainly Government contracts which are normally settled on time. One of the RHA’s members drew the attention of the association to the policy which met with a particularly scathing reaction.

Company Develops New Facilities

RUSSIA – GERMANY – POLAND - DB Schenker have extended their already formidable presence in the Russian logistics market in the past few weeks. Formerly the group ran two separate freight operations, Schenker Russia ZAO and Schenker Ltd., which have now been amalgamated to offer their entire range of shipping services from a single source. The combined operation will now provide one centre solutions for land transportation services by road and rail, for air and ocean freight services, and for both contract logistics and supply chain management.

Rochdale Based J A Leach Transport Become Part of the German Group

UK – Dachser have expanded their service network with the acquisition of Rochdale based J.A.Leach Transport, a North West-based regional and national distribution specialist. The increase in available freight facilities, located in a key industrial area of the UK and well situated to serve the North of England, represent a significant expansion to Dachser’s presence in the UK market, adding to the existing branch offices in Northampton and Dartford.

Tells Senate Subcommittee Hearings of Improvements That Could Still be Made

US – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) went to Washington this week and spared no punches when detailing their views on the ways to positively affect the number of freight truck crashes. Despite a respectable drop in accident statistics for vehicles shipping goods around the country the truckers’ representatives feel still more could be done.

Eastern Britain To Get New European Link

BALTIC - UK – Danish shipping line Unifeeder has announced that they are to expand their northern European services to include three new calls into five UK ports from Rotterdam and Hamburg. From June, 2010, Unifeeder will operate three vessels between the continent and Grangemouth, South Shields, Teesport, Immingham and Felixstowe on a triple loop that is aimed to provide a flexible short sea connection for customers down the east coast of Britain. This in turn means clients will be able to access Unifeeder’s freight network throughout northern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia.

Heavy Specialist Gets New Role

EUROPE – The backlog in world air freight caused by the volcanic ash cloud has caused one specialist aircraft to be drafted into a new role to help deal with the waiting cargoes.

Annual Guide Released as Veteran Manager Retires

UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced the 15th edition of their guide for international road transport operators is now available. The guide uses country profiles to equip transport managers with the information needed to avoid unanticipated delays and deal effectively with roadside enforcement. The new 2010 edition includes updated information on public holidays, weekend lorry bans and toll prices and other essential facts for fleet operators in both the own account and hire and reward sectors.

Enhanced Facility Marks Start Of Expansion

UK – TDG International Services officially opened their new office in Manchester on Monday. The international freight forwarding arm of the logistics and supply chain group has had to move to bigger facilities from its Manchester airport warehouse as increased demand means the division has to now plan for near-and-long term growth in staff and capability

Illustration of Market Patterns for Major Carrier

JAPAN – Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) have issued their ‘Financial Highlights’ for their fiscal year 2009 with figures to 31st March 2010, and it serves to illustrate how deeply affected the segments of trade the major freight carriers are involved in were damaged by the financial crisis. MOL's trade suffered in virtually every area of shipping and the document refers to container shipping, bulk and car carriers, tankers and LNG vessels, ferry and domestic trade, all of which were at reduced levels.

'Sea TradeAsia' Award Goes to International Group

SINGAPORE – DUBAI - GAC once again won the title of Best Ship Agent at the annual Sea Trade Asia Awards at the Shangri La Hotel. The Dubai based group had also won the inaugural award in 2008, one of seventeen individual awards designed to celebrate and champion excellence in the world of shipping.

Internal Activated Mesh System Provides Tamper Proof Protection

UK – WORLDWIDE – A new innovation from Tamper Proof Container Systems (TPCS) is said to offer, as near as is possible, complete protection for valuable cargoes whilst in transit or storage in any size shipping container. By fusing together a range of existing technologies the corporation has produced an internal, electrical web which shields every internal face of a 20 or 40 foot box.

Use Water, You Dirty Boys !

UK – All too often we mean well when it comes to doing our bit for the environment. On a personal level the whole thing is comparatively simple, recycle, don’t leave the taps running etc., but in truth most of those involved in shipping cargo around the country still trust it almost exclusively to road transport, and with good reason.

Established Forwarders Update and Accelerate Quotation System

UK – Gone are the days when one had to sit at the end of a telephone listening to electronic musak whilst waiting for the right booking clerk to jot down the details of your shipment, calculating a rate and then spelling it out to you adding CAF’s, BAF’s and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Birmingham NEC Hosts Freight Event Once Again

UK – Hall 4 at the NEC saw the start of Multimodal 2010, an event actively considered as a barometer of the international freight scene and it was heartening to see fresh faces with new products and services after a most depressing last twelve months in the world of shipping.

Further strengthening of Oil and Gas Network

RUSSIA – To reinforce their position as a logistics provider to the oil and gas industry Kuehne and Nagel (K+N) have just opened two new offices in Northwest and Far Eastern Russia.

Three New Italian Contracts Signed

ITALY – Global supply chain management company, CEVA Logistics, has just signed three contracts with consumer goods giant Proctor & Gamble (P&G) for managing their Italian logistics requirements.

700 Rail Car Loads Cut Emissions as Company is Accused of Noise Pollution

UK – GERMANY – CHINA - The row over ‘noisy’ trains on the 13-mile stretch of rail track between Stirling and Longannet power station, which was re-opened in 2008, literally rumbles on. We reported last October how residents found their slumbers interrupted as coal traffic on the line continued throughout the night despite an enquiry at the time by local authorities finding no serious disturbances.

Producers and Shippers Get a Chance to See What is Possible

US – NA2010, the North American Materials Handling Show, which runs until the 29th April at the I-X Center in Cleveland has around 400 companies demonstrating their wares. Amongst these are many examples of how technology pushes forward the ways in which shipping and transport companies need to showcase their products to an increasingly sophisticated audience.

Organisers and Exhibitors Delighted by Response in Hard Times

UK – There was a collective sigh of relief from organisers and exhibitors alike after the success of the recent Commercial Vehicle Operators Show held at the Birmingham NEC. The show closed on the 15th April after three days and the response from exhibitors has been called “overwhelming” at a time when the commercial crises of the past year might have been expected to dampen enthusiasm.

Transfennica Add Extra Call for Unaccompanied Vehicles

SPAIN – UK - Dutch Owned Transfennica, unaccompanied and out of gauge specialist ferry carriers, have extended their RoRo trailer and container service. In future their rotating vessel service, which includes Zeebrugge in the loop will make a weekly direct call shipping from Bilbao to Tilbury.

A New and Deadly Development in the World of International Transport

RUSSIA – ASIA – WORLDWIDE -Using the most advanced computer graphics a new video from the Concern Morinformsystem-Agat Joint Stock Company will leave any sane viewer chilled to the bone. We have often espoused the many uses of shipping containers from luxury housing to mobile aquariums but this latest adaptation is a nightmare for one and all. The Club-K is a cruise missile system in box.

International Group Activities Affects Billions of Peoples Lives

US – WORLDWIDE – In a week when Volvo Trucks named its US and Canadian dealers of 2009 using selection criteria including outstanding performance in new truck and parts sales, a customer satisfaction index and the competitors investment in facilities, the multinational also gave us some revealing statistics.

Association Demands Action from Federal Motors Safety Officials

US – This week the American Trucking Associations (ATA) relayed the concerns of the majority of their members about truck related accidents and asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to focus more of its efforts on a variety of measures which the ATA’s own safety forum believe could drastically reduce the number of injuries and fatalities which occur during the haulage of interstate freight shipments.

Able to Accept New Consignments

UK - One of the UK’s largest movers of export airfreight shipments, Air Menzies International (AMI), has reported that they are getting shipments back on track after the disruption caused by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano last week.

Naval Presence Having Success

SOMALIA / INDIAN OCEAN – The latest report from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) indicates that attacks by Somali pirates on shipping off the Horn of Africa for the first quarter of this year have dropped substantially from the same period in 2009.

Proposed Increases 'Biased' Against Operators

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has submitted a request to the National Transport Commission, the body that make recommendations to the Federal Australian government on transport policy, to not allow a general increase in the fuel tax and registration charges paid by trucking operators in 2010-11.

London Conference and Product Launch Concerned with the Same Problem

UK – US – Cube cutting was (and sometimes still is) the scourge of the shipping world. By reducing declared dimensions of lighter cargoes unscrupulous shippers and agents can slice a percentage from export costs and claim administrative error if and when discovered. With evidence of previous misdemeanours having vanished with delivery of the freight only current shipments can be subject to scrutiny and penalties usually just a rate adjustment. Offenders are easily caught with a simple pass of a tape measure; the weight of goods in a shipping container however, is a whole different ball game.

Advanced Qualification For Future Leaders of the Industry

HAMBURG / GERMANY - The new Kühne Logistics University (KLU), founded by freight mogul Klaus-Michael Kühne, has announced details on the Masters course it is to run from September which is aimed at providing future leaders of the logistics industry an education second-to-none.

Recognition for Liner Agency

UK – Basildon-based Kestrel Liner Agencies has been awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade in recognition for their success in expanding their international trade over the last six years.

Results Stress the Importance of Educating Staff

UK – In common with most companies Allied Mills, the flour distribution group, were unaware of how many of their drivers were not conversant with what can constitute driving under the influence. As freight drivers across the country sign up for CPC qualifications many are finding out that they may have frequently broken the law in the past. Just last year we illustrated ways to disable a vehicle when the driver is intoxicated but all staff shipping goods around the country should be aware of the limits and problems.

High Value Goods Protection To Extend Throughout Europe

EUROPE – DHL have announced that with immediate effect they are offering shippers of high-value products and other valuable goods a secure transportation solution for Europe-wide road transportation of freight. In future, the new DHL High Value service will expand the current high-value transportation service offerings by extending the required security standards to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

TIACA Calls for a Review of New Carriage Proposals

US – WORLDWIDE – Proposals by the US Department of Transport’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) together with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for a revision regarding the carriage of batteries containing lithium have come under fire from the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) who want the authorities to reconsider their stance.

CSCL and Tianjin Marine Shipping Report Losses for 2009

CHINA – Unsurprisingly the state of container and bulk shipping for last year is once again illustrated by the latest results from shipping groups across the world. As we predicted in January, China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) have released their figures for the period and, just as economy of scale works in favour for a company in good times, so it merely amplifies the losses when work dries up.

26 million Euro Terminal for Austria

AUSTRIA – Freight forwarder DB Schenker released full details today of their most modern European freight terminal to date. The €26 million, 80,000 square metre site will serve as an intermodal transport hub via the facility’s own rail siding at Bergheim near Salzburg.

Europe's Largest All Cargo Airline now part State Owned

LUXEMBOURG – After what they are calling the most difficult year in the history of air freight, Cargolux, based in the Grand Duchy and the biggest all cargo fleet air carriers on the continent, have issued a concise report as to their recent performance.

Leaves Air Freight To Eat Their Dust

IRELAND / UK – Global logistics provider Aramex have stepped up to the mark during the recent crisis caused by the ban on air freight by helping major pharmaceutical clients keep supplies of critical and time-sensitive medicines flowing to hospitals.

Advanced Computer Modelling to be Applied to Truck Distribution

GERMANY / EUROPE – Truck and commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN are to use a state-of-the-art software system to find potential improvements that could be made in their European distribution network.

Road Networks Filled The Vacuum Well

EUROPE – The news that much of Europe is opening up its air space, after being closed due to ash since the 15th of April, has got companies that provide air freight services moving to re-establish operations as quickly as they can safely do so.

Sydney Based Group Announce Successful Tender

AUSTRALIA – After the positive reports in February regarding the trading position of UGL, the infrastructure group, their rail division have announced this week a further A$100 million order for freight rolling stock and wagon orders from QR Limited (Queensland Rail).

Interested Parties Praise Proposed Derivatives Legislation

US – This week has seen a suspicious eye cast on Goldman Sachs as details of yet more underhand dealings in the world of banking emerge and accusations of the deliberate mis-selling of bad investments are bandied about. Now, with derivatives fraud at centre stage, a new bill by the Arkansas Democrat Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln, has been praised by trucking and shipping interests.

Authorities Rescind Restrictions

UK - The restrictions on flights from and to British airports have now been rescinded. The UK authorities have decided that the danger from ash is now reduced enough to allow operations to resume.

European Policies Impede Measures To Deal With Ash Problems

UK / EUROPE – The UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called for those European countries that employ bans on road haulage at weekends to lift them whilst the ash crisis persists.

Mayor's 67 Million Pound Promise To Electrify the City Begins to Come to Fruition

UK - Following our story last July on how Transport for London (TfL) were taking advantage of the British Governments Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Program (LCVPP) to test drive electric vans, the details of the tender for the purchase of low emission transport equipment has been announced as promised by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

More Capacity Planned if Required

EUROPE / RUSSIA – Russian Railways (RZD) have set up emergency operations centres and laid on additional carriages on passenger trains travelling from Russia to Europe to help cope with increased demand from displaced persons caught by the ash crisis.

Latest Move In Busy Year For Forwarder

UK / INDIA – UK Freight Forwarder Davies Turner has expanded its capabilities for shipping between UK and India by partnering up with PL Shipping & Logistics (PLSLL). The development is the latest in what has been a busy year for Davies Turner who have since January added a twice weekly door-to-door trailer service between the UK and Poland, appointed a new partner in Southern Germany and achieved Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.

It's Not Only Passengers Seeking Alternative Transport Methods

EUROPE – WORLD WIDE - With the situation showing little signs of improvement as the Icelandic volcano continues to spew its corrosive particles into the atmosphere, a litany of travellers’ tales and their attempts to escape the confusion fill the daily press. For the freight industry the effects are, to say the least, mixed. In Kenya agricultural workers are being sent home, the precious cargoes of flowers wilt uncut on the stem and effects on the local economy are devastating.

Customers Offered New Route Trials - Gratis

GERMANY – DB Schenker have vowed to increase both the number of routes and services which the logistics group currently offer to shippers. In a move more usual in the world of retailing they are to advise around 35,000 customers in over 20 countries of the changes, principally in the South Eastern European sphere of operations, with the chance for them to test the new services free of charge.

Parcel Giant Uncertain For How Long Operations Can Be Maintained

USA / FRANCE - FedEx Express has restarted its operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris. According to the company’s website one flight has left Paris for their Memphis hub and seven flights have travelled from the U.S. to France.

But New Cloud Threatens Further Disruption

EUROPE – At 0700 this morning airports in Scotland were finally able to open to flights after five days of disruption. However, the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) is warning that a new ash bloom has formed and as a result they can not be certain that airports in southern England and Wales will be able to open.

At Current State British Travel Will Be Possible

UK – The latest release from NATS indicates that the ash cloud has receded somewhat due to less emissions coming from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

Ferry Operator Takes Crisis In Its Stride

UK / IRELAND – Irish Ferries has called for calm from commuters who are trying to get between the UK and Ireland. The ferry operator states that it is receiving an unprecedented number of website hits and calls to its reservations centre, but stresses that the three ships it operates– which between them cross the Irish Sea 12 times a day – have the capacity to cope.

But Places Filling Fast

WORLDWIDE – With disruption continuing in the airspace above Europe people are increasingly looking for ways to get to their destinations. And one method which is rapidly being utilised is passage on commercial vessels and container ships.

Five Year Contract With Sporting Goods Company

TURKEY - CEVA Logistics, one of the world’s leading supply chain companies, has signed a five year agreement worth €1.5 million per year with Interspor, the foremost fitness and sporting goods company in Turkey.

Subsea Construction Company Praise Teeside Facility

UK - Modular Underwater Systems (Modus),a specialist subsea construction company with global contracts in the oil and gas industry, has signed a ten-year deal with Middlesbrough-based logistics company AV Dawson to lease some of the its fabrication facilities on the river Tees.

Pressure Mounts as Airlines Question Ban

EUROPE / USA – Though NATS has once again delayed the earliest possible time for resumption of UK flights to 1900 BST today, pressure is gradually being bought to bear by the air industry on the political establishment to rescind the restrictions, which they are increasing vocal on stating are overly strict and out of proportion to the actual risk.

Carrier Looks to Check Flying Conditions Over Europe

NETHERLANDS – Dutch carrier KLM has dispatched three cargo flights, two to Sharjah and one to Bangkok. The intention is to test on an actual route the risk to aircraft operating in European airspace.

No Let Up In Eruption Or Weather

UK – Though the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has once again put back its earliest possible flights from the UK at 1900 BST today, it is certain that this will once again be pushed back at the next update.

Werner Acclaimed in Forbes Trustworthy Listings

US – Werner Enterprises Inc. , the Omaha, Nebraska shipping and logistics group, were delighted to announce this week that they received the accolade of appearing in the prestigious 2010 Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Companies list. The award recognises Werner’s consistent demonstration of solid corporate governance and management coupled with consistently demonstrating transparent and conservative accounting practices.

Reporting Procedures are Essential for All

UK – Fork lift maker Jungheinrich have been closely studying accidents and ‘near misses’ involving freight handling equipment in shipping and forwarding warehouses and their conclusions make interesting reading for anyone who handles any form of cargo.

0100 At Earliest For Flight Resumption

UK-NATS has announced that the earliest that UK airspace will be open for operations will be 0100 tomorrow (Sunday). This applies to all UK airspace with Scotland and Northern Ireland also closing again.

Foot Passengers At Capacity; Freight Services OK

UK - While almost all press coverage given to the volcanic ash cloud covering much of northern Europe has been on the effect on passenger transport, freight across the continent has been badly disrupted for many logistics companies.

Ash Looks To Cause Problems Till Monday

EUROPE – The latest update from the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) indicates that flights within England and Wales will be stopped until 0700 BST tomorrow at the earliest.

Recognition for Workers Efforts

UK – Logistics and freight transport provider TDG has held its annual awards to recognise the efforts of its workers to improve safety standards both on the road and at the company’s depots.

Fuel Blockade may be Lifted However

IVORY COAST (COTE D’IVOIRE) - The truck drivers’ strike, which started on 12th April, is set to continue but is not having the widespread effect which many anticipated. The dispute began after two more fuel tax rises caused drivers, busy shipping the last of the cocoa bean harvest to the ports, to begin a blockade which included filling stations. Other sectors of industry are similarly unhappy after transport and heating fuel prices rose 40% in the past few months.

NATS Announce Ash Still Too Dangerous For Flights

UK – The UK air traffic control centre, NATS, have extended the ban on flights in British airspace until 0100 BST Saturday 17th of April. There is no guarantee that flights will be allowed even after that time.

Rest Areas Reopen As Promised - Ahead Of Schedule

US – In January we told of the promise by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell to reopen nineteen safety rest areas for commercial freight truckers which had been closed a year ago due to lack of funds. In an age when promises are cheap but actions often invisible the Governor received deserved praise on Wednesday when the last of the truck stops were opened for drivers shipping freight across the state.

Infrastructure Questions Unanswered

UK - While many talking heads in the UK media are currently discussing the performance of the leaders of the three main parties in the television debate last night, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has expressed its continued dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity expressed by all parties on future plans for transport infrastructure.

'Act of God' May Mean No Compensation for Shippers and Passengers

UK – NORTHERN EUROPE – With British airspace closed to all commercial traffic for the first time in history the ash still spewing from the Icelandic volcano has achieved what military and terrorist actions never have. Now there are fears that the situation might even continue in some areas as the huge cloud of silicon based particles drifts according to the whims of local winds. There is currently no sign that the prevailing winds might alter, nor that the situation will normalise.

Anham Win Six Year $2 Billion Contract

US – IRAQ – KUWAIT – After discarding the services of Kuwait based freight forwarder Agility following the controversial accusations of corruption running into millions of dollars, the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) confirmed today to the Handy Shipping Guide that they had indeed chosen another appointee to take over the shipping of food and beverages to support US forces in the Middle East.

Final 2009 Profit Analysis Released

US – New York based Genco Shipping & Trading Limited have today released their final figures for 2009. In a year which has been little short of disastrous for container carriers, bulk shippers and tankers alike there seems to be an optimistic note within the sixty nine page report. Genco currently owns a fleet of 35 drybulk vessels, consisting of nine Capesize, eight Panamax, four Supramax, six Handymax and eight Handysize, with an aggregate carrying capacity of just under 3 million dead weight tonnes. The company carry all types of dry bulk product from agri grains to coal and iron ore.

Disruption Spreads

EUROPE – Air traffic across Northern Europe has ground to a halt as the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland continues to move south. Here is a brief précis of the situation across Europe as it stands at the moment

Cargo Holds Filled From Start

SPAIN / PORTUGAL / USA - Air Europa, Spain’s second largest carrier, has started four-times-weekly flights from Madrid to Miami, with connections to several destinations in the USA, Central America and the Caribbean.

No Problems Reported

UK / IRELAND - Not ones to miss a trick Irish Ferries has asked us to print the following statement:

Long Running Dispute Continues as Brussels Runs Out of Patience

EU – GREECE – After the report published by the European Union last August on the matter, the Competition Commissioner seems to have finally had enough of the prevarication surrounding what it believes was the unlawful granting of state aid to Hellenic Shipyards (HSY). Given the economic situation in the country generally and the inability of the company to return any of the money Mr Joaquin Almunia has determined that it is time to turn to the European Court of Justice.

Possibility of Ransom Payments Violating US Law

USA / SOMALIA – Late last night President Barak Obama signed an executive order that forbids American corporations and their overseas subsidiaries from having financial dealings with groups that “…directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Somalia.”

Agility Lose Out on US Military Supply Shipments

KUWAIT – US – IRAQ – Agility, the Kuwait based company threatened with a major penalty for alleged impropriety over shipping supplies to the US military, report they have been replaced as the chosen logistics supplier by the US Defence Logistics Agency. The company report that they will continue to supply the Government forces for a further six months to ensure a smooth transition.

Projections See Much of Northern Europe And Russia Affected

EUROPE – The volcanic ash cloud that has closed the UK airspace to traffic is projected to gradually sweep south throughout today, causing disruption to European air freight and passenger traffic across Scandinavia, the low countries and Northern Europe.

Icelandic Eruption Causes Flight Chaos

UK – Air freight traffic, along with many passenger services, has been brought to a standstill today by the cloud of volcanic ash which is currently sweeping across the atmosphere after the recent volcanic disturbances in Iceland. Glasgow, Belfast, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are currently closed. Many flights from Manchester, Gatwick , Stansted are currently suspended and Luton and Heathrow are also likely to be affected.

Appearance in Court Scheduled for Tomorrow

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested two men in connection with the grounding of the Chinese bulk carrier Shen Neng I , which ran onto the Great Barrier Reef on the 3rd of April causing two tonnes of oil fuel to be spilt.

Martin Bencher Germany Moves To Bigger Facilities

GERMANY – Shipping and forwarding service provider the Martin Bencher Group has moved their German subsidiary into new facilities to cope with increased demand for their services

Professor Julia Wolf First Incumbent

GERMANY – Freight and logistics service provider Dachser has pledged to endow a Professorial Chair in Sustainability in Logistics & Supply Chain Management at the European Business School (EBS) in Wiesbaden, Greater Frankfurt. The first incumbent will be Prof. Dr Julia Wolf.

3rd Meeting of Project Professionals Group Attracts Attention

BELGIUM – WORLDWIDE – The dates for the third annual conference of the Project Professionals Group (PPG) have been confirmed as 30th June to 3rd July and the venue will be the Antwerp Hilton in the Groenplaats, at the heart of the old city. PPG confirm they have already received well over 100 registrations for a meeting of an eclectic mix which range from port managers to shipping lines and freight forwarders.

A Lesson For All as St Johns Ambulance Launch Life Saving Campaign

US – UK – In a week when the St. Johns Ambulance organisation launch a campaign in Britain to try to persuade everyone to have at least a working knowledge of First Aid techniques comes a heart warming story of how a US trucker shipping through Alabama intervened to save a little girl after an accident.

Orders Two Massive Freighters

GREECE – Following on from yesterday’s news that Paragon Shipping was to purchase a new freighter comes an announcement from dry bulk cargo specialist, Diana Shipping, that they have ordered two new vessels.

The End of White Van Man?

UK – He may be an infamous icon, but now it appears that the legendary bad-tempered and foul-mouthed White Van Man is under threat as the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) calls on the road haulage industry to introduce a self-regulatory code of conduct for the nations van drivers.

Eight and a Half Million Contraband Cigarettes Impounded

CHINA – Reports from Hong Kong state that a standard X-Ray inspection of a forty foot container supposedly containing ovens, revealed a stash of over $2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes consigned for shipment to the UK.

Another Increase Scheduled From 1st May

TAIWAN - Evergreen Line, operators of the fourth largest container fleet in the world, with over 180 ships by capacity of approximately 650,000 TEU, today announced they have decided to implement the general rate restoration programme on certain routes commencing the 1st May 2010.

Truck Representatives Join Call For Clear Political Parties Manifesto Pledges

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) are demanding clarification of the main political parties policies for fuel prices should they be elected. As usual the three main candidates have produced much rhetoric without spelling out precisely their intentions as to whether they will take measures to halt the continuing upward price spiral that freight trucking companies and others have been powerless to prevent lately. With a vote due on the 6th May the RHA want to know if the disparity between costs for British hauliers and their European competitors is to be addressed and how.

First Demonstrations At Intermodal 2010

UK - Agency Sector Management (UK) Ltd (ASM), who develop custom software packages for the freight and logistics industry, will be exhibiting at the Multimodal 2010 expo later this month and presenting the latest in software developments for optimised customs clearance processing.

Legal Penalties Prompt Companies to Evolve New Processes to Recycle and Protect Cargo

UK – The changes to packaging regulations which came about in 2005 have, in a large part, been ignored by companies in every sector. The necessity to recover and recycle waste packaging has a particular relevance to the shipping sector where imported goods inevitably mean the receipt of huge amounts of extraneous waste annually from the packing of virtually every item of freight carried into the country.

Will Handle Chocolate Giant's Nuts

UK - Atchison Topeka, a third-party food logistics specialist, has signed a 3 year contract with chocolate manufacturer Cadbury’s to set up a dedicated nut handling facility.

Quantum Project Examines the Future of Industry

NORWAY - Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the Norwegian ship classification foundation, is the latest organisation to reveal the results of their studies into the future of the container shipping industry and what sort of vessel the freight lines will need to service this trade.

Start of Purchase Policy For Operator

GREECE - Bulk vessel operator Paragon Shipping has announced that they are to acquire another Panamax-class bulk carrier. The ship, to be named Dream Seas, is rated as having a carrying capacity of 75,151 dwt and delivery is expected to take place in either June or July this year. Paragon state that they are to pay $41 million for the vessel.

Biggest Airplane In World Used

CHINA / GERMANY - Global freight forwarding and logistics service provider Panalpina has successfully delivered two laser welding machine weighing a total of 150 tons to its destination in Shijiazhuang, China.

Six Raiders Captured

INDIAN OCEAN – Somali pirates have once again made the mistake of attacking a naval vessel, part of the international fleet set to protect merchant shipping from attacks in the waters off the eastern coast of Africa.

No Additional Oil Spilt

AUSTRALIA - Salvage experts have successfully refloated the coal carrier Shen Neng 1, according to Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ). The vessel had run onto the Great Barrier Reef on the 3rd of April, causing consternation that one world’s most famous ecological sites would be subject to considerable oil contamination.

New Technology Aims To Combat Distracted Driving

USA – The campaign by the US government to combat the problem of drivers using cell phones has created a great deal of attention both with the public and in the media. Now one equipment supply company has signed up to a new product that it hopes will protect it drivers from the dangers of ‘distracted driving’.

Appointed Exclusive Rail Haulier For Two Billion Dollar Project

AUSTRALIA – QR Freight (QRF) and Perth-based Gindalbie Metals have agreed a deal that will see QRF become the exclusive provider of bulk rail haulage services from Gindalbie’s Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Emission Free Delivery Fleets now have Tracking and Performance Options

UK - US - WORLDWIDE - Smiths Electric Vehicles have launched a new telemetry system today at the opening of the 2010 Commercial Vehicle Operator show. The system should allow fleet managers who utilise Smith trucks as both freight and public service vehicles to simplify fleet management of their commercial electric vehicles, while also reducing costs. Smiths already supply vehicles to numerous local authorities as well as large retailers and manufacturers plus shipping groups such as TNT.

Samskip Continue Expansion

UK / BELGIUM – Samskip, the multimodal freight container shipper, are to start a new weekly service between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Teesport in the United Kingdom.

Wins McVities Logistic Deal

UK - Droitwich-based food ingredients logistics company, Atchison Topeka, announced they have secured a significant contract with the UK’s leading biscuit manufacturer, McVities. The new deal involves the storage and distribution of egg powder to factories in Aintree, Halifax, Manchester and Glasgow.

Talks Still Ongoing On Legal Issue with US Government

KUWAIT – Logistics and freight forwarding giant Agility, the largest such company in the Middle-East, has released its end of year figures for 2009 after delaying for a week.

Anger Pervades the Freight Transport Sector

UK – Once again the Road Haulage Association(RHA) have made their members views abundantly clear to the British Government as truck fuel costs continued their seemingly inexorable rise. Owners of freight companies across the country have joined in the widespread condemnation of spiralling costs. The RHA’s weekly fuel price survey, published at lunchtime today, shows a leap of 2.39 pence a litre in the national average price compared with a week ago, to 100.49 pence a litre before VAT.

Solutions for a Congested Warehouse

UK - Anyone who runs a pick and pack operation or any sort of warehouse or freight terminal where goods turnover quickly yet in large quantities, knows the costs and problems all centre round an efficient handling system. Goods arrive, offload, are stacked away taking up valuable room and have to be accessed quickly for shipping out with no double handling to eliminate wasted space, time and, ultimately, money.

MOL and 'K' Line Announce Change to Vietnamese Route

US – ASIA – Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and ‘K’ Line have agreed to cooperate on a container loop serving the US East Coast from Asian ports via the Suez Canal. The route will be known as the ‘SVE’ (South China/Vietnam - East Coast)service and will replace existing ‘K’ Line services. MOL will provide two ships and "K"LINE seven ships, with the average capacity of approximately 5,500 TEU and will include a call at Jacksonville and brand-new coverage to Halifax, with competitive transit times.

Paper Reports That Fraud Case to be Settled

KUWAIT – The Al-Jarida, an Arabic language newspaper, today reported that logistics group Agility are to pay the US government a $600 million settlement to resolve an ongoing dispute over allegations that Agility overcharged the American military on supply contracts.

International Experience will Strengthen South American Operation

PANAMA – After announcing their new Thailand development last month, Damco, the independently managed logistics subsidiary of shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk, have announced that Mr. Edgar Urrutia has joined the company as Country Manager for Panama, replacing the former Country Manager, Mr. Fredrik Grill. Mr. Urrutia brings more than 17 years of experience in the logistics and freight forwarding industry to Damco, having worked in Spain, Mexico and Panama for Panalpina. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of Asociación de Usuarios - Colon Free Zone and Board of Directors of Asociación Panamena de Ejecutivos de la Cadena de Abastecimiento.

Britain's Northern East Coast Ports to have Upgraded Lines

UK – The Northern Way, an initiative by three northern Regional Development Agencies (Yorkshire Forward, Northwest Regional Development Agency and One NorthEast), has committed a million pounds to allow Network Rail to develop detailed plans for the gauge enhancement of rail routes from Teesport to the East Coast Main Line, as well as the Ports of Hull and Immingham to the East Coast Main Line.

Long Established Chart and Radar Company Expand

SINGAPORE – UK – Long established marine navigation system company Kelvin Hughes say they have had to move to larger premises in Singapore to cope with a growing demand for their products and services. The company, which can trace its roots back to 18th century Britain, has been supplying radar and other on board technology since 1947 in addition to their traditional paper charts and now report over 4000 vessels, from container ships to tankers and cruise liners, are fitted with their patented ChartCo on board satellite data analysis and report system.

Growing Technology Sector of Daimler Aims to Save Fleet Owners Money

UK – Daimler Fleetboard have appointed Mr Steve Lovatt as Head of Sales to promote growth in the distribution of their telematics systems which are designed to make company fleets more efficient. Fleetboard are part of the Mercedes Benz parent group, Daimler AG, and telematics is the fusion of different technologies to combine the use of telecommunications with data collection and processing. Properly managed, freight and shipping operations can judge vehicle and driver performance simply by use of the information supplied remotely.

Truck Sales Group Release 'Back on the Road' Winner's Videos

US – Back in October we announced the third annual “Back on the Road” campaign to find the freight truck driver most deserving of a helping hand. Arrow Truck Sales, the Kansas City based commercial vehicle distributor’s, hold the event each year to assist a professional trucker down on his or her luck by supplying them with a rig, insurance etc. free of charge. Arrow were on the receiving end of some bad publicity last year when some other freight news sources confused them with the Arrow Trucking Group of Tulsa, Oklahoma who collapsed spectacularly just before Christmas leaving drivers stranded penniless across the States.

Pilot Projects Start In Connecticut and New York State

USA – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is today launching its first federally funded pilot programs to see if increased law enforcement efforts can reduce levels of cell phone use amongst drivers in an effort to improve road safety.

Applications for Marco Polo Funding Close Next Month

EUROPE – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) have pointed out to us that the European Commission for Energy and Transport are offering a total of 64 million Euros to eligible companies who submit project proposals by the 18th May 2010. The projects liable to receive grants are those involving the shift in freight currently carried by road to multi modal methods. The scheme is titled after the great 13th Century Venetian explorer and merchant.

Latest of ISHIN Developments Announced

JAPAN – Shipping line and fleet operator Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) has revealed details on the third and latest of it ISHIN next-generation ship development programs which aim to radically cut the environmental impact of the shipping industry with the use of cutting edge technology.

Use the Pallet with the Poison or the Wood that is Good (Apologies to Danny Kaye)

UK – EUROPE – Not for the first time there has been considerable confusion lately over changing regulations with regard to the permissible treatments used on wood stuffs which go to produce packaging materials, including wooden pallets, used in import and export movements. Shipping groups have expressed concern that the new regulations might preclude the use of items treated with Methyl Bromide.

Bevan Group Signs Up New Graphics Team

UK - Fast-growing commercial vehicle bodybuilder Bevan Group has added another string to its bow by launching its own graphics division. Bevan can now offer customers a complete graphics design and livery application service for anything from a single truck or van, to a national distribution fleet.

Agreement Signed for Investment Study

RUSSIA / UKRAINE / SLOVAKIA / AUSTRIA – Ambitious plans by the rail administrations and transport authorities in these countries to build a broad gauge track linking Košice in Slovakia to Vienna have taken a step forward after representatives signed an agreement to prepare an investment study on the project in Bratislava on Tuesday.

New Initiative Launched

USA – The U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has today announced a new initiative to encourage the movement of more cargo on the rivers and short-sea routes to help relieve pressure on the American highway network.

Will Handle Supply Chain for Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and VW Touareg

SLOVAKIA - DHL Supply Chain - the specialist division for contract logistics within the Deutsche Post DHL Group - and the automobile manufacturer Volkswagen are stepping up their long-standing cooperation with a five-year contract valid as of 1 April 2010.

First for Industry

CHINA – Global supply chain and freight management company CEVA Logistics has had its Chinese road haulage division awarded the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) TSR-2008 accreditation. CEVA claims that this makes them the first global supply chain provider to be awarded the TAPA Trucking Security Requirements (TSR) validation in mainland China.

Eric Herman to Head Commercial Activities

BELGIUM - Container shipping line Safmarine, a subsidiary of AP Moller-Maersk, has announced the appointment of Eric Herman as its Chief Commercial Officer. Herman, who will be based at Safmarine’s head office in Antwerp, Belgium, has extensive commercial experience in the petrochemicals, plastics and automotive supplier industries. Before joining Safmarine, he was Business Unit Director (Polypropylene) for SABIC, one of the world’s top 10 petrochemicals companies and the largest non-oil company in the Middle East.

Milan Area Transport Hub Grows in Peschiera

ITALY – DB Schenker tell us they have expanded their “Land Transport Gateway” hub in Peschiera Borromeo having moved ‘just down the road’. The road freight terminal is situated on the same street as the old compound next to the Air and Ocean Freight receiving facilities and the corporate shipping office.

MOL Begin Safety Campaign Whilst They Invest in Future Transport Technology

WORLDWIDE – Having announced in March that they were launching their "Challenge to Create New Growth" Mitsui OSK lines (MOL) have pronounced that this month sees the first of several strategies to reform the group into a safer environment for employees, wildlife and customers freight as the company sets out to achieve what the shipping group management term a “Four Zero” target.

Recognition For Company's Environmental Policy

SWITZERLAND - Global forwarding and logistics service provider Panalpina has achieved Global Environmental Certification to the standard ISO 14001:2004 in what the company claims is the first such qualification by any company in the industry covering its operations worldwide under one integrated management system and certification scheme

Korean Navy Catches up with Seized Vessel off Somalia

SOMALIA – The “Samho Dream”, a 300,000 tonne VLCC captured 1500 kilometres off the Somali coast on Saturday was being shadowed today by a South Korean destroyer in a game of cat and mouse. The carrier holds an estimated one and a half billion barrels of crude oil en route from Iraq to the US and seems to be currently in a stalemate as the navy decide their next move.

GE ' Supersize ' their South Korean Order Book

INDIA – Great Eastern Shipping, the nations largest private sector shipping group, have modified their current order with Hyundai Heavy Industries, upgrading three of the Suezmax tankers (carrying capacity circa 150,000 tonnes) to VLCC status (300,000 tonne plus capacity). The original deal was signed in July 2008 but the changing nature of the markets means it is now economically viable to employ the larger vessels whose build costs are relatively less compared to potential income.

Pilots May Become Mandatory in 'Coal Alley'

AUSTRALIA – Saturday’s incident off the Great Barrier Reef have caused the Green party, amongst others, to call for a review of transit procedures for the vast numbers of freight vessels shipping through the area known as “Coal Alley” off the Queensland coastline. The COSCO vessel “Shen Neng 1”, reportedly laden with 65,000 tonnes of coal for China, struck the reef on Saturday losing at least two tonnes of oil in the process.

EPA Incentive Pushes for Cleaner Air by 2012

US – The SmartWay Partnership, a scheme devised and promoted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), keeps on attracting freight associated companies interested in reducing emissions from their vehicle fleets. Con-way Multimodal are the latest sign ups and join three other Con-way group companies which already hold the maximum SmartWay Elite seal of approval. Con-way Multimodal arranges third-party carrier services shipping over-the-road, intermodal, flatbed, heavy haulage and specialized transportation consignments.

French Action Targeted Holiday Trade

FRANCE – UK – The strike by staff of Sea France, the cross channel RoRo ferry company is due to end “very shortly” according to union officials. After freight traffic was disrupted sufficiently on Friday to cause “Operation Stack” to be initiated by Police, queuing articulated lorries along the M20 whilst awaiting shipment, further delays to accompanied trailers has been negligible due to the reduction of such traffic during the holiday period.

Instructions Show How to Cut Fleet Consumption Costs

US – The National Research Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published their eagerly awaited report “Technologies and Approaches to Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles”, a congressionally mandated report that assesses and recommends different approaches for improving fuel economy, increasing efficiency and reducing emission of greenhouse gases from medium and heavy-duty commercial truck fleets, including those of shipping and drayage companies.

8th Year of Recognition for Outstanding Quality Services

US – Jacksonville based Crowley Maritime Corporation announced this week their Crowley's Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services group has been awarded the prestigious Award for Excellence in Quality in the marine division from Toyota Logistics Services. This is the eighth consecutive year the group has received recognition from Toyota and was greeted with delight by Crowley. The award was presented in Long Beach, California just south of Toyota Logistics headquarters in Torrance.

Smiths US Offshoot Negotiates Buy Out

US – Tanfield owned electric truck division Smiths Electric Vehicles UK tell us this week that the American Government have confirmed the second tranche of payments to fund their US subsidiary for an order of 500 all electric trucks which will incentivise major US fleet operators to switch to all electric vehicles. The Smith Newton trucks are built on a 3.9metre wheelbase Chassis with gross vehicle weights between 7.5 and 12 tonnes. They range between chassis cabs through to box body reefer units and with the standard battery options can carry a payload up to almost 7.5 tonnes over a 150 mile range at speeds up to 50miles per hour.

Launches Website to 'Know the Facts'

WORLDWIDE – Global pallet and container management company CHEP, whose distinctive blue pallets can be found everywhere from Manchester to Timbuktu, has hailed a new study as proof that their services are environmentally preferable and sustainable in comparison to other options.

Will Handle Arabian Freight

UAE – CEVA Logistics, a leading global supply chain management company, signed an agreement with Procter & Gamble (P&G), the largest consumer packaged goods company in the world, to provide integrated supply chain services in Dubai.

Trucks Targeted in Crash Con

UK – Truckpol, the national police intelligence unit that combats freight theft and crimes aimed at the road haulage industry, has warned truck drivers to be aware of a spate deliberately induced road collisions. Organised criminal groups are targeting companies who operate vehicle fleets within the M25 area by deliberately causing collisions in order to defraud their insurers.

Scorpio Tankers Fail to Reach IPO

USA – The floating of Scorpio Tankers Inc this week went pretty much the same way as the two previous March launches of shipping companies seeking funds for development. After Baltic Trading, a dry bulk carrier company, and Crude Carriers Corp, another oil tanker group, just about managed to achieve bottom estimates for their initial public offerings, Scorpio shares went for an opening price of $12.75 against the IPO pricing of $13. As $14 - $16 was the price range anticipated by the company and its agents no doubt this was a disappointment, although probably not entirely unexpected.

New Technique Makes 15% Fuel Oil Reduction A Reality

UK – IRELAND – After extensive trials of biodiesel, reduced sulphur fuels and a host of engine management techniques a small Irish ferry company have discovered a technique to reduce fuel costs for any type of vessel. Magadh Ferries who operate sailings from Athlone to Rugeley were trialling their latest vessel RoRo ferry Aprilone when a problem with the vessels drive systems meant she had to steam the 90 miles home in reverse.