Shipping Search - Archive

The Blight of Electronic Age Targets Logistics Industry

UK – WORLDWIDE – An alert this week from the British International Freight Association (BIFA) warns of fake emails targeting the trade association’s members, which make false requests for payments. This particular batch of bogus communications appear to come from fraudsters posing as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are being sent to freight forwarding companies worldwide. One example of a fraudulent email is headed:

Medals Arrive In Time and Intact Again

SOUTH AFRICA – UK - Once again, Davies Turner had the responsibility for delivering the medals for this year's London Marathon and the freight forwarding and logistics specialist, Davies Turner beat its own endurance record with the safe and timely delivery of 43,000 medals for this year’s Virgin sponsored event.

US Group Will Reinforce Lloyd's Register's Offshore Drilling Expertise

US - Lloyd's Register Group whose members provide independent assurance to companies operating high-risk, capital-intensive assets primarily in the energy and shipping industries has acquired Texas based WEST Engineering Services in a deal which it says will make the group the top independent provider of technical services to the offshore drilling sector.

Favourable Market Conditions for Box Vessel Acquisitions says Samskip

ICELAND - EUROPE – Samskip, which operates a large multimodal logistics and feeder vessel system linking over thirty countries with over 13,000 shipping containers has acquired the 909 TEU ships Arnarfell and Helgafell, both of which have been employed by the company on the route between Iceland and Europe since early 2005. Samskip has been chartering the vessels since they were delivered as newbuilds seven years ago.

97% Reliability but Overall Costs will Rise

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Whilst declaring an unmitigated success for their Daily Maersk service, whereby the container shipping line guarantees total transit time for freight at the time of booking provided certain criteria are met, it seems Maersk Line are again about to hike rates on several of their services.

Globaltrans to Add Substantially to Fleet

RUSSIA – London listed Globaltrans Investment has used its subsidiary company OJSC New Forwarding Company to acquire the freight interests of Metalloinvest, the largest Russian iron ore producer. Globaltrans taken over all the equipment of LLC Metalloinvesttrans (MIT) for around $540 million, including a fleet of in excess of 8,000 cargo wagons. The purchase is scheduled for full confirmation by the end of May.

Southern Air Adds Fourth 777

US - NORWALK, Conn., April 26, 2012 -- Southern Air Holdings, Inc. has announced that it has taken ownership of its fourth 777F, considered the world's largest and most advanced twin-engine freighter, at Boeing headquarters in Everett, Washington. Southern Air, with a pedigree stretching back sixty five years, is the only ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) operator to fly the 777F, enabling it to serve customers with fewer stops, shorter cargo delivery times and lower handling costs. These freighters offer the most cargo capacity and longest flight times in the industry, making it possible to connect intercontinental markets overnight.

Ladies at the Forefront This Month - and a Money Saving Offer

UK – NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Much happening at the moment for those who aspire to break the glass ceiling in the shipping industry starting with a special offer from the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Academy plus news of its next conference being held in June. Meanwhile the finalists of the 2012 MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards have been named and the list contains a range of freight and supply chain professionals, whilst the Norwegian branch of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association has named the winner of its WISTA LeaderShip Award 2012.

Rickmers-Linie Extends Indian Service

GERMANY – MYANMAR – Heavy lift cargo and project freight shipping specialist Hamburg based Rickmers-Linie has wasted no time in exploiting the better relations that the former Burmese state is now enjoying with the outside world. With the lifting of trade sanctions, Rickmers-Linie is once again able to offer calls at Myanmar. Initially, the country’s main port, Yangon, will be served on inducement as part of the company’s Indian service and will cater for heavy lift cargo up to 800 tonnes in weight.

Chinese Giant Suffers from Fall in Volumes

CHINA – WORLDWIDE – No matter how much the bulk and container shipping lines change tack, diversify and cut costs there is no disguising that falling cargo volumes and overcapacity have had a major influence on all the big freight carriers and now the flagship Chinese national carrier has joined other box and product carrying fleets in demonstrating how hard the industry has been hit of late.

American Vessel Owners Criticise Energy Information Administration

US – Following our report last month telling how the Jones Act was cited by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) as costing parts of the US oil industry ‘two or three times’ the amount foreign flagged vessels would, there has been a strong response from the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) which represent US owned and operated ships. The situation arose following the EIA’s own report into the possible closure of a Northeast refinery later this year.

CHEP and CSCMP Link Up to Improve Standards

US - CHEP, the industry leader in pallet and container pooling solutions, has joined with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and other industry members to develop and test a new qualification for managers. The SCPro™ is a three-level certification that offers global supply chain management professionals a way to demonstrate a broad range of industry skills and mastery of end-to-end supply chain functions.

Committee Hear Evidence on Ballast Water, Air Pollution and Overloading

US – Today at the request of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Chris Koch, President and CEO of The World Shipping Council (WSC) testified regarding some current environmental and safety regulatory initiatives in which the industry is engaged and over which the Committee has oversight responsibility. The WSC represent member shipping lines which transport over 90% of the world’s box traffic and therefore have a primary interest in reducing pollution and reducing the overloading of freight in containers.

BRC Approval for Products and Processes

UK – At the age of three performance expectations are obviously limited, and this applies to companies as well as individuals so it is particularly impressive that Golden Valley Pallet Wrap Specialists Ltd (GVPS), which supplies hand and machine applied pallet wrapping to the storage, freight and logistics industries, has been awarded British Retail Consortium (BRC) Accreditation in Storage and Distribution having been in business for such a short time.

Irish and UK Associations Take Different Lines of Attack

UK – IRELAND – The Road Haulage Associations of both countries yesterday commented on the desperate situation which their members find themselves in as fuel costs continue to spiral upward. Both organisations however see themselves in different places with regard to their ability to influence government policy.

Ilsfield Selected to Increase Network Coverage

GERMANY – DB Schenker has announced it is to invest around €27 million to construct and man a new logistics centre in vicinity of Heilbronn to link freight consignments into their global network. The company says the site was selected for its geographic position strategically located as it is on the A 81 transport corridor. The new logistics centre comes under the wing of the Stuttgart branch of the company, which employs approximately 1,900 people, 201 of whom are apprentices, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

Label and Supply Chain Solution Group Honours carrier

US – Con-Way Freight the less-than-truckload (LTL) cargo carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. told us today it has received an award from customer Avery Dennison for services as the Best Collaboration by an Indirect Supplier. Con-way Freight was presented with the award at a City of Hope charity event hosted by Avery Dennison in Dana Point, California last month. Avery Dennison created the indirect supplier award in 2011 to recognize a supplier that has demonstrated excellent performance in critical areas making Con-way Freight the very first recipient.

Ruslan organises An-124 flights to Uganda

JAPAN - UGANDA – SUDAN – Heavy lift and project freight specialist Ruslan International, the company which markets and manages the combined Antonov An-124 fleets of its shareholders Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Airlines, has completed a programme of fifteen flights using the giant An-124 freighter aircraft, carrying cargo essential for the Japanese peace keeping contingent of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). The flights, each covering 13,000 km from Narita and Chitose in Japan to Entebbe, Uganda, carried non-combat vehicles, containerised freight, power generators, communication equipment and other supplies for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

Too Many Ships with Too Little Cargo

WORLDWIDE – Reports filtering out over the past few days emphasise that times for fleet owners and investors, particularly with regard to container vessels and bulk and general freight ships, are likely to remain in the doldrums for the foreseeable future. As has been reported repeatedly the size of the world’s fleet of merchant ships of all types has increased steadily as new builds come of the blocks following orders placed in the heady days prior to 2009.

Tale of an Expensive Mistake is Warning for Ships Captains

MOZAMBIQUE – SOUTH AFRICA – On the 3rd March the MV Akiba, a 57,200 dwt bulk freighter suffered a fate every Master dreads and, complete with her cargo of 49,000 tonnes of aluminium oxide, she ran aground offshore of Maputo. A salvage operation was initiated by Greek salvage company Five Oceans Salvage under a Lloyd’s Open Form and Netherlands towing group Fairmount Marine was contracted to in initiate a rescue.

Connecticut Group to Supply Marubeni Corporation

JAPAN – US – WORLDWIDE - Triple Point Technology® (TPT) the Connecticut based software provider has revealed that Tokyo headquartered trading group Marubeni, whose interests range from energy, metals and minerals to food and textiles with a presence in 68 countries, are to adopt TPT cloud-based shipping software for chartering, vessel operations, and freight risk management.

Association Provides Guidance for London and Beyond

UK – Members of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) attending the Commercial Vehicle Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham today had the first opportunity to see the FTA Support Guide to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, copies of which will be sent to every FTA member in the first week of May. The Guide is packed with maps, diagrams and details of the expected restrictions that will be in force, not just at the venues but across London over most of the summer period to aid logistics movements in the capital.

Pirates Release Tanker Whilst EU Releases Pirates

SOMALIA – TANZANIA - In the tenth such incident this year last week saw EU forces disrupt a pirate gang on the high seas, yet again however by yesterday the gang had simply had a lift home rather than a few years in gaol, due to the lack of international agreement over ‘suspected’ hijackers. Readers may learn with incredulity that criminals who have stolen a vessel and directly threatened the container and bulk freight vessels that routinely transit the waters off the Tanzanian coast where the situation unfolded did not even receive a slap on the wrist for their actions let alone appropriate punishment.

Extra Tonnage Means Modernisation of Handling Equipment

FINLAND - US – With larger vessels scheduled to begin passing through the modernised locks of the Panama Canal by 2014 many of the world’s largest freight and shipping container terminals have been gearing up to accommodate ships with greater draught and beam measurements and with this upscale comes the need for even bigger handling equipment to deal with the throughput of cargo.

Greens Concerned Despite Claims of Environmental Advantages

AUSTRALIA – A joint press release from the Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry for Finance and Deregulation today confirmed that the giant Moorebank Intermodal Terminal project is to go ahead and, subject to planning and environmental approvals, will open for business in 2017. The freight facility will provide transhipment and warehousing at Moorebank near Liverpool and will see thousands of truck miles and shipping containers switched to rail cargo.

INTTRA's Advisory Board Proving Successful

WORLDWIDE – It may be totally unacceptable to operate a cartel when it comes to container shipping or freight forwarding but with ever increasing financial pressures and demands ocean carriers and logistics providers have been hurrying to sign up to an accessible forum to discuss greater efficiency in Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment through standardization and automation.

Rzd Move for BDZ?

RUSSIA – BULGARIA – After rumours last week in the press of both countries it seems likely that Russian Railways (RzD) is looking at taking over the profitable freight arm of BDZ, the national rail carrier of Bulgaria. Despite having several offices in the region RzD does not have an official presence in the country yet still cooperate with BDZ on some projects and analysts believe that the Bulgarian tracks are of value as a direct route for goods from the Far East transiting into Europe.

Scourge of the Highways Must be Stopped Now

WORLDWIDE – Anyone reading this attracted by the salacious headline might be disappointed but there are three killers stalking the road haulage industry, taking the lives of innocent and guilty alike, all of which have been ignored by the freight and shipping sector for years, principally through ignorance and stupidity and the time has surely come to educate and act to ensure there are no more fatalities caused by hauliers who have neglected to train staff and apply sensible standards.

Novadata Takes Sinclair C5 to Commercial Vehicle Show

UK – Next weeks Commercial Vehicle show will witness at least one vehicle other than the normal road haulage trucks. Novadata, the Essex based tachograph supply and driver training group says 1982 was a great year for technology. The much loved BBC Micro was launched, the first CD player was sold, Time's Man of the Year was THE COMPUTER and Novadata started reading tachograph charts. MD, Derek Broomfield explains:

Mundo wins FESCO Approval

UK – RUSSIA – CIS - Mundo International Logistics UK has been appointed as North West Europe’s UK agent for the Far-Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) meaning it can now offer an expanded range of container services across Russia and CIS. FESCO has been established since the 1800’s and numbers port interests and bulk freight vessels and Russia’s largest ice breaking fleet amongst its fifty or so ships.

Lloyds Set Rules as Northern Trade Increases

UK – ASIA - NORTHERN SHIPPING WATERS - The first ever dedicated set of rules for stern-first ice-class ships has just been published by Lloyd’s Register, answering demand for technical support as industry continues to explore the potential of polar transportation routes and the new energy reserves in the far north. The timely release of the rules comes as more and more ships are being ordered with options such as podded propulsion systems and azimuthing thrusters, products that can improve icebreaking capability and reduce resistance, allowing them to navigate stern first through ice.

Track Gauges are not a Problem for Talgo

SPAIN – EASTERN EUROPE – One group who seem to be making a success of the continuing inclusion of the Eastern bloc into a wider commercial environment is Spanish manufacturer Talgo which produces rail wagons capable of changing gauges using relatively simple yet reliable technology. We have written before how the company has engaged in discussions to supply various rail freight and passengers groups which can prove a cheap option for companies which regularly cross borders encountering a bewildering variety of rail track gauges.

HACTL Praised by IATA as New Facility Opens

HONG KONG – The carriage of air freight can be a complicated affair and to increase the level of competency and the qualification of air cargo practitioners in the industry, the IATA Training and Development Institute (ITDI) has developed an IATA International Cargo Training Program, which incorporates distance learning and e-learning modules for students wishing to upgrade their professional competence or start a career in the industry. Now Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) which handles freight at the world’s largest air cargo hub has set up the first IATA Authorised Training Centre (ATC) for cargo in Hong Kong.

CMA CGM and Maersk Both Increase Tariffs

WORLDWIDE – Container Shipping Group CMA CGM is continuing with what it terms its rate restoration and surcharge programme whilst meanwhile streamlining services and Maersk has announced increase in their box tariffs. A Peak Season Surcharge of $200per container dry has been fully implemented for services from North Europe to Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf on the FAL1 service ex Southampton, FAL2 and 3 ex Le Havre (FAL tomorrows sailing), FAL 6 ex Felixstowe and the EPIC service from Southampton.

CSX Demonstrates Year on Year Growth

US – Rail freight and intermodal group CSX released encouraging first quarter figures yesterday showing net earnings of $449 million, or $0.43 per share, versus $395 million, or $0.35 per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 23% year on year improvement in earnings per share. Operating income improved 11% to $856 million whilst operating ratio improved 140 basis points to 71.1 percent. Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer commented:

TruckPol Closes Despite Support of Industry

UK – Despite the best efforts of industry bodies such as the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Freight Transport Association (FTA), TruckPol, the specialist Police unit devoted to assessing and assimilating crime statistics, crime information and crime trend monitoring with particular reference to truck thefts and offences, was closed down at the end of March. In February we published details of the desperate financial straits the unit was in and attempts to refinance after the withdrawal of public funds were unsuccessful.

Annual Report and First Quarter Figures From Kuehne + Nagel

SWITZERLAND – Today freight forwarding and logistics group Kuehne + Nagel officially published its annual report after what has been a turbulent fifteen months for the group with first quarter figures this year showing a slide in profits and the organisation still stinging from the smack delivered by the EU anti trust authorities last month when it received fines totalling over €53 million.

Boeings Dreamliner is Cooking on Gas (well Oil)

US – JAPAN – Following our article in November announcing the successful testing of biofuels in a Boeing 737 operated by United Airlines comes the news today that the first ever transpacific biofuel flight has been made between Boeing's Delivery Center in Everett, Washington and Tokyo Haneda Airport when a 787 Dreamliner being handed over to All Nippon Airways (ANA) flew for the first time powered in part by sustainable biofuels. Osamu Shinobe, ANA Senior Executive Vice President said:

Georgian Rail Follows in Russian Tracks

UK- GEORGIA – RUSSIA – Following a lift in their credit rating by Standard & Poor’s the Georgian Railway LLC has decided to float on the London Stock Exchange with a reported 25% share Initial Public Offering (IPO) joining Russian rail freight operators Globaltrans and Transcontainer which are already listed in the UK. Bulk cargo is by far the principal source of income for the Georgian carrier which said it accounted for almost all the near $300 million of revenue earned last year.

New Alliance Will Utilise Economy of Scale

WORLDWIDE - Three cargo charter brokers have joined forces to launch the Global Charter Alliance, which they claim is the world’s first consortium of independent brokers. Their aim is to continue providing highly-personalised service, particularly for air freight forwarders, but with the benefits of a network behind them. The three founder members of the Global Charter Alliance (GCA) – Pacific Airlift of Singapore, The Charter Store of the USA, and recently-formed NEO Air Charter of Germany – will work closely together to exploit operational efficiencies, share contacts, market intelligence and other information, leverage collective buying power and benefit from economies of scale.

More Work Needed to Produce Biofuel Locally

UK – Tomorrow (Tuesday) will see the start of a drive to clean up road haulage in the capital with the launch of Transport for London’s (TfL) Commercial Vehicle Anti-Idling and Fuel Management Campaign. The event is the latest salvo in a war against unnecessary costs and pollution emanating from trucks in the UK.

Obituary - Arnold Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller 13th July 1913 - 16th April 2012

DENMARK – One of the true giants of the shipping industry has gone with the death today of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller the son of Arnold Peter Møller the founder of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group. The Danish conglomerate blossomed in his tenure into a major force in many branches of logistics from container shipping and bulk ocean freight to energy exploration and a variety of marine services.

Security Precautions Continue to be Effective Against Raiders

SOMALIA – GULF OF ADEN – INDIAN OCEAN - Although attacks continue against all types of shipping transiting the waters of the Somali coast including bulk freighters, oil tankers and the occasional container ship it appears many of the current wave of attempted hijacks are against the easier shipping targets provided by smaller vessels particularly fishing boats.

IJS Strengthens Ocean Freight Team

UK - Logistics service provider IJS Global, has expanded the senior management team of its ocean freight division with the announcement of the appointment of Matthew Deer as its Head of Ocean Freight EMEA and Senior Vice President. Deer brings extensive experience from the global logistics to IJS Global, having held various positions within global shipping lines as well as senior positions in the freight business.

Free to Use Service for Dealing with Unfamiliar Goods

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – One of the leading marine survey companies has collaborated with other industry partners to launch what it claims is the worlds largest on line database for transporting cargo of every type. BMT De Beer, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd has collaborated with such groups as the Container Owners Association and GDV Transport Information Services to produce the CargoHandbook.

Northern Territory Refuses to Implement Government Rises

AUSTRALIA – Subsequent to our piece yesterday regarding a streamlining of procedures for heavy road haulage projects in Western Australia comes the news that the Northern Territory Government (NT) has delighted local hauliers with the news that it has rejected the countrywide agreement designed to increase truck and trailer registration charges, in some cases by over 30%.

PDF Auction Helps Commercial Drivers - but More is Needed

Anyone can have an accident or illness, but who are the people of last resort for the lone heavy goods vehicle driver?

Company Adopts International Standard for Environmental Management System

“Menlo employs extensive Lean practices for waste reduction and continuous improvement,” said Tony Oliverio, VP of Supply Chain Services.

How EAF Helped Move the Biggest Stone since Stonehenge

This time last year European Abnormal Freight Ltd (EAF) was asked in April 2011 to help move the 117 tonne, 4 metre square granite Tsunami Memorial from France to London. As freight forwarding projects go it was the biggest transportation of a single piece of stone in the UK or France since the building of Stonehenge and the tale of how the giant piece came to arrive at the Natural History Museums gardens is worth telling.

Richard Perriman To Expand SBS Growth

SBS Worldwide appoint Richard Perriman as SBS Worldwide continues with its global growth strategy to expand in new and existing industry verticals.

Tensions Over Sovereignty Continue to Gather

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Recent events in the South Sea mean that tensions slowly mount in the region as China and its neighbours continue to eye each others attempts to exploit potential fishing, gas and oil reserves around the Spratly Islands, various parts of which are claimed by the PRC, RoC, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. The danger now is that there is a distinct possibility that innocent bystanders such as passing container shipping or bulk freight vessels in the region may get caught up in the burgeoning crisis.

German Court Maintains Frankfurt Prohibition

GERMANY - The decision by a judge at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig to uphold a night-time flight ban at Frankfurt Airport has been criticised in the strongest terms by members of the air freight community, not least the International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Industry Affairs Committee whose Chairman, Oliver Evans (pictured) is clearly upset by the sidelining of cargo movements. Despite strong industry protests, the court’s decision means the ban on flights at Frankfurt between 2300hrs and 0500hrs will remain in force. The judge also reduced the number of flights permitted one hour before and one hour after the night-time period. In a statement today Mr Evans said:

Oversize Load Problem Addressed by Local Authorities

AUSTRALIA – Following our article in February focusing on the search for an executive to head up the new office of Independent National Heavy Vehicle Regulator formed to cut the reams of red tape which festoon the trucking industry nationwide with an unholy garland of state and national laws and regulations, it seems the agreements reached so far between state and territorial governments have started to rationalise the carriage of freight by the country’s road haulage industry.

Schneider Buck the Crime Trend for Fifth Consecutive Year

US – Cargo theft is the bête noir of the freight trucking industry and a problem which becomes ever more prevalent as the economy declines. According to FreightWatch’s 2011 Annual Report, the overall number of stolen freight incidents that occurred throughout the U.S. increased by 8.3% last year and yet Schneider National, which provides road haulage, intermodal and logistics services, reported a 35% drop in cargo theft rates, the largest drop in the company’s history to date.

Routes Planned but Locals Live in Fear of Siege and Loss of Business

UK – With around 100 days before the start of the London Olympics not everyone is looking fondly toward the prospect of so much happening in the East End of London. Certainly, as we have reported previously, bodies such as local Councils, Transport for London (TfL) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) have made every effort to smooth the path of road haulage and logistics operators which need to continue business as usual throughout the Games with the use of seminars, workshops and web advice. Now however the likely casualties caused by restriction of trade as roads close and hours of working are cut are beginning to ask - Why Us?

Part and Full Load Carriers, Materials Handlers and Reefer Specialists Head for Birmingham

UK – With those that matter in the world of freight girding their loins again for the fifth Multimodal exhibition at the NEC Birmingham, the list of exhibitors as usual is a who’s who of road and rail haulage as well as major port and shipping interests.

Con-way Freight Retrofits Lighting to Reduce Energy Use

Con-way Inc., first piloted a lighting retrofit program before it began implementing the initiative within its network of operating locations across North America.

Improved Rail and Port Infrastructure Can Clear Bottlenecks Says Transnet

SOUTH AFRICA – The country’s state owned freight and logistics carrier Transnet, has today announced bold plans to boost its rail sector to be the fifth largest global carrier of its type. In addition the group claims it will generate 588,000 jobs throughout South African industry by way of the Market Demand Strategy (MDS) announced by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address on 9th February 2012. A company statement says, ‘Transnet's primary objective is to optimise the freight logistics system as this will improve the competitiveness of the country's supply chains, and thus promote additional economic activity.’

DHL Targets Reduced CO2 from Logistics Movements

EUROPE – Together with most freight and logistics providers DHL Global Forwarding, the air and sea freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group and a leading provider of road haulage services, is keen to reduce its carbon footprint and, as is the case with many of its competitors, the German based forwarder believes that increased use of rail transport for the transportation of containers to and from the loading terminals of the various ocean shipping companies is a simple way to achieve at least part of its environmental objectives.

Trials Under Way in the Name of Safety

WORLDWIDE – Any regular reader knows the Handy Shipping Guide likes to keep abreast of any developments in the field of electric vehicles pertaining particularly to freight trucks and other road haulage vehicles. One of the problems faced by companies marketing such environmentally friendly products is the valid criticism, particularly from pressure groups representing those with impaired sight, that the new vehicles are simply too quiet for safety.

Apply for Replacements Now to Avoid Costly Fines

UK – Novadata, the tachograph supply specialist, tells us that the DVLA are aware of problems on some Digital Tachograph Driver Cards which result in error codes being displayed on the tachograph vehicle unit, obviously a serious situation for any freight truck or other road haulage driver. Novadata says drivers are advised to check the card in another vehicle unit or a download device to verify whether there is a fault with the card. Once you have established that your card is faulty you are advised to contact the DVLA within 7 days.

Extension of European Driving Laws at Peak Times

BULGARIA – In a bid to unclog the state road system during the busy holiday period the Government's Infrastructure Road Agency has announced road haulage activities for heavier freight trucks and some other vehicle classes will be restricted until September 2012.

Brazil Meeting Will Also Discuss Hong Kong and Haiti Situations

BRAZIL – WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is to hold its 2012 Ops Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 16-18 April. The Ops Conference is a premier invite-only event that enables IATA member airlines and the broader civil aviation community to discuss key issues on safety, security, operations and infrastructure and this year freight will be firmly on the agenda with cargo security and safety under the microscope.

Specific Cargoes Targeted for Future Development

NETHERLANDS – Freight levels having been depressed in certain trades and geographical areas many of the leading players in the logistics industry have been concentrating their hopes on the BRICS economies and one country from that group, India, is seen as a possible source of traffic growth by at least one of the leading European port authorities. With this in mind the Port of Amsterdam recently arranged a visit to the country during which a seminar on port logistics was held.

A Round Up of Who's Gone or Going Where and Why

WORLDWIDE – The past month or so has seen more staff changes and reassignments than we have witnessed of late due to various factors. Many freight and logistics groups are changing strategies due to a downturn in contracts varying from road haulage to airfreight whilst some are cutting back others are diversifying and creating new positions in a bid to increase turnover. Some of the key shipping appointments from container shipping to materials handling sectors are listed here in a mix of chronological and geographical criteria.

DSV Unifies Global Operations

WORLDWIDE – Danish headquartered freight and logistics specialists DSV which operates in over sixty countries has announced the unification of its aerospace divisions around the world into a single global Aerospace Organisation in a move it says is ‘to bring together its specialist knowledge in the industry vertical and enhance the service level it is able to offer clients’.

DFDS Announce Reduced Sailing Schedules

EUROPE – NORTH SEA – Following the boost to its services after reaching agreement with LD Lines in the aftermath of the SeaFrance collapse in January DFDS has announced major changes to its RoRo freight ferry schedules to optimise vessel use by the end of this month. Take up on some services has been weaker than anticipated, noticeably on the Immingham - Rotterdam morning departure leading to a switch of vessels.

A Chance to Ensure You Are Aware of Current Techniques and Technologies

UK – Warehouse and logistics management specialists ATMS have got together with the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) to plan a technology update workshop aimed at anyone who has any cause to handle food and drink through their supply chain support operation and would like to ensure they are cognisant with the current management systems available.

FPS Member Starts Hong Kong - Hawaii Consolidation Link

HONG KONG – HAWAII - FPS Hong Kong, one of the founder members of the Famous Pacific Shipping Group forwarding and logistics cooperative network, is launching a new direct ocean LCL (less than container load) freight groupage service to Honolulu, Hawaii in a move it calculates will cut traditional costs and shipping transit times.

Tribunal Asked to Rule on Restructuring

DUBAI – The news that Drydocks World, motto ‘The World’s Shipyard’, has turned to the Court for assistance is a watershed in the financial history of the Emirate. This will be the first time that any UAE company has needed the support of the special tribunal following the failure to elicit enough help from its debtors in its quest to offset its $2 billion plus restructuring. The tribunal was formed three years ago when the extent of parent company Dubai World’s $25 billion overall indebtedness was revealed and Drydocks World has intimated that it has the 66% support the tribunal requires from existing debtors to ensure its proposals to restructure are passed.

Higher Rates May Only be Temporary Respite

WORLDWIDE- With the news that Drydocks World has filed for bankruptcy protection all eyes turn to the market trying to guess what the future holds. The Baltic Dry Index continues its slow recovery clawing its steady way back to a level it last held in mid January up 152 points in the month to the 2nd April but still way off its most recent high of almost 2,000 in mid December. Many owners have taken the easy option of scrapping carriers to at least keep some cashflow but at least two major owners are renegotiating debt in an attempt to survive. As with the container and dry bulk markets the increase in new build tonnage in oil tankers has flooded the market with excess vessel capacity and, although the rates appear to be holding up, the situation is more complicated than it first appears.

See The World's Fastest Hybrid Powered Truck in Action

US – WORLDWIDE – Volvo trucks, having recently unveiled a new natural gas-powered Volvo VNL daycab at the Mid-America Trucking Show have moved slightly away from the usual concentration of fuel efficiency for their range of freight haulers with another shot at the land speed record for hybrid road haulage vehicles. Mean Green, the world’s fastest hybrid truck, will attempt to reach speeds in excess of 260 km/h (165 mph) April 27 at Wendover Airfield in Utah to better its own world speed records.

Is Jones Outdated Protectionism or Essential Defence Mechanism?

US – The growing wave of objections to the Jones Act which we mentioned in our article last month has brought a retort from the Navy League of the United States, unsurprising in its defence of the protection of native vessels and crews. Both the Act and the League are around a century old and are designed solely to ensure employment for American staff on US registered freight and other vessels trading between home ports.

Aircraft Contract and Increased Cargo Prompts Appointments

GERMANY – FRANCE – BANGLADESH – SRI LANKA – Hamburg based Rickmers-Linie used their specialist abilities in the carriage of break bulk and heavy lift freight to obtain a long term contract to transport fuselage sections for Airbus from Morehead City, North Carolina (NC) to Montoir, Port of Nantes St Nazaire. The new cargo has led to the appointment of an agent in the Northern French port and the announcement coincides with the naming of two other key agents by the German line.

Shipping Exclusion Zone Imposed but Explosion Risk Reduced

NORTH SEA – Gas continues to leak from the TOTAL gas rig and a two mile exclusion zone has been imposed to protect shipping in the area. Misinformation given to the press that the flare atop the rig could safely be extinguished remotely became redundant today as the flame extinguished itself naturally. The major risk had always been that a change in wind direction would cause the leaking gas to blow onto the flame and cause an explosion. Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: