Shipping Search - Archive

Deal Awaits Sanction from Anti Trust Authorities

EUROPE – German based wagon hire and rail logistics company VTG Aktiengesellschaft and Swiss headquartered freight forwarder, Kuehne + Nagel, are planning a merger of parts of their rail logistics activities. Both parties signed the related letter of intent with a majority participation on the part of VTG anticipated and the merger represents an expansion of the long-term partnership that has existed between VTG and Kuehne + Nagel within the scope of their joint company Transpetrol for more than 20 years.

North and Central American Developments for DB Schenker

US – PANAMA - Spirit AeroSystems, which designs and manufactures non-OEM (not original equipment manufacturer) parts for aero structures used in commercial, military and business/regional jets, has confirmed DB Schenker as the lead logistics provider for its Spirit Distribution Center which handles goods emanating from the company’s Tulsa manufacturing site. Meanwhile the freight forwarding outfit continues to reinforce its presence in Central America.

FAA Accusations of Improper Maintenance

US – The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week proposed a $4 million civil penalty against express freight group United Parcel Service (UPS) of Louisville, Kentucky, for allegedly improperly maintaining four cargo aircraft and then operating them when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. UPS has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

Tank Truckers Recognised by US Association

US – Of all the dangerous operations which one may come across in a career in freight and logistics one of the most in demand, and consistently hazardous, is the haulage of tanks on the roads of every country. Apart from the obviously perils of transporting inflammable liquid fuels the vehicles and loads themselves render even the simplest of manoeuvres difficult and often unpredictable. Now, to acknowledge excellence within the professional tank truck driver community, during its 65th Annual Conference in Austin, Texas the NTTC (National Tank Truck Carriers) has launched the William A. Usher, Sr. Award to recognise those who serve the industry with the most reliable and safe transportation of liquid and dry bulk commodities.

Electronic Technology Removes Risk of Clambering Atop Goods to Sling Loads

UK – SPAIN - WORLDWIDE – The dangers of clambering around at height engaging and detaching cargo hooks swinging from crane arms hardly need illustrating more graphically to any freight or logistics professional. Whilst automatic hooks are widely used in Spain they will be unfamiliar to many in the lift and hoist industry and now with the UK launch of the elebia® ‘evo’ automatic crane hook Kent based distributors, Red Plant, are hoping to change that with a device that enables connection to the load without the use of manpower.

Qatar Offer to Host and Finance ICAO Meets with Hostility

QATAR - CANADA – WORLDWIDE – Following representations made last week by the Qatari government to have the headquarters of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) moved permanently to Doha from Montreal where it has existed since its inception almost seventy years ago objections have been raised both in Canada and abroad. With the lease up on the current headquarters in 2016 and the Qatari offer to both build a brand new facility to house the organisation and fund its activities, many are taking the bid seriously. The ICAO is a dedicated United Nations agency whose responsibility covers all aspects of civil aviation, including the carriage of freight by air.

SfL Events Aimed at Schools and Colleges to Promote the Industry

UK – Skills for Logistics (SfL), the skills council for the freight logistics and wholesaling sector, has invited schools, colleges and universities as well as logistics employers and training providers to attend the ‘Breakfast with Logistics’ events, being held at the Novotel Milton Keynes on May 15 and the Novotel Coventry on May 23. SfL partners include a full house of the best expertise in the British logistics supply chain with the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA), the British International Freight Association (BIFA) and the British Association of Removers (BAR) all associated with the programme.

Deutsche Post DHL Announces Agreed Pay Rises for Those Workers Within Collective Bargaining Agreement

GERMANY – The news that Deutsche Post AG is to increase pay by 3.1% on August 1, 2013, followed by a further 2.6% on October 1, 2014 for the approximately 130,000 employees who are covered by a collective-bargaining agreement has met with a mixed reaction from unions. Whilst negotiations conducted with the German services union ver.di (Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft or United Services union) was greeted as a reasonable result there are still concerns over the labour situation for many staff employed beyond the home country’s borders.

Investigation Into How Freighters Collided Whilst Search for Missing Proceeds

GREECE – An investigation is under way by local shipping authorities to discover the cause of an accident between two freighters in the Aegean Sea this morning about 75 nautical miles off the island of Sapienza which has left two seamen dead and eight still missing. The casualties are all believed to be from the 13,000 dwt Pirireis a dry cargo vessel whilst the crew of the other ship involved, the container vessel ConSouth, were reportedly unscathed. A search for the missing men by Greek Coast Guard vessels supported by a C30 aircraft and a helicopter are continuing.

Hundreds of Thousands of Parts Make for a Complex Operation

GERMANY – Any company which can boast a 168 year history has to be doing something right, especially when involved in the diversities of providing complex supply chain products. The logistics involved in the production and distribution of prestigious household name commodities utilising hundreds of thousands of parts across a range of top quality items are simply mind boggling and require both physical and documentary systems and equipment capable of delivering any item, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, when and where required. When renowned German sports car manufacturer Porsche required a modern and efficient automated small parts storage system it turned to BITO, acknowledged experts in the field for generations.

Liebherr Confirms Latest Set of Orders

IRELAND – ARGENTINA – UKRAINE – Whilst many in the ocean freight shipping community are struggling to make a profit the container crane division at Liebherr has just confirmed a number of orders from existing clients which are due for handover this year. Killarney based Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd are fighting off stiff competition from other worldwide producers in waht is a very competetive sector.

Consortium Hires Logistics PR Experts as Internet Based Project Takes Off

UK – As the attempt to improve the rate of freight transfer from the road haulage sector to rail continues a new player is due to enter the field bidding to assist those seeking to investigate intermodal options. The new online service is designed to make intermodal freight cheaper, easier and greener and claims to be the first of its kind, making the best use of the UK's rail network, reducing congestion and producing less carbon by finding money-earning uses for the spare capacity of both road and rail hauliers.

From Efficient Arrest Techniques to Medical Emergencies Complacency is not an Issue

INDIAN OCEAN – HORN OF AFRICA – With much backslapping amongst the bulk and container freight and passenger shipping sectors of late, heavy doses of self-congratulation from the private security community and doubtless sighs of relief within cargo and vessel insurance groups, there is a serious danger that the diminishing returns from piracy in the waters off the Somali coast and beyond will lead to complacency.

Nautilus Boss Claims 60% of the Vote

UK – NETHERLANDS - WORLDWIDE – Following a fairly contentious campaign members of the Nautilus International trade union have voted to re-elect Mark Dickinson as general secretary. Nautilus (formally NUMAST) represents the interests of 24,000 maritime professionals working in the related industries both ashore and at sea. Mr Dickinson retained his position despite bitter opposition from former Merchant Navy officer Gavin Williams.

Jungheinrich Have New Model Available in Time for Multimodal Show

UK – Appearing at the Multimodal logistics exhibition in Birmingham this week fork lift and materials handling supplier Jungheinrich had yet another model to promote to add to the company’s already extensive range. The company boasts that it is the world’s most popular sit-on reach truck manufacturer and with so many supporters in the freight quarter of the supply chain using its equipment for racking and stacking work the claim may well not be groundless. The logistics show proved a suitable place to promote the latest addition to the company’s fleet, the ETV318.

K+N Confirm Rise in Air Cargo Trends Whilst Rationalising and Extending Global Facilities

SWITZERLAND – UK – US – Swiss headquartered freight forwarding and logistics group Kuehne + Nagel announced a positive first quarter result in its air freight unit and, following recent financial releases from other air cargo carriers, this positive result could be taken as a ‘sign of stabilisation’ as reported by International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Q1 results also showed an improvement in the Group’s internal efficiency and profitability, resulting in positive achievements in the contract logistics sector. Turnover increased by 5.4% to CHF 5,094 million compared to CHF 4,834 million in the previous year’s period. Gross profit improved by 2.3% to CHF 1,537 million and at CHF 219 million, the EBITDA was above the previous year’s level. Net earnings amounted to CHF 134 million, up from last year’s figure of CHF 68 million. Karl Gernandt, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG:

34 tonne Pieces Flown to Site Using Giant Aircraft - Again

RUSSIA – MALAYSIA – TURKMENISTAN – Heavy lift and project freight specialist Ruslan International, the company which manages and markets the combined Antonov An-124 fleets of its shareholders Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Airlines, a total of seventeen of the big air cargo carriers, has recently arranged the shipment of three giant winches for an offshore oil and gas project in the Caspian region on behalf of CNC Freight Services Sdn Bhd. of Malaysia.

Only a Political Revolution Can Settle the Regions Long Term Problems

WEST AFRICA – As the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean continues we have witnessed a drastic reduction in attacks on merchant shipping in the region. The ostentatious carriage of arms on container vessels and bulk freight ships coupled with a finely honed set of procedures for collating and dispensing information to potential targets by the naval authorities has meant the coastlines of Somalia and Oman and the waters between have become a difficult to ply the evil trade.

From Ballast Water Management Retrofit to Contributing to African Education - MOL Steps Up Again

JAPAN – SOUTH AFRICA – Japanese container shipping and liner group Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) recently announced completion of work to install a ballast water treatment system on the very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) Libra Trader at Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. On January 10, the company announced plans to install the system on a VLCC ahead of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) compulsory installation of ballast water management systems.

Seemingly Never Ending Series of Cases Against Industry Leaders Continues

NEW ZEALAND – The New Zealand high Court has ordered three further airlines to pay a combined total of NZ$9.6 million in penalties for their role in the air cargo cartel case brought by the Commerce Commission. This brings the total penalties in the case taken out against the freight carriers to over NZ$35 million. The penalty judgments against Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (NZ$4.3 million), Thai Airways International PLC (NZ$2.7 million), and MASkargo System Berhad Ltd (NZ$2.6 million) were for price fixing in breach of the Commerce Act. The breaches took place at various times between February 2000 and February 2006 and is yet another in a series of anti trust suits against freight forwarders and the air carriers we have seen come to Court in the past few years

From Intermodal Integration to Security Enhancement There is Always Something for Everyone

UK – Today sees the opening of Multimodal 2013 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) where the cream of freight and logistics providers from Britain and beyond come to demonstrate their capabilities whilst observing the achievements of their rivals. Rail freight will doubtless play a sizeable part in the proceedings as the push to move more cargo from the road haulage sector onto the intermodal tracks proceeds apace and early indications are this year’s affair will be s busy as ever.

Advances Seem to Have Slowed Whilst Fleets are Assessed Over Time

UK - WORLDWIDE – How efficient are electric trucks? With the threat of conventional fuel prices spiralling ever upward and growing pressures to reduce pollution, we decided it was time to take a look at how the new generation of electric vehicles was actually performing on the road as opposed to in the manufacturer’s brochures and on line videos. The development of ‘new fuel’ road haulage vehicles as opposed to passenger runabouts is currently often more of an advertising feature for the larger freight carriers and supermarket chains than a practical reality for a truck driver.

Truck Drivers Warned of Potential Dangers via GPS

UK – Satellite navigation specialist, Navevo, has developed a sat nav based HGV Cyclist Alert feature, designed to notify drivers of high HGV/Cyclist convergence areas and prompt them to take extra care. Created in association with the Transport for London (TfL), the software will be available on the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association approved ProNav GPS for HGV drivers and will come as standard on the new ProNav PNN420 sat nav. Navevo CEO, Nick Caesari said:

New Declaration of Intent from Leading Trade Bodies

US – WORLDWIDE – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) have signed a Declaration of Intent to strengthen co-operation on technical matters. Under the terms of the new agreement, signed by TIACA’s Chairman, Michael Steen, and by ICAO’s Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin at TIACA’s 2013 Executive Summit in Dallas, ICAO and TIACA will work more closely on air cargo and mail security and facilitation, accelerating the evolution from paper-based to electronic processes, environmental stewardship, the liberalisation of market access for air cargo services, and air freight safety. Michael Steen said:

Busy M6 MIdland Expressway Link Open Without Charge in July to Registered Hauliers

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has announced that negotiations with M6 Toll road operator Midland Expressway have resulted in an exclusive deal for RHA members to use the road free-of-charge during the month of July. This month-long trial will allow members to have the benefit of the toll road without cost to see if it suits their business. The M6 is well-known as a route for traffic travelling through the Midlands and the number of junctions means it is well suited to freight trucks making collections or deliveries to adjacent sites. In addition, the service area on the route is also useful as stopping point; the truck parking area normally has plenty of space and is quiet at night.

The Latest Update of Staff Movements in the Supply Chain

WORLDWIDE – This week’s update of staff movements and appointments within the shipping and forwarding, freight and logistics sectors began with some major movements in one of the preeminent air transport organisations as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced an organisational restructuring of its main divisions and regional operations with the majority of changes due to take effect from 1 July 2013.

New Resource Available Showing Ports plus Road and Rail Links

US – The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the official metropolitan planning organisation for the Greater Philadelphia Region, has launched the PhillyFreightFinder, its new interactive online mapping application for the Delaware Valley. The application highlights the region’s freight network, denoting major freight routes, such as highways, rivers and rail lines, and key hubs of employment and goods movement, including ports and freight centres.

Site Was Once the Scene of Drawn Out Dock Labour Disputes

UK- For those old enough to remember, there is a certain sense of irony about the labour situation developing at the new deep water container port under construction on the Thames. As cranes rise above the horizon and London Gateway begins to take shape ready to accept the first commercial shipping at the end of this year the unions have started to take an interest in how the vessels will be handled and by whom.

List of Acceptable Systems Granted Temporary Status by US Coast Guard

US – One of the complexities associated with any form of regulation for container and other pan ocean freight and passenger vessels is that, even with the imposition of international legislation, acceptance by one state of another’s recognition for new standards is not always automatic. No country is more wary of the new controls being imposed for both atmospheric and water borne shipping emissions than America and now the US Coast Guard has announced the names of foreign ballast water treatment systems(BTWS) that have been accepted for use, albeit temporarily.

Giant Aircraft Able to Be Serviced in New Purpose Designed Facility

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Volga-Dnepr Technics which supplies a network of approved Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MROs) providing services for the giant Antonov An-124-100 “Ruslan” freighters and other aircraft around the globe, has commenced operations in its new maintenance hangar facility in Sharjah. Volga-Dnepr Gulf (VD Gulf), representing Volga-Dnepr Technics in the Middle East region, in turn part of the parent group which specialises in moving out of gauge and heavy lift air freight consignments, began by towing one of the huge aircraft into its new facility.

Ministerial Presence Illustrates the Importance of Smashing the Glass Ceiling

UK – The finalists in the sixth annual everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, now sponsored by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), were unveiled earlier this week, shining a spotlight on the female champions leading the way in the sector. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held at The Savoy Hotel in London on 16 May 2013 to be attended by over 250 business leaders; decision makers from across the industry and representatives from government including Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport.

Newly Refurbished Facilities Attract Prestigious Launch Customer

SOUTH AFRICA – A new joint venture between a major cargo handling outfit and a native airline has been christened Africa Flight Services (South Africa) Pty (AFS) and announced that Emirates SkyCargo is the launch customer for the new project in Johannesburg and Cape Town where it has recently opened its inaugural freight handling facilities.

Los Angeles in the Dock this Week

US – In the fight to reduce pollution the State of California has been the flag bearer for many years. Whilst many have supported and admired the driving forces there which pursue every avenue to ensure that risks to the environment are properly managed, there are others less enamoured who feel that the strict application of regulations sometimes goes a little too far and restricts freedom of trade. Freight management has always been a ‘dirty’ business with pollution from both bulk and container shipping and road haulage trucks and now the success achieved in the Port of Los Angeles in reducing harmful emissions has been cited in an ongoing row over who has the power to forbid access to one of the nation’s most important cargo ports.

Route Will Cater for Ambient and Temperature Controlled Goods

US – GERMANY – Following the recent ‘New American’ tie up between their parent group and US Airways, American Airlines Cargo has begun a nonstop freight service between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Dusseldorf, Germany (DUS). Flying a Boeing 767-300, the new service will aim to provide customers with more shipping options and offers Expedite and Expedite TC (Temperature Controlled) services. Pharmaceutical products, medical instruments and automotive and aircraft parts are expected to be key commodities between the two countries. DUS Cargo Logistics has been appointed as the carrier’s handling agent in Dusseldorf. Egon Wedde, the carrier’s Regional Cargo Sales Manager said:

Cargo Movement Always Presents Risks and the Drive to Eliminate Accidents Goes on Worldwide

UK – JAPAN - WORLDWIDE – Two major safety campaigns have just been launched, one from an international body representing freight forwarders and the other from a major container shipping line. The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) has released details of a global campaign to enhance safety in the maritime transport supply chain with the aim to secure improvements in logistics practices to ensure safer transport operations. As consignors and receivers of freight, shippers accept that they have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that when goods are presented for shipment they are correctly declared, stowed and secured in compliance with international rules and standards. Meantime Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is extending its on-going safety at sea programme.

New Government List of Goods Requiring a Licence is More Comprehensive Than Ever

UK – WORLDWIDE – Once upon a time any proscribed exports of a military nature must have comprised a very short list. Unfortunately we now live in a different world and the latest Government document, the UK military list of items that require export authorisation (viewable HERE) is a different creature altogether. With the recent spate of cases involving freight forwarders and road haulage operators any logistics professional should be aware of the potential pitfalls of shipping any materials whose use may be unfamiliar to them.

15,000 Additional Square Metres Completes Indonesian Facility

INDONESIA – One of the country’s largest global freight and 3PL providers, PT GAC Samudera Logistics (GSL), has added a further 15,000 square metres to its warehouse and distribution centre in Lippo Cikarang. The facility now covers 36,000 square metres and offers 60,500 pallet positions, making it the largest single-unit distribution facility in the GAC Group.

Wage Rises and Box Royalty Payments Agreed to Keep Shipments Flowing

US – The accord between dock workers unions responsible for handling container freight and their shipping industry port employers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts this week has been heralded as a victory by the associated labour representatives, not only for the $1 per hour increase included in the six year deal, but for the mutual ambitions of employers and employees to investigate ways to ‘recapture’ traditional port jobs lost at present by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) workers.

Whether Asian or European - Transport Groups Are Always First on the Scene

MYANMAR – Our report last month on the development of logistics within the ASEAN group of countries mentioned the conflict those states face between national and regional interests and the former Burma still lags behind some of its neighbours in terms of infrastructure. With the rapid acceptance of more democratic values as usual the very first on the scene to sense the possibility of future profits via early investment are those within the freight forwarding and shipping communities.

Safety is the Watchword for what is a New Set of Problems Posed by Gas Transport

SOUTH KOREA – With the new demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and for suitable vessels to transport it, it is essential that ships, even when originally designed to carry what after all is a highly dangerous and volatile cargo with its own unique demands as regards storage, transfer etc., are shown to be practical, safe and economically viable as they get older. With exactly this in mind operator Hyundai Ocean Service Co. Ltd. (HDOS) has chosen Lloyd’s Register Marine Consulting (LR) as the independent service provider for the Longevity Study on its 1994 built, 273 metre long, 71,909 dwt, LNG Carrier Hyundai Utopia.

International Logistics Company Aim for All Round Sustainability

UK – Toll Global Forwarding will move to a brand new UK headquarters building at London Heathrow Airport in October. The new facility, located on a secure 2.65 acre compound on the North Feltham Trading Estate close to Heathrow’s cargo village, will include 50,000 square feet of warehousing featuring 8 truck docks, a freight handling system, storage for 1200 pallets and a large, multi-zone chiller for perishables. The site will be accessed by a one-way traffic system. Toll Global Forwarding’s Regional Managing Director (EMEA), Hakan Bicil, said:

Three Unions at Odds with Council Management Over Pay

UK – Island ferry services which are often the only way to maintain a civilised lifestyle on some hard to reach outposts are inevitably the source of enhanced acrimony when there is any form of problem which affects the natives existence. The lack of the regular RoRo or passenger ferry carrying vital freight and supplies from the mainland can cause serious problems for the stranded islanders ranging from medical emergencies to food shortages.

Several Top Executives to Change Companies and Jobs

GERMANY – Monika Ribar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Panalpina will step down at the end of May 2013. Her successor will be former Kuehne + Nagel Management Board Member Peter Ulber. This change in CEO has been planned and prepared by the Board of Directors of Panalpina. Ribar, who in addition to her role as CEO of Panalpina already serves on other companies’ boards of directors, plans now to focus more on these non-executive managerial roles for the foreseeable future.

Two Sales Announced of Warrantied Rebuilt Equipment

UK – Anyone operating a freight or general warehouse on a budget (that’s just about everybody with a storage or distribution unit) might be keen to take a look at another of fork lift truck manufacturer Jungheinrich’s used equipment fairs later this month, to be held at the company’s depots in Birmingham on Wednesday, 17th April from 9am to 5pm and a week later in Cumbernauld on the 24th April. Electric and engine-powered counterbalance forklifts, pallet trucks and reach trucks will be available at the showroom events and all models on display will be offered for next-day delivery.

Commercial Vehicle Show Hosted Roundtable Discussion Today

UK – There is nothing members of the road haulage community like better than to air their views, and grievances, to a Member of Parliament and today the assembled company at the Commercial Vehicle Show got exactly that when organisers of the 2013 event were delighted to host a roundtable discussion with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP. Subjects ranging from diesel prices to incentives for freight carriers were all grist to the mill as the session progressed.

Meanwhile Middle Eastern Expansion Continues

US – WORLDWIDE – OMAN - As anyone in the ocean freight industry knows the precise timing and accurate ordering and delivery of ships stores is vital to all vessels, be they container carriers or oil rigs. No ship afloat however involves a more complex and essential supply chain in this regard than a cruise ship when the complexity of items and sheer size of the supplies required can be staggering. With this in mind European logistics group Kuehne + Nagel was more than pleased when the company was awarded the freight forwarding obligations of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Another Successful Social Venture by Box Line

SOUTH AFRICA – We have often featured in the past the multifarious uses people have found for shipping containers as opposed to their original purpose of secure freight carriage. Box line Safmarine has also featured previously for its ability to mix the disposal of its old stock of boxes with a generous portion of charity by converting the 20 and 40 foot units to something useful to the local community.

Motocross and Outdoor Sport Clothing Specialist Chooses New Distribution Hub

US – NETHERLANDS – EUROPE – Con-way Incorporated’s logistics subsidiary Menlo continues to enlarge its European operations often by introducing US shippers to their latest market. Despite the international nature of the freight trade customers are more confident with an agency which has roots in their home territory, particularly if an offshoot of an established road haulage trucking subcontractor such as Con-way. Recently, following a review of their supply chain requirements leading sport outfitter Fox Head Inc relocated its European distribution hub from the UK to a new location established for the company by Menlo at its Eersel, (Netherlands) Logistics Centre.

Money Men Invest in What Looks to be a Developing Logistics Sector

DENMARK – EUROPE – Hot on the heels of last weeks story regarding the expansion of container feeder and short sea shipping group Unifeeder, comes the news that the Danish based logistics company is to be acquired by Nordic Capital Funds from the current owner, Montagu Private Equity which has owned it for the past six years. Given the anticipated rise in multi modal freight shipments throughout mainland Europe as environmental concerns alter the freight transport profile, plus the development of the Scandinavian and Baltic segment in the past decade this will doubtless be seen as a good deal by both sides.

Bad Publicity Can Be Damaging - Even When Untrue

WORLDWIDE - SAUDI ARABIA -– For any company involved in the freight and logistics business, misleading publicity can be extremely damaging. Whether a road haulage operator or an international container shipping line, the close community nature of the import-export trade means that rumours can spread quickly, becoming low level urban myths which can cost time and money to correct. The latest group to be affected by a wholly inaccurate report is the international government support and testing agency Intertek which issues Certificates of Conformity for companies wishing to export goods to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Rapid Expansion in South East Asia for Shipping Line Subsidiary

CAMBODIA – Maersk logistics subsidiary Damco has continued its rapid development of freight facilities in South East Asia with its second major warehouse facility opening recently in Cambodia. Following the launch of Damco’s CFS Warehouse 1 which started operation in August 2011, the inauguration of CFS Warehouse 2 this week indicates the speed of growth of forwarding requirements in the region with the country lately becoming known as a very popular manufacturing hub in Indo China as in recent years more manufacturers have been setting up there, particularly in the garment sector.

Midlands Firm Separates Maintenance from Emergencies to React More Quickly

UK – One of the country’s leading suppliers of vehicle lifting equipment is restructuring its engineering team to lessen down time for its customers within the logistics industry. Busy commercial workshops need nothing less than HGV’s stranded whilst waiting for a repair to a hoist and now the strangely named SOMERSTOTALKARE has decided to split its workforce to better respond to the needs of customers.

Changes to Korean and Turkish Routes Whilst Tariffs Rise

SOUTH KOREA – TURKEY – ASIA – EUROPE – Several changes to shipping schedules have been announced recently with the news that two leading container carriers are rescheduling their container services to reflect demand. Pressure from Swedish customers is likely to have influenced an extra port call on the Maersk AE10 loop meaning Busan is now linked directly with APM Terminals in Gothenburg, which took over port handling operations there early last year, offering a transit time of around 40 days and a weekly sailing schedule.

HMRC Raise Tax Threshold for Nights on (and Knights of) the Road

UK – Amidst the doom and gloom of government cutbacks some good news for truck drivers as the intense lobbying by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has resulted in Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs increasing the Drivers’ Overnight Subsistence Allowance for the drivers of heavy goods vehicles with immediate effect. RHA Employment Services Manager, Peter Butler, commented:

Dubai Company Will Support UK Underwater Development

UK – Aberdeen based Bibby Offshore UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the shipping group Bibby Line, is about to embark on a five-year growth plan which it says will see the expansion of its fleet of offshore construction vessels and remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) systems. To support the move the company has signed a non-exclusive ship agency services contract with international logistics group GAC covering all ports in the UK and making the Dubai headquartered marine service supplier its first choice of provider elsewhere globally.

Germany Sees Latest Expansion for Danish Group

GERMANY – DENMARK – Following its purchase of the Irish Continental Group subsidiary Feederlink Shipping & Transport * b.v in December, Danish container carrier Unifeeder announced that its new sales office in Düsseldorf formally opened last month. The box carrier specialises in transporting containers from the large European container hubs in Belgium, England, Germany and the Netherlands to more than 35 regional ports across the UK, the Nordic Region, the Baltic States and Russia whilst growing its multimodal logistics business.

Restitution Hearing Date Set to Recover Costs from Ex Employee

US – John Edward Bearden, a mechanic formerly employed at the Port of Los Angeles Tugboat facility on Terminal Island, entered a plea of no contest to planting a fake bomb during a heightened awareness drill and was sentenced to 150 days of house arrest and 36 months of summary probation. The discovery of the device, placed on a forklift, caused the complete evacuation of a shipping terminal at the Port for several hours costing over $100,000 in mitigation. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Laesecke also ordered Bearden to stay away from Westoil Marine Services, Millennium Marine, and Harley Marine, at Berth LA 301 on Terminal Island.

Angry Drivers are Dangerous Drivers

UK – To say one has never been guilty of, or subjected to, a bout of ‘road rage’ probably means one has never driven professionally and now, in an interesting cooperation, methods of coping with the stresses of the truck or bus drivers daily life can be incorporated into the mandatory Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tuition which all road haulage operators are obliged to have their staff undertake.

Capital Will Fund More Growth for TIL

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – The world’s second largest container shipping group, Geneva - based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has reached agreement to sell to investment fund, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and a group of its LP Co-Investors, a 35% share in Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), which funds, develops and manages container freight terminals around the world. Initial sale price is US$1.929 billion, which includes certain payments contingent on TIL’s future performance with settlement expected to take place in the middle of the year subject to the usual approvals. Diego Aponte, Vice President of MSC, said:

Steps Taken to Stem the Flow of Counterfeit Medicines

US – Freight forwarder and logistics giant United Parcel Service (UPS) has entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, in which the company has agreed to forfeit $40 million in payments it has received from illicit online pharmacies and has already taken steps to implement a compliance programme designed to ensure that illegal online pharmacies will not be able to use UPS’s services to distribute drugs or counterfeit pharmaceuticals. US Attorney Melinda Haag commented:

Electronic Air Waybill Means One Document for All Parties

WORLDWIDE – The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have announced that the Multilateral Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) standard has been approved, removing the need for bilateral e-AWB agreements between airlines and freight forwarders and thus simplifying the air freight supply chain process. Airlines will have a single agreement with IATA that enables them to accept e-AWBs from all participating freight forwarders, while freight forwarders will have a similar agreement that will allow them to tender e-AWB shipments to multiple airlines at numerous airports worldwide. Des Vertannes, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, said:

Longer Jail Terms if Fines Remain Unpaid is Message to Corrupt Hauliers and Truck Drivers

UK – Two former Directors of road haulage firm Boyle Transport Ltd have been ordered to pay a total of £1,835,793 following a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Carlisle Crown Court. Last week, 67 year old Patrick James Boyle and his 38 year old son Mark Anthony Boyle, both from Newry, Northern Ireland, were found to have benefitted to the sum of £10,016,810 from falsifying tachograph records following ‘wiring adjustments’ in five of the company’s trucks. On 2 May 2012 Patrick Boyle and Mark Boyle were handed two year and 18 month sentences respectively at Carlisle Crown Court, after they pleaded guilty to conspiring with drivers to make the false tachograph records on 18 February 2011.

Consolidation and Expansion Results in State of the Art Facilities

US – Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) has received a welcome boost to its drive to increase freight and logistics activity, with the April opening of a brand new 18,600 square metre facility for 3PL provider, TAGG Logistics at Free Trade Zone 102, adjacent to the airport. The new logistics centre replaces TAGG’s three current sites around the city, improving its efficiency and adding 35% to its capacity. It will feature high-specification bulk distribution space, multiple kitting and assembly lines, a high-volume order-picking system and a state of the art warehouse management system. TAGG Principal Tod Yazdi said: