Shipping Search - Archive

New Partnership to Reflect on Marine Fuel Availability

UK – WORLDWIDE – Marine fuel events, training and publishing company Petrospot has formed a partnership with 20|20 Marine Energy, a maritime consultancy service, with a view to creating a series of data-rich intelligence reports on bunker markets in key and emerging world ports. As well as current market dynamics, the reports will also provide analysis on future supply, demand and infrastructure challenges following the implementation of the global 0.5% sulphur cap in 2020.

Other News Linked to the Supply Chain

PHILIPPINES – This week some snippets of news from the world of shipping and logistics starts with the fact that Ventis and OSM have signed a joint venture agreement to provide Filipino crew to K Line's entire LNG fleet. The expansion of the partnership that the JV agreement represents confirms OSM's position in the growing LNG market. Within the next four years the number of K Line Group LNG vessels is expected to grow to about twenty such ships. Tommy Olofsen, Managing Director for OSM Crew Management commented:

This Week's Supply Chain Recruitment Update

UK – We begin the week's recruitment and staff departure news in the freight and logistics supply chain with an extremely controversial appointment. The installation of Rob Gray to the role of Community and Stakeholder Relations Director at Heathrow Airport has caused more than a ripple with the local populace considering his new job requires him to foster good relationships between his employer's and the neighbours. Gray had, immediately prior to this new role, been the Director for Back Heathrow, a pro-third runway campaign group which itself faced controversy throughout the airport capacity decision process, during which it was confirmed that Heathrow Airport had actually helped to form the Back Heathrow group which was also found by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) to have produced misleading adverts.

Ministers Writes to Transport Managers with Details of Schemes

UK – For many years now we, along with many other professionals from across the UK's supply chain, have been calling on the government to adequately address the chronic driver shortage blighting the country's road freight industry, as the combination of an ageing workforce and a lack of skilled drivers to replace those leaving the sector, threatens to get steadily worse over time. As a result, the Minister of State for Transport John Hayes, the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills Robert Halfon, and the Minister of State for Employment Damian Hinds, have signed a joint letter to Transport Managers highlighting the support available for recruiting the next generation of LGV drivers.

Event Recognising Members of the Industry

UK – Only one day left to enter the 2017 Talent in Logistics awards, aimed at recognising and celebrating the skills and hard work of people from across the British logistics industry, from trainers and Learning & Development Managers, to Drivers and apprentices, and HR Managers to Logistics Managers. As the deadline looms, Talent in Logistics has announced more category sponsor.

All Crew Reported Safe

BLACK SEA – A Russian Navy ship has sunk in the Black Sea after a collision with a freight vessel at around 11.45 local time, due to poor visibility. All the crew of the Russian ship are reported to have been rescued and to be safe.

New Five Year Cover Deal Signed

UK – The AA has signed a five year contract extension with the Freight Transport Association (FTA) to continue providing breakdown and recovery services to its 2,000 FTA Recovery members for their 86,000 mixed vehicle fleets. The fully comprehensive contract sees the AA provide services to cars, vans and HGVs.

Users Face Danger if Using Unauthorised Changes

UK – The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) have warned that unauthorised modifications to fork lift trucks can endanger staff and invalidate warranties. The services, widely advertised and offered by many companies, are far from risk-free with the two industry bodies saying that truck modifications that are not factory approved may affect capacity, stability or safety requirements. BITA Secretary-General James Clark explains:

Cuts on the Cards for Work Force

UK – DB Cargo UK, the largest rail freight operator in Britain, has reached successful agreements with the four trade unions representing a majority of its workforce, meaning it will launch its future business model on July 2, as planned. ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite have been in discussions since October 2016 with DB, when the company announced proposals to cut 893 jobs (almost a third of its workforce) in a restructure triggered by the rapid decline in the core market of coal.

Highlights Threats that Road Haulage Industry Need to Know

UK – A collaborative project identifying the often misunderstood and taboo topic of cargo crime within the road transport sector has officially been launched at this years Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show, taking place this week. The Cargo and Road Transport (CART) Security Guide aims to raise awareness and offer guidance in a bid to fill the ever widening knowledge gap and provide a greater insight into the security risks posed to road haulage companies and potential solutions that can be adopted.

Alexandre de Juniac Wants Better Standards

WORLDWIDE – Speaking at the IATA Safety and Flight Operations Conference in Seoul, South Korea, the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac urged aviation safety stakeholders to reinforce their commitment to a safety framework based on global standards, cooperation and dialogue, and effective use of data. Identifying air accident investigations as a key area where greater cooperation on global standards is needed, de Juniac said:

Figures Up Substantially from Last Year

FRANCE – UK – One of the busiest ports linking France and the UK has reported a large upswing in freight vehicles passing through on its cross Channel routes. A renewed upsurge in haulage traffic has been confirmed in the first three months of 2017 and allowed the Port of Calais to realise the best quarter in its history through an absolute record for the month of March and the passage of 181,005 cargo units which used the Calais port facilities. The number of heavy goods vessels crossing through the French port grew by 11.2% compared to the first trimester of 2016, with 507,850 heavy goods vessels passing through the port.

Company Makes Dublin Based Operation a Subsidiary

IRELAND – Independent German freight forwarding concern Dachser has become the majority shareholder of its partner in Ireland, Johnston Logistics Ltd, effectively making the Dublin headquartered company a subsidiary of the brand. Dachser states that the move will allow the company to expand and strengthen its distribution network in northwestern Europe, with Michael Schilling, COO Road Logistics at Dachser saying:

European Scheme to Invest Millions in Greening the Fleet

EUROPE – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Dutch bank ABN Amro have signed an agreement to unlock €150 million in financing, to support the European shipping industry's aim to reduce its carbon footprint. Open to both inland shipping and seagoing operators, the finance facility will be made available to companies for the retrofitting of existing vessels as well as for projects that envisage the construction of new vessels with a green innovation aspect. EIB Vice-President Pim van Ballekom, said:

Management System Ensures Timely and Low Cost Orders

WORLDWIDE – To most people mention of gas brings to mind turning on the oven, powering up a fork lift or filling a lighter but to the ships engineer gases are a vital tool in the maintenance of a modern vessel. A bewildering range of gases and gas mixtures which range across many different applications, one of which is the calibration of highly specialised equipment such as gas detectors, often critical on certain types of merchant ships.

Operators Rewarded for Reduced Emissions

UK – The Port of London is the second biggest port in the UK with some seventy terminals, handling supplies of life's essentials, from food, drink and consumer goods to fuel, cars and building materials. Now some of the 10,000 merchant vessels which call at facilities in the Thames every year are able to claim the country's first port charge discount for cleaner ships. In the first quarter of 2017 sixty six vessels, including container ships, bulk tankers and car carriers were able to claim their bonus for exceeding international emissions standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in a scoring scheme run by the World Ports Climate Initiative.

Authority Issues Modification Notice in Passageway

PANAMA – The Panama Canal Authority has issued a Notice to Shipping that any freight or passenger vessel intending to transit the canal must switch from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to light, distillate fuel prior to entering Canal zone waters. Vessels with intentions to transit the Panama Canal that need to anchor at the Pacific or Atlantic Anchorages, or vessels that plan to call at the Pacific or Atlantic port terminals, will be permitted to use residual HFO fuel to operate their auxiliary engines, boilers and other ancillary equipment during their stay at the anchorage or at the berth. However, these vessels will be required to perform a changeover from HFO to distillate fuel that is used to operate their propulsion engines prior to entering Canal waters.

The Weekly Snippets Collation

UK – Freight forwarder Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) has opened a new branch in Aberdeen, specialised in services for the Oil & Gas industry. The 11,000 square metre facility has been fully operational since the end of March and will offer enhanced international freight forwarding and integrated supply chain solution services to the Oil & Gas industry as well as core sea freight, airfreight and overland solutions.

Toyota Reveals Secret Project that Has Been Under Development

US – If the recent tweet by Elon Musk about Tesla's intention to soon field an all-electric semi-truck caused disruption amongst the share prices of traditional HGV manufacturers, it has also apparently inspired one major potential rival to reveal their own experimental concept zero-emission truck.

20 Year Cooperation Results in Takeover

US – Samskip is to expand its global refrigerated foods transportation interests once more, announcing plans for its US arm to acquire the activities of New Jersey-based freight forwarder Rimar Consultants. Rimar is responsible for container business equivalent to between 10,000-12,000 TEU per year and says it has developed a loyal customer base over a 35-year company history, largely focused on US seafood and meat exports. Relations between Samskip and Rimar extend back over a 20-year period, and the established relationship between the pair suggest that the merger is unlikely to prove disruptive.

Brands Have Improved Working Conditions but Stand Accused over Supply Chain Methods

MADAGASCAR – In a fairly lengthy (for us) article in February we highlighted the dispute at the Port of Toamasina (Tamatave) and the plight of the those workers dismissed by the management, allegedly for joining a union the Syndicat General Maritime de Madagascar (SYGMMA), and in an action which contravenes the country's labour laws. Now the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) which has been running a campaign on behalf of the dockers, has ramped up the pressure by targeting an international brand which manufactures in the country and exports via the port.

Mercedes Benz Provides New Van to Specialist Medical Care Facility

UK – Mercedes-Benz Vans have donated a new Vito van to the Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes. The vehicle has been assigned to the hospice's Facilities Management team and is now supporting the charity's network of shops. It will also be used to transport bulky promotional materials to and from fund-raising and other events. Mercedes-Benz Vans operates from its UK headquarters also in Milton Keynes and is a long-term supporter of the charity.

Who is Going Where This Week in the Freight and Logistics Sectors

UK – The world's second largest container freight carrier, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced two appointments to its UK Board of Directors, effective immediately. Jonathan Burke has been named UK Operations Director, to succeed Kelvin Wilden, who has announced his decision to retire after 14 years at the company. Michael Collins has been named to the newly created role of Commercial Director.

A Chance to Win Your Very Own Boat in Falmouth Raffle

UK – In a generous move some of those involved in the maritime industry have decided to donate the fruits of their latest labours to a local charity. The boatbuilding apprentices from Falmouth Marine School, part of the Cornwall College Group, who built the replica of a Grand Banks Dory shown in our photograph, asked if the school would hold a raffle, featuring the Dory as the main prize, to raise money for local children's charity, Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) which cares for youngsters with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Two Crew Dead Several Missing

BLACK SEA – Panama flagged cargo vessel, the Geroi Arsenala has reportedly split in two and sunk during harsh weather conditions in the Kerch Strait in the territorial waters of the disputed region of Crimea, in the early hours of April 19. Russian officials have apparently reported at least seven of the ship's crew members missing.

A Good Design Can Prove its Worth for Decades

UK – A good idea remains a good idea, often despite the passing of the decades and this is very much the case with a product introduced at a time when Health & Safety did not have quite the same connotations or weight which it does today. A time when it was common for warehouse staff to change a light bulb up in the eaves of a depot whilst standing on the bare polished metal blades of a fork lift truck, or collate parcels high up from racking perching aloft on an unsecured wooden pallet, one company began to produce what has become now one of its most successful products.

Golden Peacock Awards Recognise Freight Trade Facilitator

INDIA – UAE – DP World has won three of the categories at the prestigious Golden Peacock Awards 2017, the annual business event organised by the Indian Institute of Directors (IOD). Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World was voted by business executives for the Leadership Award with DP World's Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT) winning a distinguished award in the Innovative Product category. Meanwhile, World Security, part of the DP World Group based in Dubai, won an award in the Business Excellence category.

Donated Fire Engine and Ambulances Delivered from Japan to El Salvador

JAPAN – EL SALVADOR – Container shipping line Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (K Line) is once again providing free ocean freight transporting a fire engine and two ambulances donated by the Japan Firefighters Association (JFA) to the Republic of El Salvador. The vehicles are part of a program run by the JFA which supplies vehicles to developing countries to improve their emergency services.

High Levels of Banned Chemicals May Still Be Present in Some Products

WORLDWIDE – In the past few years worries over chemical biocidal antifouling coatings have largely subsided with the advent of robot hull cleaning systems and the tightening of regulations regarding toxicity. Now however a note of concern has been raised, admittedly by some with a vested interest, calling for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to investigate the levels of tin in silicone-based foul release systems and other ships hull coatings.

Might New Tesla Semi in Advanced Development Render Fossil Fuel Dinosaur Rigs Extinct

US –WORLDWIDE – An enigmatic tweet by entrepreneur Elon Musk has thrown the US semi-truck market into some confusion. On 13 April the CEO of both Space-X and Tesla announced that 'Tesla Semi Truck unveil set for September. Team has done an amazing job. Seriously next level.' Other than that details are basically non-existent and Tesla is being tight lipped about the project.

Hyperloop One Completes Best Ideas for Infrastructure Roll Out Competition

US – Hyperloop One, the potentially revolutionary new transportation mode now under development, has completed a year-long consultation to examine and define routes which would best benefit the US economy and its citizens most, in what the company believes will be the first step in revolutionising American, and indeed the World's, transportation infrastructure. Proposals were made by local stakeholders and transportation authorities and from these Hyperloop identified eleven corridors which the company states would connect 35 metro areas and 83 million Americans.

Twelve Year Agreement Concluded

UAE – Dubai based port operator DP World has reached an agreement with the Port of Fujairah to end the deal to operate the Fujairah Port concession. DP World entered into the agreement in 2005 on a build, operate and transfer basis (BOT) to expand and develop the Fujairah Container Terminal at the port for container handling and transhipment. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, commented on this change in what is the fifth largest of the United Arab Emirates, saying:

New Technology for Multi-Purpose Freight Facility

GERMANY – A fully-automatic system for monitoring reefer containers has been introduced at the C. Steinweg (Sud-West Terminal) multi-purpose cargo handling facility at the Port of Hamburg. The system has been developed and launched by the Austrian technology group Identec Solutions, specialists in wireless sensor and localisation applications.

New Charter Offers Lift On Lift Off Service Between the UK and Belgium

UK – BELGIUM – P&O Ferries will launch a new freight service next month between the ports of Hull and Zeebrugge. The ferry and logistics company has chartered the 118 metre Elisabeth, a 5,000 tonne LiLo container ship, which will make three round-trips per week between the Humberside location and P&O's main continental hub. Janette Bell, Managing Director of P&O Ferries, said:

European Freight Giant Seeks Expansion in South America

GERMANY – BRAZIL – DHL Supply Chain has announced that it intends to acquire control of the Brazilian road haulage carrier Polar Transportes, retaining the company's management team. The company is a specialist service provider for the Life Sciences and Healthcare industry with 400 full-time employees specialising in temperature-controlled transportation which DHL claims has a strong reputation in terms of technology, quality and regulatory compliance.

Appointments From Road Haulage to Air Cargo

UK – Ahead of its float on London's Alternative Investment Market, several Directors have vacated their roles at Eddie Stobart, including William Stobart, youngest son of Founder Eddie Stobart. Ian Duncan, Saki Riffner, and Ben Whawell as announced are also stepping down. Chief Executive Alex Laffey, CFO Damien Harte, Stephen Harley, and Chairman Philip Swatman have been named to replace the outgoing directors.

Yes, It Is a Day Early This Week

WORLDWIDE – In a break from the norm our usual Friday freight round up is moved to today as it is Good Friday tomorrow. So here is the weekly round-up of the stories that did not make the front pages.

Ten Members of the Al Kausar Safe

SOMALIA – Just days after recovering the Indian commercial vessel the Al Kausar Somali security forces have successfully rescued the remaining members of the crew on early Wednesday morning, with the operation also leading to the arrest of four pirates. The ship's master confirmed that none of the crew were harmed during their 12-day ordeal. The Al Kausar became the second vessel to be seized by pirates in this recent surge of activity in the waters off Somalia.

HHL Supporting Jangkrik Field with Specialist Logistics

INDONESIA – Hansa Heavy Lift (HHL) has successfully transported two dozen reels, as well as a range of subsea equipment for the Jangkrik Complex Project, off the coast of Indonesia. The HHL Richards Bay picked up the cargo on behalf of client Technip from the ports of Rosyth, Le Trait and Tanjung Langsat before discharging the cargo at Balikpapan, Indonesia onto the offshore vessel Viking Neptun, in five mobilisations. Henry Woo, Head of Asia Pacific, HHL, said:

Another One Bites the Dust as Expected

SINGAPORE – In November 2016 one of the oldest established names in the global shipping industry which can date its origins back to the 1830's, Hamburg based Rickmers Holding AG, issued a press release concerning the imminent demise of its Singapore based associate group Rickmers Maritime Trust (RMT), Singapore, the container vessel owning arm of trustee manager Rickmers Trust Management. The release went to great pains to point out that, due to the sale of the management company one month earlier the links between that operation and the holding company were almost entirely divorced from each other, with problems in Asia having no operational impact on the vessels owned by Rickmers Group.

Anticipated Tunnel Scheme Keenly Awaited by Some Aims to Relieve Congestion from Key Freight Bottleneck

UK – The Department for Transport (DoT) has announced its preferred route for a new multi-billion pound road link across the River Thames between Essex and Kent as a means of relieving congestion at the Dartford Crossing. With the hope that it could create more than 6,000 jobs and boost the economy by more than £8 billion, the government has opted for the most expensive route, Option C or 3, which will see a new link, between the A2 and the M25. Road haulage and wildlife groups have both immediately commented on what was always going to be a contentious decision.

DHL Now Plans to Sell to Other Users

GERMANY – EUROPE – Catching up to previous reports we hear that, due to the success of their StreetScooter electric vehicles, the Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced that it plans to double the production capacity from 10,000 to as many as 20,000 by the end of the year. For this purpose, the company will commission another production location in North Rhine-Westphalia and will announce further details in due course.

Release of EC Non-Confidential Decision Shows Depth of Corruption

UK – EUROPE – The ongoing case of the European truck cartel which has seen many of the manufacturers collude and conspire with regard to vehicle prices and emissions has reached a new phase with the release this week of the European Commission (EC) settlement decision on the matter. This has fanned the flames for those who propose a class action, of the type we have seen so often across the Atlantic, to reimburse those road haulage operators left out of pocket.

Custom Built Crates Enable Safe Stowage Aboard Aircraft

UK – SOUTH KOREA – News comes of yet another huge project freight forwarding consignment undertaken by specialist heavy lift air carrier Antonov Airlines which recently used one of its seven AN-124-100 aircraft, each capable of carrying up to 150 tonnes, to ship three giant compressors from its UK base at London Stansted Airport to Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea.

European Commission Allows Acquisition Subject to Restrictions

DENMARK – GERMANY – The European Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition of German container line Hamburg Süd by the Danish competitor Maersk Line, though subject to conditions, with the Commission citing concerns on the potential for the combined company to restrict trade on certain routes. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:

Ransom Fears for Abducted Crew Members Taken From Hijacked Vessel

SOMALIA – YEMEN – With reports of Somali forces recovering the Indian-owned commercial vessel, the Al Kausar and two of her crew following her seizure earlier this month, news comes of an yet another attack, this time thwarted by international counter-piracy naval forces operating in the Gulf of Aden. The past few weeks have seen a resurgence of pirate related activity off the coast of Somalia, after a five-year lull which saw incidents all but stop with the help of naval patrols, private security guards, and increased self-protection measures.

First Container Train Heads East - Faster than Sea Cheaper than Air

UK – China – The first freight train from the UK to China has departed today from DP World's London Gateway rail freight terminal, as site usually associated with deep sea shipping. It will carry thirty shipping containers containing whisky, pharmaceuticals and baby products and, at a ceremony to see the train off, DP World's Chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, told gathered guests at that 'London Gateway has joined the Silk Road. '

Port of Felixstowe welcomes new NET Service

EUROPE – TURKEY – The Port of Felixstowe has welcomed the first call of a new service connecting North Europe and Turkey. Known as the 'North Europe Turkey Express' (NET), the new weekly service is jointly operated by container lines Cosco Shipping and OOCL. Commenting on the inaugural call, Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Felixstowe and Managing Director of Hutchison Ports Europe, said:

Staff Moves Announced This Week

NORWAY – SWEDEN – Norwegian maritime firm Wilhelmsen and Swedish shipping line Wallenius have received all the necessary approvals from competition authorities to complete the merger deal which will see a new ownership structure of their jointly owned entities Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, EUKOR Car Carriers, and American Roll on Roll off Carrier, which the two companies hope will create a more sustainable shipping and logistics platform.

Items of Logistics and Shipping Industry News that did not hit the Headlines

WORLDWIDE – The Woodland Group has been signed by the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) as their official logistics partner. The new partnership will see Woodland oversee all of the Championships logistic requirements on an ongoing basis across three continents. Kevin Stevens, CEO of Woodland Group, spoke positively about the new partnership. He explained:

Tbilisi has New Residents Thanks to Donation

NETHERLANDS – GEORGIA – Coyne Airways gave Tbilisi Zoo a helping hand by safely delivering its latest residents this week. A tiger, seven red-neck wallabies, six Barbary sheep, and 24 African penguins made the trip from the Netherlands to Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sunday, April 2 on board a Coyne Airways Boeing 777 freighter. The animals were donated as part of a project to repopulate the zoo, following a flood, caused by a freak storm in June 2015, in which hundreds of the zoo's animal inhabitants and at least 20 humans tragically lost their lives.

Sri Lankan and Indian Authorities Rescue Crew and Extinguish Major Blaze

SRI LANKA – INDIA – The Sri Lankan Navy received a distress call on April 4 at approximately 1030hrs from the 14,000 TEU container ship, MSC Daniela, to tackle a blaze that had broken out toward the bow of the vessel. En route to Port Said from Singapore, the MSC Daniela was around 120 nautical miles off Colombo, Sri Lanka, when her crew initiated emergency procedures in an attempt to control the fire, but when their efforts failed, the distress call went out for immediate assistance. MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) reported no injuries to the 22-man crew of the Panamanian flagged vessel.

China to UK System Goes Live This Month

NETHERLANDS – UK – A new start-up company, Twill Logistics, has been launched by Damco, the freight forwarding and supply chain management group which itself is part of the A P Møller Maersk empire. The new venture is designed to be a virtual digital freight forwarder which allows suitable customers more direct control over their consignments.

Group Celebrates Drivers Safety Achievements as Record Mileages Reached

US – In a week it has offered thanks to the extraordinary achievements of some of its truck drivers XPO Logistics tells us it has been ranked this year as the largest logistics company in North America on the Transport Topics 2017 list of Top 50 Logistics Companies. The ranking is based on various company's 2016 net revenue. XPO has moved up from the number two spot in 2016 and was at number 12 in 2015. Troy Cooper, chief operating officer of XPO Logistics expanded on achieving this latest ranking saying:

Loss of Main Client Likely Spells End of Service

US – APM Terminals has said that it will likely end its operations at its Tacoma container terminal after its main customer, Matson, announced that its subsidiary had elected to use its joint venture partner SSA Terminals for stevedoring and terminal services at the Port after the existing agreement with APM Terminals expires on December 31.

Fourth Ship in Three Weeks Taken

SOMALIA – As the EU Naval Force urges ships to remain vigilant when transiting the Indian Ocean, reports coming out of Somalia suggest that a second vessel in as many days has been hijacked in Somali waters. Whilst details remain vague, pirates apparently hijacked a small Pakistani boat, the Salama 1 off the coast of Galmudug, an autonomous region in central Somalia, on Monday April 3 in what has most likely become the fourth attack in less than three weeks.

Long Tradition of STOL Aircraft Continues On

UKRAINE – SAUDI ARABIA – Aircraft manufacturer Antonov has demonstrated their new multipurpose aircraft, the AN-132D, as the aircraft took to the skies for its maiden flight on Friday 31 March 2017, from the companys airfield in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Levels Up 11% From Last Year

UK – P&O Ferries reports that it has carried more freight across the English Channel in the first three months of the year than in any first quarter in the company's modern history. The ferry and logistics company's six ships on the Dover-Calais route transported 361,100 lorries during January, February, and March. This figure was almost 11% higher than the corresponding period in 2016 and 9% higher than the previous best ever Q1 in 2012. Janette Bell, Managing Director of P&O Ferries, said:

Logistics Bash First Day Ends on a High Note

UK – For many of the country's freight forwarders and shippers the Multimodal Exhibition at Birminghams's NEC is the high point of their commercial year, a chance to offer their wares, take a look at new products, network with old friends and colleagues and catch up on current thinking at the various forums which are carried on throughout the three day event.

Green Vessels and Smart Shipyards on the Agenda

SOUTH KOREA – As Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) splits into 4 independent companies, the group has announced plans to invest a total of US$3.1 billion in research and development over the next five years aimed at advancing the core shipbuilding business. The investment marks a big step for HHI, as it begins to look to the future of an industry in which it has struggled for many years.

Analysis of Usage Allows for More Efficiency to Passenger and Freight Services

UK – A massive timetable shakeup is being implemented after Britains rail freight industry collaborated over a two-year, industry-wide review into more efficient freight operations. Together, Network Rail and freight operators identified 50% of the reserved slots on the railway for freight trains were not being used and could potentially be given up for thousands of new passenger and freight services.

Is Size of Vessels to Blame, or Anomalies in Cargo?

SOUTH ATLANTIC – WORLDWIDE – The sinking of the 266,000 tonne Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) Stellar Daisy on Friday has once again raised the issue of the safety of such huge vessels and of the nature of their cargoes. The ship apparently went down rapidly with the crew able to send out only one brief text to alert the owners, Polaris Shipping, that the vessel as going down. Of the 24 crew on board two have been recovered and hope is fading of finding any more survivors.

Move Welcomed by Industry Representatives

UK – A group of employers from within the UK's freight and logistics industry has been given the green light by the UK Department for Education to develop the standard for a specific International Freight Forwarding Operative apprenticeship. For years now interested parties from across the supply chain have been calling on the UK government to address the chronic shortage of skilled workers within the sector, and with increasing pressures on the industry to deliver goods to increasingly tight timescales, the need for skilled HGV drivers only becomes more evident, with estimates that there could be up to 35,000 vacancies for trained operators across the country.

Government Makes Request over Safety Concerns

THAILAND – Road freight hauliers in the Kingdom of Thailand have been asked by the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to stop operations during the upcoming festival of Songkran, which this year is scheduled to run from the 13 to the 15 of April. However, in reality the celebration normally has a major build up and runs several days past the actual holiday and so the DLT has requested that road freight suspend operations from the 11 to the 17 of this month.

Five Year Attack Moratorium Seems to be Over

SOMALIA – It appears, after a five year hiatus, it seems that the scourge of piracy off of Somalia might well be returning. After the seizure of an oil tanker and a fishing dhow two weeks ago reports state that the Al Kaushar an Indian vessel with a crew of eleven, was seized by pirates on the 1 April and is currently headed for the coast of Puntland, one of the semi-autonomous states that have appeared in the wake of Somalia's long running civil war.

220,000 Pounds Raised so far for Critical Training and Infrastructure Projects

UK – SOUTH AFRICA – In a footnote to our previous report outlining their efforts in the recent Transaid Cycle South Africa Challenge, the total raised by the intrepid 40 people from across the transport and logistics industry, many of whom had been in training for the challenge for over a year, has now risen to an incredible £220,000 with money still rolling in.

Cube Calculation Device Goes on Show

US – Northrop Grumman Corporation subsidiary, Adaptive Optics Associates (AOX) will introduce its new DynaDim PF1000 In-Motion Dimensional Pallet Scanner and AOX ImageHub at the PROMAT 2017 show in Chicago from today. The DynaDim Dimensioner is the logistic industry's first in-motion travel lane dimensional scanner. The system measures freight while it is being transported by forklifts in the normal operational flow through the supply chain.