Shipping Search - Archive

New Initiative to Repress and Deter Hijacks at Sea

DJIBOUTI – SOMALIA – HORN OF AFRICA – Another step forward yesterday in the constant fight to defeat the pirate forces which are proving the scourge of the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and beyond for freight, fishing and passenger ships alike. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with a view to clearing the way for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to fund the building of a regional training centre in Djibouti, to promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the region.

Intentions That Cooperation Will Strengthen Logistics Industries

DUBAI – In discussions recently two of Dubai’s foremost trade bodies have indicated their intention to form an alliance that will see both of their respective strengths combined in order to further enforce Dubai’s competitiveness both in the Gulf’s and Global freight and logistics industries.

Company also increases Chinese Airfreight Capacity

EUROPE – CHINA – GEFCO, the automotive freight forwarding specialist, has completed the acquisition of a 70% stake in Gruppo Mercurio, a major player in vehicle shipping and distribution in Italy and worldwide after getting a green light from competition authorities earlier this month. The group have now announced a new daily distribution service from the UK to 15 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain) which GEFCO say will result in shorter shipping times and lower costs for customers.

Safmarine Commence Increased Fruit Operations Again

SOUTH AFRICA – Container shipping line Safmarine and the other Southern Africa Europe Container Service (SAECS) member lines have reintroduced their seasonal Reefer Express (REX) service, which was first launched three years ago to provide extra capacity for agricultural freight exporters during the South African peak fruit season. Sailings were due to commence this weekend with service calls at Elizabeth/Cape Town/Tilbury/Rotterdam/Port Elizabeth with Lisbon subject to inducement on the northbound leg.

Outright Purchase Expands Share of Finnish Freight Market

FINLAND – Danish head-quartered logistics operator DSV has continued its expansion by just announcing that it has acquired a 100% of the shares in Finnish-based Wasa Logistics for an unspecified sum.

Gas Diesel Hybrids Now Offered

EUROPE – Volvo trucks has announced it has just launched their new Volvo FM MethaneDiesel truck. The new vehicle is powered by a combination of diesel and methane gas which according to Volvo could potentially reduce CO2 emissions from heavy and long-distance freight and logistics operations by a considerable amount.

Cosmetics Group Award European Supply Chain Contract

Europe - Spanish cosmetics company The Colomer Group has awarded Kuehne + Nagel the warehousing, picking & packing and distribution activities for its hair care products Revlon Professional and American Crew throughout much of Europe.

Tunnels, Bridges and Pay Roads Paint a Confused Picture

US – EUROPE – With the news this week that American Roads Investments (ARI) is extending the use of an application for smartphones to simplify the payment of tolls on the company’s facilities, another option is available to those who bear responsibility for raising money for the use of highway pay as you go transit, something which freight truck drivers in both continents face with increasing frequency.

Three Companies Join to Provide Service

WORLDWIDE – The sight of an expensive boat being loaded aboard the deck of a container ship or stowed in the belly of an aircraft always stirs the most hardened of experienced freight forwarding cynics. Each one knows the stresses of the logistics involved and the nervousness that accompanies the shipping of such large and vulnerable pieces – especially when the craft in question is a thoroughbred racing yacht.

Councils Need to Spend More to Reduce Accidents and Trucking Expenses

UK – Yesterday the Labour Party estimated that the bill for repairing Britain’s roads was as high as £13.4 billion and that 92% of the Councils which responded to their survey stated they had insufficient funds to effect repairs. Given that, once reported, it is the legal obligation of a local authority to repair potholes, for fear of legal liability should a subsequent accident occur, the bill could actually be even higher. Now the Freight Transport Association has spoken out on the subject on behalf of the nation’s road haulage interests.

Latest Hirings and Firings Across the Globe During the Past Few Weeks

UK – Both the leading road freight transport associations had announcements at board level in the past month. Stewart Oades has been elected to serve a second two-year term as President of the Freight Transport Association at a recent FTA Board meeting. Stewart, who is a Director of Palmer and Harvey and a Trustee of international development charity Transaid, took over as FTA President from Andrew Haines in April 2009. He has been on the FTA Board since 2007, and has over 30 years’ experience in the logistics industry. He has an honours degree in business studies and a CPC which he was awarded by FTA in the early 1980s.

Company's Social Responsibility Report Called 'A Fairy Tale' by Unions

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – There were demonstrations at express freight group DHL’s AGM in Frankfurt this week by unions against what they describe as ‘the disregard of fundamental labour rights’ by the Deutsche Post DHL group. The company stands accused of extreme employment practices in several of the countries in which it operates, charges strenuously denied in a statement to the Handy Shipping Guide.

Compensation Claims Stimulate Action - But is it Practical?

UK – One morning in September 2008 Anatolij Kuzmenok claims he was using a zebra crossing in his home town of Wisbech when a truck operated by Worcester haulage company David Curnock struck him causing serious injuries. This week saw a £300,000 compensation claim at the High Court for his horrific injuries, eleven broken ribs, a crushed chest and severely damaged arm plus a head injury that may leave him prone to epilepsy in later life.

Boss Confident at Beating the Opposition

UK - Freight and logistics companies who incorporate a warehouse element in their supply chain service package are always on the lookout for ways to ensure the standard of goods consolidation and the safety of pallet loads in transit. Now Polythene UK tell us they are offering a new ‘Power stretch’ turntable, capable of stretching film by up to 300% more than rival packing equipment, providing the user with significant cost savings.

Ofer Brothers Denies Deliberately Selling Tanker to Rogue State

USA / IRAN / UK / UAE / SINGAPORE / ISRAEL / VENEVUELA / MONACO – The announcement by the US State Department that it has imposed sanctions upon seven shipping and associated companies continues to cause consternation amongst both the boards of those organisations affected and in the wider world of national politics.

Mr. Yoshio Sasamura - Remembered Particularly for his Contribution to Tanker Safety

JAPAN - One of the stalwarts responsible for the safety of freight shipping, particularly tankers has died. Mr. Yoshio Sasamura of Japan, a veteran of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and a major contributor to its work over many decades, has died. He was 84 and had been battling with cancer. In a long and illustrious career, Mr. Sasamura dedicated more than 50 years' service to improving maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment.

K + N Gets Further Mileage from Tyre Giant

SOUTH AFRICA – German freight forwarding group Kuehne + Nagel has taken over the management of the plant warehouse operation for Continental Tyre S.A. (Pty) Ltd at their production premises in Port Elizabeth after successfully providing supply chain services for the tyre producer in other countries.

CMA CGM Name New Box Vessel and Add Extra Greek Stop

FRANCE – GREECE – French ocean container line CMA CGM announced the christening of their latest addition, the Maltese flagged vessel was delivered by Korean group Hyundai Heavy Industries on the 21st April, with the naming of the 11,400 TEU CMA CGM Titan at the Dunkirk Freight Terminal in the presence of her ‘godmother’, Mrs Laurence Parisot, President of the French employers federation, MEDEF. The company says it is determined to see France and its port terminals regain their position in the international shipping arena, hence the local ceremony.

Industry Resentful of EU Interference after Conference Agreements Banned

EUROPE – Following last weeks story regarding raids by the EU Competition Commission on several major container carriers it seems the investigation was in part sparked by the shipping lines ability to bounce back from two dismal years after the abolition of the conference lines agreements which had traditionally provided stability within the ocean freight industry.

Wheels of Power Slowly Turn Toward Private Security Option

SOMALIA – UK – WORLDWIDE – The scourge of piracy, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the waters beyond, would seem to be facing a threat of its own as the powers that be tire of the continual attacks on merchant shipping and their inability to respond effectively. Privately armed security detachments accompanying container, general cargo and bulk freight vessels travelling through the danger zone seem to have been given tacit acceptance, if not approval, after long discussions at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in past weeks.

Maersk Line the Latest to Reduce Hardwood Demand

WORLDWIDE – After our article last November in which French container shipping giant CMA CGM indicated they were looking for a way to eliminate tropical hardwood from the construction of their container floors, the biggest freight firm on the box line block, Maersk Line, have issued their own statement regarding policy on sustainable timber.

Motorway Service Areas Need Upgrade Says RHA

UK – As the price of fuel has increased apparently the latter day spectre of theft from parked vehicles is returning to haunt road haulage outfits, as well as ordinary motorists. The large quantities of diesel used by a freight or general delivery truck is bound to appeal to cash strapped thieves, some of whom it appears are willing to resort to violence.

Illegal Alien Trade is a Global Problem

MEXICO – US – Those in Europe who are concerned about the illegal entry of immigrants will be staggered by the scale the problem sometime reaches across the Atlantic. With the free movement of EU nationals across borders the difficulties of only allowing genuine asylum cases from outside the European economic zone have been exacerbated. A recent discovery in two trucks declared as carrying freight across from Mexico into the United States this week illustrates just how massive the scale of the problem compared with the pathetic individuals who attempt to stowaway on vehicles crossing the Channel or similar international borders.

Ocean Cargo Under the Spotlight as Offices Raided by Officials

EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – The European Competition Commission has confirmed that on Tuesday it commenced a series of unannounced raids on the offices of many of the world’s largest container shipping lines. The freight carriers are well used to accusations of collaboration and there has always been a fine line between cartel activity and shipping associations meeting to discuss the stability of the container freight trade such as the Trans Pacific Stabilization Agreement.

UKBA Under the Microscope as Officers Concentrate on Passport Control

UK – Having come under heavy criticism for exercising poor control over the number of migrant workers entering the country just three days ago, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has once more come under attack for ineffectiveness in its examination of the freight imported and exported in shipping containers.

India Again the Site for Expansion by Truck Manufacturer

INDIA – Last year saw a spate of announcements from freight truck manufacturers who had intentions of expanding their manufacturing interests in the country to seize a larger market share of the domestic haulage trade and potentially gain from lower manufacturing costs and thus be more competitive in a growing export market.

Grimaldi Lines Open Second Service

NETHERLANDS – The Italian shipping company Grimaldi Lines which utilises a range of types in its freight fleet including RoRo multipurpose vessels, container ships and car and truck carriers, will once again be using the USA terminal of the Ter Haak Group in Amsterdam as the first unloading port in its Southern Express Service. On Friday 13th May the Port of Amsterdam welcomed the first ship of this liner service at Ter Haak’s.

Johnson Stevens Fold Days After New Route Agreements and Unifeeder Act Immediately

UK – One of the oldest and most respectable freight liner agencies in the country has entered administration apparently blaming the European Union embargo on Iranian vessels as a principal cause. Johnson Stevens Agencies was established in 1976 by charismatic director Derek Johnson MBE and acted as agents for the Iranian state shipping line IRISL amongst many others.

Rickmers Claim Largest Box Carrier Ever in the Region

BALTIC - The arrival from China of the Rickmers owned containership Maersk Elba at the DCT Gdansk terminal on 11th May marked a new era in Baltic shipping. At 13,092 TEU and carrying containers 17-wide below deck and 19-wide on the hatch covers, she is the biggest freight carrying box vessel by far ever handled by a Baltic port.

Irish Ferries Scoop Another Prize

IRELAND - Irish Ferries has added to its tally of top awards by winning the prestigious International Marketing Award at the Irish Marketing Institute of Ireland’s All Ireland Marketing Awards which were presented recently. The RoRo company handles both passenger and freight traffic on its services running between both France and the UK to and from Ireland.

CEVA Support Cancer Charity

UK – Supply chain and logistics specialists CEVA once again ensured the sleepless participants in this year’s London Moonwalk in aid of the breast cancer care were well provided with refreshments during their nocturnal activities. 15,000 bra clad power walking women (and some brave yet dubiously attired men) strode across the capital to enable them to collect sponsorship monies to assist the Walk the Walk charity which has grown from an initial trek for thirteen New York women fourteen years ago to the global phenomenon it is today.

Pressure Builds as Flag States Shun Responsibilities

WORLDWIDE – It is a regular occurrence for countries offering flags of convenience (FOC)to be roundly criticised, primarily in the case of bulk freight carriers and tankers which have the potential to cause devastation should anything untoward happen to them.

Update on Somali Situation

SOMALIA – GULF OF ADEN – Since our last report on the 6th May when EU Navfor announced the introduction of their new integrated maritime monitoring service (MARSURV) to allow tracking of container and bulk freight shipping in the danger area, there has been news of several interesting incidents involving merchant vessels terminating with the death of four pirates and the rescue of sixteen hostages.

Netherlands Based Line Continues Expansion

UK – SPAIN – NETHERLANDS – Since coming into being as recently as January 2009 when formed from three independent freight companies, Netherlands based WEC Lines BV (West European Container Lines) has continued to expand its services. The amalgamation of WEC Nederland BV, Holland Maas Shipping BV and Holland Maas Container Line BV has drawn on the collective experience of all parties and this week announced a further expansion of the company’s UK – Spanish box routes.

Custom Fork Truck for Port

UK – Poole Harbour has taken delivery of a custom-built multi-purpose forklift truck from Cooper SH that will allow the port to now handle some of the industry’s largest and heaviest containers.

US Group Continue Expansion

US – WORLDWIDE – Despite the comparative lowly status of the Baltic Dry Index, one group trading in the bulk freight sector seems intent on continuing to mop up any spare capacity it fancies. New York based Genco Shipping & Trading has announced today it has taken delivery of the Genco Avra, a 35,000 dwt Handysize newbuilding. The Genco Avra is the third of five vessels to be delivered to the Company under Genco's agreement previously announced last June to acquire five Handysize vessels from within the Metrostar group of companies.

JF Hillebrand Brings Old and New to London Wine Fair

UK - Renowned wines and spirits logistics expert JF Hillebrand, which has been entrusted with shipping the world’s oldest bottle of Champagne to the London International Wine Fair, is also using the event to showcase its supply chain management services for wines of more recent origin.

Sum On Top Of Company Donation

JAPAN - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines today reported that it has donated a total of about ¥55 million (US$680,000) to the Japan Red Cross Society and Central Community Chest for the Great East Japan Earthquake relief efforts. MOL raised the donation among MOL Group executives and employees through a massive, group-wide effort to support victim relief and reconstruction of quake-stricken areas, in which many of them participated.

Swiss Forwarders Relations With Huntsville Continue to Strengthen

USA / CHINA - Forwarding and logistics group Panalpina has strengthened its own controlled air freight network with the addition of a second direct weekly cargo flight between Huntsville, Alabama and Hong Kong, the ‘Dragon Wings’ service.

Road Freight Associations Hail Developments and Call for More

WORLDWIDE – Every six seconds someone is killed or seriously injured on the world's roads. Nine in ten casualties occur in developing countries, many are children. In an effort to combat this terrible attrition the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the “Decade of Action for Road Safety”.

Extends Agreement with Fiat Group

SPAIN / PORTUGAL - CEVA Logistics has extended its agreement with Fiat Group with the signing of a contract extension which will include the supply chain management for all Chrysler Group LLC brands (Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge).

Antwerp to Chongqing Service First Run Commences

BELGIUM / CHINA – A new trans-continental rail freight route began operations on Monday when the first train left the Port of Antwerp in Belgium on route to the city of Chongqing in Western China.

Reports and Offsetting Now Offered

EUROPE / MIDDLE EAST / NORTH AFRICA - DHL Freight is now offering two new environmentally-friendly products. Customers commissioning groupage (LTL), part-truckload (PTL) and full-truckload (FTL) services in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa can request CO2 emission reports detailing the CO2 footprint of their shipments for each route. The company is also offering the option to offset carbon emissions created during transport through certified external climate protection programs.

Karl Gernandt Named as New Boss

SWITZERLAND – A legendary figure of the freight industry, Klaus-Michael Kuehne, announced yesterday that he is to relinquish his role as Chairman of the Kuehne + Nagel Group, one of the world’s leading logistics companies. He will retain his majority shareholding and a place on the Group’s board.

Danish Giant Continues To Do Well

DENMARK – Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, has reported that the group’s net profit for the January-April, 2011 period has increased by 82% to $1.2bn. The rise is attributed to higher container freight rates, container volumes and oil prices.

New Barges Expressly Designed to Protect Alaskan Environment

ALASKA, USA - Crowley Maritime Corporation, who specialise in providing logistics and marine services throughout Alaska and in some of the world’s most environmentally sensitive areas has once again raised the bar in their commitment to protecting the Alaskan wilderness by commissioning two new, double-hulled petroleum tank barges.

Logistics Giant Offer Expertise for New Education Project

UK — DHL Express is partnering with the Manchester United Foundation, the football team’s official charity, to participate in a groundbreaking educational programme for local school children.

Fourth New Client in Month for Management Solutions Experts

UK - OfficeTeam, one of the UK's leading office products and services company has selected the ATMS StockTrack PLUS warehouse management system for the group’s supply chain.

Dutch Firm Manages Korea to Angola Tow Without Hitch

ANGOLA / NETHERLANDS - A specialized team lead by Netherlands-based Fairmount Marine has successfully completed the tow, mooring and positioning hook-up of the floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) Pazflor off the coast of Angola after a massive 11,000 mile journey starting in Korea.

DSV Expands Presence in Energy Sector

DENMARK / UK – Danish based DSV has seen first quarter profits rise in line with those of other freight forwarders and logistics specialists and a move to larger premises in a Scottish part of their operation demonstrates the group’s confidence in the expanding UK energy sector.

New Sao Paulo Office Latest in Old Hands Expansion

DENMARK / BRAZIL – Long established freight forwarders Martin Bencher have announced that they have taken the next step in their expansion into new markets. The Danish-based shipping and forwarding service provider has opened a new office in Sao Paulo, which became operational from 6th of May, 2011.

UK and Bangladesh Companies Cooperation Success

UK / BANGLADESH - The relocation of an entire paper processing plant from the UK to Bangladesh has given heavy lift specialist Allseas Global Logistics the opportunity to demonstrate its experience and expertise in handling this type of complex project.

Signs Three Year Contract With Marshall Aerospace

UK - Following on from their extension of a major contract with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to handle the company’s part distribution network Schenker Limited, the UK arm of the global logistics provider, has announced that they have now been chosen by Marshall Aerospace to provide supply chain support for the movement of aircraft parts for Marshall’s civil and military customers.

Consolidation for International Brand

DUBAI – South African-based Barloworld Logistics has announced that it plans to rebrand Dubai-based Swift Freight International LLC as Barloworld Logistics in the Middle East in line with its corporate strategy to consolidate all of the company’s acquisitions under its main brand.

Second Berth Now Renovated

SOUTH AFRICA - State-owned freight, transport and logistics giant Transnet Limited today celebrated a significant milestone in its 5.4 billion Rand ($800 million) expansion of the Cape Town Container Terminal with the announcement of the completion of deepening and refurbishment work at Berth 602, the second of four berths to undergo such upgrades at the terminal.

Where is a Consistent Policy on Piracy? At Least EU Naval Force Has A New Tool to Fight Back

WORLDWIDE – The past month has seen the usual assortment of pirate stories relevant to those with an interest in freight matters and ocean cargo transport in particular. The situation has once again highlighted the woeful lack of consistency when dealing with those suspected of buccaneering activities, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Industry Recognises Its Most Inspirational Women

UK – Now a regular feature for the UK’s logistic industry, the MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards has announced it’s winners for 2011 at a ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel in London which saw politicians and heads of industry gather to salute the UK transport sectors most successful women.

Provides Pro-Bono Domestic Delivery of Relief Supplies

JAPAN – DHL has announced themselves as the latest logistics company to offer their assistance to the Japanese government following the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Northern Japan on the 11th of March this year.

Shaka Express Will Cater For Growing Market

INDIAN OCEAN / ASIA – French-based CMA CGM have announced that from the 8th of May they will be launching a new service linking Asia, Indian Ocean Islands and South Africa to cater for what they say is a rapidly growing market.

K + N Collect Plaudits and Business in a Good Week

EUROPE – Whilst it has been a comparatively quiet period for the freight and logistics world due to the plethora of holidays in the past few days this week has seen good news for German group Kuehne + Nagel who have received an award from the most prestigious of customers and signed a long term contract for logistics and supply chain services including storage and distribution of frozen products for another existing client.

Cross Border Traffic Targeted by Schenker

ROMANIA – In a continuation of their corporate strategy DB Schenker Rail have formally integrated Logistic Services Danubius SRL into their rail freight network by officially renaming the company DB Schenker Rail Romania SRL. In a press release yesterday Schenker confirmed Danubius, which has offered industrial railroad, block train traction and logistics services at several sites in Romania since 2000, was now clearly their vehicle in the country to persuade more freight from road haulage to rail. Hans-Georg Werner, Member of the Management Board of DB Schenker Rail responsible for Region East commented:

How Supply Chain Can Avoid London Disruption

UK – With over a million people expected to descend on London during next summer’s Olympic Games the UK’s Freight Transport Association is holding a conference so that the logistics sector can plan how to minimise disruption to their business and the capital’s supply chain.

Panalpina Announce Q1 figures

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – Freight forwarding and logistics group Panalpina have reported a strong double digit growth in profitability compared to the first quarter 2010 and volume increases in air and ocean freight sectors in their first quarter figures released today. Panalpina reported Gross profit increased by 14% (+22% currency adjusted) year-on-year to CHF 373 million which, together with ongoing cost discipline measures introduced by the group, led to a jump in EBITDA to CHF 56 million (Q1 2010: CHF 10 million).

Arms Smuggling Warning as War of Words Intensifies

MIDDLE EAST – Though many in the West have hailed the wave of discontent that has swept the Arab world, the ‘Arab Spring’, as most likely a positive thing for the future of the Middle-East and the peoples of the region for the prospective benefits that greater degrees of democratic freedom should engender, for the international shipping industry the situation has thrown up an increased threat from the age old problem of illicit arm smuggling.

Domestic Flights Appear Hardest Hit

INDIA – There is no end in sight to the conflict between striking air crew and Air India (AI) management as the situation deteriorated further yesterday with management apparently refusing to pay April salaries to pilots unavailable for work and passenger and air freight schedules decimated by the industrial action. Cargo flights were among the 90% of domestic service cancellations yesterday as the situation worsened and around 30% of revenue on passenger flights comes from freight carried in the holds of the company’s planes.

Anti Trust Cases Rumble On

US – Whilst much of the English speaking world enjoyed an extended Easter break and sat back to watch the Royal Wedding the air cargo cartel scandal proceeded regardless as two former Air France executives were indicted by a Chicago grand jury. The ongoing anti trust matter is just one of several similar cases against airlines and freight forwarders which we have reported on regularly.

Pall-Ex Founders Entrepreneurship Further Recognised

UK – Hilary Devey, founder of the Pall-Ex pallet distribution network, has once again had her business acumen recognised by being chosen to be the latest ‘dragon’ on the hit-TV show ‘Dragons Den’ which airs later this year.

IATA Publish Transport Statistics

WORLDWIDE - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) have announced scheduled international traffic results for March 2011 compiled from statistics which emanate from the organisations 230 plus members which represent almost 95% of the world’s scheduled passenger and freight carriers. Compared to February, global passenger demand fell by 0.3% in March, while cargo demand expanded by 4.5% with year-on-year growth in freight markets rebounded to 3.7% in March from the 1.8% recorded in the previous month.

Five Year Terms of Employment Await Confirmation

US – One third of all rail workers are represented by the United Transportation Union whose leaders have just agreed terms on wages, working conditions and employment benefits for the next five years, subject to ratification by its members, with the largest rail freight carriers in the country.

Vigilance Needs to be Heightened for Global Logistics

WORLDWIDE – The news that American special forces have succeeded in killing Osama Bin Laden has caused members of the global logistics industry to once again assess their security measures against the threats caused by terrorists attempts to use or disrupt critical infrastructure.