Shipping Search - Archive

May 2012

image: Turkish airlines freight strike trade unions ITF

Airlines on Collision Course with Staff

TURKEY –With the country having aspirations to becoming a member of the European Union the latest row which the Government finds itself embroiled in will do little to enhance its chances. Today the global transport union organisation ITF warned the Turkish government that its attack on airline workers’ rights is dragging the country’s name through the mud and will be resisted by international trade unions. Several Turkish Airline flights today were cancelled due to unexplained ’operational conditions’ affecting both freight and passenger services.

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image: Stop-painting.com freight terminal clear vinyl tape warehouse

New Clear Protective Tape from Stop-painting.com

US – Following the recent release of their new product range of vinyl tape floor marking products containing the unique combination of bevelled edges and recessed adhesive, both of which make the Superior Mark tape less liable to wear when constantly crossed by forklift tyres, Stop-painting.com have come up with another use for the technology for use in busy freight terminals and supplier warehouses.

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image: Australia Jones Act shipping freight union cabotage

Balanced Legislation or Protectionist Half Measures?

AUSTRALIA – There was a decidedly mixed reception today as the lower house defeated an attempt to refer a bundle of shipping reform bills to the Productivity Commission, effectively killing them off for several months. The new regulations seem to be, in some respects, a watered down version of the American ‘Jones’ Act, a piece of legislation loved and loathed with equal venom across the Pacific and feelings Down Under seem to be taking the same course, delighting unions but dismaying some freight and shipping interests.

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image: Netherlands tug salvage winch towline

Netherlands Consortium Cooperate to Produce Device

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – Anyone who has witnessed a cable part under tension, particularly a steel hawser whilst recovering a fishing net or, worse still, towing a large vessel, will be aware of the potentially devastating results of any ensuing accident. Yesterday at the 22nd International Tug, Salvage and OSV (ITS) convention in Barcelona a new device to lessen the dangers of towlines was unveiled which assists in the prevention of chafing whilst under way.

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image: UK bulk cargo LNG storage aluminium tanks storage tankers carrier

World's Largest Independent Insulated Gas Tanks Approved

UK – WORLDWIDE - Giant prismatic tanks which will reduce ‘sloshing’ and are suitable for widespread use as LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) containers have been approved by Lloyd’s Register. The ACTIB (Aluminium Cargo Tank Independent Type B) tanks, constructed of insulated aluminium 5083, will have the world’s largest storage capacity in an independent, insulated LNG tank system. The volume capacity in the initial design will be nearly three times larger than comparable types currently in operation.

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image: UK road haulage freight fuel RAC FairFuel

FairFuel UK Beats Off the Very Best Opposition

UK – FairFuelUK, the organisation supported by over a quarter of a million members of the public, and created by road hauliers and motoring organisations as a result of spiralling fuel costs and backed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the RAC, has been recognised for its work in lobbying the Government in order to stop planned fuel duty increases and fighting for lower fuel prices.

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image: NAFTA US Mexico freight Canada cargo trade surface statistics

Trade with Canada and Mexico Exceeds $85 Billion for the First Time

NORTH AMERICA - Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 6.2% higher in March 2012 than in March 2011, totalling $85.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. March 2012 was the highest month for the NATFA freight trade value since collection of data began in 1994, exceeding $85 billion for the first time and topping the previous record of $80.8 billion in March 2011.

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image: April air freight IATA cargo capacity carriers

IATA Releases Figures for April

WORLDWIDE – Figures out today from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) were talked up after revealing a downturn in the freight market with a drop in cargo carriage of over 4%. IATA ‘s claim that the 4.2% contraction in air freight markets compared to April 2011 is somewhat misleading as it uses as evidence the fact that air freight markets slumped sharply in the first half of 2011 and bottomed out towards the end of the year. This would seem to indicate that the figures are in fact worse rather than mitigated by the previous years fall.

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image: Volvo Hällered road haulage test track safety truck

New Swedish facility to Test Modern Active Technology

SWEDEN – You have to hand it to the truck and car manufacturer, when it comes to safety Volvo takes the subject very seriously and the group has unveiled the latest investment to try and make the world's of road haulage and private motoring a safer place. It was announced today that the financing has been secured for the new testing facility in Hällered, adjacent to the test track that Volvo has been operating there for several years. The new facility is primarily for the testing of new traffic-safety solutions.

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image: WEF freight logistics supply train trade

Importance of Emerging Markets Highlighted

WORLDWIDE - Last week saw the publication of ‘Global Enabling Trade Report’ by the World Economic Forum (WEF) which looks at factors such as tariffs, customs administration and border transparency to rank 132 countries according to their ability to enable trade. The report considers the issue of supply chain integrity and the steps both countries and companies can take to ensure that quality, security and trade are mutually reinforcing whilst criticising the analytic systems currently available to optimise freight and logistics systems.

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image: GAC SMHI pirate threat marine service logistics freight crimes

Fleetweb Now Ties Together Weather and Security Systems

WORLDWIDE – In response to the continuing interest in up to date information with regard to pirate attacks GAC and SMHI Weather Solutions, the alliance between the freight, logistics and marine support group GAC and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), has unveiled a new feature of its Fleetweb online application to alert users of co-ordinates and details of crimes against shipping.

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image: South Africa Ecosse tankers freight logistics supply chain

South African Deal to Buy Ecosse Tankers

SOUTH AFRICA – Working to their principal that says 70% of potential savings and service enhancements in a supply chain come from the re-engineering and integration of logistics processes, Barloworld Logistics have now confirmed their acquisition of fellow South African group Ecosse Tankers, a specialist transporter in hazardous acid-based chemicals, with an agreement effective from the 30th April.

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image: China international freight project forwarding logistics oil rig North Sea Shanghai Luojiing terminal stevedore tranship

Tuscor Lloyds Link Up China to the North Sea

CHINA – EUROPE – International freight and logistics group Tuscor Lloyds includes project forwarding in its arsenal and has just completed the shipment of a large and heavy consignment of anchor chain. As even small boat owners will acknowledge this commodity can be amongst the most complicated and difficult to manage cargo and when the shipment is destined for one of the large deep sea oil rigs in the North Sea, having to travel half the globe from Shanghai first, the complexity is easy to imagine.

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image: RFG intermodal rail freight transport cargo energy supply track charges

RFG Answers ORR Consultation in Diplomatic Fashion

UK – Last week the Freight Transport Association (FTA) was fast out of the blocks to broadly support the consultation document launched by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on the 17th May with regard to the proposed ‘track access charge’ for cargo travelling by rail stating that an early resolution was essential to its members interests. The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has today formally made its own response which is somewhat more concerned in tone, as one would expect from an organisation whose membership reads like a who’s who of rail track dependent companies.

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image: Phuket air freight forwarder logistics multinational virtual conference

Conqueror Network Aims at 200 Member Cities

THAILAND – WORLDWIDE – Freight and logistics is of course by definition the ultimate multinational business and as technology advances executives globally are becoming aware of the potential of international cooperation without the need for thousands of miles of air travel to formulate trade agreements. It was with this thought in mind that Antonio Torres first came up with the idea of what he calls a ‘Virtual Multinational’ paving the way for what he considers a new generation of networks which want to mobilize independent freight forwarders to work together as global ‘mega-forwarders.’

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image: Nautilus UK merchant navy container shipping car box carrier Morning Miracle

Merchant Navy Union Fire Safety at Sea Case Ends at Tribunal

UK – A case which has rumbled on for over five years seems to have finally come to an end this week with both sides claiming victory. In 2007 the UK branch of the Nautilus union, which represents tens of thousands of senior maritime staff, went to war with the UK Government after it had received information that a merchant vessel, a Chinese built car carrier, originally destined for flagging in Liberia, had received approval instead for registration under the British flag despite concerns over its safety.

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image: Somalia UK pirate hijack container shipping bulk freight IMO MSC

But are IMO Guidelines on Private Security Enforceable?

UK – SOMALIA – WORLDWIDE – The 90th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) ended yesterday after intense discussions regarding the future of the private maritime security companies (PMSC’s) increasingly seen aboard passenger, bulk freight and container ships travelling routes known to be home to the threat of pirate attack. The IMO is of course after all, the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping.

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image: Italy US freight vessel Costa Concordia Titan Salvage

Familiar Names Collaborate to Recover Stricken Vessels Hull

ITALY – US – The tragedy of the sunken cruise liner Costa Concordia off the coast of the Isle of Giglio is beyond our normal coverage involving as it does that carriage of passengers, not freight. The recovery of the stricken vessel is however within our brief and this week the contract to salvage the wreck, a sensitive environmental matter, was awarded to a coalition from two countries.

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image: US APL Maersk environmental award Benkert container shipping bulk freight barge box carrier

APL and Maersk Amongst Select Few

US – WORLDWIDE – In common with so many of the world’s other big bulk cargo and shipping container groups APL, seventh largest box carrier and Neptune Orient Lines subsidiary, is making efforts to clean up the image of the ocean borne freight sector by vowing to reduce its overall carbon emissions by 30% in the next three years. This week the company received a pat on the back from the US Coast Guard by scooping the prestigious biennial Osprey award for its efforts.

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image: TT Isle of Man Steam Packet motor cycle freight ferry RoRo Douglas Joey Dunlop Snaefell

Isle of Man Short Term Charter for Fortnight

UK – In December we wrote of the problems which the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company suffered when unable to charter a replacement ferry after problems with the MV Ben-my-Chree which normally plies the route to the mainland. Fortunately this month the company has been able to charter a suitable RoRo freight vessel for the island’s busiest period, the TT race fortnight which starts on Monday. The size of the harbour at Douglas means only ships of limited size can manoeuvre within it.

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image: UK MAN logistics freight transport road haulage

2012 MAN everywoman Award Results and New Womens Academy Announced

UK – Last week saw the winners of the fifth annual MAN everywoman in transport and logistics awards celebrated by their peers and other leading luminaries from the business, logistics and transport industries at an event which grows in importance annually for members of the British freight community. The awards are supported by industry interests including MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association and Media Partner Motor Transport and have successfully helped to raise the profile of the women who are excelling in this non-traditional sector.

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image: Bulgaria freight forwarding automotive logistics GEFCO

GEFCO Expands its Traditional Client Base Abroad

BULGARIA – French headquartered freight forwarding and automotive logistics specialist GEFCO founded an office in the country last year which quickly opened a facility in Lozen, south-east of Sofia to group vehicles together ready for distribution. Now the company intends to further strengthen its presence in Central and Eastern Europe and from the beginning of April, GEFCO Bulgaria and GEFCO Germany jointly launched a new groupage line between Sofia and Stuttgart.

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image: UK rail regulation freight transport cargo carrier track multimodal modal shift

Cargo Carriers Consulted on Five Year Plan for Potential Costs

UK – Despite its undoubted limitations rail freight continues to be seen by many as the future for cargo carriage offering as it does possible reductions in both pollution and congestion. Last week the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) published a consultation document on the variable usage charge paid by passenger and freight operators and proposals to introduce a freight specific charge.

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image: Barloworld Hong Kong wine logistics supply chain

15,000 Wine Buffs Need Constant Replenishment

HONG KONG – Supply chain provider Barloworld Logistics has been awarded the contract for Hong Kong’s largest bi-annual wine exhibition, Vinexpo Asia Pacific, for the third time courtesy of the event’s French logistics partner W&S Logistics. The contract calls for a professional team of wine logistics experts to manage stock replenishment and the on-site supply of alcohol products to exhibitors. Wines will be stored in optimal temperature controlled conditions and the fragile packaging also means that extra care must be taken of the products.

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image: Volvo trucks haulage LNG litre liquefied natural gas diesel ignition dimethyl ether DME

R & D is the Name of the Game for Trucking Giant

US – CANADA – Last week Volvo Trucks announced plans to launch its own 13-litre liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine for North America in 2014. The engine's advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology will provide significant fuel efficiency gains compared with current natural gas products. Combined with the company's previously announced offering of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Volvo VNM and VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide haulage customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions.

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image: UK ATMS supply chain management 3PL logistics provider distribution warehouse

ATMS Report New Business and Satisfied 3PL Customers

UK – ATMS plc which produces stock management solutions for third party logistics and supply chain customers is celebrating two recent successes after gaining a major new contract whilst having their systems praised by an existing customer following a successful twelve months. 3PL specialist Sheldon Clayton Logistics based in West Bromwich handles contracts which individually require up to a thousand units a day to be picked and therefore demand near perfect accuracy.

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image: FTA UK Dartford Crossing M25 freight road haulage commercial vehicle drivers

FTA 'Disappointed' So Sign Petition NOW

UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has voiced disappointment on behalf of its members at the news of the rise in charges to users of the Dartford River Crossing, a subject dear to the hearts of road haulage operators and private motorists alike. The e petition raised by one of the Handy Shipping Guide’s staff to protest against the tolls has now well over 6,000 signatures, more than 25 times the total of all the other e petitions on a similar subject combined! The chance is still there for you to protest if you feel strongly on this subject by voting via the link below.

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image: UK DSV road logistics chemicals hazardous shipment

Once Again DSV Road Achieves SQAS Certification

UK - Transport and logistics company DSV Road Limited’s Purfleet, Essex terminal which handles a wide range of chemicals and hazardous shipments, has once again achieved Safety Quality Assessment Scheme (SQAS) assessment, confirming the facility conforms to the highest safety standards. This is the second time DSV Road Limited’s Purfleet facility has been assessed, as SQAS requires all sites to be reassessed every three years. SQAS is a tool to provide chemical companies assistance in the process of selecting service providers.

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image: China IATA air freight cargo EU emissions trading

'Nobody Wants a Trade War' says CEO

CHINA – EUROPE – As a footnote to their latest press release the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has taken the opportunity to speak out against the unilateral policy being adopted by the European Union over pollution with its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The organisation also used the opportunity to prompt China to upgrade safety standards for both passenger and cargo air carriers with the country now ranking second in the world for domestic passengers, seventh for international and fourth for international freight movements.

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image: J.C. Penney McDonald’s Wendy’s rail freight logistics bulk cargo shippers Teamsters Canada

Shippers Eyes Watching to See How Canadian Pacific Resolves Stoppage

CANADA – USA – Freight services have been suspended on all Canadian Pacific services after talks broke down between management and the Teamsters Union last night. As one of the principal rail carriers of bulk cargo such as coal, agricultural grains and fertilisers the strike will immediately have an impact on shippers in the region to whom it will no doubt be of some concern.

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image: US North Carolina Floor tape freight terminal warehouse Health & Safety

US Group uses Technology to Re-Invent an Everyday Product

US – Mundane though it may seem the small things are essential to any logistics business and the durability of floor markings in a busy warehouse environment is important to ensure Health and Safety legislation is adhered to at all times. Now North Carolina based Stop-painting.com has come up with a product which it says is simply harder wearing than any of its predecessors. Stop-painting.com is owned by Insite Solutions, LLC, the manufacturer of Superior Mark and Last Mark floor marking tapes, and concentrates on producing products designed to outlast competitors.

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image: Denmark bulk tanker freight product carriers Norden

Norden Q1 Figures Prompt Comment from CEO

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Bulk freight specialist Norden A/S fully expects rates to fall for the next few months according to CEO Carsten Mortensen who delivered a generally upbeat statement regarding the company’s performance in the first quarter of the year. Norden released the figures last week showing earnings of $50 million, $2 million up on the same period last year. The most worrying aspect for shareholders was the decrease in the market value of tankers and dry bulk carriers causing a need for write downs of $300 million, a situation precipitated by overcapacity as much as plummeting rates.

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image: US transport infrastructure logistics freight by water canal road haulage supply chain West Ham

If the USA Struggles to Stay Ahead of the Game What Hope for the Rest?

US – Those outside the country often view the USA as a hotbed of activity where the go ahead attitude means that problems are tackled head on and little things like problems on the highways and transport routes are swiftly solved by applying common sense and apparently limitless funds to resolve the situation. In the UK for example road haulage and freight interests often bemoan the slow pace of infrastructure development and the lack of funds available.

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image: UK warehousing road haulage rail logistics pallet cargo

Potter Group Takes Over Near Neighbour Logistics Outfit

UK – Potter Group Logistics, the privately owned group which started life as a small road haulage outfit and was one of the first independent British transport operators to make the move into rail cargo, has acquired House of James Transport Ltd, the York based logistics and pallet network operator for an undisclosed sum. The purchase will push up Potter Group Logistics’ turnover by 50% to around £22m and the acquisition adds 100,000 sq. ft. of warehousing plus 35 vehicles and 55 trailers to the group fleet.

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image: Sri Lanka brewery project freight forwarding third party logistics low loader

Giant Shipment Will Please Island's Drinkers

SRI LANKA – DENMARK - Projects FPS, the recently established project freight forwarding and third-party logistics arm of Famous Pacific Shipping Lanka, has cleared and delivered a 9000 cubic metre shipment of outsize brewery equipment from Colombo Port to the site of a new brewery at Meegoda, 35 kilometres inland.

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image: US freight delivery cargo delivery express logistics ISS space shuttle NASA

With Nine Engines to Rely On there is Simply More to Go Wrong

US - OUT OF THIS WORLD – Every road haulage and express logistics operator knows the frustration of missing an ‘on time’ delivery due to factors outside their control and the more complex the delivery system, the more valuable the cargo, so the pressure mounts. And in the case of extra terrestrial freight, with the enormous costs and complexities involved, when your first ever scheduled delivery starts to go wrong, the consequences are unthinkable.

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image: US port freight cargo biometric security road haulage driver

Doubts Raised Over Efficacy of Security Procedures

WORLDWIDE – Biometrics has been one of the buzzwords of the last few years with the technology espoused as the last word in personal security whether it involves a road haulage driver delivering a container load of freight into a port or a traveller hopping between countries via international airports. Recently however doubts and concerns have been raised as to the efficacy of the systems currently being used by some of the facilities most vulnerable to attacks by terrorists.

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image: UK logistics freight road haulage Transaid charity supply chain

Woman and Company of the Year to be Named at Summer Ball

UK - Nominations are now open for Women in Logistics UK’s new Awards Scheme, the Jean Haslam Awards, with 2 categories: Woman of the Year and Company of the Year which respectively are for logisticians who challenge pre-conceptions and are outstanding role models in what is still a male-centric industry, and for organisations demonstrating commitment & innovation in attracting, developing & retaining women. An added bonus will be that road haulage charity Transaid, which does so much work improving the safety of road freight and other transport, will benefit directly from the awards.

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image: Somalia pirate conference armed guard container shipping bulk freight hijack

Hijack Threat Leads to Controversy as Fight Spreads Landward

UK – SOMALIA – WORLDWIDE – At the 90th session at IMO Headquarters this week a senior segment of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), convened by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, discussed policy matters related to arms on board ships in the piracy high risk area. Although this may seem a little behind the game, and despite the fact that the use of armed guards has already arguably contributed significantly to the fall in attacks upon larger merchantmen including bulk tankers and container vessels, the necessity remains to regularise the carriage of arms aboard non naval ships.

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image: Optimarin NYK Norway ballast water treatment container shipping bulk freight open hatch

Forest Product Specialist Saga Opts for Optimarin

NORWAY – JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – One of the subsidiaries of bulk freight and container shipping line Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has opted to retrofit fleet wide ballast water systems using the services of Norwegian headquartered Optimarin. Regular readers will be familiar with some of the horror stories which have resulted as a direct result of alien invasions enabled by the careless release of water from ballast tanks.

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image: Manaus air freight Brazil cargo carrier export free trade zone

Cargolux Launches Manaus Route

LUXEMBOURG – BRAZIL – Today sees the launch of the inaugural flight of another air freight service from cargo only carrier Cargolux. The initial flight will take place at 18:00 hours to São Paulo before continuing to arrive in Manaus at 05:20 tomorrow. Manaus is the capital of the federal state of Amazonas with almost 2 million citizens and is a free trade zone that has developed into one of Brazil’s major industrial centres for electronic and consumer goods with Eduardo Gomes International Airport as Brazil's third largest cargo airport in terms of freight movements.

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image: LNG container vessel ocean freight supertanker port Q-Max tanker Maersk

Growth in Supertankers Means Investment Necessary

UK – WORLDWIDE – Every sector of ocean freight has seen an explosion in larger vessels over the past few years with container vessels like Maersk’s Triple E series and the biggest LNG carriers in the world, the Q-Max series, so called as this is the maximum size which can be accommodated at Qatar’s gas export terminals. Such developments bring their own specific problems, not least the inability of other global ports to cope adequately with the extra drafts and sheer masses involved. For the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, in particular, port downtime is an absolute premium, meaning that replacing outdated systems can be problematic.

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image: Moorebank Freight Forwarding  Logistics intermodal trucks

Moorebank Development Needs Private Sector Input

AUSTRALIA – Following confirmation that the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal (IMT) should be receiving freight by 2017 market briefings are to be held in late May for businesses interested in involvement with the logistics project after the Government confirmed private sector participation was to be optimised. During preparation of the Detailed Business Case for the IMT, a market soundings process was held that included more than 40 companies involved in freight operations, logistics, consigning and project finance.

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image: Dunkirk Container Bulk Shipping RoRo conventional logistics port MGI

Similar Traffic Profile Encourages Switch of Management System

FRANCE – The Port of Dunkirk has elected to set up a community system by the first quarter of 2013 and has chosen to replace the current Gemini technology created and managed by the economic interest group Gestion Commune des Organisations Maritimes (GECOM) with the AP+ system from Marseilles Gyptis International (MGI). The similarity between the types of traffic managed by the ports of Bordeaux, Marseilles and Dunkirk, which currently use AP+ i.e.: container, conventional, bulk and Ro-Ro, was also a decisive factor in the partner selection process.

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image: UK Truckcom smartphone consignors tachograph road haulage  cargo hauliers fleet management

Truckcom Offers Inclusive Package

UK – Essex based Truckcom produces a single fleet management IT product based upon the use of smartphones which enables road haulage operators to study and control every facet of their business with the advantage that, with everything in one package, individual hauliers can use as little or as much of the system according to their requirements.

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image: Somalia Djibouti anti piracy IMO maritime

South Africa Joins Other Regional Nations to Stamp Out Hijackings

LONDON – SOMALIA – WORLDWIDE – The constant battle against the scourge of piracy requires true international cooperation and as the world at large becomes increasingly aware of the horrors inflicted on the helpless victims of the continued attacks the International Maritime Organization (IMO) yesterday held a Conference on Capacity Building to Counter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia which produced one particularly tangible result.

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image: GAC fuel freight logistics bunker

GAC Open Dedicated Fuel Access Website

WORLDWIDE – With its Middle Eastern pedigree few freight and logistics groups are better placed to speak authoritatively on the subject of bunker fuels and now GAC has launched a new website based pricing and market information platform which it claims will enable customers to access the daily data required to make fast and informed fuel procurement decisions.

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image: EU Navfor pirate merchant shipping helicopter attack skiffs

Helicopters Strafe Vessels on the Beaches

SOMALIA – Pirates woke to the chopping sound of rotor blades this morning as a task force from the EU Naval Force attacked vessels pulled up onto beaches and lying at anchor. Although operational details remain classified an EU Navfor spokesman told us that several vessels had been destroyed and we can surmise that the miscreants were given suitable warning as we are assured there were ‘absolutely zero’ casualties on either side.

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image: Port Klang shipping container road haulage TEU ASEAN

Malaysian Government Forecasts 21 Million + TEU's This Year

MALAYSIA – Following the ending of the strike by hundreds of road haulage drivers responsible for the throughput of shipping containers at Port Klang the Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said today he expected the country’s ports to handle over 21 million TEU’s this year. The protest was due to the increasing of depot ‘gate’ charges from around $1.60 to $5.85 and the waiting times, often 3 or 4 hours, to discharge or collect containers.

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image: DHL logistics air freight cargo terminal

DHL to Open Cargo Terminal at Brucargo

BELGIUM – Brussels Airport is the scene for the latest logistics warehouse development by German freight giant DHL Global Forwarding in a project which will collate the entire Deutsche Post-DHL Group subsidiary’s air freight activities under one roof at Brucargo West. The new terminal will occupy a 54,000 square metre site with 23,000 of that taken up by the warehousing complex.

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image: India China ISO tank cleaning freight forwarding supply chain logistics portcentric

New Portcentric Facility for Kerry plus Chinese Foundry Development

INDIA - CHINA - Asian based Kerry Logistics is once again to be seen expanding operations in its traditional trading grounds in China but the latest investments for the freight forwarding and supply chain specialist are different both geographically and in structure with the development of an 11,300 square metre site offering ISO tank cleaning and repair servicing in India and a foundry to supply engineering parts for tank customers in China through its member company Kerry-ITS.

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image: Lloyds register bulk freight shipping bunker fuel wind power

Potential to Generate Energy Prompts High Profile Scheme

UK – WORLDWIDE – The drive and desire of the shipping industry to find cleaner alternatives to the corrosive environmental damage caused by traditional bunker fuels has brought about a scheme which, not so many years ago, would have been viewed as science fiction. A bulk freight vessels is currently the test bed for a revolutionary attempt to harness the traditional power of the wind in a completely new way.

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image: Australia road haulage trucks shipping container terminal freight

Doubling of TEU Throughput Will Cause Chaos

AUSTRALIA – The rapid expansion of two of the country’s major container terminal facilities to accommodate an increase in general shipping traffic is meeting opposition from some quarters concerned by the associated increase in road haulage. The Port of Melbourne announced plans last month to enable the handling of double the current throughput of TEU’s to 5 million per annum by 2025.

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image: New Zealand ship to shore container crane panamax handling

Longevity and Reliability the Secret to Repeat Orders says Liebherr

NEW ZEALAND – Liebherr Container Cranes are celebrating a recent repeat order for two of the company’s super post panamax cranes. The customer is the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand which claims to be the island nation’s largest and most efficient handling facility and this will bring the number of Liebherr ship to shore (STS) cranes operating within the port to seven.

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image: UK road haulage truck fuel tanker dispute strike

Government and Unions Both Criticised for Poor Attitudes

UK – Road haulage interests gave a sigh of relief today at the news that Britain’s tanker drivers have voted by the narrowest of margins not to pursue their intention to strike following a catalogue of PR errors by unions and Government alike. The original union ballot was centred around pay and conditions but met with a hail of criticism from truck drivers and private motorists alike following the revelation of the average tanker drivers annual wage.

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image: US rail freight cargo LaHood non hazardous trucks intermodal

Government Shifts the Points on PTC Boosting Cargo Carriers

US - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced regulation changes governing the installation of positive train control (PTC) equipment that he said will give railroads additional flexibility and save money whilst still maintaining safety levels. PTC is a system of integrated technologies capable of preventing collisions, over-speed derailments and unintended train movements. The change affects rail freight as it renders the use of such systems irrelevant on tracks used purely for non hazardous cargo.

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image: China Luxembourg air freight cargo Chongqing exports

Cargolux Will Operate Twice Weekly

LUXEMBOURG – CHINA – News of another Southern Chinese service, this time for air freight, as Cargolux, Europe’s largest all cargo carries today announced an extension to its global services with the launch of twice weekly scheduled flights to Chongqing in South West China. As the largest of the four directly controlled municipal regions along with Beijing,Tianjin and Shanghai, Chongqing is enjoying rapid economic and social development that has helped the city itself become the most important industrial and commercial centre in the south west region. With 32 million inhabitants, the municipality hosts many of the world’s largest hi-tech electronic, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

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image: MOL US China Vietnam container shipping freight TEU port

MOL and Evergreen Cooperate on Vietnam - China - Singapore Service

VIETNAM – CHINA – US – Two of the world’s largest container shipping groups are to introduce to transport cargo from major Asian ports to key destinations on the U.S. East coast, via the Suez Canal. The ‘SVS’ service will run between South China and Vietnam to US East Coast ports from the beginning of June. Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) is the lead company with nine vessels to Evergreen Line’s one, each with capacities between 4,500 and 5,600 TEU.

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image: UK zero carbon electric trucks road haulage operator green tonnes

North East Operators Will be Paid to Sign Up

UK – A Government green truck project is set to pay to road haulage operators to ensure hundreds of low carbon vehicles take to the roads of the North East. The Technology Strategy Board is investing £9.5 million to place hundreds of electric, hybrid and other low carbon commercial vehicles on UK roads and the Low Carbon Truck Demonstrator Trial project will pay up to 50% of the price difference between a conventional diesel vehicle and the low carbon equivalent. It will also pay up to half of the cost of an electric vehicle (EV) charging point or other ‘cleantech’ refuelling station.

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image: DSV freight logistics apprenticeships multimodal

PD Ports and DSV Encouraged by Apprenticeship Schemes

UK – Each week we hear of more freight organisations signing up to apprenticeship schemes and the news is particularly welcome when the company operates in a region renown for its lack of employment opportunities for young people. At last week's Multimodal Exhibition two logistics companies in different parts of the industry told how the training and recruitment schemes they had implemented over the past few years had proved a huge success.

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image: UK intermodal Fargo freight rail cargo container terminal software

Fargo Extends Management Offerings for Rail Cargo

UK – The move to intermodal poses new problems even for established freight companies and the management of cargo throughput reaches a new level of complexity with the addition of a rail transport element. Now UK based Fargo Systems, which exclusively provides transport, fleet and logistics software to the industry, has announced a significant extension of their intermodal rail software with new versions of both their ‘TOPS’ container transport and ‘CYMAN’ container terminal management programmes.

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image: 3PL freight forwarder logistics shipping world global services GDP

Panalpina First to Attain GDP Certification at Schiphol

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – As the shipping world feels the pinch more freight forwarders are employing specialist techniques to expand in specific areas of logistics. Whereas once it was purely a matter of extending one’s global services now it is often a case of selecting a specific product type to focus on, no matter the destination.

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image: Mercedes Somerset road haulage cargo freight truck logistics

Hope That Mercedes Can Reduce Fuel Bills

UK – Established in 1969 with a single truck by Chairman Ray family run road haulage outfit R T Keedwell has been growing steadily ever since, building mostly on the transport opportunities offered by the traditional products of its native South West. Nowadays the independent company runs a fleet of around 400 tractor units and 1,000 trailers from its eleven depots around the UK. The Somerset born firm has profited from the freight opportunities which local cargo consisting of peat, fruit, vegetables etc. has provided and now offers a comprehensive portfolio of services from traditional general haulage to specialised logistics and freight distribution.

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image: UK pallet damage freight warehouse fork lift cartons truck trailer Multimodal

New Product Helps Avoid Crushed Shipments

UK –Every freight warehouse manager or fork lift driver knows the hazards associated with stacking pallets loaded with bagged goods, delicate cartons or simply items not filled to the brim making them vulnerable to crushing by any over stowage. Often the problem is so serious that trucks have to go out half empty to avoid damage and this can result in increased transport costs for road haulage operator or shipper.

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image: US Schneider BNSF CSX CN multi modal freight intermodal logistics trucking

Schneider and BNSF Sign Another Multiyear Contract

US - Schneider National Incorporated, one of the oldest and most respected of the US trucking groups, has announced the renewal of its long term agreement with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary BNSF Railway to cooperate on Schneider’s intermodal and logistics service options. Schneider believes that with BNSF continuing on as one of its primary rail freight providers it can offer high quality cost effective and streamlined multi modal services.

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image: Singapore NOL APL container shipping freight rates fuel logistics supply chain

NOL Publish Gloomy Q1 Figures with an Honest Appreciation of the Situation

SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – It is rare for us to see a financial statement which not only shows a parlous situation but indicates that, unless there is a major change in fuel prices and freight rates improve substantially the outlook remains poor and, when the forecast comes from the world’s sixth biggest container shipping company, one has to admire their candour and appreciate the seriousness of the situation. The first quarter figures from Neptune Orient Lines (NOL)hold very little good news for the industry.

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image: Australia truck stops road haulage freight trucking apnoea

Good and Bad News for Aussie Truck Operators

AUSTRALIA – WORLDWIDE – Following our piece last month criticising the amount of deaths caused to and by truck drivers suffering from fatigue and the scourge of sleep apnoea some good news today following pressure on the Government by road haulage group the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), and in particular its Chairman, David Simon.

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image: UK tanker crew ITF Nautilus union Hull

Wages and Food Arrive at Anchorage off Hull At Last

UK – Last week saw the resolution, hopefully a permanent one, to a problem that seems to become more widespread as difficult economic conditions prevail. The Liberian registered tanker Leon, anchored outside the Port of Hull since 20th April together with her Russian and Ukrainian crew, finally saw relief as outstanding wages and a delivery of much needed food arrived onboard following the intervention of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation).

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image: Siemens Schenker global logistics warehousing Smart chopper electric motorcycle

Schenker Appointed by Industry Leaders

WORLDWIDE – A frame agreement has been signed between Siemens and DB Schenker regarding the warehousing of products following the decision by Siemens to rationalise its contract logistics on a global basis. Siemens’ aim is to focus in the future on a fewer number of preferred suppliers, with whom the basic conditions for warehousing have been previously agreed. DB Schenker is the first Contract Logistics provider to sign a master frame agreement with the electrical and electronic supply giant which seeks to employ a high quality, flexible and cost efficient worldwide warehousing network.

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image: UK Multimodal freight logistics NEC Women IFW Lloyds Loading List

Many Logistics Companies Determined to Avoid the Doldrums

UK – Last week saw the 2012 Multimodal exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC and once again showed itself as the UK’s premier freight and logistics event giving sellers the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and new products whilst potential buyers had the chance to review what’s on offer.

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image: UK logistics park freight throughput port-centric container shipping deep sea Thames London Gateway intermodal wagons

London Gateway Freight Park Set to be the Biggest in Europe

UK – WORLDWIDE - Despite the economic woes besetting the world’s trade at large, and container shipping perhaps more than most, the project to construct Britain’s new deep sea port continues to take shape. As the photograph, taken in February, shows the quayside is in place and gives an indication of the potential size of the logistics park, proposed as the largest in Europe, which will occupy the hinterland and where intermodal freight will transfer for storage and distribution.

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image: EU anti trust commission container shipping freight cartel

After Abolishing Conference Lines Now an Anti Trust Option Examination

EUROPE – This week the EU Anti Trust Commission threw open the question of cartel behaviour with the launch of an online link enabling stakeholders in the freight and logistics industry to voice their opinions regarding the maintenance of specific guidelines with regard to collaborative behaviour in the maritime sector. The current regulations need refining to help the freight and passenger industries transition from a sector-specific to the general antitrust exemption regime which is generally where the Commission is heading to centralise all such exemptions.

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image: UK truck driver commercial lorry professional Foundation freight and logistics

Plea for Help to Companies and Individuals Alike

UK – The truck driving industry in Britain has never had the basis of a cohesive structure ensuring a safety net in what can be a very hazardous occupation. The varying size of companies, from one man bands to multinational freight corporations means that the level of support for individual commercial drivers when things go wrong can vary from the corporate scheme run by a global logistics supplier to assist in difficult circumstances down to absolutely zero help, at the very time when things get desperate.

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image: Kuehne freight forwarding logistics AOG Heathrow London

K + N Tailor 'Aircraft on Ground' Delivery System

UK – Specialised logistics movements require bespoke solutions and Kuehne + Nagel say their new airside service at Heathrow airport is tailored to enhance its critical spare parts logistics offering to the aerospace industry. Now the freight forwarder is in a position to meet the unique challenges an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situation presents. It allows engineers to remain on stand with the grounded aircraft while Kuehne + Nagel experts deliver parts directly to them in a matter of minutes, increasing their productivity and helping to reduce aircraft downtime.

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image: Switzerland Panalpina logistics freight forwarding EU anti trust

Panalpina Says Penalty Has Resulted in Loss

SWITZERLAND - EUROPE – The massive fines levied on numerous freight forwarding groups by the EU Anti Trust Commission in March have had a devastating effect on profits and one company at least is preparing to appeal the penalty imposed on them. Panalpina says the total €46+ million penalty has resulted in the Swiss logistics supplier recording a €33.3 million loss in the first quarter of this year.

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image: YRC US LTL less than truckload road haulage freight trucking

Q1 Figures in as Welch Continues to Dodge Bullets

US – At a time when virtually everyone in the trucking industry is looking nervously about it seems bad news becomes good news when things aren’t as black as previously. Such is the situation at YRC Worldwide which reported another loss for Q1 but an improvement against the first quarter of 2011. The figures came at a time when good news stories in the freight sector, particularly road haulage, are not exactly thick on the ground.

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image: Australia express freight road haulage container terminal warehousing port TEU

1000 Australian Drivers and Warehousemen Laid Off Whilst Expansion Plans for Sydney Forge Ahead

AUSTRALIA – Staff were left stunned this week as 1st Fleet, a major express freight and warehousing company based in New South Wales shut its doors following its recent descent into administration. Meanwhile more hopeful news as Asciano announced that it would be expanding its Port Botany container terminal after agreeing plans with the Sydney Ports Corporation.

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image: Brazil container terminal TEU port cranes Liebherr

New Cranes Installed to Boost Productivity

BRAZIL - In these strained economic times many companies are turning to the BRICS economies for a new and enhanced source of income and one such is Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. which has recently delivered two of its giant Ship-to-Shore Container Cranes to TCP Paranagua, Brazil. The port has been developed by TCP, Terminal de Containers de Paranagua, into one of the most modern container handling facilities in the whole South American continent.

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image: UK global freight forwarding superbike Kawasaki ZX-10R

Rutter Has a Cracker on his Kwacker

UK – For the second year running Midlands-based Global Freight has assisted MSS Bathams Kawasaki with its 2012 sponsorship of the leading British Superbike team and the forwarding group saw newly signed racing legend Michael Rutter not only join the two man line up but take a podium finish with his battling third place in the first race of the season, at Brands Hatch. MSS Bathams Kawasaki team boss, Nick Morgan, said:

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image: Jungheinrich materials handling fork truck logistics

'Previously Enjoyed' Fork Trucks Are Now Acceptable

UK – EUROPE - According to Neil Warren, the Used Equipment and Short Term Rental Director at Fork Truck manufacturer Jungheinrich the profile of the type of company that looks to the second hand market for its materials handling equipment has changed dramatically in recent years as the testing economic trading conditions have compelled all firms to seek to maximise value across their forklift fleets. He points out:

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image: Germany disaster logistics humanitarian transport shipping students

KLU Prepares Youngsters for Real World Situations

GERMANY – We have written before on the excellent Kühne Logistics University (KLU) and how it prepares young people looking to make freight forwarding or other transport related trades a future career and its latest test epitomises what is best about such a scheme when last weekend the KLU held its second case competition for Bachelor students.

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image: Austria Germany Taiwan container freight forwarding logistics ISO consolidation

Austro - German Cooperation Forges Ahead in Taiwan

TAIWAN – Weiss Röhlig, the cooperation between Austrian freight forwarding group Gebrüder Weiss and German based Röhlig Logistics, continues to cement its position in the local market here following the launch of its weekly container consolidation services to and from Western Europe. As part of Weiss Röhlig’s continuing quality improvement programme the company has now been awarded ISO 9001 certification for its Taiwan operations.

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image: Panalpina freight forwarding logistics supply chain shipping Red Prairie

Panalpina Team Up with Supply Chain Efficiency Specialists

WORLDWIDE – Swiss freight forwarding and logistics group Panalpina has entered into a strategic partnership with Red Prairie, a US headquartered group with a thirty five year pedigree and which offers inventory, transportation and workforce solutions with the intention of enhancing the shipping group’s supply chain efficiency.

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image: Somalia Togo pirate cargo product tanker gasoline

Meanwhile Eleven Hijackers Get Their Just Desserts

SOMALIA – GULF OF GUINEA - Harsh sentences have been handed down on eleven pirates captured three years ago who have been awaiting justice in Kenya whilst meanwhile yet another product tanker has seemingly been hijacked – this time whilst anchored off Lome in Toga and believed to be carrying a cargo of gasoline.

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image: UK Jersey stevedoring freight cargo VAT scheme

Doubts Over Future of Stevedoring Contract

UK – Doubt remains over the future of cargo handling on the island of Jersey following the liquidation of stevedores George Troy and Sons. Economic Development Minister Senator Alan Maclean has stated that if necessary the Port of Jersey would take on the service until a new operator had been appointed. 98% of Jersey’s freight arrives via the port and Troy was the only stevedoring company on the island.

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image: US surface freight truck pipeline cargo

17.4% Jump in Land Borne Totals

US – MEXICO – CANADA - Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American neighbours, Canada and Mexico, was 17.4% higher in February 2012 than in February 2011, totalling $78.1 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation continuing the growth seen in the sector recently following the downturn three years ago. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other.

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image: IJS Global logistics freight forwarding Customs warehousing

IJS Global Opens Schiphol Airport Base

NETHERLANDS – IJS Global, having grown from its 2 U.S. based offices in 2004 to a worldwide partnership network operating in seventy seven countries has held an opening ceremony and launch event for its new world headquarters in Amsterdam. The group specialises in general logistics, freight forwarding and customs procedures and has established itself in a prime location right on Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and alongside the main A4 motorway.

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image: UK freight logistics apprenticeship Schenker

UK Slowly Adopts a More Professional Approach

UK – One of the anomalies of the UK logistics industry is the lack of formal qualifications needed to enter the freight forwarding sector as compared to many other countries where the process involves lengthy training with official qualifications presented on graduation. Now Schenker Limited, the UK arm of the global logistics services provider DB Schenker, has again taken the matter into its own hands with its UK National Apprenticeship Programme.

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image: UK Liechtenstein Monaco freight road haulage operator transport

FTA Releases 17th Annual Offering to Assist Transport Operators

UK – EUROPE – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has published the 17th edition of its annual European Road Transport Guide for UK-based road haulage operators visiting countries in the EU and beyond. Formerly known as the International Road Transport Guide, it has been re-named in order to avoid confusion with some of FTA’s newer offerings which cover a larger geographical area than FTA’s mainly European road freight interests.

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