Shipping Search - Archive

Warning that Issues Need to be Considered Now

WORLDWIDE – The developments that the road haulage industry can expect to experience from changing technology is an issue that all in the freight and logistics sector should be keeping a close eye on. Of particular interest is the increasing amount of research aimed at autonomous freight vehicles that offer the prospect of cheaper running costs and reduced emissions. Advanced projects are either in development or else already in service for vehicles that operate by road, sea and in the air.

35 Year Concession Will See San Pedro Handle 14,000 TEU Container Ships

IVORY COAST – Swiss shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has signed a 35-year concession agreement for the expansion of the San Pedro Container Terminal (TCSP) in C ôte d'Ivoire. With a total initial investment of around €460 million, the project will allow the Port to handle 14,000 TEU cargo vessels and benefit from new shipping technologies, facilitating transhipment operations and generating vast opportunities to foster development. The Port of San Pedro will become one of the most competitive transhipment hub of the region, as well as of the West African coast.

Japanese Conglomeration takes Another Step

JAPAN – The proposed joint venture between Japan's three largest container shipping lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) have announced details about their possible collaboration, including the name under which the three will operate. The Ocean Network Express, or ONE as the shippers will undoubtedly refer to it as, aims to address the industry-wide problem of overcapacity in the ocean freight market by combining its container shipping business and its worldwide terminal operations, excluding those in Japan, in order to maintain any semblance of a competitive advantage.

Drivers Under Threat from Attack Around Calais Once Again

FRANCE – UK – The sudden upsurge in violence by migrants trying to gain illegal entry into the UK through the port of Calais has alarmed British hauliers enough that the main road transport organisation in the country has called for the French government to deploy the army to restore order around the town.

Port of Marseille Joins WPCI

FRANCE – The Port of Marseille Fos has joined the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI) and is now set to reduce port dues for eco-friendly ships. From July 1 this year, the incentive will apply to eligible ships among the 236 container carriers and cruise vessels that call at the port that are performing better than required under air pollution regulations. Other sectors will be added in 2018.

MOL Demonstrates Successful Trial in Working Ships

JAPAN – Around 18 months after first announcing plans to test wind resistance technology on board one of its vessels, Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has completed an in-service demonstration test of a windshield for containerships, and determined that the device reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by an average of 2%. The windshield, co-developed by MOL, was installed on the bow of its operated ship, the 6,724 teu MOL Marvel, for the demonstration test.

Hong Kong to Melbourne Hopes to Tap into Heightened Demand in China

AUSTRALIA – Virgin Atlantic Cargo will be offering additional freight options to their customers with the launch of a new Melbourne-Hong Kong route by its partner, Virgin Australia. With effect from July 5, 2017, Virgin Australia will operate five Airbus A330-200 flights a week on the route, each offering 14 tonnes of cargo capacity. Virgin Atlantic Cargo will be responsible for selling all of the capacity on these flights, which will also link into their existing services connecting Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with Los Angeles. John Lloyd, Managing Director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said:

Satellite Entrusted to ABC for Beginning of 1.5 million Kilometre Journey

GERMANY – RUSSIA – AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has safely delivered the eROSITA X-ray telescope from Germany to Russia in preparation for its launch on board the SRG spacecraft in spring 2018. The telescope will ultimately produce a new map of the universe in X-rays, revealing how the largest cosmic structures evolve.

Hefty Penalty Issued for Overcharging

US – KUWAIT – Following up on news last week that Agility had settled its criminal, civil, and administrative cases in the US, the Department of Justice has released more information on the settlement agreement which saw Agility resolve allegations that it overcharged the US when carrying out contracts with the Department of Defense (DOD) to supply food for US troops from 2003 through 2010.

Teams Needed to Raise Money for African School

UK – GHANA – Adventurous employees are being challenged to release their inner commando – and change childrens lives – as international maritime charity Sailors' Society launches its new, ultra-physical fundraising event. The Commando Challenge, on 14-16 July, will see teams of three compete in a variety of activities, including canoeing, climbing, zip-wiring and more, to raise money for St Nicholas School in Ghana.

Examines Issues of the next 20 Years

UK – The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has released a new report reviewing the potential of technology in transport that might be available by 2035. (Re)Inventing the wheel sets out how technological developments in transport could make better use of capacity, result in less congestion and overcrowding, reduce environmental and health impacts, and thereby improve quality of life. Daniel Parker-Klein, Head of Policy, CILT, said:

A Collection of This Weeks News

US – XPO Logistics announced the opening of a third regional distribution centre for European Wax Center, one of the fastest growing beauty lifestyle brands in the United States. The new 40,000 square foot facility in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, marks a major expansion of XPOs supply chain management relationship with the company.

High Potential for Resurrected Technology

UK – WORLDWIDE – We here at the Handy Shipping Guide have reported before on the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) project to study the possible use of Flettner Rotors as supplementary power sources to freight vessels, Now the ETI has launched a request for proposals seeking partners for a new project to analyse data from its Flettner rotor project which aims to cuts fuel consumption and emissions in ships.

Staff News Throughout the Transport Industry

HONG KONG – After recently announcing a host of changes to the senior managing team of Cathay Pacific, the airline has taken the first step in its transformation plan, a reorganisation of its head office and the restructuring of its cargo department. Cathay Pacific has removed the role of Cargo Director which was due to be fulfilled by James Ginns, who would have been taking over the position from Simon Large, effective June 1.

Pentalver Aims to Eliminate Quay Rent

UK – Two phrases which are guaranteed to raise the hackles and the blood pressure of freight forwarders and shippers alike are demurrage and quay rent, an unholy combination which can drain the profit from a job for the forwarder or haulier and infuriate a consignee because of factors sometimes beyond all control. Now Jack of All Trades company (where containers are concerned) Pentalver, is reminding customers there is often an alternative when goods are delayed at Britain's biggest container port.

Annual RHA Event an Important Date in the Calendar

UK – The annual Road Haulage Association (RHA) luncheon, held today once again in London's Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, proved to be more entertaining than ever, featuring as it did speeches from two well-known comedians. That is not to say there was not a serious side to proceedings, following as closely as it did after the horrors of Manchester. Indeed access to the event was partially blocked when police closed the footway leading up Park Lane due to an 'exercise'.

Sign of Gratitude to Service Personnel

US – WORLDWIDE – In recognition of the contribution that US military personal serving domestically and abroad make to the security of their country, American Airlines Cargo has announced that it is making an expansion of its military discount programme to include the transport of personal pets to and from all international origins and destinations.

Three Year Extension Granted

UK – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has awarded GB Railfreight (GBRf) a three-year contract extension of their intermodal freight agreement running container services out of the Port of Felixstowe. Building on their 15 year relationship, this new contract will see GBRf running 98 rail platforms daily. Dan Everitt, Managing Director of MSC UK, said:

Transaid Plans Latest Adventure in Zambia

UK – ZAMBIA – International development charity Transaid is calling on transport and logistics industry professionals to once again get on their bikes to raise funds for its life-saving work in Sub-Saharan countries, with the launch of its next African cycle challenge. Taking place between September 21 and September 30, 2018, the industrys favourite charity is asking for volunteers to take on a 490 kilometre ride from Lusaka to the breath-taking Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Settlement Will Allow Agility to Bid for Contracts Once Again

US – KUWAIT – Having been embroiled in a nearly decade long criminal case involving US government food-supply contracts, Agility has entered into a settlement agreement in the hopes of once again bidding for US government contracts. Once the largest supplier to the US army in the Middle East, the Kuwait-based logistics firm were alleged to have defrauded the military of millions of dollars between 2003 and 2010, during the war in Iraq.

Efforts to Protect Staff Recognised

UK – Howard Tenens, one of the UKs largest family-owned logistics companies, have been awarded with a Gold RoSPA award, an internationally recognised and sought after accolade run by safety charity, the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in recognition of Howard Tenens' company-wide efforts to improve its health and safety record. Jamie Hartles Logistics Director at Howard Tenens commented:

Freight and Transport Liable to be Severely Hit

CHILE – The National Association of Customs Officers of Chile (ANFACH) has called an indefinite strike from today, Wednesday 24 May, by which will affect all Chilean ports, airports and borders in the country. The strike will begin at 0800 local time until further notice and is anticipated to cause that serious delays to all freight and cargo with the exception of critical humanitarian shipments.

Hapag and UAC Proceed with Combining Services

GERMANY – MIDDLE EAST – Hapag-Lloyd and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have completed a merger deal which will see the German shipping line secure its place as the fifth-largest line shipping company in the world with 230 vessels and a capacity of approximately 1.6 million TEU. Hapag-Lloyd will remain a publicly traded company registered in Germany with its headquarters in Hamburg. Rolf Habben Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of Hapag-Lloyd, said:

Continue to Support Prestigious Event

JAPAN – GERMANY – DHL has been named the Official Logistics Partner and a Worldwide Partner of the Rugby World Cup 2019. The partnership will see DHL again team up with one of the biggest international sporting events, which will take place in host country Japan from September 20 to November 2, 2019. DHL was previously Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express, said:

BSI Report Highlights Exposure and Risk

WORLDWIDE – According to a report from the British Standards Institution (BSI) Group, cargo theft in the Americas hit a new high in 2016, while continued risks of terrorism threatens Europe and a rise in continuity concerns surfaces in Asia. BSI's Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report provides an overview of the top supply chain threats and trends by region to help organisations increase their visibility and understanding of potential exposures within the supply chain.

Global Forwarding and Chinese Supply Chain Group Team Up for Multimodal Project

BELARUS – CHINA – DHL Global Forwarding has launched a regular service with a Chinese supply chain group connecting Shenzhen in China to Minsk, Belarus via rail. The new intermodal route, which takes 12 days, covers new overland connections to several major cities along China's 'Belt and Road' initiative, and is the latest route in the DHL Asia-Europe-Asia multimodal network.

Refinancing for Eurotunnel at Favourable Rates as 2 Millionth Pet Transported

FRANCE – UK – In a week when the Channel Tunnel link saw the 2 millionth pet carried underneath the waterway, Groupe Eurotunnel has released details of the financial restructuring which sees it raise debt of almost 2 billion euros to fully refinance its Tranche C debt. As part of the group's floating rate debt it managed to see the operation oversubscribed 2.5 times as it negotiated five separate fixed rates for repayments over periods ranging between 5 and 33 years borrowing a total of €1.975 billion.

Drive to Sell Multimodal Routes and Cut Driver Accompanied Costs and Pollution

EUROPE – During the past year we have reported several times on the agreements made between truck transporting rail specialist VIIA, and operations such as P&O Ferries, Ekol Logistics etc. and now the subsidiary brand for the SNCF Geodis 'rail motorways', which carry unaccompanied semi-trailers by train, is promoting two of its intermodal freight routes, including a service between Luxembourg and Perpignan. The company points out the advantages such 'piggy back' journeys can achieve in cutting costs and pollution set against traditionally shipped long road haulage transport.

AN 124 Delivers New Generators Using Old Technology

MADAGASCAR – Heavy lift freight specialist Volga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered eleven generators, each weighing 57 tonnes, on board a series of six An-124 freighter flights to increase the capacity of the power plant supplying Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. The flights were completed over a 14-day period.

Latest Transaid Two Wheel Challenge Easier on the Legs, Closer to Home Plus a BBQ !

UK – Many a transport executive can excuse the fact they do not join with colleagues made of sterner stuff who actively support the freight and logistics industry's favourite charity, Transaid, by using the perfectly reasonable excuses that they are too old, infirm, time constrained etc. to pedal across continents to raise cash for such a worthy cause. Excuse yourselves no longer! Now the organisation has come up with a way to tempt you ageing execs to exchange the leather of your swivel chairs for that of motorcycle garb, either as rider or pillion passenger.

Followed by a Look at Where the Supply Chain Talent is Headed

GREECE – A sad start to our weekly roundup of staff changes in the freight and logistics sector with the death of Greek ship owner, civil engineer, and media mogul Aristides Alafouzos, who has died at the age of 93. In 1964, Alafouzos pursued a career in the shipping industry, eventually creating a sizable fleet of tramp ships and bulk carriers. In the early 1970s he founded Glafki Maritime, then over a decade later founded Kyklades Maritime. Sons Giannis and Themistocles Alafouzos head the family's shipping and media interests, respectively.

Forty Six Year Old RoPax Ship Brought into Service for Tourists and Cargo

RUSSIA – NORTH KOREA – A new cargo/passenger ferry service linking the North Korean port of Rajin and the Far Eastern Russian port of Vladivostok, completed its first trip on May 18, marking the start of a new weekly service aboard the recently renovated North Korean flagged Man Gyoung Bong, a RoPax vessel which is capable of carrying around 200 passengers and holding up to 1,500 tonnes of different types of freight.

Smaller News Items from Round the World to Ponder On

WORLDWIDE – We start the weekly round-up of smaller items in the fields of freight and logistics with news that global ship tracking intelligence company MarineTraffic and the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the agreement, UNCTAD and MarineTraffic will be sharing information and data that will enable both organisations to enhance their services and allow for more accurate analysis of global trade and shipping trends.

SIA Cargo Returns to the Mother Ship

SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines' (SIA) wholly-owned freight carrying subsidiary, SIA Cargo, is to be re-integrated as a Division within SIA, in a move intended to improve efficiency through greater collaboration with the wider SIA Group.

2017 Event Hails Best in UK Road Haulage

UK – Rafal Kolanko of Samworth Brothers has been unveiled as the 2017 Microlise Driver of the Year Award winner. Following a process involving narrowing down over 120,000 of the UK's most talented HGV drivers, the awards aim to recognise and acknowledge the vital work and the professionalism displayed by lorry drivers in their day-to-day work.

Jack Reed Receives Maritime Guardian Award

US – The Daniel K. Inouye Institute honoured US Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island on Wednesday, May 17 for his long-standing support of the American marine industry. Joined by dozens of maritime and Senate leaders, Sen. Reed received the Daniel K. Inouye Maritime Guardian Award for his leadership and dedication to the sector.

RMT Campaign Argues for Equality of Employment Practices for All Seafarers

UK – Whilst most are flocking to Dorset this week to celebrate at the various events being held during the Poole Maritime Festival and the Poole Harbour Boat Show the town has also been hosting various events related to European Maritime Day (18 – 19 May) as described in our previous article. The RMT Union has used this event to draw attention to its ongoing SOS2020 campaign to improve the pay and working conditions for seafarers employed at what it perceives as below minimum acceptable standards, and a local RoRo freight and passenger carrier was a convenient target.

New Routes Aimed at Creating a Centre of World Trade City

CHINA – The attention being paid to China's 'One Belt, One Road' policy has generally focussed on the aspects of how the government plans to open up vast new markets with overland routes, primarily through intermodal access. Though these plans have encountered a fair amount of scepticism, the focus on the rail aspects means that less attention has been paid to the plans of the burgeoning Chinese airlines to introduce their own freight routes to further link the country to the world outside.

FairFuel UK Scathing About All Election Candidates Lack of Policy

UK – FairFuelUK is an organisation which was conceived from road haulage roots but which quickly evolved to represent the views of many both private and commercial drivers. Whilst more usually targeting current government policy the latest sideswipe comes as a result of what it perceives as little or no policies whatsoever from any of the parties involved in the run up to the General Election, on the one subject dear to its members hearts.

New App Helps Plan a Route Across Europe for Road Haulage and Freight Groups

GERMANY – EUROPE – This month's transport logistic 2017 trade fair held in Munich saw new technology and the digital revolution as the top subjects up for discussion and gave visitors the opportunity to gain an insight into many of the advances and proposals to smooth and speed the supply chain. With environmental concerns and behaviour on the menu for every freight and road haulage operation, one thing to focus on was the growth of mandatory restrictions in certain areas for vehicles liable to cause pollution through noise or emissions, the so called Green Zones.

New Deal Will Release Capital for Client Expansion

UK – The name Bibby is one which will be familiar to most working in the freight transport industry with the Bibby Line Group having developed from a traditional British shipping line with a 200 year history, into an international force with a comprehensive and diverse portfolio. Although the organisation's interests range from retail services to woodland burials, many of the subsidiary operations still have links with the maritime world and the supply chain, and so it is with Bibby Financial Services (BFS), which has just announced its latest big money deal.

GlaxoSmithKline Assigns New UK Distribution Contract

UK – GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), one of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies, has awarded Kuehne + Nagel the contract to manage the domestic road distribution of all GSK consumer and healthcare goods throughout the UK.

Better Deal for Air Passengers Whilst Track Borne Cargo Gets Investment

CANADA – The Canadian Government is amending the Canada Transportation Act in an effort to improve and modernise both the country's air transport sector and rail freight industry. The Transportation Modernization Act aims to provide a better experience for travellers and a transparent, fair, efficient and safer rail freight system to facilitate trade and economic growth, with key measures including:

Analysis Shows 7% Average Jobs Rise with Parcel Distributors for On Line Retail Driving the Trend

UK – Statistics gathered by job search engine Joblift on the UK's logistics employment market over the past year has shown that overall the industry has seen an average monthly increase of 7% in the past year, offering a total of 297,701 jobs since April 2016. This is in comparison with a growth of 1% in the UK job market as a whole.

FTA Accuses Authorities of Protectionism - Again

FRANCE – UK – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has fiercely criticised the French government's decision to charge a €40 fee for every worker operating in France on a temporary basis and employed by a foreign company as a restrictive practice which will severely curtail the ability of UK logistics and road haulage operators to work effectively in continental Europe. It has called on both the European Union and the new French government to take measures to halt the proposal in it's tracks.

Unique Poole Hosts Celebration of the Sea and Looks to Protect Sensitive Environments

UK – Not all harbours are deep water anchorages for the largest of the world's seagoing vessels, many of course are no more than tidal resting places for a local fishing fleet or a nest of small sailing and pleasure craft. Many however are unique in character and this definitely applies to Poole Harbour in Dorset, often described as the largest natural harbour in Europe. This singular waterway is home to both a significant freight and channel ferry port whilst retaining its position as a cherished Marine Protected Area, recognised not least for its internationally significant bird populations, whilst its location on the central south coast also makes it a haven for non-native species and a field laboratory for climate change effects.

Aims to Capitalise on Growing SME Freight Segment

QATAR – UAE – Milaha, a Qatar-based maritime freight and logistics conglomerate, has launched a door-to-door shipping service between Qatar and the UAE. Mainly targeting companies involved with the automotive spare parts, fashion retail, and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors, Milaha will use its own marine transport assets and logistics infrastructure to fulfil the service. In January the company signed an agreement with the Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT) in India, to start the first direct common carrier container feeder service between Saudi Arabia and India.

FTA and everywoman Link Up Again for 10th Anniversary Celebration

UK – The finalists for the 2017 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards have been announced, a celebration which this year will be hosted at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on Wednesday June 21. Certainly one of the most important annual events in the British supply chain sector the everywoman accolade, ably supported by the Freight Transport Association, is designed to illuminate women excelling in their careers, creating visible role models to inspire a next generation of much-needed talent to follow in their footsteps.

Insurance Club Describes Many a Crews Worst Fear and How to Avoid it

UK – WORLDWIDE – When it comes to safety at sea there is nothing like a mixture of common sense and experience to help avoid potential tragedy and over many years the P&I clubs have always been a font of good advice, after all it is the insurers' interests to avoid such scenarios, especially when giant container carriers and tankers are involved. Thus it is that the Shipowners' Club, the mutual insurance association favoured by many specialist vessel operators and merchant ship charterers, has published some of the ways to avoid that particular crewman's terror - fire at sea.

Logistics Relationship Assures Continuity

FRANCE – WORLD WIDE – DHL Global Forwarding has secured a contract renewal for continued management of Auchan's inbound supply chain operations. Auchan Retail is the second largest supermarket operator in France, present in 16 countries in Western, Central & Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa with 3,836 hypermarkets and convenience stores. As part of the renewal, DHL International Supply Chain, the specialist logistics management team of DHL Global Forwarding, will continue a partnership which has lasted almost a decade by providing purchase order and vendor management, origin consolidation and destination coordination services.

Our Weekly Collection of Stories from the Industry

SPAIN – PORTUGAL – Dachser has integrated its Iberian subsidiary Azkar Group into its European road haulage network. The overland freight transport organisations will operate under the names of Dachser Spain and Dachser Portugal in the future.

Marketing to be Key Point for New Logistics Network

WORLDWIDE – A new network for independent air cargo general sales and service agents (GSSAs) has been launched. Branded 1GSA, the new network aims to enable independent GSSAs to compete more effectively against the major, centrally-owned GSSA companies.

New Jobs and Sad Losses

UK – A sad start to our round-up of staff changes in the global freight and logistics industry with the unexpected death of Giles Noakes, Head of Maritime Security at BIMCO, on May 10, at the age of 62. Noakes joined BIMCO in January 2008 and made a significant and lasting contribution to the development of maritime security across the industry. He was particularly instrumental in the development of Best Management Practices for protection against Somali piracy. 

Cargo Carrier and Air Charter Group Chip In With Every Booking

UK – YEMEN – Children in war-torn Yemen, where an estimated 3.1 million people have been displaced, are receiving life-saving support from War Child UK, the charity for children affected by conflict, with help from customers of freight airline Coyne Airways and Air Charter Service (ACS).

From Japan to Europe by Box Feeder and Train Services

JAPAN – EUROPE – At a seminar held last month in Tokyo, Japan, about 150 delegates representing various vested industry interests gathered to discuss plans for the country to develop an intermodal, container freight route between Japan and Europe, using feeder lines between the ports of Hakata in Japan and Lianyungang in China then via rail in China and Kazakhstan. Titled 'Development of transit container trains from Japan to Europe via Kazakhstan and Chin', the seminar presented the advantages and prospects of connecting Japan to the New Silk Road route as it passes through the Chinese port.

Important Milestone for Historic Freight Centre

UK – The Port of Tilbury has been granted full Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) statues, the internationally recognised quality mark issued by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HRMC). The Port says that it is the first multipurpose port in the UK to receive full AEO accreditation for security and customs simplification processes, a certification which last year the British International Freight Association (BIFA) recommended more shippers and forwarders should aim to achieve. Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of The Port of Tilbury said:

New Services at Southampton and London Gateway Take Off

UK – This weekend, DP World's UK two major freight terminals will welcome the first services from the Far East following a global shake-up of the world's shipping lines. Inaugural calls of Asia/Europe services by THE Alliance, a shipping consortium made up of Mitsui O.S.K Line, Yang Ming, NYK, K-Line and Hapag Lloyd/UASC, will see the largest vessel to ever call at a UK port berth at DP World Southampton this Thursday, May 11.

Now Responsible for Whole Country

CHINA – Toys'R'Us, the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, has awarded Kuehne + Nagel a four-year contract to manage its North China warehousing and distribution in Beijing, China. The newly opened warehouse consolidates products from both local and overseas suppliers distributing to 45 stores in North China.

Joint Agreement Signed to Build Cargo Ship of the Future

NORWAY – Chemical company Yara International, and technology group Konsberg Maritime, have entered into an agreement to build what the two Norwegian companies say will be the world's first fully electric and autonomous container ship with zero emissions. With operations planned to start in the latter half of 2018, the pair claim the revolutionary vessel could lead to a reduction of up to 40,000 road haulage journeys a year in populated urban areas, reducing NO_x and CO₂ emissions and improve road safety.

You Wait for One Crane to Collapse - Then Two Come Along at Once

UK – Following on from the collapse of a crane in the Dubai last Thursday after a freight vessel crashed into the quay, comes news that the Port of Falmouth has experienced its own problem as a harbour crane collapsed there at around 9am this morning. Despite the potential risk of an extremely serious incident no major casualties are reported.

Biggest Infrastructure in Decades Given Green Light

AUSTRALIA – In what could be a real boost to multimodal freight down under, the Australian government has committed to investing A$20 billion in new rail developments that it states will cut congestion in cities, grow the regions and create thousands of new jobs. The most noticeable project to receive funding is the Inland Rail project that has been allocated A$8.4 billion ($6.2 billion/£4.79 billion). If costs are manageable this development would potentially drastically cut the need for the giant B Doubles and road trains on long haul routes.

Discussion on Current Topics in Meeting for in UK Supply Chain Stakeholders Next Week

UK – Next week will see a gathering of logistics professionals at an event devised to investigate and update those in the supply chain on a number of common current issues affecting their activities, including the potential, and likely, effects of Brexit. The British International Freight Association (BIFA) and United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) have organised the meeting to update their respective members on a variety of topical issues that operators should be aware of.

First of Kind as Cargolux and Emirates Agree MoU

LUXEMBOURG – UAE – WORLDWIDE – Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic operational partnership in air freight transportation. This agreement, described by the airlines as the first of its kind in the air cargo industry between a mainline airline and a specialised freighter operator, will see the two companies work closely on a number of operational aspects.

BIFA Suggestions Open to Review by Wider Industry before Approval

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has been conducting a working group composed of several major entities in the UK freight industry with the intent of drawing up a specific Apprenticeship Standard for an International Freight Forwarding Specialist. The group has now drawn up the Standard and BIFA is now calling on the wider freight community to provide feedback to its suitability for the wider industry.

Tilbury to Netherlands Shipment Proceeds Smoothly

UK – NETHERLANDS – Hansa Heavy Lift (HHL) has successfully transported two giant ship unloaders, each weighing 870 metric tonnes and measuring 28m x 38.5m x 58m, from Tilbury to Rotterdam. The move was complicated by the fact that the heavy lift specialists engineering team only had 28 year old handmade drawings of the two units to work with as they prepared for the project, which was carried out in stages on two consecutive voyages aboard HHL Tokyo.

Kerry Buys Out Tuvia

ITALY – Kerry Logistics has acquired the majority stake of Tuvia Italia as part of its ongoing expansion in Europe. Milan based Tuvia manages over 25,000 square metres of logistics facilities in Italy and has substantial stakes in the country's intermodal freight market, as well as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), a certified International Air Transport Association (IATA) agent as well as a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) and certified as ISO 9001. Thomas Blank, Managing Director of Europe, Kerry Logistics, said:

Criticism from Every Side as Consultation Gets Under Way

UK – Everyone in the country has the chance to comment on the government's plan to improve air quality by responding to the consultation 'Improving Air Quality: reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities' which will run until June 15, and there has been a chorus of disapproval already from such diverse bodies as the Road Haulage Association (RHA), representing the road freight lobby, to the London mayor and assorted Trades Unions. The government was ordered by the Court to publish a plan by the end of July after failing to delay such a move by claiming the election would get in the way.

In Mental Awareness Week Help is Available On Line and In Person

UK – WORLDWIDE – In this, Mental Health Awareness Week (May 8-14), the Mission to Seafarers is pointing out that depression and psychological problems can often be a concern amongst the seafaring community and is highlighting the mental health challenges faced by seafarers and calling on the industry to offer wider services that could help safeguard their welfare. Much of the work undertaken by the Mission to Seafarers, and other charities globally, involves mental health support, from offering the ability to contact families, to being on-hand to assist seafarers struggling with depression and fatigue, and even providing support after cases of attempted suicide.

A Collection of Smaller Stories from the Past Week

UK – Beginning our brief round-up of the smaller items in freight and logistics this week comes news that CargoLogicAir (CLA) has taken delivery of its third Boeing 747 freighter in less than 18 months. The London Stansted Airport-based airline, which received its UK Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at the start of 2016, now operates two Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft and a new generation 747-8 Freighter. Dmitry Grishin, CEO of CargoLogicAir, said:

Giant French Box Vessel Knocks Crane Over in Accidental Collision

DUBAI – DP World has confirmed that ten workers have suffered injuries after a CMA CGM container vessel collided with the harbour wall at the Port of Jebel Ali, striking the leg of a quay crane causing it to fall. According to DP World, one person suffered a fractured arm and leg, requiring hospital treatment, whilst the other nine suffered minor injuries that were treated at the port medical facility. The incident, involving the CMA CGM Centaurus, a 11,388 TEU box ship, occurred on Thursday, 4 May at Terminal 1 and is being examined by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). A second crane was also shifted off its rails during the event but remained upright and stable. In a statement DP World said:

Takeover of Rival Cargo Carrier Prompts Job Swaps

DENMARK – GERMANY – Following container shipping giant Maersk Line’s planned acquisition of Hamburg Süd from the Oetker Group, several changes to the organisational structure have been announced, effective in the fourth quarter of 2017. Ottmar Gast will retire as Chairman of the Executive Board to become the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hamburg Süd, with Søren Toft, Chief Operating Officer of Maersk Line becoming a member of Hamburg Süd’s Supervisory Board.

Container Specialist Will Expand Service Capabilities in UK Intermodal Logistics

UK – US – Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), owner of rail freight group Freightliner, announced today that its subsidiary, GWI UK Acquisition Company Limited, has completed the acquisition of all of the issued share capital of Pentalver Transport Limited (Pentalver) from APM Terminals, the subsidiary of Moller-Maersk, as detailed in our December article when the railroad and logistics group announced its interest in the British based container transport and service company.

Port and Infrastructure Operator and Investment Fund to Back Projects Together

INDIA – UK – Global port and freight facility operator DP World has announced today some new developments it is going to be undertaking to encourage logistics both in India and at their new UK port, the London Gateway.

The Old Problem is Still With Us

WORLDWIDE – According to the latest International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau (ICC IMB) piracy report, pirates and armed robbers attacked 43 ships and captured 58 seafarers in the first quarter of 2017, a marginal increase compared to the same period last year. Though the global report highlights persisting violence in piracy hotspots off Nigeria and around Southern Philippines, the waters off Somalia once again returns as an area of concern where after a lull of nearly five years, pirates successfully hijacked two vessels within the countrys territorial waters.

UKWA and Flexi Announce New Programmes and Facilities

UK – In collaboration with Logistics Learning Alliance, the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has developed a Warehouse Supervisor Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). The new qualification is equivalent to Level 3 of the Regulated Qualification Framework and is considered an ideal programme for supervisors and team leaders working in the warehouse sector.

Fastest Growth in Market Since 2010

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the air market demand figure for the month of March, showing a 14% growth in freight tonnes kilometres (FTKs) compared to the same period last year, the fastest pace of growth recorded since October 2010. The result completed a very strong first quarter for year-on year growth, albeit partly flattered by weakness last year. After adjusting for the impact of the leap year in 2016, freight demand in the first three months of 2017 increased by nearly 11% and capacity grew by 3.7%.

Vessels Switching to Seawater Lubrication Can Avoid Fines and Punishments

DUBAI – UK – Thordon Bearings and Drydocks World-Dubai (DDW-D) have signed an agreement under which the UAE-based shipyard will work together with Thordon Bearings to promote the conversion of ships' oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordons COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system.

'Merger without Merger' Not Acceptable

US – After the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) unanimously rejected the 'Tripartite Agreement' between Japan's big three container shipping lines, FMC Commissioner William Doyle outlined both the consequences and the reasoning behind the decision. As alluded to in our article yesterday, the decision by the FMC has no bearing over whether the three can merge their container trade businesses into a single stand-alone company, but rather the vote recognises that the FMC cannot approve certain actions that would allow the three Japanese companies to act as a merged entity prior to actually merging.

Further Expansion into Specialist Logistics Markets

SWITZERLAND – DENMARK – KENYA – Swiss logistics company Panalpina has this week announced that they have continued their global expansion plans with the acquisition of two freight forwarders in very different parts of the world so as to improve their service and tap more heavily into more specialist logistics markets.

Schneider Boosts Links in Mid Atlantic Region

US – Schneider Intermodal has boosted its capability in the mid-Atlantic region by introducing a ramp service in Baltimore. The new facility allows Schneider to provide customers with more efficient intermodal services by creating additional Mid-Atlantic southbound/northbound lanes previously unavailable in Schneider’s network.

Forwarding Group Extends Cover into African Countries

GERMANY – AFRICA – DHL Global Forwarding recently expanded its 'all-risks' Cargo Insurance service to Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Mozambique. While DHL says it aims to handle every shipment with utmost care, in the freight and logistics industry accidents, ranging from theft and breakages to natural disasters, can't always be avoided. DHL has developed Cargo Insurance services to protect customers against damage or loss during transportation. With its latest expansion, DHL Cargo Insurance is now available for customers from all industries across 74 countries worldwide. Angelos Orfanos, Global Head of Marketing & Sales, DHL Global Forwarding, said:

Telematics Group Sponsors Annual Awards

UK – Having whittled down over 120,000 of the UK's most talented HGV drivers, the shortlists for this year's Microlise Driver of the Year Awards has been announced. With the aim of recognising and acknowledging the vital work and the professionalism displayed by lorry drivers in their day-to-day work, the winners will be announced at the upcoming Microlise Transport Conference, taking place on May 17 at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Modern Claims Extend Far Beyond Simple Goods in Transit Matters

UK – Everyone involved in the movement of freight along the supply chain will be familiar with the standard insurance policies which are so essential when transporting cargoes, whether they be domestic parcels or giant international project forwarding movements. Now however a supplier of traditional Goods in Transit and other such policies, is pointing out that some other types of coverage are required, no matter what sector a company is involved in.

Legal Action Launched by Union against Logistics Company

UK – Following on from the landmark ruling against taxi booking giant Uber over the rights of the company's workers the GMB union is launching legal action against freight courier Hermes on behalf of eight of the company's drivers who are allegedly being denied their workers' rights. A complaint has been launched with the Employment Tribunal by solicitors Leigh Day.

ULEZ Anti-Pollution Plans Could See Small Haulage Operators Banned From Capital

UK – We have written in the past about the freight industry's concerns over the proposed tightening of emission standards for road haulage vehicles in London with the proposed creation of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in September 2020. Now it seems that the recent highlighting of the issue of London's s terrible air quality has cajoled the city's authorities to contemplate accelerating plans to ban older diesel vehicles from London.

Workers Reject Deal Following Job Cut Proposals

ITALY – For the second time in a decade, Italy's national airline Alitalia has entered into bankruptcy proceedings, after workers rejected a restructuring plan that included cuts to jobs and salaries. Special Administrators have now be appointed to examine whether the troubled freight and passenger carrier can be salvaged once again, or else risk entering liquidation.

Japanese Box Carriers May Well See Themselves Victims of 'America First'

US – JAPAN – The latest attempt to form an alliance between freight carriers has fallen at one of the first hurdles as the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has rejected the 'Tripartite Agreement' between Japan's big three container shipping lines Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) first mooted in October last year, on jurisdictional grounds. The agreement would have seen the three carrier' s form a joint container shipping service in an attempt to address the industry wide problem of overcapacity.

Madrid Maersk Calls into Tianjin

DENMARK – Maersk Line has once again reclaimed the title of the world's largest container vessel after the Madrid Maersk, a 20,568 TEU container vessel and the first 2nd generation Triple-E, called at the Port of Tianjin, China, the first port on its maiden voyage. Maersk takes the privilege from Japanese competitor Mitsui OSK Lines, which only received the 20,170 TEU MOL Triumph the month prior. These ultra-large container vessels were commissioned at a time when the wider shipping industry were more optimistic of a recovery in the maritime sector, instead of the consolidation and cooperation container carriers currently finds itself in the midst of, and the surprise bankruptcy Hanjin weighing heavily over the industry.

First Electric Passenger Boat in Finland Also One of its Oldest

FINLAND – The oldest operating ferry in Finland is starting its new lease of life after the vessel underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to change its drivetrain. Again.

Pre-Election Manifesto Set Out

UK – It would seem that, with election fever building both at home and amongst near neighbours, the fashion is for all and sundry to set out their manifestos. One of the first to throw a hat in the ring is the Road Haulage Association (RHA) which has come up with five points it believes are essential elements in support of the British freight industry.