Shipping Search - Archive

WSC Rejects Federal Maritime Commission Interference

US – Following the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) solicitation of views appertaining to the publication of an index of shipping container freight rates when dealing with agricultural exports, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has pulled no punches in its response saying such indices violate the FMC’s own current regulations and intrude upon service contract confidentiality. The WSC raises several logical questions such as whether there is a need for such an index, why only agricultural rates should be considered and one might interpret its responses to the FMC solicitation as somewhat scornful of the Government agency’s naivety.

Fargo's TOPS System Extended to Include Tankers and Waste Transport

UK – Having announced last month the addition of a rail freight transport element to its TOPS multi modal shipping management software, Fargo Systems, based in Exeter and Colchester, has now developed specific additional enhancements and extended features on the 3.8 edition to assist the tanker, bulk and waste management sectors. Fargo says its program is already the de facto standard for the UK container transport market with operators controlling over 3 million box movements annually and it has been working with road haulage operators to develop a range of tailored and flexible functions to enable the latest additions.

Tuscor Lloyds Overcome a Rash of Problems to Complete Another Environmental Success

US – EUROPE - There are often factors which influence the movement of oversize pieces of cargo which simply cannot be foreseen and often, when a multi modal job starts to go wrong, the whole thing can unravel leaving the shipping line, freight forwarder and road haulier all tainted by failure to complete on time. Project forwarding is really about overcoming the problems which arise during transit and overcoming them to the satisfaction of all concerned – particularly the customer. The latest major undertaking by Manchester based Tuscor Lloyds provides a good example of how the key ingredient in a successful out of gauge movement is the factor money can’t buy – experience.

Kerry Continues to Develop Specialist Facility at Laem Chabang

THAILAND - Global freight and supply chain service provider Kerry Logistics has completed the expansion of its automotive Complete Built Units (CBU) facility at the Kerry Logistics Centre Laem Chabang (KLCLC) in Thailand. An additional 2,968 square metres of warehouse space is now available, tailor-made to accommodate the storage needs of a leading European luxury vehicle manufacturer and the new warehouse space has a capacity for some 150 vehicles.

Fancy a Short Sprint from London to Paris? Sign Up Now!

UK – FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – Transaid, the transport and logistics charity which strives to make life easier for those who suffer hardship through lack of a decent freight and passenger transport infrastructure, has launched its latest money raising initiative in cooperation with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Transport for London (TfL). And all you have to do is cycle from London to Paris!

Innovative Security for Hire Whilst Transec Announces Live Debates

GERMANY – US – UK – WORLDWIDE – Following the successful trial of an original order First Class Zollservice und Transportvermittlungs GmbH has made a further investment with a new purchase from Implant Sciences' Hamburg-based distributor, D-TeC System Consulting of their Quantum Sniffer(TM) H150 handheld explosives trace detector. First Class Zollservice, based in Raunheim south west of Frankfurt, has worked as customs clearance and air freight management services for two decades and recently expanded into the cargo security field.

Volvo Says Latest Innovation Will Trim 5% Off Fuel Bills

WORLDWIDE – In an attempt to find ever more ingenious ways to reduce the fuel consumption of their trucks Volvo have come up with a new innovation they have christened ‘I-See’, which exploits kinetic energy and operates like an autopilot and takes over gear changing and utilises gradients to save fuel. Volvo say the system will cut road haulage operators bills by saving 5% when it is used to “push” the vehicle up hills whilst on downhill gradients the same energy is used for acceleration.

New Video Aims to Simplify Fork Truck Maintenance

UK – There is no doubt that as the economy tightens up one of the first things to suffer in the average road haulage or freight and logistics outfit is maintenance. This can range from not decorating the office to more serious matters such as servicing of vans and lorries with very often the first casualty the handling equipment in the warehouse including regular checks on fork lift trucks and their components despite their undoubted value to such an operation and the risk to safety if they are neglected.

Big Four Have Now Announced Identical Tariff Rises This Month

US – Trucking group YRC Freight joined its main road haulage competitors when it confirmed officially yesterday that it was instituting a general rate increase averaging 6.9%, matching several of its major rivals. In the past few weeks there has been an uncanny similarity between competitors following the ABF Freight System increases which took effect yesterday with FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight both increasing by an average of 6.9% and both taking effect on the same day as the YRC hike.

New Track Officially Opens to Support Crossrail

UK – So what’s the best way to tackle the huge bulk transport job involved when you are clearing the spoil from the tunnels of Europe’s biggest construction project? As the scheme involved is Crossrail, the ambitious plan to put new rail tunnels running under the heart of London between Paddington and Whitechapel the answer is of course – rail freight.

Hamburg Sud Reveals its Green Credentials

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – The question of protection of the environment is uppermost in the minds of all branches of the ocean freight trade these days. We have recently referred to Shipping Emissions, Abatement and Trading (SEAaT), and the efforts of some of the major container carriers to clean up their act to accommodate the demands of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL undertaking and the North American Emission Control Area that will become effective on 1st August this year. Now another freight and logistics group known mostly for their ocean carriage has announced their latest policy.

Weiss-Rohlig Start Weekly Groupage

CHINA – BRAZIL - Weiss-Röhlig is now offering a direct container shipping groupage service from Shanghai to Santos and says that the routing is also an ideal solution for LCL consignments from Ningbo, as they can be transported daily from Ningbo to Shanghai and then loaded directly into the consolidated containers. The alliance between Gebrüder Weiss and Röhlig Logistics is thus providing a link between one of the fastest growing economic areas in Asia and the most important sea port in Latin America.

SIS System Handles Management and Maintenance of Fifty Vessels

NORWAY - Star Information Systems (SIS), supplier of software and services for technical ship and rig management, has successfully completed the installation of its Star Information & Planning System (Star IPS) across Solstad Offshore’s fleet of fifty high-specification vessels dedicated to negotiating the tricky field of offshore energy logistics.. Both companies are Norwegian based and have cooperated since signing an initial contract Solstad in July 2008.

Three Major Coups for Finnish Materials Handling Manufacturer

US – FINLAND – It has been a triumphant month or two for Konecranes the Finnish headquartered manufacturer of materials handling equipment, with orders from container terminals, intermodal rail freight facilities and a major US shipping port reported.

Safmarine Take Inaugural Award

PAKISTAN- Container shipping line Safmarine tells us it has always believed that being accessible, friendly and flexible is a winning formula and a recent industry award presented to Safmarine by the Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA) is not only an acknowledgement of the efforts of its Safmarine Pakistan team, but it also attests to the success of the company’s highly personalised business approach and the value freight forwarders attach to this.

Update of London Lorry Route Approver Tool Helps Avoid Penalties

UK – Digital mapping and routing specialist PIE has updated its London Lorry Route Approver tool, designed in association with the London Councils Lorry Control Scheme, to include all the changes affecting the capital’s road network this summer in order to assist road haulage operators and other freight and logistics groups deal with the myriad of road closures and restrictions caused by the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Appeal to Bernie Ecclestone Helps Overcome Bureaucracy

FRANCE – Anyone experienced in freight forwarding will have come up against the problems which are inherent when dealing with government offices. Officials involved with such operations tend to set their own agendas and change rules and regulations to suit their mood and recently a switch in policy might have had catastrophic results for the multi million pound enterprise which is Formula One (F1) motor racing.

Insurers Point Out Lack of Clarity When Damage or Loss of Cargo Occurs in the Supply Chain

UK – WORLDWIDE – Once again the brains at the TT Club, the mutual insurance operation which has been providing liability cover to freight forwarders, carriers, cargo handlers and others in the supply chain for over four decades, has come up with a no nonsense item in an attempt to clarify the amount of responsibility borne by carriers when the need to reimburse the owners of cargo arises following loss or damage. This question continues to be a source of confusion between shippers and their logistics suppliers with many on both sides simply taking an ostriches view until problems arise.

From Pirates to Petty Theft Industry Looks at Global Problems Facing the Supply Chain

UK – WORLDWIDE – Certain subjects remain at the top of the agenda for all companies which operate in the freight and logistics sector, environmental concerns, fuel prices and, particularly in the past few years, security. With the Transport Security Expo being held in London later this year there has never been so much interest from disparate sections of the industry. Now, in its 10th anniversary year, the industry leading annual gathering of security professionals has unveiled an expanded workshop programme for the forthcoming event. These seminars are targeted to deliver a rich source of detailed information presented by leading industry experts and the programme has been expanded by popular demand.

FlyUs Opens New Key Office in Budapest

HUNGARY – NETHERLANDS – Schiphol based airline cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) FlyUs, has opened a new branch office in the Hungarian capital, Budapest to cater for increasing demand for its services from exporters in that country. FlyUs is the freight GSSA for Air Asia, Air Transat, Copa Airlines, Global Aviation, Europe Airpost and Jet2. Managing Director, Carlo de Haas, commented:

Eastbourne Tennis Tournament and Argentina are Contrasting Scenes for Workers Action

ARGENTINA – UK – WORLDWIDE - Unions representing workers from the major airline alliances are meeting this week in Argentina to share information and develop strategic responses to developments by freight and passenger carriers in the industry. They will cover issues such as the implications of the proposed LAN-TAM merger on Oneworld Alliance workers and the situation at Turkish Airlines, which has raised serious concern among Star Alliance unions. Meanwhile, somewhat bizarrely, an Eastbourne tennis tournament will provide the backdrop to a protest by Dutch dock workers.

'High Level Group' Report to Commission Will Impact on Transport Industry

EUROPE – Next year the European Commission is scheduled to publish a comprehensive report on the road haulage market and the implications for European freight carriers are huge. An important step toward the publication of the Commissions decisions was taken this week with the publication of the findings of a ‘High Level Group’ which was assembled by the Commission's Vice-President Siim Kallas a year ago. Kallas refers to the group as his ‘wise men’ and obviously sets great stock on their collective opinion. The group have spent the year in discussion with industry stakeholders including road hauliers and road haulage organisations, freight forwarders, trade unions and customers of the road transport industry.

Scholarships Available for Those with 'Personality, Commitment, Guts, and Passion'

GERMANY – Interested parties have only a few days left to apply for a scholarship to study at the Kühne Logistics University (KLU) with applications for its two international master’s programs, the MSc in Global Logistics and the MSc in Management, due to close on the 30th June 2012. Students with a bachelor’s degree who are aiming for a career in management or logistics may apply for a course at the KLU’s Hamburg campus.

Lloyds Register Publish Overview of 'Scrubbers'

UK – WORLDWIDE - Lloyd’s Register’s has published a new guide, Understanding Exhaust Gas Treatment Systems, to give ship owners and operators an overview of the related technology and emerging regulations they need to make sound business decisions. Freight and passenger vessels alike will need to ensure they comply with new emissions-control regulations and the guide is intended to give operators a ‘heads up’.

Compromise Reached on 'Single European Railway Area'

UK – EUROPE – Unsurprisingly the Rail Freight Group (RFG) has welcomed wholeheartedly the agreement which has been reached between the EU member states, the European Parliament and the Commission on the First Railway Package Recast. The organisation, which represents over one hundred member companies from the freight and logistics sector to retailers like Marks and Spencer’s feels the settlement encourages the development of intermodal services throughout the EU. RFG Chairman Tony Berkeley commented:

UK Removals Group Saddled With Trans Atlantic Contract

US – UK – Project freight forwarding tends to conjure up images of huge weighty pieces borne by vast multi wheeled trailers but even when the cargo is comparatively lightweight some consignments harbour their own special problems. Such was the situation last month when international removals company Anglo Pacific was entrusted with the unique task of transporting six life-size fibreglass horses from New York across the “pond” to the Museum of London. Head of Design for the Museum of London, Leigh Cain, explains:

Intelligence Can Ensure Violence is Not the Industry Norm

WORLDWIDE – Following the release of the latest defence against piracy tool which we wrote about last month, international logistics specialist GAC has released details of the recent 'Lunch and Learn' event hosted by GAC Protective Solutions, the strategic partnership between global freight shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC with maritime intelligence agency AKE.

Insurance Body Reviews Lien in Detail

UK – WORLDWIDE – Two excellent articles by the TT Club this week will help clarify the position of freight forwarders with regard to a lien held when a client withholds funds or goes into administration. Dealing in both general and specific terms (the recent case of logistics supplier Uniserve versus fashion house La Senza is covered in some detail) the pieces give a concise picture of the advantages and pitfalls of exercising contractual rights over goods.

Overweight Boxes are a Safety and Security Problem

WORLDWIDE – In January last year we told how the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) amongst others had pressed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in December 2010 to set out regulations for the weighing of containers laden with freight as a safety measure both to protect staff and cargo and enhance security in the supply chain.

New Jersey LCL and FCL Specialist NVOCC Opens French Office

US – FRANCE – CaroTrans, an NVOCC and container shipping consolidator has today announced it is opening a hub office in Le Havre to add to its network of offices in Asia, South America, Oceania, and the United States. The move is primarily to support FCL and LCL exports from the states but with the intention of developing a French export trade and establishing container freight stations in Paris and Lyon.

Delay Again for Multi Modal Solution

UK – The hope that we expressed in February that the matter of the intermodal rail freight terminal development at St Albans would be resolved by April has once again vanished as we witness even more prevarication from the authorities. After our last article a date of the 13th June was set to finalise the matter with the government promising an answer but once again more of the same as, although delayed, no new date for a statement has been set.

SDV Constructs New Environmental Terminal

SINGAPORE – Freight forwarding and supply chain group SDV is about to complete an impressive project in the western part of Singapore, by constructing a four-storey ramp-up warehouse including nine floors of production and office space. In March 2012, this warehouse became the first one to be Green Mark Platinum certified in Singapore. It will also be the largest logistics centre in Asia to obtain the LEED Gold certification.

Boost Needed to Showcase Industry to a Female Audience

UK – A Roundtable discussion on the morning of this years MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards made it clear that certain misconceptions about the sector with the perception that transport and logistics does not hold many opportunities for women when, according to delegates, the reverse is true. Opportunities do exist within both freight and passenger branches of the transport industry and what the discussion really highlighted were the skills that women can offer and the immense potential benefit on offer to employers and staff alike.

Toll Global Statement on 'Host of False Accusations'

US - Toll Global Forwarding – America, part of Toll Group has issued a detailed statement on the cases brought by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union which have now been dismissed by the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The trucking and freight forwarding company state that the media campaign by the union regarding its treatment of employees has been grossly misleading and damaging to public perception of the group.

Safety Increased and Damages Reduced by Product Now Available in UK

UK – Storage and materials handling equipment supplier Warehouse Partners Ltd has introduced Rack Nets back of rack netting to the UK market for distribution through leading racking suppliers, a system which is fixed to the rear of single runs of pallet racking to form a protective barrier that prevents loads stored within the pallet bays from falling into the aisles during the pallet put-away and retrieval process. Unlike metal mesh guards which have traditionally been used to fulfill a similar function, Rack Nets netting does not buckle or become misshaped if subjected to the considerable force that can be exerted by a displaced pallet.

New Website To Show Off Current Research and Development Whilst Volvo Takes 25% of Deutz

SWEDEN – GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – Volvo has launched a new website to show off its latest concepts and research whilst, assuming the competition authorities approve AB Volvo are about to acquire over 22 million shares in Deutz AG, one of their long time engine parts suppliers. This proposed deal will take Volvo’s share of the company to 25% from the current 6.7% they currently hold. Recently the two groups have been cooperating more closely and a recent memorandum of understanding aims at analyzing the conditions for establishing a joint venture in China for the production of medium-duty engines for off-road applications.

New Singapore Solution Serves Aerospace Customers

SINGAPORE – Freight forwarder and supply chain provider Kuehne + Nagel has introduced a new regional hub solution in Singapore to enhance its dedicated spare parts logistics offering to the aerospace industry. The new service strengthens and underlines the company’s focus to introduce innovative services for the aerospace market. The new hub solution enables global and regional aerospace customers to supply their clients flexibly with parts and subsystems according to their individual needs and timeframes.

Research Firm ACT Report Blames Credit Situation

US - Research firm ACT Research says new Class 8 truck orders are down 23 percent compared to last year with road haulage operators unwilling to invest. New orders for May numbered 18,000, compared to 23,337 last year and the report also has analyses that say the slower buying is probably a result of credit issues instead of freight orders. Kenny Vieth, president of ACT Research points out:

German - Chinese Joint Venture Folds

CHINA – If one looks for evidence that the increased competition in the country’s air freight market has grown ever keener the news this week that Jade Cargo International has folded will doubtless send a chill down the collective spines of those who saw the expanding sector as hope for the future. With principal shareholders including Shenzen Airlines, Lufthansa and institutional German investors the venture would seem to have had the twin advantages of home market knowledge and established international management.

Permit Rows and Truck Toll Swindles Times Get Harder for Many

EUROPE – As times get harder for international road haulage outfits there are signs of a hardening of attitudes between various countries. Russia and Poland may have thrashed out a one all draw on the football pitch but the Russians clearly think they have given too much ground of late in the field of road freight and have reduced the number of transit permits they grant their Polish neighbours. Mean while an alleged fraud involving an international freight and logistics group brings more unwanted headlines to industry and individual companies alike.

Drive for Profit Continues as Environmental Policies Maintained

US – FedEx Freight, the less than truckload (LTL) segment of the international logistic corporation’s operation, has announced a 6.9% rate increase to come into effect on the 9th July. The increase will affect all shipments between the US and Canada and export cargo into Mexico with import rates remaining unchanged.

Now is the Time to Transport Something Back to Your Industry

UK – AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – The good name of the freight and logistics community is at stake and international transport development charity Transaid needs your help to make the launch of its 2012 campaign a success. The next month sees the start of Transaid Week and transport industry professionals are being urged to make a difference this summer and perform challenging fundraising feats in the week between 2nd and 6th July under the theme ‘Challenge Yourself for Transaid’.

Schneider Increases Ties with CSX

US – Truckload specialist Schneider National Incorporated has expanded its intermodal services in North Western Ohio after reaching an agreement with rail freight giant CSX to now include two rail ramps in the region: Marion and North Baltimore. This move gives Schneider more logistics possibilities in the Northeast, Southeast and Pacific North Western United States and in addition Schneider says improved transits will enhance service capability throughout the U.S. and Mexico while enabling more multi-modal options for shippers.

Capacity the Key to Maintain Profitability

WORLDWIDE – Along with the ‘State of IATA’ speech given by Tony Tyler, the International Air Transport Association’s Director General and CEO at the 68th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit held in Beijing, China this week comes a set of predictions, including those for air freight following a sharp fall in air cargo in 2011. The forecasts make an interesting comparison with those of many major analysts in other areas of logistics such as the container shipping sector.

CMA CGM Consolidates Subsidiary Companies

FRANCE – Having released less than auspicious trading figures for the first quarter just two days ago container shipping giant CMA CGM has revealed in detail the plans it has long hinted at with a remodelling of the organisations five multi modal subsidiary companies. What the group is calling France’s first tri-modal operator was set up in April with the objective of centralising all freight movements within the world’s third largest box carrier.

LaHood Praises an Institution as Overseas Ocean Carriers Go Native

US – One of the criticisms regularly levelled at the country’s authorities is that of perceived double standards with regard to protectionist measures. The US is seen as the first to complain when another country steps in to control trade, yet is the first in line to assist its own cargo carriers and export industry. We have often written of the outside world’s view of the so called Jones Act, introduced to guarantee a viable defensive fleet capable of resupplying the country with vital freight in times of conflict which many now consider simply a tool to protect American jobs and flag status whilst paying a premium not subject to free market forces as a consequence.

ITF Committee Meets Next Week in Jakarta

INDONESIA – WORLDWIDE - Piracy will be high on the agenda of the ITF’s (International Transport Workers’ Federation) 2012 Asia Pacific Seafarers and Fisheries committee. Seafarer trade unionists from across the Asia-Pacific region will meet in Jakarta from 11th – 14th June to discuss plans on piracy, cabotage, and improving standards for fisheries workers. Cabotage, the carriage of cargo between two internal points in one country by a carrier from another, usually from a less regulated and lower paid economy, has been a bone of contention within the freight industry for centuries. At times of economic hardship as work becomes harder to come by it has traditionally caused fierce arguments over territory between home and alien nations’ road haulage operators, airlines and shipping groups.

2012 Winners to be Announced at July Ceremony

UK – This year’s finalists in the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) awards have just been announced with several companies appearing in more than one category, and some even in the same category twice for separate achievements! The awards are established as prestigious symbols of excellence in the 3PL sector and emphasise the importance of logistics within today’s economy.

Neo Air Charter Cements a Cut Price Solution

GERMANY – PAKISTAN – The capital city of Islamabad is the fastest growing urban region in Pakistan and one of the few places in the world where construction can currently be called a boom industry. When a major cement manufacturing plant was threatened with shutdown the more leisurely option of ocean freight was excluded from the equation and air cargo presented the only possible solution. Neo Air Charter, the founder and German member of the Global Charter Alliance, became involved and managed to handle the urgent transportation of two giant track rollers from Frankfurt Hahn to Islamabad, at a welcome saving on the anticipated cost.

US and EU Come to Accord on Security Matters

US – EUROPE – The agreement between America’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the European Commission to recognise each others air cargo security precautions thus simplifying procedures for shipments of air freight between the two regions has received a warm welcome from all sectors of the shipping community. As from the 1st June the need to recognise the urgency of air freight has been confirmed in press releases by both the TSA and the EU and should lead to less duplication of security processes and a lowering of costs for air cargo operators.

CMA CGM First Quarter Figures Sum Up the Market

FRANCE – WORLDWIDE - CMA CGM today released their first quarter figures for 2012 showing a 13.4% volume jump to 2.6 million TEU’s but the container shipping giant only recorded a rise of 2.6% in consolidated revenue to $3.6 billion whilst freight rates plummeted and oil prices rose strangling profits and leaving the group with a net loss of $248 million for the three months.

Chinese Built Kamsarmax Ships for German Fleet

CHINA – GERMANY – Later this month the second of two new Kamsarmax bulk carriers built on behalf of A.O. Schiffahrt at the yard of Taizhou Catic Shipbuilding, near Shanghai will be christened. The Ida Oetker will be named on the 26th June following the christening of her sister ship the Caroline Oetker last month. A Kamsarmax class is basically an 82,000 dwt Panamax bulk carrier with an increased overall length of 229 metres and named after Port Kamsar in Equatorial Guinea, the largest freight vessel able to load at the world’s largest bauxite port.

New Vehicle Logistics Centre for Philippines

PHILIPPINES – Even during the downturn seen across various sectors of the freight community worldwide it has been noticeable that the shipping of automobiles and associated products has often been the sector to hold its own. As currency and related wealth fluctuations change the geographical pattern of manufacturers and customers so we have seen a steady development of facilities to deal with the changing trade patterns. This month supply chain group Ceva logistics has announced the launch of a multi user Vehicle Logistics Centre located at Santa Clara, Port of Batangas.

First Quarter Figures Show Exports Up - Imports Down

IRELAND – Last month saw the publication of a report from the Irish Marine Development Office (IMDO), the body responsible for the promotion and development of shipping enterprises within the country and a part of the Marine Institute. The report was released at the European Shortsea Conference in Dublin and showed a decline in all but one of the five segments which make up the marine cargo sector. Container trade,RoRo and break bulk shipments were all down between 1 and 4%.

Collaboration by Stakeholders Required Says Cantwell

US – Once again one of the biggest supporters of the freight industry is at work lobbying for a new initiative to support the country's exporters as the Democratic Senator for Washington State, Maria Cantwell, has fired off an open letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking for a coordinated initiative to improve multimodal cargo throughput ensuring state and federal cooperation.

Past Few Days See Triple First for Somali Situation and Escalation of Ground Warfare

SOMALIA – GULF OF OMAN – UK – Several firsts in the past few days as the ongoing conflict with Somali hijackers continues. They include an initial conference in London, the first claim of assistance given by the Iranian Navy to a US flagged vessel and, perhaps most importantly, an indication in a shift in policy by the pirates with regard to their attacks on cargo and container shipping.

North Sea Oil and Gas Services Affected

NORWAY – A breakdown in talks between the security workers unions and their Norwegian employers yesterday means that the strike, which so far has had limited effects upon air freight and passenger services, has escalated from last night causing problems for cargo traffic and the exchange of oil and gas worker crews to and from North Sea oil platforms.

Company Looks to Asia and the US for High Value Expansion

UK – Manchester based independent freight forwarder and supply chain provider Maltacourt Global Logistics has completed a management buy-out led by CEO Matt Beech. With the changes now made the specialist provider to the consumer electronics and audio visual product sector, is now looking to extend its reach into Asia and the US. Mr Beech commented:

VLCC's Fitted With OceanSaver Technology

GREECE – KOREA – NORWAY - With the drive against pollution now mandatory under the IMO’s regulations, ballast water treatment systems are an essential component in every type of new build vessel from container ship to bulk carrier and the scale and huge displacement of giant VLCC’s like those under construction for Greek oil tanker operator, Almi Tankers S.A., make the selection of such necessities even more crucial. The 320,000 dwt ships will join Almi’s fleet in July 2013 and November 2014 and are designed to exceed high environmental standards, reflecting client demand and international standards for a clean and green operation.

CP Rail and Teamsters Have 90 Days to Resolve Situation

CANADA –As rail workers return to work today both sides in the CP Rail dispute seem to be ready to make a deal during the ninety days allowable under the terms of the emergency bill passed by Parliament yesterday. Cargo has been piling up since the start of the strike nine days ago when almost 5,000 workers walked out paralysing freight traffic and leaving bulk tankers lying empty at the grain terminals.