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Staff Changes in the World of Logistics Start with High Flyer

LUXEMBOURG – Cargolux President and Chief Executive Officer, Dirk Reich will be stepping down from his position from the end of July, citing personal reasons. Richard Forson, Executive Vice-President and CFO, has been nominated as the company’s new President and CEO with effect as of August 1. Forson joined the freight only airline in February 2012 and in August 2012, took over the CEO position on a temporary interim basis.

More Dallying as Expected from a Government in Transition

UK – Following up on our story earlier this week on the future of the airport expansion in the South East, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced yet again a delay the decision until ‘at least October’. Freight industry associations in the UK have pleaded with the government over the past year asking for a formal decision and to choose either London Heathrow or Gatwick for expansion, and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that this deferment ‘is bad news for the economy and will further erode confidence in Britain’s ability to compete in global markets’.

Eastern European Bred Black Rhino Returns to the Land of Her Ancestors

CZECH REPUBLIC – TANZANIA – Freight forwarding and logistics giant DHL says it has completed another landmark transportation project with the delivery of a black rhino from her birthplace in the Czech Republic to her species natural homeland in Tanzania. Three-year-old female Eliska was moved to a natural park in Tanzania as part of an ongoing conservation project run by the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust, aimed at helping endangered animal populations to grow and prosper in their natural habitat. Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express, said:

Consolidation is the Name of the Current Game

GERMANY – MIDDLE EAST – FRANCE – SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – As consolidation and collaboration in the container shipping industry seems to be the way forward with overcapacity and falling rates continuing to plague the global sector, four giants of ocean box freight continue with merger plans. First up, Hapag-Lloyd and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) have reached an agreement on the terms and conditions of the possible merger between the two large shipping lines.

Single Piece Weighs in at 85 Tonnes

RUSSIA – As project air freight forwarding consignments go they don’t come much bigger than the turbine runner with tooling weighing 115 tonnes and destined for the Ust-Srednekanskaya hydroelectric power station which has just arrived safely at Sokol Airport in Magadan, Russia on board a Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ An-124-100 ‘Ruslan’ freighter. Preparations for the transportation of the huge 6 metre diameter turbine runner from St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport started in late 2015 in consultation with global power engineering company Power Machines which produced the runner, which alone weighs in at 85 tonnes, for the power station.

However History and Politics Decree More Delays are Likely

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has it expressed its concerns over the impact of lasts week’s news that the UK will leave the EU, and David Cameron’s subsequent resignation as Prime Minister, will have on the expansion of UK aviation capacity. With the final decision on the expansion of London’s Heathrow airport (LHR) already over a year late, and those in power seemingly with now more important things on their respective plates, the association fears further procrastination from the UK government on an issue which spans the decades. Robert Keen, Director General BIFA said:

US Shippers Promised a Faster Route to and from the Exotic Islands

US – SOUTH PACIFIC – Ocean shipping line and multimodal carrier, Matson has announced the introduction of a fast containership service between the US West Coast and ports in Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. Starting August 10, 2016, Matson's ‘South Pacific Express’ (SPX) will for the first time link the company's well established West Coast - Hawaii service with its South Pacific network. Using a dedicated ship to carry West Coast cargo transhipped at Honolulu, SPX will provide same-day-of-week South Pacific arrivals every 28 days, calling at:

Berthing and Marine Trials Under Way - Now on to Cargo Handling Tests

UK – We have for two years been following the progress of the Liverpool2 development, the new deep water container terminal along the banks of the River Mersey and now, as commissioning works get underway, owners Peel Ports have joined with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to begin trials at the new berths which are capable of handling two 380 metre long mega post-Panamax vessels simultaneously.

Deadline Draws Close but Knowledge Pooled by Freight Industry Big Guns in Further FAQ Release

WORLDWIDE – Following up from last week’s report on how ports around the globe are handling the situation, and with just days to go before implementation of the new, mandatory Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations making shippers legally bound to produce a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for any export shipping container no matter where bound from or to, some of the industry’s most august bodies have issued a final series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in an attempt to assist anyone who is not familiar with their legal obligations.

Worries Over GPS Jamming Prompts Response from ICAO

NORTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Once again the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has complained to North Korea regarding the jamming of GPS signals which the organisation has said could have potentially disastrous effects. A report emanating from the South stated that five regions in the neighbouring country, Pyongyang, Kumgang, Haeju, Yonan and Kaesong had each sent transmissions likely to disrupt communications or flight navigation between 31 March and 6 April this year.

Initial Official Voyage Witnesses Scenes of Celebration

PANAMA – The long awaited expansion of the Panama Canal has officially opened with the passage of the COSCO Shipping Panama through the waterway having been selected by lottery as we detailed last month, the ship’s name having been changed since then from the Andronikos by owners China COSCO Shipping to celebrate an occasion which has been almost a decade in development.

Pentalver Adds to Existing Cold Chain Portfolio

UK – Pentalver, the ‘do anything with containers’ group has further invested in its reefer sector with the purchase of new generator sets for its Felixstowe facility. The company, which not only transports and stores shipping containers but repairs them and constructs bespoke boxes to order, has bought the 69RG15 series Gensets from US headquartered Carrier Transicold.

Slightly Less Important Personnel Changes Than Those Pending in the World of Politics

DENMARK – Major changes at the top of the Danish conglomerate Maersk with Søren Skou, current Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Line, set to replace Nils S Andersen as CEO of AP Møller – Mærsk, effective July 1. Skou will lead the company through several changes in the worldwide industry and will maintain his position as the CEO of Maersk Line in addition to his new role. Andersen has held his role as CEO of the Maersk Group since 2007 where he has been a driving force in building five core businesses within shipping, logistics and energy.

After All the Hype, Uncertainty Remains for the Foreseeable Future

UK – EUROPE – So there we have it, the votes are cast and Britain is to leave the EU after 41 years of ever increasing cooperation. Whilst the vote was a very close one, the momentous decision of the British people is bound to have ramifications. Brave New World certainly, but in which sense? The cynicism of Huxley or the misguided musings of Miranda in Shakespeare’s Tempest. Certainly freight forwarders across the continent will be in the front line and anxiously watching how this decision impinges on the logistics sector.

Norwegian Company Expands Diversified Portfolio of Ship Types

NORWAY – SOUTH KOREA – EUROPE – Ocean Yield, a Norwegian shipowner with investments in numerous vessels on long-term charters, has agreed to acquire a 49.5% equity interest in six newbuilding container vessels owned by Quantum Pacific Shipping, that are currently set to be on 15-year bareboat charters to an unnamed major European container line. This seems to be a significant diversion for Ocean Yield which normally concentrates on tankers and truck and car carriers.

New eLearning Course to Keep Seafarers Safer Whilst Anti-Hijack Crew Languish in Jail

UK – INDIA – WORLDWIDE – Ahead of this year’s Day of the Seafarer on June 25, Marlins, suppliers of training solutions for the shipping industry and part of V.Group, have teamed up with International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to create a new eLearning course to help seafarers prevent and prepare for piracy attacks. Although there have been no successful attacks off Somalia for some time, piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping of seafarers in West Africa and Asia are a current concern, with Indonesia recently releasing advice to vessels in the area to avoid certain danger areas, such as the South Philippine waters of the Sulu Sea, fearing piracy could rise to Somali levels.

Box Carrier is Told to Find New Partners by Bankers

SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – In a surprise move, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has entered into talks with the world’s two largest shipping lines Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to join the 2M container alliance (but what will they call it then? Ed). The move, if accepted, will boost 2M’s global market share, at 27.7% of the world’s fleet already the largest such grouping, and potentially see significant improvements for shippers in the Trans-Pacific trade route.

New Ground Floor and Mezzanine Facilities

DUBAI – GAC, a freight specialist which transferred headquarters from Kuwait to Dubai with the development of the logistics business has prospered there ever since and now has announced further expansion with the news it has opened a new dedicated co-packing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) as part of the company’s continued investment and growth strategy. Contract Packing, or co-packing, means goods are not only packed for shipment or retail, but often produced by the 3PL company offering the service.

Transaid Benefits from the Kindness of a Private Donor

UK – MALAWI – International development charity and favourite amongst many in the freight and logistics industry, Transaid has expanded its professional driver training programmes into Malawi, following the programme’s success in raising commercial driver training standards in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Transaid will be working alongside Malawi’s Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) to tackle the high road traffic fatality rate in the country, which stands at an estimated 35 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to 2.9 per 100,000 in the UK, according to the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015.

Information for Shippers is Still Patchy Even at This Late Stage

WORLDWIDE – With just a few days to go before the new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations kick in it is a good time to see where we are as regards the declaration required from every shipper as to the weight, or Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of every loaded export container, no matter which country in the world it may be shipped from. In previous articles we have written how some ports and terminal operators, such as DP World’s London Gateway, have stayed ahead of the game with dedicated website information, whilst others have dragged their feet regarding the mandatory requirements.

Control Switches from Finland to China

CHINA – SWITZERLAND – FINLAND – Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD), which has been developing low-speed two-stroke marine engines since 1898 under ‘Sulzer’ brand, has seen the 30% of its stock previously held by Finnish engineering group Wärtsilä, transferred to the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in a move the company describes as developing ‘a close cooperation with one of the leading global shipbuilding conglomerates’ at a time when diesel, LNG and dual fuel engine power plants are evolving at pace.

New German Office for US Group

US – GERMANY – Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut and with an office in Singapore, has extended the scope of its European operations with the establishment of a new office in Hamburg, Germany. The company says Eagle Bulk Europe GmbH, which is scheduled to commence operations in August of 2016, reflects Eagle's commitment to strengthen its commercial network while accelerating the build-out of the Company's commercial platform.

New Wagons from Recycled Materials

UK – Freightliner, which claims the title of the largest transporter and inland terminal operator for ocean shipping containers in the country, has extended its Green credentials by constructing new box rail freight wagons compliant to European Standards utilising a significant proportion of recycled materials. Subsidiary company Freightliner Heavy Haul has distributed the new rolling stock throughout its fleet after the wagons are built using parts from redundant coal hoppers.

Successful Conference, Awards and Charity Ball Combined

UK – Another successful night on the 17th June when the annual Women in Logistics Awards were presented, an event held in conjunction with the organisation’s Charity Ball at St. John’s Hotel, Solihull with once again Transaid, which tackles poverty and disadvantage by building transport skills and knowledge in the developing world, being the selected good cause in this, the events fifth year. The celebrations followed on from the day’s conference activities which this year centred on ‘Competency and Talent Development’.

Port Specialist Meets with Kazakhstan President

KAZAKHSTAN – Despite concerns over human rights and a lamentable record regarding corruption, the country seems to be on a publicity high at the moment. British astronaut Tim Peake landed in Kazkhstan this week, along with his two Russian compatriots of six months, and port and logistics specialist DP World saw its Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, meet with the President, Mr Nursultan Nazarbayev, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, to discuss further development of the Khorgos Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone and the Port of Aktau.

Two and a Half Centuries of History on Show Until Next Year

UK – It is many years since the Port of Liverpool echoed with the sounds of men unloading bales of silk and chests of tea from the East from the bowels of sailing ships, but something of those days is remembered in a new exhibition which runs from 22 July right through to 4 June 2017 at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. The exhibition tells the story of the Liverpool Pilotage Service, an organisation with a history stretching back to 1766.

Changes to Charges and New Charts Available Whilst Drones are Banned

PANAMA – SUEZ – News from the world’s two main merchant shipping canals this week as Suez publishes a circular confirming changes to charges for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and acts upon an unauthorised drone incident, whilst new Electronic Nautical Charts (ENCs) are now available showing details of the complete Panama Canal operation.

France and Germany in Trouble with Commission on Minimum Wages

FRANCE – GERMANY – UK – The European Commission has decided to take legal action against France and Germany over the possible consequences of the application of their respective minimum wage legislation to the road transport sector, news that has been welcomed by the UK's Freight Transport Association (FTA), which took exception to France’s requirement for all foreign road hauliers to carry documents to prove they earn the French minimum wage.

New One Billion Dollar South American Development on Greenfield Site

ECUADOR – Global marine terminal operator DP World, has won a 50 year concession for the development of a greenfield multi-purpose port project at Posorja, Ecuador, 65 kilometres from the country’s main business city of Guayaquil. Total investment will be over $1 billion for the entire project with thousands of jobs during construction and close to 1,000 operational jobs. The company will develop the site along the same lines as it has at London Gateway with plans to construct a logistics zone thus creating a regional trading hub. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said:

European Giant Expands Asian Operations

FRANCE – SINGAPORE – Following the recent acquisition of Southeast Asian box freight line, Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), French container giant CMA CGM is expanding its presence in Singapore, forming a joint venture with PSA Singapore Terminals that will operate and use four mega container berths at the Pasir Panjang Terminal Phases 3 and 4 in Singapore.

London Gateway Third Berth Opening Will Mean Greatest Capacity in UK for Ultra Large Box Vessels

UK – Under lowering skies our photo shows the Zhen Hua 10 positioned by her accompanying tugs alongside Berth 3 at London’s newest deep water port, London Gateway, on the north bank of the River Thames. The first two cranes for the new berth are to be offloaded by way of specially installed rail tracks over the next few days when time and tide are suitable. The cranes have completed the long three and a half month ocean voyage from China, with two more of their giant siblings due next week.

Appointment Changes Affect Some Major Names This Week Whilst UK Celebrates the Great and the Good

WORLDWIDE – Plenty of staff movements in our round-up of the global freight and logistics industry appointments, starting with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which confirmed Alexandre de Juniac as its next Director General and CEO, effective September 1. Currently Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM, de Juniac will be the seventh person to lead IATA as its Director General taking over from Tony Tyler, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Continuation of Iconic Industry Name Despite Changes in Ownership

SPAIN – Freight forwarding and parcel delivery service TNT is expanding the coverage area of its international express delivery service in Spain, now offering next day delivery to and from an additional 1,300 postal codes. This builds on recent improvements in TNT’s network operations in Spain, including additional pickup and delivery vehicles and rounds, additional direct line haul routes, and the opening of a new international road transit hub in Madrid. TNT now covers more than 90% of Spain’s businesses. Christophe Boustouller, SVP Ops Southern Europe, said:

Acquisition Policy Has Worked Well for Freight Forwarding and Road Haulage Cooperative

NETHERLANDS – DENMARK – DSV is a company which is one of the success stories in the field of modern logistics. Three years after Denmark, along with Britain and Ireland, first signed up to be part of the European Economic Community in 1973, ten local hauliers got together to form a cooperation to rationalise deliveries between their respective companies. Now, forty years later, and claiming to be the world’s fourth largest supply chain solutions provider, the road haulage freight forwarding and general logistics group has just opened its latest facility, a 41,000 square metre warehouse in ‘s Heerenberg alongside the Dutch border with Germany.

Additional Warehousing Almost Doubles Existing Foothold in America

US – Founded in New Zealand in 1978 to serve the ocean and air freight and road haulage sectors, Mainfreight moved into the same US markets in 2007 and has now expanded its logistics network there with the addition of two new warehouses. Located in Newark New Jersey and Dallas, Texas the facilities, at 135,000 and 129,000 square feet respectively, boost the company’s available warehousing to 574,000 square feet when added to its existing depots in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago.

Supply Chain Conferences and Exhibitions Align for 2018

US – EUROPE – In an interesting move MHI, ITE and Messe München have collaborated to plan the newly spawned Transportation & Logistics Americas (TLA) exhibition to appear alongside the annual trade fair MODEX 2018, creating a truly international show. As the trio point out, multimodal logistics is by its very nature a transcontinental business yet the American and European industries have for a long time been working independently of each other, resulting in very few similarities in their business practices.

Hauliers Speak Out and Demonstrate Sharp Divisions

UK – Some months ago Jack Semple, the Road Haulage Association’s (RHA) Director of Policy, put together an informative document giving a view of the forthcoming vote on Britain’s position as regards staying in, or leaving, the European Union. Now the organisation has revealed the results of its own survey of members to understand their position on what is undoubtedly a vitally important decision now known internationally as ‘Brexit’.

100,000+ Units Every Month for Over a Year

UK – FRANCE – In January we reported the record levels of cross channel freight achieved by P&O Ferries between Dover and Calais, and this despite all the problems associated with the migrant crisis that still blights the French port and surrounds. Now the company tells us it has achieved another milestone with more than 100,000 freight vehicles in every month since May 2015, a period of thirteen consecutive months.

Event Supports Charity and Promotes Further Gender Diversity in the Transport Industry

UK – Women in Logistics has revealed the final shortlist of the most influential individuals and businesses vying for recognition at this year’s Charity Ball and Annual Conference Night on June 17. Now in its fifth year, the Women in Logistics Awards provide a great opportunity to showcase the achievements of the amazing women in the sector and the companies actively working to support the employment of a more diverse workforce in the industry, whilst raising funds for the chosen charity, Transaid, and promoting an industry that is ideally suited to more female workers, from freight clerks to road haulage drivers, a sector desperately short of qualified staff.

This Time it's the RoRo Sector in the Americas

US – CHILE – Antitrust and cartel activity has been a blight on air and sea shipping in the past decade and now another ocean freight executive has been indicted for his participation in a long-running price-fixing conspiracy to restrain trade in international ocean shipments of roll on – roll off cargo. Mauricio Javier Garrido Garcia an Executive of Compañia Sudamericana de Vapores S.A. (CSAV) and resident of Chile, has been charged with allocating customers and routes, rigging bids and fixing prices for international ocean shipments of RoRo cargo, including cars, trucks and construction and agriculture equipment, to and from the US. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Renata B. Hesse, head of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, said:

From Wedding Rescues to Environmental Considerations All Help Improve the Industry

UK – Next week will see the celebrations which mark the Scottish Transport Awards, symbols of the exceptional endeavour and commitment across the transport sector which some organisations put in to make freight and passenger transport in the country aspire to ever higher standards. Ferry company CalMac, still euphoric at winning its latest contract to maintain the vital freight and passenger links on the Clyde and Hebrides service has this year managed to secure three nominations.

Plans in Place to Centralise Security in West African Waters

WEST AFRICA – The Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre – Gulf of Guinea (MTISC-GoG) will close before the end of this month, following the successful conclusion of the Pilot Project. Based in Accra, Ghana, MTISC-GOG has been operational since March 2014, supported by some EU Member States and other international partners. Merchant vessels submit voluntary reports to the centre which facilitates the creation of a maritime picture from Senegal to Angola and provides security warnings to vessels about suspicious incidents and piracy attacks.

New Facilities to Include Cranage and Reefer Points with Dedicated Refrigeration Store

UK – In our round up last month of how British ports were coping with the new SOLAS regulations which insist on the verified gross mass (VGM) of every export container, we mentioned the major redevelopments planned for handling freight at the Port of Dover, known much more widely as Britain’s busiest ferry port. Now details have emerged of the major reconstruction planned in a scheme which should see a dedicated freight terminal at Dover ready for much larger quantities of container borne and conventional cargo by the second quarter of 2018.

Change of Name for Materials Handling Apprenticeship Outfit

UK – Next month will see the opening of the UK’s first dedicated lift truck engineer training centre and the move coincides with a change of name for operator the BITA Academy which will henceforth be known as F-TEC (Forklift Training Engineering Centre). The industry-led organisation that delivers apprenticeships in materials handling equipment (MHE) engineering is setting up the new centre to ensure next generation engineers receive the highest levels of industry-focused skills training.

Expansion Programme Continuing

US – ASIA – Hong Kong headquartered Kerry Logistics has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Apex Maritime, a US based freight forwarder with over 20 years of experience in the industry specialising in trans-Pacific trade lanes having handled over 270,000 TEUs in 2015. The move is part of Kerry Logistics’ long-term international freight forwarding strategy to expand its sales network and coverage worldwide. Vic Cheung, CEO and President of Apex, commented:

John Good to Serve UK and Europe to South America, Caribbean and Africa

UK – GERMANY – EUROPE – SOUTH AMERICA – JAMAICA – AFRICA – As part of its liner agency agreement with Hamburg headquartered MACS Maritime Carrier, Hull based John Good Shipping has announced a new service option from Europe to the west coast of South America and Jamaica, as well as an expansion of its services into Mozambique.

10,000 Flags Shipped for Memorial Event

US – This week American Airlines Cargo partnered with the nonprofit organisation Operation Honor our Heroes to respectfully transport 10,000 American flags for a Memorial Day event in Washington D.C. The flags, along with personalised memorial cards, were displayed near the National Mall in D.C. after the shipment, weighing in at over one tonne, had been shipped from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) airport to Washington Reagan (DCA) via an AA Boeing 757.

Virgin and Delta Co-Locate UK Operations

UK – US – We are used to the various alliances made between the ocean container freight carriers but this week saw two of the world’s leading airlines, Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo, sign long-term contracts with dnata to co-locate their cargo handling at London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London Gatwick where both carriers operate. The new ‘one roof’ handling strategy being rolled out across the UK will also include six other UK regional airports, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle to further enhances the airlines’ joint venture partnership.

Cutting Gas Pollution is Almost Mandatory in Modern Freight and Logistics Groups

JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – Virtually every freight and logistics linked company in the world of any substance spends time these days on explaining how they are ‘environmentally aware’ but, as so often is the case lies, damn lies and most of all statistics can be made to say many things. The only true measure of an ocean shipping line’s achievements in this field are the emissions and fuel savings linked, not to the vessels employed, but to the ‘per tonne mile’ basis, in other words the effect on the environment which cargo carriage has and its relationship to previous voyages.

Pirates Prosper Whilst Terrorist/Freedom Fighter (take your pick) Activity Increases

NIGERIA – The complex political situation in the Niger Delta has taken another twist lately as piracy, principally directed at oil tankers and support vessels, has once again taken a sudden upswing, with incidents in the first four months of 2016 standing at 21% higher than the previous peak levels recorded in 2008. According to Control Risks’ Maritime Risk Analysis Division, the frequency of incidents stand 119% higher compared with the same period in 2015. Bayelsa state won the dubious honour of top location for piracy incidents in Nigeria with 56% of total incidents being recorded here between January and April 2016.

Sixth Vessel Constructed Since Takeover

UK – Dover headquartered Burgess Marine acquired Meercat Workboats in September 2014 and has subsequently built six specialist vessels at its Portchester facility in Portsmouth, the latest of which has just been sold to Briggs Marine, the second such craft bought by the Scottish based marine and environmental services group. The 15.5 metre workboat has been configured to facilitate a deck cargo capacity of 20 tonnes and a liquid cargo capacity of 2 x 10,000 litres; with 2 x Doosan main engines and a BETA Marine 21kVA generator.

43 Suezmax Vessels Under One Chartering Banner

BELGIUM – US – WORLDWIDE – Last week saw Euronav NV, the independent crude oil tanker group join forces with US based ship management group Diamond S Management LLC and Bermudan headquartered Frontline Ltd, in a joint venture to be called Suezmax Chartering, the purpose of which is to create a single point of contact for cargo owners to access a large fleet of 43 modern Suezmax vessels, traded and operated on the spot market. Frontline will contribute 22 vessels to the joint venture, including 14 vessels on the water and 8 new builds as they are delivered.

New Company Aims at Offshore Decommissioning

US – NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – Just over a year ago we reported how two major players, Svitzer Salvage and a part of the Maersk Group, and Titan Salvage, under the Crowley Group banner, were to merge to form a new company intended to draw on the talents of both. The new entity, Ardent, has now reported on its progress in what has been a difficult year for the target market.

Celebrity Speakers Brighten Networking Event

UK – This week saw the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane host the annual Road Haulage Association Lunch, a chance for a host of operators of buses and freight vehicles, together with truck manufacturers and transport associated trades to mix and network in a most convivial atmosphere. The last minute loss of the main speaker was more that adequately managed with the substitution of Baroness Michelle Mone OBE, entrepreneur and parliamentarian and renowned as a public orator of some repute, plus a surprise appearance by well-known comedian Jim Davidson.

As Military Land Actions Escalate in Somalia the Risk of Hijack Still Concerns

INDIAN OCEAN – Six months since the High Risk Area (HRA) in the Indian Ocean was reduced in size, international maritime security company, Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST), has said that the security situation in the Western Indian Ocean may be at a tipping point. A culmination of factors, merchant vessels sailing closer to the Somali coast, a reduced naval presence and fewer security teams aboard the freighters, has resulted in elevated levels of pirate activity in recent months, with some vessels coming under fire in the Gulf of Aden.

Some Senior Changes Around the Globe

WORLDWIDE – The week’s round up of staff movements in the freight and logistics business begins with the news that the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has elected Esben Poulsson as its new Chairman, to succeed Masamichi Morooka who has decided to step down after four years in office.

Trucks Flowing Freely from Europe as Sanctions Lifted

EUROPE – IRAN – As we pointed out in a recent article the lifting of sanctions is reinvigorating commerce in Iran and now another global freight and logistics company, Gebrüder Weiss, has confirmed it is expanding its transport network in the Middle East with an offering of a direct consolidated freight link between Sofia, Bulgaria, and the capital city Tehran. Daily direct freight runs are made from the Gebrüder Weiss sites in Maria-Lanzendorf/Vienna, Austria, and Dunaharaszti, Hungary, to Sofia, where goods bound for Iran are consolidated. The standard transit time is usually six working days, departing on a weekly basis.

Oil and Gas Demand Prompts Further Investment

NAMIBIA – Global logistics group GAC, has launched its own operation in Namibia in response to growing demand from its oil & gas customers and increasing freight trade between the country and neighbouring South Africa, as well as other African nations. The company now provides a portfolio of ships agency services for vessels calling at the country’s ports, from its central office close to Walvis Bay port. That service package includes bunker fuel supplies, offshore support, dry-docking, project logistics and husbandry, as well as lay-up and warm stacking support and for all sorts of vessels from liners, oil & gas carriers, tankers and more.

Transport Committee says Government has Abandoned Best Practice

UK – The government has come under fire from the Commons Select Committee on Transport over plans to build a giant lorry park in Kent to alleviate some of the problems caused by Operation Stack, the scheme deployed to park trucks along the M20 motorway when there are delays at the coastal ports, principally Dover, due to weather, congestion or more recently, the migrant crisis and industrial action by striking ferry workers which led to days of chaos with drivers spending hours stuck in queues stretching over 35 miles. The government stands accused by the Committee of abandoning best practice in its haste to resolve a situation which regularly hits Britain’s road haulage freight trade with estimated daily costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Steps to Balance Overall Fleet Tonnage Required to Reinvigorate Trade

WORLDWIDE – BIMCO has released its latest market analysis on what the dry bulk sector must do to return to profitability, suggesting that the market could become profitable again in 2019, but only if a series of extremely tough and sustained measures are taken by shipowners, year on year. In the new market analysis report, titled the ‘Road to Recovery’, BIMCO found that the dry bulk sector cannot merely rely on demand growth to rescue it from the current critical situation in which many companies find themselves and sets out a series of scenarios to find the best fix for an industry struggling to cope.

Legendary Gotthard Route to Carry Traffic from December

SWITZERLAND – After nearly two decades of construction, the world’s longest and deepest rail tunnel has officially opened in Switzerland. The 57 kilometre long Gotthard Base Tunnel which runs through the Alps, is part of a CHF23 billion infrastructure project to establish a route under the mountain range that divides northern and southern Europe, usable by both high-speed rail and heavy freight trains. Once final testing ends, commercial services are expected to begin in December 2016, around 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains will travel through the tunnel daily.

BIFA Needs Your Input!

UK – In advance of the potential development of a professional qualification, the trade association for the UK freight forwarding and logistics industry, the British International Freight Association (BIFA), is undertaking a survey to find out exactly what sort of skill development the sector wants. Robert Keen, Director General of BIFA said: