Shipping Search - Archive

Some of the Global Shipping Trade News You May Have Missed

AUSTRALIA – This week's breakdown of some items from the past seven days freight and logistics news starts with a follow up to the horrific recent stories concerning live animal transport, particularly those emanating from down under. The overwhelming evidence of casual, sadistic cruelty has finally resulted in the suspension of the export license of Emanuel Exports, the company whose behaviour first brought the situation under public scrutiny.

Pioneer of Box Traffic Passes Away at 81 as Others Further Their Careers

FRANCE – This week's round-up of staff changes in the global freight and logistics industry begins with the sad news of the death of Jacques Saadé, the founding President of the French container shipping giant, the CMA CGM group, on June 24, at the age of 81. Saadé dedicated his life to CMA CGM. An extraordinary visionary and entrepreneur, he made the Group into a world leader in the maritime transport of containers, developing the company in more than 160 countries, while maintaining the family dimension with its values.

Another Step Closer to Autonomy for Road Haulage Vehicles

US – Following on from similar, successful trials across Europe, and the manufacturer's previous private tests, Volvo Trucks North America, together with FedEx and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA), have used advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technology to conduct on-highway truck platooning as part of ongoing research collaboration. This marks the first public on-highway showcase of platooning technology between a major truck manufacturer and a transportation company in the US.

Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme Mentioned on First of New UKWA Video Talks

UK – The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has always kept abreast of technology, lately using modern techniques to communicate with, and assess responses from, its live audiences at conferences etc. Now the organisation has extended this to produce the first in a series of 'Vlogs', video presentations for its members, to explain the latest happenings in the market. The first of these sees Peter Ward, Chairman of the UKWA mention the details of the forthcoming HMRC Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS), a subject of interest to many in the freight forwarding and road haulage communities, as well as the nation's warehouse keepers.

Shipping Groups Collaborate to Offer Best Management Advice and Practices

WORLDWIDE – As a result of increasingly complex security risks to mariners and ships across the globe, a group of international shipping industry organisations have collaborated to launch a new website dedicated to providing companies and those at sea comprehensive guidance on a range of maritime security issues as well as access to other useful maritime and military security resources. Amongst these resources are the recently updated, and much quoted, Best Management Practices (BMP) for dealing with incidences of piracy.

Key Import Export Hub to be Established in Egyptian Mediterranean Port

EGYPT – Kuwait headquartered freight forwarding and logistics group, Agility, have signed an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority to establish a logistics centre in East Port Said, a key strategic site on the Mediterranean Sea. In signing the Protocol of Cooperation, Agility will develop a hub with international standard logistics infrastructure to enhance the importing and warehousing of raw materials, as well as the export and distribution of intermediate and final goods through the Suez Canal Ports. The logistics hub is part of the current expansion of East Port Said.

Tony Berkeley Has a Locomotive Named After Him on Retirement

UK – The outgoing Chairman of the Rail Freight Group (RFG), Lord Tony Berkeley, was honoured this week in the most suitable manner for a man who has been at the top of his game, and his organisation, for over two decades. Having held the position of Opposition Spokesperson for Transport 1996-97 and Opposition Whip 1996-97 Tony Berkeley OBE took the Chair at the RFG in 1997 and is also a board member of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA). The GB Railfreight Class 66 engine is liveried in RFG colours and the occasion was honoured at London's Victoria station.

Two Companies Cooperate to Help Clean Up the Merchant Fleet

SWITZERLAND – CANADA – ABB, which works in the robotics and automation fields across a range of industries, and Ballard Power Systems, a global provider of clean energy fuel cell solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on developing the next-generation fuel cell, power system for sustainable marine e-mobility. The pair will work at leveraging existing kilowatt-scale fuel cell technologies and optimise them to create a pioneering megawatt-scale solution suitable for powering larger ships as the search for fuel efficient and less polluting cargo and cruise vessels continues.

New Purpose Built Multi-Temperature Warehouse to Get Perishables to Market Sooner

UK – Just four months after we reported that work had started constructing a new bespoke temperature controlled warehouse on behalf of fruit ripening and distribution group SH Pratt, DP World's London Gateway tells us they have handed over the keys to the 108,555 square foot facility which lies in the Logistics Park in the hinterland of the UK's newest deep water container port. From the new multi-temperature location Pratt will operate its latest business venture - Halo.

Antitrust Woes Continue for Conspiring Airfreight Carriers

AUSTRALIA – The Federal Court of Australia has ordered Air New Zealand to pay $15 million in penalties after legal action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), accusing the airline of taking part in a global air cargo cartel. The Court found Air NZ conspired with other airlines to fix the price of fuel and insurance surcharges on air freight services from Hong Kong, and insurance and security charges from Singapore, to various locations, including Australian airports, between 2002 and 2007.

Hundred Million Dollar Grants Aimed at Eliminating Pollution

US – Oakland's largest marine terminal operator, SSA Terminals, has announced plans to retrofit 13 diesel-powered cranes with diesel-electric hybrid engines as it looks to incorporate clean hybrid cargo-handling technology. With more than $6 million to be invested in upgrading the Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes, the terminal estimates that it will eliminate more than 45 tonnes of exhaust emissions annually at the Port of Oakland.

Monster Challenge for the Freight and Logistics Industry

UK – A maritime welfare charity is calling on people from the shipping industry to get involved with its new Loch Ness challenge event on 6-10 September. The Sailors' Society, which supports seafarers and their families around the world, is looking for people from the freight and logistics sector and beyond to canoe almost 60 miles of the Great Glen and raise funds for its work.

Rastatt Tunnel Collapse Prompts Changes

EUROPE – Following last year's tunnel collapse at Rastatt, Germany the hundreds of freight train cancellations and resultant multi-million costs were largely down to the lack of drivers without the legally required minimum language skills to allow them to cross borders with their charges. Now the European Commission has requested feedback for the amendment to Annex VI of the Train Driver Directive to improve the situation via a draft regulation consultation which runs to July 20.

Your Chance to Support British Heroes from Your Office Chair

UK – Once again Briggs Defence, part of the materials handling group Briggs Equipment, has stepped up to support Britain's bereaved and injured service families with sponsorship of this year's 'Rally for Heroes' as it did back in 2016. As well as its event sponsorship, the specialist division of the asset management and engineering services provider is entering a team in this year's Rally and the company would welcome sponsorship from any interested sources.

Purpose Built Rail Facility to Ensure Optimum Handling Conditions

UK – Middlesbrough based freight and logistics outfit AV Dawson has signed a multi-million pound deal with British Gypsum, the country's market leader for plaster and plasterboard products, to import materials through its Riverside Park site. Material to manufacture the blue chip group's goods will be brought in using a multimodal solution, initially by ship via Dawson's berth for unloading into storage, before being loaded into trains for daily deliveries to the East Midlands area.

Clear Mandate from Parliament Prompts Immediate Legal Challenge

UK – After years of delay, the UK Parliament has finally settled on securing the future of Britain's air capacity, voting in support of plans to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. Many in the freight and logistics industry have long petitioned for a decision which has been decades in the making, and procrastination from successive governments to act on the recommendations of the report from the Davis Commission, together with the UK planning to leave the EU next year, a decision to expand capacity at Britain's airport has never been more urgent. Congratulating the government on the decision Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye said cargo was a vital component in the airport's future.

Bid to End the Common Blight of Depression On Board Merchant Vessels

WORLDWIDE – The OSM Maritime Group, which provides third party management of ships and offshore operations to a variety of vessel types, chose The Day of the Seafarer (June 25) to launch a global campaign aimed at safeguarding and improving the mental health of its 11,000 crewmembers. The year-long initiative, christened 'How Healthy is Your Mind: An OSM Seafarers' Guide to Positive Mental Health', will be pushed out across the 500 plus vessels managed by the business, addressing an increasingly pressing, but often overlooked, industry issue.

What is Happening Along the Links of the Global Supply Chain

UK – We start the week's journey through some of the stories from freight and logistics which didn't quite make the headlines with a reaction from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to the announcement from Leeds City Council that, after a recent public consultation, as from January 2020, any pre-Euro VI lorries entering the city's Clean Air Zone will be liable to a toll of £50.

Staff Changes Announced Throughout the Industry

DENMARK – The weekly look at staff moves in the shipping, forwarding and logistics sectors start with a major appointment at the largest of the container lines with Carolina Dybeck Happe named to assume responsibility as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of AP Møller - Maersk A/S, effective no later than January 1, 2019, when she will also join the company's Executive Board.

One Billion Dollar Investment in Decade to 2018 in Cleaner Commercial Plant and Vehicles

US – UPS has announced plans to invest $130 million into its compressed natural gas fleet, which will see the American parcel giant build an additional five CNG fuelling stations and add more than 700 new compressed natural gas vehicles including 400 semi-tractors and 330 terminal trucks. This investment in CNG capacity for 2018 builds on previous UPS investments of $100 million dollars in 2016 and $90 million dollars in 2017. UPS will have invested more than $1 billion in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fuelling stations from 2008 through 2018.

Texas Celebration Prompts Unique Project Freight Movement

US – The city of San Antonio is celebrating its tercentenary this year having first been established in 1718 after being named three decades previously after St. Anthony of Padua by Spanish missionaries. The city is most probably most famous for being the home of the Alamo where Texas revolutionaries fought Mexican general Santa Anna, inspiring many to join the revolution for possession of the state. Now the tricentennial celebrations have seen priceless Spanish art from locations around the globe transported to the city by American Airlines Cargo (AA) as an official sponsor of a celebratory exhibition.

Start Up Group Product Enters the Real World

WORLDWIDE – When three operations the size of Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and France's CMA CGM and SNCF, two of the top three containers shipping lines in the world plus the state run rail freight and passenger leader, get involved in a start-up project, chances are it has something of potential to offer.

Steady Expansion in All Areas of Trade

ROMANIA – It would seem that logistics in the country continue to play and ever more important role in the country's economy, certainly if the latest developments for Austrian freight forwarding outfit Gebrüder Weiss are what one goes by. The firm has just completed the extension to its warehouse facility in Sibiu, Transylvania where, in an area of 4,500 square metres a new logistics terminal including cross-docking hub was erected.

Issuing House Bs/L Can be a Very Dangerous Practice

AUSTRALIA – CHINA – WORLDWIDE – The rules covering the use of Bills of Lading (Bs/L) are universal and have served the international shipping community well for centuries. Every so often however shippers and freight forwarding agents lose sight of the importance of these negotiable documents and a recent case illustrates how, ignorance, indolence or perfidiousness can lead to serious repercussions for those involved.

Continued Expansion for World's Third Largest Box Carrier

FRANCE – FINLAND – French container shipping giant, CMA CGM has announced an agreement with Finland's Container Finance, to acquire Finnish intra-European short sea freight feeder line, Containerships. The deal includes Container Finance's holdings in port operator Multi-Link Terminals, and container services firm CD Holding, all of which will become part of the CMA CGM Group, pursuant to approval by the relevant authorities.

TEU Count to Rise to 1.8 million by 2022

CANADA – DP World has continued the expansion of its port and logistics interests by agreeing a project development plan with the Port of Prince Rupert that outlines the next development phase for the DP World Prince Rupert Fairview Container Terminal. This 'Phase 2B' expansion will increase annual throughput capacity at Canada's second largest box terminal to 1.8 million TEUs when works are complete in 2022.

Government Target to Make Power from a Variety of Waste Sources

UK – Air cargo and road haulage operators stand to benefit from seven industry-led projects which will receive a share of £2 million to develop proposals for advanced fuels production plants, as part of the government's drive to reduce carbon emissions, under the Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition (F4C).

Two Bigger Ships Will Ensure Sufficient Capacity Across Irish Sea

UK – Seatruck Ferries, which runs freight only RoRo ferry services across the Irish Sea, says it is to invest €100 million increasing capacity on the Warrenpoint to Heysham route by 30%. Unaccompanied trailers are the driver for the move which will see the company deploy two larger freight ferries this summer, giving the carrier the capacity to ship 30,000 additional trailers annually on the key crossing.

Arduous Process Results in a First for Deck and Lid Shipping Boxes

US – WORLDWIDE – Whilst the company currently touts its products along the waterways of Europe, over in the US CakeBoxx Technologies tells us it recently received SAFETY Act liability and risk management approvals for their innovative, high-security, 'deck and lid' design containers. CakeBoxx containers are therefore now a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT) and are listed on the US Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Approved Equipment List, under the Act, the designated mark of which can now be used on CakeBoxx products.

Environmental Benefits Must be Tempered by Good Administration

UK – WORLDWIDE – With respect to the forthcoming introduction of mandatory environmental legislation regarding the type and use of fuel oils in merchant ships, a group of international shipping associations, BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and World Shipping Council (WSC), is calling on the Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to make progress on key challenges around the global sulphur cap to avoid compromising safety or unfairly penalising individual ships.

Prequel to Annual Debate Shows Technology Groups Seen as Freight Industry Drivers

UK – WORLDWIDE – Results of the latest survey from supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA will come as no surprise to those with their fingers of the pulse of the 'forgotten' industry. The survey, released ahead of the SCALA Annual Supply Chain Debate, now in its 15th year, indicates that third party logistics (3PL) companies are the weakest drivers of developments in supply chain and customer service.

25,000 Deaths Annually Bring Calls for Immediate Action

EUROPE – Despite cutting the number of road fatalities in the EU by more than 50% since 2001, figures from a new report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) show that road safety progress in the European Union has stagnated for the last four years. The latest ETSC Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) report shows that EU Member States are struggling to make a breakthrough: 25,250 people lost their lives on EU roads in 2017 and, although road deaths declined by 2% last year, they have decreased by just 3% over four whole years since 2013. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director ETSC, commented:

Border Management and Employment Are Crucial Factors for When UK Leaves EU

UK – As the Brexit saga continues so pressure increases on the British government to ensure a fair outcome for the country's importers and exporters and now one of the most influential Industry lobby groups has published its views, responding to the recent Transport Select Committee's inquiry into the effects of Brexit on UK freight operations. The response from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has been led through its Freight and Logistics Policy Group, with a detailed submission that is intended to contribute to parliamentary understanding of the fundamental role freight and logistics will play in supporting the UK economy in a post-Brexit world.

UK Court Action to Settle African Investment Dispute

DJIBOUTI – After the government seized control of the Doraleh Container Terminal within the Port of Djibouti from port and logistics group DP World in February, simultaneously kicking all the Dubai based company's staff out of the country in the process, rumours have been rife as to what happens next.

A Selection of Smaller Items from Around the Globe

PANAMA – Our weekly view on some of the stories from shipping, freight forwarding and logistics you may have missed in the past few days start with two items about the waterway for which the country is best known. Firstly criticism by international unions of management at the Panama Canal, the vital link which cuts international journey times for vessels transiting between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and negates the problems of passing round Cape Horn.

Meanwhile War Breaks Out at Stobart

UK – We start this week’s round-up of staff changes in the shipping and logistics industry with the news that Sir Ian Denholm, a name well-known across the Scottish ocean freight sector, passed away on May 15, at the age of 91.

European AGM is the Scene of Further Demonstrations as Staff Walk Out

EUROPE – US – There are major demonstrations by workers today against alleged 'gender discrimination, sexual harassment and dangerous working practices' at depot's belonging to XPO Logistics, following on from similar actions by unions in April this year. The freight company has emphatically denied such claims in the past and at the time an XPO spokeswoman told us:

Female Freight and Passenger Talent Lauded at Annual Event

UK – For a man who has undoubtedly been under some political pressure of late, Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling gave a very upbeat speech this week when introducing the FTA everywoman Transport and Logistics Awards. The annual event, which celebrates and promotes the growing influence of women in the freight and passenger sectors, was once again held in the Ballroom of London's Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, and a well-attended celebration also saw the return of the popular motoring journalist, and ex racer Amanda Stretton to compere the occasion. Chris Grayling said:

Sustainable Ocean Business Launched to Fight Plastic in Our Seas

WORLDWIDE – Oceans cover two thirds of the world's surface but the threats they are facing have put them at risk, with projections stating that by 2050, global oceans are expected to contain more plastic than fish, by weight, with more than 90% of coral reefs at risk of dying off. Lloyd's Register (LR) is committed to ocean sustainability and has become a founding member of the UN Group for Sustainable Ocean Business.

3PL Acquires Leading South American Air Cargo Company

ARGENTINA – Whilst the country's media is swamped by World Cup News this week Argentinian company Newport Cargo S.A. has passed quietly into the ownership of 3PL group Panalpina as the Swiss headquartered freight forwarding and logistics outfit continues to expand its global Perishables Network across South America.

New Energy Saving Options and Tale of a Massive Floating Hoist Project

FINLAND – NETHERLANDS – News from two of Europe's largest materials handling equipment manufacturers as Finnish group Konecranes reveals it latest product, designed to improve a fork lift truck users environmental performance, whilst Swiss based Liebherr tells of the adaptation it had to make to one of its largest offshore cranes in the field to suit the expanding wind turbine market.

Some Customers Subject to Problems as Management Software Beds In

UK – Delays at Britain's busiest port, Felixstowe, are not uncommon when the weather is bad, the exposed location on the east coast facing out to the North Sea is, unsurprisingly, often subject to the worst of the country's storms, as when the recent 'Beast from the East' struck in early March, an occurrence that even saw the more sheltered Thames side location for London Gateway suspend operations. Now however it is gremlins in a new terminal operating system which are causing delays for hauliers looking to collect empty export freight containers and others.

Uncertainty is Delaying Required Investment in Port Infrastructure

UK – Peel Ports is calling for importers and exporters to more closely consider their tactics post Brexit if the potential for under capacity at Dover becomes a reality. Dover has a predominance of the UK's RoRo trailer traffic with 75% of the country's accompanied truck freight from ports on the near continent passing through the Dover Straits. This is in contrast to Irish Sea freight, where more than 50% of the cargo is unaccompanied. With this model, Peel Ports say goods can be held as contingency stock at the port of entry and trailers do not leave the port until up to 48 hours after their arrival in some circumstances.

Hampshire Group Supplies the Yachts on an Eleven Month Voyage Whilst Sponsoring a Boat Again

UK – WORLDWIDE – If you are a company embedded in the supply chain, distributing your wares around the globe, what's the best way to get your name out there for all to see? Hampshire based freight forwarding and packing company PSP Logistics believes it has found, quite literally, the ideal solution with its sponsorship of a boat in the famous Clipper Round the World race, an apt option for a company which provides, amongst other trade routes, a shipping service from China to the US, and regularly has cargo on container vessels transiting through the Panama Canal, just as the PSP Logistics yacht has now done.

Bright Start with Original Corporate Livery on 14,000 TEU Ship

JAPAN – Ocean Network Express (ONE) has taken delivery of its first magenta coloured newly built containership, the 14,026 TEU ONE Stork. Chartered by ONE member Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), the vessel is the first newly constructed containership whose hull has been painted in ONE’s corporate colour and is the 10th of 15 advanced 14,000 TEU containerships that NYK has ordered. The new vessel will transport freight containers along a route connecting Asia to the east coast of North America through the Suez Canal.

Get On Your Bike for Transport Charity!

UK – With just one year to go before riders from across the transport and logistics industry saddle up to take on Transaid’s 20th anniversary cycle challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG), the international development agency is encouraging individuals and teams from every link of the supply chain, from freight forwarders to retailers, road haulage drivers to shipping line directors, to secure their places and commence training.

What Better Way to Show Riverside Dock Facilities Your Wares Than a Barge Tour?

NETHERLANDS – GERMANY – FRANCE – SWITZERLAND – Hyster, the fork lift truck and materials handling group, has commenced its ' 2018 Rhine Tour' from the TOC Europe event in Rotterdam this week and this floating demonstration of the group's wares will be accompanied by those from the CakeBoxx Technologies stable, with a pair of the company's 20' hi-cube containers also aboard the barge, and securely storing some of the Hyster products inside.

Inland Vessels Must Curb Volatile Emissions

NETHERLANDS – The Dutch government has issued notice that it will shortly be introducing 'an overarching Green Deal' with the entire maritime sector in a bid for further sustainability following its recent announcement of the introduction of a 'degassing' initiative in which inland tankers must follow international agreements to ensure harmful gases are not released into the environment. The authorities want the ban to be introduced in the Netherlands by mid-2020.

New Collaboration Produces Alliance Aimed at International Cooperation and Investment

FINLAND – With the country already taking a prominent place in the field of autonomous and advanced shipping and logistics technology, epitomised by the recent collaboration launched between materials handling specialist Kalmar and the Yara nutrition group and the work undertaken on the all-electric ferries launched both home and abroad, comes news of a programme designed to accelerate the development of automated solutions for sea and land transport, aviation and non-road machinery, as well as draw foreign direct investment.

Modular Transporter Group Developing Range for Port and Road Haulage Work

GERMANY – SWEDEN – Alelion Energy Systems AB, which first entered the lithium battery development field in 2006 and is currently constructing Sweden's first large scale lithium-ion battery factory with an annual capacity of 500 MWh, has received an order for high voltage batteries from the German special vehicle manufacturer KAMAG to electrify the powertrain of one of its heavy truck-models. KAMAG specialises in Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT), working in ports etc. and modular vehicles for haulage of loads on public roads, and is preparing for autonomous operation across its range.

Government Studies Road Safety and Launches Competition to Find New Mobile Breathalyser

UK – EUROPE – The UK government has just announced it intends to impose 'swifter justice' on those who transgress drink driving laws and also pledged £480,000 for the RAC Foundation to trial an innovative new approach to road casualty investigation, looking more closely at what is really causing road collisions. The plan also includes a new £350,000 competition to devise and bring to market a new mobile breathalyser. Meanwhile in Lithuania the legislators plan to mandate safety technology to avoid the problem of drink driving in the road haulage sector.

Who is Heading Where This Week Along the Supply Chain

UK – Following last week's challenge of the proposed re-election of the Stobart Group's current Chairman by a minority group of shareholders, led by former Chief Executive Andrew Tinkler, the Stobart Group has announced that it has received a requisition to nominate Philip Day, a Dubai-based British billionaire business mogul with a penchant for the retail sector, to be elected as a Director and as a challenger for the position of Chairman.

A Brief Catch Up on Some Smaller Freight Related Items You May Have Missed

NORTH AMERICA – It seems the eternal struggle for logistics companies, shippers etc. to balance capacity and demand still affects every aspect of the supply chain. Whilst the world of ocean freight tries to negate the problem with ever bigger container ship orders one year followed swiftly by shipping line alliances and slow steaming the next, in Canada it is road haulage transport which is giving pause for thought.

Outgoing Chairman Reviews Huge Changes to Ship Design During His Tenure

GREECE – WORLDWIDE – With his retirement from the role due next month, current Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, also the CEO of DNV-GL, chose Posidonia 2018, the biennual ship builders and owners trade show in Athens, to review some of the rapid changes which have been happening in the industry. He identified the need for classification societies and IACS itself to be adaptable and prepared for change, and pointed out great progress had been made in modernising classification to deal with the digital transformation of shipping during his tenure, continuing:

Two New Reports Look at Aspects of Cargo Carriage on the Tracks

UK – Today saw a new report published by Rail Delivery Group (RDG) which, unsurprisingly given the vested interests which make up the organisation, is lauding the undoubted environmental benefits of rail as against road haulage, as well as claiming substantial financial advantages for the transport mode and the economy when it comes to shifting freight around the UK.

With Digitally Recorded Hours of Service Now Mandatory US Firms Enter the 21st Century

US – The imposition on truckers to install electronic logging devices, or tachographs as they are generally known elsewhere, from this April (the ELD mandate) has produced a sea change for in cab technology, with tens of thousands of truckers fitting the devices. The resistance to the 'Spy in the Cab' resembles emotions in Europe when the same laws were introduced across the continent decades ago. That transition rapidly led to a change of opinion when drivers realised they could no longer be forced to work excessive hours by unscrupulous bosses.

Logistics Representatives Demand Positive Action from Government

UK – As the deadline to leave the EU approaches two British logistics related organisations have issued guidelines for their members on leaving Brexit. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) both commented on the negotiations this week, and there is now a definite note of concern from both regarding the apparent lack of progress on the major issues which are troubling shippers, forwarding agents, importers and hauliers alike.

Sun Shines on South American Box Handlers

URUGUAY – APM Terminals Inland Services Uruguay switched on 648 solar panels this month, capable of producing 228.6 MWh per year, enough to meet around 80% of the container handling facility's entire annual consumption. By switching to their own renewable energy source, Montevideo Port Services as the complex is otherwise known, will aim to reduce its CO₂ emissions by almost 50 tonnes per year.

Report Looks at the Next 25 Years for the Ubiquitous Metal Box

UK – WORLDWIDE – Analysts come in varying degrees of competence but when the TT Club produces an opinion it is always worth listening to. The nature of the marine insurance business means the quality of raw data is incontestable and therefore a new report, produced in conjunction with global management consulting firm McKinsey, to look at what the future may hold for the container industry over the next 25 years, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Club, and the acceptance of the now ubiquitous boxes, is worth more than a second glance.

New Service Between Germany and France Opens

GERMANY – FRANCE – Cuxhaven, on the mouth of the River Elbe, may be best known for its tourist potential, but it is also home to the deep water multimodal facilities of the Cuxport Terminal, part of the Rhenus group's logistics empire. Now a new Ro/Ro freight service has been launched which operates to and from the north German port and Nantes Saint-Nazaire in France.

Initiative Sees Wireless Communication with Transport Infrastructure

AUSTRALIA – In a country where a big rig really means just that, the New South Wales government has announced a trial to tackle the growing congestion on Australian roads which will see trucks 'talk' to traffic lights. Utilising wireless technology installed on the signals, participating road haulage vehicles are to be given more time to pass through green lights on key freight routes in Sydney.

Two Sides Line Up for a Continuing Contentious Airport Argument Which Splits Political Colleagues

UK – After two decades of arguments and controversy, today the government actually published some detailed plans for the expansion of London's Heathrow Airport. This after the furore when they decided a third runway was needed two years ago, and the announcement that Parliament will vote to approve the measures before the middle of next month has met with expected responses from the various factions, including the opinions of the freight transport community.

Cuban Market Continues to Open Up Despite Trump Reservations

US – CUBA – After the Obama administration began the process of normalising relations between the US and Cuba, American Airlines (AA) is to begin belly cargo services to Cuba, claiming to become the first US passenger carrier to offer space for mail service, including correspondence, parcels and express mail, into and out of José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Cuba's capital city and leading commercial centre.

Government Lines Up Major Firepower Against Wildlife Crime but Accused of Hypocrisy at Home

UK – WORLDWIDE – The disgraceful international trade in endangered species, and the poaching of protected species in general, casts a stain which extends as far as the shipping and forwarding sector. Often thought of as almost a cottage industry, in fact the illegal wildlife trade is worth up to £17 billion a year globally, and is a highly organised, sophisticated criminal business, a definition coming from no less than the British government.

We Witness Stowaways Captured by UK Border Force in Portsmouth Despite Increased Security

FRANCE – UK – After the appearance of the Road Haulage Association's (RHA) Managing Director of Policy and Public affairs, Rod McKenzie, on the Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC2 last week, we decided to send our own team to the port of Ouistreham in Northern France to see how the migrant crisis is spreading along that coastline, and promptly saw the stark reality of how the problem has itself migrated along the coasts of France and Spain.

Another Essex Buy Adds to Portfolio

UK – Having made a couple of acquisitions a year or so ago, which included London based EMT Logistics, Xpediator, the group set up by fashion transport specialist Delamode, has continued its purchasing agenda, now picking up one of the best known Essex based freight forwarding groups. It appears to have a penchant for its home county as (apart from collecting Hampshire headquartered Regional Express in 2017) it also bought south Essex firm Benfleet Forwarding last October, and now has added Rainham situated Anglia Forwarding (AFGL) to its swelling portfolio.

Battle Commences at Stobart and Who is Heading Where in the Freight Game

UK – The Stobart Group, a well-established name in the UK's transport and logistics industry, is in the midst of a boardroom battle between the company’s Chairman, Iain Ferguson and the former Chief Executive, Andrew Tinkler. Ahead of the company’s AGM on June 28, Tinkler, who holds 7.7% of the voting rights in the Stobart Group, formally notified Stobart of his intention to oppose the re-election of Ferguson as a Director and Chairman.

A Glance at Smaller Headlines from Freight Forwarding to Road Haulage

WORLDWIDE – A review of some smaller items regarding freight and logistics this week starts with the news that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been raising awareness regarding the safety of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) as carried on aircraft. In 2016 IATA launched its ULD Safety Campaign pointing out that these are actually aircraft parts, subject to safety and airworthiness requirements and requiring correct handling. Now a review of the Campaign, which has seen a series of local workshops across Asia, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, has shown how successful the process has proved.

New Duties for Online Exporters and a Light Hearted Look at Moving Down Under

AUSTRALIA - UK - Two pieces of news for exporters to the country as we see new tax laws for low value goods entering Australia to give domestic businesses Down Under a level playing field with importers of online freight purchases, whilst one British based removal group has partnered with 'I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! ' star, Iain Lee, to put a fun twist on the rules and regulations of emigration via a series of videos.