Shipping Search - Archive

July 2010

image: South Africa air freight cargo

South Africa Levies Charges Against Eight Cargo Carriers

SOUTH AFRICA – The litany of misery facing many of the world’s leading air freight carriers continues as charges are readied against eight companies accused by the Competition Commission of collusion over fuel surcharges and tariff rates. We have previously reported how the Korean authorities had fined 19 carriers around $100 million in May for similar offences and multiple violations in Europe, Australia and the USA.

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image: US supramax dry bulk shipping line ship vessel

Genco Continue Investment Policy

US - Genco Shipping & Trading Limited have announced that it has taken delivery of the Genco Lorraine, a 2009-built Supramax vessel and the first of the thirteen ships it agreed to purchase from Setaf SAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bourbon SA, as detailed in our article in June.

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Wind Farms Prompt Port Development

Friday, July 30, 2010
image: UK port wind farms

Hartlepool the Latest to Benefit from New Technology Boom

UK - PD Ports has welcomed the decision by a major supplier to the offshore energy sector to more than double its facility at Hartlepool dock. This news comes as JDR Cable Systems is backed by UK Government funding to help continue its groundbreaking work in wind farm development.

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Canadian Dock Lockout Terminated

Thursday, July 29, 2010
image: Canada dock port longshoremen dockers TEU shipping

Port of Montreal Back to Work Protocol Agreed

CANADA – After harsh words had been exchanged over what the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) called last week “a needless overreaction” it seems talks are to resume at the Port of Montreal which will possibly mean an end to the labour dispute which commenced in June. On the 27th of that month the dockworkers claim that employers changed the working conditions of 169 dockers with the least seniority. The longshoremen responded by refusing to work overtime as of the 9th July.

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image: US Third Party Logistics 3PL truck trucker

Greatwide Announce Driver Award Winners

US – Any aspiring truck drivers and owner operators couldn’t do any better than to take notice of the latest winners of 3PL specialists Greatwide Logistics Services Company Driver of the Year and Owner-Operator of the Year Awards. Yesterday the company announced that the recipients of the 2009 awards are Bill Hill of Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Gordon Johnson of Delaware, Ohio respectively.

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image: Haiti shipping container ISO earthquake 20’ foot warehouse vessel

Crowley Maritime Assist After The Devastation

HAITI – In June we told how converted ISO shipping containers were being used to provide medical facilities in the stricken country and now standard 20’ boxes are carrying independent housing units with many going on to provide shelter for the survivors of the January earthquake which cost the lives of around 230,000 people. We have reported before on the innovative uses of the ubiquitous container but with one million made homeless by the disaster this means a relief effort of gargantuan proportions is required and each 20 foot container is capable of carrying steel building sets for 50 homes.

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image: Oman supertanker vessel ship attack explosion VLCC container shipping

'External Attack' on MOL Vessel off Omani Coast

UAE - OMAN – Reports just in that the 160,000 tonne MV M.Star, a Very Large Crude carrier (VLCC) tanker belonging to Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)suffered an explosion at 00.30 hours local time whilst West of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. The ship, which suffered hull damage, was reportedly subjected to ‘an attack seemingly from external sources’ according to the owners.

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Air Freight Figures Continue To Recover

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
image: Switzerland air freight cargo shipping

IATA Statistics for June Released

SWITZERLAND – A statement today from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that international scheduled traffic statistics for June showed continued strong demand growth as the industry recovers from the impact of the global financial crisis. Compared to June 2009, international passenger demand was up 11.9% while international scheduled freight traffic showed a 26.5% improvement. Capacity increased only slightly above demand improvements during the month, keeping load factors in line with historical highs at 53.8% for freight.

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UK Freight Award Nominations Required

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
image: UK freight forwarder cargo shippers

BIFA Opens Web Link for This Years Entries

UK – The twenty second annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Freight Service Awards competition has now opened for entries and it’s easier than ever this year for companies to put themselves forward by using the BIFA dedicated weblink HERE. For over two decades the awards have set the standard for British freight forwarders and with nine categories all high achievers in the industry will find a niche where they may feel they deserve recognition.

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image: South Africa container shipping terminal port strike bulk cold store TEU

Post Strike Recovery Continues after Restructuring

SOUTH AFRICA – With the end of the damaging port strike which we reported in May, Transnet, the parastatal responsible for the country’s rail and port interests advise us that they have instituted several management changes and a restructuring of its planning and operations structures in the Western Province which they credit for an increase in productivity and performance in the Cape Town Terminal since the end of June.

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image: UK freight forwarder shipping and forwarding Customs AEO

SBS Worldwide Receives Customs Approval

UK - SBS Worldwide is the latest British freight forwarder to achieve Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status since the scheme was introduced in January 2008. AEO is the EU response to the need to secure international supply chains and the introduction of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the USA.

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image: Africa logistics shipping freight forwarding

Nigeria to Host Major Shipping Event

AFRICA - The dates for the annual African Logistics Summit, the biggest event of its kind in Africa, to be held next year have been released this week. The event will take place between the 10th and 12th March 2011 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. The theme for the event is ‘Recognising the Potentiality for Business Growth and Partnerships in Africa’ and will bring together government and corporate organizations from throughout the continent and overseas to strengthen business co-operation and foster investment opportunities.

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image: Germany heavy lift project shipping offshore wind farms

Beluga Expand Offshore Sector

GERMANY – Beluga Shipping GmbH, the dynamic heavy lift specialists, have featured previously on our pages as a company which never does things by halves. From their innovative Skysails project to their pioneering voyage around the Northern Russian coast any announcement they make is always worth a look and with the growth of the sector, mainly due to the extensive development of offshore wind farms the company has announced plans to make further investments in the super heavy lift market stating that they expect the offshore sector to become Beluga’s second main pillar alongside the attractive niche market of project and heavy lift cargo shipping,the company’s core focus since it was founded in 1995.

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image: UK freight Severn Crossing

FTA Meet Minister to Request Review

UK – Devolution can have some strange effects when two British authorities are involved in one decision process with one half of the partnership seemingly a tad more interested in the subject matter than the other. Such seems to be the case with the toll tariffs for the Severn Crossing as has been highlighted by the Freight Transport Association this week.

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image: Indonesia shipping container port cranes

Konecranes Snap Up Belawan Contract

INDONESIA- Konecranes have received an order for five RTG (rubber tyred gantry) cranes from the Indonesian state-owned terminal operator PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia I.The cranes will be delivered to Belawan International Container Terminal (BICT), which is owned by Pelindo 1. Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2011. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the order.

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image: Afghanistan shippers shipping freight

Today Sees Start of Largest Ever Afghan Political Gathering

AFGHANISTAN – Shippers should note that the 'The International Conference on Afghanistan' which starts today may mean even bigger delays for exporters and importers than is usually experienced in the war torn country. All customs facilities in and around the capital Kabul are likely to close for an unspecified period as world leaders gather in the city.

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image: China oil port Dalian fire container shipping

Dalian Shut Down as Slick Spreads

CHINA – The North Eastern port of Dalian has been closed to freight traffic after a huge explosion and fire left the oil terminal there in flames. The first explosion happened on Friday after the discharge of a Libyan registered tanker starting a conflagration that raged over the weekend. It seems that a pipe from the tanker caught fire and exploded bursting an adjacent pipeline which also ignited.

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China Air Freight Numbers Up

Monday, July 19, 2010
image: China air freight cargo tonnes

39% Growth Reported Year on Year

CHINA – According to internal reports for the first half of this year Chinese carriage by air has seen an overall jump of 32% which includes an 18% increase in passenger carriage. A statement by Li Jiaxiang, director-general of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) claimed that more attention would be given to air travel and transport in future in the Western Chinese region.

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All Change For European Ferry Groups

Sunday, July 18, 2010
image: Norfolk line DFDS shipping RoRo ferry logistics ships

Norfolk Line join DFDS in Consolidation Deal

EUROPE – As was widely predicted the deal between the parent group of RoRo ferry company Norfolkline and DFDS was completed last week. The DFDS Group took 100% control of Norfolk Holdings whilst parting with 31.3% of their shares to the ferry groups former owners AP Moller Maersk. Shipping services have already been amalgamated with both company websites advertising the mutual routes.

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image: Korea container shipping line TEU

Hanjin Aim to Grab West African and South American Share

SOUTH KOREA – In an interview with the Financial Times CEO of Hanjin Shipping, Kim Young Min, has stated the company’s intention to make an assault on the dominance which rivals such as Maersk, CMA CGM and Hamburg Sud have in the West African and South American cargo markets. The Hanjin boss was speaking after the inauguration of a new terminal in Algeciras, Spain. Hanjin began deploying three vessels to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina in February as part of a joint service from Asia via South Africa in conjunction with CCNI, Hapag-Lloyd, Wanhai Lines and Zim Line.

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image: US intermodal drayage truck shipping container

More Changes as Regulation Red Tape Deters Chassis Owners

US – The new Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and for Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment legislation introduced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or ‘Roadability Law’ as it is often referred to, has cause several leading shipping companies to withdraw the provision of the trailer chassis’ required in intermodal movements.

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image: US trailer freight pallet cargo carrier

Con-way Invests in New Trade Marked Double Stacking System

US – Fitting a system of racking within a box or tilt trailer isn’t new but, as usual, they do things big in America, and they don’t come much bigger in the full truckload market than Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. This week the company announced they have initially converted 100 of its standard 53-foot truckload trailers to their DoubleStack™ system, with additional unit conversions planned for later this year, based on customer demand. The racking system allows for loading of cargoes on two separate, adjustable levels throughout the length of the trailer, accommodating shipments of different dimensions while more fully utilizing the trailer.

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image: UK freight logistics supply chain transport infrastructure

FTA Tells Minister to Plan Ahead for Logistics Development

UK – The CEO of the Freight Transport Association, Theo de Pencier, has written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond expressing the position of the industry on future infrastructure development and requesting he considers more closely using existing industry-driven initiatives in the country’s interest. The letter also sets out examples of how the logistics sector can take the lead in ensuring more efficiency and a good return on the essential investment which needs to be made – even in hard times.

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image: UK road freight low carbon greener

Contributions to Cleaner Products and Systems Honoured

UK – Yesterday the most innovative solutions to greener transport across a range of sectors were honoured at a new awards ceremony. The competition for the Road Freight Award was so intense it resulted in a dead heat between truck manufacturers Iveco and supporters of innovative transport systems the Commercial Group with runners up Smith Electric Vehicles highly commended.

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image: Europe shipping container electronic customs multiannual strategic plan imports exports multi modal

MOL pick Descartes as EU Automated Security Systems Introduced

EUROPE - As of January 1, 2011, the EU Customs Union Security Filing program is scheduled to go live in all 27 member states of the EU. The EU Customs Union Security Filing program was developed in an effort to address the security and automation of trade shipments for imports and exports in and out of the EU. The EU Customs Union is introducing these customs compliance regulations to standardize and automate its customs filings process. EU member states and the community have come together to form the electronic customs multiannual strategic plan (MASP). The goal of this plan is to provide the vision, objectives, strategic framework and milestones towards a paperless environment for customs and trade.

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image: UK cargo ships recycling

Able UK Invest in New Equipment

UK – We have often commented on the appalling conditions endured by workers in some countries involved in the scrapping of ships and our piece last December which included video footage is often commented on. With most of the materials heading for the Far East and the cost of this practice overseas it means that most European countries have lost the bulk of the trade to the Asian nations. It is good to know however that there are still some UK based companies who specialise in the dismantling of vessels, oil and gas platforms and other marine structures.

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image: UK St Albans strategic rail freight interchange intermodal depot

Council Lick Their Wounds and Look Forward whilst Helioslough Ponder

UK – After our recent article on the strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI)proposed for Radlett Aerodrome near St Albans the developers, Helioslough, have now issued the promised statement following Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles’ dismissal of the scheme when he decided against the recommendations of the Appeal Inspector on the basis that a smaller scheme at Colnbrook could be developed with less impact on the Green Belt.

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image: Germany logistics air ocean freight carrier

Frankfurt to be Major Office for Shipping Giant

GERMANY – DB Schenker issued news today that they are to concentrate more of their management functions in Frankfurt am Main. The management teams of the corporate units currently located in Berlin, Mainz and Essen will now be concentrated at the new location. This resolution was passed by the Management Board of DB Mobility Logistics AG in its most recent meeting. Around 330 members of the management staff of the business units of DB Schenker Logistics and DB Schenker Rail and from cross-unit functions from the division are now to be located in Frankfurt am Main.

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US Truck Safety Check Figures Announced

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
image: US truck commercial vehicle safety

CVSA Provide Comprehensive Data on Commercial Vehicles and Drivers

US – CANADA – MEXICO - Results from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Roadcheck 2010 are a reliable indicator as to the attitude of truck and bus drivers and operators and the figures show that the industry is maintaining the state of health it achieved last year when the statistics showed record low ‘out-of-service’ rates. The roadside checks are similar to those undertaken by VOSA in the UK. The CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico dedicated to promoting commercial vehicle safety.

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image: UK ST.Albans multi modal rail freight terminal

Possible Judicial Review into Governments Decision

UK – The row over development of a three and a half million square metre intermodal rail terminal on the site of Radlett Airfield (Handley Page Aerodrome) in Hertfordshire continues unabated. A press statement promised for lunchtime yesterday by property developers Helioslough was not forthcoming presumably whilst the company decides its next move as they consider requesting a judicial review.

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image: China TEU shipping container box

China Shipping's Box Arm Report Rise in Revenue

CHINA - China Shipping Container Lines Co. (CSCL) reported today that they expect a return to net profit based on preliminary figures. As the country’s primary container carrier and, according to their own statistics, now fifth largest in the world by capacity with over 130 vessels and a total carrying capacity of around 350,000 TEU, the final first half results will be keenly awaited by many.

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image: China vessel crews shipping container ports ships tonnes marine lubricants

Collaboration with Specialist Marine University

CHINA - Shanghai Maritime University (SMU), a faculty dedicated to producing marine specialists of all levels for the country’s shipping industry, has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shell Marine Products who have agreed to supply the University with 80 metric tonnes of lubricants for use in Marine Engineering Department’s new Marine Engine Room Integrated Lab over a five-year period. The donation is understood to be worth $200,000 and the first tranche will be for 50 tonnes in the first year with the balance over the remaining four years.

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image: UK road transport hybrid car freight electric truck van

Annual LowCVP and WhatCar? Environmental Prizes at Annual Conference

UK - Companies at the forefront of cutting carbon emissions from road transport will be honoured at a new awards ceremony tomorrow (14th July). The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) Annual Conference and Awards Dinner is being held in association with the WhatCar? Green Awards at Twickenham Stadium, West London tonight and tomorrow.

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image: UK freight forwarder logistics air cargo

Davies Turner Still Moving Forward

UK – Having been established in 1870 it took another eighty years for Davies Turner to officially form Davies Turner Air Cargo Ltd (DTAC) but now the logistics and freight forwarding company can this month celebrate twenty years of dedicated service to air cargo customers with news of a triple success. Recently DTAC have been re-accredited with their Investors in People status (IIP) as well as ISO 9001 2008 quality assurance along with HM Revenue and Customs completing the audit and revalidation of its status as a fully Authorised Economic Operator (AEO).

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image: US shipping transport manager freight Great Blue Fin Grey Humpback whales Hurricane

Forget Speed Humps and Cameras Look Out for Whales!

US – The world of shipping can be a mundane place when one is confined to one’s own narrow area of operation. The problems of a transport manager in Luton are not so dissimilar from one holding down the same job in Beijing despite a cultural gulf. Certain areas, like our recent coverage of the difficulties with Progress M-06M however demonstrate what a huge range of activities are covered by the seemingly simple act of transporting freight from one place to another.

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image: Australia shipping container terminal truckers port freight cargo

Bidders Sign Up to Collect Victorian Port Tolls

AUSTRALIA – It seems the poor old Aussie trucker is set to be hit again as the Victorian Government announce the names of companies they are short listing to manage what was described in May by Philip Lovel, CEO of the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) as, ‘Nothing but a big new tax on transport and international trade’. The Freight Infrastructure Charge collection service at the Port of Melbourne will apply to trucks accessing the East and West Swanson dock container terminals to pick up and deliver freight containers and the monies raised will supposedly help finance improvements to infrastructure announced in the Victorian Transport Plan.

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image: UK dry bulk panamax teu feu shipping container cargo time charter carriers ships vessels

Outlook in the Short Term Looks Bleak

UK – GLOBAL - Those who look to the Baltic Dry Index rather than casting the bones or reading the tea bags to predict the success of global trade must feel like a boxer on the ropes at the moment. Trade continues of course, last week Diana Shipping announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with J. Aron & Company, New York, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the MV Naias, at a gross charter rate of US$19,750 per day commencing in September and lasting around two years.

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image: Switzerland intermodal rail freight cargo

Cost Cutting Results in Creation of New Swiss Company

SWITZERLAND – After deciding in February that measures needed to be taken to realign the business in the face of a fierce freight rate battle, rail operators SBB Cargo, together with Hupac the country’s principal providers on the North – South European access corridor for rail and intermodal freight services respectively, have announced the foundation of a new train operating company. SBB Cargo International, 75% owned by SBB with the balance of shares being Hupac’s, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2011.

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image: Vietnam shipping containers freight boxes trucks

Drivers Reluctant to Register for Formal Scheme

VIETNAM – Reports come in of delays to containers shipping into the country because of a new registration scheme for trucking firms. A law passed in 2008 requires that all truck drivers register themselves, and their vehicles with central authorities and the deadline passed on 1st July. Despite truckers claiming that the registration requirement has been postponed until 31st December police are apparently fining unlicensed drivers already.

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image: New Zealand rail freight cargo

Confusion Reigns Over the Future for National Cargo System

NEW ZEALAND – To an observer the arguments raging over rail versus trucks will have a familiar ring. In a country like New Zealand however problems are made more complex by the fact that there are two islands making up the state and the debate over whether individually they can make a rail freight system viable with coastal shipping coming into the equation is fierce to say the least.

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image: UK Australia freight forwarders logistics shipping and forwarding agents

Toll Continue to Invest in Expansion

AUSTRALIA – UK - Toll Holdings seem intent to continue their drive to be recognised as one of the top players in the global logistics field with the news they have now moved aggressively into the British freight forwarding sector. We reported last month Toll’s movement in the Asian and Australasian air express market with their purchase of Dpex following on from previous purchases which we covered in November with the groups move into the Arabian region.

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image: UK freight transport shipping VOSA carriers

Transport Manager 2010 Dates Announced

UK – Any Transport Manager worth his salt may want to take note that in order to stay abreast of changes in legislation and the current state of the shipping industry as it affects British freight carriers the dates for this years series of seminar’s, organised by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), have just been released.

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image: UK freight trailers rock band Kasabian Mika logistics

Specialist Equipment for Chart Topping Bands

UK – When a top rock band goes on tour the days of the cramped and smoky Transit van are probably remembered with the warm fondness that only time can bring. After the years of graft the boys (and girls) are no doubt grateful to just jump in the limo and head for the Hotel. Meanwhile however the roadies will be packing up the essential gear which each artiste needs to sound at their best.

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image: US electric commercial vehicles freight truck Barack Obama President

Smith's Honoured by Special Trip

US – Regular readers will know that we are always pleased to publish stories about the new generation of environmentally sound freight delivery vehicles (just type Electric) into the News Search box as evidence) but today sees a special honour for one of the foremost companies in the field who are producing practical commercial vehicles every day.

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image: South Korea shipping companies shipper air freight forwarding agents fraud anti trust cartel

Class Action Being Prepared Against 19 Airlines

SOUTH KOREA – After the country’s anti trust watchdog, the Fair Trade Commission levied their first ever fine, close to $100 million, on a group of nineteen international airlines in May there are reports that shipping groups in the country are drumming up support for a class action to launch a claim for compensation from those involved. The case may be difficult to prove in the light of Korean law which experts tell us only allows such action for stock market fraud but as only two companies, one now dissolved, are currently taking action no doubt advice on how to proceed collectively will be taken should more freight forwarders sign up.

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image: UK US truck freight vehicles HGV haulier

Horrendous Cases Illustrate the Need for Extra Security

UK – US – In March we highlighted the tragic case of Jason Rivenburg, murdered in the cab of his rig whilst parked overnight in South Carolina for a paltry $7, and at least from his brutal killing has come action in the US to promote safer, better lit parking areas for truckers who are forced to stop by fatigue and hours of service. Now in the UK a close call for HGV driver Ian Gammell has illustrated that dangers exist for UK hauliers as much as for their American cousins.

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image: IATA air freight cargo supply chain forwarders trucking carriers

eFreight Spreads Across the Globe

WORLDWIDE – Years ago we were told that the future would consist of paperless offices, since when printer sales have soared as more and more information flows across the earth. Now it seem the eFreight system for freeing us of at least part of the mountain of paperwork associated with the shipping industry may at last have a foothold in offices the world over.

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image: Somalia Red Sea pirate hostages container ship bulk tanker dwt

Another Attack Increases Hostage Levels Again

RED SEA – Once again a ship transiting the waters off the Somali coast has been boarded and captured by pirates. The crew of eighteen and all Filipinos have reportedly been taken hostage and are en route to the mainland. This time the vessel was a chemical carrier loaded with lubricating oil and according to reports she was taken whilst transiting the Bab el Mandeb straits which form the narrow funnel at the southern end of the Red Sea between Djibouti and Aden.

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image: UK road truck freight tolls tunnel haulier

Bridge and Tunnel Fees - Vital Income versus Tax on Haulage

UK – Much debate currently on the subject of road tolls, an ever increasingly controversial subject. Most British trucking firms have to use ‘pay as you go’ facilities ranging from the simple bridge toll to the eco sensitive congestion zones in cities like London. The past few years have seen a steady rise in everyday costs for the general haulier and the geography involved results in higher costs for some against that of their competitors.

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image: Cosmos cargo delivery freight logistics problems Progress M-06M transport manager NASA shipping

Consignments Can Go Astray - Even in Space

SOMEWHERE IN THE COSMOS – The freight delivery business just doesn’t get any easier. You can guarantee that somewhere a transport manager was getting an ear bashing for the last couple of days when a clients stock didn’t arrive on time. The difference being that this time the delivery vehicle was an unmanned ship, Progress M-06M, carrying essential supplies to the international space station out in orbit.

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image: Germany Russia logistics rail freight road trucks

German - Russian Link is Logical Long Distance Solution

GERMANY – RUSSIA – There is, as usual, much hype and hot air about the ecological and environmental benefits of using rail freight as opposed to conventional road trucks but, as any hard bitten industry analyst will tell anyone prepared to listen, often there is no practical substance to some proposals.

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image: China Europe air freight cargo oil BP disaster logistics parcels courier mail customs

But it's Not THAT TNT Out Scooping Oil in the BP Gulf Oil Disaster

CHINA – EUROPE - This week Dutch logistics specialists TNT have cited a near 50% year on year rise in shipments into Europe from China as the reason they are increasing cargo capacity on their oriental import routes. Henceforth the parcels and mail courier company will double service frequency to six cargo flights per week ex Shanghai and upping the Hong Kong route from three planes per week to five. An extra Boeing 747-400 ERF will join the rest of the fleet into the company’s Liege hub.

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image: Eastern Europe shipping container vessels bulk tankers

New Training Programme to Educate Against Unseen Enemy

EASTERN EUROPE – Regular readers may remember the piece we published in March about the insidious menace of alien species being transported in the ballast water of ships of all types and then released thousands of miles away into ideal breeding conditions and causing ecological disasters. At that time the International Maritime Organization (IMO) outlined plans to nullify the menace which bulk tankers and container vessels alike inadvertently convey to foreign waters.

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image: Australia Queensland rail freight tonnages war shipping port

Huge Tonnages Promote Competition

AUSTRALIA – Few industries illustrate the enormous quantities of freight which shipping groups are required to move in a year better than the coal industry and the railcars required to haul it from mine to port. Now that Queensland Rail has officially split in two (as of 1 July 2010 QR has separated into two companies, Queensland Rail (GOC) and QR National -Government Sale Asset.) the freight arm, QR National are jockeying for a favourable position in the market, not least for their now 9,000 employees whose company is due to move into private hands shortly, a policy fraught with problems as our article last month showed.

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image: Asia South America container shipping TEU reefers port rotation

Safmarine to Run Two Strings up to December

ASIA – SOUTH AMERICA - Safmarine, the container shipping company and slot charterer operated by Maersk Line and reefer specialists Hamburg Süd, has confirmed it will soon be offering its customers additional space on the Asia-East Coast South America (ASAS) service. According to Safmarine’s Liner Executive, Jan Scheck, the company has secured slots on both strings of the service which will operate for the months leading up to the December festive season.

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image: South Korea France container shipping line TEU

More Korean New Builds for French Giant

SOUTH KOREA – FRANCE – Shipping line CMA CGM have announced the delivery into service of two container vessels after their completion by the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co shipyards. The news comes immediately after our report on the four new Hanjin built ships named for Rickmers last week. The latest vessels are the CMA CGM Lamartine and CMA CGM Callisto which can carry 6,500 and 11,400 TEU respectively.

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image: UK shipping ferry container line

Even More Vessels Will Flag Abroad if New Rules Come In

UK – Major shipping groups across the entire spectrum of British flagged carriers have continued to make their position clear regarding proposals to insist on equal pay for staff; both for UK based employees and those who live and work overseas. All sectors from ferry operators through container lines and cruise companies have joined in protests against the move and several last week made plain their views in an open letter to the Daily Telegraph to protest against proposed possible changes.

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image: Turkey parcels service freight terminal shipping union strike Bahrain

Dispute with Union Turns Ugly in Turkey Whilst Bahrain Simmers

TURKEY – A dispute which has rumbled on at depots in Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul since April is still in deadlock according to transport union association International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) which represents the interests of over four and a half million staff as members of fifty nine major unions. In a conflict which has been little reported 33 UPS employees were allegedly sacked for encouraging union membership at the parcel shipping group’s terminals.

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image: South Korea Germany container shipping TEU reefers boxes cargo Panama Canal

Ship Naming As German Group Looks for Recovery

SOUTH KOREA – GERMANY –SINGAPORE - Less than a month since Rickmers Maritime reportedly received a five year extension from their lenders to repay a $130 million loan facility, the Rickmers Group have christened four containerships, all bound for the Maersk fleet. Singapore shipping trust Rickmers Maritime, is a partially owned subsidiary of the German based Rickmers Group and was recently released from commitments to buy seven ships from another group company, Polaris Ship Management.

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image: Belgium speciality crane cargo freight multi modal intermodal terminal cargoes break bulk rail freight road trucks

Portal Slewing Crane Fulfils Tricky Cargo Handling Requirements

BELGIUM – Liebherr have just released details of the speciality harbour crane commissioned from them by DP World in March to service the particular needs of their multi modal break bulk facility in the Port of Antwerp. The Liebherr Portal Slewing Crane (LPS) is an efficient combination of a space-saving portal (rail mounted) and the proven mobile harbour crane concept. Particularly on narrow quays, individual portal solutions permit rail freight trains and road trucks to travel directly below the portal.

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image: Japan MOL NYK container shipping TEU vessels ports

NYK - MOL - K Line - CSL - Hapag Lloyd Link to Serve Growing Markets

JAPAN – HAWAII – MEXICO - SOUTH AMERICA – WEST AFRICA Three of the major Japanese container shipping lines, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), have announced a new collaboration to connect Asia with Hawaii, Mexico and South American ports. The new route will replace some existing coverage including the ALEX – Neo service by opening two separate trade lanes ALEX-1 and ALEX-2 both running fixed day departures with ten vessels on ALEX-1 ranging from 4,200 – 4,800 TEU and nine 2,500 TEU ships deployed on the ALEX-2 route.

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image: US Belgium world shipping council container terminal

Maersk Line CEO Takes up Seat on the Board

US – BELGIUM – The World Shipping Council (WSC), based in Washington and Brussels whose members are responsible for around 90 percent of the global liner ship capacity, over half of which is container movements, have appointed a new director, Mr. Morten H. Engelstoft, Chief Operating Officer of Maersk Line. Mr Engelstoft succeeds Mr. Knud Pontoppidan of A.P. Moller-Maersk who has served on the WSC board since its creation in 2000. The World Shipping Council is an association of liner shipping companies whose goal is to provide a coordinated voice for the liner shipping industry in its work with policymakers and other industry groups interested in international transportation issues.

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image: Transaid shipping transport logistics HIV Aids Nigeria

Transaid Need Quizmasters - NOW

WORLDWIDE - Transaid the international development agency founded by founded by Save The Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. Transaid also helps promote HIV, AIDS and road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.

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image: Greece container shipping bulk shippers carriers ships vessels TEU Kamsarmax

Kamsarmax Carrier Out - Two 3,400 TEU Vessels In

GREECE – Paragon Shipping, traditionally a bulk carrier who only ordered a new Panamax vessel in April following their end of year figures in February, indicated a change of tack, or at least a wider base of investment yesterday, when they announced the sale of one of their new build bulkers and purchase of two newly constructed 3,400 TEU container ships.

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image: US Asia Europe container shipping port services TEU reefer

CMA CGM Revisions to Services

EUROPE – US – ASIA – Just two days after our story on CMA CGM subsidiary CNC expanding their Asian services comes news of yet more adjustments to the French container lines routes affecting three continents. The Yang Tse service linking South, Central and North China to the West Coast of the United States, which is operated in tandem with Maersk Line and MSC, will recommence shipping operations from the 10th July in Xiamen.

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image: South Africa Transnet rail freight infrastructure

Gama Goes - but Kicking and Screaming

SOUTH AFRICA – This week the corrupt boss of Transnet Freight Rail, the country’s commercial goods lifeline was finally and unceremoniously sacked. Despite overwhelming evidence of his personal misconduct being ruled on by the Courts, Mr Gama is still protesting his innocence to anyone who will listen. According to Mr Gama the matters raised were irrelevant having occurred two years before he was put forward for the job of group CEO. He did himself no favours as, when formally charged, he apparently immediately launched into personal and public attacks on his accusers rather than explain his own actions.

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image: US truck trucking accidents freight driver less than truckload

'Out of the Lab and Into the Cab' for Con-way Freight

US – Last month we mentioned several trials underway in the States by bodies like the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) directly concerned with technology being used in the cab to reduce the most common of trucking accidents. Now a participant in the studies, Con-way Freight, less than truckload (LTL) carrier and a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. have announced a major safety initiative in which it has installed in new trucks a broad range of advanced technologies designed to prevent accidents and improve safe driving performance.

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image: Ireland multi modal road rail sea freight logistics

New Multi Modal Group to Promote Responsible Transport

IRELAND – A branch of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has been launched in Ireland in response to requests from numerous businesses to help them raise the profile of responsible and efficient logistics practices in the Republic of Ireland and will trade under the acronym FTAI. Founding members of the new, multi-modal trade association include some of the largest companies working in Ireland as well as prominent Irish transport groups and the new organisation will actively seek members to promote the aspirations of the FTA.

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