Shipping Search - Archive

Pentalver Pushes on with Another Development

UK – Following the announcement in January that it would be opening a new container facility within London Gateway, the Thames side deep water port, box handling and transport group Pentalver has now officially begun operations from the new five acre site making the company the largest container service operator at the port. Times are busy for the Southampton headquartered firm, it is less than two months since Pentalver began expanded operations from its new automated handling facility just upstream at Tilbury.

Competition Commission Doles Out Multi-Million Dollar Penalty

SOUTH AFRICA – NORWAY – Norwegian headquartered shipping line Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has reached a settlement agreement with the South African Competition Commission (SACC) for violating the country’s Competition Act by colluding with competitors to fix the prices of ocean freight services on motor vehicles shipped to and from South Africa. The case is reminiscent of that of the antitrust lawsuit underway in the US which has so far seen several well-known RoRo cargo carriers penalised millions and some employees jailed for similar cartel activities.

Equity Firm Sells Up to Chinese Conglomerate

SWITZERLAND – CHINA – WORLDWIDE – European private equity firm PAI Partners, has signed an agreement to sell ground handling and cargo services provider Swissport International, to Chinese conglomerate HNA Group for a total transaction value of CHF 2.7 billion. Upon closing of the transaction, which is subject to approval by Chinese authorities and is expected to occur by the end of the year, Swissport will remain as a stand-alone business within HNA Group, complementing HNA’s existing activities which include aviation, airport management, logistics and tourism.

Seemingly Never Ending Lack of Political Will and a Paucity of Funds for Highways

US – American politicians have for generations often been accused of being self-absorbed and ignoring the world at large, but currently the majority seem oblivious to the fact that they are often viewed as ridiculous by overseas observers, obviously by some who concentrate on the gun laws issue, but many operators of global freight and road haulage businesses are staggered by the intransigence and political polarisation which the funding for the nations transport infrastructure via the Highway Trust Fund has engendered.

Stunning Facts Behind the Obscenity of Wasted Food Revealed in Climate Change Book

US – WORLDWIDE – As a leader in the field of cold chain transport technology the Carrier organisation knows better than most the importance of preserving fresh food as it travels through the supply chain. Now the company is using that unique perspective on the global food system to highlight the stunning amount of food wasted globally and pointing out that, if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the United States. Carrier is publicising a cheap, easily accessible paperback which highlights the environmental obscenity which is discarded produce.

From France to Kent HGV Professionals Receive Little Support from the Authorities

FRANCE – UK – As the chronic delays for road haulage operators continue, and as the migrant situation in and around Calais shows no sign of abating, we see and hear tales of death and despondency, with freight vehicles held in enormous queues on either side of the Channel this week, and statements from both governments involved, the French promising more police, the British agreeing to a relaxation of drivers hours for those stuck in the seemingly endless jam. Road haulage operators are up in arms, not just those based in the two countries directly involved, but from Ireland and other points throughout Europe.

Biennial Event Has a Host of Attractions This Year Including Seafarers Reception

UK – The biennial London International Shipping Week will take place this year between 7 – 11 September and 2015 will see the usual host of events to celebrate the occasion. Not least of these will be a major shipping reception on Wednesday 9 September in aid of global maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers. Six British shipping registers, which work together under the banner the ‘Red Ensign Group’ (REG) will host the fundraising event to be held in the offices of shipping lawyers Ince and Co.

After Forty Seven Die Safety Authorities Act to Prevent Repetition of Lac-Megantic

US – In the wake of Canada's calamitous 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail freight disaster, the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule to prevent unattended trains which are carrying highly flammable cargo from rolling away. It is now a mandatory requirement that railroad employees responsible for securing a train must communicate with another qualified individual, also trained in the railroad’s securement requirements, to verify that trains and equipment are properly secured.

Billion Dollar Construction Begins

DUBAI – Port operator DP World, has announced the start of construction work on a brand new $1.6 billion container terminal at Jebel Ali Port, Dubai. Located on an island of reclaimed land north of the existing Terminal 2, phase 1 of the Container Terminal 4 (T4) project will deliver new capacity of 3.1 million TEU by 2018, taking Jebel Ali Port’s total freight capacity to an astounding 22.1 million TEU, this for a port which didn’t start operations until 1979. The port complex will be equipped with at least 110 cranes with a total quay length of around 11,000 metres.

Part Load and Groupage Services Open Between Poland and the UK

POLAND – UK – Freight and logistics group DSV, which now claims to be the world’s fifth largest freight service provider, has extended its road haulage services between the UK and Poland, from its existing routes at the company’s terminals in Warsaw, Wroclaw and Łódź, DSV has now added facilities at Gdansk and Poznan to enable coverage of all of the country’s industrial areas. Part load and groupage services to the UK have developed as Poland’s industry has taken off since EU membership, and DSV is celebrating the inauguration of the new routes by offering ‘Goody Bags’ to all new customers using them until August 31.

Deutsche Bahn to Undertake Major Restructuring

GERMANY – Deutsche Bahn (DB), the multimodal freight organisation with the German Federal Republic as its majority shareholder, is launching an extensive restructuring programme in an attempt to make the Group ‘fit for the future’. Starting August 1, the company will begin the process of six major cost cutting procedures which the company hopes will save over €700 million by 2020 and could see the partial privatisation of its logistics arm, this at a time when industrial action negatively impacted the group’s financial results for the first half of 2015. Speaking at DB’s interim results presentation, DB CEO Dr. Rüdiger Grube, said:

But Will All the End Users Get the Benefit?

US – JAPAN – Attorneys representing a group of plaintiffs including freight forwarding groups involved in antitrust claims against more than a dozen international shipping firms have reached a settlement with Japanese RoRo cargo carrier, K Line which had already been fined over $67 million. The plaintiffs, which include the indirect purchasers of millions of vehicles transported to the United States as well as car, truck and equipment dealerships, claimed that Tokyo-based K-Line and other maritime carriers unlawfully conspired in a cartel to rig bids, fix prices and overcharge for their services. Now it will be interesting to see if, and how, the victors will pass on the cash to some of the end users who actually bought the vehicles at presumably inflated prices.

You Can Run - But You Can't Hide - Even Aliases Don't Protect Criminals

US – SINGAPORE – NORTH KOREA – The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has blacklisted Singapore based ocean freight company, Senat Shipping, along with its President, and blocked a vessel in which the company has an interest, over suspected ties to a previously sanctioned North Korean shipping company involved in illicit arms transfers, most notably the freighter Chong Chon Gang which was seized by Panamanian authorities in 2013.

Ships Worldwide Asked to Join Celebrations on Official Opening Day

EGYPT – For the past year or so whenever a canal project is mentioned thoughts turn to the redevelopment of the Panama route and its incredibly impressive feats of engineering. The Suez authorities however have not been idle and on August 6 there will be the official opening of the New Suez Canal by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Already this month we have seen ocean borne freight on the waterway when several container ships successfully navigated the new 44 mile route.

Bunker Craft Doubles as a Fire Fighting Vessel and is Approved by American Bureau of Shipping

US – A Jensen Maritime designed liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering articulated tug-barge (ATB) has been granted ‘approval in principle’ by classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Ideal for mobile bunkering, the Jensen ATB is also ocean rated, meaning that it is not limited to the intra-coastal waterways, like many other similar types of LNG ATBs. This flexible design feature allows the vessel to facilitate the transfer and use of small-scale LNG in places with limited infrastructure, including offshore locations, and the vessel has the capability to fuel a large container or other freight vessel twice over.

Official Opening of Terminal Moves Thames Side Operation to Next Phase

UK – The UK’s latest deep water container port, London Gateway, saw Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport visit the Thames side site recently to witness the official opening of the first phase of the new logistics centre, a 16,800 square metre unit constructed for port owners DP World to the latest BREEAM ‘very good’ standard and having an additional 2,400 square metres of office space. The unit is the first stage in constructing a 36,000 square metre facility as anticipated demand develops.

Questions Over Safety Remain However According to Some

LUXEMBOURG – After a protracted series of discussions between freight only airline Cargolux and Luxembourg’s OGBL union, which represents some of the company’s pilots amongst others, it seems a partial peace may have broken out. The pair have apparently reached an agreement on the main points of a new collective work agreement, covering a period of three years, effective October 2015.

Who is Going Where Around the Globe

CANADA – Staff changes in the freight and logistics industry starts this week with an announcement from Canadian Pacific Railway with the appointment of Andrew Reardon as the newly elected Chairman of the Board, replacing Gary Colter who resigned along with the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee Krystyna Hoeg, after a recent mishandling regarding the resignation of one of the company’s Directors.

Accident Highlights the Dangers of Unsecured Loads

UK – A recent case serves as a reminder to those on the periphery of the road haulage business that all must be constantly aware of the need to employ proper Health and Safety practices in an industry required to work with the heavy, potentially dangerous materials which form the components of a freight transport business. An HGV spray painting company has been fined for safety failings that led to a worker sustaining a serious fracture to his left leg. An employee of Paintshop Northern Limited suffered the injury when a vehicle suspension arm being moved by fork lift truck fell and landed on his leg.

Funding Available for Fehmarn Belt Project

GERMANY – DENMARK – The European Commission has approved the public financing model of the Fehmarn Belt fixed rail-road link between Denmark and Germany, considering it in line with EU state aid rules. The direct road and rail link is expected to create new opportunities for international freight transport and save rail cargo carriers approximately 2.5 hours when travelling between Copenhagen and Hamburg. EU Commissioner in charge of competition policy Margrethe Vestager said:

Ties Between Logistics Company BDA and Coventry Extended

UK – The depressed state of many of Britain’s smaller airports is gradually being reversed, usually due to the proliferation of economy airlines, Stobart’s London Southend operation being a case in point. Now Coventry Airport, for so long overshadowed by local rivals East Midlands and Birmingham, has made a bid to become a bigger freight base for the region having appointed BDA (Bespoke Distribution Aviation) as its official cargo handling agent. BDA itself is already a logistics success story for the airport, based there since inception and set to triple its size in a period of just two years. BDA has extensively trained staff in order to become the airport’s handling agent and is now registered to process all cargo including explosives and dangerous goods.

Building Under Construction to Facilitate Expansion

UK – Briggs Equipment UK is the national distributor of Hyster and Yale Europe materials handling equipment, fork lift trucks and associated products, both well known to the British warehouse community. Now the company is to close its regional centre on the Old Boston Trading Estate in Haydock and relocate all personnel to the new Empress Park estate, a stone's throw from the old facility, with the intention of increasing the company’s presence in the port and freight terminal sector.

CMA CGM Invests in New Fleet for NEFGUI Service

FRANCE – SOUTH AMERICA – CARIBBEAN – Having taken possession of its latest vessel, the 2,100 TEU container ship CMA CGM Cayenne, the French group have placed the ship, the first of its Guyanamax three vessel series, on the company’s North Europe - French Guiana - North Brazil (NEFGUI) line. This 42-day rotation joins the North of Europe directly to the Caribbean, French Guiana and North Brazil each week.

Tankers Are the Target of Choice for the New-Wave of Hijackers

SOUTH EAST ASIA – WEST AFRICA – Gone, thankfully, are the recent times when every single day seemed to bring news of another pirate attack, with fishing vessels to container ships constantly being harassed and hijacked and their crews captured before being offered for ransom. The hot spot initially was the Somali coastline and later the wider Indian Ocean but, thanks to sterling work by forces such as EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta and Combined Task Force 151, coupled with armed security personnel aboard cargo carriers and merchant vessels, and accompanying convoys, that particular threat has been almost eliminated.

P&O Ship Re-enters Service Early - in Time for Holiday Rush and an Uncertain Summer

UK – FRANCE – P&O Ferries has announced that it now has a sixth ship carrying freight on the Dover – Calais route, with the European Seaway re-entering service on the English Channel, well ahead of schedule. This despite the ongoing chaos surrounding the French port with floods of migrants attempting to stowaway to Britain and ex RoRo ferry workers setting fire to tyres and generally misbehaving after the MyFerryLink debacle.

Seattle and Tacoma Given Green Light to Work Together as Country's Third Largest Cargo Gateway

US – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has completed its competitive review and analysis of an alliance between the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, voting unanimously to allow what will be known as the Northwest Seaport Alliance, to become effective as scheduled on July 23. In merging the two ports’ marine cargo terminal investments, operations, planning and marketing it is hoped to promote the growth of regional intermodal freight. The Commission’s decision is based on a determination that the agreement is not likely at this time, despite a reduction in competition, to produce an unreasonable increase in transportation costs or an unreasonable reduction in transport service levels, under section 6(g) of the Shipping Act.

Leading Players Seen as Transgressors Once More

EUROPE – The European Commission (EC) has imposed fines totalling €49.1 million on two rail freight operators, Express Interfracht and Schenker, for their part in a cartel to fix prices and allocate customers for their cargo ‘blocktrain’ services throughout the continent for nearly eight years, in breach of the EU antitrust rules. A third company, Swiss transport and logistics firm Kuehne + Nagel, also took part in the cartel arrangement but was not fined and was granted immunity having initiated the proceedings.

Portable Device Has Global Tracking and Warns of Intruders

UK – EUROPE – Since the start of the crackdown on migrants being smuggled into Britain aboard trucks bearing imports into the country many road haulage drivers and operators have received draconian financial penalties for carrying the illicit, live cargo. In the past year there have been 11,000 cases of lorries being stopped by the UK Border Force and found to be carrying migrants. Fines for drivers are up to £2,000 per stowaway and from the last figures we have, 915 drivers were fined in a year, with the penalties dependent on the amount of collusion or inattention as gauged by the authorities. Now a new device is available from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) to measure CO2 levels in a trailer.

New Programme to Make the Waterway Safer for the Smallest of Craft

UK – There has been much talk of vulnerable road users of late and, in London particularly, great strides are being made to protect pedestrians and cyclists, unsurprising given the horrific consequences of several recent accidents in the capital. With changes in specifications for road haulage vehicles coming into force in September and several schemes to educate both freight truck drivers and cyclists the situation is set to improve a little for those most at risk. What, however, of those in danger on the route at the heart of the city, the River Thames?

Fires on the Tracks as Workers Signal Disapproval Again

FRANCE – In yet another ironic twist the situation in the Port of Calais has worsened, just as we are being told the ‘situation has been resolved’. In a press release from DFDS Seaways the first sailing on its new RoRo freight and passenger service to and from Dover was announced as officially leaving Dover at 10:15 hours on July 21.

Two Companies with Scandinavian Roots Sign Agreement

SINGAPORE – Safety is paramount in all industries but aboard ship it takes on an importance rarely matched by on shore activities. Singapore-based Thome Ship Management provides integrated ship management services to a range of international shipping and offshore industries and now vessels under its charge will benefit from a new Safety Service agreement made Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS). Both companies share a Norwegian pedigree and Ryan Dalgado, Procurement & Supply Chain Manager from Thome said:

Paris Air Show Success for Boeing

US – TAIWAN – Boeing, which claims over 90% of total global air freighter capacity, has confirmed another successful order which we reported during a satisfactory 2015 Paris Air Show last month. The plane maker has finalised the order placed at that time by Taiwanese carrier EVA Air for five 777 Freighters. The cargo aircraft will be the first such aircraft to join EVA Air's fleet, and the first to be delivered to a Taiwanese airline.

Today Europe - Tomorrow the World

UK – WORLDWIDE – In January we had the pleasure to announce Jenifer Taylor from Santova Logistics had won the coveted title of Young Freight Forwarder at the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards ceremony. Now Jenifer has also clinched the European region title of FIATA/TT Club Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award (YIFFY) 2015 and will move on to contest a world title!

Presidential Demands Being Faced by Industry

US – In May 2010 President Obama instructed both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get their act together and jointly work towards ensuring the next generation of freight trucks were environmentally more acceptable. This prompted the EPA and the DoT to confirm they would cooperate to develop a programme to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in medium to heavy road haulage vehicles.

One Man Says Younger Trainees Need to be Schooled to Increase Productivity

UK – With the Budget still fresh in people’s minds we have already published the views of those in the road haulage, freight and logistics sectors on things such as the rate of fuel duty and the chronic domestic driver shortage. One thing we have not touched on is the change in wages proposed and, with Britain lagging far behind the other G7 countries in terms of worker productivity, some 17-19% according to figures released in February 2015 by the Office for National Statistics, we publish here the opinions of John O’Reilly, Operations Director at Midlands based Flex Recruitment Plus.

Another Seminal Route Opens for Green Enthusiasts

US – This weekend sees the arrival of the Tall Ships in Portland, Maine, with a host of celebratory events to suit all tastes, and additionally, a chance to visit the 131 foot schooner Harvey Gamage, due to sail on the inaugural voyage for the Maine Sail Freight Project, another bid to reintroduce wind power as a viable source of transporting commerce on American waterways. The Harvey Gamage, with her cargo of agricultural produce will head south toward the Long Wharf at Boston Harbor hopefully arriving on schedule on 29 August.

Strategic Alliance Looks to Future Success

UK – With Britain being a net importer of goods these days any news about export success is good news and now, following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in January between the Port of Tilbury and Frontier Agriculture, the pair have reported instant success following the start of the contract on 1 July. Frontier, jointly owned by Associated British Foods and Cargill plc, is the UK’s largest crop inputs and grain marketing business and the first load of 6,000 tonnes of feed wheat destined for Rotterdam, shipped this week aboard the MV Aasfjord as Marc Rogerson, wheat trader at Frontier explains:

Special Offer and a Chance to See Some Truly Evocative Works of Art

UK – It is rare to get something for nothing but now readers of the Handy Shipping Guide will be able to view a truly interesting display of maritime art in the heart of the West End of London, completely free of charge. This October, the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) will open its annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, demonstrating a unique specialist knowledge in artwork connected to shipping, the sea and its industries, and all our readers are being offered Free Entry for Two to the exhibition, plus the opportunity to receive a free art consultation at the gallery, or at their own offices.

Certification Covers Component Design and Correct Operational Procedures

WORLDWIDE – According to the Global Wind Energy Council offshore wind farms have the potential to meet Europe’s energy requirements seven times over (and those of the US four times over). Now the international standards organisation ISO has produced a new International Standard for the port and marine operations associated with offshore windfarms which it says will help development whilst improving the safety and accessibility of the chosen sites, in an industry where offshore construction and maintenance has always been challenging and dangerous.

CMA CGM Changes African Rotation and Celebrates Addition of Another Mega Ship

FRANCE – GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – French container shipping line CMA CGM has announced a revision of the company’s West African freight services in a week which also saw the group’s largest vessel christened whilst visiting Hamburg. The upgrade to the EURAF 4 service will take immediate effect connecting West Africa directly to West Mediterranean markets each week as from 18 July with the Maltese departure of the MV Spirit of Cape Town.

Year Has Seen Meaningful Progress on Multimodal Cargo Safety and Shipping Contracts

WORLDWIDE – In its Annual Report for 2015 the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) reflects on the achievements of the past 12 months including particularly the benefits to be had in regard to cooperation with other leading logistics industry bodies. One such achievement has been facilitating an important revision of the former guidelines for the safe securing and stowage of cargo transport units through the GSF’s chairmanship of a joint government and industry working group which included the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Extra Capacity for German Based Company

GERMANY – Ostsee Mineralöl-Bunker GmbH (OMB), a subsidiary of the Bomin Group which is one of the world’s leading independent suppliers and traders of bunker oil, has announced the expansion of its physical operation in Rostock, Germany. The company has chartered a new bunker barge on the back of increased demand to implement ECA compliant solutions for customers. OMB supplies the shipping industry with environmentally friendly, sustainable and on-specification marine fuels from tank terminals in the German ports of Rostock and Travemünde using a fleet of modern barges.

'Driving Britain's Future' Brings Positive Action to Address Chronic Skills Shortage

UK – There has been much talk of late with regard to the chronic shortage of skilled HGV drivers available to British freight operators, and the likelihood that, with an average age of around 53 years, the situation is likely to worsen progressively as drivers retire, whilst very few are currently being recruited from the younger sector of society. Some 13% of lorry drivers in the UK are over 60, with only about 2% under 25 according to figures released earlier this year but now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has determined to take positive action to redress the situation.

Construction Begins on Dockside Cargo Facility

UK – Over 150 key figures representing 75 companies were on hand to see the ‘spade in the ground’ launch of NFT’s new dockside temperature controlled cargo facility at the Port of Tilbury this week. The new logistics centre is being developed for NFT, the UK’s market leader in chilled food distribution with the cooperation of port owners Forth Ports, as we reported in March.

Panamax Vessel Brings Huge Cargo of Wood Pellets

UK – CANADA – What is said to be the largest ever single shipment of biomass docked and discharged this week at Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Humber International Terminal (HIT) at the Port of Immingham after a 34 day voyage from Pinnacle Pellet’s Westview Terminal in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The freight consisted of nearly 60,000 tonnes of wood pellets bound for the Drax power station. The cargo was carried in aboard the Liberian registered Popi S, a first for a Panamax class ship.

UK Government Announces Measures but Are They Sufficient?

FRANCE – UK – The situation in Calais, which we reported on recently, is still giving cause for concern with migrants, determined to steal a ride into Britain, often becoming violent toward freight truck drivers of all nationalities, presumably emboldened by the scandalous scenes witnessed at the port recently involving disgruntled ex-ferry workers, and the subsequent reaction of the authorities. Now the British government has fleshed out its proposals for the new lorry parking zone proposed earlier this month.

Brand New Facility for Hartsfield-Jackson

US – American Airlines Cargo has expanded its operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with a brand-new, 12,000 square foot facility for the air freight specialist. In the second such expansion at the site in just the past two years, the new location, within the airport’s north cargo facility, sees additions to the management team and a fully dedicated staff in a move to help reduce loading and unloading processing times for customers.

Safety Went West says FAA

US – The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a total fine of $1.23 million as a civil penalty against passenger and air freight carrier, SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah, for allegedly operating aircraft that were not in compliance with federal aviation regulations. SkyWest has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

Major Changes at International Air Cargo Body

WORLDWIDE – The weekly roundup of staff changes and movements from across the freight and logistics industry start with the announcement of five new board members to The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Board of Directors from Asia, Europe, and North America, each one representing a different sector of the industry.

For Women Serious About Advancing in a Competitive Industry Sector

UK – Once again the date for this year’s everywoman Academy, themed ‘Advancing Women in Transport & Logistics’, is rapidly approaching and gives the opportunity for anyone serious about a career in the industry to hear from experts how to plot a path to success. Suitable for many women, from junior staff with ambition and potential, to middle managers of varying experience, the Academy offers a range of speakers who would grace any stage.

Green Machine Exclusively Uses Renewable Energy

GERMANY – NETHERLANDS – The SCHERM group, which specialises in logistics solutions for those in the automotive industry, has joined forces with BMW, to launch the first 40 tonne truck to be used on public roads by an automobile manufacturer in Europe. The vehicle, produced by Dutch manufacturer Terberg, completed all tests and was sent into service last week after a launch at the BMW Group Plant in Munich by Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Ilse Aigner.

Triple-E Ships Being Delivered by 2018

US – DENMARK – Maritime shipping and offshore classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has been selected to class Maersk Line's recent order of 11 second-generation Triple-E container ships, due for delivery between April 2017 and May 2018. The carrier, which is the largest container freight line in the world, ordered the fleet of 19,630 TEU vessels from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea last month in a deal worth approximately $1.8 billion.

Annual BIFA Event is a Must for Many Involved with Logistics in Britain

UK – Undoubtedly one of the big occasions in the year for the shipping and forwarding community are the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Freight Service Awards, and after 27 years, the competition is rightly seen as the leading awards scheme recognising the best in the UK freight forwarding industry. Now officially open for entries, the 2015 BIFA Awards will once again be held at the popular London venue, The Brewery in Chiswell Street on January 21, 2016.

Stand Alone Company has 'Taste and Try' Option for Clients Seeking Support Without Commitment

UK – WORLDWIDE – The past couple of decades has seen an enormous growth in specialist services offered by what once were merely considered general freight forwarding agencies. Whereas previously other supply chain services were simply an ‘add on’ to the core business the diversification, originally led by some of the largest logistics groups, has now become normal practice for many ambitious agents which traditionally have always offered a more personal, and better, level of care than the industry giants, for whom throughput is often valued over actual service.

Toll - Sea Swift Deal Knocked Back by Authorities

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided to oppose the proposed acquisition of the Northern Territory and far north Queensland marine freight business, Toll Marine Logistics Australia, by Cairns based project cargo and ocean shipping service provider, Sea Swift, saying that it would be likely to substantially lessen competition. Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston said:

Meanwhile FairFuel UK Has a New Target

UK – A generally favourable reaction to the Chancellors budget this week from Britain’s freight carriers, with a particular interest of course from those in the road haulage community. In addition, having achieved its latest aim of keeping the continuing freeze on fuel duty, the pressure group FairFuel UK, which claims over a million supporters, says it will now target what it terms ‘opportunistic pricing at the pumps’.

Direct Daily Service to Commence Next Month

UK – DB Schenker Rail UK has collaborated with PD Ports in what they say is a completely new offering for the market, in which the two claim is the first time that a rail freight company has partnered directly with a port to serve the intermodal sector in the UK. From Monday 3rd August, DB Schenker Rail UK will run a direct daily service from the PD Ports owned Teesport in Middlesbrough up into Scotland. Les Morris, Head of Sales at DB Schenker Rail UK, said:

Well Known MD Passes Away

EUROPE – This week’s staff changes in the freight and shipping industry starts with news from Kerry Logistics which has sadly announced the passing of Gary Wilcock, Managing Director of Europe, on June 21, after a short battle against cancer, at the age of 54. Under Wilcock’s management, Kerry Logistics Network (KLN) in Europe grew from a single business unit in the UK to a business which today operates in 11 European countries.

Battling Heat and Exhaustion All in a Good Cause

UK – AFRICA – Thirty professionals from the freight and logistics industry battled stifling heat, rugged terrain and unforgiving altitudes to raise a staggering £133,000 for international development charity, Transaid – the largest sum ever raised for the organisation in a single challenge or event. Transaid’s Event Manager, Florence Bearman, who took part in the challenge, said:

UN Forum to Set Development Goals

US – WORLDWIDE – At the recent United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) held in New York the views of freight forwarding organisations worldwide were represented by FIATA (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés) which was there to solidify the review framework for the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals and ‘to highlight the benefits of logistics connectivity as a major connector of global initiatives to national and regional standards in order to secure the global review requested by the member states.’

Largest Shipping Line Changes Tactics from Mega Box Carriers

DENMARK – HONG KONG – SOUTH KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Lots of news from Maersk this week as the largest container shipping line in the world signs an agreement with Dubai headquartered logistics group GAC to handle all the husbandry requirements of both Maersk and MCC vessels calling at Hong Kong. Under the two-year contract, which commenced on 1 July 2015, GAC will handle more than 1,000 calls annually at all the city’s ports and terminals. MCC is the Singapore based box carrier whose 80 vessels supply all Maersk’s intra-Asian shipping needs.

'Train the Kids' is the Message at UKWA Presentations and Annual Luncheon

UK – Coming as driven by clockwork, the first week of July once again hosted one of the highlights in the warehousing and logistics industry’s busy calendar seeing over 400 guests fill the Ballroom Suite of the Dorchester Hotel in London for the UK Warehousing Association’s (UKWA) 16th Annual Awards for Warehousing, including the Presentation Ceremony and Annual Luncheon, sponsored by fork lift truck and materials handling group Jungheinrich UK.

Meeting with Top Scottish Minister Confirms Deal

UK – BELGIUM – A meeting between Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, and the CEO’s of DFDS and Forth Ports has resulted in the confirmation that there is to be an investment of over €6 million by the two companies in the future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route. The importance of a continuation of the only RoRo freight route connecting Scotland to the Continent was highlighted during discussions which detailed route developments and the concrete investment plan, for which the basis has been laid in November 2014 when the three parties published a joint statement to secure the route’s future. Nicola Sturgeon commented:

Continuation of Expansion for WFS

FRANCE – GERMANY – French headquartered Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has announced its intention to acquire a 51% shareholding in Fraport Cargo Services (FCS) as part of a strategic partnership with Fraport AG. For over 40 years, Fraport Cargo Services has been the largest provider of independent cargo handling services at Frankfurt Airport, Europe’s joint largest freight airport alongside Paris CDG. In 2014, cargo and mail traffic through Frankfurt rose 1.8% to some 2.1 million tonnes.

New Deal Sees Switch of Terminals for Old Partners

SWEDEN – GERMANY – EUROPE – A cooperation which dates back 20 years between SCA Logistics and Iggesund Paperboard will see an expansion over the next year with around a million tonnes of paperboard, paper and pulp shipped annually via a new transport link to and from Kiel. There will be a major shift in the traffic from RoRo to container freight and the shipping group and paper producer will phase out operations at the distribution centre in Lübeck in 2016 and relocate to a new main terminal in Kiel 85 kilometres to the North.

OPDR Joins MacAndrews in CMA CGM Portfolio

FRANCE – GERMANY – EUROPE – The European Commission has given its approval, without any conditions, for French container freight line, CMA CGM, through its subsidiary MacAndrews, to acquire German short-sea shipping specialist and logistics group Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei GmbH (OPDR). In order to finalise the acquisition, which was announced last year on November 25, the companies needed the approval of competition authorities from the EU as well as Morocco.

ESVAGT Safety at Sea Sold On for Over 600 Million Dollars

DENMARK – Shipping conglomerate, the Maersk Group and Danish investor, ESE-Holding A/S, have announced the sale of offshore ‘safety and support at sea’ subsidiary ESVAGT for DKK 4.1 billion equating to approximately $610 million at current rates. International infrastructure investors, 3i Infrastructure and AMP Capital have entered into an agreement to jointly acquire 100% of the shares in the Esbjerg headquartered company, which hopes to expand its offerings in the offshore wind energy market.

Enhancement of Route Means Extra Call

NORTH AMERICA – ASIA – The members of the G6 Alliance, the container lines which make up one of the largest groupings carrying box freight to and from the Asian markets, have announced a service enhancement in the Asia – North America (East Coast) trade which they say is in response to market demand.

Italian Shipping Group (Naturally) Encourages the Arts

ITALY – URUGUAY – WORLDWIDE – Although the business of lashing cargo into a hold or securing containers of freight aboard a box vessel may appear to be a little rough and ready, never let it be said that the world of shipping does not also have certain cultural attachments. And who better to demonstrate the artistic profile of the industry than an Italian operator, in this case the d’Amico Group, which has just launched a programme called The Owner’s Cabin, an innovative and unique international artist’s residency programme aboard the company’s ships as they sail around the world.

Polar Opposite Forces Join in Praising Sir Howard Davies' Report

UK – The report published last week by the Airport Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies, whilst not approved by many, seems to have a broad spectrum of support from those associated with the air freight sector. The report states that London’s Heathrow airport is the most suitable site for expanding the city’s air cargo capacity with the development of a third runway. Sir Howard expressed the opinion that the extra runway was most needed to develop long haul capacity to new and expanding markets, an aim which he believes Heathrow is eminently suitable for. This view has been backed up by a cross section of the logistics community including the Freight Transport Association (FTA), with Director of Global and European Policy, Chris Welch, saying:

21 Months Pass and Crew Still Waits in Limbo as Indian Authorities Ignore International Law

INDIA – Last week a spokesman for the maritime professional’s union Nautilus summed up the case of the MV Seaman Guard Ohio concisely saying, ‘just about every element of this case has been disputed’. So said Andrew Linnington when commenting on the detention of the privately owned US ship on a mission to defeat pirate attacks against freight and passenger carriers in the Indian Ocean. In October 2013 the ships owners, Advanfort, were thanking the Indian authorities for their assistance, insisting the vessel took shelter from a storm whilst patrolling to protect container and cargo carriers in the region against piracy.

Huge Injection of Money for Transport Infrastructure Announced

EUROPE – The European Commission has unveiled a record €13.1 billion investment plan to fund 276 transport projects, selected under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), in an effort to boost jobs and growth in Europe. The investment will see Europe improve a vast number of both freight and passenger activities and facilities by addressing the problems within the continent’s infrastructure and improving the inland waterways, ports, and intermodal rail connections. This investment will unlock additional public and private co-financing for a combined amount of €28.8 billion. EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said:

New Seafarers Crisis Response Centre Launched

SOUTH AFRICA – International seafarers support charity, the Sailors’ Society has launched a Crisis Response Centre to support seafarers in need throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The Centre, which is based in Durban, South Africa, offers a rapid response service to assist traumatised seafarers after piracy attacks and other crisis-at-sea situations. A comprehensive network of trained port chaplains, drawn from a range of maritime welfare agencies, will provide a 24-hour service in South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique and Réunion.

Further Funding to Boost Cargo Options

INDIA – The World Bank board has approved its third loan for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) which aims to increase the speed and efficiency of movement of raw materials and finished goods between the northern and eastern parts of India. Having already invested over $2 billion in the project, the World Bank is now lending a further $650 million to be used in the third section, the 401 kilometre Ludhiana-Khurja rail link in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab which will enable faster multimodal transport for cargo in the region outlined in the scheme.

It's the Time of Year for Awards and Plaudits

WORLDWIDE – The usual slough of awards and commendations this past couple of weeks in the freight and logistics sector starting with supply chain management group Ceva which picked up Best Logistics Provider - Sea Freight award at the recent Asia Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards held in Hong Kong. The awards, organized by Asia Cargo News, are designed to honor leading organizations in air and shipping lines, air and sea ports, and logistics (including 3PLs) and other associated industry professionals, for demonstrating leadership as well as consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability.

Repressive Regime May Slow the Pace of Internationalisation

LUXEMBOURG – TURKMENISTAN – CHINA – As Europe’s largest all freight airline it obviously falls to Cargolux to serve many fledgling markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and now the Luxembourg based carrier has expanded its offering with four weekly flights to Turkmenbashi, two from Luxembourg and two from Hong Kong.

Vehicle Carrier Conspired to Fix Ocean Freight Rates - More Penalties to Come

SOUTH AFRICA – The Competition Commission has reached a settlement agreement with Japanese container and automotive shipping line, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) for violating the country’s Competition Act by colluding with competitors to fix the prices of ocean freight services on motor vehicles shipped to and from South Africa, in a case similar to that of the antitrust lawsuit underway in the US which has seen several well-known RoRo cargo carriers penalised millions and some employees jailed for their anti-competitive actions.

Who is on Their Way and Where To

WORLDWIDE – We start current appointments in the world of freight and logistics with a major change with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) electing Ki-Tack Lim of South Korea to serve as its next Secretary General to follow Koji Sekimizu who is to step down from the role on January 1, 2016. Lim will serve for an initial term of four years with the option to extend for another four years. Five other candidates had put their names forward to take the top role: Andreas Chrysostomou of Cyprus, Vitaly Klyuev of Russia, Dr. Maximo Mejia Jr of the Philippines, Andreas Nordseth of Denmark, and Juvenal Shiundu of Kenya.

Delays at Calais Continue - Now MyFerryLink Owner and Purchaser Tell it Like it is.

FRANCE – UK – Groupe Eurotunnel, which subcontracted staff from SCOP SeaFrance to man the ships and offices of its subsidiary MyFerryLink RoRo freight and passenger service which ran between Dover and Calais up to this week, have come out all guns blazing at the way the personnel involved, and their representatives, have behaved over the past three weeks.

Two Long Established Companies Continue Cooperation

EUROPE – ARABIAN GULF - Despite all its current woes, one of the mainstays of the Greek economy has always been the shipping sector. Whilst the country’s road haulage operators have seen their traditional international freight trade fall prey to cheaper Eastern European competition, the special maritime strengths, honed over generations, may now offer a degree of protection. Now one company, Empros Lines, itself steeped in maritime tradition, is to launch a new regular monthly break bulk liner service from Antwerp and the Western Continent to the Arabian Gulf.

Adjacent Airport Solves Austrian Grand Prix Problem

UK – AUSTRIA – A recent shipment undertaken by time critical logistics experts Bespoke Distribution Aviation (BDA) illustrates both the pressurised nature of modern Formula 1 racing, and what can be achieved by a specialist freight team. Urgent carbon fibre parts required by one top competing team were collected from Luton Airport in the UK by BDA’s Frankfurt based Short 360 aircraft, and delivered to an ex-military airport right next to the Red Bull Ring where the Austrian F1 Grand Prix was due to take place.