Shipping Search - Archive

Bits and Pieces of Logistics News From Around the Globe

UK – On Wednesday (July 28) Transport for London (TfL) announced the opening of a consultation on the future of the Congestion Charge, based on proposals to reduce the hours of operation to 0700-1800 during the week, 1200-1800 at the weekend and the charge remaining at the higher £15 rate.

Money Available to Advance Track Borne Cargoes

UK – Sprinkled amongst the awards from government for the 'First of a Kind' rail initiative aimed mainly at passenger transport, the £9 million scheme to drive innovation on Britain's railways also contains a few projects which have been awarded funding specifically targeting the carriage of freight.

Paucity of Suitable Workers Proving a Boost for One Supply Chain Enabler

UK – By now the world and his wife should be aware that the logistics sector is facing a staffing crisis, particularly with a shortage of HGV drivers and fork lift truck operators. Now it seems that such bad news has prompted an upturn in business in one specialist area.

Freight Forwarders Have the Unvarnished Truth from Their Trade Association

UK – Ah. Rumour and intrigue, nothing spreads faster than the Chinese whispers which swirl around the freight and logistics industry. Fortunately there are cool heads which examine and analyse to ensure the truth will out which has now happened as concerns over the parlous state of the container shipping market go into overdrive.

Incorrect Data Input Can Mean Loss of Operating Licence

WORLDWIDE – Whereas hardly any of us had heard of a webinar pre Covid, it appears they have for some proved a useful tool. Following a series of such virtual conferences Verifavia Shipping, an independent emissions verification company for the aviation and shipping sectors, says the talks have shown the industry is unclear about the technical parameters required to meet compliance required by mandatory regulations.

UK Container Handling Figures Approach Two Million TEU

UK – WORLDWIDE – Smiles all round at DP World this week as in the UK a record volume of cargo was handled at the company's two English ports in the first half of 2021, and previously the global group reported robust financial results for 2020, with revenue growing by 11% to $8,553 million.

The Air of Uncertainty Around Trade with Russia and the CIS Begins to Evaporate

UK – RUSSIA – CIS – Brexit has changed much for British importers and exporters but one positive effect is that it has stimulated more interest in trading with nations that may have previously been considered a 'little tricky' to deal with .

Survey Offers Insights Into Technology Change Effects

UK – The rush toward what is commonly termed 'digitalisation', in other words switching from what previously only had written or pictorial form to data input, stored and utilised via machines of varying types, continues unabated. How is this transformation affecting parts of the logistics industry sometimes considered a little resistant to change however?

After a Year of Covid Time to Examine the Problems and Solutions

UK – WORLDWIDE – The build up to London International Shipping Week 2021 (LISW2021) is now well under way with the event running between 13 – 17 September with both real and virtual events being planned.

Government Criticised by Many in the Industry for Vague Plans

UK – The newly appointed Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA), Clare Bottle, has wasted no time in getting into her stride joining the groundswell of opinions demanding the government allow logistics workers exemption from self-isolation as the 'pingdemic' sweeps the country causing shortages of supplies.

Century Old Claim Form Stands the Test of Time

UK – WORLDWIDE – One of the most iconic of shipping documents, the 'Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement', more commonly referred to as the Lloyd's Open Form, has been under threat of late due to under use but confirmation comes that the Form is to be saved, and indeed promoted more widely.

New Plan to be Revealed at COP26

UK – WORLDWIDE – With all eyes focused on the COP26 climate agenda conference later this year there will be many companies pitching their wares and opinions on how to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the shipping sector.

Who is Heading Where in Logistics

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the appointment of Brendan Sullivan as its new Global Head of Cargo with immediate effect. Sullivan has worked in the air cargo sector for 20 years including spending 14 years at IATA. Since January, he has been acting Global Head of Cargo alongside his role as Head of Cargo Operations and E-Commerce.

Smaller Stuff You Probably Don't Know but Maybe Should

UK – This week DP World Southampton announced completion of the crane rail extension, which will allow the world's largest cranes to service the full length of the quay. In March London Gateway and Southampton became the first deep-water ports in Britain capable of handling Freightliner's new 775 metre intermodal container trains, which are the longest in use on the national rail network.

Government Scheme Offers Discounts on Chargers as Well as Purchases

UK – The move to electric vehicles now sees a steady stream amongst car owners but there are many small, private companies and individuals running vans who could benefit from the technology but are deterred by the possible costs. There is in fact help available which could benefit the smaller road haulage operator and more besides.

COP26 Offers Opportunity to Present a United Front

UK – WORLDWIDE – 31 October 2021 will see the opening in Glasgow of COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference aimed at minimising polluting emissions, and the logistics of the supply chain will play a central role.

Live Video Shows Seriousness of Incident

SOUTH KOREA – UK – The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has completed its final report on the huge explosion aboard the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland which occurred in the Port of Busan on 28 September 2019.

Disease Has Altered the Face of Cargo Carriage

WORLDWIDE – One of the unforeseen effects of the Covid 19 pandemic has been the sea change in aircraft use brought about by the mothballing of vast swathes of the passenger aircraft fleet. This paucity of flights inevitably put pressure on to deal with the vast amounts of cargo, normally carried in the belly holds, and now with nowhere to go.

Seabed Known 'Less Well than the Surface of Mars'

NEW ZEALAND – WORLDWIDE – This week New Zealand became the first country to sign up to a global seabed mapping project, to map the world's entire ocean floor by 2030. Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) aimed at compiling all bathymetric data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map.

Another Piece of the 16 Tonne Urban Delivery Jigsaw in Place

EUROPE – Proudly announcing itself as 'the world's first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne vehicle designed for inner-city logistics' the Volta Zero, following an extended European sales tour, is to have its sustainable and recyclable composite exterior body panels developed and constructed in Italy.

Open Letter to the Industry Has Not Gone Down Well

UK – Today (20 July), presumably in a move it hopes will dilute some of the withering criticism it has received following earlier statements on decarbonisation and drivers hours, the government sent an open letter to the road haulage sector pledging to resolve certain of the problems. The response has not been what it will have wished for.

EU Funded Project Witnesses Innovative Solutions Tested

GERMANY – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – When the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decreed the demand for a zero carbon shipping environment by 2200, anyone who envisaged one, swift technological development which would instantly magic away the problem of pollution from ships stood to be sadly disappointed.

Giant Project to Alleviate Traffic Problems Pushes Ahead

CHINA – SWEDEN – DUBAI – When building an underwater tunnel the first consideration is of course to make it watertight. When said tunnel is to be over 5 kilometres long and is designed to carry huge levels of traffic to relieve congestion then that priority becomes even more important.

Logistics Groups Taking Autonomous Freight Transport Seriously

UK – BULGARIA – GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – It seems that, having successfully persuaded Hellmann Worldwide Logistics earlier this month of the practicality of their company drones for transporting consignments up to 350 kilogrammes, the autonomous craft from DRONAMICS are now to be trialled by DHL for carriage of freight.

Many Traders Need Professional Guidance for Border Operating Model Stage 2/3

UK – The question of how wisely British traders with dealings in Europe have used the extra grace period they gained when certain of the new Customs and Excise regulations were delayed in March will soon be answered. Now any with doubts are being strongly advised to utilise the services of a freight forwarder who should be capable of making the importations relatively trouble free.

Things Good to Know but Not Big Enough to Make the Headlines

UK – In an heroic effort logistics outfit GEFCO has confirmed that it has been able to raise over £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. The fundraising, which had an initial target of £40,000, comes as part of a 40-mile walk from its Prologis Park headquarters to Rothwell.

Continued Protests Freeze the Supply Chain

SOUTH AFRICA – Rioting and looting in the KwaZulu-Natal province after the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma has led Maersk to shut down all its operations in both Durban and Johannesburg.

Talk Turns to Legal Action on Demurrage and Detention Charges

WORLDWIDE – As tempers rise amongst the shipping community over the seemingly ever increasing costs of container demurrage and detention charges, a subject we have returned to numerous times, comes a tongue lashing from the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and even rumbles of legal redress against the shipping companies with allegations of cartel action regarding freight rates.

Classification Society Gives Approval

UK – WORLDWIDE – A development in fire-fighting foam technology utilising ultrasound to balance the water to foam ratio and meaning testing can be performed while the vessel is berthed alongside without having to discharge any foam overboard, or send samples to testing labs, has been granted a verification statement.

Unlike Brexit Will the Powers That Be Listen to the Professionals This Time?

UK – As it regularly finds itself under fire for promoting and assisting the outside interests of MPs, Cabinet Ministers and the like we should probably not be surprised if the government doesn't view with scepticism any industry Association or lobby group, believing rightly or not that they possess the same set of morals.

Finished Vehicle Logistics Representatives Issue Health and Safety Statistics

EUROPE – Much as the P&I groups are always keen to dish out safety advice to their members in the shipping sector, so too is the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), the body charged with looking out for the interests of the Finished Vehicle Logistics industry in Europe.

Haulage Industry Promised Safer and Greener Option

UK – Mention retreaded tyres to a road haulage operator and you may get one of two very different reactions. This Marmite like quality stems usually from personal experience with many a professional driver familiar with the 'alligators' sometimes seen on the medians and hard shoulders of our motorways.

Questions Over Safety of Ferry Raise Possibility of Industrial Action

UK – FRANCE – The potential of a strike affecting the Dover to Calais crossing during the August Bank Holiday looms large as maritime professionals' union Nautilus International agrees to ballot its members on possible industrial action following what it sees as serious safety concerns around crewing levels on a P&O Ferries service.

Transport and Logistics Annual Event Online Only

UK – Last week saw the presentation of the 2021 Amazon everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, which every year gives women working in the supply chain a chance to demonstrate their prowess.

Customs Staff Unable to Properly Interpret Their Own Rules are Criticised

UK – In a recent piece in its in house magazine 'newsrack' the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) made mention of the increased pressures being put on warehouse keepers by HMRC, accusing the Customs officials of misinterpretation of the new rules applicable post-Brexit and to the replacement for the former Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS).

Accusations of Misconduct in Public Office

UK – Beware the wrath of a man who actually knows what he is talking about. Like a thorn in the paw Lord Tony Berkeley has persistently criticised the development and cost overruns of the HS2 project and now he has fired a torpedo into the heart of government by meticulously listing events and statements which he says misled Parliament and evidences Ministerial fraud.

A Quick Look at Some Supply Chain Links Almost Hidden from Sight

UK – Post lockdown any company relying on security scanning technology needs to be sure that the machines will operate accurately when switched on after a long period of disuse. Now one company working in the field, Todd Research, is offering a service including a thorough regeneration check, routine maintenance, and safety checks on radiation levels, irrespective of the make and model of the scanner.

Who is Heading Where Throughout the Industry

WORLDWIDE – Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, long serving International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Board member and immediate Vice Chair, was named as ICS Chair – Designate following a decision by the ICS Board of Directors at a recent meeting.

CEO Sentenced to Prison - Again

UK – TAIWAN – A quick look at the Linked in profile of Nobu Su, owner and CEO of Taiwanese shipping line Today Makes Tomorrow (TMT) makes no mention of his current whereabouts, hardly surprising as he is a resident of London's Pentonville prison - again.

Nine Convicted by African Court

TOGO – In a landmark case with implications for the merchant shipping industry nine men were sentenced this week by a Court in Lome to prison terms ranging from 12 to 20 years.

Demonstration Flight This Week for New Product

SPAIN – WORLDWIDE – With drone manufacturers trying to place their products as useful commercial tools, one Galician based company has initially abandoned the idea of using its products as last minute urban delivery aids and concentrated on serving the maritime community unfettered by legislation.

Converted Passenger Trains to Run Freight Between Cities

UK – Network Rail has come up with a new scheme to transfer some high speed parcel deliveries to an intermodal format by converting former passenger trains to carry goods directly into city centre stations for transfer to electrically powered urban 'last mile' vehicles.

Insufficient HGV Drivers? Just Let Them Break the Rules and Work Longer Hours!

UK – So the government's magic bullet to resolve the chronic shortage of commercial vehicle drivers in the country is to let them work longer hours! Ignoring the obvious safety ramifications (what was a serious offence last week is to be praised this) how the devil is this a solution?

Pandemic Induced Online Sales Prove a Rich Field for Crooks

US – UK – WORLDWIDE – The huge upswing in online purchases during the various lockdowns necessitated by the Covid pandemic have led inevitably to a rush by cyber crooks to use the relative naivety of buyers as grounds to steal both cash and information.

Once Again Such a Case Goes to Extra Time - but the Penalties Are Paid by the Crew

NIGERIA – SWITZERLAND – Be grateful if you never get caught in a row between governments. That is the message as the MT San Padre Pio sailed forth from Nigerian waters after spending over three years in custody, detained by the country's authorities.

Chance Offered to Join America's Road Team

US – America's Road Team, the Volvo Truck sponsored group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway, is seeking new talent for its 2022-23 reiteration.

German Plant Continues to Produce Despite the Pandemic

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – Maritime crane maker Liebherr hit a milestone last month when crane number 1,300 left its Rostock manufacturing plant en route to Ghana.

Vessel Fuel to be Produced from Household Waste

FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – Launched in late 2019 during the French Maritime Economy Conference (Assises de l'Economie de la Mer), and supported by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Coalition for the Energy of the Future continues to attract high profile members.

Agreement being Inked Which Will See Her Release This Week

EGYPT – After being held in a lake between stretches of the Suez canal for over three months waiting for the long Court wrangles over compensation to be settled, it appears the Evergreen owned container ship Ever Given may finally be allowed to continue her voyage.

Slowdown in June but Situation Remains Dire for Global Traders

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Oslo headquartered Xeneta analyses ocean and air freight rates via its regular Long-Term XSI® Public Indices and expresses shock at what is happening in the international container market as freight rates continue to rise, albeit they have slowed during June.

Vigilance and Cooperation are the Watchwords

UK – CANARY ISLES – As Maritime Safety Week (5-9 July 2021) opens, comes a story of a dramatic rescue tinged with tragedy on the high seas. After 17 days in an open boat crossing the Atlantic a five year old girl died in the Spanish Air Force helicopter which disembarked her from the bulk carrier Cape Taweelah which had plucked 35 survivors from the sea.

Webinar This Week plus DfT Consultation as Vans Get Caught Up in EU Red Tape

UK – For many in the world of logistics the spectre of Brexit still stalks the corridors of trade, and with more changes looming it may be time to consider the next phased alterations to import procedures. To ameliorate the situation, this week comes a summary of approaching procedural refinements in the form of an online event from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) plus a chance to tell your views to the government.

Some Logistics and Supply Chain Snippets

UK – In a continued expansion of its rail services offering, Maritime Transport has opened a new rail freight service operated by long-standing partner, GB Railfreight (GBRf), connecting DP World London Gateway to Maritime's intermodal freight terminal in Tamworth (BIFT). The new route will operate six days a week from Monday to Saturday with a total transport capacity of 87 TEU in each direction.

New Online Course to Set Standards

UK – The chronic shortage of HGV drivers in the country got more publicity this week when German sweet maker Haribo said it was causing it to miss deliveries to customers (which, given the obesity of kids we keep hearing about, many may see as a good thing).

Pandemic has had Ramifications for the Supply Chain

UK – It would appear belts are tightening as the pandemic bites according to two separate sets of figures published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Both reports impact the freight sector with household spending diminished and research and development (R&D) within the industry also contracting.

Long Range Craft May Make Practical Sense in the Right Markets

UK – BULGARIA – EUROPE– Whilst we have often commented on the practicalities of drones in the supply chain, and indeed the vital contribution they can sometimes make, we confess to being more than a little sceptical when talking of airborne, unmanned craft delivering cargoes, particularly in urban environments.