Shipping Search - Archive

Minor delay will not stop launch

MIDDLE EAST – Etihad Crystal Cargo, the freight division of Etihad Airways, is to start a new freight service between its Abu Dhabi hub and Baghdad from the 3rd of September. Originally planned to start on the 1st, the launch has been delayed temporarily for unspecified reasons.

Bomb destroys at least a dozen vehicles

PAKISTAN – Trucks carrying supplies and fuel for the NATO forces in Afghanistan have been targeted in an attack at the Pakistani border city of Chaman, Baluchistan. A bomb was planted under a tanker late Sunday evening and the subsequent conflagration destroyed more than a dozen other vehicles. There are no reports of casualties.

North Korean Arms Weapons Smuggling Mystery Deepens as Analyst Queries Ultimate Destination

ITALY :- Milan based International Freight OTIM spA have revealed it was cargo carried on their behalf which contained the munitions stash outlined in the HSG story of yesterday. In a press interview Mr Mario Carniglia CEO of the company outlined the circumstances under which the shipment was moved.

Improvements should be of great benefit to UK – Europe haulage

KENT, UK – Some £122.5 million of road improvements for Kent has been approved by Transport Minister Paul Clark. Amongst a number of projects envisaged to improve capability in this important freight corridor are better connections for the busy M2 motorway, which links the ports serving the continent with London and the rest of the UK road network.

Victoria to maximise freight potential of Ports of Hastings and Melbourne

AUSTRALIA – The Road and Ports Ministry have revealed a new programme to develop and integrate Victoria’s major freight portals. The Port Futures strategy is intended to maximise the commercial viability of local port operations and secure Hastings position as a major international container port. It is hoped a revised overall transport plan will avoid competition and the duplication of resources.

Chinese Giant Poised to Cancel New Container Orders

CHINA – After posting its massive $632 million operating loss last week speculation grew that the giant China Cosco Holdings group would slash its proposed purchase of new containers following the cancellation last month of eight new ships.

Overloading Appears to be a Universal Problem

SOUTH AFRICA – For all hauliers out there who have strayed over the legal line comes an extreme story of a freight driver captured by the Koster, South African authorities. Not for him a badly stowed pallet too close to the rear doors. This guy managed a THIRTY TONNE excess.

Controversy Surrounds Night Time Cargo Flights

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – The plans to open Canberra airport to all night flights and to expand over a twenty year period have met with a mixed reception after receiving the seal of approval from the Federal Transport Ministry. The proposals envisage an increase in employment of 17,000 new jobs over the next twenty years.

UAE Authorities Finally Admit Cargo Seizure includes Armaments

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – The ANL Australia, seized here by the authorities on the 15th August has been found to be carrying North Korean-manufactured munitions, detonators, explosives and rocket-propelled grenades bound for Iran. An Australian Ministry Official stated today that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are investigating the circumstances surrounding the Bahamian registered cargo ships detection and subsequent detention.

Low Cargo Volumes Squeeze Container, General and Bulk Cargo Sectors Alike

DUBAI, UAE – The state controlled corporation DP World, owner of DP Ports, has reported a slump in its nett profits of 34.5% compared to last years first half figures. Traffic levels collapsed by 10% in the container sector and spanned all of DP’s 49 worldwide terminals. Profits fell to $188 million for the first reporting period of 2009, down from $287 million.

Three month rise in trade spurs development

INDIA – After falling trade figures for several consecutive months the mood in the country’s freight and transport industry lifted a little this week with the news that container figures at least had risen during the April – July period. The enthusiasm is tempered a little in that more of the traffic is import rather than export, much of it from China which continues to build a strong trade foothold.

Australian Group looks to grow despite recession

AUSTRALIA – Toll Holdings, the transport and logistics group has declared its intention to triple it’s presence in the freight market in the next three years. After declaring a loss in the region of A$695 million last year Toll returned profit figures of A$270 million this time.

Amerijet management prepared

US - Cargo airline Amerijet International says that industrial action by its pilots and flight engineers will not affect its flight operations. Management at the Fort Lauderdale carrier, which operates out of Miami to Latin America and the Caribbean, claims that they are fully prepared for the strike and that there will be no disruption to its services.

Many Conflicting Factors Mean a Confused Outlook

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced international scheduled traffic results for July showing freight demand was down 11.3% compared to the same month in the previous year. The 11.3% decline in cargo demand for July was also a relative improvement over the -16.5% recorded in June and the -19.3% average for the first seven months of the year. Despite this improvement, the July freight load factor of 47.6% was lower than the 49% recorded in July 2008.

Now Haryana District Announce Industry and Transport Plan for the Region

INDIA – Following on from the HSG story of the 24th August regarding the freight project at Madhya Pradesh, comes news of a further development in the Country planned to streamline and modernise logistics and transport, this time in the Delhi to Mumbai industrial corridor.

Managers and drivers urged to be aware

UK – South Wales Police are urging truck drivers to be extra vigilant and not to take any unnecessary risks after a spate of thefts from vehicles parked in lay-bys along the A465 in Neath Port Talbot.

OSA Goliath the First in a New Generation of Essential Heavy Lift Vessels

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – The OSA Goliath, equipped with an MTC78000 heavy lift offshore crane is currently lying in the port after returning from the Baltic, before leaving for the Gulf of Mexico where she is under contract for the next few years to the Mexican oil company Pemex.

DfT’s figures show below average quarter

UK – The Department for Transport (DfT) released figures today that show that freight traffic between the UK and Europe is significantly down in comparison to last year. In the second quarter of 2009 the total number of goods vehicles travelling from Great Britain to mainland Europe was 590,000, a decrease of 19 percent on the same quarter in 2008. Of these, 442,000 were powered vehicles, which are down 18 percent from a year ago, whilst 148,000 were unaccompanied trailers, down some 22 percent.

Criticism of Funding for Border Controls

US – CANADA – MEXICO A major row has broken out in Washington over the apparent inequalities surrounding financing for the new upgrades to US borders into Canada and Mexico. Accusations of favouritism are rife as details of how the $720 million, awarded under President Obama’s economic stimulus plans, will be spent.

Members less susceptible to fines

LONDON – The Freight Transport Association (FTA) claims that businesses in the capital could save millions of pounds thanks to an initiative it is spearheading to reduce the number of parking fines or Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) given to commercial vehicles. The trade body states that its members have so far benefited from a 30 per cent reduction in PCNs in the City of Westminster, with similar results seen in other London boroughs.

Rolling stock being taken out of mothballs

US – North American rail freight operator Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) has reintroduced nearly a third of its parked railroad fleet back into service according to CNN. The move is considered a further sign of an economic recovery in the United States.

Third Monthly increase

LOS ANGELES – Following on from London Heathrow’s announcement earlier this month that air freight seemed to be picking up slightly, Los Angeles LAX airport has also confirmed that they too have seen a slight increase in tonnage.

£1.7 million Estimated Value of Cannabis Shipment

FELIXSTOWE, UK – Officials from the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) have released details of a consignment of 600 x 1 kilogramme blocks of compressed herbal cannabis which they seized from a South African import container last week.

Reports of further trouble brewing for shipping in the Gulf of Aden

SOMALIA – Reports have come in that Somali Pirates are readying themselves for fresh sorties into the Gulf of Aden. There has certainly been one incident concerning the European Union’s anti piracy mission Operation Atlanta.

Boost for Teesport Logistics Centre

UK – Taylors of Harrogate, the beverage supplier, whose products include Yorkshire Tea, have moved the handling and storage of their 1000 plus import containers to a revamped 40,000 square foot facility owned and operated by P D Ports.

Concern for domestic logistics companies

CHINA – The three major Chinese airfreight carriers Air China, China Eastern and China Southern today raised their fuel price for domestic freight carriage by almost $44 per tonne. This after China raised retail prices of fuel on 30th June before dropping them again one month later after the price of crude oil decreased.

Shipping and Transport Figures Mirror Rest of Freight Industry

CANADA – SOUTH AFRICA - Clarke Inc, the Halifax, Nova Scotia based group whose activities range from oil tank manufacture to ferries, announced figures this month which illustrate the current hardship facing logistics operations. The shipping and transport sections of the group show a $12.6 million fall in revenue for the second quarter to June 2009 against the same period in the preceding year.

New Liebherr Technology Installed in Liverpool

UK – A revolutionary new high rise industrial re-handler has been installed at Liverpool’s West Canada Dock to load furnace ready metal scrap into specialist cargo vessels for world wide distribution. The R984C has been specially produced by the new Liebherr facility at Kirchdorf, Germany for metal processor’s S. Norton & Co. Norton’s will transfer the giant 210 tonne machine around their variously placed dockside locations aboard the “Mersey Mammoth” a giant floating crane.

Facility to assist in Winter Olympics

RUSSIA - Global logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel has opened a new facility in Sochi, Russia. The site will be directly involved in providing logistics and transportation services to official contractors of the Olympic Winter Games 2014.

Import Container Throughput to be Lowest in Seven Years

US – The monthly Port Tracker report, produced by the statistics analysts IHS Global Insight for the National Retail Federation, foresees an overall drop in TEU volume of 18.8% in October compared with the same period last year.

New Facility to Educate and Facilitate Country’s Exporters

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – A new logistics centre was formally launched this week by the country’s President Oscar Arias, despite the fact he is currently recovering from H1N1 swine flu. The facility has been funded by the Georgia Institute of Technology, with the twin aims of inspiring and informing entrepreneurs throughout Costa Rica and giving the Institute a foothold in South America for further developments.

An extra year for important link

CANADA – Tony Clement, Canada’s Industry Minister, yesterday announced that the federal government is to inject $1.5 million into the Huron Central Railway. Speaking during a public meeting at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault the minister said that: “I’m well aware of the Huron Central situation and I know it's a vital link.”

Promises significant savings for vessel-owners

USA – The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has begun initial trials with a new anti fouling robot. If the experiments prove successful then the new machine could prove a boon to ship owners around the world in cost savings from lower fuel use and reduced maintenance requirements. And these costs are substantial, with the US Navy estimating its own due to this problem at around $500 million a year.

Oriental passion revives the spectre of an ancient trade in blood - An HSG Feature article by John van Dore

CHINA – VIETNAM – AFRICA – THAILAND - The past few months have seen an upsurge in seizures of illegal shipments of ivory, particularly in Vietnam. Just this week 2 tonnes of elephant ivory was discovered in a shipping container of Tanzanian snail shells by vigilant Customs officers at Haiphong and last week local police found 17 tusks in a car stopped on the Ho Chi Minh road in Trung Xuan. Haiphong customs also seized 6 tonnes of ivory from another container in March.

New routes maiden run

TEHRAN – The first Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) freight train, which originated from Pakistan and is destined for Turkey, arrived in Tehran on Sunday. The Iranian Roads and Transportation Minister Hamid Behbahani, ECO Secretary General Khurshid Anwar, and ECO member countries’ ambassadors to Tehran attended the welcoming ceremony of the ECO train.

All cargo still being offloaded by Indian authorities

INDIA – Following our story of the 10th August the vessel Mu San is still in port in Kakinda in the Indian province of Andhra Pradesh. The vessel underwent preliminary searches at Port Blair before being moved to her new location where her 16,500 tonne cargo of sugar has been offloaded at the rate of 2,000 tonnes per day.

Alpine transit route reports drop in traffic

SWITZERLAND – A report into freight movements crossing the Swiss Alps for the first six months of this year shows a drop in combined Road/Rail volumes of almost 21% compared to the comparative period in 2008. Carriage levels were down from in excess of 21 million tonnes to less than 17 million.

Confusion increases over mystery hijacking

RUSSIA – The hijacking of the ship Arctic Sea is rapidly beginning to look like something out of a James Bond script judging from the stories originating from the world’s press, which is being fuelled by the bizarre nature of the few facts known to the public on the hijackers.

Madhya Pradesh aspires to win new Warehousing and Transport business

INDIA – The State Government of the Indian province of Madhya Pradesh has announced its plans to develop the first integrated logistics hub in the country financed by public money. The Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC) has announced plans for a 30 year initiative of public/private cooperation to develop facilities in three strategic locations around the centrally situated Indian state.

Road Haulage Firms Under Pressure from Swingeing Cost Increases

UK – In a statement issued on Friday the Road Haulage Association stepped up its campaign for an across the board rise in rates for British trucking firms. The organization blames the Government squarely for the parlous state of the industry, illustrating the rise in fuel duty which, it says, will mean by next April the cost of a gallon of diesel will have risen 16% in nine months.

Deputy CEO implicated in Emirates scandal

NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA – The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is to use emails from Air New Zealand’s deputy CEO, Norm Thompson, in its allegations concerning price fixing for air freight rates by a cartel of airlines despite the regulator not bringing charges against Air New Zealand itself.

MP’s and Trade Organisations support fight against poor standards

UK – The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) report into the appalling record of foreign vehicles on the country’s roads was published today against a background of overwhelming support. MP’s wholeheartedly backed the need for stringent measures to be taken against the alien offenders as, according to whose sources you use, are up to eight times more likely to be involved in an accident.

A$73 million project completed on time

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – The Mildura to Melbourne railway upgrade, first mooted last year was completed this month, in time for the annual grain harvest. The line connects the region to the Ports of Melbourne and Geelong. 95% of Grain from the Mildura region passes by rail to Geelong.

Motor Manufacturers and Traders to discuss downturn

UK – The second online conference of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders will focus on the lack of van and truck sales in the current economic climate. Whilst private car sales have been boosted by the Government scrappage scheme, commercial vehicle sales figures are not recovering and there are doubts as to the future viability of the Vauxhall Luton plant.

Irish and UK firms forge fresh

IRELAND / UK – Dublin-based freight forwarder Irish Global Logistics (IGL) has signed deals with S & J European Haulage and Keith Perry International Transport to form a new Ireland –UK distribution service that covers both countries.

Demand for JAL Cargo collapsed

JAPAN – Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) are conducting talks on the merging of their respective freight services due to a huge drop in the demand for air cargo carriage, it was announced yesterday.

Switch to Rail needed as Road Freight capacity down with dwindling economy

US – A survey of American trucking companies showed that over 3000 US hauliers closed for business during 2008. This represents a reduction in carrying capacity of 7% over the year and was coupled to a reduction in the actual costs of logistics movements by 3.5%. This meant that overall logistics costs for the country came to $1.3 trillion which equates to 9.4% of US GDP.

Poisonous Cargo returns after allegations of Illegality

FELIXSTOWE, UK – Following investigations by the Brazilian authorities over 70 containers of toxic waste have docked today after being expelled from South America. The cargo was originally shipped as recyclable plastic waste but Brazilian regulators found the dangerous waste, which includes syringes and condoms, at three different Ports in the country. Three men from Swindon in their twenties were arrested in the UK in July after a police investigation and have been bailed until October.

Costs for Cambodian Link Threaten Project

CAMBODIA - Plans for a rail network that could ultimately provide a link between London and Singapore have hit a finance problem in Cambodia that may require additional funding from either governmental or NGO sources, according to a report in the Phnom Penh Post.

Stobart Group Expects to Continue Growth

UK – The Stobart group has announced that they were confident that development of their multimodal business would continue, despite the financial constraints of the moment. Since it was formed by the amalgamation of the high profile Eddie Stobart and more conservative Westbury Property Fund, Stobart Group have diversified from road haulage, still the largest part of the company, into rail and airport services.

Transnet Freight Rail makes inroads into haulage market

SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) have announced their intention to spend 55 million Rand to modernise facilities at the City Deep container terminal, the Johannesburg inland port, but have deferred some of the 1.7 billion Rand they had been planning to invest in the development of their container business due to the economic climate.

Claim will dump toxin in Seine

FRANCE – Disgruntled workers at a French haulage company are threatening to dump tonnes of toxic fuel additive into the River Seine unless their compensation claims for layoffs are met.

Initial Domestically Built Freight Vessel in Sea Trials

IRAN – The MV Iran-Arak, the first container carrier to be built in the country was launched in the Persian Gulf this week. The ship, which is undergoing its close water trials in Iranian waters has been constructed by the Iran Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Complex Co. (ISOICO) and cost an estimated $50 million.

Government moves in bid to support Shippers

THAILAND – The Thai Customs Service have introduced a scheme designed to help traders during the current economic difficulties. All Customs fees plus the fixed charge of 30 Baht per consignment levied by the Foreign Trade department have been waived until 1st February 2010, when the situation will be reviewed.

Felixstowe to Midlands rail service daily

UK - Rail freight haulier First GBRf has signed a new 12 month rolling contract with independent freight forwarder Allport, for the carriage of containers from the Port of Felixstowe to Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) at Birch Coppice Business Park in North Warwickshire and to Doncaster Europort freight terminal.

Profits down but future looks rosy for John Menzies

UK, LONDON – John Menzies shareholders were ebullient today after shares rose more than 24% despite falling half year profits, down 35% over the comparative period in 2008. Revenue at the firm, which specialise in newspaper and magazine distribution, fell by less than 1% to £821 million and there will be no interim dividend but the demise of competitor Dawson News, which passed into administration and suspended all its distribution services earlier this month, having sold many of its assets to Menzies and Smiths News. The sale figure is put at around £2 million and was made in an attempt to preserve 1800 jobs within Dawson Holdings whose other companies are said to be profitable.

Construction to start this year

TANZANIA / RWANDA / BURUNDI - Plans to build a $3.5 billion railway linking Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are proceeding well, according to ministers for the three countries. It is hoped that with construction starting this year the new line will be in service by 2013-14.

Rail freight between Ukraine and Slovakia stopped

UKRAINE / SLOVAKIA - Ukraine's national rail company, Ukrzaliznytsya, yesterday halted all freight train traffic to Slovakia claiming to be concerned about the health of engineers exposed to radiation whilst being scanned by Slovak customs.

A Smorgasbord of Announcements from around the World this week

US, ILLINOIS – Menlo Worldwide Logistics, a subsidiary of Con-Way Incorporated, have announced the opening of their 350,000 square foot export logistics centre in Joliet. Initially the depot will utilise 200,000 square feet for the processing of the Caterpillar Inc. contract. UK – The Freight Transport Association have expressed anxiety at the possibility of a skills gap once the country pulls out of recession. Many in the transport industry are men in their forties and the FTA is concerned that fewer young people are developing the skills needed to continue to provide the services which will be required.

Commercial Traffic makes a return to Dublin Port

IRELAND – A new Iarnród Éireann service between County Mayo and the Port of Dublin commences this week offering freight customers the ability to transfer goods between Ballina and the Capital. International Warehousing and Transport Ltd., the innovative Irish/Dutch transport group, have employed the Irish rail carriers to run a twice weekly service on the line. Ballina is home to the giant Coca-Cola plant and the initial cargo will consist mainly of concentrate for onward carriage to Australia, India, Japan, Turkey and Mexico where it is rehydrated.

Move to Southampton paying off for Huelin - Renouf

SOUTHAMPTON / CHANNEL ISLANDS – Channel Island ferry and freight operator Huelin – Renouf are to increase their number of sailings from Southampton to the Islands from three to five a week. The increase is in response to an upsurge in trade that the firm has experienced since they moved to a custom-built facility from Portsmouth less than a year ago.

Gigaset reaffirms logistics relationship

SHANGHAI - Gigaset Communications (Shanghai) Ltd. has appointed Kuehne + Nagel to manage its national distribution centre in Shanghai. In addition, the logistics provider will be responsible for domestic warehousing and distribution services for the entire range of Siemens-Gigaset-branded cordless phone products in the Chinese sales market.

Earthmoving Equipment joins Crane and Cargo Handling Facility

SUNDERLAND,UK – The earthmoving division of Liebherr, the major equipment supplier, have announced the development of a new depot to open this year, adjacent to their Queens Award to Enterprise winning crane and cargo handling division.

Up to 40% of Agricultural Produce Ruined for lack of facilities

INDIA – A report prepared by KPMG together with the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) has highlighted a critical weakness in the country’s ability to preserve vital food produce. In a statement ASSOCHAM president Mr Sajjan Jindal said that more than 30 percent of produce is being lost due to poor cold chain infrastructure, and that India has the ability to store 21.7 million tonnes in this type of environment and needs over 10 million tonnes more.

Encouraging signs in shipping levels and lower prices throughout Asia

HONG KONG – MUMBAI – Traffic levels in Hong Kong rose in July against the previous month by 7.7% following a trend we have seen in other reports from around the globe. Although, as in other cases, the figures were down against the previous year, by 14.5%, the Port handled 62,000 twenty tonne equivalent units daily, up 4% against June’s figures.

New contract in Mexico and increase for Spanish operation

MEXICO / SPAIN - Panalpina has been nominated by Thomson Premises Connected (TPC) as official logistics provider in Mexico. The scope of business includes 2,000 sq metres of bonded warehouse space and domestic distribution nationwide.

Third increase in as many months

UK - London Heathrow Airport has experienced its busiest month this year in terms of air freight. A total of 109,254 metric tons of freight was handled in July, making tonnage up by 5.9 percent from June.

Are Road and Air Freight tools of the Devil, or just Dogs with Bad Names?

LONDON – The July report, commissioned by the Government and prepared by international consultancy partnership Booz Allen Hamilton into CO2 emissions, has brought even more controversy into the climate change argument as it applies to freight transport.

Important development for freight on the Roof of the World

CHINA – A new logistics facility opened for business in Nagqu County, Tibet yesterday. Based on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway the centre, located about 300 km from Lhasa, covers an area of 533 hectares and cost 1.5 billion yuan ($219 million) to build and is expected to be handling 2.2 million tons of cargo by 2015 and 3.1 tons by 2020.

Container volumes down but revenue starting to pick up.

SINGAPORE – Once again the message from a major freight container line carries both good and bad news. Neptune Orient Lines, the world’s fifth largest container shipping group, were able to post figures yesterday showing a rise in traffic levels of nearly 9% against their last reporting period.

Australian commission brings court action

AUSTRALIA - As a result of its continued investigation into alleged price fixing in the air cargo industry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Emirates Airways.

Arctic Sea’s crew all safe

ATLANTIC - The Russian government has reported that they have located the vessel MV Arctic Sea and have the all members of the 15-strong crew safely aboard one of their naval vessesl.

Acquisitions seen as best way to ride out the storm

DENMARK – AP Moeller-Maersk, who announced management changes on Friday, are set to record their first ever full year loss in 105 years of trading. There has been a fall in the company’s fortunes across the full spectrum of its major trading areas.

Rail freight users believe unusable

CALIFORNIA – Plans to convert California’s rail network between San Francisco and San Jose to an electric high-speed system have alarmed members of the local freight industry. The Peninsula Freight Rail Users Group state that the plans would reduce the time available for freight trains to use the route from 15 to 5 hours daily. It would also prevent 40 percent of existing freight stock from using the track as these cars would be too high for the overhead wires.

Emissions Trading Scheme setback for freight industry

AUSTRALIA – The Australian haulage industry’s lobby group, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), has spoken out strongly about the Governments failure to approve measures to introduce legislation designed to control carbon emissions which the Senate rejected last week

New record set by Antonov

GERMANY / ARMENIA - An Antonov An-225 made history last Tuesday when it carried the heaviest single-piece load ever, a power station generator that topped the scales at 187.6 tonnes.

Marine Safety and Pollution Forum Scheduled for October

CYPRUS - This years safety forum for merchant and other shipping will be held in Cyprus between the 11th and 16th October. The annual meeting of the Marine Accident Investigators’ International Forum (MAIIF) is designed to bring together safety experts and casualty investigators from all round the world.

Allegations of ransom demands for missing freighter.

FINLAND – The ongoing saga of the MV Arctic Sea took a new twist last night as unconfirmed reports of a ransom demand surfaced. The reported sighting of the ship passing Cape Verde is now thought possibly to be inaccurate and in the scramble to uncover the truth of the vessels predicament, over twenty countries have now been drawn into the saga with its appropriately Scandinavian roots

Planning permission granted for established freight hub

SAN FRANCISCO, US – Redevelopment of the SFO Logistics centre in South San Francisco can now go ahead after the city’s planners unanimously voted it through this week. The scheme, which was proposed in January by the city’s Centrum Properties will cost an estimated $23 million dollars and generate over 1000 permanent jobs. Construction is due to commence this Autumn with potential occupants being offered leases from the beginning of 2010.

Pakistan – Iran – Turkey shipping service commences

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – Today sees the first shipment of containers on the new international freight service between Islamabad (to be Lahore or Faisalabad when developed) and Istanbul. This is the first completed stage of a project known as ECO (Economic Cooperation Organisation) formulated between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey to simplify and economise trade links between the three countries.

An HSG Feature Article by John van Dore

US – EUROPE – AFRICA 2009 has been, so far, the year of the Pirate. We have seen ever more frequent attacks on merchant shipping in areas as diverse as Scandinavia and the Indian Ocean. Today it seems appropriate to review the situation globally and to interpret whether we are really in the grip of an upsurge of piracy or if the whole situation is just a glitch, a press driven fancy.

Arctic Sea off Cape Verde

ATLANTIC - The vessel at the centre of an alleged piracy attack has been sighted some 400 miles from the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa. The ship, last seen in the Bay of Biscay on the 30th of July, had engendered international attention after reporting being boarded off the Swedish coast on the 24th by 10 men who left the after 12 hours aboard on inflatable craft.

Stobart and DB Schenker move ever closer

UK – The Warrington based Stobart Group have switched their domestic railfreight services from Direct Rail Services (DRS) to that of DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd. This follows our story of the 4th August when Stobart announced their new ties with DB Schenker on intermodal links with Spain.

Government acts to stop vessel leaving port for dismantling

UK, SOUTHAMPTON - The 50 thousand tonne Margaret Hill was issued the first ever stop notice by the UK Environment Agency yesterday after suspicions were raised as to her destination. Although officially bound for Portland, Dorset, information received by officials, said to be from the NGO Platform on Shipbreaking, raised doubts as to her immediate future. NGO Platform on Shipbreaking is a coalition of environmental interest, labour and human rights groups who monitor the illegal scrapping of First World vessels in Third World countries and petitions for their safe and environmentally sound disposal.

Further fury from dockers

IRELAND - The war of words between Marine Terminal Ltd and its workers in Dublin has escalated. In response to strike action called at its facility at the Port of Dublin a spokesman for Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) said: “The salaries enjoyed by MTL’s port operatives – up to €75,000 for a crane operator - are way above their counterparts elsewhere in the Port of Dublin and in the industry generally.

Major potential improvement in efficiency

FLORIDA - The Port of Miami (POM) and the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) have unveiled ambitious plans to renovate the rail link to the port to take advantage of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program.

Man run down by accomplice

WALES – One man was injured and three are on the run after trying to steal three lorries last night from a Flintshire haulage company.

New report stokes row

SWITZERLAND - The argument between environmentalists and the freight industry in Switzerland has flared up once again.

GAC opens new centre and Shell extends existing plant

ROTTERDAM – NETHERLANDS GAC Netherlands yesterday opened their new operating depot at Distriport Benelux in the Pernis District of the city. The centre consolidates the company’s position in Holland bringing together road, waterway and rail connections.

TUI shares rise after further talks on Hapag-Lloyd refinancing

HANNOVER, GERMANY – More activity at the talks over the funding options for Hapag-Lloyd resulted today in a share price jump for TUI who own 43% of the group. After announcing that the €1.75 billion package originally proposed was insufficient, TUI seemed poised to request state aid today following an announcement in which they stated an extra €200 million was now required

Established Suffolk haulier sold by administrators

UK – Following our piece on the 7th August, news in today that negotiations to buy all the assets of 91 year old Bury St. Edmunds transport firm Leggett’s had been successfully completed.

Oversized load specialists pull off eight-country trip

GERMANY / ROMANIA – The international logistics service provider Logwin has successfully delivered a 13-tonne tank to a power station in Cernavoda, Romania. The load covered a total distance of 2,100 kilometers on the Danube and passed through eight countries on its 13-day river journey: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

Leading e commerce supplier is bucking the trend

NEW JERSEY,US – Leading e commerce logistics supplier INTTRA have reported a 20% increase in container bookings for the first 6 months of 2009.

Haulage and handling agreement signed with Legend

AUSTRALIA - Legend International Holdings and P&O Trans Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for haulage and handling services associated with Legend’s Georgina Basin Phosphate project.

Important development in east coast freight plan

USA - Norfolk Southern, the American rail operator, announced yesterday that it will construct a new intermodal terminal in Greencastle, Pennsylvania as part of the railroad's multi-state Crescent Corridor initiative. The aim is to establish a high-speed freight rail route between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast of the US. The $95 million facility will occupy a 200-acre site and is expected to open in late 2011.

Vessels and Dock targeted in Ecological Protests

NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA – Greenpeace activists, always active in the Southern Hemisphere, have continued their demonstrations against selected targets this week. After chaining liferafts together on 11th August in Auckland harbour to prevent a beam trawler leaving port, the protestors have moved to shore based demonstrations against retailers selling species under threat such as Hoki and Orange Roughy.

Subsidiary shipping line could suffer throughout Europe

IRELAND - A dispute between dockers and management at Peel Ports facility in Dublin could result in a backlash against the Groups subsidiary shipping line, BG Freight Line. Dock unions are threatening to blacklist vessels operated by the company and have called on their fellows in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg to boycott loading the lines ships in support.

12-month project to test performance in U.S. ports

PALO ALTO, USA – A hybrid tractor unit used to move shipping containers and cargo within docks, is to be tested at a Port of Long Beach shipping terminal. If this heavy-duty application of hybrid electric technology proves successful at Long Beach and other ports then it could replace diesel-powered shunters on a wide scale, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and improving energy efficiency of port operations.

Aim to break even - MD

UK - Southampton haulier Pentalver Transport has reported that its profits have slumped this year despite a rise in turnover.

Major NAFTA haulier finding times tough

US – Celadon Group Incorporated, the Indianapolis based US freight trucking group, have announced a massive drop in profits for their fourth fiscal quarter. Profit was $ 200,000, down from over $ 2 million. In its fiscal year ending June 30, Celadon earned $2.6 million on revenue of $490.3 million. This represents a reduction from a profit of $6.5 million in 2008’s financial year.

Hapag Lloyd seek financial lifeline to weather recession

GERMANY - Discussions were ongoing at a meeting of shareholders and interested parties when Hapag Lloyd advised on the report by their financial consultants which recommended state guarantees of circa € 1 billion to insure against the companies proposed further borrowings.

New company to handle cross-border traffic

RUSSIA / FINLAND - Russia’s First Freight Company and Finland’s VR Ltd. are planning to form a joint venture to handle rail freight shipments between the two countries after approval for the scheme was granted by Russian Railways (RZD).

PD Ports completes phase one of pre Northern Gateway Scheme

UK – PD Ports, the UK Port and Logistics management group, announced this week that they have completed the first stage of their Teesport development. £2 million has gone to make available ten acres behind the current TCT2 container terminal for an anticipated growth in traffic. This, it is hoped, will allow for swifter throughput of the increased tonnage whilst development of the new £300 million Northern Gateway pushes ahead.

Plot surrounding Arctic Sea thickens after earlier reports

UK – The story reported here on the 1st August concerning the Arctic Sea, which was boarded by Pirates off Gotland on the 24th July has taken a new twist. Having reported the raid and stating that the intruders had left the vessel after tying up the crew and damaging her communication equipment, Dover coastguard have now said that they had contact with the vessel as she commenced her passage through the Channel on the 28th July but that had no news of any further contact. Having been tracked passing Brest in the small hours of 30th July there is only one reported sighting of her, by a passing Portugese coastal air patrol.

Strategic move for former Public Affairs Manager.

UK - The Road Haulage Association announced today that Ray Engley, who has been with the RHA for two years, was to become its new Head of Technical Services.

Criminals WILL be penalised

IRELAND - In response to reports over the weekend concerning the possibility of imposing strict punishments on criminals with road haulage licences Minister Noel Dempsey today published an independent report into the issuing of road transport haulage operators licences by the Department of Transport.

High charges impede trade

ISLE OF MAN - The Isle of Man’s ferry operator, The Steam Packet Company, is under fire for excessive fuel charges. The Manx government has announced that it is to launch an inquiry into allegations that the company’s policy is damaging trade between the island and the UK mainland.

Cross-border program may start again

US / MEXICO – President Barak Obama is reported to be considering reinstituting the cross-border trucking program between the United States and Mexico. The original scheme was shelved earlier this year as a cost cutting measure and due to problems that led to it being considered inoperable.

Death knell for Lindoe shipyard as firm focuses on profits

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – A P Moeller-Maersk A/S, owners of the worlds largest shipping line, are to close their loss making shipyard at Lindoe in 2012. With global cutbacks on new shipbuilding and the existing trade moving to Asia the company sees no future for the 90 year old facility. Redundancies will start immediately and the group will run down the 2700 strong staff progressively.

Transport boss quits

FINLAND - The President of VR Ltd, which runs Finnish Railways' cargo division, unexpectedly resigned on Monday. Tapio Simos had been a member of VR's board for seven years and there is speculation that suggests a link between the resignation and the announcement of the group’s poor second-quarter results.

Chemical leak causes complete shutdown

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - A state of emergency was declared earlier today when a container of isopropylamine, a highly flammable chemical used in the production of herbicides, began to leak. One man was taken to hospital after inhaling the noxious fumes and Queensland Police and Fire crews immediately ordered a 300 metre exclusion zone, effectively closing the Port and stopping all freight and transport activity.

Two million accident free miles

US - Steve Ruesken, a Con-way Freight driver from Illinois has now achieved an amazing milestone. Not only has he completed over 2 million miles in his 22 year career with the company, he has managed to do so without an accident! Steve is to be honoured in a special ceremony at his home depot of Salem on the 26th August.

Deal to extend credit agreement anticipated by management

LONDON – Global Ship Lease, the containership leasing group, whose administrative offices are in London, released unaudited figures for the three month period to 30th June 2009. The figures are published one year on from major changes which culminated in the group’s flotation on the New York stock exchange on the 15th August 2008.

Panalpina and NYK in New Arrangement

JAPAN - Panalpina and the NYK Group have agreed to realign the level of their current cooperation in Japan. Panalpina Japan will entirely in-source the air and ocean freight operations effective January 2010. In line with an earlier agreement communicated in February 2007, Panalpina will continue to represent the NYK subsidiary Yusen Air & Sea Service interests in various countries.

Great news for the Coventry-based manufacturer

UK / USA - Modec and Navistar International Corporation are finalising a ground breaking joint venture. President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday a significant grant to stimulate electric vehicle manufacturing in the US. This broadcast took place at the Navistar premises in Elkhart County, Indiana. Navistar was awarded a grant of $39m, which will be used to accelerate electric vehicle production.

Fatality highlights flaws in security once again

UK - A 13-year-old boy has died after being electrocuted at a rail freight depot in Allerton, Liverpool. A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “We received reports that three youths had been seen in the depot and had been on the roof of a disused freight train. “It would appear the boys have come into close proximity with the overhead cable and the electricity arced.

New rules to remove HGV licenses

IRELAND – The Irish Department of Transport is to bring in new regulations to remove road haulage licences from convicted criminals. Truck drivers with previous convictions for murder, firearms offences, sexual assaults and drug and human trafficking in the past five years will have to give up their licences or face the prospect of a three-year prison sentence and a €500,000 fine.

US Navy tracking possible weapons shipments

INDIA – A suspicious North Korean vessel, the MV Mu San, was being held by Indian authorities after it dropped anchor in Hut Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and failed to respond to signals from the coastguard.

Clan fight might affect raids on vessels

SOMALIA – Fighting has broken out at a main pirate stronghold in Somalia, according to Reuters. At least 17 people have been killed and 30 wounded in battles that broke out on Saturday in Haradheere. The coastal town has been used by pirates since the break down of order in Somalia in 2007 due to its close proximity to trade routes between Europe and Asia.

Facility promises greater efficiency

DUBAI - Agility, a leading global provider of integrated logistics solutions, has today announced the launch of its new Container Freight Station (CFS) from its hub in Dubai. This new service will be offered to all shippers and consignees who have shipment of less than a container load (LCL).

Part of Major Investment Plans

INDIA - Essar Shipping Ports and Logistics Ltd (ESPLL) has finalised details on four of six dry bulk carriers that the company is intending to acquire at a cost of $218 million. The purchase is part of a $630 million expansion programme for Essar’s shipping division. The vessels are of 54,000 deadweight tonnage each and were built at ABG Shipyard.

Container traffic shows a rise at last

SHANGHAI - The China Containerised Freight Index, movement figures compiled and published weekly by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange from statistics taken from all major freight and transport groups with interests in the region, has shown it’s third week of increased trade in the sector.

State losses induce a rethink and sales of holdings

ROMANIA - 2010 will see the privatisation of Romanian rail freight company CFR Marfa following Thursdays announcement by Transport Minister Radu Berceanu. The minister spoke after his meetings with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Commission revealed their dissatisfaction with the financial results of the company and two other state run railway companies, CFR SA and CFR Calatori.

Group pushes into new territories despite the recession

CANADA - Synergex Corporation announced that it has obtained freight forwarding operating licenses in Mexico and Colombia, and has commenced freight forwarding operations in these territories.

Troubled road haulier viewed as possible purchase

UK – Suffolk based road haulage operator Leggetts Transport, who went into administration last month, may have found a possible purchaser for the company. Administrators Smith and Williamson have stated that the company continues to trade and a possible purchaser is currently negotiating terms with them with a view to taking over operations in the next few weeks. Hopes are high that the current staff of around seventy can be retained.

Goods vehicles are proving soft targets for criminal gangs

UK - The Road Haulage Association and drivers website Truckersworld have both commented on the reported increase in theft from parked vehicles which seems, as in previous recessions, to mirror criminal behaviour in times of economic stress.

Military specialist to cover Kandahar

USA / AFGHANISTAN - Air charter operator National Air Cargo (NAC), which specialises in dealing with military customers, has announced it is to institute extra cargo flights between the USA and Afghanistan in support of American military operations in the theatre.

US shipping conglomerate loses almost 20% off shares

USA – After a troubled week, the value of shares in Pacer International Inc dropped almost a fifth at one stage yesterday. On the 27th July the California based freight transport and 3PL provider, considered as asset light already by many, announced it was to shed the assets of its heavy haulage operation, Pacer Transport International.

Sino-Europe event to be rescheduled

SPAIN - The WCA Family of Logistics Networks has cancelled its conference which was due to take place in Barcelona in October due to fears of the swine-flu epidemic. The president of WCA Family of Logistic Networks, David Yokeum, said: “It is with regret that we must announce the cancellation of the Sino-European Freight Forwarders conference. This is particularly sad as indications were that this would have been the largest gathering of Chinese and European international freight forwarders ever held in Europe.

Tie up with Toll to Change Tasmanian Schedules

The new venture, 85% owned by Toll, will see ANL’s “TasFast” Bell Bay cargoes switched to Toll’s Monday-Saturday sailings across the Bass Strait into Burnie. ANL, owned by the CMA CGM group, will withdraw their own equipment, leaving Toll’s two vessels to ply the route.

$200 million to improve infrastructure

USA - The state of Missouri has given the green light to an investment plan of over $200 million as a ‘down-payment’ on 11 rail projects that will seek to improve both passenger and freight on the state's railways.

New World Wide Service for Port

USA - Mediterranean Shipping Co. is to soon start using Philadelphia’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in its North American Service. Mediterranean's North American president, Claudio Bozzo, said: “Our objective is to open a big bridge between Philadelphia and the world. We have decided to count on the fact that Philadelphia will grow, and we will be the ones that will make it happen.”

New Indian venture formed

INDIA - Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), the French shipping and logistics firm, and Mumbai-based ABG Infralogistics have formed a joint venture to offer port and logistics services in India. The new company, ABG-LDA, is looking to invest some $80 million in barges and cranes for its operations.

Revised Packing & Treatment Regulations may catch out exporters

AUSTRALIA / RUSSIA – Shippers with goods destined for Australia are reminded to ensure they comply with the raft of new declarations for goods landing from the 1st August. Although there is a “phase in” period for annual Packing Declarations to the 1st January 2010, this will not apply to single import declarations.

Increase in traffic in last quarter

SWITZERLAND – Despite a 15 percent drop in its gross profit in the first half of this year as compared to the same period 2008, Monika Ribar, CEO of Panalpina remains upbeat. In a press release issued yesterday she said that: “Thanks to strict cost management, the pursuit of a long-term, profitable growth strategy, and the fact that we are debt-free and intent on maintaining high liquidity, we are confident about the Group's development over the mid to long term.

Traffic up from June

USA - United Airlines has reported a slight increase in airfreight carried in July, with the carrier’s traffic up 5 percent from June. Though airfreight at United is still down 17 percent compared to July 2008, this means last month was the busiest for the airline since November 2008. It is also a third better than United Cargo’s low point in January.

Ben Kowtho promoted to lead Asian Operation

THAILAND - Ben Kowtho, who has been with the Handy Shipping Guide online freight directory as a manager since its inception, has been promoted to Service Director for the Asian region. Mr Kowtho, who has spent the past ten years working as an on line publisher, was the natural choice to head up the groups rapid expansion in the region. He will continue to operate from HSG’s Thailand office.

Iron giant hopes to further cut costs

BRAZIL - Vale SA, the world’s largest iron-ore producer, is planning to build ships with 400,000 deadweight tons capacity to serve the growing Chinese steel market, according to Bloomberg.

Revised terms for members of RHA from September

A press release yesterday from the RHA revealed their intention to make important changes to the standard terms under which their members operate. As a standard setter for the British freight industry these new terms are of interest to any in the business.

$2.7 million ransom paid

SOMALIA - The Hansa Stavanger, a German-flagged container ship that was seized by Somali pirates in April, has been released. According to Reuters the ship’s owners paid a ransom of $2.7 million for the release of the vessel and its 24 crew. Scheduled to be released last week, the ship was held for longer than expected as the pirates increased their demands.

Worth A$2 billion over 10 years

AUSTRALIA - Linfox Logistics has signed a huge logistics contract with National Foods Limited, one of Australia’s largest food and beverage companies. The contract means Linfox will manage the majority of National Foods distribution for the next ten years.

New Valencia Link Announced

UK / SPAIN - Stobart Rail and DB Schenker Rail (UK) today announced the launch of temperature controlled intermodal services from Valencia to the UK via the Channel Tunnel. The service will offer a shared multi-client train for new and existing customers of both companies. By working together, all road and rail assets will achieve high levels of utilisation, thereby enabling a commercially sustainable door-to-door solution for companies involved in the export of fresh products.

Claimed as sign of economic improvement

BEIJING - Chinese rail freight volumes increased by 0.3 percent in July from a year earlier, according to a report in the People's Daily on Tuesday. The paper states the claim is from the Chinese Ministry of Railways and is the first rise in traffic since November.

Iveco sponsored Ferrari trip for competition winners

James Hookham, FTA, Freight Transport Association, UK, freight, haulage, logistics

UAC confirms no firm decision yet on air giant

RUSSIA - Russian aircraft builder United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has stated that reports on the resumption of construction of the An-124 ‘Ruslan’ aircraft were ‘pure speculation’. In a communication with the Handy Shipping Guide, Maxim Syssoev, Deputy Director of Corporate Communications, stated that:

US forwarder moves into Britain

USA & UK - BDP International, a global logistics and transportation services company based in the U.S., has acquired U.K.-based Rostrum Forwarding Ltd. The company's name will be changed to BDP International, and it will operate under the continued leadership of Rostrum's Managing Director Bruce W. Pope.

New Colombo branch a first for UK forwarding

Despite the overall downturn in the freight industry, Manchester based forwarder Cargo Overseas has announced a major investment in their transport operations in Sri Lanka. In a statement from the group’s Managing Director Phillip Curran, which emphasised the potential for growth, he outlined plans for the new undertaking. Cargo Overseas Lanka (PVT) has been developed with the cooperation of their existing partner in the region, Mr Gamini Gunaratna.

THAILAND - The Thai Ministry of Commerce has released details for its upcoming 6th International Logistics Fair 2009.

THAILAND - The Thai Ministry of Commerce has released details for its upcoming 6th International Logistics Fair 2009.

“Cripplingly High” – Policy Manager

UK - The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is calling for the Government to reconsider its tolls policy on the Severn Bridge. The request came as ministers announced their intention to freeze tolls on the Humber Bridge, which are in some cases already significantly lower than those on the two Severn bridges.

Landmark for manufacturer

Airbus has delivered the 1000th aircraft from its A330/A340 family. The aircraft, an A330-300, was handed over to Thai Airways International (THAI) at a special ceremony in Toulouse on Thursday. In attendance were Air Chief Marshal Narongsak Sangapong, Acting President of THAI, plus representatives from the engine manufacturers and major equipment suppliers.

CEO Andersen admits profit drop but thinks transport rates are stable

In a press conference on Friday Jens Bjorn Andersen, CEO of Danish run giant DSV, revealed a bigger drop in profits for their second quarter than anticipated.

Nigerian logistics provider to develop new distribution centre

NIGERIA - MDS Logistics, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, is to build a new Lagos hub to cope with the company’s continued expansion.

Bank pushes for more small business loan take up

UK - RBS, under the stewardship of CEO Stephen Hester, has launched a drive to attract more small businesses to borrow the balance of £9 billion outstanding from the original £16 billion made available after Government intervention earlier in the year.

Return of the Vikings?

It has been reported that in the early hours of Friday the 24th of July a freight vessel operated by a Finnish shipping line had been attacked by pirates in Swedish territorial waters.

Driver CPC required from 10th September

UK - The new drivers CPC standard will come into effect on the 10th of September. The qualification will be obligatory for any vocational drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tons unladen weight.