Shipping Search - Archive

Company Crashed as South America Joins in Punishment Campaign Against Conspirators

BRAZIL – Earlier this week, Brazil’s competition authority the Administative Council of Economic Defence (Cade) fined four airlines, ABSA Cargo Airlines, Varig Logística, American Airlines and Alitalia and seven individuals a total of more than R$293 million, for their part in an air cargo price fixing cartel relating to additional fuel surcharges on international air freight shipments. The collusion took place between 2003 and 2005 and, according to Cade, the participating companies came to control about 60% of the market in Brazil during this period and the prosecution has caused one company to go under.

From Sinking Container Ships to Floating LNG Terminals the Workhorses of the Seas are On Call

EUROPE – AFRICA – UAE – Unfortunately recent disasters such as the tragic sinking of the container vessel MOL Comfort have produced a lot of work for the fleets of ‘super tugs’ which are needed to deal with many such catastrophes. Fortunately most of the work these craft undertake do not grab the headlines to the same extent, but that does not mean they are not equally, if not more dangerous as they pull their huge cargoes vast distances demonstrating the glamorous, yet hazardous, face of heavy duty logistics.

Attempt to Dupe Innocents into Opening .zip File

WORLDWIDE – The latest scam to be attempted at the Handy Shipping Guide’s UK office differed slightly from the 6 or 7 others we receive every day. Usually these come in the form of fake bank account correspondence but occasionally we see those ranging from Customs Duty fraud, scrap metal crime, false air waybills to phishing scams purporting to be holding freight against our account, and this latest appears to come from express parcel carrier FedEx (which incidentally publishes an excellent ‘Defending Against Fraud’ page).

Three Days on the Road to Amsterdam Will Bring Rich Rewards for Safety in Africa

UK – THE NETHERLANDS – AFRICA – There are still places left for road haulage charity Transaid’s London to Amsterdam cycle ride, a three-day event from Romford to Dam Square which is due to start on September 13. Organisers hope to raise £120,000 for the Professional Driver Training Project, which aims to improve driving safety standards in sub-Saharan Africa. The ride has already attracted great interest within the industry, and has also acquired the sponsorship of bus and rail company Abellio. Assistant Operations Director at Abellio Lorna Murphy, who is participating alongside seven colleagues, said:

A New Winner and a New Contract as Michigan Based Group Celebrates

US – GERMANY – EUROPE – CHINA – News from trucking and logistics giant Con-way is plentiful this week as a female driver sales representative from the group’s road haulage subsidiary Con-way Freight, was named as the Tank Truck Champion at the 2013 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), and Menlo Con-way’s global logistics and supply chain management arm announcing that it has been appointed to oversee the transportation management for finished products of medical systems provider Maquet, across all global markets.

Money Made Available to Improve Shipping and Tourist Connections

NEW ZEALAND – VANUATU – With a population of about 240,000 spread over an archipelago of around 60 populated islands, Vanuatu is dependent on maritime transport. However, a number of sector constraints hold back economic growth and service delivery in Vanuatu, as inadequate infrastructure limits cargo and passenger movement and in some cases prevents vessels carrying essential freight from reaching rural areas. As with so many thinly populated world-wide island groups, unfavourable geography and poorly functioning markets make some services commercially unviable.

A New Revenue Stream Continues as Anti-Trust Authorities Just Keep on Cashing In

CANADA – The Competition Bureau announced last week that LATAM Airlines Group, the parent company of LAN Cargo, pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy under the Competition Act. LATAM was fined CA$975,000 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for its participation in an air cargo price-fixing cartel, relating to fuel surcharges that it imposed on international air cargo shipments from Canada to South America and elsewhere between March 17, 2003 and February 14, 2006. This is just the latest in a seemingly endless stream of anti-trust cases lodged against logistics groups and providing billions of dollars for authorities world-wide.

Aircraft to Service Domestic and International Markets

LIBYA – Air cargo charter broker Chapman Freeborn has formed an exclusive partnership with Benghazi headquartered Air Libya, to place and operationally manage an Antonov An-26 aircraft in Libya. Chapman Freeborn expects there to be high demand for the freighter which will be based at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport (MJI) on a long-term lease agreement with immediate effect.

Appointments and Departures - Who is Heading Where and When

THE NETHERLANDS – Starting the shipping, logistics and other transport related staff movements this week, C.H. Robinson Worldwide has appointed Ivo Aris to Director of Global Forwarding for C.H. Robinson Europe, in an effort to accelerate growth across the continent. Aris’ primary focus will be to lead the continental growth and advancement of the global forwarding division, including setting  freight forwarding strategy and overall execution. In addition, Aris is also Chairman of the Dutch Airfreight Forwarders’ Association, Air Cargo Netherlands.

Remote Locations Becoming a Speciality for Northline

AUSTRALIA – Adelaide based freight and logistics outfit Northline, has won a major contract with international mining group Rio Tinto. The contract will see Northline move more than 5,000 tonnes of supplies annually from around the country destined for Rio Tinto Alcan’s Weipa bauxite mine located on Western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland.

Open to All the Only Thing You Need is a Camera (and Sight of a Russian Giant)

RUSSIA – WORLDWIDE – Specialist out of gauge and project air freight group Volga-Dnepr, has launched its 3rd international photographic competition to celebrate ‘three of the most iconic cargo aircraft in aviation history’, according to the company. To enter the competition, photographers are asked to submit images of the groups An-124-100 ‘Ruslan’, IL-76TD-90VD and Boeing 747 fleet. The international competition, launched by Volga-Dnepr, is open to both professional and amateur aviation photographers with prizes for first, second and third in three categories. In addition, the audience choice prize will be awarded in each nomination category based on the results of internet voting and the Grand Prix prize will be a backpack camera bag.

Outstanding Year for Materials Handling Specialist

AUSTRIA – IRELAND – OCEANIA – Two crane divisions of materials handling supplier Liebherr are enjoying a successful sales period in the region we know as Oceania when the term is used in its wider sense. Freight terminal specialist DP World, has recently placed orders for its Manila and Melbourne shipping port facilities with Killarney based Liebherr Container Cranes, whilst the company’s Maritime Cranes section has witnessed recent sales in both Australia and New Zealand making 2013 a very successful year according to the company.

Narrow Aisle Flexi Bends Over to Supply Automotive Parts Client

UK – GERMANY – Narrow Aisle Flexi, the company which produces the range of articulated fork lifts which get round the problem of ultra-thin racking corridors by ‘bending’ in the middle to access freight, recently won a contract to supply Flexi HiLOAD articulated trucks to the Germany-based production facility of leading automotive components supplier Magna Decoma. The company which supplies parts for use in Mercedes A and B Class vehicles as well as the Daimler range of heavy goods vehicles, is using the trucks in its supply chain activities to deliver components from two different on-site storage warehouses directly to its production line.

Single Immensely Heavy Piece Still Fits on a Forty Foot Flatrack

UK – EGYPT – Despite the troubles of the past few months’ business goes on across Egypt, as evidenced by the latest project freight consignment shipped by Manchester based logistics group Tuscor Lloyds. With attendance from the forwarding group’s specialist out of gauge team, shipping using a forty foot flatrack container provided the answer, as the giant 29 tonne piece headed out from Aberdeen to service a client in Alexandria.

Two Companies with very Long Traditions Witness Christening of New Ship

US – GERMANY – For the first time in its 142 year history, German shipping line Hamburg Süd, has celebrated the christening of a ship in the US. The ceremony to name the 3,800 TEU, 51,000 dwt, container vessel Cap Corrientes was held on August 23rd in the Port of San Francisco, an apt venue as the ship naming ceremony at Pier 35 coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Port with which Hamburg Süd has a long association.

No Casualties Again Despite Rough Weather

SOUTH AFRICA – JAPAN – PHILIPPINES – In an accident with elements reminiscent both of the recent MOL Comfort incident, and the Swanland disaster, Panamanian flagged bulk carrier, mv Smart, split in two August 19, after running aground off Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Richards Bay volunteers were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to assist three of the company’s own tug boats which were attending the vessel. As with the Swanland case, the incident is sure to engender more discussion regarding the standards employed when flags of convenience are involved.

Massive Gates Arrive to Bring Post Panamax Era Closer

PANAMA – The eyes of many executives who head up some of the world’s biggest container shipping lines, not to mention bulk ocean carriers and cruise companies, are currently focused on the current expansion of the Panama Canal, and all the implications it has on the future of pan-oceanic trade. Last week saw the first four gates for the new locks arriving from the port of Trieste, Italy to the waterway's Atlantic side on board the semi-submersible vessel STX Sun Rise. Built by subcontractor Cimolai, the first four gates measures 57.6 x 10 x 30.19 metres, and weigh an average of an incredible 3,100 tonnes.

Investment of 50 million Euros sees bespoke facilities on three sites

GERMANY – Kempten headquartered freight forwarding group Dachser, has spent around €50 million in the past year or so investing at three sites in its home country. The money was found to support its food logistics services to service the launch of the European Food Network, which we highlighted last month. The three sites, Langenau, Kornwestheim, and Schönefeld, are extensions of the companies services in the regions specifically tailored to that industry sector.

Overheads and Safety the Major Difficulties as Cost of Operation Sees another Old Company Sink

UK – US – AUSTRALIA – We have written many times in the past of the difficulties of adequately servicing the islands that lay off the coasts of countries around the globe and the problems faced by the RoRo ferry companies which have to be all things to all men when faced with the problems of transporting passengers, freight and even livestock between islands and to and from the mainland. This month we can see the problems faced by shipping lines on three continents, all different, but ultimately all with the same root problem.

Ship 'Would not be allowed to operate' says Nautilus as New Employment Standards for Crews Come into Force This Week

UK – PHILIPPINES – WORLDWIDE – Yet another tragic accident with a likely death toll of over 100 struck the Philippines last Friday with the sinking of the RoRo ferry, St. Thomas Aquinas, a forty year old ship which would never have been permitted to sail under such conditions in many countries around the world. Now the disaster, which occurred after a collision with a freighter carrying a cargo of shipping containers, has prompted UK based Nautilus, the union which represents maritime professionals afloat and ashore, to comment on the needless waste of life.

Yorkshire Training Group Aims for Big Returns on Investment

UK – Training, in all its forms, has seen a huge rise in importance in recent years and possibly no trade or profession has been affected as much as logistics and associated industries concerned with moving freight, both domestically and internationally. Courses for Health and Safety have become almost mandatory for anyone involved in the physical side of the business whilst professional qualifications are now required to perform jobs such as truck driving which formerly simply needed a suitable licence.

Recapitalisation Gives a Different Look to Balance Sheet

WORLDWIDE – Following its recapitalisation in early May, which the company says both eliminated around half of its consolidated net debt and thereby slashed cut interest costs proportionately, supply chain and logistics group Ceva produced figures for Q2 to June 2013 showing EBITDA thus doubling to $80 million as $1.6 billion of debt disappeared from its balance sheet (excluding the restructuring and legal costs involved during recapitalisation). In other company news the group has also recently signed up to the IATA electronic Air Way Billing (e-AWB) scheme in a significant move toward paperless airfreight.

Gloucester Firm Pinpoints Three Weak Spots in Preparing Loads

UK – Packaging specialists Golden Valley (GVPS) contend that many companies in the supply chain are wasting literally thousands of pounds per year by using the wrong type of pallet wrap or inappropriate or poorly maintained pallet wrapping machinery, often in fact a combination of all three. The Gloucestershire-based company decided the best way to deal with the problem would be to offer a personalised ‘packaging health check’ service to help businesses wrap their palletised loads as cost efficiently as possible.

Careless Driving Now a Fixed Penalty Offence as Fines Rise

UK – Last Friday (August 16) saw the cost of careless or foolish driving rise, prompting the road safety charity, Brake, to issue a warning to all road users of the stern consequences for many transgressions which are viewed as minor by many. The statement is of particular relevance to road haulage operators and commercial vehicle drivers who depend on retaining their licences for a living and may see insurance costs rise steeply if penalised.

Modular Construction Means Easy Installation and Removal

US – As a rule even project freight forwarders have little use for overhead crane systems, the need for fixing within a structurally sound building means that unless a system is already in place, they are of little or no use when it comes to cargo specific operations. Now however the latest innovation from material handling specialist Abell-Howe might just prove the right solution in certain circumstances, being completely free standing and designed for easy disassembly and relocation.

Billions of Dollars Riding on Huge Class Action Proceedings

US – As any regular reader of the Handy Shipping Guide news section will know there has been a succession of cartel scandals and anti-trust suits which have blighted the reputations of freight forwarding and ocean shipping operatives right around the globe in the past few years (those unfamiliar just type ‘cartel’ into the News Search box for an update). The billions of dollars and euro’s so far extracted by the relevant authorities and claimants from guilty parties however might well pale into comparative insignificance if the plaintiffs in a class action against four of the big US rail cargo corporations ever get their way.

Long Time Partners Open New Route to Service Growing Market

US – BRAZIL – Yesterday saw the initial launch of a new direct, weekly LCL and FCL export service from Houston to Rio de Janeiro by CaroTrans, the NVOCC and ocean freight consolidation subsidiary of New Zealand freight forwarding and trucking outfit Mainfreight. The new route is an extension of CaroTrans current cooperation with Brazilian based Craft Multimodal on Houston/Santos services, the two companies having worked together for more than twelve years. Greg Howard, Global CEO, CaroTrans, explained the reasons for increasing coverage at this particular time, saying:

Decades of Underinvestment are Slowly being Reversed

NIGERIA – Every week it seems the traffic queues of trucks laden with shipping containers leading to the ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island get worse, and a recent press report described a litany of problems which cause and amplify the problems. Now it seems a small ray of hope might be seen with the announcement that the APM terminal in the port of Apapa, one of the institutions most criticised by locals, is to recommence intermodal rail freight services to despatch inbound containers to the inland clearance facilities at Kaduna and Kano operated by Inland Container Nigeria Ltd (ICNL).

No Variety for Kellogg's and Dentressangle as they Milk the best from New Continental Breakfast Deal

UK – French road haulage and logistics group Norbert Dentressangle has cemented its fruitful relationship with Kellogg’s with the renewal of its contract for UK warehousing and contract packing operations. The new agreement builds on a five year relationship between the two companies, during which time Dentressangle claims the partnership has created significant value through the evolution of services, including the addition of a contract packing operation, reducing costs and creating a more integrated supply chain.

Huge Fine Threatened whilst Ship and Crew Remain in Limbo

PANAMA – CUBA – NORTH KOREA – Amidst the commencement of celebrations to mark the centenary of one of the world’s key freight arteries next year, the news that the Panama Canal Authority is considering fining North Korea ‘up to $1 million’ for carrying an undeclared cache of containers containing arms in transit from Cuba, has brought mixed reaction from around the globe. North Korean shipping using the canal is a rarity with only four transits reported for vessels flagged there in the past two years, and as such, any ship was bound to attract attention.

Fund to Help Disabled Children Linked to Every Shipment

ROMANIA – Pall-Ex Romania, the first palletised freight network to launch in the country and part of TV entrepreneur Hilary Devey’s road haulage group, has created a new charity scheme to help disabled children in Romania. For every pallet of goods that goes through the network’s hub in Sibiu, Pall-Ex Romania donates five Euro cents (€0.05) to SOS Children’s Villages (SOS Kinderdorf), which cares for youngsters with various disabilities.

Forklift Striking Ignored Pothole Broke Man's Spine

UK – A recent prosecution casts a light on a problem which is often present at road haulage depots where vehicles are loaded in open yards which are not properly maintained. Suffolk based transport and warehousing services company, Eagle Freight Terminal Ltd, has been sentenced for a series of safety breaches after a forklift truck toppled and spilled its load onto a worker, breaking his back. The firm was fined a total of £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,501.23 plus £120 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and failing to comply with two Improvement Notices.

Half Year Figures from Damco Issued

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – Global freight forwarder and logistics services provider Damco has announced it half year financial results, which sees the Maersk subsidiary adding revenue in what the company describes as ‘a difficult market’. The Hague based company reported an increase in total revenues from $1,522 million in the first 6 months of 2012, to $1,531 million for the first half of 2013 and a post tax operating loss of $2 million.

Eight Month's Terror Detailed as Delegates Also Discuss Environmental Issues

UK – As part of this year’s London International Shipping Week, which runs from 9-13 September 2013, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) will have as its main forum speaker Chirag Bahri, the Chief Engineer from a tanker captured in the Indian Ocean in a pirate attack in 2010 and held hostage in appalling conditions until his release 8 months later in January 2011. Later the WISTA event will feature a debate on the impact of shipping on the environment.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Attends Summer Conference

UK – EUROPE – Palletways, the delivery system for small, palletised consignments which has grown in less than two decades from a UK base into a Europe wide network of 300 depots handling almost 30,000 pallets of freight per day, has recently celebrated its annual Summer Conference with the launch of a new initiative.

North East Firm Specialises in Live Fire Exercises (includes video)

US – UK – Maritime security provider AdvanFort has appointed Cleveland, UK based Associated Risks Group (ARG) to train British guards in its Maritime Firearms Competency courses. Proper and standardised training is an essential for any team of security personnel which may emanate from different backgrounds and the Washington, DC headquartered company will use ARG services to back up its existing training facilities in the European Union and in the United States which provide training to its NATO-veteran and North American guards who escort shipping on anti-piracy duties.

Who's Going or Gone Where This Month

WORLDWIDE – Heading up this weeks list of staff movements in the shipping, freight forwarding and overall logistics fields comes the news that the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has confirmed that that it’s former Secretary General, Daniel Fernandez, has left the Association. Doug Brittin succeeds Fernandez as Secretary General, effective August 15th.

Political Shenanigans Cause Delays as Vehicles Stripped of Import Cargo

RUSSIA – UKRAINE – Despite local press reports earlier this week that the country’s Customs had decided to delay new procedures planned for the 14th August until the same date in September, chaos reigned today at border posts with hundreds of trucks held up on the border crossings where Ukrainian vehicles transit. Our story on the 8th August outlined the problems likely to be incurred by road haulage freight entering the country, but it seems these current problems are political rather than documental and targeted at Ukrainian exporters.

American Airlines and US Airways Deal Halted on Non Competitive Grounds

US – The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the proposed $11 billion merger between US Airways Group and the bankrupt American Airlines’ parent corporation, AMR Corp. Although largely a passenger story, the merger does affect the freight industry as we highlighted in our article earlier this year. The DOJ’s Antitrust Division, along with six state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, which seeks to prevent the companies from merging and to preserve the existing head-to-head competition between the firms that the transaction would eliminate. Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Bill Baer, said:

Technology Crucial to New Generation of Gas Vessels

UK – CZECH REPUBLIC – Sheffield based Bestobell Valves, part of the President Engineering Group (PEGL), has supplied valves to what has become the fastest liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled passenger ship ever built, the 450 dwt high-speed RoRo ferry, Francisco. The specialist cryogenic valve manufacturer produced 70 globe, check and thermal relief valves, which were supplied to Chart Ferox, specialists in the manufacture of cryogenic storage vessels based in Děčín, Czech Republic, which manufactured the fuel system for the ferry.

Europa Worldwide Acquired for Undisclosed Sum

UK – Europa Worldwide, the freight forwarding and logistics company, has been acquired by Andrew Baxter, the former owner of RH Freight. Although Europa was headquartered in Erith whilst RH was further north in Nottingham, for many years the two companies were competitors, with similar histories, having both been established as European groupage operators which grew steadily in the 1970’s and 80’s. RH was sold to Kuehne and Nagel in March 2011 and, effective from the 1st January this year became just a satellite office of the Swiss group.

Tomorrow's World View of Where We Should Be Now

US – WORLDWIDE – There is much to be said in favour of involving scientists when deciding how an industry is likely to develop and, as recent articles show, freight and logistics can benefit directly from work undertaken planning telematics, wind resistance and even completely new forms of transport. One wonders however whether the good associate professor of Physics at Kansas State Agricultural College, Eric R. Lyon, would be red faced, if faced today with the seemingly sure pronouncements he made for the future of ocean freight and the road haulage sector way back in 1933.

Reactive Inventory Management Increases Delays and Costs

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – Institutions such as the Kuehne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg can play a valuable role in determining ways to improve the supply chain simply by offering the chance for study into the complexities involved in the flow of freight from manufacturer to end user. Dr. Çerag Pinçe, KLU’s Assistant Professor of Operations and Supply Chain, has been researching downtime, one of the scourges of any operator in the field, but his work has particular relevance for any major logistics supplier.

Ministry Makes Sensible Decision as Clock Winds Down for Others

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has applauded the intervention of Transport Minister Stephen Hammond in confirming that he has overturned the original instructions of his departments lawyers which would have meant that technicians taking HGVs to test were included as ‘professional drivers’ and therefore subject to Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) regulations. Meanwhile the Freight Transport Association (FTA) which also raised the issue jointly with ministers, has issued a reminder that some drivers have only a month left to complete their compulsory CPC training.

Refurbished Models Can Give Offer a New Lease of Life (the Trucks that is)

UK – GERMANY – Overheads are important for any business but especially so when charitable status is involved. Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association which is a charitable trust incorporated and governed by Royal Charter, so the cost of logistics is one which the organisation always seeks to minimise. When one of the fork lift trucks which services the needs of the organisations warehouse in Altrincham grew too tired to continue the Girl Guides decided on a replacement reach truck with a refurbished model from Jungheinrich’s ETV range.

Belgian Facility to Service Flanders and Hainault

BELGIUM – It seems hardly a month goes by without freight forwarding group DB Schenker announcing the details of a new logistics centre to the world. The latest addition services shippers in the Belgian provinces of Hainault and West and East Flanders via the 5,000 m² operational hub at Zwevegem. Construction, as at the other terminals which the company has developed of late, uses the latest environmentally friendly technology such as solar panels, sensor-controlled lighting and service water recycling.

Scandal of Underperforming Agents is a Global Problem

US – PHILIPPINES – WORLDWIDE – Mention personal or household effects to any freight forwarder and one is likely to perceive a noticeable wince, often the bête noir of logistics, the best bet for most punters is to choose a specialised company to handle the movement of ones dearest, and perhaps only, possessions. Searching through the Freight Directory of the Handy Shipping Guide should provide a satisfactory bunch of candidates from whom to obtain a quote, unfortunately some in the business of personal removals, both international and domestic, are far from so trustworthy.

Transport Secretary Cuts Red Tape Whilst Court Finally Rules on Hours of Service

US – In this month’s trucking related news, authorities took a small step away from the current health and safety culture, which many believe is sometimes overzealous, whilst a final Court ruling regarding Hours of Service was made. One of the promises made by incoming Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was to eliminate unnecessary red tape in an effort to save businesses time and money and now, by changing the regulations on Commercial Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR’s), his administration says he can save those in the road haulage industry an estimated $1.7 billion annually, while still maintaining the Department’s high safety standards.

New Technology Allows Shippers to Get Real Time Information Direct from the Consignment Itself

UK – US – Virgin Atlantic Cargo has become the first British airline to accept the new Sentry FlightSafe tracking device, developed by Texas based airborne asset tracking solutions company OnAsset Intelligence, on its aircraft. The device will enable freight and logistics customers moving vulnerable and valuable shipments to monitor the location and environmental conditions of their cargo on the ground and in the air in real-time. John Lloyd, Director of Cargo at Virgin Atlantic, said:

Along with Other Motor Manufacturers Ford Tests New Technologies

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – It is 150 years almost to the day since Henry Ford was born and doubtless the grand old man of vehicle development would approve of the latest work carried out in his family name. Road safety, particularly when heavy trucks or other commercial vehicles are involved, is considered paramount by all responsible sectors of the road haulage community. ‘Intelligent safety systems’ is a current ‘buzz’ phrase amongst those involved in vehicle development and besides ideas such as the ‘automatic convoy’ concept, illustrated in our article in January and which may seem fanciful to some sceptics, the latest research from Ford will perhaps strike a more realistic note, even with technophobes and the more cynical.

Austrian and German Joint Venture Continues Asian Expansion

VIETNAM – The unusual cooperation between multimodal transport and freight forwarding partners Gebrüder Weiss from Austria and German based Röhlig Logistics, which sees the two companies sharing strengths in a joint venture, Weiss-Röhlig, operating in chosen world markets, has opened its first branches in Vietnam, to offer a broad portfolio of air and sea freight, project cargo and break bulk services.

Cost Cutting Exercise at One European Based Group Whilst Rivals Report a 'Remarkable' Order

FINLAND – SWITZERLAND – GERMANY – CHINA – Good and bad news for two European manufacturers of the cranes and handling plant which serve ports and other industries around the world. Whilst Finnish based Konecranes has started the process of laying off 600 staff, another company, Liebherr, which also manufactures cranes to the container and general shipping sector, reports what it calls a ‘remarkable’ new order, which sees European made heavy lift cranes being sent to China for installation aboard ships being constructed there.

Long Jail Sentences and $5.5 Million Fine Possible after Company and Staff Collude and Lie to Coast Guard to Avoid Detection

GREECE – US – Panamanian shipping corporation Diana Shipping Services has today been convicted of pollution and other charges related to the illegal discharge of waste oil and oil-contaminated waste water from the cargo vessel M/V Thetis, which is operated the company. Along with two of the vessel’s engineers, Ioannis Prokakis and Antonios Boumpoutelos, both citizens of Greece, all the defendants, both individuals and their employer, were convicted of conspiracy; knowing failure to fully maintain an oil record book; falsification of records and concealing tangible objects in a federal investigation. In addition, Prokakis was also convicted of obstruction of justice for ordering crewmembers to lie to US Coast Guard inspectors on board the ship. Acting Assistant Attorney General Dreher, commented:

Aerospace Industry Provides Rich Pickings for ABC

FRANCE – RUSSIA – Earlier this month, AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) transported a 16-tonne satellite on one of its Boeing 747-400 freighters from Toulouse, France to Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The Moscow based company, part of the Volga-Dnepr Group, handles high value cargo shipments for aerospace clients on a regular basis and so far this year, has carried over 1,000 tonnes of freight consisting of similar industry consignments including other items destined for outer space, aircraft components, helicopter spares and engines.

Private Security Firm Gears Up to Protect Vulnerable Ocean Carriers in South East Asia

US – SOUTH EAST ASIA – With attacks of container and bulk freight carriers now seemingly under control, thanks in large part to the deployment of well trained, private security personnel, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recently pointed out that South East Asia was now the region reporting the highest number of pirate attacks, with fifty seven cases in just the first six months of 2013. This has caused those who put together the teams of armed responders to look toward the region, and offer skills honed during recent exercises off the Somali coast, to potential clients with vessels entering the new danger areas. With this in mind Washington based security group AdvanFort has introduced staff in key positions to cover the region.

Disturbances in Germany, New Zealand and the USA as Staff Strike whilst Others Locked Out

GERMANY – NEW ZEALAND – US – There appears to be more unrest than usual this month with regard to relations between management and staff including stoppages to cargo vessels on the Kiel Canal, a strike of workers handling a logistics contract for a major freight forwarding group in Auckland and the ongoing battle taking place on America’s north west coast between longshoremen and major grain shipping terminals, the history of which we have covered previously.

Shares Still Up For Sale as Solar Powered Aircraft Returns Home

LUXEMBOURG – SWITZERLAND – US – It seems to be better times for Cargolux, Europe’s largest freight only airline, following what can only be described as a fairly torrid time of late with the imprisonment of executives in 2011 followed by problems at home. Following the Qatari pull out from the company which left 35% of the shares in the hands of the Luxembourg government, the airline was hit by labour troubles which should, if everything goes to schedule, be resolved today. Meanwhile the company has once again played a major part in the logistics involved in transporting the revolutionary Solar Impulse, the plane which flies only using the power of the sun, following its record breaking flight across America.

Site Adjacent to Deep Sea Port Slated to Grow

CHINA – JAPAN – Today sees the start of operations at a new terminal in Shanghai situated in the Logistics Park of Shanghai Lingang New Town and the product of a development between well-known Japanese container shipping carrier, K Line and a Hong Kong company, Zhenhua Logistics Group. The two started the K Line Zhenhua Logistics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (KLZH) operation in 2005 as a freight consolidation and forwarding company and this is the latest development for the joint venture. The new 43,890m2 premises is spread over two storeys with the first phase constructed on a plot of around 140,000m2.

Meanwhile Westbound Round the World Service for Project Cargo Remains Flexible

GERMANY – BRAZIL – US – Rickmers-Linie, the Hamburg-based line specialising in break-bulk, heavy-lift and project cargo launched its Westbound Round-The-World ocean freight service in March 2013, connecting areas of economic growth in Asia and South America and then on to North America. Now the German outfit has appointed an owner’s representative in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mr Celso H B Pavao who will assume his duties immediately.

Maritime Post Graduate Student to Study Overseas Courtesy of Transport Unions Organisation

UK – SWEDEN – PAKISTAN – The ITF Seafarers’ Trust, the charity arm of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has reached a significant milestone with the announcement that it is awarding its hundredth scholarship to study at the World Maritime University (WMU) to Rani Unnab Aziz Khan, an education officer at the Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA). The Trust is a longstanding supporter of the work carried out by the WMU, which is based in Malmö, Sweden. Seafarers’ Trust acting administrator John McLeod commented:

Relatives of Pirate Captives Invoke the name of Allah Whilst Maritime Security Groups Worry About Viability

SOMALIA – US – WORLDWIDE – Two drastically differing documents arrived at the Handy Shipping Guide offices in the UK today which cast perspective on the extent to which modern day piracy, particularly in and around the Indian Ocean, has affected both the commercial aspects of bulk and container freight movement and the tragedy inflicted on individuals and their families. Firstly we have received a heartfelt appeal to those in the Somali community with the power to effect the release of innocent seafarers caught up in what appears to be a futile attempt to extract a ransom from the vessel’s owners.

Post-Panamax Vessels Proving a Boon to Crane Manufacturers

US – CHINA – The ever larger new generation of container vessels is causing a boom in the quayside equipment needed to handle the bigger ships and PortMiami is the latest customer for the Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co, with four of its new Super Post-Panamax cranes en route to the East Coast port.

New Service Commences Whilst an Old One Begins Again

CHINA – GERMANY – RUSSIA – EUROPE – The chance to provide true intermodal services between China and Europe took a step forward recently with DB Schenker acting as the logistics partner for the city of Zhengzhou to organise the first freight train journey from the north-central Chinese city to Hamburg. The trip, organised by the Zhengzhou International Land Port Development and Construction Company, saw the train, complete with fifty one containers, arrive at the freight terminal in Hamburg-Billwerder last Friday.

'Too Many Dying on Our Roads' says Chief Constable

UK – You can often tell public figures who have been recently appointed by the amount of self-publicity they generate before the work load takes up the slack and their appearances diminish. Chief Constable of Essex Stephen Kavanagh took up his post in May and has been setting out his stall ever since but his latest pronouncement is likely to meet with a mixed reaction, despite containing more than an element of common sense. The officer has stated that any professional lorry or public service vehicle driver caught using a mobile phone should be dismissed by his employers, a statement which has received qualified agreement from road haulage and safety groups.

Whilst Work Increases in Port Sector Rates Cut Hits Local Truckers

CONGO – CAMEROON – SIERRA LEONE – Logistics group Bolloré feature in the news this week as details were released of a major African order for the supply of container cranes from Konecranes, the Finnish headquartered materials handling group, whilst further to the North East trouble was brewing over the French freight company’s road haulage commitments to supply trucks for a local mining enterprise.

Lloyd's Register Design Team Relished the Challenges of a Completely New Concept Vehicle

UK – Drax, the traditionally coal fired power station in North Yorkshire may well claim to be the largest and cleanest of its type in the country, producing between 7 and 8% of Britain’s electricity but since 2003 it has been using an amount of sustainable biomass in an effort to reduce its environmental impact. This work took a big step forward last week when the company unveiled the UK’s first purpose-built biomass rail freight wagon, designed by the team at Lloyd’s Register Rail, and intended to radically improve the logistics required in transporting the fuel.

Russian Customs Move Breaches Convention says EU Commissioner

RUSSIA – EUROPE – The decision taken by the Russian Customs officials to vary the terms of goods shipped employing TIR carnets as transit documents, is due to come into effect on the 14th August, and may well have serious consequences for road haulage operators. Despite EU protests, it seems the move to insist on financial guarantees to ensure completion of all duty payments etc. for road freight will go ahead as scheduled. The Transport Internationaux Routiers (TIR) Treaty allows goods to move under customs control across international borders without having to pay duties and taxes that would normally be due at import/export points.

Shippers of Perishable Goods the Principal Victims in a Row that is Not Their Responsibility

AUSTRALIA – The Tasmanian RoRo ferry dispute took another turn yesterday after days of illegal action by workers angered by the dismissal of colleagues. Despite a Court injunction, protests had delayed the unloading of freight at Port Melbourne, including perishable farm produce and consignments of fish. The move by police came despite an earlier statement that they would not intervene in the dispute, the week-long disruption with the understandable outcry from innocent shippers who were caught up in it seems to have now changed the minds of the authorities.

Certification Group Issues Details of Programme Alterations

UK – SAUDI ARABIA – Intertek, the global conformity and certification group which acts on behalf of shippers and governments to ensure goods imported maintain recognised standards, have issued a notice recently which may affect freight forwarders and other interested parties.

Multi Line South African Consortium to Call in Thames

UK – SOUTH AFRICA – London Gateway, the UK’s newest deep sea container port which is still under construction on the north bank of the River Thames, has announced that the Southern Africa Europe Container Service consortium (SAECS) has signed up as the first ocean carrier which will use the facilities when freight movements commence in Q4 this year. SAECS is a long established cooperation which, despite a change in membership over time, still consists of Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL), Maersk (together with subsidiary Safmarine) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) working in cooperation.

Holiday Season Meant Loading Entire Shipment on One Train

RUSSIA – A recent project forwarding processing equipment from the Atomenergomash plant situated at Volgodonsk in the Rostov region to the Ryazan Oil Refinery, offered a real challenge to the staff at Russian Railways Logistics. The shipper provides equipment to the nuclear and conventional power generation industry and to say that the consignment was out of gauge would be an understatement as the freight totalled 334 tonnes, with the accompanying photograph giving an idea of the dimensions.

Ships Services Group Explain 'Why Now?' for their New Venture

MYANMAR – NORWAY – With the opening up of the former Burma, numerous freight and logistics interests are scrambling to establish a presence in the region, and Norwegian headquartered Wilhelmsen Ships Service has opened a first office with the intention of becoming a key provider to the country’s port, shipping and offshore service sectors, the latter growing rapidly due to the regions rich natural resources.

Space to Expand Means it's Special Offer Time for Prospective Customers

US – How to drum up more business? The eternal question for all companies whether in the logistics industry or any other, but a question especially relevant when economic times are hard. Advertising (even with the low rates charged by the Handy Shipping Guide) is one avenue but for Lambert St Louis International Airport (STL) the decision to position itself as the ideal cargo charter airport for the US Midwest firstly meant offering a range of incentives to attract more freight and now the airport has a new drive for cargo charter traffic under way.

Millions of Euros Saved Using New Technology Solutions

FINLAND – WORLDWIDE – Everyone in the supply chain is trying to save both money and reduce their environmental impact and never more so than right now. One of the first places freight and logistics groups look at to cut costs has traditionally been in warehousing and the fact that IKEA has reportedly saved tens of millions of euros since switching to a more environmentally acceptable pallet solution will be enough to make any business manager sit up and take notice.

Cargo Carrier Seems to have settled Labour problems - Now to find a serious bidder

LUXEMBOURG – AUSTRIA – Whilst speculation continues over who will be the next major shareholder in freight only airline Cargolux, the company has announced the introduction of a weekly 747 freighter service to Vienna, the inaugural flight commencing tomorrow (August 3). The new stopover in Austria’s capital is an extension of the existing Saturday flight from Hanoi and Hong Kong. With Cargolux flight CV6716, Vienna International Airport will see the first ever landing of one of the new giant Boeing 747-8 freighters by Europe’s largest cargo only carrier.

Initial Investment to be offset by Lower Costs

SWEDEN – Safety is always at the forefront of any mariners mind and the lifeline provided around the coasts of first world nations have saved the lives of countless seafarers over decades, from sailors in small boats to the crews of much larger cargo ships. Like anything however technology grows old and the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) has decided to invest SEK 50 million in a modernisation programme for the national coastal radio network because the current technology has become outdated and expensive to maintain.

Growth Area as Chinese Building Boom Takes Off

CHINA – EUROPE – US – RUSSIA – NEW ZEALAND – Much is made of the amount of coal and ore of all types which China uses annually, unsurprising given the tonnages involved and the effect on bulk shipping companies worldwide. What has perhaps been less noticeable has been the fluctuating Chinese import market for timber, something which can prove a valuable revenue source for the container lines searching for freight on its way to Asia.

Cloud Firm Mandata Acquired by West London Based Firm

UK – Mandata (Management & Data Services) Ltd, the Northumberland based supplier of cloud based, integrated real-time transport and logistics software, has been acquired for an unspecified amount by Synova Capital LLP, a private equity investor in which focuses on UK growth companies. Mandata includes several prominent road haulage and freight groups amongst its customers. Mandata was set up in 1974 and will use the newly available funds to develop its products which include its Manpack3 traffic management system, which aims to help hauliers to improve cost management, simplify operations and optimise the utilisation of vehicle fleets.

Government Proposals to Extend Reduced Duty Scheme for Remote Communities Falls Short for Logistics Industry

UK – Today’s announcement by HM Treasury that it was proposing to extend the 5 pence per litre fuel rebate, currently only available to island communities, to remote areas of the mainland, received a muted response from the freight and road haulage communities.

28% Rise in Charges is Unacceptable say Hauliers

UK – Once again road tolls, in this case those charged for use of the Tyne tunnel, are the subject of controversy. We have written before about the bizarre way local and national politicians tend to bend the rules to suit themselves when trying to derive increased income from drivers, and usually the hardest hit are the road haulage and freight customers which have to use facilities such as the crossings of the Severn and Thames at Dartford.

New Website Facility Allows Customers to Customise Their Vehicle

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – The Dutch are not the first nation one would think of in connection with the ubiquitous Tuk Tuk, those colourful open backed taxi’s which offer one the scariest ride of your life around Bangkok and other exotic destinations. The vehicles however are loved the same way as many adore Mini’s and the Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Diemen to the south east of Amsterdam, have a vision of populating the world with their electric powered versions and are offering customers the opportunity to design their own bespoke vehicles, as freight and parcel carriers for the inner cities.