Shipping Search - Archive

Kuehne and Nagel Pay Out Almost $10 million Fine

US – Kuehne and Nagel, one of the world’s foremost freight forwarding groups tell us tonight they have entered into a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations that they colluded with other international freight forwarders with whom they coordinated their activities with respect to establishing certain surcharges for international freight forwarding services to the United States.

European, Asian/Pacific and Middle East Management Changes

WORLDWIDE – DHL Express, part of Deutsche Post DHL, have announced the appointments of new Chief Executive Officers in two of their divisions, DHL Express Europe and DHL Express for the Asia/Pacific, Eastern Europe and Middle East (APEM) regions. In Europe John Pearson, 47 moves into the top job whilst continuing to chair the Customer Service Executive Committee of the DHL Global Express Board. In the APEM division Roger Crook, 53 will take over as from 1st January next year having headed the Americas region as CEO and having worked at DHL for twenty years.

Snippets from Around the World

WORLDWIDE – The President of the Association of Trans Siberian Intermodal Operators of Japan came out this week to criticise complex customs procedures saying that, despite a 5% year on year increase in Japanese – European trade using the service more work needs to be done in organising scheduled rail freight containers services from the Far East into Russia. The Trans Siberian Railway (TSR) has the longest history of commercial freight operation between Europe and the Far East and is the longest railway in the world at 5,867 miles.

Anti Trust Cases Roll On and On

EUROPE - After our story earlier this month telling how Argos is taking legal action against Maersk Line for alleged breach of contract over pre agreed shipping container prices, and tales of collective anti trust suits against air freight companies and forwarders involved in various price fixing allegations, comes a report that some big European hitters are about to launch their own legal campaign against the air cargo carriers.

Fourth Attack this Week Sees Fifteen Taken Prisoner

SOMALIA – In yet another pirate attack, the most southerly reported this year so far in the region, a UAE owned tanker was seized around 100 miles South of Dar es Salaam after unloading its cargo of bitumen at Mombasa in Kenya. The attack follows three previous attacks this week on freight vessels off the Tanzanian coastline.

First Export Cargo Shipments Planned

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Richard Bowker CBE, who moved to Abu Dhabi last year to take control of the newly formed Union Railway Company, had a chequered, and largely successful career in the UK working for Virgin boss Richard Branson, advisor to Tony Blair and head of the Strategic Rail Authority for three years; his latest challenge however is no doubt his greatest, bringing home a rail network for freight and high speed passenger traffic which will cover the entire region.

Nearly Fifty Thousand Shifts without Incident

UK - Staff at TDG s distribution centre for Kimberly-Clark in Flint are celebrating more than six years without any lost-time incidents (LTI) - and by happy chance, Kimberly-Clark s global executive team were there too, so helped them mark the occasion. This equates to an astonishing almost 50 thousand shifts at the 23,000 sq m warehouse and transport operation, which operates 24/7.

Vitronic Enable Mobile Assessment of Cargo Hub Performance

EUROPE – The Nottingham branch of German based Vitronic advise us they are the first manufacturer of camera-based parcel identification technology to offer an ‘App’ for system operators wishing to check their cargo hub’s performance and efficiency. Compatible with Apple’s touch-screen iPad, it allows users to run remote diagnostics immediately from any location in network range.

Trades Unions Act Against Discrimination and Insults

EUROPE – As predicted in our story of the 14th September, the trades unions have launched a week of action to push for European Union intervention in the ferry sector. The Fair and Safe Ferries for All event, which runs from 27th to 30th September, is intended to highlight unequal working and pay conditions in the sector and the use of seafarers to carry out work that should be done by safety-trained dockers.

Trelleborg Move near to Production Line

SINGAPORE – CHINA – Originally a Swedish company but now a household global brand, Trelleborg Marine Systems, producers of fendering, mooring and berthing systems, has relocated its headquarters to Singapore to be closer to its modern Singapore and China-based manufacturing facilities. The move will enable the closer integration of its sales and production capabilities. Trelleborg systems are used world wide to assist the berthing of all vessel types from container ships to oil tankers.

'Lugela' Freed whilst EU Force Hands Villains Over to Kenya

SOMALIA – KENYA – Despite seizing the MV Lugela complete with eleven Ukrainian nationals on the 25th September, a well planned strategy by the crew of the Greek owned vessel prevented the invaders gaining control of the ship. The men of the Lugela retreated to a secure room and maintained control of the ships helm and other vital services. Although original reports indicated the ship had changed course for the Somali coast it seems the pirates failed to gain sufficient advantage to maintain a proper course.

IMO Session in London Studies Everything from Ship Recycling to Emissions

UK – WORLDWIDE – Today sees the start of the 61st session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the organizations HQ in London. With pressure from all sides the Committee have a lot to discuss before the end of the session on Friday. Pollution from freight and passenger vessels is firmly in the spotlight at the moment and the UN body needs to show it is prepared to act decisively on the subject.

World Shipping Council Welcome New Board Member

WORLDWIDE – Following on to Friday’s article regarding the World Shipping Council view of proposed regulation changes to the Shipping Act, they kindly pointed out that there was now no official Trans Atlantic Alliance as this was disbanded after the EU removed the block exemption for liner shipping in matters of competition. Members of the World Shipping Council (WSC) include all the major container shipping lines, collectively responsible for over 90% of the world’s box trade.

ITF call on IATA for a Response to Their Request for Talks

WORLDWIDE – In recent months we have heard head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) talk up the figures for passenger carriage and airfreight combined, obviously pleased at traffic improvements in both sectors. Despite an occasional cautionary note Mr Giovanni Bisignani the Director General and CEO of the group has been largely positive about the upward trend. Now however he finds himself in the firing line from workers representatives.

Lorry Heights Irrelevant in the UK Market

UK – EU – Road haulage representatives in Britain were unanimous in their condemnation of draft legislation to be considered in Brussels which they believe would cause significant damage to Britain’s road freight industry. At a time when hauliers are being encouraged to introduce greener policies and reduce road miles the proposal, to limit trailer height to four metres, they consider a step backwards.

Both New Zealand Islands Affected

NEW ZEALAND – After our story earlier this month on the hardships endured in South Island in the wake of the earthquakes there were immediate disruptions the following day (15th September) when landslips on North Island in the Manawatu Gorge closed State Highway 3 to all traffic, including freight trucks. At that time the road was swiftly cleared and reopened within a few hours.

Dubai Show Will Add New Dimension to Itinerary

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – One of next years premier showcases in the Middle East for the freight and logistics sector, Dubai SITL 2011, is to add an ‘Eco Logistics’ segment to its usual menu. In order to move forward and include the latest concerns of the shipping industry the organisers, Reed International Middle East, have included an ecological element to promote and highlight such things as energy reduction, improved fuel consumption and corporate responsibility for optimising environmentally friendly supply chains.

Is Unilateral Action Necessary to Combat Emissions?

UK – WORLDWIDE – The ecological press this week are full of selective details from a report released by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in conjunction with the Sustainable Consumption Institute based in the University of Manchester claiming ‘UK shipping emissions are six times higher than expected’. Unfortunately it seems such publications are intent on sensational headlines rather than accurate reporting, with UK shippers and forwarders being blamed for a disproportionate amount of pollution rather than a balanced analysis of the report.

Greek Ship Heading for African Coast

INDIAN OCEAN- Another pirate attack reported today when the MV Lugela, a Greek operated, Panamanian flagged freight vessel, reportedly carrying a cargo of steel bars and wires to Mauritius, was attacked and seized by pirates about 900 miles East of Eil (Eyl) on the Somali coast known in previous press reports as ‘Somalia’s only boom town’.

Long Term Contract Targets Frozen Assets

DENMARK – Dry Cargo and Bulk Tanker shipping line Norden A/S, who operated a fleet approaching two hundred vessels last time we counted, have found a new market they consider worthy of attention. With all the recent revelations regarding the opening of sea lanes previously inaccessible due to the ice, the company has increased its fleet of Ice Class vessels in cooperation with a major customer.

Proposed Regulation Change Concerns World Shipping Council

US – The World Shipping Council (WSC) have expressed their concerns that the proposals to amend the Shipping Act, H.R. 6167, could seriously set back the recovery of the major container carriers. The current Shipping Act allows carrier agreements filed with the Federal Maritime Commission to have limited antitrust immunity to discuss rate guidelines and trade forecasts.

AAPA Figures Demonstrate Strength of Regional Market

ASIA – Preliminary figures released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) show a big rise in air freight cargo carried during the month of August. International air cargo traffic as measured in freight tonne kilometres registered 25% growth compared to the same month last year and even allowing for a 20.7% expansion in offered freight capacity, the average international cargo load factor increased by 2.4 percentage points to 68.9%.

Japanese Light Truck Division Restructures and now Your Cell Phone Can Measure Your Pollution

JAPAN – SWEDEN – Volvo and Nissan are to go their separate ways after collaborating on the production of light duty trucks in Japan. Volvo subsidiary, UD trucks will concentrate more on the production of medium and heavy duty trucks whilst continuing to have its own manufacturing operation for light duty trucks for the export market. From January 2011Nissan Motor will move the production of light trucks to Nissan Shatai, an affiliate company of Nissan Motor.

Hapag Lloyd Propose to Waive Government Loan Guarantee and Pay Back Owners

GERMANY - As predicted the stock of the TUI AG travel and shipping group has risen after their 43% holding in container shipping line Hapag Lloyd started at last to pay dividends after extremely torrid times. It seems Hapag Lloyd are confident they will receive the backing they needed to continue in business without recourse to the Government funds which were underwriting the company.

Stones Thrown in Continuing Protest

GREECE – Anarchy reigned outside the Athens Parliament building yesterday when striking truck drivers, watching the vote on a big screen set up outside, threw stones and clashed with tear gas firing Police as the government voted on the principle of abandoning haulage licences, with no mention of compensation to those who had paid previously for the right to work.

33rd Annual Celebration by the IMO

WORLDWIDE – This year has been designated “2010: Year of the Seafarer” by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and today marks the official World Maritime Day with celebrations at the IMO’s head office and across the globe. The aim of the annual events is to highlight issues key to both the organization and the shipping community at large.

Atego and Atego BlueTec Hybrid Win Medium Truck Range Award

EUROPE – Better news for Mercedes-Benz this week when it once again lifted the International Truck of the Year title, after its new Atego beat off competitors to win the prestigious award. The new Atego range including for the first time factory-built diesel-electric hybrid version, polled 127 points from the judging panel of top industry journalists, representing 23 European countries. Its victory came by a comfortable margin: the second-placed vehicle scored 82 points.

Oil Field Attack on Support Vessel

NIGERIA – FRANCE - In a night time attack by pirates on the offshore oilfield Addax, three French crew of the ATHS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) vessel Bourbon Alexandre were taken by force leaving the remaining thirteen crewmen aboard at the time unharmed but shaken. No ransom has been demanded at the time of going to press according to the vessels owners, Bourbon Offshore.

MSC Vessel Still Causing Problems for Mumbai

INDIA – The woeful saga of the MSC Chitra, which we first reported back in August, continues despite efforts to recover the containers lost overboard when she was struck by the MV Khalizia –lll in an accident which has so far reportedly cost her owners, Mediterranean Shipping (MSC), over $20 million to clean up, despite the fact it appears the Khalizia –lll was apparently at fault as she manoeuvred toward her berth at Mumbai.

Automotive Parts Fuel Increase

SOUTH AFRICA - The new Ngqura container terminal, due to celebrate its first anniversary in October, handled a record 46,836 twenty foot equivalent units during August. Of this, 34.067 TEU’s, or 72%, was transhipment cargo being transported between regional ports. The remaining cargo volumes at Ngqura container terminal comprised 12% imported cargo and 16% exports.

Today Parliament Decides Fate of the Haulage Industry

GREECE – The situation in Athens appears to be worsening as thousands of freight truck drivers enter the eleventh consecutive day of strike action. Drivers littered the steps of Government buildings last night and trucks still block vital arteries into the capital. Police used tear gas to disperse the truckers as tension escalates.

MSC - Maersk - CMA CGM Vow to Repel Boarders

WORLDWIDE – In an unprecedented agreement the three largest container shipping groups in the world, Swiss Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), French CMA CGM and Danish Maersk Line have vowed to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean by joining resources. The three companies will freely exchange information on safety measures, piracy policies and procedures as well as coordination to ensure the issue is addressed with all relevant stakeholders.

Legislation to Develop HSR May Leave Washington Open to Criticism

US – Every week the Handy Shipping Guide news desk is flooded by reports of freight train crashes which, given the nature of the beast, normally involve fatalities. Our business is to publish freight and shipping related news however and so it is not normal practice to enter comment on this particularly ghoulish subject. Many of these accidents happen on American territory and now seems an appropriate time to mention the subject.

Two Extra Services Per Week from LHR

EGYPT- UK – IRELAND – EgyptAir have upped the number of flights per week out of Heathrow meaning that EgyptAir Cargo, their freight carrying subsidiary, now has access to 11 passenger flights per week from the UK, operated with A330 and B777 aircraft, supplemented by twice-weekly freighter services from Kent International and Brussels, and a weekly freighter flight from Ostend.

Hurricane Update Shows Bad Weather Globally

CANADA – ATLANTIC COASTS – WORLDWIDE - Following our revue of Hurricanes last week there is now a likelihood of another named storm arising in the Atlantic in the next few hours as a depression, typical of the season, builds in the area causing high winds which may prove to be the birthplace of Lisa, the 12th titled storm this season. Meanwhile Hurricane Igor continues north east toward Canada having by passed west of Bermuda with less than expected damage to the territory. The storm caused several smaller vessels to run aground, including a local ferry, knocked out electricity on the island and caused minor property damage.

Sale of QR Goes Ahead Whilst Patrick Incurs Government Wrath

AUSTRALIA – Despite the efforts of some of the biggest mining interests in the country the state government have refused to sell off the state owned QR National in advance of the planned public sale. State authorities only revealed the company accounts in full to the consortium of ten mining companies when they raised their bid to A$5 billion. Anna Maria Bligh, left wing State Premier and a distant relative of the famous Captain, intends to sell QR on the open market and follow it up with the sale of more assets to balance the books.

Stalemate as Government and Hauliers Dig In

GREECE – Following our report last week outlining the situation surrounding the grievances of truckers and their refusal to collect and deliver freight around the country, a review of the situation this week shows that the drivers and government have both become even more entrenched regarding possible compromise.

Governmental Objectives 'Essential' in Time for UNCCC Meeting

SWITZERLAND – In a speech last week Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO addressing the world’s governments, called for global support for IATA’s policy to achieve three key targets in the battle against climate change. Speaking in Geneva at the Aviation and Environment Summit sponsored by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Mr Bisignani spoke for air freight and passenger carriers alike.

Division of Infrastructure and Service Provision Ownership Proposed

EUROPE – It seems just as we were writing about the fight in the US by rail freight companies to protect their profits after attempts to repeal the Staggers Act seem to be gaining momentum, the authorities in Europe were simultaneously launching their own initiative to increase competition in both the freight and passenger sectors.

Unanimity Throughout the Industry

WORLDWIDE – The United Nations is the latest, and greatest, power to express its concern over the spate of pirate attacks, maritime robberies and kidnappings which have become so prevalent of late. Last week saw attacks on shipping at the Port of Douala in Cameroon in which a Croatian and a Filipino crewman were kidnapped. It now appears that four Ukrainian seamen were also abducted by the same gang from a neighbouring cargo vessel.

Senate Committee May Seek a Change in the Law Over Pricing

US – Across the world supporters of its undoubted advantages view rail freight as a magic bullet which will take huge swathes of trucks from their nation’s roads and reduce energy consumption and pollution simultaneously. Whilst reality may never reach the giddy heights of expectation, certainly in smaller countries like the UK, sending bulk cargo by rail is preferable, and more practical for the greater part of larger journeys.

100 Depots to Close 1700 Laid Off

US – After announcing share earnings up 107% from last year to $1.20 the FedEx Corporation have stated they are to lay off 1700 permanent staff and close 100 freight handling facilities effectively from the end on January next year. The changes are to take place when the group combines its FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL operations.

Eleven Named Storms This Year as Range Extends East in Atlantic

BERMUDA – MEXICO – LEEWARD ISLANDS – VIRGIN ISLANDS – PUERTO RICO – GUATEMALA – US -There are three active hurricanes raging currently across the Atlantic for the first time this year, endangering shipping across a wide area. In Guatemala a disaster agency warning alerted residents and sailors alike to the dangers from Hurricane Karl with heavy rains were expected as it creeps west across the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf before blowing itself out in the Mexican mountains.

Boeing Predict Many More Staff Required

WORLDWIDE - The commercial aviation industry will require 466,650 pilots and 596,500 maintenance personnel over the next 20 years to accommodate the strong demand for new and replacement aircraft, according to a crew assessment forecast from Boeing , many of them involved in the air freight sector. Airlines will need an average of 23,300 new pilots and 30,000 new maintenance personnel per year from 2010 to 2029.

Korean Companies Keep it in the Family

SOUTH KOREA – POSCO, Pohang Iron and Steel Company, is not a name familiar to many shipping companies yet virtually any commercial vessel built in the country’s shipyards, whether they be container vessel or bulk carrier, is liable to have been constructed from steel plates supplied by this, the world’s second or third largest steel processor dependant on how you measure their success.

Announcement Coincides with 20th Anniversary

LUXEMBOURG – WORLDWIDE – International freight forwarding group Panalpina are to commence their own additional controlled regular airfreight services connecting Luxembourg with destinations such as South Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong. The routing will also cover the transpacific route to Huntsville, Alabama in the USA, complementing Panalpina’s existing transatlantic airfreight service Dixie Jet.

Major Companies Stand Accused Of Collusion

UK – WORLDWIDE – We have seen the authorities in countries all over the globe pursuing anti trust cases against air cargo carriers and freight forwarders and now it seems it is the turn of truck manufacturers. The industry is renowned for stiff competition and it appears that the authorities now believe there has been collusion regarding the fixing of prices on commercial vehicles.

Boeing Launch Deliveries to the Final Frontier

US - SPACE - This week saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Boeing Company and Space Adventures Ltd. to cooperate on the marketing of anticipated transportation services to destinations in low Earth orbit (LEO) on Boeing commercial crew spacecraft. Earlier this year we told of a late delivery out there in the Cosmos and now it seems only a matter of time before someone offers some form of independent freight service outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

New Territory for Pirates With Cameroon Attacks

CAMEROON – The fashion for piracy has seemingly moved directly across the continent with several attacks taking place on Sunday 12th September in the harbour at Douala. An armed gang roamed the moorings and attacked two vessels terrorising the crews and robbing them of valuables.

Unions Plan Week of Action to Support Fairer Practices

EUROPE – Sixteen years after the horrendous fate of the passenger ferry Estonia which sank in the Baltic, debate still rages as to whether confusion over the language used in mayday calls contributed to the fate of the 852 people who died in the accident. Now international unions have gathered together to point out that European protocols, amended in 2000 as a result of the disaster, have never been adopted and that lives may still be at risk as a result.

Landslip May or May Not be a Result of Earthquake

NEW ZEALAND – The earthquake measuring 7.1 which struck Canterbury on the 4th September was or was not the cause of the huge landslip which has closed road and rail links to and from Christchurch according to which local experts you listen to The general opinion is that the two are linked as there had not been recent rainfall in the area. All that is known is that on Saturday several freight trains carrying vital supplies were halted by the slip which also closed State Highway One, the regions major artery.

Fuel Crisis Threatens Recovery

GREECE – As the country’s top financial officials tour the continent to reassure European investors that the Government’s efforts at reform are still on track, the nation’s freight truckers blocked many major highways yesterday in continuing protests against what they see as an end to their monopoly on haulage throughout the country. Already overseas freight vehicles, mostly from Eastern Europe, have caused major damage to Greek firms trading abroad, and now plans to open up haulage to more competition have the drivers in revolt.

Ten New Curtainsiders for Bakro

EUROPE – Having recently opened new facilities in Felixstowe and Rotterdam European ferry freight specialists specialists Bakro International Transport have bought ten new curtainsider Euroliners from Schmitz Cargobull which will be used to provide full load, part load and cargo groupage consolidation services to and from Holland, Belgium and the Ruhr area of Germany to a number of diverse clients.

Globelink Acquire CBI Global

UK – CHINA – Chinese third party logistics (3PL) and supply chain provider Globelink China Logistics has only been established for twelve years but pursuing it’s aggressive investment strategy it has now acquired Manchester based freight forwarder CBI Global Freight Management. The group are reportedly to be seeking suitable property for expansion into London having taken residence at the World Freight Terminal at Manchester Airport.

Luxembourg Freight Companies Step Up

PAKISTAN – LUXEMBOURG – The catastrophic floods which have swept through Pakistan bringing misery to millions prompted the people of the Duchy of Luxembourg, encouraged by an appeal from the local Pakistan Consulate, to initiate a countrywide collection resulting in around 600 boxes, containing used clothes, sheets, shoes, plus tinned foods being donated.

Two Global Brands Sign Up with Maersk Subsidiary

US – This month saw two prestigious contracts confirmed for AP Moller Maersk logistics arm Damco. The company had Lockheed Martin sign a new multi-year contract to model a supply network for the F-35 to ensure Lockheed Martin have full and key information on cost, lead-time, capacity, and reliability for transportation routing and warehousing. This data enables informed decisions on routings that present an optimal balance of cost and risk to enable effective transition from design to operations.

Sky's the Limit for Nairobi Airport Facility

KENYA - Located on Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s newly-extended freight apron, with direct airside access, the new Transglobal Cargo Centre on-airport facility has signed up Emirates SkyCargo and Nairobi-based Astral Aviation as the inaugural airline customers of the first fresh produce and cargo handling facility in Africa.

Dutch Company Offer German - Swedish Route

NETHERLANDS – GERMANY – SWEDEN – Yesterday saw the initial shipments on a new rail freight service between Herne in Germany and Nässjö in Sweden from Dutch intermodal transport specialist, Van Dieren Maritime. The new route, which fully integrates with the companies existing network will see three departures a week in both directions.

Mammoth Scheme is Open for Business

US – It’s true; they do things bigger in the States. In the olden, golden days of pioneering it was the railroads that opened up the country enabling the shipping of vital supplies to all parts of the territory, no matter how remote. This week saw the first freight containers carried on a tortuous, winding route through the Appalachian Mountains to Columbus, Ohio on a track that previously could only cope with the old, low height, coal carrying gondolas.

CILT Want Education and Apprenticeships for Continuity in Transport

UK – Today as we saw announcements of the initial public sector savings to be made after 100,000 people put forward their own ideas to Government, and whilst all industries await nervously the full details of the Coalition’s proposed spending cuts, comes a call from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) for attention to be given to ensure the nation maintains a supply of competent fork lift truck and HGV drivers, warehousemen, shipping staff and freight handling personnel.

Huge Boost for Lloyd's Register

UK – CHINA – Lloyd’s Register have been compiling a register of cargo ships since 1760 and now the company, which these days offers classification and assurance services to a much broader spectrum, have received a prestigious British government award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to UK-China business relations.

Emphatic Victory as German Ship Freed

SOMALIA – News just in as 24 US marines operating in the Gulf of Aden stormed a freight vessel today and, without firing a shot apparently, capturing the nine pirates and rescuing the eleven man crew. The German owned M V Magellan Star, an 8,000 tonne DWT general cargo ship flagged in Antigua & Barbuda was en route from Spain to Singapore when she was intercepted transiting the Gulf.

ICSW Guide is Free to Crews of All Nationalities

WORLDWIDE - The International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW), a UK based international charity dedicated to the relief of need, hardship or distress amongst seafarers has launched the ‘Seafarers’ Centres Directory’ a free pocket size guide for seafarers and contains information on 355 seafarers’ centres around the world, including opening hours, facilities and contact details. The guide is aimed at crews of all vessels from container ships and freight vessels to bulk tankers and cruise liners.

CEVA Logistics Announce Successes

SOUTH AFRICA – ITALY – It has been a big couple of weeks for CEVA Logistics, the supply chain design and freight management group. At the tail end of August they signed a new €1.4 million contract with South African mining group Rui Star Trading to handle around 4,600 TEU of chrome ore concentrate on its way to the Far East. About 20,000 tonnes per month of the concentrated ore will be transported into a 100 square metre store in Johannesburg for onward shipment.

SCT Logistics Launch New Bulk Carrier

AUSTRALIA – SCT Logistics, road, rail and refrigerated freight transport specialists are apparently behind a new and separate company to be known as Specialised Bulk Rail Pty Ltd (SBR) to add competition to the bulk haulage by rail sector which dominates the South Australian region. Principal customer initially is IMX Resources which produces huge quantities of iron ore from the Cairn Hill site, destined to produce initial revenue of over A$150 million for SBR.

Materials Handling Expo Will Show Off Practical Freight Solutions

UK – The triennial International Materials Handling Exhibition to be held at the NEC Birmingham in November will be of interest to many freight professionals as it is sure to play host to various innovations to accelerate and improve the way cargo, and various supply chain products, are handled. Some ideas that seem revolutionary however may not be quite as new as one would imagine.

Texas Expo Can Educate as Well as Inform

US - The 21st Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Houston next month will offer the opportunity to invest in the professional development of key logistics employees working in the project cargo industry for any company with a course which has been held successfully in Mumbai, Bremen and Singapore during the past 12 months.

New Case Throws Up Possibilities

UK – DENMARK – FAR EAST – Just last week we pointed out the irony of air cargo carriers and air freight forwarders being embroiled in anti trust suits right across the world whilst container shipping lines, immune to such legislation, continued to boost rates. This after a terribly bleak period of falling traffic levels and attempts to staunch the flow of blood with shrinking tariffs, especially to high volume, long term contract customers.

Cape Town Port Plans to Beat the Elements This Year

SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) advise us they have a plan this year to minimise the seasonal disruption caused by the excessively high winds which traditionally are the bane of the stevedore’s life at this time of the year around the country’s Southern tip. The windy season coincides with the fruit harvest meaning the principal cargo is perishable and freighted in reefer containers.

Meeting With Government Scheduled at a Key Moment

UK – The mad scramble has begun; with the Government aiming to publish initial results of their Comprehensive Spending Review on the 20th October one cannot help but think that, considering the parlous state of the public finances, there will be cuts in all key areas. An appeal for ways to save money in the public sector has elicited over 60,000 responses and suggestions from voters, some inevitably a little mad or bitter but others eminently sane and practical.

Grain Harvest will put Pressure on Storage Facilities

US – For the first time in almost forty years farmers in the country’s grain belt say that the elevators needed to load the crop have been completely booked up this year. The logistics of shipping America’s crop in what appears to be a bumper year means that barge and rail freight space to move the goods will be at a premium, hence rising rates for the shipping industry.

Politics Means a Potentially Deadly Passage for Indian Cargo

INDIA – MYANMAR – Highway NH 39, which links Assam with the Indo-Myanmar border is largely unknown in the West, but currently host to a deadly game which highlights the dangers facing freight truckers around the globe. For over 250 miles the road wanders from India to the old state of Burma passing through Nagaland and Manipur, scenes of a bitter dispute over sovereignty.

Second Freight Co Targets 20% Market Share

RUSSIA – According to schedule the board of Russian Railways (RZD) have confirmed their intent to form the Second Freight Company, 156,000 rail freight wagons will be transferred from the holding company’s stock in stages. Plans have been afoot for some time to open up the rail freight sector and Russian Rail sees this as the way forward.

Company to Service New Zealand Tournament

NEW ZEALAND – GERMANY – DHL and the world’s rugby authorities confirmed today that the company are the chosen logistics providers for the forthcoming Rugby Union World Cup which opens on 9th September 2011. Responsibilities will include not only the basic freight movements of kit and equipment but the essential and difficult task of ticket distribution worldwide.

Japanese Tanker Latest Victim in New Spate of Assaults

INDONESIA – BANGLADESH - It seems that there has been an alarming rise in pirate attacks in the South China Sea region with the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre saying there have now been 27 attacks since February. Constant news of kidnappings and robberies from the Gulf of Aden has rather overshadowed the fact that the seas around Indonesia have traditionally been dangerous for bulk and container shipping passing through.

Nuclear Icebreakers Aren't Always the Answer to a Pirate Free Transit

RUSSIA – CANADA – In past articles we have charted the progress of the courageous (and profit hungry) souls who have risked opening up new ways to transit the dangerous frozen waters of the Arctic Ocean to the North of Siberia and through the Bering Sea. A year ago we pointed out how Beluga Shipping’s historic voyage carrying freight through the North East passage might open the sea route as a rival to the Suez Canal within a decade.

Concern Grows Over Illegal Imports

KENYA – According to local press reports the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has advertised for new applicants to act as import tax and duty collectors on behalf of the state authorities as worries over inefficient and insufficient checks on the pedigree and nature of cargo shipping into the country.

Amsterdam Hosts TIACA 25th Air Cargo Forum

NETHERLANDS – Almost 80% of visitors to the 24th Air Cargo Forum in Kuala Lumpur said they would return to the next event in Amsterdam and along with over 90% of exhibitors doing the same, the 25th event, at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in November, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has now accepted an invitation from the organisers to present the forwarders’ perspective on logistics and supply chain issues.

UTi Freight Forwarding Profits Up

US – Long Beach, California based UTi, a non asset based 3PL supply chain specialist turned in better than expected results yesterday following a general upward trend for the industry. With over 23 million square feet of warehousing in 23 countries the company shows a pattern that seems fairly typical for the freight market at the moment. The CEO however offered a customary word of caution in today’s volatile conditions.

TUI May Look to Offload Hapag Lloyd

GERMANY – It may be that Michael Kuehne’s wishes for TUI AG to dispose of their remaining share of Hapag Lloyd are about to come true. Speculation surrounds TUI’s next move after they seem to be keen on purchasing the balance of stock (42.5%) in TUI Travel which they do not own. TUI sold off a large part of the German container shipping line to the Albert Ballin Corporation in April 2009 at a time when Hapag’s potential losses were damaging TUI.

Hopes to Rival Sea as a Route in to Europe

RUSSIA – SOUTH KOREA - TransContainer , a subsidiary of Russian Railways and the country’s largest rail freight container operator, has launched a new company, TransContainer Asia Pacific Ltd., to commence a service for container cargo from South Korea to Russian regions, and also to countries of Eastern and Western Europe.

Mercedes Vito Vans on Trial Shortly

GERMANY – We often publish articles on the rapid progress being made by smaller independent manufacturers fighting to supply cutting edge technology low emission vehicles for the delivery of short or medium range freight contracts. Now the big guns are taking the challenge seriously and you can be sure progress will be rapid when companies like Mercedes Benz have turned their attention to the growing market.

New Zealand Launches the Latest Round of Anti Trust Actions

NEW ZEALAND – AUSTRALIA – US – EU – Reading like a Jeffrey Archer novel or a script from any long running TV Police drama, the anti trust suits against the world’s air cargo carriers and freight forwarders for cartel collusion keep rolling out and tales of household industry names ‘grassing’ on their mates continues unabated.

French Container Specialists Continue the Upward Trend

FRANCE – Following hard on the heels of other major shipping powers like AP Moeller Maersk, French group CMA CGM, who have been among the most troubled of the container companies in recent months, today produced their first half interim figures for 2010,and,as with the rest, they show a rise in revenue.

MOL Offer Free Shipping to Pakistan After Floods

JAPAN – PAKISTAN – WORLDWIDE – The catastrophic floods in Pakistan have meant a scramble to arrange the logistics to convey and distribute essential life saving supplies to the stricken country. Once again the freight community has been seen as among the first to react, offering more than just sympathy. This time Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) have stepped up with an extraordinary offer of help.

MRA Gets A New Member

US – The OPA 90 regulations, introduced after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989, have recently been revised in the light of recent similar tragedies and in particular the Deepwater Horizon affair in the Gulf of Mexico. Penalties for environmental damage can now extend into billions of dollars which can only be mitigated by prompt and effective action. The regulation changes plus new Marine Firefighting Regulations persuaded the Marine Response Alliance LLC (MRA) to take a hard look at their capabilities and have prompted the introduction of a new member.

GAC Buy Out John Nurminen Navis Oy

UAE – FINLAND - Under an agreement signed on 31st August Dubai logistics giants GAC acquired John Nurminen Navis Oy (JNN) with the intention of strengthening its services in the Baltic Sea region. Handling annually up to 3,000 ship calls at all major Finnish commercial seaports, directly through its own offices, in Helsinki (head office), Porvoo, Kotka, Turku, Naantali and Rauma and the company’s comprehensive network of sub-agencies, JNN is one of the top three ship agencies in Finland in terms of market share.

French Group Expand into America

US – CHINA – FRANCE - Norbert Dentressangle, based in Lyon and mostly known in Europe as a full load and groupage operator, is to buy the freight forwarding and customs brokerage business of Schneider Logistics in the USA plus the company’s Chinese operations. The sale encompasses seven locations in the United States (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, New York and Chicago) and two locations in China (Tianjin and Shanghai) and should be completed by the 1st October.

New Technology Gas Carriers in Joint Ownership

JAPAN – When international oil prices jumped in the 1970’s Mitsui OSK Lines cancelled tankers and moved swiftly into container shipping, just as the seemingly unstoppable rise in trade using 20’ and 40’ boxes gathered momentum. Now, with much of the world in the grip of recession, the Japanese group seem, once again, to be ahead of the game.

Coastguard Warns of Floating Timber

UK – NETHERLANDS – Skippers of vessels in transit through the English Channel were warned last night to proceed carefully after the 79 metre Cargo vessel “Sally”, a Norwegian registered freighter shed around 60 tonnes of timber bundles whilst shipping off the Suffolk coast during the gales prevalent over the past few days.