Shipping Search - Archive

New Development Intended to Extend Services Further East

GEORGIA – AUSTRIA – In January of this year, at about the time we wrote of the delicate shipment which Austrian freight forwarder Gebrüder Weiss was undertaking when the company delivered a helicopter to the Georgian capital Tblisi, the company was embarking on the development of its own logistics hub in the city with an eye on future cargo development in the region.

Unions Line Up Against Latest Plan to Increase Services and Cut Costs

UK – A battle is under way on the high seas between maritime unions and a local company over the provision of freight ferry services to the Isle of Man and the dispute has echoes of a similar container shipping project which foundered two years ago after a similar row. Nautilus, the union for professional seafarers and shore based maritime staff and the RMT transport workers union are together attacking plans by the Ellan Vannin Line to introduce more competition to island’s cargo services from the mainland.

Worldwide Members Seek to Improve Professionalism and Ethics as Well as Knowledge

WORLDWIDE – The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), first instituted over a century ago before the commencement of the Great War, has now become a truly international organisation with over 4,000 individual members spread globally throughout the 25 branches and 18 teaching centres. The Institute is dedicated to educating those seeking to obtain accepted formal qualifications, from Foundation Diploma up to full Professional Qualification within the shipping industry.

Freight Forwarder Presses on with Certification Processes

FRANCE – LUXEMBOURG – EUROPE – With new EU guidance on the traffic, Bolloré Logistics subsidiary company SDV, is pressing ahead with its programme for formal recognition of its quality control systems which the company has in place to meet the rigorous cold chain management requirements necessary for undertaking the shipping of pharmaceuticals, a sector of the industry which the company has focused on since 2005, when it first launched its programme to harmonise its processes with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines.

Giant Piece Arrives at the Finish Line Intact and On Time

UK – US – Readers seeing our headline photograph can be forgiven they are witnessing preparations for a scene from a giant remake of the ‘Godfather’, as the sculpture of a seven tonne horse’s head makes its way on part of a journey from Suffolk to Philadelphia. At 10.3 metres long the huge, out of gauge piece was first carried to the Port of Felixstowe by low loader where freight forwarding and logistics agents Tuscor Lloyds arranged for transfer to a forty foot, flat rack container prior to shipping to the US.

Two Deals See NVOCC Tie Up and European Road Haulage Acquisition

UK – US – INDIA – Two separate deals this week saw the acquisition of a British freight forwarding and road haulage group by another national rival, whilst across the Atlantic, an Indian logistics firm has taken over the third largest LCL consolidator in the US via its own subsidiary NVOCC operation.

Governments Will Reject EU Accusations says Eurotunnel Boss

FRANCE – UK – The threat of action against the two countries governments for excessive track access charges which the EU Commission made in June of this year has apparently produced a snub according to reports quoting the CEO of Channel Tunnel operator Groupe Eurotunnel. Details of the case can be seen in our article at the time but both freight and passenger costs are said to be too high because of the rates imposed.

Astre System Links France Line to International Delivery Network

UK – FRANCE – EUROPE – Tail lift deliveries and collections and far flung rural destinations can be the bane of any road haulage transport manager and Manchester based international carrier and freight forwarding outfit France Line International Transport Ltd, has joined the European transport network Astre, becoming only the second company in the UK to have access to PaletSystem, Astre’s established pallet network for the distribution of part loads of up to 10 pallets throughout France and Europe.

Opening of North Korean Track Part of Russian Railway's Overall Strategy

RUSSIA – NORTH KOREA – AUSTRIA – Two years ago we pointed out that, despite the country’s status as an international pariah, commerce often conquers all, and the chance of shipping freight to and from North Korea meant both Russia and China were willing to partake in infrastructure development to see import and export cargo levels increase. Now, with the official opening on 22 September at a ceremony at the port of Rajin, a railway line between Khasan, Russia and Rajin, North Korea will allow an increase in trade between the two countries and development of a new intermodal terminal is under way.

From a 'Cabotage Service' Carrier to the Biggest Ship in the World

BRAZIL – DENMARK – This week, two container shipping lines held naming ceremonies for the new additions to their fleet. Hamburg Süd’s Brazilian subsidiary Aliança welcomed the 3,800 TEU Fernão de Magalhães at the Porto Chibatão in Brazil, meanwhile at the port of Copenhagen, Maersk Line welcomed the biggest ship in the world, the 18,000 TEU Majestic Maersk.

Fourth Annual Event to Concentrate on Energy, Risk, Finance and Legal Matters

ITALY – WORLDWIDE – The Santa Chiara Monastery in Naples will be the scene for the fourth annual Shipping and the Law Conference hosted by Studio Legale Lauro. These conferences offer a forum for debate and discussion on pressing industry topics, with a particular emphasis on legal, finance and insurance perspectives. This year the one-day conference takes as its theme ‘Where is Shipping Going?’ examining the key subjects impacting the industry; the quest for energy efficiency, sources of finance, risk management and winning strategies: buy, build or charter.

Union Protests and Vessel Detentions World Wide Following Last Month's Ratification by IMO

WORLDWIDE – SWITZERLAND – CANADA – DENMARK – The ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) on 20 August 2013 has not taken long for the effects on shipowners and operators to be felt across the world. Unions clearly now feel legally empowered to highlight those companies they perceive to be transgressing the Conventions conditions, and it seems that there are darker areas in the freight and shipping community which are now under scrutiny. This month has seen vessels detained and worldwide protests as contraventions are exposed.

Reports of Stricter Enforcement of Cargo Security across Europe

UK – EUROPE – According to pallet wrapping specialists Golden Valley, there is anecdotal evidence which suggests that Police forces across mainland Europe are robustly enforcing laws on cargo security which require anyone transporting palletised loads to be able to demonstrate that the pallet wrap used to secure each pallet has been applied to measurable parameters. Whether or not this is correct common sense dictates that correct wrapping of pallets on certain types of freight is essential to maintain both safety and security standards.

On Opposite Sides of the World Schenker Invests in Progress

UK – JAPAN – DB Schenker Rail UK has become the first rail freight company to operate an intermodal service out of London Gateway, Britain's newest deep sea port and logistic park. The first train out of London Gateway left the port at 02:00 Tuesday 24 September, fully laden with containers bound for DB Schenker Rail's Trafford Park terminal. The containers had been discharged earlier this week from the fire-damaged cargo ship ZIM Rotterdam. Simultaneously the Schenker group was reinforcing its green credentials on the other side of the world.

Another Sell Out Which Excludes Canadian Business

NORTH AMERICA – Less than truckload (LTL) road haulage group Vitran Corporation, announced earlier this week that it has entered into an agreement to sell its struggling US LTL business to an unnamed company owned by industry logistics veteran Matthew Moroun. Under the terms of the proposed sale transaction, an entity controlled by Moroun will pay $2 million to acquire 100% of the common stock of the wholly-owned US subsidiary. In addition to this buyout, Vitran received a proposal from shareholder TransForce to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Vitran at a price of $4.50 per share in cash. As with the sale this week of Bellville International to OIA Global, Vitran’s Canadian interests are excluded from the deal. Speaking about the transaction Vitran's Interim President and Chief Executive Officer William Deluce, said:

Operators Need Proper Preparation to Ensure Work Can Continue

UK – With the need for all professional drivers to undertake five days formal training to obtain their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) certification, without which they will be disbarred from working, the pace is quickening to ensure that all road haulage operators have ensured they have all bases covered. With the resultant qualification being mandatory by September 2014 truck drivers are being warned not to leave things to the last minute whilst the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has launched an internet based app to aid them in their daily tasks.

What the People in the Industry Have Announced Where They're Going This Month

DENMARK – GERMANY – Hapag-Lloyd has announced the appointment of Rolf Habben-Jansen as its new Chairman of the Executive Board following the retirement of Michael Behrendt on 30 June 2014, after more than 12 years at the helm of the liner shipping company. Habben-Jansen, current CEO of freight forwarding and logistics group Damco, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Company with effect from 1 April 2014 and will assume the position of Chairman of the Executive Board on 1 July 2014.

Canadian Operations Excluded from the Deal

WORLDWIDE – Third party logistics provider OIA Global, announced last week that it has purchased the majority control of freight forwarders Bellville International, the holding company for Bellville Rodair International in Europe, US, China and Brazil. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed whilst Bellville Rodair’s Canadian operation is not a part of the deal and will continue to trade independently with its original shareholders still in situ. Charlie Hornecker, CEO of OIA Global said:

Accusations by MP's Mingle With Nostalgia and Environmental Issues

UK – We once again return to the controversial subject of the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at the site of the former Radlett Aerodrome, after St Albans MP Anne Main recently called for an investigation into fellow Conservative politician, Chipping Barnet MP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, for failing to declare a potential conflict of interest following a meeting with Helioslough's chief lobbyist and old university friend Simon Hoare. Meanwhile a celebration of the site’s history, open to all comers, has been arranged for next month.

Interruption to the Supply Chain Might Result from Implementation So Soon Says TIACA

EUROPE –WORLDWIDE – A note of caution was sounded recently after some intensive discussions between the EU Commission and various bodies who are stakeholders with regard to air cargo security. EU policy has long assessed the dangers posed by air freight and passengers in two separate ways. Whilst the Commission itself describes the need for ‘improved passenger screening methods in order to ensure high security levels with minimum hassle’, it has for a long period advocated consideration of a risk based approach to the security of cargo originating outside the EU. Recently this policy has been intensified with the intent of standardising protection measures no matter where goods emanate from.

French Company Gets Three Year Reward for Past Work Successfully Undertaken

REPUBLIC OF CHAD – FRANCE – CANADA  – Geodis Wilson, the logistics subsidiary of SNCF, has secured a new three year contract with Canadian group, Caracal Energy Inc., an international player in the exploration and development of oil and gas fields. The French company is the chosen partner to supply the logistics requirements for the exploration of a new resource field in Chad, the client’s primary market. The deal includes global freight forwarding activities by air and sea, planning and execution of inland logistics, customs clearance, as well as rail and road haulage through Chad and Cameroon.

Road Haulage Trade Set to Slump Unless Guarantees in Place by December

RUSSIA – In stories on the 6th and 16th August we covered, in some detail, the problems facing road haulage outfits trying to enter the country, due to the termination of an agreement between the Russian Customs authorities and the Association of International Road Transport Carriers in Russia (ASMAP), the body responsible for underwriting the TIR Convention. Without an acceptable national body undertaking this responsibility in any particular territory, the Convention cannot be applied. Now CLECAT, the European Association for forwarding, transport, logistics and customs services and FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, have joined forces to request that the responsible bodies find a solution to the problem.

Employee Input Drives Volvo Plant's Environmental Achievements

US – Whilst everyone in the supply chain is increasingly concerned about demonstrating their green credentials when one of the huge corporations make a commitment to environmental neutrality the figures can make impressive reading. With the ongoing development of its Virginia plant at New River Valley (NRV), where the entire range of trucks sold by the company in North America are made, Volvo has achieved the laudable target of making the plant achieve ‘zero landfill’ status.

IMO Committee Put Forward Draft Proposals for Safety at Sea Policy Changes

UK – WORLDWIDE – The two options which the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was pondering on this week at the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid cargoes and Containers (DSC), regarding the future weighing of shipping containers prior to export, and which we wrote about earlier this month, have been considered and a recommendation will be forwarded to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval. The decision taken has pleased the UK organisation representing the country’s forwarding community, the British International Freight Association (BIFA).

Thousands of Votes Cast in Public Ballot to Decide Winners

UK – The annual Women in Logistics UK Awards saw a record entry this year from companies and individuals right across the various sectors of the supply chain. A glittering charity ball was held in the West Midlands to celebrate the 2013 event where, as well as partying hard into the night, attendees raised over £6000 for Transaid, a charity Women in Logistics UK has supported right from the early days. Women in Logistics founder, Ruth Waring FCILT, commented:

Devastation in China and the Philippines

CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Typhoon Usagi, which has swept throughout the South China Sea in the past couple of days, has proved to be the strongest storm which many in the devastated areas have ever witnessed. All freight operations ceased with the closure of the port, and most flights were cancelled in Hong Kong yesterday, despite this not being the worst hit area, whilst many shipping services in the region were suspended and tens of thousands of fishing boats remained in harbours across the south of the country. With winds of over 110 miles per hour hitting the mainland, so far at least 25 people have been drowned or crushed to death beneath falling trees or in cars blown off the roads.

Eight Companies Share the Spoils at Annual Event

US – WORLDWIDE – It was slapped backs all round at the Center of Logistics Excellence in Jacksonville, Florida when eight companies were winners this year at Ceva Logistics third annual Global Supplier Awards, with IAG Cargo being crowned overall winner by being named Ceva’s Global Supplier of the Year, and container shipping line Safmarine, collecting the Ocean Supplier of the Year title.

Neighbours Cause Perpetrators to Flee as Victim Moved to Secure Location

HONDURAS – A most disturbing report has reached us of an attack made on a dockers trade union boss last week when several armed assailants tried to batter their way into the man’s home in a murderous attack, evidently with the intention of killing him. The incident apparently follows several anonymous death threats telling Victor Crespo to stop seeking a collective contract at the town’s port, which ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services Inc) won a concession to operate in February.

Rash of Orders for Liebherr Cranes Announced

IRELAND – THE NETHERLANDS – SWEDEN – It is proving a good time for County Kerry based Liebherr Container Cranes with news that the company has recently been blessed with a rash of orders for all types of equipment. The largest container shipping facility in Europe, ECT Delta Terminal, has ordered seven of the company’s straddle carriers, whilst two ship to shore container cranes and two rail mounted gantry cranes will be heading to APM Terminals Gothenburg, joining a list of the group’s handling equipment found throughout Swedish ports.

RMT Withdraw from Industrial Action Following Application for Court Injunction

UK – Following a fairly inflammatory statement this week by transport union RMT boss Bob Crow that the organisation’s members members were ‘up for this fight’ as detailed in our recent story, it seems that the union boss’s prediction that hundreds of its members would conduct a week long stoppage at express freight and parcel carrier City Link from Monday was a little premature.

Investment Group Intends to Acquire Huelin Renouf Assets and Staff

UK – A new company is planning to replace the freight service between the Channel Islands, following the demise of Huelin Renouf in August. If implemented, the new shipping company, Channel Island Lines (CIL), will charter the MV Huelin Dispatch running three return journeys a week between the islands and the UK, creating around 60 jobs and employing former staff where possible. The aim is to introduce a provisional Lift On-Lift Off (Lo/Lo) service within the next fortnight. Chairman of CIL, Paul Sands said:

Internal Investigation Reportedly Under Way after Anti-Competitive Fine

MALAYSIA – According to local press, the five Senior Executives who make up the entire senior team of the cargo arm of Kuala Lumpur based low budget airline AirAsia and AirAsia X have, for the past two months, been suspended and placed under internal investigation over ‘alleged mismanagement’. AirAsia Cargo has won multiple industry awards, most recently in June picking up Air Cargo Week’s ‘World’s Best Customer Care Award’ for the third consecutive year.

Company Misses Financial Targets Once Again

FRANCE – Air France, which merged with KLM in 2004 in an attempt to streamline operations, has announced further job cuts after admitting it has, yet again, missed its financial targets for the year. The group is looking to lay off 2,800 staff through voluntary redundancies and union CFDT tells us that plans, due to be launched officially on the 4th October, will indicate this includes 1800 ground staff and between 300 to 700 pilots, with the freight sector the worst affected.

Old Technology Given New Lease of Life by Collaboration

SWEDEN – GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – In a nod to days some would have thought bygone, Scania and Siemens are now preparing trials with an electrically powered truck equipped with a pantograph power collector mounted on the frame behind the cab. The truck receives power from overhead lines similar to trains, trams and trolleybuses and the partners say, if successful, Sweden could become the first country in the world with electrically powered commercial heavy goods vehicles for the carriage of freight.

Plastics Have Their Place but Timber Crates and Cases Have Supply Chain Longevity

WORLDWIDE - Whether you're sending a birthday package to a faraway friend or running a business that exports products throughout the world, you have more green choices than ever before. Green packaging and shipping can save you money; recycled materials often cost less than their first-use counterparts, and they're just as practical. For businesses, evidencing green shipping practices is increasingly an important element in the freight supply chain to maintain customer satisfaction. A recent Ipsos consumer poll found that almost half the people questioned choose green options when available and, while green shipping and packaging might be a priority, getting items to their destinations safely is obviously also considered paramount. Now however new techniques and materials can make going green easy and safe for even the most fragile items.

Comprehensive Service Coverage Ranges from North Africa to Russia

DENMARK – JERSEY – MEDITERRANEAN – Back in April when we announced the purchase of intermodal group Unifeeder by Jersey based investment outfit Nordic Capital, we predicted that the container short sea shipping sector was the market to watch. Now in a move clearly encouraged by that take over, the Danish company has announced the acquisition of United Feeder Services Ltd (UFS), a similar group with 44 agencies ranging from North Africa, across the Mediterranean up to Northern Europe and the Black Sea ports.

Cargo Carried on the Tracks States its Green Credentials and Compares to Road Haulage

CHINA – US – AUSTRALIA – Gone are the days when it was enough to say that freight by rail qualified as the most environmental option, these days everyone, from wagon makers through producers and carriers to end users are determined to demonstrate their green credentials, whilst cutting costs and making maximum profits, and two innovations in the past month, one for intermodal traffic and the other for the bulk market, both seem to tick all the boxes.

The Jones Act in the Spotlight Yet Again as Opposite Views Published Simultaneously

US – Yesterday a topic which we have touched upon many times in the Handy Shipping Guide surfaced again, demonstrating two opposing views of an element which forms the backbone of the US short sea freight industry. The Jones Act, that controversial piece of legislation which supported a US owned and operated fleet in times of war, is seen by one side as the supporting pillar of the American feeder fleet, whilst its opponents see it as an anachronistic construction to free trade, increasing the price of container and other cargoes to consumers.

Engineering Triumph for a Project Originally Proposed Centuries Ago

EUROPE – Groupe Eurotunnel has confirmed that the Channel Tunnel has been recognised as the most important large scale civil engineering project in the world in the last 100 years by FIDIC, The International Federation of Engineering Consultants. Since opening, over 320 million individuals have passed beneath the English Channel through the longest under-sea tunnel in the world, along with around 10 million trucks and 10 million tonnes of rail freight using the service in the eight years to 2012.

This Time Labour Problems at Home for DHL While ex-Boss Disgraces Himself

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – As with our previous City Link story, this is not a good month for Deutsche Post DHL which, having endured years of criticism over its employment practices outside the Mother country, it now appears the DHL home delivery side of the business has been threatened this week with strike action by the Ver.di union which has over 1,500 members working at the company. The news also comes at a time when a former boss, and close confidant of the Deutsche Post ex-Chairman and CEO (who himself was convicted on tax fraud charges in 2009), has admitted blackmailing a politician.

Union Announces One Week Stoppage From Tuesday

UK - Express parcels and international freight courier outfit City Link is due to see a walk out by hundreds of staff from 00.01 hours on Tuesday 24th September to 23.59 hours on Monday 30th September 2013 according to the RMT union. The union claims the seven day stoppage is the result of a dispute over pay, working conditions and ‘an attempt by the company management to bulldoze through changes to contracts’. City Link management believe that the amount of staff actually involved in the dispute should not disrupt the company’s normal operations and is proposing Court action against the union.

New Office for Ships Service Contractor as Cargo Tonnage Levels Double

AUSTRALIA – The rapid growth seen at the Port of Geraldton which has seen cargo throughput double to 10 million tonnes per annum has encouraged Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) to recently open a new office in the Western Australian port to meet increased business opportunities. Geraldton mainly caters for the shipping of dry bulk freight commodities ranging from iron ore, talc, metals and minerals to fertilisers and grain.

Who has Replaced Whom and Where of Late

WORLDWIDE – In the two weeks since our last set of appointment listings has come another tranche of staff movement in the shipping, freight forwarding and logistics industry generally, right up to director level. Any company who wishes to announce changes in personnel should email the Handy Shipping Guide Newsdesk using the ‘Press Releases’ link which appears on our Home Page.

Transport Support and Development Outfit Transaid Get Wholehearted Support

UK – THE NETHERLANDS – AFRICA – Cyclists from across the freight, logistics and road haulage sectors are well on their way to raising more than £100,000 for international development charity Transaid, after riding 360 kilometres from London to Amsterdam. The funds raised from the event will enable Transaid to continue its vital projects in Africa, which save lives and reduce poverty for rural communities by providing them with better transport solutions.

Unexpected Opening for London Gateway

UK – The arrival of a 10,000 TEU containership has given an early birth to the world’s newest deep water port when London Gateway, DP World's newest box handling facility, opened up a little early to offer a berth of its own to the ZIM Rotterdam, which had encountered a few problems en route to mainland Europe and requested the unexpected stop to undertake some required maintenance. The port had not expected to begin freight handling operations until a little later in the year.

BMT Take Up a Picturesque Position in the Heart of the City

UK – The BMT group, an operation which is many things to many people, has gathered together elements from some of its subsidiary companies and opened a new office in the heart of London in one of the city’s oldest docks. The group consists of several individual companies serving customers principally as consultants in a range of fields including marine risk and insurance, maritime transport and the port and logistics sectors, with the group’s assets held in beneficial ownership for its staff.

Operators Say Scheme Resembles Blackmail with Bridge Destruction Leaving No Viable Alternative Route

UK – It is common in the UK for people to run campaigns such against an attack on Syria and the like, and usually these are supported by an e-petition, objections to the current Badger Cull garnered well over 300,000 signatures, a British record by some way*, before being closed down**. Two of the problems objectors face however are multiple petitions all on the same subject which can result in a watering down of the argument (it takes 100,000 names before the matter might be raised in Parliament), and getting the word out to those who have an interest. Now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has stepped up its efforts to bring the tolls to be imposed on freight interests using the A14 in East Anglia, to the notice of truck operators and the wider public.

Union Asks - What Happened to the Livestock Carrier that Caused So Many Deaths?

UK – PANAMA – WORLDWIDE – Maritime unions are rarely, and often understandably, the friends of flags of convenience, and now Nautilus, the union which represents 24,00 European maritime professionals, has expressed outright disgust at the decision by Panama to prevent public access to a long-awaited report on the investigation into the 2009 loss of the livestock carrier Danny F II. The horrific accident which saw the ship go down with around forty crew, as well as over 28,000 head of sheep and cattle, occurred in December 2009 off the Lebanese coast. In a nightmare scenario rescue attempts by naval forces were hampered by bad weather and the thousands of floating animal carcasses.

Two Vessels Deployed in Harbour from This Month

UK – A new towage business has opened at Belfast Harbour which the company responsible says is in response to demand from port users. SMS Towage Ltd has invested over £5 million in the 24 hour a day operation which sees two modern and highly-manoeuvrable tug boats, capable of handling a full range of freight and passenger vessels, commence operations in October.

It Seems Everybody Wins with Fifty Categories of Prize Winners at Annual Mumbai Event

INDIA – Earlier this month at the Hotel Trident in Mumbai, the winners of the Fourth All India Maritime and Logistics Awards (MALA) were announced, and with fifty categories available it seemed that everybody won something on the night (there are fourteen awards available in the port and terminal handling categories alone) this however simply reflects the sheer volume of trade and the variety of specialist freight, logistics, container and bulk handling and shipping and forwarding operations which now proliferate right across the subcontinent.

Box Weights the Focus of SOLAS Amendments This Week

UK – WORLDWIDE – The meeting this week at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London at the hearing of the Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid cargoes and Containers (DSC), is of special interests to tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of shippers, shipping lines and freight forwarding companies around the globe. Stakeholders representatives from every part of the industry associated with container shipping are lobbying hard to promote their members interests.

Vision of the Future or Expensive White Elephant?

UK – Some analysts believe we may well be witnessing the end of the line, quite literally, for HS2, the high speed rail link that was originally intended to join the UK from the very north to the deep south and which is now floundering to reach between England’s first and second cities without the increases in cost sending it off the rails. The overall logistics package envisaged by enthusiasts is beginning to unravel in the light of some hearty scepticism and the latest blow to the project is delivered by an expert voice coming from the heart of British politics itself via Lord Tony Berkeley, chair of the Rail Freight Group (RFG).

Northern Sea Route now Seeing a Steady Increase in Trade

SWEDEN – FINLAND – ARCTIC – KOREA – WORLDWIDE – Following the recent successful voyage of the Cosco’s multi-purpose freight vessel, Yong Sheng, through the Northern Sea Route, tanker shipping company Stena Bulk and Hyundai group’s shipping arm Hyundai Glovis, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two firms collaborate in moving freight via the North East Passage.

How Can We Get The Best from Technology Now and in the Future?

UK – The relentless drive to bring down the ecological costs of road use (not to mention the financial ones) are these days uppermost in the minds of Transport Managers and others associated with the road haulage industry. The need to be Green is necessary to save money when hauling freight and to present an acceptable face to a customer base ever keener to reinforce its own supply chain’s environmental credentials.

Next Event Moves into Europe After Former Bias Toward Asia

UK – WORLDWIDE – Members of the Freight Network Corporation (FNC Group) and others intending to visit the International Freight Forwarders and Logistic Conference in London during November are reminded they have just two days left to save themselves $100 on the price of a ticket to the event. FNC was established in 2004 and has grown to include over 170 international members, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, many of whom will be represented at the forthcoming event.

Incoming Administration Plans New Transport Infrastructure and No Satellite Tracking as Yet

AUSTRALIA – The recent Coalition victory in the national elections seems to suit stakeholders in the freight industry with the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) today congratulating Prime Minister-elect, Tony Abbott, and the Deputy Prime Minister-elect, Warren Truss, on their fairly convincing election victory last Saturday. The ATA had targeted four key things they wanted from a new government, and said it had awarded the Coalition ‘four ticks out of four in its pre-election report card’. One of the incumbent Labor government policies which will now be dropped was the tax increase on truck fuel due to be introduced in July 2014. Going up at an initial rate of A1.6 cents per litre it was scheduled to reach A5.1 cents by July 2016. ATA Chairman David Simon, commented on this and other initiatives, saying:

Whilst Politicians Pontificate the Death Toll from Avoidable Accidents Mounts Daily

US – WORLDWIDE – Having some experience of the devastation the problem can cause, the Handy Shipping Guide has written and blogged before on the subject of sleep apnoea (or apnea to our American readers). Now, just as it seems there are parties in the US who are taking the problem as seriously as it should be, comes the news that two US congressmen have introduced legislation aimed at ensuring all the proposed screening and testing of professional truck and bus drivers is done under controlled conditions.

Extra Costs Will Damage Competitiveness Say Critics

BANGLADESH – Any rise in costs in a country such as Bangladesh can have a deleterious effect on trade according to many merchants and now importers are up in arms over the instructions, apparently issued to its members by the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), to raise Destination Service Charges, applicable to every consignment shipping into the country, by 75% as from the beginning of this month.

Hazard Identification and Bathymetric Survey Tools both Available On Line

US – SWEDEN – BALTIC SEA – Amongst the electronic flotsam and jetsam that washes up in the Handy Shipping Guide mailboxes every day are many pieces irrelevant to our target audience interested in the multifarious aspects of the freight and shipping industry. Occasionally however something that may be on the periphery of the subject might prove of some interest to a few of our readers and this week these include a new web-based tool, developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will expand access to scientific and regulatory information on chemicals, and a new database that charts information about the water depth of the Baltic Sea.

Back to the Old Days as Revolution in Barge Transport Proposed

EUROPE – The European Commission this week announced new measures to get more freight onto Europe's rivers and canals. Barges are amongst the most climate-friendly and energy efficient forms of transport but currently they only carry about 6% of European cargo each year. The new proposals intend to realise the unused potential of Europe's 37,000 kilometres of inland waterways. They will enable freight to move more easily and lead to further greening of the sector by reducing the dependence on road haulage, as well as encouraging innovation and improving job opportunities in the sector. European Commission Vice President Siim Kallas responsible for Transport said:

As France Delays the Ecotaxe, UK Hauliers Protest New Charges for Road Use

FRANCE – UK – Road haulage outfits who have business in France and have been waiting with bated breath to see what impact the new ‘Ecotaxe’ would have when it was introduced on the 1st October 2013, can sigh with relief – at least for now. Last week the French authorities postponed the start of the scheme until the 1st January 2014. The tax is designed to pass the perceived environmental costs associated with transporting freight and the government have cherry picked the regions affected for the new Pigovian tax’s inception, and a video explaining details of the scheme can be seen HERE. Meanwhile in the UK there is outrage at the proposal to charge for a new section of road adjacent to one of the country’s key container shipping ports.

Foreign Drivers Causing Irish Operators to Lay Off Workers

IRELAND – FRANCE – It seems protests aren’t what they used to be, the much vaunted strike by four separate Gallic unions over pensions which threatened to bring ports and airports to a standstill this week fizzled out with barely a hold up, whilst yesterday’s protest as members of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) staged a blockade last night preventing trucks from entering the country through Foynes Port in Limerick seems to have suffered a similar fate – for now. Local reports say that the attempt to prevent movement of freight faded after just an hour or so when local gardaí assured pickets the lorries could not move without an escort.

Anyone Who Puts an Employee Behind the Wheel of a Vehicle Needs to Ensure They are Properly Trained

UK – All employers have a Duty of Care to their employees but one aspect of this which often escapes attention is to those who take to the road in the course of their work. It has long been the case, even within well-established road haulage companies, for drivers to be employed purely on the basis that they have a clean licence for the class of vehicle employed and a good claims history. Much has changed with regard to the heavier classes of truck with the imminent inception of mandatory driver CPC training but it will still be possible for a new employee to jump straight in a sizeable van and head right on out delivering freight, despite lacking any real experience.

Report Says a Properly Balanced Warehouse Management System Can Reduce Overheads

UK – Ask the boss of any small to medium freight forwarding outfit what he thinks of the costs he incurs throughout the supply chain and it is a time honoured tradition that you will observe a furrowed brow and a dark look which speaks volumes. Now a report, based on the responses of 132 British businesses, from warehouse operators across manufacturers, wholesalers and 3PL warehouse services providers, reveals almost half have the same opinion when it comes to warehousing at least.

Latest Details of This Year's Transec Announced

UK – The Transport Security Expo (Transec) being held at London’s Olympia on the 13th and 14th November 2013, marks the events 11th year with a series of developments resulting in exhibitor and delegate numbers hitting record highs. The boost unfortunately reflects renewed concern over aviation, maritime, mass transit and supply chain security. Visitors to the two-day annual event will therefore experience a much-expanded exhibition, conference and workshop programme, very clearly focused on the most pressing issues at hand.

More Good News from a Midlands Based Manufacturer

UK – It seems the Midlands is rapidly regaining its premier status as Britain’s key manufacturing region when, hot on the heels of the news that Jaguar cars has embarked on a new investment programme for its latest generation of aluminium bodied vehicles, another West Midlands based outfit, fork lift truck maker Flexi Narrow Aisle, has announced its sustained export success puts it on course for an annual sales record performance.

Debate Will Doubtless Stimulate Heated Discussion as to the Relevance and Extent of Environmental Problems

UK – During this, the latest London International Shipping Week, the subject of environmental concerns was bound to be at the forefront and, never ones to shy away from a hot topic, the members of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), and anyone else who cares to attend, will tomorrow see a debate, “This House believes that the demands for ever-greener shipping are so much hot air” thrashed out between various senior maritime personalities during the evening session of the WISTA-UK Forum.

New Route for Unifeeder

DENMARK – FRANCE – RUSSIA – When we announced the sale of container feeder operation Unifeeder in April, we predicted the future might be bright for the short sea operator with work for the box shipping outfit likely to increase. Now the asset light carrier has announced a new weekly service from Dunkerque to St Petersburg, tying in via Rotterdam to the rest of the company’s network.

Dry and Reefer Box Carriers Amalgamate Two Routes

EUROPE – SOUTH AFRICA – The Southern Africa Europe Container Service (SAECS) which carries dry and reefer cargo between the two continents, and which last month became the first of the box carrying operations to sign up to the new London Gateway port on the River Thames, has announced that it is to merge with the MedShuttle/225 service operated by Maersk and its group subsidiary Safmarine. The enhanced joint service will operate with larger sized vessels and the weekly named day frequency will continue to be maintained by eight vessels with the transit times between North Europe and South Africa largely unchanged.

Switch from Fixed Route Planning to Daily Scheduling Cuts Out Vehicles, Fuel and Emissions

UK – Any sizeable logistics undertaking nowadays requires optimisation of all its delivery processes so it is hardly a newsworthy event. When the particular road haulage undertaking concerned announces that the implementation of a routing and scheduling solution will reduce distance covered by a million kilometres, it clearly merits a mention. Blakemore Logistics, which forms part of the A.F. Blakemore & Son group of companies, services almost a thousand SPAR stores across the UK, recently decided to extend its use of Paragon transport optimisation software from pure fixed route planning use to full dynamic daily route optimisation.

Careful Modelled Analysis Can Define Viability of New Projects

FINLAND – Carriage of oil by rail can be one of the most price sensitive sectors of overland logistics, the large quantities and complex operational factors making this a difficult, and financially hazardous area, even for experienced operators. The rail yard at Neste Oil’s refinery in Porvoo handles 20,000 tank wagons a year and the company recently planned to invest in new rail unloading facilities there to reduce the logistics costs of a particular type of crude. Even a cursory set of calculations soon revealed that the profitability of the investment was relying on so many independently changing variables that a simple, standard calculation of costs was not sufficient.

East Asia's Turn for Scrutiny at Sea Ports

ASIA – WORLDWIDE – A year ago we wrote of the acceptance of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the rules to govern employment aboard vessels after it was finally adopted by the necessary majority of nations, and from last month the rules are giving the unions more power to ensure that states abide by the terms which ensure fair treatment for seafarers. Details of the convention can be seen in that earlier article but, even as it was accepted in principal, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) was on the case.

BIFA Award Nominations Must be in Soon! Meanwhile Guest Host Will Add a Touch of Glamour

UK – Undoubtedly one of the big occasions in the year for the shipping and forwarding community is the annual British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards and those considered worthy of a place on this year’s shortlist for one of the coveted prizes have just a few days left to be nominated in one of the nine categories. This year’s guest host has just been revealed and BIFA must receive registrations to enter the Freight Service Awards 2013 by 17:00 hours on Friday 20th September 2013 (these can be made online HERE) with submissions and supporting documentation due in to BIFA by 17:00 hours on Friday 11th October 2013.

Global Cargo Throughput Sees a Recent Upswing in Some Areas whilst Others Stagnate

WORLDWIDE – A quick look at various sections of some of the markets of interest to logistics professionals and others studying world trade patterns, including this week air freight, container shipping, RoRo ferry results and a handful of global port statistics. And remember, fortune telling is for the fairground, beware any analyst who purports to know anything too much more than the bare facts reveal!

Wholesale Policy Offers Forwarding Agents Peace of Mind at Cut Rates

US – The trade only policy of the world’s best known, and biggest air freight wholesaler, AMI, seems to continue to pay dividends for the consolidator which started business in the UK in 1976 and, with its policy of strict neutrality by only offering services to accredited forwarding agents, has continued its expansion of services overseas. The company, a division of Air Menzies is now offering cargo agents in Miami the chance to make use of its full range of services.

Persuading Shippers to Switch from Road Haulage Demands Cutting Edge Technology

UK – In July FreightArranger, a company devoted to moving more cargo currently carried by road onto the rails, announced the open trials of its newly installed systems. Forwarding groups are promised that eventually quantities as small as one container will profit from the intermodal system. Now the online brokerage says it has developed a tracker to provide real-time data on the whereabouts of goods shipping via the system.

Company Responsible to Bill Overseas Trucks Carrying Freight in the UK Announced

UK – Northgate Public Services, which has a track record in delivering IT solutions to central Government departments, has been appointed by the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop and operate the foreign operator payment system for the forthcoming HGV road user levy. The toll system to ensure road haulage outfits pay their way towards the upkeep of British roads will apply to all trucks that weigh 12 tonnes and more using the UK road network. The new time-based user charge will come into effect on 1 April 2014 and will ensure that for the first time, foreign HGV’s contribute to the costs they impose whilst engaged in shipping freight, whether involved in import/export activities or cabotage.

New Materials Used in Vessel's Construction Will Come Under Scrutiny in Light of MOL Sinking

TAIWAN – WORLDWIDE – While other amongst the world’s major container shipping lines are in a battle to provide ever bigger box carriers the Evergreen Group has contented itself with a more conservative approach, choosing to order ten, locally built vessels, each with a capacity of around 8,500 TEU, compared to other companies policies such as the CMA CGM’s 16,000 TEU Explorer class and Maersk Line’s Triple E series (18,000 TEU) both from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine, UASC’s latest order (some at 14,000 and five at 18,400 TEU) and CSCL’s May commitment (also five at 18,400) with both these last two orders coming from the Hyundai yards, like Daewoo, situated in Korea.

Police Use 'Talking' Urinal Cakes to Persuade Drinkers Not to Drive

US – WORLDWIDE – In the battle to ensure safety on the road we have covered a vast range of policies, tactics, technology and products to try and communicate, particularly to the road haulage community, advice and information which makes for a safer environment. For the past few years an innovative advertising item which is aimed purely at a male audience, and let’s face it most truck drivers are still men, has been available, but more often lately it is being used to discourage drunk driving – talking urinal cakes.

Sales Doubled as Versatile Models Take Off

SWITZERLAND – LATIN AMERICA – Crane builder Liebherr reports that its mobile harbour crane sales have risen steadily in recent years with state of the art units such as its LHM 600 models bringing in orders from port groups for twelve cranes from Latin America in the past year alone, more than doubling the previous year’s total. Liebherr claims the crane is the strongest in its class and, with a maximum outreach of 58 metres and twin lift capability, the LHM 600 is capable of servicing vessels bearing up to 19 container rows.

Ceva Retains Two Long Term Clients Whilst Expanding in Asia Pacific

ITALY – TURKEY – SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – News from global freight outfit Ceva Logistics comes in abundance as the supply chain management company recently announced the signing of two new contracts, one extending its long standing partnership with Italian independent book distributor Messaggerie Libri, and similarly reinforcing a deal with German cleaning brand Vileda. In addition to the renewal of the two contracts, Ceva has announced the start of operations for its new logistics centre in Singapore.

New Measures to Protect Cyclists Essential but Self Preservation Enters the Equation

UK – Yesterday, the Mayor of London and the Department for Transport (DfT) announced measures to improve cycle safety in the capital, by tackling issues primarily in the road haulage industry and asking Londoners for their views on whether he should levy a ‘safer lorry charge’ on any HGV which is not fitted with basic safety equipment to protect cyclists, but the Freight Transport Association (FTA) referred to the ‘thin end of the wedge’ whilst the Road Haulage Association (RHA) was disappointed by the overall tone of the announcements.

Proper Mapping of Stock Movements Enables Large Cost Reductions

UK – Proteus Software and TouchStar Technologies, respectively suppliers of warehouse management systems and mobile computing solutions to the supply chain sector, have joined forces to offer warehouse and distribution centre operators a new reporting service that, it is claimed, will allow energy efficiency savings of between and 15 and 25% to be made.

Two Leading Players Unveil e Tools and Will Demonstrate at London Exhibition

WORLDWIDE – FRANCE – UK – Freight forwarding and automotive supply chain logistics specialist Gefco says it has invested in some of the latest information technologies in order to improve the quality of service it provides to its customers. The operational transport management system, cadis, from mobile solutions provider, Kratzer Automation, will provide Gefco with a transport management and embedded IT solution specially adapted to its needs. Luc Nadal, President of the Gefco Group, says:

Unforgiveable Actions of Drivers Prompts Imposition of Latest Safety Measures

US – Two recent Court cases illustrate both the potential effect of modern technology in the workplace and the contrasting attitudes which even one individual can hold toward what they may view as an aid in one set of circumstances yet an intrusive and objectionable invasion of privacy in another. In the UK there was great resistance initially toward tachograph devices, designed to monitor the hours of service of truck drivers and other professional road users. With hindsight most, including the drivers themselves, now consider these a sensible, safe and fair method of ensuring staff do not work when unreasonably tired, and thus potentially dangerous. Now two major rail freight carriers in the US have resorted to Court action to justify another installation in the name of safety.

With an Uncertain Future for Suez plus Terrorist and Pirate Attacks, Will a Passage Through the Ice Offer an Alternative?

CHINA – ARCTIC – EUROPE – RUSSIA – US – WORLDWIDE – Our story on Sunday regarding a terrorist attack on a container ship transiting the Suez Canal may have repercussions which affect the way the shipping community view a route far to the north, yet which might have a direct bearing on the future of traffic previously bound to pass between the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The current voyage of the state owned Chinese multi-purpose freight vessel, Yong Sheng, due to arrive in the Netherlands in a week’s time, has already engendered much interest, being that nation’s first truly commercial transit via the Arctic Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Repeat Rubber Tyred Gantry and Reach Stacker Orders from CSX Corporation

US – CANADA – FINLAND – The rail freight and intermodal carrier CSX Corporation has had a busy month or so, with the acquisition of a new bulk cargo terminal in Florida, the extension of multimodal services in Illinois and now the purchase of four new Konecranes rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG’s) for installation in two of the company’s container yards in Canada and Chicago.

Thai Children Benefit from Shipping Containers

THAILAND – Global logistics and freight forwarding group Logwin, is continuing its support for Yaowawit School in Thailand, where children who survived the 2004 tsunami are being taught, by donating two 20-foot containers in order to create more space for storing teaching materials. Last year the company also transported equipment for a solar energy plant for the school from Australia and Germany.

10+ million Euro Fine for State Owned Company

SLOVAKIA – The state-run rail freight company Zelezničná spoločnosť Cargo Slovakia (ZSSK Cargo), has been fined over €10.250 million by Slovak antitrust authority Protimonopolný Úrad (PMÚ) for violating competition rules by limiting the sale and hire of electric trains and restricting refuelling of diesel trains for competitors in such a way that it distorted competition in the market. According to local reports, PMÚ spokesperson Alena Sedláková, said:

Beware Those (not actually) Bearing Gifts

WORLDWIDE – Yet another scam today as now e mails, masquerading as genuine notifications of goods arrivals from express freight and parcel carrier UPS arrives in our Newsdesk inbox. The only real difference between these particular missives and the bogus FedEx ones we wrote about recently, is that the perpetrators this time appear to actually be able to spell (although once again the e mail switches from upper to lower case when it reaches package numbers, so possibly from the same source only now they have a dictionary).

Court Again Rejects Unfair Competition Claim

US – With a whiff of Charles Dickens’ Jarndyce vs Jarndyce, the legal suit raised by trucking group ABF Freight System against rival road haulage outfit YRC and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has been yet again dismissed by the Courts. The case has run and run as detailed in our previous article earlier this year and now the largest subsidiary of the Arkansas Best Corporation must retire to lick wounds and consider its next step. At a time when anti-trust authorities seem keen to punish any trace of unfair competition this case will be studied closely by many in the supply chain.

New Easy to Understand Booklets Aim to Reduce Maritime Accidents

UK – WORLDWIDE – Just last week we had to tell of yet another disaster involving a bulk freight carrier breaking up and sinking after running aground. Despite all the advances in modern technology such calamities can still be avoided sometimes only by the quick wits and knowledge of crew members and, recognising this, the protection and indemnity insurance specialist Shipowners’ P & I Club have come up with a common sense scheme in a bid to avoid such incidents in the future.

Van Conference Details Announced Whilst Lobbying Goes on for a Change in the Law

UK – The road transport sector in Scotland is in the spotlight at the moment with both the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) both turning their attention to the country for separate reasons. October will see the FTA’s ‘Van Excellence Conference’ head into Ayrshire at the end of the month whilst the RHA is again lobbying hard for what would seem to be a sensible change in the law as regards truck speeds.

Chatham House Rule Will Enable Full and Frank Analyses of Dangers Inherent in the Industry

UK – Ruth Waring FCILT, the founder of the Women in Logistics group and acting under the auspices of her own company, Labyrinth Logistics Consulting, has come up with a new idea to promote safety and prevent avoidable incidents in a slightly off beat way. Recognising the inherent dangers specifically within road haulage, and generally throughout the freight industry, whilst acknowledging the reluctance of many to discuss some matters openly, for fear of waking the dragon by revealing some thought or action they had thought better kept private, Ruth determined to create a confidential ‘Safety Circle’.

Panama Ruling Transgresses International Convention

UK – PANAMA – WORLDWIDE – There is much concern amongst unions of late regarding the employment of staff under conditions specifically designed to circumvent current legislation, such as the ‘zero hours’ contracts so favoured by many large institutions. Now the maritime professionals’ union Nautilus International has expressed concern about a move by Panama to exclude merchant navy cadets from the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC). The MLC, known widely as the seafarers’ bill of rights, defines seafarer as ‘any person, including the master, who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity on board a ship’.

Ocean Borne Security Patrols Are Here to Stay

GERMANY – US – Whilst many in the ocean shipping community are concerned with falling freight levels there are always sectors which prosper whilst others struggle. Currently the rise of liquefied natural gas (LNG) recovery and transport is proving something of a boom area for shipbuilders but there are smaller niche markets related to global logistics which can account for increased trade, sometimes as a direct result of the misfortunes of others, as evidenced by the growth of US based anti-piracy outfit AdvanFort.

Extra Places in Short List Due to Some Hot Competition

UK - Women in Logistics (UK), the organisation established by Ruth Waring and a group of friends some five years ago has grown to speak on behalf of its 4000+ transport and supply chain members, a catholic mix joined by a common industry bond. The depth of talent worthy of inclusion in the individual category for Woman of the Year at next month’s Women in Logistics Charity Ball and Awards event has meant that there are six names, as opposed to the originally planned four, on the shortlist for the title. Women in Logistics, Vice Chair, Clare Bottle, explains:

Cosco Ship Apparently Fired on - Three Arrested

EGYPT – Despite stringent security enforced by the Egyptian army, there was a machine gun and rocket propelled grenade attack on a container vessel, the Cosco Asia, yesterday (31st August). The incident took place near el-Qantara, about 25 miles from the Mediterranean exit to the Suez Canal but there are no reports of any serious damage to the ship, nor any reported casualties. Today local authorities were keen to play down the incident saying the canal was well protected and that three terrorist suspects had been arrested and ‘were being dealt with’.