Shipping Search - Archive

Firefighters and Police Receive First Response Instructions for Potential Disasters

US – There has been a series of incidents involving freight trains in the past couple of years which have seen fire and explosions on an almost biblical scale and one company which has seemingly acknowledged the dangers and reacted positively is multimodal carrier CSX which recently hosted crude-by-rail incident response training for 40 first responders representing 30 communities around the CSX network at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, Colorado.

Latest Plea Agreement Doubles Cost of Collusion for RoRo Freight Cartel Partner

JAPAN – US – VIETNAM – Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has entered into a plea agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), agreeing to pay a $67.7 million criminal fine to resolve allegations that the container and specialist automobile shipping line violated US antitrust laws by colluding with other ocean freight carriers in connection with the sale of shipping services for RoRo cargo, to and from ports around the world in a thinly veiled anti-trust cartel agreement.

Support for UK Government Efforts as Company Releases Two New Models

UK – IRAQ – With all eyes on the region the cry for humanitarian aid to assist the Yazidi refugees stranded in the mountains in Iraq has been heeded internationally and British Prime Minister David Cameron recently visited the Department for International Development’s (DfID) UK Aid Disaster Response Centre at Cotswold Airport to personally witness the government’s response. The DfID facility is the key logistics centre of operations for the distribution of millions of pounds of UK aid to be freighted to crisis points around the world. It is the hub for the distribution of clean water, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene kits as well as food, shelter and other support equipment and medical supplies.

Operators Object to EU Methods and Want Better Infrastructure and Safety

UK – The United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG) has taken advantage of Party Conference season and launched a new manifesto to demand government support for the industry. With nine members representing forty one of the UK’s major ports, UKMPG is calling on the politicians to fight against the proposed EU Port Services Regulation which it says is a major threat to the nation’s ports industry. Resolving the issue is now a race against time with the Italian Presidency aiming to reach a political agreement by 8 October. The port operators want assurances about investment in intermodal infrastructure and a raft of other measures including support for skills and safety training.

From Global Transport to ecommerce for Retail Groups

US – UK – WORLDWIDE - Seko Logistics, which started life in Chicago in 1976 before developing a global network of more than 120 offices spread over 40 countries, is the latest freight associated business to extend its business interests into other areas loosely related to the supply chain. Seko owns Red Hot Penny which supplies retailers with creative design, ecommerce technology and digital marketing services and has now added another full service ecommerce agency, Metakinetic, to the fold.

From Container Shipping Lines to Insurers - Globally the Need for New Blood is Being Acknowledged

SOUTH AFRICA – UK – NORWAY – One of the best features of the modern logistics industry is that it is finally being recognised as a viable career, something which, due to the diverse nature of operations which form the supply chain, has not always been the case. Globally many freight and shipping companies have prioritised training for potential future employees and our picture shows Grade 10 and 11 students at Simon’s Town School’s Lawhill Maritime Centre in South Africa commemorating World Maritime Day on 25 September with a light hearted Lego building competition. The Maersk Line Triple E Lego ship models were donated by container carrier Safmarine, Lawhill’s founding sponsor.

One Company Offers More Flights Whilst Another Sees Work to Rule

RUSSIA – LUXEMBOURG – JAPAN – SOUTH KOREA – News from two cargo airlines this week and a mix it would seem of good and bad. Whilst AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), Russia’s largest international cargo airline and a part of Volga-Dnepr Group, has announced it is increasing its Boeing 747 freighter flights linking Tokyo and Seoul with Moscow, competitors Luxembourg based, freight only Cargolux seem to have labour problems brewing once again.

Who is Leaving and Who Has Just Arrived in Air, Sea and Land Related Freight Operations.

WORLDWIDE – Beginning with a heavyweight change at the top of the freight and logistics sector this week is the news that International Maritime Organization (IMO) General Secretary, Koji Sekimizu, has announced that he will not be seeking reappointment, choosing to end his term at the end of 2015. Mr Sekimizu has decided not to stand for re-election for personal reasons in relation to his wife’s health. Sekimizu started his tenure in the top spot in 2012 with the shipping and maritime industry actively seeking ways to combat piracy, particularly off the coast of Somalia, and finding policies to reduce emissions and have the industry run in a more environmentally friendly way.

Three Industry Indices Recognise Company Performance

US – CSX has recently been named as the only railroad operator to be recognised in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America this year for leadership in sustainable business practices. In its fourth consecutive year on the index, CSX, which provides rail freight and intermodal services, showed strong performance across the assessed criteria, specifically in the areas of customer relationship management, climate strategy, management of environmental policy issues, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, and risk and crisis management.

Scottish Whisky Distributors Get Ahead of the Game

UK – With new legislation for road haulage tankers coming into effect from 2024 one company has put itself ahead of the game with a £3 million investment to develop and introduce suitable equipment which will comply with the new regulations. Carntyne Transport, a leading logistics provider to the drinks industry, has invested this amount to accommodate the legislation which requires that road tankers within the Scottish Whisky Industry can be operated from ground level. This is a significant transition as tankers operating within this area are traditionally top filled and operated from an upper gantry.

Recognition From a Time When Intermodal Services Included Mule Trains

AUSTRIA – WESTERN EUROPE – You know you’re famous when you appear on a banknote or a postage stamp and one freight forwarding and logistics concern has now had its remarkable history honoured by the introduction of a series of four postage stamps commemorating its achievements. From Saturday September 27 customers at post offices in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will be able to buy the stamps which commemorate a historic courier service and consequently the early history of today’s global logistics company, Gebrüder Weiss.

Box Lines Join Forces on Yet More Trades

WORLDWIDE – With mega container shipping alliances all the rage of late, it really comes as no surprise that a new cooperation agreement has been signed, this time between United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and Hamburg Süd, the twelfth and nineteenth largest box freight lines in the world. This is the second such announcement from UASC which earlier this month signed an agreement with CMA CGM and CSCL to form Ocean Three, which is currently seeking approvals.

Withheld Report Shames those Charged with Overseeing the Industry

UK – PANAMA – WORLDWIDE – When the Panamanian flagged livestock carrier Danny F II rolled over and sank in the Mediterranean just eleven miles off the Lebanese coast in December 2009 costing the lives of forty four people and in excess of 28,000 animals whilst she had been en route to Syria from Uruguay, one might have expected a speedy investigation and explanation for the disaster. Certainly that was the attitude of maritime union Nautilus with two of those lost being members of the organisation.

Maersk Ready to Put its Faith in More and Bigger Vessels

DENMARK – At its recent capital markets day, Maersk Line revealed that it plans to invest in its first new orders for vessels since 2011 when the Danish company bought its Triple E series. These new potential additions to Maersk Line’s order book could see the company keep its title as the world’s largest container shipping line after a report tipped Swiss firm and 2M partner, MSC to overtake Maersk Line in terms of TEU spaces by 2016. Though not announcing any details about the planned vessels themselves, CEO Søren Skou said:

Global Outlook on Unionisation Varies Considerably as Technology Reinvigorates Port Handling Techniques

UK – MOROCCO – The difference in labour relations between ports around the world has rarely been more marked than at the present time. Whilst many in more exotic locations tend toward what is thought of as a conventional modus operandi, despite the global spread of containerisation, western ports are becoming increasingly modernised with technology replacing many of the dock workers original skills together with a reluctance to be part of the herd. We pointed out in yesterday’s piece how the installation of the latest freight handling equipment in Rotterdam’s new Maasvlakte 2 terminal has shaken the unions which see traditional territory receding as the nature of jobs change radically.

Ransom Apparently Secures Release of Journalist

SOMALIA – After being held by Somali pirates for over two and a half years, US-German journalist Michael Scott Moore has been released after a ransom was reportedly paid. Moore was kidnapped in January 2012 in the Somali town of Galkayo, when on his way to the airport. He had been in the country to conduct research for a book on piracy when his security had apparently betrayed him and handed Moore over to the pirates on his last day in Somalia.

Court Ruling Means Fight for Box Business Will Intensify

NETHERLANDS – Rotterdam, often put up as the European port which others aspire to be, has had a fair share of troubles of late. Today the Rotterdam District Court (Rechtbank) found against the plaintiffs, Europe Container Terminals (ECT) and in favour of the city’s Port Authority over a matter of allegations that agreements concerning the box handling terminals Maasvlakte 1 and 2 had been broken. Competition between shipping lines and handling companies is fierce and Maersk alone are said to have set aside €100 million via APM Terminals with DP World also making a substantial investment to develop new terminals within Maasvlakte 2.

Fake DHL emails Join the List of Frauds Out There

WORLDWIDE – The arrival of three more emails purporting to be from DHL this morning to the Handy Shipping Guide inboxes prompts us, once again, to remind readers of the ever more sophisticated scams being operated by criminals intent on obtaining information and money from both individuals and companies alike. We have written previously about similar scams bearing the names of UPS, FedEx etc. plus tales of fake AirWayBills, false business directories but now parcel carriers and freight outfits such as DHL are being increasingly plagued with this type of ‘failed delivery’ operation.

US Joins International Anti-Piracy Effort

US – ASIA – The US has become the twentieth nation to join the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). 2013 saw a total of 150 incidents in Asian waters, 90 of which happened between January and September, many copying the Niger Delta model of robbing bulk tankers of their mineral oil cargoes. With upwards of 100 reported incidents so far this year, this partnership demonstrates the importance of international cooperation to effectively address the challenges in curbing the worrying trend of piracy.

Ceva Opens Hanoi Branch Office with an Eye to the Future

VIETNAM – Following yesterday’s story regarding various freight forwarding and logistics outfits expansion in the region, another company with an eye on growing business in Asia is Ceva Logistics which announced today it is to open a new branch office in Hanoi, located at Cau Giay District.

48 Tonne Rotor Shipped as Complete Unit

SWITZERLAND – LUXEMBOURG – SOUTH KOREA – All freight air carrier Cargolux Airlines International S.A. has successfully transported its largest ever single piece with the transport of a 48-tonne-rotor intended to equip a generator in South Korea. A major project forwarding contract the shipment took twelve aircraft positions and required the dedicated attention of a full team of outsize specialists including the Cargolux dedicated Ground Engineering department as well as loadmasters, crane operators, truck drivers, handling agent LuxairCargo in Luxembourg, and handling agent Asiana at destination in Seoul.

Local Authority Puts Harbour on the Market

UK – With the referendum decision last week the sale of Perth Harbour means that it is a British, not Scottish, portfolio which the local Council have to market having come to the decision to offer the site for sale or lease via property agents Bidwells. Vessels up to 90 metres and 2,500 tonnes can access the central Scottish port which sits 30 miles inland on the River Tay which may make it an attractive proposition for an established port management group or a container feeder or bulk freight shipping line with grand designs.

Day of Judgement Looms for Eurotunnel and Subsidiary MyFerryLink

UK – FRANCE – Things are hotting up in the row between Groupe Eurotunnel and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which has now published its final version of the Order which will ban the company running its MyFerryLink services between Dover and Calais, should the latest appeal to persist with the business be rejected. MyFerryLink runs RoRo freight and passenger services having acquired the assets of the defunct SeaFrance company as detailed here previously.

Asia and Oceania are the Targets for Various Eastern and Western Interests

ASIA – OCEANIA – Several significant developments in the past few days with regard to the expansion of both Eastern and Western based supply chain groups’ activities across continental Asia whilst Hong Kong headquartered Kerry Logistics has reinforced its freight forwarding offerings in Australia and New Zealand with a pair of new joint ventures.

Range Rover Distribution to Ports of Exit Means New Road Haulage Fleet

UK – Having just put pen to paper on a final contract to distribute motorcycles in the UK, logistics group Gefco has landed another major vehicle related win, this time with Jaguar Land Rover, for the haulage of new Range Rovers between UK production plants, storage compounds and ports of exit. To meet the transportation needs of the automotive giants, Gefco is investing in a fleet of new specifically tailored transporters (MAN tractor and LOHR Euro 5 units). Due to the increased number of vehicles that can be carried, the new fleet will also deliver environmental benefits; using fewer transporter miles to deliver the same number of vehicles.

Belgium and China Added to Existing Schedules

QATAR – BELGIUM – CHINA – Qatar Airways Cargo is set to continue expansion of its cargo services with the launch of two new freighter destinations, Brussels, Belgium and Shanghai, China. Along with the addition of the new routes, the airline will include a Boeing 777 freighter on the Doha – Hong Kong service from October 1, bringing up the weekly frequencies to 14. Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, said:

Bid to Make Emirate Acceptable to More Vessel Owners

UAE – A new maritime arbitration centre has been set up in Dubai, the first of its kind in the Middle East region. The Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC) is aimed at addressing and resolving maritime disputes via deliberations based on legal frameworks and set maritime regulatory guidelines and standards. The launch of the new initiative represents the Dubai Maritime City Authority’s (DMCA) commitment to develop and establish an integrated legal environment for the maritime sector that also falls in line with the objectives set forth by the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (DMSS), which aims to position the emirate as a world-class maritime hub.

Alliances Make Proposals for Services but Await Regulatory Confirmation

WORLDWIDE – As part of the proposed 2M alliance between Maersk and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the two largest container shipping companies in the world have released tentative details of an East-West network due to commence services next year if the Vessel Sharing Agreement is granted regulatory approval. CMA CGM, which had previously been part of the failed P3 Alliance with Maersk and MSC, has also released a provisional East-West service for its own newly announced partnership, the Ocean Three network, which will be in direct competition with 2M.

Food and General Merchandise a Win for Dentressangle

UK – International retailor Marks & Spencer has renewed its contract with French headquartered freight and logistics group, Norbert Dentressangle for a further five years, increasing the scope of the partnership to include the delivery of a major automation project at the retailer’s Bradford distribution centre, along with the management of the existing ambient food operation at the site.

Worldwide Staff Movements in the Sectors

NORTH AMERICA – Beginning this week’s appointments in the freight, logistics and shipping sectors we have the Airports Council International – North America, which has elected a new batch of Executive Committee members, including adding five new members to its Board of Directors. Incoming Chair is James Cherry, President and CEO, Aéroports de Montréal. Serving as First Vice Chair is Maureen Riley, Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. Second Vice Chair is William Vanecek, Director of Aviation of Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, was elected as the Chair of the US Policy Board.

Respected Classification Society Unveils Tomorrows Feeder Fleet Today - With Video

NORWAY – Researchers at classification society DNV GL have developed ReVolt, a short sea cargo ship that is said to be greener, smarter and safer than conventionally fuelled and operated vessels. With the concept ship still in testing, the autonomous, battery-powered vessel has been designed to alleviate the increased stress placed on land based logistics networks, by moving container freight on feeder routes, offering a solution to the growing need for transport capacity and the shackles of road haulage.

Maritime Technology Moves on Apace - and at a Reasonable Cost

BULGARIA – NETHERLANDS – UK – Two items of technology news relevant to the maritime sector this week, firstly Dutch outfit VSTEP has supplied the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna, the oldest technical school in Bulgaria, with a 360° Class A Full Mission Bridge simulator and an Incident Management Simulator for training of its Naval and Merchant marine students. The simulators were officially opened by the IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu and the Dutch Ambassador in Bulgaria Mr. Tom van Oorschot during a ceremony at the academy on September 14th.

Everything from Training Facilities to Up to Date Supply Chain Options Available at Latest UK Depot

UK – Today saw the official opening of global freight forwarding outfit Ceva Logistics first, European based, Centre of Logistics Excellence. Strategically located at Ashby de la Zouch this is the third such centre following the two established previously in Jacksonville and Singapore.

Pair Rescued After Catamaran Sinks off Sudanese Coast

GERMANY – RED SEA – The Hansa Heavy Lift vessel HHL Elbe was passing through the Red Sea en route from Porto Marghera, Italy to Kandla in India when the crew spotted two distress flares. Diverting to intercept the incident developed into a full blown rescue when a small, white rubber dinghy was seen showing a blinking flashlight.

Automobile Expertise Leads to 45,000 Square Metre Joint Venture Development

GERMANY – CHINA – DB Schenker continues to increase its presence in China with the news that the group is proceeding with a joint venture together with an unnamed Chinese partner to open a new logistics centre targeted at the burgeoning automobile industry in the country. Earlier this month the group saw its first Eastbound rail freight service travelling to Zhengzhou whilst this latest announcement means a €20 million investment in the new development in Shenyang, North Eastern China.

Urgent Mining Equipment Demanded the World's Premier Air Cargo Carrier

UK – AUSTRALIA – Once again the giant Antonov An-124 ‘Ruslan’ has proved its capabilities as the world’s premier heavy lift air freight carrier with the latest shipment carried by Ruslan International, the company which manages seventeen of the giant freighter aircraft for its partners Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Group. The project forwarding task involved carrying 75 tonnes of urgent oil and gas industry coil-tubing equipment from London Stansted to Adelaide, to support a drilling programme in the Coober Pedy Basin of South Australia.

Transport Charity Boosted Again by Selfless Bikers to Belgium

UK – BELGIUM – Charitable volunteers from across the freight forwarding , logistics and road haulage industries are well on their way to raise £75,000 for international development charity Transaid, after completing the 340 kilometre cycle ride from London to Brussels over the weekend. 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 life-saving transport solutions.

Employees Will 'Reach Across the Fence' to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WORLDWIDE – Drastic situations can bring strange bedfellows (witness the current slew of politicians lining up over Scottish independence) and with the world of shipping and forwarding studying and being studied hard over environmental pollution produced by the industry two of the bitterest rivals in the world of deep water container and bulk freight ports are joining together in a united front to curb waste.

Short Sea Feeder and Intercontinental Box Carriers - All Will be Charging for Environmental Switch

WORLDWIDE – Following last week’s announcement by Rickmers-Linie regarding the implementation of a Low Sulphur Fuel Surcharge for freight shipping after the turn of the year there have been more announcements of similar moves by both short sea and intercontinental container shipping lines. The latest release from a company serving the European market has already prompted cries that any significant rise in short sea costs may well see a switch to road haulage options on some routes.

Once Again the Maritime Community Pledges Support to Charity

SINGAPORE – UK – A group of 40 enthusiasts from the maritime and insurance community in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore have come together to undertake a 24 hour endurance sea challenge, all in aid of the global maritime welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers. Mission Row Around Singapore Island (RASI), involves two replica 19th Century Cornish Pilot Boats being rowed over 140km, taking on the seas and shipping lanes (not to mention two live military firing ranges) to complete a non-stop circumnavigation of the island of Singapore. The event itself will be held during the 50th anniversary year of Singapore’s independence and coincides with Singapore Maritime Week on 22 April 2015.

Merger Approved - but Only on Condition Other Deals are Cancelled

EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – The European Competition Commission has approved the merger announced in April between container shipping lines Hapag Lloyd and Compañia Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV), but only if the Chilean company withdraws from two consortia on trade routes between Northern Europe, and the Caribbean and South America's West Coast, where the merged entity would have faced insufficient competitive constraint to avoid a risk of price hikes. This merger will create the fourth largest container shipping company worldwide, after Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM, respectively, with some 200 vessels, an annual transport volume of 7.5 million TEU and a combined turnover of approximately €9 billion.

Fifty Foot Rail Boxes Set to Save Road Miles

UK – DB Schenker Rail has recently become the first company to carry the Malcolm Group’s innovative 50ft containers via rail in the UK with the start of a new service for the logistics company between Daventry and Grangemouth. The Malcolm Group unveiled its 50ft box earlier this year at April’s Multimodal event. This freight service is in addition to the existing Daventry to Mossend route which DB Schenker Rail UK has been running since early April. The new cargo routing will transport goods seven-days-a-week for a large number of high profile retailers and manufacturers. Andrew Malcolm, Chief Executive of The Malcolm Group says:

Combined Effort to Supply the Most Precious Cargo of All - Whilst Worldwide Things May be Looking Up for Ports

UK – TURKEY – CYPRUS – WORLDWIDE – Two names familiar to regular readers have been acting in tandem recently to deliver one of the most ambitious and exciting projects to provide that most essential ingredient to all life – water. Allseas Global Logistics has been playing a pivotal role in a unique project to deliver essential water supplies by pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea to Northern Cyprus and a critical part of the project is the supply by Trelleborg Offshore of 132 giant buoyancy modules which will hold the pipeline in place.

Sweeping Approach to Reduce Both Bike and Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries

US – The issue of cyclists involved in accidents has been under the microscope in the UK of late and steps to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities involving HGVs have been well publicised. With police and local authority assistance moves to educate both drivers and riders have been intensified and freight and construction traffic trucks adapted to lessen the risk to two wheelers, whilst cameras and the fitting of other safety equipment has become an industry on its own.

With Two Warnings for the Future Over Up and Coming Requirements

UK – Any professional lorry driver who hasn’t received the appropriate and mandatory 35 hours of approved training by today is committing an offence which could render them, and their employers, liable to a £1,000 fine. Now the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have spoken out on the current situation, with the FTA also sounding a cautionary note for the future of the industry.

Who is Going Where and When

EUROPE – Moves affecting the freight and logistics sectors this week start in the hallowed halls of Brussels as President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker has put forward Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia – Social Democrat) for Director General - Transport and Space, a newly formed department which will see Šefčovič take over the responsibilities from Siim Kallas, DG of Mobility and Transport. Juncker has also appointed Karmenu Vella (Malta – Labour) to serve as the new Director General – Environment, Maritime affairs and Fisheries, another recently combined department. From the UK Conservative Peer, Lord Hill was a surprise choice to oversee the European Commission's financial services portfolio, Tory bosses having robustly campaigned against Mr Juncker’s appointment.

Merger Partners Streamline Documentation System

US – American Airlines Cargo President Jim W. Butler has written to all the existing air freight customers of AA Cargo and US Airways, with which the company merged nine months ago, to confirm that from October 2014 the entire air freight operation will function as one company with a single air waybill (001) for all shipments originating on or after October 20th.

Historic US Racing Bike Name Will be Distributed in UK

US – NETHERLANDS – UK – Gefco is a name associated in the world of freight and logistics with the shipment and distribution of automotive vehicles and components. Now the French headquartered group have announced an association with Erik Buell Racing (EBR), a US sports motorcycle company with an intriguing history of its own.

International Port Operator Takes Business of the Year Title

UK – DP World’s work on the London Gateway Project and at Southampton's Maritime Rail Terminal were singled out by the judges when the Rail Freight Group (RFG) selected DP World as the winner of its coveted Business of the Year award. In particular, the company’s involvement in ‘helping move the rail freight industry forward and setting the standard to which others should follow’ was cited as the principal reason for the selection.

Emission Control Areas Environmentally Welcome - But at a Cost

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – Rickmers-Linie, whose near hundred strong managed fleet specialises in heavy lift, break bulk and project cargoes, has spoken out in favour of the introduction of stricter sulphur regulations but expects that they will inevitably lead to an increase in the cost of marine fuels and is planning to pass on the extra costs. The new regulations come into effect on 1 January 2015 in the Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in the US and Canada as well as the North Sea, English Channel and the Baltic Sea.

Iconic Name Moves UK Distribution to One Supplier

UK – Any freight forwarding company worth its salt is always seeking the prestige contract, the type of firm whose name alone conjures up a mental image of an iconic brand. This week Ceva Logistics announced that it has won a three year contract with just such an organisation, world leading tooling solutions specialist, Snap-on Tools UK.

Freight Carrier Orders Five New Ships

JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, otherwise known as K Line, has confirmed it is to add a further five new generation eco-friendly Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) as replacements for its current fleet of box ships. The five new vessels will join another five identical sister ships who will go into service during Spring to Summer 2015, bringing total number of K Line’s ULCVs to ten.

Cargo Carriers Accused of Operating Improperly Repaired Aircraft

US – A company operating an air freight fleet on behalf of Fedex Express is facing a serious fine after allegedly breaching US regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $132,425 civil penalty against Mountain Air Cargo of Denver, North Carolina, for operating an ATR-42 airplane when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleges Mountain Air Cargo mechanics improperly repaired a dent in a cargo door at the rear of the aircraft in August 2012.

New Cooperative Deals See French Line Join Forces with Chinese and Arabs

WORLDWIDE – Following the demise of the planned P3 network, French group CMA CGM has led the way as the third largest container shipping line to sign three new agreements with China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) for cooperation on the major worldwide maritime trade routes, pending the usual approvals by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

First Eastbound Train Headed for Zhengzhou

GERMANY – CHINA – DB Schenker has continued extension of its intermodal European – Chinese services with its first ever freight train from Hamburg to Zhengzhou in central China this month. Organised together with the Port Authority of Zhengzhou in Henan Province the service began last month with trains running East to West but this trip saw forty one containers loaded with industrial robots and other goods for an international technology firm.

Transport Charity Grant is No Laughing Matter

UK – ZAMBIA – Whilst still seeking volunteers from the freight and logistics community to take to their bikes for the next year’s Kilimanjaro adventure, international development charity Transaid has announced it has been awarded funding of £1.83 million from Comic Relief to run its largest ever project, which will provide vital access to maternal health services in Zambia. It follows just months after Transaid secured its first ever grant from Comic Relief; £1 million to set up a five year Emergency Transport Scheme in Adamawa State, Nigeria.

New Design Box Makes it an Unlikely Target for Villains

EUROPE – Pentalver is to become the first company in Northern Europe to offer the innovative door-less CakeBoxx shipping containers. The boxes, which offer secure, cost-effective and damage-resistant container options for the global shipping and transportation market, are ISO-compliant and fit seamlessly into all multimodal processes, including stacking, storage, terminal transfers and ship, rail and truck haulage whilst offering probably the most secure option for containerised freight. Group Container Sales Manager at Pentalver, Sam Baggley, said:

VLCC is First Ship Classified by Foreign Society

US – JAPAN – Offshore and maritime classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has added the first Japanese-flagged vessel to its classed fleet after having been awarded the status of a ‘Recognised Organisation’ (RO) by the Japanese government. The 302,488 dwt very large crude carrier, Yamatogawa, owned and managed by K Line, recently transferred flag, a move which made ABS the first foreign classification society to class a vessel flying the Japanese flag.

Few Outside Direct Advocacy Groups Support Boris Island Plan

UK – Both the British International Freight Association (BIFA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have welcomed the Airports Commission’s decision not to include the inner Thames estuary (ITE) airport, or as it’s more colloquially known ‘Boris Island’, proposal in its shortlist of options for providing new airport capacity by 2030. The report found that there were some benefits for the island airport but its disadvantages weighed more heavily and that public opinion was not in favour of the ambitious project. In eliminating the proposal, the commission said:

Research Vessel Must Have Efficient Ballast Water Management System

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – The effects that untreated ballast water can have on environmental systems around the world can be devastating and often irreversible, and if a vessel were to be commissioned to undertake specific assignments in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to assist in the sustainable management of natural resources, as has the Institute of Marine Research’s (IMR) new research vessel, Dr Fridtjof Nansen, the lack of a ballast water management system could be counter-productive to say the least..

Shift in Proof of Identity for CPC Trainees Welcomed - but Why so Late?

UK – News that the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that with immediate effect a driver may use their Digital Tachograph Card or Driver Qualification Card as proof of their identification in classroom-based Driver CPC training. With Driver CPC deadline less than a week away, 10 September 2014, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has responded to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency stating that the new ID ruling should have been introduced from the start.

Supply Chain Appointments this Week

US – Our weekly appointments and staff changes in the freight and shipping industry starts with the passing of George W Pasha III, who remained an active member of the transportation and logistics company, the Pasha Group until his death on August 20, following a short illness.

New Contract Will See Cooperative Pricing, Sales and Handling

JAPAN – GERMANY – EUROPE – All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Lufthansa Cargo have announced that they will launch a strategic air freight joint venture on routes between Japan and Europe and vice versa, creating the first worldwide cargo joint venture of its kind, according to both parties. The two companies have previously been heavily involved in many antitrust cases the world over but this joint venture has received approval from competition regulators in Japan and has been ‘positively assessed’ by external counsel for compliance with relevant EU antitrust regulations.

(That Means You by the Way!)

UK – MADAGASCAR – AFRICA – Global freight and logistics group DHL has shipped 800 bikes more than 5,000 miles around the world to Madagascar on behalf of international road haulage charity, Transaid, which is pioneering a number of projects in the country to help improve people’s access to health facilities. Coincidentally, next Friday will see representatives from all across the supply chain donning some very ‘fetching’ Lycra suits ahead of the start of Transaid’s 340 kilometre London to Brussels cycle ride.

Direct Threat by Town's Mayor to Stop Services as Protest at Illegal Migrant Situation

FRANCE – UK – Freight groups expressed concern today over a threat by the mayor of Calais to blockade the port should Britain fail to take further steps over migrants who use the town as a stopping off point before attempting to cross the Channel. Despite the French closing the controversial Red Cross centre at nearby Sangatte twelve years ago the stream of illegal migrants has continued, and any reduction of cross channel RoRo ferry services would impact on both British and overseas road haulage groups.

Local Politicians Have Fear of Exclusion from Trade Agreements

TAIWAN – As an avid watcher of ASEAN group affairs, moves are afoot to ensure the island stays abreast of its partners and competitors with regards to exports both within, and beyond, the local region. The recent decision to allow the country’s freight forwarders to operate multi-destination export consolidations has met with widespread approval. The move means that ROC consolidators can group cargoes bound for several countries within one container enabling the transhipment and re-export of consignments to multiple countries overseas producing the resultant savings.

Trial to Assist Consumers with Online Shopping

UK – The announcement made by Royal Mail in May vowing to introduce a Sunday service will get off the ground this coming weekend (7th September) with around a hundred offices opening for four hours from noon enabling online shoppers who work during the week to collect parcels at a time more convenient to them. Customers within the M25 will fare even better than the rest of the country as packages in the area will also be delivered to the door in what, initially at least, is described as a trial. Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, Nick Landon, commented:

As Track Returns to Public Ownership (Sort Of) Trains Remain Very Much a Private Affair

UK – Today (1 September) saw the British government take on Network Rail’s current debt of £33 – 34 billion, effectively bringing the entire operation back into public ownership, a move which met with tacit approval from the Rail Freight Group (RFG) whose Executive Director, Maggie Simpson commented:

Carbon Footprint of LCL and Full Load Container Moves Available

WORLDWIDE – Swiss headquartered freight forwarding and logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel claims its newly introduced Global Seafreight Carbon Calculator (GSCC) will offer customer precise data regarding the carbon footprint for LCL and full load container movements on any door to door shipment.