Shipping Search - Archive

Suppliers in China and Europe Both Benefit from Port Orders

UK – CHINA – GERMANY – AUSTRIA – RUSSIA – URUGUAY – September proved a month for big maritime related crane deliveries with three giant ship-to-shore gantry cranes delivered to the Port of Felixstowe, whilst the world’s strongest mobile harbour crane took up station in Russia. The UK commissioned cranes, built by ZPMC in Shanghai will handle containerised freight while the German built Russian unit is designed for handling of oversized and heavy lift cargo.

As Oman Moves Away from Energy Economics Cargo Forwarder Looks to Infrastructure Development

UK – OMAN – The links between the former Trucial State which lies on the hitherto named ‘Pirate Coast’ and Britain are many, and indeed Oman was a British Protectorate right up until 1971. The country however is not as well endowed with energy reserves as its neighbours in the UAE and beyond and therefore is building an economy which does not rely on oil and gas but rather on general freight trade fuelled currently by large investments in transport and other infrastructure.

All Round Security System Now Available to Prove Vigilance and Prevent Offences

UK – EUROPE – With the headlines full of news regarding the flood of migrants travelling into Europe, and with particular concerns for road haulage companies with trucks entering Britain from Calais and surrounds via Dover and other ports, this week sees the introduction of a trailer defence system described as ‘bombproof’ by a UK haulier currently trialling it. The past few weeks have seen hauliers and freight drivers fined for their inability to guard against stowaways, much to the chagrin of many cargo carrying companies and the ‘Driver Buddy System’ is designed to eliminate the problem. There are two core elements to the System: Driver Buddy 4 and Driver Buddy 4+.

45th Year of Trading Calls for Special Livery

LUXEMBOURG – Europe’s largest freight only carrier, Cargolux, has this week revealed a specially decorated, newly delivered, Boeing 747-8 freighter, its 13th such aircraft. The carefully crafted livery is in celebration of the cargo company’s 45th anniversary and the artistic touch is the work of Belgian cartoonist Philippe Cruyt.

US Starts to Look at Rationalising Urban Deliveries and Collections

US – The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced $200,000 in grants under its Surface Transportation Research, Development and Deployment Program, in order to allow cities with congestion problems to explore shifting many freight deliveries and pickups to night-time and off-peak hours. The grants will fund pilot projects in New York City boroughs and in Pensacola, Florida, to work with large retailers and food companies to research and test the out of hours delivery of goods. US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, said:

Vessel Freed by Authorities to Continue Voyage

KENYA – NORWAY – After more than a week in detention at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, the Höegh Transporter has been released and allowed to continue her ocean voyage to South Africa, West Africa and Mexico, having been held following the discovery of a cache of undeclared weapons and suspected drugs inside a consignment of vehicles shipped by the United Nations. No crew have been arrested and no drugs were found on board, easing worries of sinking the ship in accordance with Kenyan policy.

Two New Executive Roles at IATA

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced two senior management appointments. Gilberto Lopez Meyer will take up his new role as Senior Vice President for Safe and Flight Operations (SFO) on October 19. Based in Montreal, Canada, Lopez Meyer succeeds Kevin Hiatt who left in July. Lopez Meyer joins IATA from the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority.

Cargo Carrying Airline Will Serve Local Growing Asian Market

CHINA – ASIA – During the Fourth Annual China Air Finance Development Summit, Okay Airlines, ATSG West Limited, Vipshop and another five parties announced the establishment of an express air cargo joint venture (JV) serving multiple destinations both within China itself, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and surrounding countries. The JV, named United Star Express Airlines, will be registered in Tianjin’s free trade zone, with registered capital of 400 million RMB (US$63 million). Pending approval by related government parties, freight only flight operations are planned to commence in mid-2016.

Prague Meeting Faces Social Security Conundrum

EUROPE – Earlier this month participants from various Member States discussed how to organise fair inland waterway transport in Europe. The meeting in Prague at the 8th European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) seminar agreed that the freight by water sector faces many challenges especially in the area of social security. Currently two systems are in place side-by-side, one for the Rhine area and one for the non-Rhine area. The participants to the seminar expressed the need for only one social security system on board of a vessel, regardless the nationalities of the various crewmembers. They asked for clear and transparent criteria and a full ahead preference for the Rhine Treaty fundamentals.

First Three Units at Work After Multi Million Pound Refit

UK – Following its 10 year lease agreement with Network Rail the first of GB Railfreight’s (GBRf) fleet of 73/9 locomotives have returned to service following refurbishment. The rail freight provider has spent millions of pounds refurbishing these locomotives which will support the infrastructure provider’s ongoing track and engineering operations.

Road Haulage Fatal Accidents Almost Halved in a Decade

UK – Road casualty statistics released by the Government today show that the number of fatal accidents per billion lorry miles fell by 3.5% in 2014. The figure is 43% lower than a decade ago, but the Freight Transport Association (FTA) says operators and drivers will remain vigilant about minimising harm on the UK’s road system. The annual Reported Road Casualties data shows there were 240 fatal accidents involving HGVs in 2014, almost half the number of deaths in 2005. Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of National & Regional Policy and Public Affairs, said:

A Detective Dead, a Cache of Hidden Arms and Suspected Narcotics as Cargo

KENYA – NORWAY – After Kenyan officials detained one of its ships last week at the port of Mombasa, Höegh Autoliners has confirmed that its vessel, the Höegh Transporter had been found carrying undeclared weapons inside a shipment of United Nations trucks. The Kenyan authorities have also reportedly found a substance, believed to be drugs, that is currently being tested. Should the substance test positive for drugs, the vessel would be in increasing danger of being blown up under orders of the country's president and in keeping with governmental policies.

Asian Line will have Work Done in China

NORWAY – CHINA – Confidentiality clauses prevent ballast water treatment specialist Optimarin from revealing the name of its latest customer who has ordered the installation of 10 of its flexible environmentally friendly systems as a retrofit in the company’s fleet of 6,700 TEU container vessels. The first of the Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) units has already been installed in two of the unnamed Asian shipping line’s ships with two further systems following at the beginning of next year, and two more in spring 2016.

Sixth Consecutive Annual Intake for UK Based Company

UK – Yet again freight forwarding outfit Davies Turner has stepped up with an offer of work to a group of young apprentices, and this year managed to include a record intake with 13 graduate and A-Level apprentices in the sixth annual intake since it started its national apprenticeship and trainee programme in 2010. In line with the approach taken for the first five groups, the new intake will all be recruited on a two-year fixed term contract, with the opportunity of a permanent role with the logistics company upon completion of a successful training period.

Rail Cargo and Road Haulage Sectors Come Together in Intermodal Centre

AUSTRIA – Mention Tyrol to most Europeans and thoughts of traversing the slopes and après ski parties will probably spring to mind, however for freight forwarder Gebrüder Weiss the region with Innsbruck as its capital is key to its operations, hence the addition of a new state-of-the-art logistics terminal with its own multimodal link to the nations rail network.

Groups Say Deal Will 'Create Value'

FRANCE – NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – Following its policy of expansion established over the past few years with growth in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, French based Gefco, the freight forwarding outfit which holds the title as European leader in automotive logistics, has signed an agreement with the private equity fund Nimbus to acquire the Dutch company IJS Global, specialised in air and sea cargo operations.

In a Country Where Horse Drawn Carts Still Haul Cargo Work is Desperately Needed

GUINEA – The task of providing technical assistance in the improvement of the country’s road management capacity and public transportation infrastructure has been awarded to a joint venture between New Jersey headquartered Louis Berger and French based engineering outfit Egis International with the project funded to the tune of €4.4 million by the European Development Fund. Transport infrastructure is in a parlous state in the country with horse and donkey drawn carts often hauling freight and building essentials. The rail system is in disrepair with some services abandoned and the capital Conakry, which holds roughly a quarter of the population, is the main source of supply via its port.

Ocean Watch Project Uncovers the Presence of Rarely Seen Species

UK – As long as men have been putting to sea, the sight of a cetacean, whether whale, porpoise or dolphin, has always meant something special, perhaps a portent of good or evil, or simply a reminder of the vastness of the oceans and the mysteries beneath the surface. With the knowledge we have nowadays the presence and plight of the mammals under the waves has become increasingly important and has now led to specially trained crews studying the waters in OceanWatch, an inaugural nationwide survey of whales and dolphins, a project eagerly supported by Scottish freight and passenger ferry group Caledonian MacBrayne.

Thousands Raised for Charity as Cyclists Go To it Again

UK – IRELAND – Executives from the transport and logistics industry pedalled more than 330 kilometres across Wales and Ireland this weekend, conquering hills and negotiating steep descents, and in doing so, raised £53,000 for international development charity, Transaid. Money raised from the event will provide vital unrestricted funds towards Transaid’s projects, improving the lives of people in Africa by implementing emergency transport systems and expanding access to healthcare and livelihoods.

DHL to Carry Toyota Racking Systems

EUROPE – DHL Freight, the road freight arm of Deutsche Post, has signed a contract with the Toyota Material Handling Group, to provide transportation for the company’s newly launched line of racking systems along the complete supply chain, from suppliers to customers' sites all across Europe. Starting in September, materials for a wide range of racking solutions, including both conventional and high density pallet racking systems, as well as shelving and other non-palletised racking systems, will embark on a journey to new warehouses via various transport solutions provided by DHL Freight's network. Hans Larsson, Director Logistics Solutions, Toyota Material Handling Europe, said:

Gas Powered ConRo Ships are Quarter of the Way to Completion

US – The two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ConRo vessels being constructed for the Crowley Maritime Corporation are reported as being 25% complete and the company has released a video to illustrate the progress so far. The ships, combination container freight and Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo) vessels, were featured in our story in November 2013 when Crowley placed the order with VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Time Lapse Photography Demonstrates How a Box Carrier System Performs

UK – WORLDWIDE – Like so many involved in the world of shipping and freight forwarding much of our work happens behind a desk when the real action is out on the quayside, the runway or the transport shed of a road haulage outfit. Now the country’s latest deep water port, DP World’s London Gateway, has balanced things a little with a time lapse video showing the container movements when one of the largest box vessels in the world arrived in the early hours of this morning to discharge her cargo.

Cargo and Other Vessels to Benefit

UAE – WORLDWIDE – The global logistics outfit GAC has ventured into numerous facets of the maritime trade and has now expanded its range of integrated services to shipping in the Middle East by forming a joint venture with the Clearvac Group to provide air hygiene and waste water management solutions in the UAE. The newly formed Dubai-based GAC- Clearvac operation will serve offshore platforms, cruise ships, superyachts, commercial cargo ships and other vessels operating regionally.

Twenty Year Association Leads to Further Commitment for Out of Gauge Group

SOUTH KOREA - Global breakbulk and heavy lift operator AAL has opened a new office in the country’s capital Seoul confirming its commitment to strengthening its infrastructure across key markets for out of gauge and project cargo. AAL is headquartered in Singapore and is a member of the Schoeller group and the company has now been servicing the Korean freight market since its inception 20 years ago. Jae Hong Kim, Representative Director of AAL Korea observed:

3PL Customer Demand Results in Multi Million Pound Investment

UK – The latest ‘buzzword’ phrase for the logistics sector is ‘fulfilment centre’ i.e. a facility that fulfils supply chain services from start to finish, and now global freight forwarding outfit the Woodland Group has opened its own 155, 000 square feet centre at the company’s Chelmsford, Essex headquarters. The multi-million pound investment has been made to satisfy client demand for Third Party Logistics (3PL) services and typifies the move many forwarders are making to offer a complete order to door service as the pace of deliveries picks up.

Comparatively Just a Slap on the Wrist After Cooperation Given

US – NORWAY – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has completed a compromise agreement with Siem Car Carriers AS, a vessel-operating common carrier based in Oslo, Norway, after submitting a voluntary disclosure to the Commission, earlier this year, identifying certain unfiled space charter agreements with respect to its provision of Roll On–Roll Off (RoRo) transport services for the movement of new and used automobiles and other rolling stock in US trades. These agreements had not been filed with the Commission or become effective under the Shipping Act, in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 41102(b).

Five Pilot Projects Launched

NORWAY – Class society DNV GL and its partners from the Norwegian authorities and the local maritime industry have presented the five pilot projects that will be pursued as part of the Norway’s Green Coastal Shipping Programme, which, having launched at the beginning of the year, aims to encourage the research and implementation of green technology concepts in the country’s shipping sector. The five pilot projects selected include several different ship types, and infrastructure with an emphasis on alternative fuel concepts. Programme Director Narve Mjøs, said:

Dartford Depot Established for 10 Years and Still Growing

UK – In this year’s list of the world’s top 50 global third party supply chain suppliers* (3PLs) German based Dachser managed a creditable third position and the Dartford, Kent branch, adjacent to the Thames M25 crossing and the company’s Southern UK hub responsible for its road freight services departing daily to and from Europe, is celebrating ten years of trading this month.

Florida Based Company Upgrades Handling Portfolio

US – The Crowley Maritime Corporation has opened two new warehouses in Jacksonville to serve customers with current full and LCL container requirements. The shipping group’s former premises at its Port Jacksonville Parkway location has now been replaced by a terminal at 1350 Tradeport Drive, on the city’s north side near Jacksonville International Airport, which opened this week.

Express Tariff up by 4.9% in January as Analysts Wrong on Expected Profits

US – Prior to releasing first quarter financial results, which fell below those anticipated by many market analysts, FedEx announced some comprehensive freight rate increases to come into force in January 2016. From January 4 FedEx Express will raise rates by an average of 4.9% for US domestic, export and import services with rate increases also for both FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight services.

New FIATA Chief Heads up Job Changes

WORLDWIDE – The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) has announced the results of its recent elections for the Presidency and the new Extended Board. The newly elected President has been named as Huxiang Zhao, who is Chairman of Sinotrans & CSC, Chairman of DHL-Sinotrans and President of CIFA, the FIATA Association Member in China. Zhao succeeds Francesco Parisi, of Italy, who will now serve as Immediate Past President for the next two years.

Jones Act Speech Illustrates Entrenched Attitude Endemic in Vested Interests

US – EUROPE – Those in the European Commission charged with negotiating the oft talked about Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP) should perhaps be aware of a speech made in New York this week at the 2015 Tradewinds Jones Act Shipping Forum which gives an insight into the views of many Americans when discussing protectionism in everyday commerce. Tom Allegretti, Chairman of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), which represents the views of the Jones Act Coalition, the stakeholders who support full retention of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which mandates the transport of all freight shipping between US Ports be carried only on domestic registered vessels, thus preventing any non US competition for container feeder systems etc.

Toyota Select Carrier for North American Deliveries

JAPAN – NORTH AMERICA – RoRo car carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL) has strengthened its relationship with global giant the Toyota Motor Corporation with the news the company has been awarded the latest contract to provide ocean freight transportation of its passenger cars from Japan to North America.

Pentalver invests in Clutch of New Scania Trucks

UK – As Britain’s leading inland container service operator, Pentalver has to ensure that its road haulage vehicle fleet stays both current and reliable and the company, which now has five UK logistics facilities placed in industry strategic locations, has recently strengthened its freight transport portfolio with the purchase of fifty-two Scania R450SCR trucks.

New Monaco Office for German Company with Specialist Fleet

MONACO – GERMANY – Hansa Heavy Lift, the Hamburg headquartered out of gauge specialist group owned by US based Oaktree Capital Management, has continued with its ongoing expansion plans with the opening of a new regional office for the South European market covering France, Italy and Spain and based in Monaco. In February we reported how the heavy lift cargo company had pushed its way into the Chinese project freight market with a new office in Shanghai.

New Transport Committee Inquiry Launched

UK – With many UK freight and logistics industry bodies vociferous in their warnings and several petitioning the government for a solution to the sectors’ skills shortage, the Transport Committee has launched an inquiry into skills and workforce planning in the road haulage sector with the Committee's objective being to investigate what action the government has taken to address industry concerns about the situation and assess how effective the resultant government's response has been.

DFDS Collect the Two MyFerryLink Ships from Eurotunnel

FRANCE – UK – Having announced plans to sell the two ships at the centre of the MyFerryLink debacle at the beginning of the month, the Eurotunnel Group have officially transferred the Rodin and the Berlioz to the DFDS Group fleet in Dunkirk, under a bareboat charter agreement in accordance with the contract signed between the pair at the start of June 2015. Whilst passing over the RoRo passenger and freight ferries, Eurotunnel revealed the extent of the costs incurred as a result of the recent protests from ex-SeaFrance workers who held the vessels hostage to prevent them from being handed over.

FIATA Issues Toolkit to Cope with Mandatory Verification of Box Weights

WORLDWIDE – At the recent FIATA Multimodal Transport Institute held in Taipei Chairman Robert Keen announced to delegates an initiative by the Working Group Sea to provide all FIATA Members with a comprehensive guide to the changes due in July 2016 when the verification of container weights becomes mandatory. As we have illustrated before these new regulations changing the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) and agreed at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2014 have major ramifications for anyone connected with container freight.

2,800 TEU Class B Order Doubles in a Month to Twenty

TAIWAN – JAPAN – SWEDEN – The Evergreen Group has signed an order with Japanese shipbuilder Imabari for ten 2,800 TEU class B-type vessels in addition to the order for ten similar vessels announced last month from CSBC in Taiwan. With all twenty newbuildings set to be deployed in the intra-Asia trade, the vessels will measure 211 metres in length, 32.8 metres wide, and have a design draft of 10 metres and, with a capacity of around 2,800 TEU, the ships are designed to load 13 rows of containers on deck, which is within the span of existing gantry cranes at major ports in the area.

Pictures Show the Changing Face of a Continent

AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – Logistics group Agility has announced the winners of its Africa 2015 Photo Competition, which we told of in June and which is designed to illustrate the modern face of the continent. This is said to be the first-ever pan-Africa photo competition to focus on modern Africa, and the freight forwarding group invited amateur and professional photographers to submit images to show the growth and development of Africa taking shape amid record investment, rising incomes and improving living standards.

Two Partners Meet Up During Arabian Tour

DUBAI – For all the group’s developments around the globe the port of Jebel Ali remains the jewel in the crown for DP World, which this week saw a visit from the President of Indonesia, HE Joko Widodo, who was taken on a tour of the container handling facilities and Free Zone, classed by the Journal of Commerce as the most productive port in the world, and which supports and drives the growth of Dubai and a wider region home to some two billion people.

Trio of Successful Orders for Austrian Based Group

AUSTRIA – RUSSIA – NETHERLANDS – Lots of news from Austrian maritime crane manufacturer Liebherr recently starting with four ship to shore container cranes delivered to the Fenix Container Terminal in the Port of Bronka, St. Petersburg, Russia. The cranes are due to enter operation at the purpose built container terminal on the Baltic sea in the coming weeks. The freight terminal will be developed in stages, with this initial first stage due to deliver an annual capacity of 1.45 million TEU on what is an important trade route between Russia and Europe. Stages 2 and 3 of the development will see the capacity of the development reach 1.9 million and 3 million TEU respectively.

Hard Fought Win for the Girl from Zambia as Three Would Be Engineers Get a Boost

TAIWAN – ZAMBIA – AUSTRALIA – A boost for some youngsters involved in the logistics sector this past week with news of the winner of the FIATA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year (YIFFY) Award and three scholarships going to young automotive truck trainees. At a ceremony in Taipei this week the FIATA accolade went to the charming Daniella Smal of Zambia at the TT Club sponsored event.

UK Chamber Links with ITN in New Film

UK – WORLDWIDE – The UK Chamber of Shipping, the trade association which represents around 150 members from across the maritime sector, has linked up with ITN Productions to produce a news and current affairs-style programme it has titled ‘A Maritime Nation’ which features a series of short news reports and exclusive interviews, alongside sponsored editorial, exploring UK shipping's proud heritage and its role in an increasingly globalised and challenging landscape. With 95% of UK international trade transported by sea, the history, and likely future, of a sector which has been and still is vital to the country’s welfare, justifies an audience far beyond those actively involved in the industry.

Mission to Seafarers Launches Woolly Hat Day

UK – With London International Shipping Week (LISW) now well under way there was room on Wednesday night (9 September) for a frivolous event supporting a serious purpose at the launch of the Mission to Seafarers Woolly Hat Day 2015, organised by the Red Ensign Group and ably assisted by Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for shipping.

Despite Continuing Political Troubles the Lure of a Developing Market Tempts Another Supply Chain Provider

SWITZERLAND – MYANMAR – Yet another freight forwarding and supply chain group has opened up its own office in Yangon as Panalpina strengthens its ties in a country which it has traditionally traded with via native agencies. The Swiss logistics group believes it is the start of a new era in the former Burma saying its strategic position at the crossroads between India, China and South East Asia, and the start of investment in infrastructure, make it the time to consolidate the 3PL company’s position in the region.

'Love the Lorry' Campaign to Raise Awareness of Role of HGVs

UK – Between 26-31 October 2015, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) will be staging a national awareness campaign to demonstrate to the public and politicians the vital role that HGVs and truck borne freight play in moving the country’s economy and impinge on everybody’s daily life. With the theme of the week being ‘Love the Lorry’, RHA’s National Lorry Week was announced at the Association’s Compliance Conference earlier this week. RHA Chief Executive Richard Burnett, explained:

John Good Looks to the West with New Box Route

UK – MEXICO – Possibly the worst thing any company can do is rest on its laurels, business, especially freight and logistics, fluctuates wildly from year to year and survival depends on adaptation to new markets. If, like John Good Shipping, you have been around for 180 years, the desire to evolve and expand must still be an integral part of company policy. So it is that the Yorkshire headquartered ships agency and freight forwarding outfit has looked to the West, and a new market, Mexico.

XPO Just Keeps on Buying

US – Freight brokerage firm XPO Logistics has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire American road haulage giant Con-way and its subsidiaries for approximately $3 billion a deal coming just three months after the Greenwich, Connecticut headquartered group formally acquired French haulage and logistics group Norbert Dentressangle. Just like the acquisition of Dentressangle, all of the operations under the current Con-way brand - Con-way Freight, Menlo Logistics, Con-way Truckload and Con-way Multimodal - will be rebranded as XPO Logistics.

Extended Life for Fruit Using Ethylene Removal

GERMANY – US – WORLDWIDE – Container shipping line Hamburg Süd, one of the foremost carriers of temperature sensitive cargo, has opted for 400 refrigerated containers equipped with Carrier Transicold’s XtendFRESH™ atmosphere control system in order to give produce exporters a better way to maintain the quality of perishables in transit. The system actively manages oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the reefer boxes and removes ethylene, thus making for slower ripening and an improved product quality.

Lots of Movement in the Rarefied Atmosphere of Upper Management

US – Our roundup of staff movements in the world of freight and multimodal logistics starts with scandal this week after the Chief Executive Jeff Smisek and two senior officials of United Airlines resigned on Tuesday amid news of a federal investigation into whether the airline had traded favours with the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. United are accused of launching money-losing flights to benefit former Port Authority Chairman David Samson, who resigned from the role last year.

Would You Consider Going Along for the Ride?

UK – The Malcolm Group, a corporate member of international haulage and development charity Transaid, is using its 14.6 metre longer semi-trailer (LST) to spread the message of the charity’s work, across the UK. Having first unveiled the trailer in a distinctive Transaid livery at Multimodal 2015 in May, the logistics and rail freight specialist firm has since been delivering Transaid’s message across the UK, visiting nearly 50 different sites and travelling up to 3,500km each week from its base in Linwood, Scotland. Andrew Malcolm, The Malcolm Group’s Chief Executive, said:

Now Eleven Categories Are Open for Nominations

UK – The event host for this year’s British International Freight Association’s Freight Service Awards 2015 Ceremony is to be ‘patron saint of road users’ and radio traffic reporter Sally Boazman. Sally gained her elevation to sainthood due to her position as ‘truckers’ friend’ whilst broadcasting her BBC Radio 2 travel reports to drivers the length and breadth of Britain to whom she is also commonly known as ‘Sally Traffic’. Sally will conduct affairs at the BIFA awards ceremony on 21 January 2016, once again in the impressive Porter Tun Room at the grade II listed The Brewery in central London.

So Why Haven't We Thought of This Before?

JAPAN – With today's larger containerships, the height of the containers loaded on their decks has naturally increased thereby increasing the wind resistance of the vessels. Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), and a group of industry research and development firms has recognised the need to address this issue in a cost-effective way by developing and now testing a new windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Four Cargo Airlines are Plaintiffs in Class Action Suit

US – Four international cargo airlines embroiled in the multidistrict class action against air freight carriers (In Air Cargo Shipping Services Antitrust Litigation, 06-MD-1775 (JG) VVP) are set to go to trial on January 25, 2016, after failing in their attempt to end the seemingly endless lawsuit that had been filed by six freight forwarders in 2006. The case alleges a multi-year conspiracy perpetrated by more than thirty airlines around the world and, after reaching settlements of more than $1 billion with twenty-seven of the airlines, the plaintiffs recently won the right to proceed as a certified class against the remaining defendants.

Special Packaging Required to Safely Move Cypresses

CZECH REPUBLIC – UZBEKISTAN – The shipping of living things is always problematical, if one can avoid the usual risk to such cargo of damage, which could potentially prove fatal, there are the twin terrors of keeping an organism in good health and dealing with the inevitable questions and restrictions which are imposed by Customs authorities etc. There is no question however that flora is usually easier to transport than fauna but perhaps not when the plants in question stand 7.5 metres high, and have to travel by air freight!

Port of London Commissioned Surveys Spell Out Health and Financial Significance to the Public

UK – As promised in our piece last week the Port of London Authority (PLA) revealed today, at the start of London International Shipping Week (LISW), the results of two reports commissioned from SQW and Oxford Economics: ‘The River Thames’ Economic Prosperity’ looking at freight and trade on, and along, the river, and ‘Adding Value: The River Thames’ Public Amenity’ which clearly demonstrates the huge role the great waterway still plays in the social life of Londoners. This first true study weighs up the ‘amenity value’ of the Thames which it calculates at over £100 million in health benefits for residents alone, many of whom enjoy the 10 million or so bike rides and walks along the towpath every year.

Two New Routes for UASC

WEST AFRICA – The United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has launched two new West Africa services (WAF 2 and WAF3) this month to enhance the company’s freight schedule reliability and improve transit times to meet what it says is the growing demand and customer requirements in the West African market. The new services will operate in addition to UASC’s existing WAF1 service.

Container Terminal Operators Vow to Improve the Environment

WORLDWIDE – It is often the view of the corporate world that the biggest players in any field are always at loggerheads, vying for top spot and ready to compete at any level and by any means. This is usual amongst the upper management levels of the largest freight and logistics corporations, yet anyone familiar with the management of the world’s major ports will know the level of communication between the main players tends to be somewhat more substantial, facing as they do identical problems centred within the shipping industry.

Don't Get Hooked by the Phishermen!

UK – WORLDWIDE – Another day, another scam. One of the curses of publishing something like the Handy Shipping Guide is the sheer volume of trash which the various mailboxes collect every day of the week. Because we have numerous email addresses the tendency is for each one to receive their own individual, genuine mail whilst all or most get the worthless circulars and con artists. Freight and logistics seems to attract a particular breed of internet crook and, believe me, we get them all.

Five Days When the Capital Focuses on One of its Most Important Industries

UK – With London International Shipping Week (LISW) due to commence on the 7th September a plethora of events are being planned to ensure it will be 5 days that will be remembered for some time to come. The UK is the leading centre worldwide for the supply of a broad range of professional and business services to the international maritime community, accounting for 21% of premiums in international marine insurance, over $64bn in committed ship finance (or 15% of the world loan book) and it has the largest concentration of legal service firms specialising in the sector. London is also the predominant supplier of shipbroking services worldwide and is the major player when it comes to maritime dispute resolution.

Outspoken Criticism of Many Non Asset Owning Freight Providers

UK – According to one supply chain supplier many companies which outsource control of their supply chain function to specialist third party logistics (3PL) companies are increasingly forced to look to replace the supplier in short order, often within months of the start of their contract period, due to shortcomings in the quality and range of services that the chosen logistics company is able to provide.

Top Job at IATA is Up for Grabs

WORLDWIDE – Our weekly round-up of staff changes in the freight and logistics world starts with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which has announced that its Director General and Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler, will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. The search will now start for a successor to be appointed at the next IATA Annual General Meeting in Dublin in June 2016.

Why the Drive for Green Shipping - Social Conscience, Money or Both?

UK – WORLDWIDE – Project freight forwarding agent Tuscor Lloyd’s, tells us the company has just completed another sizeable out of gauge shipment between Spain and Indonesia and, whilst yet again undertaking the actual mechanics of moving consignments around the world, has been giving thought to something uppermost in the mind of many logistics executives, ‘Green’ shipping and its place in the trade, plus the motives of those industry stakeholders who either promote it or denigrate it.

Imminent Alterations to Legislation and Current AEO Status Warrants Discussion

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is to hold a one day conference in London to discuss the impending changes in customs legislation emerging from the introduction of the Union Customs Code (UCC) in May 2016, together with an assessment of the current situation concerning the EU’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme. The event will see BIFA members, HMRC and other appropriate stakeholders gather to frankly discuss what BIFA calls two of the most pressing issues facing its members and international trade in general.

New Brazilian Port Office in Ideal Situation

BRAZIL – Freight forwarding and logistics group GAC has expanded its operations in Brazil with the opening of an office at one of the country’s biggest and most modern port complexes offering unique combinations of shipping, logistics, bunker fuels, and marine logistics in northeast Brazil. The new office, which opened on September 1 in Recife, covers operations at the port as well as nearby Suape. The port of Suape has one of the region’s greatest growth rates, making a significant contribution to the economy of the state of Pernambuco. Rodrigo DeMarco, Managing Director at GAC Brazil commented:

New 70,000 Square Metre Facility for Freight Company

NETHERLANDS – US – It is a fact that road freight giant Con-way Incorporated is as American as Mom’s apple pie but the traditional trucking company’s suitably Dutch sounding logistics and supply chain management subsidiary, Menlo, has just announced a deal with global industrial real estate developer Prologis to construct a new 70,000 square metre regional logistics facility in Eindhoven.

Just Three Months Left to Lodge Mandatory Energy Audits or Face Penalties

UK – It is time to remind all major companies, whether freight and shipping associated or not, that they have only three months to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) regulations published by the government in June 2014. Under the ESOS rules large organisations must conduct a mandatory audit of the energy used by their buildings, industrial processes and transport to identify cost-effective energy saving measures every four years – and the first deadline is 5 December 2015.

MyFerryLink Case Has Seen Courts, Appeals, Blackmail and Arson

FRANCE – Even as news of a deal regarding the future of the cross Channel MyFerryLink freight and passenger service is announced, confusion reigns. The whole affair has been steeped in strife since the collapse of SNCF owned SeaFrance, after which Eurotunnel purchased the ships and ran them under the MyFerryLink brand. Now, even as we are told peace has descended, with the announcement that the new owner of two of the RoRo ships, DFDS, agreeing to employ some of the SCOP ex SeaFrance staff, the picture is still not completely clear. The Danish company has declared it will take on 202 whilst the French government, as announced in various media, says the figure is 402.