Shipping Search - Archive

Post Brexit Deal will Last Five Years

UK – It seems with Brexit very much in mind the new contract offered by the government to provide support to the Home Office's ongoing Border Force operations has been won by XPO Logistics.

Industry is No Further Forward in Educating Politicians on the Potential Perils Ahead

UK – It would seem that the pessimism expressed by some of the signatories to the recent letter addressed to Michael Gove when requesting an urgent meeting over government preparations for Brexit were, sadly, not misplaced. The letter, from a range of logistics specialist associations and operations requested a meeting to discuss the problems received a rapid response, but did nothing to assuage concerns.

Sweden Claims it Has the 'Largest Port in Norway'

SWEDEN – NORWAY – A new weekly shuttle service has been launched by the Norwegian rail freight operator Cargonet to link the Norwegian capital of Oslo to the Port of Gothenburg, claiming to offer a 'rapid, dependable, climate-smart link' to the largest Scandinavian port.

The Weekly Catch Up on Smaller Items

FRANCE – Following notice that a 24 hour stoppage by gangway staff at the RoRo terminal in the port of Nantes-St. Nazaire from 0500 hours today (Friday 18th September) with the possibility of a continuance from 0900 Saturday 19th, what will concern many is the news that port workers at Calais have also announced plans to strike for 24 hours next Thursday, 24 September.

As Ongoing Problems at Felixstowe Worsen Complaints Roll In from Freight Community

UK – The mention of two names to any British shipper or freight forwarder at the moment and either may well send a shudder down their spines. Couple former transport secretary Chris 'Failing' Grayling and the Port of Felixstowe in a sentence and tempers are likely to rise on hearing either, let alone both.

New Facility Carries Historic Tradition

UK – The name Port of Middlesbrough has returned to logistics facilities on the banks of the river Tees after a century with the rechristening of the AV Dawson site. The company has amalgamated several parts of its Middlesbrough based port and logistics operations to form one, integrated port facility as it drives forward with further growth and expansion.

Fuel Must Get Through Despite Freezing Weather and Intemperate Seas

US – Some of the work maritime and logistics specialists Crowley undertakes goes far beyond the normal practices of the industry. Now the Jacksonville headquartered maritime corporation has again overcome the vagaries of nature to complete one its regular contracts.

Continent Wide Oversight is Required

GERMANY – EUROPE – The representatives of more than ten national airline associations, the Boards of Airline Representatives (BARs) are urging governments to collaborate without further delay on developing and implementing an international digital border solution for air travellers. The bulk of air freight is normally of course carried in the belly holds of passenger aircraft and the paucity of services has serious implications for both sides of the business.

Battle Against Emissions Continues

UK – As part of the battle to cut emissions from the entire shipping industry Leicestershire-based start-up company, Redshift Associates has signed up to the national SPRINT business support programme to develop an innovative new service that will model and map air pollution for UK harbours and ports.

We Shall Soon Discover What Beta Really Means

UK – The government has claimed that a misunderstanding of terms is what led to an attack from Logistics UK regarding the readiness of the new Customs system designed to smooth the way for trucks shipping goods, particularly to the Channel ports, after Brexit.

Range of Schemes Highlighted

UK – With all and sundry these days keen to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental practices, the British Ports Association (BPA) has published a comprehensive package of case studies of environmental good practice from dozens of UK ports, demonstrating how seriously matters are being taken in British waters.

Essential Guidance on the Many Pitfalls - from Fire and Weight Balance to Bugs in the Box

WORLDWIDE – Despite the thousands of incidents, sometimes with serious injuries, or even fatalities, resulting from the bad stowage of shipping containers, not to mention the hundreds of articles and advisories issued, the problem still persists.

Survey of Industry Professionals Indicates Extreme Concerns

UK – When members of the general public respond to questions about Brexit the answers can be mixed and opinionated. However when the respondents are exclusively from professionals in the freight forwarding community, and they overwhelmingly have significant reservations as to the future trading relationship and the effects of the changes on the supply chain, it is time to be concerned.

Controversial Scheme Provides Work for Some

UK – With the HS2 project remaining as controversial as usual the development will certainly see employment for many at a particularly difficult time, despite the escalating costs. Certainly there be winners and two companies which are already gaining are GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Rail Stone Solutions (RSS).

Fairway to be Deepened to 17.5 Metres

SWEDEN – Gothenburg City Council has passed a resolution to grant more than 1.2 billion kronor (€120 million) to finance the Skandia Gateway project, which is aimed at deepening the fairway leading into the Port of Gothenburg. The sum was matched by the Swedish Transport Administration as part of the national infrastructure plan, and as a result the project is fully funded. The three parties now have a firm basis for entering into an implementation agreement.

The Bits You May Have Missed

UK – FRANCE – With the continuing threat of infection it seems the Channel Tunnel is being favoured by many passengers and freight vehicles passing between the two countries. The Le Shuttle services give no possibility of anyone leaving their vehicles during the 35 minute crossing thereby eliminating the chances of passing on the virus.

Pandemic Has Highlighted Supply Chain Problems

AUSTRALIA – The Covid-19 pandemic has strengthened the case to reduce dependence on overseas shipping interests according to the Maritime Union of Australia. The organisation has long pressed for legislation offering something similar to the US Jones Act standards, originally introduced post WW1, and still in place today.

Six Months of Uncoordinated Covid Quarantines Leaves Potential Shortage of Essentials

UK – WORLDWIDE – It seems the dreadful pressures for many seafarers continue as a wide sweep of varying virus preventative regulations stop many crews from coming off duty and returning home, whilst others twiddle their thumbs in hotels and hostels awaiting the chance to start their contracts aboard. Latest to join the campaign to see fair play is the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Automatic Storage and Retrieval of Freight

NORWAY – DSV Road and Solutions introduced space age technology at the height of the Covid-19 crisis at their new Vestby facility which is now operational. Since the end of May the logistics group has been consolidating operations from three other locations around Oslo to the 50,000 m² facility which includes a 7,000 m² mezzanine, and 4,700 m² office and personnel facilities.

The Whole of UK Logistics is Concerned About Escaping Europe

UK – Last week we told how the great and the good of the British logistics industry had written collectively to Michael Gove MP in his capacity as Minister for the Cabinet Office, requesting a round table meeting to discuss the potential pitfalls of a no deal Brexit.

Standard Set High for New Man

UK – Many will be surprised at the latest cabinet change with Kelly Tolhurst MP being moved from the position she has only held since February, to become Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The post she has vacated, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, earned her the almost universally quoted title of 'Shipping Minister'.

Authorities Debase Themselves by Avoiding Responsibility

DENMARK – MALTA – MEDITERRANEAN – When the skipper of the tanker Maersk Etienne answered a distress call from the Maltese authorities a month ago to assist a vessel in distress the decision was already made. Attending a vessel in distress is sacrosanct and to not do so would have left Captain Volodymyr Yeroshkin, his crew and company as pariahs, attracting harsh and rightful criticism from all and sundry.

Ambition to be Carbon Neutral in Thirty Years

DENMARK – As one of the participants in an all Danish consortium looking to produce low emission maritime fuel processes announced earlier this year, shipping and RoRo ferry company DFDS has announced its own detailed plan to cut the company's carbon emissions.

For Shipping Lines it Seems as One Income Stream Dries Up - Another Two May Open

UK – It is a fact of life these days that many suppliers will try for extra income via 'add ons', surcharges and the like to wring more cash from the customer. It is one thing however to list a gratuity separately, or extend the breadth of insurance cover by adding separately billed additional clauses for legal expense or breakdown cover, as against a mandatory surcharge as often levied by shipping companies to their clients.

A Main Gateway Closed During Record Fruit Season Meant Adapting Elsewhere

SOUTH AFRICA – When the Port of Cape Town was negatively affected by the current pandemic, just as the citrus harvest season was about to hit record heights, it was up to the Transnet National Ports Authority's (TNPA) other Nelson Mandela Bay ports to take up the slack, which they appear to have done with alacrity.

Money Will be Matched by Grant from the Heritage Emergency Fund

UK – Our picture shows both the original construction, and the current condition of one of a truly unique breed, HMS Unicorn, the most original old ship in the world. Constructed almost 200 years ago she launched in 1824, a 48 gun Royal Navy frigate she is one of the six oldest ships still afloat and probably, with her sister vessel HMS Trincomalee, the oldest intact true warship - and she needs a bit of help.

Demise of a Warehousing Industry Stalwart Leads Staff News

UK – It is with great sadness that the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has announced the death of Douglas Fearnley, an active member of the Association Management Board for many years who latterly travelled regularly to the mainland from his home in Guernsey to attend Board meetings and UKWA events. Fearnley passed away on August 27, aged 75, following a recent illness.

Trapped Mariners Get the Chance to Picture Their Situation

WORLDWIDE – With some 300,000 mariners trapped by the Covid virus situation the 'Still At Sea' photography competition from the ITF Seafarers' Trust is likely to see a bevy of entries this year. Open to currently serving seafarers and with a 1st prize of £1000, the competition invites seafarers to submit digital photos of their lives at sea during the pandemic.

Whole of the Sector Writes to Again Try to Explain What is Coming

UK – Concerns over the future of the logistics sector after Brexit has driven the leading organisations representing every part of the industry to write to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP this week requesting a meeting with him alongside the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport.

Scheme to be Rolled Out in More Geographic Locations

UAE – CANADA – The ports and terminal financial investment instrument created in 2016 by ports and logistics outfit DP World and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a global institutional investor is to increase in size by US$4.5 billion to create a total value of US$8.2 billion.

As Seafarers Continue to Suffer Hardship Many Councils Recognise Their Sacrifice

UK – It is a strange fact that, despite all the fuss made during the pandemic regarding the support given to the general public by the logistics industry, that today, the official Merchant Navy Day, will again pass by virtually unmentioned by the press at large.

Partners Launch Search for First Practical, Small Scale, Onboard Technology

JAPAN – WORLDWIDE – Amongst environmentalists the subject of carbon capture is a somewhat contentious one, however the latest news from Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, more commonly known as K Line, claims it is looking hard at a project which goes some way to both capturing the CO₂ emitted from its fleet, and disposing of it in a responsible manner.

Running the Cycling Event Even Trickier in Year of Pandemic

FRANCE – Once again this year XPO Logistics, formerly of course as Norbert Dentressangle, is handling the transport demands for the Tour de France making it the 40th consecutive year it has done so. A team of 68 XPO drivers is piloting 52 trucks for 3,479 kilometres, moving over 420 tonnes of cargo along the course.

After Airborne Drones We Now Have Unmanned Sub Aqua Observers

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Remote surveying of ships is becoming commonplace, particularly since the onset of the pandemic, and we have become used to seeing such things as airborne drones enhancing the opportunities for studying the inside of holds and tanks without endangering any personnel aboard the vessel.

Collateral Damage as Another Iconic Brand Disappears

DENMARK – SOUTH AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – Having just reorganised things at its subsidiary container line Hamburg Süd, AP Moller Maersk has now altered matters at one of its older brands, Safmarine as the group moves further toward a logistics provider model.

Coordinated Long Range Rescue Mission Causes Serious Difficulties

US – Working at sea remains a very hazardous business, as shown over the past few days when a crewman aboard the Hong Kong registered bulk tanker Ocean Applaud suffered a fall from thirty feet to the deck of the ship causing the man serious injuries.

Multi Brand Sales and Management Teams Set Up

GERMANY – DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – When the German authorities accepted the acquisition of the 150 year old shipping line Hamburg Süd by Danish giant Maersk, they did so with some reservations regarding anti-competitive practices on certain routes, something which the lines summarily dealt with.

FMC to Act on Complaint Over Trade Restriction

US – Once again the message coming from the latest complaint lodged with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is, don't mess with the country's shipping legislation. All in the industry are familiar with the restrictions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (the Jones Act) whereby commercial domestic transport by water requires US built ships, with US crews, servicing etc. Now its twin sister, the Shipping Act, the latest version of which became law in December 2018 under President Trump, is in the spotlight.