Friday, January 7, 2022

As the Year Opens Some Smaller Items from the World of Transport You May Have Missed

Logistics News from Around the Globe
Shipping News Feature

UK – The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) publishes its own monthly magazine for members, NEWSrack, and this month features such items as legal advice on TUPE and Property Leases from its recent ‘Bitesize Briefings’, delivered by Association Member and legal advisor Aaron & Partners, alongside the free tax review from Associate Member Gateley Capitus we featured last month.

There is also a reminder of the ever popular UKWA National Conference, with the two day event scheduled for 8-9 March 2022, to be held once again at the Hallmark Queen Hotel in Chester. Titled ‘Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today’ there will be the usual packed agenda, with influential speakers, interactive discussion panels and networking opportunities.

The conference will be focused on tackling the critical labour shortages and skills gaps in the sector, with sessions on training, warehouse projects, sustainability and digitalisation. Bookings made by the end of January will attract a 10% discount.

UK – Suttons International Ltd., part of the family-owned UK and global logistics Suttons Group, which provides end-to-end solutions and services to the bulk liquid, gases and powders sectors, has completed the asset purchase of the overseas ISO tank containers, personnel, and customer contracts of VTG Tanktainer GmbH, a subsidiary of VTG Aktiengesellschaft (VTG).

Suttons says the acquisition lifts it into the list of the top 10 global tank container operators, and opens up new markets such as South America. Relevant VTG staff have been transferred to Suttons international and John Sutton, Managing Director of Suttons International Ltd and CEO of Suttons Group said the increased scale meant the company was already recruiting staff in additional positions.

UK – Network Rail says the programme of upgrades and maintenance carried out across Anglia’s railway network over Christmas and New Year will improve freight carriage, as well as that of passengers. The company says engineering teams in east and north London, Essex and Norfolk carried out essential improvements to keep the network running smoothly for years to come.

One especially relevant item worked on was the replacement of a life-expired bridge in Neasden, London which carries freight lines over London underground lines. The new bridge is expected to last 120 years, reducing the need for further repair works.

UK – WORLDWIDE – Anyone who has suffered from it will know how debilitating a bout of dermatitis can be and, as ever concerned about crew health, the UK P&I Club has this week issued advice for those who are troubled by the ailment. Usually caused by contact with an irritant the best defence is to avoid these or, failing that, to use protective clothing and barrier cream as appropriate. Full details are HERE.

UK – FRANCE - In December 2021, Le Shuttle Freight transported 122,434 trucks, a decrease of 7% compared to 2020, the comparison with 2020 being adversely affected by the impact of the significant stockpiling at the end of 2020 in anticipation of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. Since 1st January 2021, Le Shuttle Freight has transported almost 1.4 million trucks.

PORTUGAL – The second Portugal Shipping Week (PSW22) will take place during the week of 9-13 May 2022 at the Gare Maritima de Alcântara on Lisbon’s waterfront. Hosted by the European International Shipowners’ Association of Portugal (EISAP) and Petrospot the biennial event will focus on the impact of the marine energy transition for shipping and ports, as well as bunkering and ancillary services.

It is intended to showcase Portugal as a global shipping and maritime logistics centre. It offers foreign ship owners and representatives from every maritime discipline a unique and exciting opportunity to meet, network and develop important new commercial relationships. PSW22 will feature two high-powered conferences: The PSW Flagship Conference (10 May) and the EISAP Annual Conference (11 May), plus a range of other key activities.

CHINA – EUROPE – US – IVECO has selected Plus (formerly Plus.ai) self-driving truck technology specialist, as its European partner for the launch of a pilot in Europe and China, to begin the validation and integration of the US group’s autonomous trucking technology with IVECO’s latest-generation S-WAY heavy-duty truck.

This first joint trial will test and demonstrate the performance of Plus’s integrated system in the truck across a wide range of environments and driving conditions. This level of comprehensive testing, using both the driver-in and PlusDrive solution and Level 4 autonomous driving technology, is intended to gather data and validate the design integral to S-WAY autonomous production.

US – January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and you can join the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) for a webinar looking at how professional drivers can work to combat this most serious issue, featuring first hand perspectives from a survivor and a professional driver.

The objectives for the discussion include how human trafficking intersects with the trucking industry and why it is critical to combat this form of crime. Also for US attendees how to partner with TAT and how to get driver training. Registration for the event can be made HERE and a recording will be provided to all approved registrants post webinar even if you are not able to attend.

FRANCE – US – Last month Antonov Airlines in cooperation with Bollore Logistics Space transported Turkey's new telecommunication satellite Turksat 5B on board one of its AN-124-100 aircraft from Toulouse, France, to Florida, US to be launched by Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX on 18th December from Cape Canaveral,

The cargo weighed a total of 60 tonnes including a special container measuring 14.69 metres in length, 5.45 metres in width, and 4.36 metres high, and designed by Airbus Defence and Space specifically for moving these types of satellites on AN-124-100 aircraft.

Photo: The Turkish satellite loading for its flight to the US.