Friday, February 21, 2020

Smaller Items of Shipping and Logistics News from Around the Globe

Bits and Bobs from the World of Transport
Shipping News Feature

UK – The Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show this year at the NEC Birmingham, 28-30 April 2020 will certainly have an 'electric' atmosphere with a veritable host of manufacturers showing off their latest vans and smaller LGVs ready to go to work, with many aimed squarely at the urban freight delivery market.

Exhibits will include the e-Vito from Mercedes along with its latest BlueEfficiency range, Bradshaw Electric Vehicles has range of zero emissions, city centre-specific EVs, Ford’s new Street Scooter, Peugeot, Citroen and Renault all have latest developments whilst Vauxhall will showcase the world premier of the new Vivaro-E, an all-new EV version of its Luton-built van.

UK – Potholes are the enemy of all motorists and reports of costs to UK drivers of £4 billion per annum and with an increase of 40% of the unholy beasts reported in the past month it now seems some hope may be on the horizon. Sheffield based Roadmender Asphalt tells us much of the government’s promised extra funding to ease the crisis could be spent on more environmentally acceptable repairs.

The company produces Elastomac, which CEO Harry Pearl says comprises of over 65% recyclable material, this product builds upon the new rubber integrations with asphalts that have seen Tarmac so heavily praised. For every tonne of Elastomac produced, there are 11 rubber tyres within the composite. This makes new road mending products far more durable to both the elements and vehicular wear and tear, meaning that the great fear of potholes may be firmly in the rear-view mirror.

UK – Logistics and supply chain fulfilment services investment specialist Keswick Enterprises Group, has acquired 100% of the equity of Northumberland-based Assembly and Packing Services Limited (APS). Keswick Enterprises moved into UK contract packing and fulfilment in 2008 with the acquisition of food and confectionery co-packer SGL Co-packing Limited, based at Nelson in Lancashire.

Under Keswick's stewardship this business has almost doubled in size, and further growth is anticipated after recent significant investment in facilities and equipment. APS, which has been in Blyth since it was formed 35 years ago by managing director, Judith Leighton and her sister-in-law Margaret Watson, has extensive expertise in assembling, collating and packing merchandise and giftware for manufacturers, importers and retailers.

CANADA – Both freight and passenger movements throughout the country have been adversely affected by the ongoing protests over a proposal to construct a major pipeline in British Columbia. CN Rail is to shut down all of its trans-continental rail services as necessary after services were disrupted last weekend with a major knock on effect to movement of goods to and from the ports.

In December the bid to ‘Shut Down Canada’ in protest against the Coastal Gaslink project saw blockage of many major routes which resulted in the RCMP enforcing a Court injunction to stop the dissidents. The battle is led by Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs whose territory is affected, but an alternative route they proposed for the $6 billion, 670 kilometre project was refused as too expensive.

UK – INDIA – Professor Syamantak Bhattacharya, Dean of Southampton Solent University’s Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering UK, has been presented with the prestigious Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) Award for ‘outstanding services, achievements, and contributions to education (maritime)’. The professor sailed for 13 years, the last two as the ship’s Captain on large international oil tankers. He then went to work in Singapore as a Safety and Commercial Manager of a fleet of ships.

During his seafaring career, Professor Bhattacharya continued his studies at the Nautical Colleges in Bombay and South Tyneside, UK. In 2004, he signed up as a doctoral student at Cardiff University. In his care the University has seen some major achievements. The Indian diasporic award is granted annually to eminent non-resident persons of Indian origin (NRIs) by the NRI Welfare Society of India.  It is considered the highest award for NRIs given in recognition of their outstanding services, achievements, and contributions in their respective fields.

US – Liebherr recently moved into the US market for slewing cranes with its first ever sale to the country. North Carolina Ports opted for the new multi-purpose crane which is mainly used for handling bulk and project cargo. It has specially curved running gear which enables the crane to travel through a 90 degree curve with an inner curve radius of 90 metres.

The Liebherr LPS 420 was delivered to Port of Morehead City is a break bulk and bulk facility, is one of the deepest on the United States East Coast, and just four miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The new crane will mainly be used for handling grain, fertiliser and any project cargoes.

WORLDWIDE – Having just snapped up the business of UAE based airline Etihad Cargo dnata, the ground handling operation belonging to the Emirates Group, has joined Cargo iQ as a full member. The Dubai-headquartered ground handler’s stations in the UK and the Netherlands were previously members on an individual basis, dnata’s global network spans 35 countries and 88 airport ground handling and cargo stations, who will all now reap the rewards of Cargo iQ membership.

Cargo iQ’s membership is made up of stakeholders from across the air cargo supply chain and every member’s cargo flows are monitored across the supply chain and dnata says it wants to play its part in further improving ground handling milestones and further support the continuous improvement loop.

GERMANY – Hamburg Süd is now exclusively represented by its own offices in Italy and Spain after business was previously partially handled by agents and joint-venture organisations. In Egypt the company has recently taken full management of Hamburg Süd Egypt. The headquarters of the new Hamburg Süd Egypt office is based in Alexandria including a bonded depot operation servicing all Maersk brands. A branch office is located in Cairo. In addition, port offices are based in Port Said and Damietta.

In Italy, the new Hamburg Süd organisation already started work at its headquarters in Genoa at the beginning of January, with branch offices located in Livorno and Salerno whilst the head office in Spain is based in Barcelona. In addition to an existing branch office in Valencia, new branches have been opened in Bilbao, Vigo, and Madrid to serve local customers and acquire new business.

Photo: The all-electric Vivaro-E from Vauxhall