Your Weekly Mash Up of Smaller Freight and Logistics News

UK – The ever popular Multimodal Show which was originally scheduled to take place on 16 -18 June 2020 and rescheduled to 23-25 March 2021, has now been postponed to 22-24 June 2021 at NEC, Birmingham. The decision was made with regard to the safety of customers, attendees, staff and suppliers and based upon both governmental directions and general public health advice.

Organisers Clarion Events say those who have already registered to attend will automatically have their registration transferred to the new date and have passed their best wishes to those who have suffered at the hands of the pandemic.

UK – The German headquartered Mann+Hummel Group, producer of filtration systems fitted to many makes of truck and other automobiles, has announced it is to close its main manufacturing facility at Hilton Cross Business Park in Wolverhampton. The decision will affect around 230 employees. The manufacturing operations are expected to be fully closed by the end of 2022. Mann+Hummel says it will remain active with all its business offerings and services in the United Kingdom.

The company says the decision to close the Wolverhampton plant results from a difficult market environment, declining manufacturing volume, and the entire automotive industry undergoing a structural transition throughout Europe (nothing to do with Brexit then. Ed).

UK – WORLDWIDE – Established in 1850 Brown, Son and Ferguson Ltd predates even the Handy Shipping Guide by 37 years and this month sees the publication of the 144th Edition of Brown’s Nautical Almanac. Each year a new version arrives and now the entire book has been re-set so that navigators will find the tables are sharper and easier to read.

This year Lerwick, Bergen and Stavanger have been added to the Tide Tables and now there are 100 ports in 27 countries listed whilst the Legal Section has also been re-written. Copies of this and other publications can be ordered from the company website.

UK – US – Northampton based Panther Logistics, which specialises in two man deliveries, has announced that the business has been acquired by US based AIT Worldwide Logistics. Panther says it has seen an exponential increase in online shopping leading to an expanded team as well as several new partnerships with customers in the past year.

AIT Worldwide Logistics already claims a significant presence in the US in the white glove home delivery and e-fulfilment sectors with the two businesses sharing a number of synergies. For Panther it will be business as usual with the existing management team remaining in place, a factor which the company sees as key. At the helm Commercial Director Gary McKelvey will take the reins as Managing Director. He will be supported in his new role by Colin McCarthy to ensure a seamless transition.

UK – CHINA – We return to a favourite subject as Lloyd’s Register (LR) has signed a joint development project with Anemoi Marine Technologies and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) to develop a series of energy efficient vessel designs equipped with rotor sails. The project will address one of the most significant roadblocks for the commercial adoption of emission abatement technology, the collaboration between original equipment manufacturer, designer, regulator and ship owner to agree a pathway for the commercial success of installed technology on board vessels.

By opening the JDP to ship owners, the parties can ensure that the technology fits the market needs and can provide better decision support for the installation of this technology across the range of common ship types demanded by the wet and dry bulk markets. Proposed ship types include 85,000 and 210,000 DWT bulk carriers, a 325,000 DWT very large ore carrier (VLOC), a 114,000 DWT aframax tanker, a 50,000 DWT MR tanker and a very large crude carrier (VLCC).

WORLDWIDE – Standard Club, Intercargo, and DNV GL have collaborated to launch a new cargo and cargo hold ventilation guide to provide vessel masters and crew with an understanding of different ventilation requirements for bulk cargoes. Ships carry a wide variety of dry cargoes, all with different ventilation requirements depending on the cargo characteristic, voyage, and the weather conditions. Proper ventilation is essential to preventing damage to the cargo and to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel in bulk carriers.

Standard Club continues to see high numbers of wet cargo damage claims, caused either by fresh water or seawater, but the most serious damage is due to condensation. Inadequate ventilation and poor stowage may result in caked and mouldy dry cargoes, or rusty steel cargoes. This guide aims to provide ship’s masters and crew with a clear and concise understanding of the ventilation requirements for various cargoes and covers the main aspects on how and when to ventilate to control the humidity and to remove flammable and toxic gases released from cargoes.

In addition, fumigation issues and the entry of ship’s personnel into confined spaces are addressed. The guide also sets out the regulatory requirements related to ventilation and includes case studies which illustrate practical examples on what can go wrong when correct ventilation and stowage procedures are not followed. A free webinar on the ventilation guide will take place on Friday 11 December 8:00 CET /9:00 UK /17:00 SGT. You can register here.

SWEDEN – NORWAY – POLAND – A new freight service will commence at the turn of the year, linking Gothenburg to the industrialised Western Region in Norway via the ports in Stavanger, Bergen, Sunndal and Ålesund. The service will also include the Polish port of Swinoujscie, which will in turn open up further trade options with central Europe. Vessels will visit Gothenburg on a weekly basis.

The new service will be operated by the Norwegian shipping company Sea-Cargo, which has its headquarters on the west coast of Norway. In preparation for the new service, Sea-Cargo will open an office at the Port of Gothenburg to establish even closer operational links. At the Port of Gothenburg the vessels will be handled by Logent Ports & Terminals, which operates the RoRo and car terminal in the port.

Photo: Rotor sails to assist in cutting fuel costs and emissions at sea are back firmly on the agenda.