en-gb Fri, 3 Feb 2012 23:07:25 GMT Copyright: (C) Handy Shipping Guide, see http://www.handyshippingguide.com terms for terms and conditions of use WORLDWIDE – A quick round up of who’s been transferred where in the world of shipping, freight, logistics and associated sectors in the past few weeks. There has been much movement within the AP Moller Maersk group of companies this month so we’ll start there. The appointment of a new Safmarine CEO follows the announcement, in October 2011, of the Maersk Liner Business’ intention to integrate the corporate and regional management activities of Safmarine into those of the Maersk Line, whilst retaining and growing a separate Safmarine brand and operating model. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/appointments-this-month-in-shipping-freight-and-logistics_3442 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 23:06 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/appointments-this-month-in-shipping-freight-and-logistics_3442 AUSTRALIA – A real challenge awaits someone as the Australian Government today announced they were to launch an international search for a Chief Executive Officer to be based in Queensland for the new office of independent National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The new man (or woman) will be tasked with creating and shaping the way the country’s road haulage industry reforms to finally ensure that each state conforms to ensure cross border freight is not subject to different state laws. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/wanted-top-executive-to-shape-the-future-of-road-haulage-freight-truckers-_3441 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:15 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/wanted-top-executive-to-shape-the-future-of-road-haulage-freight-truckers-_3441 EAST ASIA – Despite the fact that Japan is home to many of the major container shipping lines and some of the most efficient freight terminals in the world next week will see the port of Mishima-Kawanoe on the country’s smallest and least populous island of Shikoku targeted by international action by seafarers unions as part of an East Asian ‘week of action’. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/container-shipping-lines-and-freight-terminals-targeted-by-unions-next-week_3440 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:39 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/container-shipping-lines-and-freight-terminals-targeted-by-unions-next-week_3440 FRANCE – ASIA – EUROPE – In a bid to steady the current trend of downward spiralling freight rates (see previous story) French container shipping giant CMA CGM has announced ‘Rate Restoration’ measures which will come into force from the beginning of March. A company statement says: http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/container-shipping-giant-imposes-swingeing-surcharges-on-asia-europe-freight-rates_3439 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:51 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/container-shipping-giant-imposes-swingeing-surcharges-on-asia-europe-freight-rates_3439 WORLDWIDE – This is probably not a good time to have all your investments in global shipping. Everyone is currently raving about the plummeting Baltic Dry Index but, despite the fact it now sits at a record low, at 662 one point below the previous 25 year low achieved on the 5th December 2008, any analyst worth his salt knows that oversupply is the big problem for some vessel sizes tasked with moving bulk freight commodities. The situation which the world’s container shipping lines face however may be even more serious in the long term for one or more of the major players. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/dry-bulk-freight-index-drops-and-container-shipping-line-forecasts-and-profits-slump_3438 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:49 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/dry-bulk-freight-index-drops-and-container-shipping-line-forecasts-and-profits-slump_3438 GREECE – SWITZERLAND – All companies these days have the need to demonstrate their environmental credentials and no industry is more in the spotlight than that of freight and logistics. Whilst container shipping is making undoubted efforts to reduce pollution levels the vast amounts transported at one time make the nature of the transport more generally accepted. This is plainly not the case with air freight or indeed road haulage which often has to stand up against rail freight shipments. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/pharmaceutical-logistics-goes-for-a-cleaner-freight-option-in-greece_3437 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:23 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/pharmaceutical-logistics-goes-for-a-cleaner-freight-option-in-greece_3437 US – Like a big 16 wheel rig, less than truckload (LTL) road haulage outfit YRC continues to roll on despite all manner of financial setbacks stretching back some years. Today saw YRC Incorporated morph into YRC Freight a brand only introduced to company staff in the past few days. The rebranding means a new logo, uniforms, equipment and signage to go with the new name. The group, in the form of holding company YRC Worldwide, has struggled with financial pressures over the past few years but survives thanks to agreements with investors and unions, asset disposals and share selling and exchange sprees. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/ltl-and-express-road-haulage-group-revitalises-itself-as-long-haul-us-freight-company_3436 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:57 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/ltl-and-express-road-haulage-group-revitalises-itself-as-long-haul-us-freight-company_3436 EUROPE - WORLDWIDE – European road haulage operators are of course well used to a tachograph system designed primarily to ensure that drivers are refreshed enough to handle a truck often weighing it at 40 tonnes. In the wake of the costs in human and financial terms of the Costa Concordia disaster results just out from an EU funded research programme into the way watch keeping patterns can affect the tiredness of ships officers aboard vessels, whether they be passenger or freight carrying merchantmen, make interesting reading. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/fatigue-issues-for-freight-and-passenger-shipping-should-be-addressed-now_3435 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:55 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/fatigue-issues-for-freight-and-passenger-shipping-should-be-addressed-now_3435 IRAN – WORLDWIDE – A report published yesterday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reinforces the points made in the Handy Shipping Guide article last May that suspect cargoes are regularly being transported in freight containers on vessels which themselves do not belong to countries directly involved in sanction breaking activities. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/new-report-studies-arms-smuggled-as-normal-freight-via-container-shipping_3432 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:41 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/new-report-studies-arms-smuggled-as-normal-freight-via-container-shipping_3432 FRANCE – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – Despite being known principally for its European road haulage operations a policy of expansion and acquisition has transformed Norbert Dentressangle into a truly international group incorporating different elements including freight forwarding and general logistics. Figures release yesterday show revenue up in 2011 to €3,576 million, a 26% jump from the previous years figure. http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/road-haulage-operator-transforms-into-an-international-freight-forwarding-and-logistics-group_3431 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:53 GMT http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/road-haulage-operator-transforms-into-an-international-freight-forwarding-and-logistics-group_3431