Shipping Search - Archive

2019 Sees Another Substantial Drop in Pollutants

UK – The latest results of the Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS) are included in the Freight Transport Association's own 2019 Logistics Emissions Review which was launched today. Sponsored by Bridgestone and ExxonMobil, the Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS) is a free-to-join industry initiative to record, report and reduce carbon emissions from freight transport.

Rising Rate of Attacks Include Extremist Islamic Kidnappings

SOUTH EAST ASIA – A renewed rash of piracy attacks in the Straits of Singapore has underscored the need for action as discussed at the recent two-day meeting organised by the Philippine Coast Guard and the intergovernmental piracy watchdog, Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).

Global Items You May Have Missed

UK – P&I and FD&D insurance group, The American Club, has released its latest loss prevention guidance, Bunkering - A Compendium, together with website access to a comprehensive approach to loss prevention initiatives demanded by new regulations and generally by supplying guidance on operations and management.

Who is Going Where as of Now

UK – Staff appointments and departures across the transport sector start this week with the news that the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has confirmed the appointment of David Stroud as its policy and compliance adviser with responsibility for logistics issues relating to air freight, security and sustainable logistics.

A Look at Potential Corrosion Issues

US – NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Over the past few months we have written about the benefits and drawbacks of the two types of scrubber systems being installed in vessels globally to clean harmful gaseous emissions and ensure compliance with the mandatory IMO Sulphur cap, coming into force in just a few days.

Donation of Thermal Imaging Camera to RNLI Will Save Lives

UK – 'tis the right time of year for a good news story, so appropriately AV Dawson, one of the many members of the Tees and Hartlepool Port Users Association (THPUA), tells us that together with PD Ports and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), the THPUA have just donated a thermal imaging camera to the RNLI enabling it to increase the effectiveness of its search and rescue operations, and ultimately increasing its capability to save lives.

Christmas Tree Lighting Sets Show Changing Patterns

US – Ship owners representatives BIMCO have examined an interesting trend this week taking a look at one specific item at this particularly busy time of the year for many. The Christmas trade of course builds up for the maritime sector in the longer term, about a ten month window for imports, and the US this year saw an aptly put changing pattern in Christmas lights.

Country May be Unrecognised Internationally but that Won't Stop Progress

SOMALILAND – Just over a year ago we wrote how logistics group DP World was developing a new port in Berbera in the face of criticism from Somali authorities who, like much of the international community, refuse to recognise the country as an independent state. Now seemingly a policy of 'hearts and minds' is under way to educate local youth, sponsored by the Dubai outfit.

(Or Rather the Lack of Them)

UK – It seems there was nothing good to say about the Welsh Government's 'Fast Track' recommendations as published by the South East Wales Transport Commission this week, which seemingly buried the idea of an M4 relief road and thus released a torrent of scorn from freight and road haulage professionals.

Forwarder Acquires US Transport and Warehouse Company

US – Having just rebranded a company which first took shape 175 years ago in Mainz, Germany, global freight forwarder and drinks logistics specialist transporter Hillebrand has acquired in full, warehouse and transportation beverage only provider, Baltimore based Royal Logistics and Royal Service Transport (Royal).

Five Billion Dollars to Fund Research Into New Power Sources for Global Shipping

WORLDWIDE – Despite the much touted figure that international shipping moves 90% of the world's trade goods whilst emitting only 2.5 - 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the maritime sector, and indeed the whole logistics profession, is taking the matter extremely seriously and bidding to its cut harmful CO₂, and other pollutants, either partially or completely.

Measures Aimed at Cutting Competition from Flag of Convenience Low Tax States

EUROPE – This week the European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules five schemes to support maritime transport. Such schemes are designed to encourage the registration of vessels across the continent, whilst ensuring there is no undue distorting of the sector's competitiveness.

New Year Will See Additions to Heavy Lift Fleet

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – Project cargo specialist Hamburg headquartered SAL Heavy Lift can trace its roots back over 150 years, but in 2017 it became part of the Harren & Partner group and now says it will expand its fleet early in 2020 with the addition of three heavy lift vessels, each with 800 tonnes lifting capacity.

Peak Working Means Room for Young Disadvantaged Staff

UK – Christmas is of course a time for charity, but for many logistics outfits, particularly those in the annually expanding home delivery sector, it is also the busiest time of the year. Now one freight operation has explained how it combines the two with over 100 youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds recruited in 2019 mainly to help with peak demand.

Suffolk Based Firm Now the Full Logistics Package

UK – Whilst one stalwart of the British road haulage industry famous for its green and black trucks struggles to survive harsh economic times, a smaller, but similarly liveried competitor, sets out on a new chapter as, again paralleling the history of its larger rival, the son of the firm's original driving force takes the helm.

Freight and Passenger Ferry Group Turn to Silicon Technology

UK – Whilst the world at large looks to shipping to reduce its emissions by way of the IMO sulphur cap and a switch to gas and electric power to cut the discharge of CO₂ and other pollutants, below the waterline often lurks a more insidious threat to life.

Road Haulage Operators Need to Know Emission Zones Set to Proliferate Over the Next Twelve Months

EUROPE – As driving restrictions are imposed across the Continent so we publish the latest update of incoming schemes to limit access to vehicles right across the internal combustion sector. Although the authorities everywhere insist these are necessary for environmental reasons, none seem slow when it comes to charging both private motorists, and the road freight haulage industry, in order to persuade a change in behaviour.

(He is Named as General Manager with Yu as His Deputy - see below)

FRANCE – Adriaan den Heijer has been appointed Executive Vice President at Air France-KLM Cargo. He will also join the Air France-KLM Group Executive Committee. Having joined KLM in 1995, den Heijer has held several managerial and senior roles within in the company, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Pricing & Revenue Management for Air France-KLM. His nomination as EVP Air France-KLM Cargo is effective 1st of January 2020.

Now the Smoke is Clearing on a Tory Victory Shipping Says What It Wants and Expects

UK – It would seem, despite the bleary eyes induced by election night, the great and the good of the shipping and logistics world were up early enough to all put in the three pennyworth regarding the Conservative landslide and their future aspirations for the country, particularly with regards to Brexit, and first out of the blocks was the British International Freight Association (BIFA), with Robert Keen, Director General, saying:

Some Stories Which Didn't Make the Front Page

COLOMBIA – Port operator Sociedad Puerto Industrial de Aguadulce (SPIA) set a new operational milestone last week at the Port of Buenaventura after servicing the 14,436-TEU, 366 metres long, MSC Faith, the largest ship ever to dock in the country. The call at Puerto Aguadulce, was part of Mediterranean Shipping Company's (MSC) weekly service between Asia and Latin America's west coast. SPIA is a container and bulk handling facility jointly developed by Philippine group ICTSI and PSA of Singapore.

Record Total of Goods Shipped to China

US – WORLDWIDE – The Baltic and International Maritime Council, now known simply as BIMCO, has pointed out this week that October was the first month in which the US exported more crude oil by sea than it imported, with exports reaching a new record of 12.95 million tonnes. The figure, taken from a US Census Bureau report, is not the only interesting fact revealed however.

New Design Life Jackets Have Geolocation Built In for Crew Overboard

WORLDWIDE – Plastimo, an international player in the boating industry, and Sigfox, global communications provider, have joined forces to improve safety at sea with connected life jackets, offering total geolocation coverage across all oceans from 2020.

Consultation Announced to Expand Scope of Goods Covered

AUSTRALIA – The government has announced it is to undertake a comprehensive review of biosecurity cost recovery arrangements in 2020 and has increased charges on imports in the interim. It says the future of charges will be decided following consultations with stakeholders.

New Project Investigates the Use of AI

SWEDEN – Freight and passenger ferry group Stena Line is turning to fellow countrymen and experts in artificial intelligence (AI) Semcon to assist in a new pilot project for development of a unique data management solution. The companies say the solution is intended to pave the way for new digital, sustainable and profitable services at Stena Line.

Airline and Freight Forwarding Representatives Step Up Pressure

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in partnership with the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), are amplifying their efforts to ensure the safe air transport of lithium batteries.

Biofuels Considered as an Alternative but Risky Source of Power for Vessels of the Future

WORLDWIDE – The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) has released its report, 'The Role of Sustainable Biofuels in the Decarbonisation of Shipping' at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) currently underway in Madrid. Outlining the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the SSI in January 2019, the report reflects a broad stakeholder consultation process to explore the potential role of biofuels in the decarbonisation of shipping.

Industry Reports a Decade in the Black as Annual Freight Figures Slip Away

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts in a report published this month that the global airline industry will produce a net profit of $29.3 billion in 2020, improved over a net profit of $25.9 billion expected in 2019, which was revised downward from a $28 billion forecast in June. If achieved, 2020 will mark the passenger and air cargo industry's 11th consecutive year in the black.

As Christmas Looms Alcohol Will Blight Celebrations for Many

EUROPE – At this time of year the scourge of drink driving is very much in the front of many people's minds, and sadly some of those will be remembering Christmas for all the wrong reasons, having lost a loved one to a drink driving incident. Now the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) is calling for the European Union to introduce a zero-tolerance drink-driving limit in 2020.

Aspirations for the Future of Seafaring

UK – WORLDWIDE – Chiming with the country's current mode Seafarers UK, the charity for those who work at sea, has published a new ten-point manifesto setting out the charity's commitment for seafarers' safety and welfare before, during and after their seafaring careers.

MSC Will Utilise Responsibly Sourced Blended Oils

NETHERLANDS – Following successful trials with biofuel blends earlier this year, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has decided to continue bunkering responsibly sourced biofuel blended oils on a routine basis with the use of biofuel in its vessels calling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Solar Energy Builds Greener Supply Chain

DUBAI – DB Schenker has opened its first fully solar-powered logistics centre in Dubai with an area of 33,000 m². The regional distribution centre, DLC II, is located in the logistics area of Dubai South, in the immediate vicinity of Al Maktoum International Airport, and will become a central regional logistics hub in the Middle East for DB Schenker's customers.

Industry Generosity is Saving the Lives of Kids Across Africa

ZAMBIA – UK – WORLDWIDE – The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended logistics charity Transaid's live-saving transportation project in Zambia, which has helped to dramatically reduce severe malaria mortality in children under six years of age, reporting it as being 'feasible, safe and effective in hard-to-reach communities'.

Giant Machine is Latest Project Freight Forwarding Job

UK – GERMANY – There is nothing (yet everything) boring about the latest project freight forwarding consignment completed by specialist transport outfit Fracht. The shipment involved the carriage of a 515 tonne tunnel boring machine Mary from the recently completed River Humber utility tunnel to its home in Germany.

New Design Flexitank to Hold Temperature Controlled Liquids

UK – WORLDWIDE – Having consolidated the brand under one new banner in October Hillebrand, the specialist in the forwarding, transport and logistics of beverages, is launching what it calls a revolutionary 40 foot flexitank, enabling customers to transport non-hazardous liquids across the world more sustainably and in temperature-controlled conditions.

Multi Million Pound Cash Injection Makes Jobs Safe Over Christmas

UK – The latest shenanigans at Stobart Logistics, a group rescued from imminent administration on Friday when the offer of a £55 million cash injection from main shareholder and former owner DBay Advisors was accepted by shareholders, underscores the complexity of a business which began life as a one truck outfit hauling fertiliser in the 1960's and which has grown inordinately ever since.

New Film Sets Out Case for Future Infrastructure Investment and First UK Future Mobility Zone

UK – Whilst the national press this week is making much of the demands and hopes for the 'Northern Powerhouse' in the run up to the General Election, another region is making its voice heard with a new film that promotes transport infrastructure development, something of immense importance to the freight and logistics sector.

Matter Referred to Federal Court

US – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has hailed a decision by the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit that held the trucking group's lawsuit with regards to Rhode Island's truck only tolls could proceed in federal court.

Just in Case You Missed Anything

TURKEY – The weekly look at some logistics items you may have missed starts with the news that Danish headquartered shipping and freight forwarding group Martin Bencher has opened an office in Istanbul. The company says the new base in the Turkish financial capital gives them enhanced access to Asia, Europe and North Africa.

Pre-Christmas News in HR Throughout the Industry

WORLDWIDE – This week's round-up of staff changes and appointments starts with the renewal of Kitack Lim's appointment as Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a second term of 4 years, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. His re-appointment was approved at the IMO Assembly meeting earlier this week.

Securities and Accounting Swindle puts Two More in the Dock

US – The former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Celadon Group, a publicly traded transportation and trucking company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, were charged by way of an indictment, for their alleged role in a complex securities and accounting fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of more than $60 million in shareholder value.

Sighs of Relief as Multi Million Portfolio of Vehicles Arrive Safely

US – CANADA – SAUDI ARABIA – There must have been a huge sigh of relief recently in the offices of Cosdel International Transportation, a Rock-it Cargo company, when the last batch of 447 high end vehicles, successfully transported to Riyadh over the past few months, arrived safely.

New UN and IMO Project Targets Scourge of the Oceans

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Anyone who has seen the detritus gathered around the corners of wharves and docks, or seen the miles of discarded nylon gill nets which can kill fish and other creatures as they drift the oceans, will welcome a new global project to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries. It has been launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Initial funding for the project is from the Government of Norway.

Variable Bunker Costs Post Cap Addressed

WORLDWIDE – As part of a series of initiatives aimed at bringing greater transparency to fuel costs resulting from the new IMO 2020 low-sulphur regulation, maritime advisory, statistics and research group Drewry has published its first low-sulphur reference bunker index tracker.

Logistics Group Flushed with Success by New Contract

EUROPE – Freight forwarding and supply chain group CEVA Logistics has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide the central and northern European regional logistics services to Ideal Standard, Belgium-headquartered bathroom solutions group, and a familiar name all over Europe.

Less Than Six Months to Complete Multi Million Pound Addition

UK – The Port of Tyne has completed a multi million pound container terminal extension. Completed in just under 6 months, growth of 25% in container volumes in the past five years has seen the port invest substantially to extend its 20 acre container terminal.

Global Shipping Forum and Research Centre Launched

CHINA – UK – Lloyd's Register (LR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China's biggest shipbuilding group, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), to jointly study, research and develop marine equipment and technology.

Just One Tranche from Huge Order to Speed Container Operations

UK – Three of the eight giant ship to shore cranes ordered by Peel Ports arrived this week at their new home on the eastern bank of the River Mersey having made the long sea voyage from China aboard the specialist transporter vessel Zhen Hua 25. The cranes are part of work on the second phase of the Liverpool2 project to provide additional capacity for growing volumes of cargo.

(and it Looks Pretty Bleak)

UK – Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the warehouse, not a vehicle was stirring - due to a growing shortfall of 59,000 HGV drivers. A tenuous lede at best but, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) says that it is confident that the logistics sector will deliver Christmas on time this year despite the industry facing severe staff shortages.

Extended Global Stretch for Specialist Outfit

DENMARK – SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – It seems since its acquisition by DP World in August last year Aarhus headquartered short sea cargo and container feeder specialist Unifeeder has not allowed the grass to grow under its feet. With a plethora of new services, including some emanating from its parent company's port terminals, the company has now itself acquired a 77% stake in The Feedertech Group, a Singapore based feeder and short sea operator.

Hopefully a Shameful Trade Can be Controlled After Government Signs Up

INDIA – UK – WORLDWIDE – It is ten years to the day since we published an article deploring the terrible practices employed by ship breakers on third world beaches such as Alang in India, and over twelve years since the Indian Supreme Court made an order regarding how the problems of this deadly trade could be controlled. Now it seems someone may actually be taking notice.

Pledge to Accept Responsibility for Sustainable Development Goals

SPAIN – WORLDWIDE – This week sees the start of COP25 in Madrid, the UN Climate Change Conference which runs until December 13. With fisheries and aquaculture supporting 10-12% of the global population, marine ecosystems and coastal areas are at the very top of the agenda, and this naturally brings ocean shipping into the debate from the start of the discussions.

Union Worries Over Potential Problems

WORLDWIDE – There can surely be nobody associated with the ocean shipping sector who remains unaware of the incoming mandatory sulphur cap which will come into force in less than a month at the start of the New Year. Now however a genuine concern as arisen prompted by members of the maritime professionals' union, Nautilus International which may leave crew member open to prosecution.

Contribution of Women Celebrated as Nominations Open

UK – WORLDWIDE – What is traditionally a UK only event goes global this year as the 2020 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards will include an International Inspiration Award, awarded to a woman working outside of the UK and Ireland who is a role model for women in her community.

Rail Terminals an Essential Part of Environmental Transport Evolution

UK – Many companies which originally had a strong foothold in the UK transport market as traditional break bulk cargo and container road haulage operations have diversified over the last few years into the rail sector. The writing has been on the wall for some time as regards box carriage by road, with all the major ports developing their own rail cargo service links.

200 Million Cases of Bottled Goods on the Move

UK – Jigsaw, the transport solutions company and part of EV Cargo, has secured a multi-year transport and distribution agreement with beverage bottler Refresco. The contract will see 200 million cases of soft drinks and beverages transported annually from ten UK manufacturing and distribution sites direct to customers and for warehousing.

Maritime Architect Grateful for Indemnity Insurance

UK – WORLDWIDE – Thomas Miller, which manages such maritime insurance luminaries as the UK P&I Club and TT Club, also numbers some perhaps lesser known names within its portfolio of companies, one of which is the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC), which specialises in indemnity insurance for professionals associated with the transport and logistics industry.