Shipping Search - Archive

Giant Aircraft Carries Twin Maglev Units to China

GERMANY – CHINA – With the promotion of the Silk Road route we have heard a lot this year about the benefits and drawbacks of airfreight versus block trains coming from China into Europe, but our (rather idealistic) picture shows a reverse scenario with two complete maglev train sections shipping as air cargo in the opposite direction.

eCommerce Home Delivery Contract Hailed as a First for Third Party Logistics

UK – Road haulage and logistics group Wincanton has been selected by Waitrose to to create a Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) for the supermarket firm's online grocery home deliveries in what it calls a first for the third-party logistics market.

Virus May Mean a Potentially Gloomy Outlook with Spare Capacity Waiting in the Wings

WORLDWIDE – Ocean freight rate benchmarking and market intelligence platform Xeneta has published its June public index report which it says shows, probably to the surprise of very few shipping professionals, that future economic indicators are far from promising.

Once Again Preserving the Integrity of the Supply Chain is Paramount

UK – Last week's Annual General Meeting of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) saw Chair Nicola Ridges-Jones noting the similarities between this virus infected year and that of the organisation's birth, the war torn days of 1944 when it was hatched to enable the country to keep the supply chain moving in stressful times.

New Station Assists in Reaching Environmental Targets

SWEDEN – A new bunkering station for liquefied gas was opened by Nordic energy group Gasum this month in the Port of Nynäshamn, Sweden on the premises of Ports of Stockholm. After a year in construction the recently opened facility includes new bunkering solutions enabling ships to bunker environmentally friendly fuel faster than ever.

Build Goes Ahead Despite the Virus

SWEDEN – CHINA – EUROPE – The last two of the five E-Flexer Ro/Pax ferries ordered by Stena Line from the CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard in China are now under construction despite the havoc caused to global production schedules due to the pandemic. The Swedish group has also confirmed the third E-Flexer vessel destined for the Irish Sea, Stena Embla, is expected to be delivered on time and will start operating on the Belfast-Liverpool route in January 2021.

Wind Farm Foundations Towed Into Place

GERMANY – DENMARK – The burgeoning market which is the offshore energy industry is proving a boon during hard times to a variety of sectors associated with maritime occupations. Not least amongst these are those supplying large enough cranes to handle ever larger components to construct the offshore wind farms, but it seems not always to load aboard supply vessels, simply to drop in the sea!

Bite Size Sessions for Networking Group

UK – As a logistics sector organisation one of the key parts of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) remit is to commit to the delivery of industry training not only to members, but also to international traders. Despite the difficulties of the current pandemic, last month BIFA emphasised its commitment to maintain the status quo as far as possible with an announcement that training would be available online.

Industry and Unions Unite to Call for Government Action Now

UK – In 2018 the Policy Exchange group published a report, 'Fueling the Future', which looked at the benefits of investing in hydrogen technology with a view to employing it as a weapon in the UK's fight to decarbonise in line with government policy. Now four of the country's largest unions are pressing the government to push forward a strategy which they say will create and sustain thousands of green jobs.

Which Personnel Are Moving and Where To

GERMANY – Dachser has announced Robert Erni as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2021. Erni succeed Burhard Eling and will begin his 'onboarding phase' at Dachser as Deputy Director on September 1. Most recently, the Erni was CFO at listed logistics provider Panalpina, where he headed the merger with Danish logistics group DSV.

Some Bits and Pieces You May Have Missed

POLAND – Turkish headquartered Ekol Logistics and Regatta have recently signed a new six year contract for distribution in the country after working together for two years. The expansion means Ekol dedicating a further 23,000m² to the UK based fashion brand, for which it will offer a full suite of services including e-commerce. Ekol entered the Polish market 5 years ago, offering comprehensive logistics as well as intermodal and road transport services.

Space Age America's Cup Technology at Heart of New Project

UK – With a rich shipbuilding heritage behind it the latest news from Belfast means the city is about to take a step into the 21st Century with a £33 million UK Government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries that the principals say will revolutionise the future of maritime transport.

Bigger Ships Mean Less Pollution Says Container Line

UK – DP World Southampton is waiting to welcome the largest ship ever to call at the container terminal there. On her maiden voyage to the UK, the HMM Oslo stretches to just 100 millimetres short of 400 metres, making her longer than the Shard in London is tall. The giant vessel is 61.5 metres wide and has a capacity of 23,820 TEU.

Event Used As a Soap Box for Everything Between Nationalism and Webinars to a New App

WORLDWIDE – On this, the official 'International Day of the Seafarer' organisations across the world are putting their views and opinions regarding the value of those who sail the seas to keep the wheels of society oiled. Additionally not a few are also using the occasion to sound off with regard to their various causes.

IATA Says Quarantine is a Lop Sided Solution

WORLDWIDE – With news today that Australian airline Qantas is to lay off thousands of staff, whilst on the other side of the world German carrier Lufthansa saw its largest shareholder acquiesce to the government offer to bail out the firm for a 20% equity stake for stock bought at a knock down price, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has its own ideas how to help mitigate the crisis.

Virus Has Highlighted the Essential Role Played by Mariners

WORLDWIDE – As with so many normally celebrated events the 'Day of the Seafarer' in 2020 will be a much muted affair. The event, scheduled for the 25th June, will doubtless be devoted to giving thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people who work every day to maintain the international supply chain. From fisherman working in the cold Northern Oceans to crews' aboard container vessels sailing in pirate infested waters, all deserve our gratitude.

Airport Deal for Cargo Centre Done Using Digital Technology

GERMANY – Logistics group DHL Express is to extend its operations having concluded a contract to build a new freight building with Airport Munich GmbH (FMG). The construction site at the current parking spots P80 and P80 West will compromise a gross floor area of more than 8,000 square metres. For the first time, the contracts were signed digitally, taking the current restrictions into account.

As Logistics Outfits Required to Check Imports Some Tips on Avoiding Fakes

UK – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – We have in the past written of the difficulties for fulfilment houses, usually a sector managed by freight forwarders and logistics operators spurred into action by the huge growth of on-line shopping and e-commerce. A hardening of attitudes by Customs authorities has meant that those controlling stocks of imported items are tasked with ensuring that all such goods are genuine, a difficult task to say the least.

Successful Intercontinental Delivery of Locomotives

US – PERU – Only those involved personally can truly understand the concerns of each project logistics contract. And when that consignment is two locomotives, each weighing in at 180 tonnes and destined to be transported through urban streets and suburban neighbourhoods one can only imagine the problems the logistics outfit charged with handling the shipment will face before a successful delivery.

Limited Allocations for Covid-19 Approved Facilities

UK – The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has advised us that some roadworthiness testing dates will start to be allocated from next week for July. Tests were suspended from March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It Seems Australian Dockers Representatives Are Sensitive Souls After All

AUSTRALIA – In 2015 the leading officials of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) came under a withering attack from Justice Dyson Heydon who enquired into payments totalling A$3,200,000 handed over by a number of employers in the maritime industry at the direction or request of MUA officials and naming three, Chris Cain, Paddy Crumlin and Rod Pickette, and a payment to a political candidate, who happened to be the Deputy State Secretary of the MUA.

Freight Stakeholders Set to Suffer at Least to End of 2020

EUROPE – At the end of last week the European Commission released a White Paper aimed at establishing measures for a sustainable rail market in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst admitting it cannot foresee how the crisis will continue to develop, the EC made it clear it understands that the effect will lead to a high number of insolvencies and liquidity problems for supply chain stakeholders ranging from railway undertakings, shippers and logistic enterprises as well as infrastructure managers and service facility operators.

Companies Must Consider Resilience and Spread Manufacturing Options Post Covid-19

WORLDWIDE – Researchers at the University of Birmingham have been studying the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global supply chain and concluded that manufacturers must redesign or reform their current practices if they want to survive and prosper in the wake of the disease.

Innovation in Shipping Shortlisted for Major Engineering Award

UK – A significant contribution to the safe shipment of liquefied gas has been recognised by the country's longest running engineering prize, the MacRobert Award, which is overseen by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Babcock Liquid Gas Equipment (LGE) has been shortlisted for its innovative ecoSMRT © technology that significantly improves the efficiency of carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Video Substitutes for Previous Live Events

UK – With the Black Lives matter campaign and talks of slavery really hitting the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons over the past week or so, a particularly British link to her colonial heritage is always normally marked on the 22 June every year, particularly by the Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with Port of Tilbury - national Windrush Day.

Latest HR News from the Industry

UK – The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced the election of Lord Karan Bilimoria as its new President. John Allan CBE, the outgoing CBI President, becomes the organisation’s Vice-President. Lord Bilimoria founded Cobra Beer in 1989 and remains its Chairman to this day. He was also founding Chair on the UK-India Business Council.

Some Things From Around the Industry You May Want to Know

CANADA – UK – Logistics software provider Descartes has acquired digital freight execution platform supplier Cracking Logistics Limited (aka Kontainers). The company products enable quoting, booking, tracking and dashboard analytics. Descartes acquired Kontainers for total consideration of up to $12 million, with up-front consideration of $6.0 million in cash, plus a potential performance-based consideration.

Seafarers Give Virus Quarantine the Run Around

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Over the past weeks and months we have heard much of the fate of seafarers, many of whom have been trapped aboard their vessels by the coronavirus pandemic. As unions fight to ensure the way is cleared for repatriation an array of maritime charities have striven to support crews and families but some sailors have found their own way of giving something back.

No Multimodal Show in 2020

UK – The Multimodal exhibition, always one of the most keenly anticipated events in the logistics calendar, has seen the 2020 event cancelled today due to the travails of overcoming the effects of the Coronavirus.

Logistics Business Resumes Despite the Virus

CHINA – FRANCE – It seems, despite a second wave of the virus reportedly sweeping Beijing, things at the original source of Wuhan recovered sufficiently early to allow freight traffic to get back to some level of normality in advance of much of Europe.

Major British Firm Will Be Switching Total of 4,800 Vehicles to Cleaner Alternatives

UK – During lockdown the man in the street, or more probably indoors, is unlikely to have worried where the daily bread came from or how it got there, but that situation is about to change. Post-pandemic the inquisition will certainly focus in part on the cleaner air all have witnessed due to the temporary fall in traffic levels. Now a major British business has committed to eliminate fossil fuels completely from its commercial vehicle and car fleet by 2030.

Comprehensive Glossary of Terms Alone is Well Worth a Look for the Uninitiated

WORLDWIDE – Although the whole world is currently threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic there is a pre-existing threat which will continue to potentially devastate trade for the foreseeable future, and one which is continually evolving to try and defeat any attempts to eradicate it. We are talking about cyber crime and this week a White Paper published by three logistics industry stakeholders offers guidance which will be welcomed far beyond the confines of the port community it is aimed at.

Problems Range from Hard Deposits Scarring Cylinders to Biological Attacks on Pipework

CANADA – WORLDWIDE – As the saying goes 'There's no such thing as a free lunch', and that seems to be the case with the International Maritime Organization's mandatory legislation on the sulphur content allowable in marine fuels, at least according to specialist fuel treatment firm Aderco.

Ferry Firm Becomes First to Attain Qualification Regarding Covid-19 Prevention

NORWAY – FINLAND – WORLDWIDE – Whilst the current pandemic has brought misery to many thousands, history has always shown that, while some suffer, others can reap rewards from the very worst situations. As suppliers of PPE watch sales figures soar there are less mercenary gains to be had by those who look for other ways to prevent the spread of the disease, in one case to the benefit of the maritime sector.

Investment to Allow Growth and Cut Highway Pollution

UK – Intermodal freight has to be a growth area for the country, with the transfer of long haul road cargo to rail at its heart, to allow the UK to meet its commitment to cut pollution on the highways. With this in mind GB Railfreight (GBRf) has invested in new intermodal sidings at its Peterborough site which are now set to commence operations.

Safety Group Concerned However That Truck Direct Vision Standards May Be Watered Down

EUROPE – Road safety statistics will always be a key factor in the logistics business, hauliers made constantly aware of how trucks, quite naturally given their relative size, are often involved in the most serious incidents. Today's release of figures from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) certainly make interesting reading.

Four Years of Austerity for Sector

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – After the demise of tug and salvage specialist Ardent earlier this month it seems the offshore support sector continues to suffer difficult times. This week comes the news that, due to the current market situation and the global over-supply of offshore supply vessels, Maersk Supply Service has decided to divest two of its older assets.

Representatives Say Logistics Sector Has Kept Capital Alive and Needs to Recover

UK – Representatives of the road freight sector were united in their criticism of the recent announcement by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan who has confirmed that the Congestion Charge for driving on the roads of the capital will be 'temporarily' increased as from next Monday 22nd June 2020.

Freight Forwarders Welcome News Together With Facility for Multiple Declarations

UK – When the government announced last week that it was refusing to extend the Brexit transition period but delaying import controls until July 2021, there was an additional statement from HMRC which passed by with little comment, but one which is of great interest to a large section of the cargo community, particularly freight forwarders and parcel carriers.

Who Remembers Hundreds of Vessels Laying Offshore with Unusable Cargo?

NIGERIA – Those amongst us who remember the Nigerian cement crisis of the mid 1970's will be doubtless surprised at the news this week that the country's main producer is now beginning exports of a by-product, cement clinker, to overseas clients. A story which saw the fall of a government, the collapse of several buildings and the alleged deliberate sinking of a number of ships is worthy of a retelling.

Representatives Tired of International Government Inaction to Assist Crews Stranded by Covid-19

WORLDWIDE – It seems after months of serious concerns the organisation which represents the rights of thousands of seafarers around the world has finally run out of patience at the inability of the shipping industry and governments to enable their members repatriation, after many crews have been stranded at sea by the regulations in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Maritime Law Throws Up Yet Another Precedent in Latest Limited Liability Case

UK – WORLWIDE – One of the fascinating things about the logistics industry is its ability to throw up a seemingly infinite number of new legal precedents, despite the fact that it has a well-documented history going back generations. Perhaps this is somewhat understandable with some of the newer transport modes such as intercontinental haulage but, despite the fact men have been shipping goods by water for centuries, it is here we often come across the most interesting cases.

Easing of Import Customs Clearance Demands Welcomed by Storage Sector

UK – The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA), which represents warehouse keepers and logistics companies responsible for over 12 million square metres of storage space, has joined the chorus of support from freight and logistics organisations for the latest government pronouncement on EU border checks.

Weekly Ferry to Link Three Countries

SPAIN – IRELAND – UK – RoRo and bulk freight specialist CLdN, and owner of Cobelfret Ferries, has said that introducing its new short sea service between Santander, Liverpool and Dublin is a 'bold move', but many in the industry will see it as very pragmatic, given the timing.

Negotiations Continue but No Extension to Transition Period Possible

UK – The news that the government will not implement full import controls after the Brexit transition period expires received a positive response from the freight and logistics sector as a whole. However as this applies only to imports, and the EU immediately responded by saying it would not mirror the process and would implement full checks on goods being exported from Britain perhaps the announcement elicited a more muted reaction than would otherwise have been the case.

Industry Updates from Around the Globe

UK – The Dart Group, Leeds based owner of JET2 has sold Fowler Welch, its distribution and logistics business to the Culina Group for a reported gross cash consideration of £98 million. The acquisition would seem to be a good fit for both parties. Fowler Welch has a half share in a fruit and vegetable ripening operation in Kent, Integrated Service Solutions.

Keeping Key Cargo Terminal Workers Safe During the Crisis

UK – The TT Club, one of the industry's leading international insurance providers, specialising in the cargo handling sector and an Associate Member of the British Ports Association (BPA), has prepared a short paper for UK ports and terminals to consider as part of their risk assessment and management plans during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Established Sales Platform Set to Transform PPE Supply Chains

UK – Whilst Britain's traditional retailers struggle against the effects of the virus and the country's GDP slumped by over 20% in April, the biggest ever monthly fall since records began, there will always be some who inadvertently actually profit from the situation.

Argument Over the Science of All Round Vision for Drivers

UK – Having been criticised in the past for a constantly changing policy over the incoming Direct Vision Standards (DVS) to be applied to all goods vehicles over 12 tonnes which drive into Greater London from 26 October this year, TFL and the London Mayor have just received another broadside for 'misjudgement' of the science required.

Survey Highlights Concerns as Video Log Launched

WORLDWIDE – Concern continues to grow for the tens of thousands of seafarers who are still unable to repatriate back to their family homes, and for those who are unable to reach their vessels and are therefore not being paid during the pandemic.

British Built Rolling Stock Ordered

UK – Two of the major British rail enterprises have signed a multi-million pound contract for the lease of intermodal rolling stock. Increasing the proportion of goods carried by rail has an important role to play in helping the UK to deliver on its decarbonisation agenda and rail freight will therefore play an important role in supporting a green recovery.

Strategic Acquisition of Ukrainian Facility Confirmed

UKRAINE – UAE – In February DP World, the port and logistics outfit based in Dubai, agreed to purchase a 51% stake in TIS Container Terminal in the Port of Yuzhny, Ukraine. This acquisition has now been completed after agreement of specific conditions including confirmation of regulatory approval from the relevant government authorities.

Calls for Politicians to Get Their Acts Together

UK – The news from the latest round of Brexit talks which have been happening in the past week that little or no progress has been made has not gone down well with industry and the freight and logistics community. Although unsurprising given the history of these negotiations, a statement issued stating that there may not be a formal agreement between the two sides until October at the earliest, has prompted an instant reaction.

Flettner Rotary Sails and Solar Power to Help Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

SWEDEN – WORLDWIDE – Flettner sails are back in the news! And if you have no idea what they are then you probably should. The rotary sail system, which has been looked at closely by a bevy of shipping notables of late, was highlighted four years ago when our article gave the history of Anton Flettner's 1920's invention to harness the power of the wind.

Politicians Accused of Hiding Behind Escape Clause to Mask Their Incompetence

WORLDWIDE – As long ago as mid-April we told how an alliance of shipping companies with a combined fleet of 1,500 vessels were demanding action by international governments to ensure the 70,000 or more staff which they employ were given the chance to return home at reasonable intervals during the pandemic. Now the union which represents 20,000 maritime professionals has accused those same politicians of hiding behind a declaration of 'force majeur' to delay repatriations.

When the Going Gets Tough - Apparently the Tough Get Drinking

UK – Lockdown has led to a wide ranging change for many, kids at home for weeks but still needing education, staff furloughed and not allowed to work, so it is probably unsurprising that, with a trip to the pub or restaurant off limits, more alcohol would be consumed at home. However the figures from one specialist drinks logistics company still make, one might even say, shocking reading.

New Report Sees How Costs of Boxes Stack Up

WORLDWIDE – Information is power as the old saying goes, a phrase particularly relevant as ever increasing streams of statistics become more widely available, plus it is always interesting to see how suppliers charges stack up against each other. This is true of any business, and shipping and logistics has always been about the bottom line and getting value for money, and now those with interests in the container freight market have another source of data to consider.

Airlines Brace Themselves for Record Losses as Freight Revenues Hold Up

WORLDWIDE – It would seem for the airlines that the carriage of air cargo is the only bright spot in the mess which the virus is trailing in its wake. Although as against 2019 overall freight tonnes carried are expected to drop by 10.3 million tonnes to 51 million this year, the chronic shortage of available capacity has allowed carriers to hike rates by around 30%. With belly hold space drastically cut due to the shortage of passenger flights, annual cargo revenues are set to jump.

Accurate Information Lacking Across Parts of the Continent

AFRICA – Despite all the false rumours and conspiracy theories of falling birds and 5G masts being linked to the current Covid-19 pandemic, those in Europe and America can, with a modicum of intelligence and scrutiny, read between the lines and get a reasonable idea of what is actually happening and the best ways to control the spread of the disease.

AI Equipped Technology Saves Time, Money and Risks to Health

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Over the past few years we have revised our initially somewhat cynical view of the place of drones within the shipping sector. After originally feted by many as possible universal delivery systems, an ill-conceived concept at least, the remotely controlled technology has effectively been deployed in niche areas on land and water and in the air, to prove a useful tool in a variety of supply chain sectors.

Promise to Be Biggest and Best Fails

US – DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Five years to the month since some of the giants of the shipping world joined forces to create a new specialist sector group, the project has collapsed, with the management forced out by difficult market conditions after promises to be the largest player in the field. So who was this operation that promised so much?

European Report Shows Upswing in Road Haulage Smuggled Migrants in 2019

UK – EUROPE – The publication of the latest European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC) report from Europol, which forensically dissects the modes and methods used throughout 2019 to transport people illegally across international borders, makes interesting, if sobering, reading.

Another Major Logistics Event Laid Low by Virus

WORLDWIDE – Those freight forwarders all over the world for whom the International Federation of Freight Forwarding Associations (FIATA) World Congress is an annual pilgrimage will doubtless be disappointed, if unsurprised, to hear this year's event, due to be held in the Republic of Korea in October, has been postponed.

Renewable Energy and Offshore Sectors Are First Target

SPAIN – It seems that for too long the Port of Cadiz has been known mainly as a call for cruise liners, and while this may be a major source of revenue, the Port Authority has adopted the mantra that biggest is not necessarily best when it comes to offer freight and logistics services.

Logistics at the Heart of Latest NASA Mission

US – INFINITY AND BEYOND – If you thought HALO was just an acronym for a type of parachute activity or the bright ring that hangs above the head of the odd seraphim, think again. The latest use of the phrase is short for Habitation and Logistics Outpost and it's something you are likely to be hearing about for some while from now on.

Announcements of Who is Heading Where

DENMARK – Global towage operator Svitzer has announced that the Board of Directors have appointed Kasper Friis Nilaus, VP and current Managing Director of Svitzer Europe, to succeed Henriette Thygesen as global CEO of Svitzer, effective June 15. Going forward, he will continue to report to Henriette Thygesen in her capacity as CEO of Maersk Fleet and Strategic Brands. Svitzer remains a fully-owned AP Moller-Maersk company.

What is Happening Along the Global Supply Chain

FINLAND – Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch has signed a contract with Caterpillar (Cat) to deliver electric drive train technology for a series of bulk carriers. The ships will feature Cat Marine's Twin Fin concept. In total, The Switch will be providing deliveries of two permanent magnet (PM) propulsion machines, four PM generators, two DC-Hubs, two Electronic Bus Links (EBL) and 20 Electronic DC Breakers (EDCB) for each vessel.

Logistics Lobby Says Urgent Government Attention Needed

UK – It seems the deep divisions which have existed when it comes to the matter of the country exiting the European Union persist, even now Britain is officially out of the EU. More controversy arose this week when the Northern Irish Assembly at Stormont voted in favour of extending the Brexit transition period.

Internet of Things Harnessed to Improve Processes

UK – The Internet of Things (IoT), along with emissions and viruses, seems to be one of the great watchwords for the logistics industry at the moment, and now the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has begun working with an elite group of partners to promote its integration into operational platforms aimed at capturing efficiencies and driving productivity in warehousing and the rest of the supply chain.

Meanwhile a New Infection Certification Arrives

NORWAY – SWITZERLAND – Classification society DNV GL and technology group ABB have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate digitalisation in the maritime industry. In the current style the deal was done remotely by video link in an online ceremony.

Every Goodwill Organisation Under Exceptional Pressure as Virus Continues

UK – Anyone who has been shut in during lockdown with access to a television will be aware of the ramping up of appeals for a huge variety of charities appearing on their screens in numbers never before seen. The virus has obviously affected all these organisations and now the UK Chamber of Shipping has made a move to help highlight the charities which are associated with it.

Logistics Groups Highlight the Changing Face of Delivery Market

UK – In order to better understand the many changes being witnessed due to the current pandemic, supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA has facilitated an assembly of more than 30 leading grocery and home appliance businesses into a Covid-19 Supply Chain Collaboration Group.

Annual Report Shows Environmental Targets Reached a Decade Early

SWEDEN – EUROPE – With the entire shipping sector focusing very much on reducing emissions and improving sustainability, the ferry companies probably have the potential to make rapid and effective improvements more than any other part of the maritime industry. With the potential of electric RoRo vessels which make comparatively short voyages, such as the pictured Stena Elektra, due to enter service by 2030, the freight and passenger short sea businesses are likely to be in the vanguard of environmental changes.

Endangered Species Rescued Prior to Commencement of Work

SWEDEN – When work commenced on the new Arendal terminal at the Port of Gothenburg in Autumn 2018, the largest development project at the port for over 40 years, probably very little thought was initially given to wildlife. However as with other similar projects, the construction of the port at London Gateway springs to mind, an ecological study is always an essential component in these matters.

As Capacity Rises Will Demand Follow?

WORLDWIDE – The latest report from Clive Data Services, which consolidates and analyses data from a group of international airlines using the volume and weight perspectives of the freight carried and the available capacity, supports the continued small recovery of air cargo volumes, but a fall in demand over the last two weeks of the month may signal more challenging times ahead as airlines expand available capacity to the market.

Business Must Continue to Run as Facilities Expanded

UK – Despite all the problems it has brought with it, it seems a little thing like the virus is not going to stop one of the country's biggest rail freight companies from pushing on with its investment in expanded facilities.

Cutting Fuel Use and Emission Production is at the Heart of Going Green

DENMARK – NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – Going Green and being able to evidence one's environmental credentials is becoming ever more an essential part of an organisation's portfolio these days and now two major Scandinavian players in logistics associated sectors are letting it be known how they are coping with this.

Transition Period Needs Extending and We Have Heard Funeral Bells Oh So Many Times Before

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is encouraging its members to personally appeal to government requesting an extension to the Brexit Transition Period, and simultaneously take a sideswipe clearly aimed at the arrogance of newly financed freight forwarding outfit Beacon, which this week announced it had a 'new way' of disrupting and improving an industry, a claim which has been heard before echoing down the years.

Chemical Company Benefits from Swiss Technology in Tank Container Transport

NETHERLANDS – SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – Whilst generally there has been a steady take up of telematics by the road haulage sector, the rail and container sea freight areas have been comparatively slow to utilise the technologies now available. One is tempted to think bosses may be more interested in their drivers' behaviour than in the goods they are carrying!

MSC Ship Turned Round Quickly

SPAIN – Our photograph shows the MSC Sixin, the second biggest vessel in the world and the largest ship to berth at any terminal in Barcelona, nestled alongside the quay at the Hutchison Ports BEST container terminal. The 23,656 TEU vessel was making the port call as part of its 2M alliance rotation.

After December it May Need a Shed Load of Red Tape to Ease the Driver Shortage

UK – While we all fuss and worry about the virus situation perhaps the eyes of logistics businesses are a little off the ball for the moment regarding another huge crisis in the making, the staff shortages, particularly in the field of road haulage drivers and warehouse assistants.

With IoT Technologies the Box Industry Moves Into the 21st Century

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – One body which has not let the grass grow under its feet during lockdown is the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) which, having made a loud call for a move to the digitalisation of Bills of Lading recently, has now published its Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity interface standards for shipping containers. The standards can be implemented by vessel operators and owners as well as ports, terminals, container yards, inland logistics providers and other third parties to ensure interoperability between smart container solutions at the radio interface level.

Cost of Virus on the Sector Exposed as Calls Come for More Government Help

UK – A survey by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) shows that the vast majority of hauliers are still struggling after pandemic lockdown measures have seen volumes collapse with 16% of the 600 freight firms responding claiming they could be insolvent within four weeks, despite government furlough payments and bounce back loans offering a temporary reprieve.

Not Just the Honest Getting Back to Work

WORLDWIDE – Manufacturers and logistics service providers must be prepared to protect their supply chains from a projected significant spike in cargo thefts as coronavirus lockdowns begin to be lifted across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) has warned.

Carbon and Sulphur Dioxides, Nitrogen Oxides and Noise All Pollute Docksides

UK – If anything the virus situation has brought the need to clean up the environment into sharper focus. In the UK the much lower traffic levels have made people realise just how much emissions are affecting air quality and, in a timely move, the British Ports Association issued a new report, 'Reducing Emissions from Shipping in Ports: Examining the Barriers to Shore Power', calling for the UK government to boost its support for shore power connections as a viable tool for meeting its Net Zero Carbon emissions targets.

It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know

UK – WORLDWIDE – London based Beacon, which refers to itself as 'the next generation freight forwarding and supply chain finance company', has raised over $15 million in its Series A fundraising round, with investors including Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, and leading US venture capital firm 8VC.

So What Can AEO Actually Mean for Me?

UK – Authorised Economic Operator Status (AEO) is a term much bandied about at the moment as the Brexit negotiations get under way again, but what does it actually mean for a shipper, particularly one who has little experience with the complexities of international trade and specifically, Customs procedures?