Shipping Search - Archive

Cooperation Made First Phase of New Management System a Success

US – WORLDWIDE – This month saw American Airlines Cargo launch the first phase of its single largest investment to date with the roll out of a new cargo end to end management system. The overhaul replaces the majority of the organisation's legacy technology, narrowing 90 systems down to less than 10. Not only do the new tools bring an upgraded customer experience, the evolution of the investment is part of a broader initiative to modernise the entire business.

Joint Venture Group Will Build and Operate Two New Box Berths

FRANCE – Générale de Manutention Portuaire (GMP), a joint venture between DP World and Terminal Link, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, has won the tender for the construction and operation of the future container berths in the Port of Le Havre.

Operators Can Avoid the Wrath of the Transport Commissioner by Staying Up to Date

UK – Transport management has moved on from the image of a scruffy figure working out of a portable cabin in a muddy yard, to a fast paced, ever changing profession in which it is essential to keep pace with every update, from Health and Safety, to Drivers Working Hours in order to keep the Traffic Commissioners happy.

Hope for the Best and Prepare for the Worst as Sufficient Warehousing Remains Paramount

UK – Despite the collective shenanigans going on in Westminster there was a collective sigh of relief from the logistics professionals this week as news came of a postponement of the British exit from Europe until the New Year. Members who just received their monthly BIFA link update from the British International Freight Association will be hoping all the advice given, that would be essential in the case of a no deal, will not be necessary when the dust settles.

Antitrust Agency and FBI Investigation Results in Guilty Plea

US – Following the conviction of Dip Shipping Executives Roberto Dip and Jason Handal in June and their subsequent sentences of 18 and 15 months incarceration respectively, another shipping boss has pleaded guilty to an antitrust charge for her role in the long term cartel actions to fix prices for goods moving internationally.

Maintenance Essential in the Waters off the Wild Scottish Coast

UK – Doubtless the rigours of maintaining the vital lifeline services to and from some of the most remote Scottish Islands in all weathers takes a heavy toll on the 33 vessels operated by RoRo freight and passenger ferry operator CalMac on its 49 scheduled routes. Now the company is spending £9 million to maintain the resilience of its fleet.

Order Sees 3,000 Units Deployed Overall

UK – Still doubtless basking in the glory of two of the company's executives last week being honoured as winners of Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2019 Freight Transport Association (FTA) celebration, Maritime Transport continued the upgrade of its 3,000 strong trailer fleet with the first of 310 new skeletal units supplied by long-term partner, Dennison.

UK Based Firm Routes Chinese Products Worldwide

CHINA – UK – The influence of Kerry Logistics continues to spread throughout the Far East and now the Hong Kong headquartered company has set up a new central distribution centre for Smiffys, a UK based family owned fancy dress company. The new facility is in Ningbo will operate a pick and pack operation to supply the customers overseas markets as part of a global supply chain contract.

Largest Global Cargo Handler Switches to Greener Option

US – WORLDWIDE – Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), the world's largest air cargo handler, has begun the conversion process to utilise the majority of plastic products used in its cargo handling operations sourced from M&G Packaging's sustainable BioNatur™ product line.

Fashion is to Tie Up with Traditional Rivals

BELGIUM – Having seen the French ports of Calais and Boulogne sur Mer merge into 'Port Boulogne Calais' in 2015, and with plans to do the same with Le Havre, Rouen and Paris by 2021 on the table, it seems two of Belgium's leading seaports may well do the same.

Whale Watching Ship Can Cruise Quietly Through the Fjords

NORWAY – Straying slightly from our usual brief it is worth mentioning that there are vessels peculiarly suited to some of the new technologies even more than standard class commercial merchant shipping. Whilst hybrid technology advances into that market it seems the near silent running power train provided by electric propulsion is particularly suited to environmental activities such as whale watching.

New Investment in eCommerce Support Company

FRANCE – Container shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM has continued its recent policy of investing in partnerships, particularly with those new to the industry, and which are involved in the spread of contemporary technologies within the industry.

Climate Change Fight is Number One Priority

UK – Along with many other countries Britain is making addressing climate change a top priority item, and now the UK Chamber of Shipping has announced that tackling the threat is its own number one target, with CEO Bob Sanguinetti visiting Wightlink in Portsmouth this week where he was taking a look at the company's state of the art hybrid ferry.

Multi Billion Euro Truck Fines for Cartel Price Fixing Could Finally Cost Far More

UK – EUROPE – The eye watering €3.8 billion in fines levied on six truck manufacturers for an illegal price fixing cartel are certain not to be the end of the affair. The cases being brought as class actions on behalf of anyone who paid over the odds for vehicles is now proceeding apace as the latest information from one such, the Road Haulage Association (RHA), makes clear.

Discount Retailers and eCommerce Reducing Available Quality Space

UK – Whilst there has been a natural reluctance to invest in some sectors in the UK as we continue to wait for a solution to the Brexit conundrum, stockpiling has resulted in a bonus for property specialist Onward Holdings which has been turning to the provision of space for clients seeking storage.

Thames Port Expands to Improve Logistics in South East England

UK – Tilbury2, the latest extension to the Thames side Port of Tilbury is to be the site of the UK's largest construction materials aggregates terminal in a partnership between site owners Forth Ports and the sustainable building materials and construction solutions business Tarmac.

Interactive Map Aimed at the Logistics Sector Shows Far More Than Geographical Details

US – FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – Nowhere in the fields of technology in relation to day to day logistics has there been such an advance in the past decade or so as in the way those responsible for delivering and collecting consignments find their way around.

Good Management of the Blue Economy is Vital to the Future of Society

NORWAY – WORLDWIDE – DNV GL, best known as a risk management and quality assurance company to the maritime sector, is strengthening its commitment to exploring new ocean opportunities by dedicating extra resources to its ocean space research programme. The programme works with stakeholders from business, government and academia to create best practices and standards. It also seeks a collaborative approach to sharing ocean data and developing foresight on the blue economy.

Minister Congratulates the Industry in Tricky Times

UK – In a speech last night at the annual Freight Transport Association Logistics Awards 2019 Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport congratulated the logistics industry on its determination to protect the supply chain, despite difficult political and economic conditions.

Who is Heading Where in the World of Freight Movement

NETHERLANDS – Ceva Logistics has announced the appointment of Niels van Namen to the position of Global Head of Healthcare Business Development, reporting to the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Laurent Binetti. With more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare and over a decade in the healthcare logistics industry, van Namen has an extensive track record in the sector.

Some Snippets of News from Around the Globe

UK – Quality Freight UK, part of the Peel Ports Group, partnered with client heavy transport specialist Collett to move 27 wind turbines to the Clocaenog Forest near Denbigh. The Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm will have an installed capacity of up to 96 megawatts, enough renewable energy for the equivalent domestic needs of as many as 63,800 average UK households per year.

Is the UK Ready for the Changes to Come?

UK – The horrific incident of the deaths of thirty one men and eight women in a reefer trailer this week has brought the logistics sector into sharp focus across the mainstream media and has raised questions over security at ports, even before the changes which leaving the EU will undoubtedly bring. So how ready is Britain for Brexit?

Old Technology Begins to Prove its Worth

DENMARK – UK –FINLAND – Following our piece earlier this month regarding the exciting prospects for the near century old Flettner rotor sail technology, now revived by an international consortium, the partners, Norsepower Oy, Maersk Tankers, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and Shell International Trading and Shipping, have announced successful trial results of two Norsepower Rotor Sails on board the Maersk Tankers product tanker, Maersk Pelican.

Soviet Era Detritus Could Pose an Environmental Risk Say Scientists

BLACK SEA – WORLDWIDE – As vessels ply their trade around the globe a captain and crew rarely give a thought to what may lie below on the seabed, apart from the presence of potentially dangerous wrecks and shoals. This week however we are asked to consider what other man-made detritus may be present which could have hidden, but dangerous, environmental effects.

Prevarication by Government Led to Gatwick attacks

UK – The UK government has introduced the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill to modernise airspace and tackle illegal use of unmanned aircraft. The Department for Transport (DfT) initially planned to regulate drone usage last year under the Grayling era but plans were halted in favour of Brexit preparations. Consequently, airports were left vulnerable to threats that drones pose, which ultimately lead to the disruption at Gatwick Airport in December 2018.

As Technology Advances So Does the Complexity of Risks

SINGAPORE – WORLDWIDE – At the 26th Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress here this week concerns were raised regarding the risk to rail transport from cyber crooks. The general consensus was that there was no 100% secure defence against determined hackers and the sector has certain specific vulnerabilities.

Technology and Extra Data Collaboration to Provide More Cargo Security

WORLDWIDE – DHL's Resilience360, a system which uses cutting edge technologies such as predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms to obtain near real-time visibility of global supply chains, identify risks, and proactively manage potential disruptions, is to partner up with the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) to further secure such shipping supply chains.

Driver Arrested on Suspicion of Multiple Murders

UK – Speculation surrounds the horrific case of 39 bodies being discovered inside a truck, believed to have been loaded in Bulgaria, when the vehicle was opened this morning upon arrival in Essex. The driver, from Northern Ireland, is under arrest and a full murder investigation underway.

No Northern Sea Route for MSC - Instead an Online Game!

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – With sustainability at the top of the agenda for all of the big shipping companies, global ocean container carrier Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) has been promoting the good cause on all fronts in the past week or so.

Presence of EU Forces Maintains the Peace and More

SOMALIA – When the scourge of piracy was at its height in the region hardly a day passed without a notice from the combined naval force which is EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA reporting on an unwelcome incident. It is largely the efforts of the naval forces, committed to protect World Food Programme vessels and others in the Indian Ocean which has seen such maritime crime largely vanish from the waters.

New Internet Service Plants Trees with Income Earned from Users

GERMANY – WORLDWIDE – As part of DB Schenker's goal to become the world's leading green logistics provider, the company has changed the default search engine for approximately 62,000 DB Schenker employees worldwide to Ecosia, an alternative search engine which uses income generated from search ads to plant trees. Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, commented:

Modern Vessels Need Full Spectrum Reliability

HONG KONG – ISRAEL – WORLDWIDE – Maritime cyber security group Naval Dome has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong headquartered global Anglo-Eastern underpinning the ship management group's commitment to protecting the vessels and personnel under its control from cyber-attack.

Caribbean Region Plagued with Invasive Species

CARIBBEAN – The so far unexplained rise of levels of invasive Sargassum seaweed in the region is being addressed by partners Damen Shipyards and 'waste to value' group, Maris Projects with an attempt to find a truly holistic solution to a problem for vessels in the region and local communities.

LNG as Fuel Conversion Eliminates Harmful Emissions

EUROPE – The Finnish headquartered technology group Wärtsilä is to undertake an important retrofitting project aimed at lessening the environmental footprint of a RoPax ferry operating on the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage listed area in the south eastern end of the North Sea. The area features a high degree of biological diversity and is important for breeding and migrating birds.

Gateway Saves a Week or More in Truck Delays

RWANDA – UAE – Global ports operator, DP World has officially inaugurated its Kigali Logistics Platform. The $35 million facility, which has been operational since September 2018 in test mode, has an annual capacity of 50,000 TEUs, and when operating at full capacity, it has the potential to save Rwandan businesses up to $50 million a year in logistics costs.

Warehousing and Logistics Association Offers Free Advice

UK – The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has been closely involved in discussions with government on the lead up to Brexit, and now the logistics support organisation is to host a Free Interactive Workshop and Networking Lunch open to members and non-members alike.

Founder Passes Company Over to Network

UK – Hilary Devey CBE, founder owner and chairwoman of the pallet delivery network Pall-Ex, is to sell the company off to its network membership and management. Contracts were signed on the 15th October 2019 with completion anticipated for the 31st October 2019.

Centenary Celebrations See Princess Royal Present the Honours

UK – The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has continued to celebrate its centenary year by hosting its prestigious Annual Awards for Excellence. Professionals, organisations and operators from across the worlds of logistics and transport came together at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 17th October, to celebrate exceptional contributions that have been made to the profession throughout the year at the prestigious CILT Annual Awards for Excellence 2018.

The Weekly Round Up of Things You Missed but Maybe Want to Know

UK – Work has started on the development of the Europa Worldwide Group's new 66,425 m² logistics facility situated at the Midlands Logistics Park in Corby, Northamptonshire. The freight centre will become Europa's largest facility in the UK and will double the company's warehouse portfolio.

A Quick Look at Boris Johnson's Latest Proposals

UK – The logistics industry will be watching the result of the debate in Parliament tomorrow anxious that a no-deal scenario can be avoided with regard to Britain's seemingly imminent exit from the European Union.

Personnel Update for the Industry

UK – WORLDWIDE – The world of shipping lost one of its leading voices this week with the sudden passing of Jonathan Sam Ignarski, universally known as Sam (when not hiding behind one of several pseudonyms). Sam wrote a myriad pieces on subjects he knew backwards for several online sources, including the Maritime Advocate which commented authoritatively on law and the sea.

Six of MSC Fleet to be Retrofitted for Intelligent Load Stowage

FINLAND – SWITZERLAND – CHINA – MacGregor, a part of the giant materials handling empire of Helsinki headquartered Cargotec, which also includes subsidiaries like port handling and fork lift truck specialists Kalmar, has been awarded a contract by container shipping line MSC to upgrade six of its 16,000 TEU box vessels.

Memoranda of Understanding Signed to Boost Trade

NETHERLANDS – INDIA – The Port of Rotterdam Authority has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to intensify its activities in India. The MoU's see the Port appoint a Representative Office in India and support the establishment of a maritime university in collaboration with educational institutions in Rotterdam. Rene van der Plas, Director of Port of Rotterdam International, commented:

Partners Join Up to Send Unpiloted Full Size Vessel Across Atlantic

UK – US – The global consortium of partners, led by marine research organization ProMare, which is building an unmanned, fully-autonomous ship that will cross the Atlantic on the fourth centenary of the original Mayflower voyage in September 2020, has been joined by computer giant IBM, which will supply AI, cloud and edge computing technologies to enable the ship to navigate the treacherous voyage autonomously.

New Audit Report Paints Gloomy Picture of Post Brexit Britain

UK – EUROPE – As the pace of negotiations quicken with the October 31 deadline drawing inexorably closer, this week saw the National Audit Office (NAO) publish its Preparedness for Brexit report, available as a full version or in summary.

Quarterly Report Shows Decline in Maritime Crime

WORLDWIDE – Regular readers will remember that, not so long ago before Brexit became the be all and end all of headlines, piracy off the coasts of Somalia was the dominant issue of the day. Thanks to the unstinting efforts of the combined naval task forces and the Best Management Practices undertaken by vessels and their crews, the third quarter report from the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau (IMB) records no incidents in the region.

Oil Spill Drill Essential to Cope if the Worst Happens

UK – There are two linked cardinal facts of which we are all doubtless aware. Firstly oil and water don't mix, and secondly accidents happen. Logically, given the almost infinite amount of movements involved, the supply chain is one of the areas they occur most and any stakeholder, particularly when there is a possibility of an oil spill or similar in a maritime environment, takes precautions against the worst happening.

New Plans for Safer Truck Parking Across Europe Move Forward

EUROPE – Theft from parked commercial vehicles can be more than simple larceny, and it has been our sad duty to report such crimes which have led to assaults, injuries and even death. The paucity of spaces and the variable standards which prevail in the sphere of lorry parking are little short of a disgrace and now it seems, in Europe at least, something may be done at last.

Guilty Plea Does Not Absolve Liberian Firms of Wrongdoing

US – Two shipping companies incorporated in Liberia, Chartworld Shipping and Nederland Shipping, have pleaded guilty in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, to failing to notify the US Coast Guard of a hazardous condition on one if their vessels and to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by presenting false documents to the Coast Guard that covered up oil pollution emanating from the ship. The agreement reached with prosecutors includes a $1.8 million criminal penalty.

Wartime Mail Carrying Heritage has Evolved into Giant Carrier

US – It is a mark of how quickly the mode of transport has evolved that this week that, on 15 October to be precise, American Airlines celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first cargo flight. Set in the closing days of the Second World War, AA was not an airline that took passengers and occasional freight, then the driving force was cargo, particularly mail, a service which built into the all-encompassing air transport giant we see today.

Rigid Vehicles Carrying Gas Demand High Quality Professionals

UK – SP Training has partnered with LPG gas supplier Flogas Britain, to deliver what they say is a bespoke professional driver programme tailored to create a new source of drivers for the company's fleet of rigid truck, personnel equipped with the necessary training and skills to transport hazardous goods.

Old Technology Making a Strong Comeback

FINLAND – Wärtsilä and Norsepower have signed a service cooperation agreement which will see Norsepower to order service work from Wärtsilä, while Wärtsilä can pursue and sell Norsepower Rotor Sail projects with support from Norsepower.

Disused Port as an HGV Holding Facility

UK – Another day, another Brexit story. Apologies to those as fed up with the subject as we at the Handy Shipping Guide are but, alas, it remains one of the most important issues around. This time, the Scottish government has laid out a series of plans, designed to shield vital imports and vulnerable citizens, as well as protect supplies of food and medicine, including converting the disused port of Stranraer into a holding facility for up to 300 HGVs.

Ports Respond to Call of Nature

UK – There is often a degree of cynicism when the public perceives a company is simply 'going through the motions' when, to gain planning permission, the authorities attach special conditions such as a degree of social housing, or insist that developers make amends for potential damage to a wildlife habitat.

Combining Two Logistics Giants Always Meant Reductions in Personnel

SWITZERLAND – DENMARK – After the prolonged negotiations which led Danish logistics group DSV to acquire the assets of freight forwarder Panalpina, the real cost to the Swiss company is revealed as staff cuts are announced.

Change in Law Allows for Logical Domain Name Registration

AUSTRALIA – The country's maritime unions, which have been smarting ever since the previously publicly owned shipping company Australian National Line (ANL) was sold to the French container and logistics giant CMA CGM, has again lambasted the national government over its latest actions regarding formerly domestically owned companies.

Royal Parks Half Marathon Brings Out the Volunteers

UK – International development organisation Transaid received backing from 40 participants, drawn principally from the freight and logistics sector, to take part in the recent Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising more than £14,000 to support its lifesaving driver training and access to healthcare projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

Once Again the Parking Solution on Kent Motorway Surfaces - This Time with Traffic Wardens

UK – The government has announced that Operation Brock will go live on 28 October in a bid to manage any traffic disruption and help keep trade moving in and out of the UK, in the event that the UK leaves the EU with no deal. The government says that it has worked closely with the Kent Resilience Forum to implement the scheme, which is intended to cope with any delays to Europe-bound freight while protecting local roads from bottlenecks and the like.

Indian Platform Will Seek New Businesses Which Can Advance Technology

DUBAI – INDIA –Global ports operator DP World has announced the launch of its technology accelerator platform, Log-X to encourage innovation and technology adoption in the Indian logistics sector.

London Gateway Gets Another Pharma and Fresh Produce Client

UK – CEVA Logistics has officially opened its new, integrated, end-to-end cold chain facility at DP World London Gateway. The Chill Hub is a state-of-the-art operation strategically located to provide maximum customer benefit through its ability to manage all elements of the process at one site.

Agency Cooperation to Try and Ensure Few Delays

NETHERLANDS – UK – Following the boss at the Swedish Port of Gothenburg expressing his view of post Brexit trade comes a joint release from the Netherlands as to how those responsible for moving freight through the major Dutch ports see things developing in case of a no-deal scenario.

Container Traffic Still the Principal User of the Waterway

PANAMA – It seems the extensive works carried out by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) to widen and deepen the waterway and install even bigger locks at choke points is paying dividends. Although the management processes have not always been without controversy, the expanded canal has been steadily attracting more trade in the past couple of years, with larger Neopanamax ships able to use it, particularly useful for container vessels which make up over a third of the canal traffic.

Logistics Institute Uses Government Funds to Launch Educational Sessions

UK – From October 14th the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport's brand new CILT-TV initiative offering Brexit Readiness training will be available. CILT (UK) has received government funding to provide the training following the unveiling by Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom at the end of August, of a £10 million grant scheme for organisations and trade associations to support businesses in preparing for Brexit ahead of 31st October 2019.

Acquisitions and Expansion Spark Desire for Update

UK – JF Hillebrand, specialist logistics supplier to the beverage industry, has launched a major rebrand as it streamlines its affiliated companies for an enhanced customer experience in its 175th year.

Some Smaller Items Still Relevant to the Industry

SOUTH AFRICA – Having recently clinched an award at the National TNPA Safety Competition recently for achieving a Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) of zero for one year, the Transnet National Ports Authority's (TNPA) Port of Ngqura has now celebrated 1 million hours of work without a disabling injury. TNPA employees are, as at any busy port, exposed to a number of risks in their daily tasks.

Diverse Opinions as Regards the Future of Autonomous Vessels

NETHERLANDS – WORLDWIDE – It looks as though we are in for one of those interesting debates often thrown up by the shipping industry as, with the evolution of the sector and its technologies, the views of management are often seen in a completely different light by those at the sharp end.

Global Personnel Appointments and Departures This Week

FINLAND – One Sea, the industry alliance whose primary aim is to lead the way towards an operating autonomous maritime ecosystem by 2025, has appointed Riku-Pekka Hägg as Chair of its Management Board. He previously served as One Sea's Vice Chair.

Global Trio Start Trial with Innovative Existing Technologies

WORLDWIDE – Maersk Tankers, Mitsui & Co, whose wide portfolio stretches from energy supply to air terminal and metallurgical interests, and Cargill, a group with specialist metal and agricultural shipping interests, have established a strategic collaboration which they say has the ability to accelerate the reduction of global greenhouse gases (GHGs) within the shipping sector.

Latest Vessel Turnaround Sees Off Two Year Old Title

SPAIN – The APM Terminals facility in the Port of Barcelona broke its own record this week by registering 5,394 container movements on the 13,900 TEU box vessel Millau Bridge. This total surpasses the 5,323 movements recorded at the Catalan terminal on the arrival of the OOCL Brussels in 2017.

Demand for Fuel Likely to Drop as Overcapacity Kicks In

SINGAPORE – The events a few days previously when drone strikes knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's oil supply meant that this year's Tank Storage Asia was very focused on geopolitical tensions and volatile market conditions. The two day event saw record visitor numbers, a 35% jump as against the previous event.

Claims that Charges are Unfair and Must be Justified

WORLDWIDE – Demurrage. For freight forwarders and shippers the word ranks right up there with 'bankruptcy' and 'General Average'. Now, in its latest Best Practice Guide, FIATA's Sea Transport Working Group has given its support to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMCs) initiatives to bring clarity and fairness to the assessment of demurrage and detention fees, specifically in the container market.

Crews Concerned About Risks of All Types

WORLDWIDE – At its 2019 General Meeting held in Rotterdam this week, the union of maritime professionals, Nautilus International, heard the results of the Nautilus Federation report into criminalisation in the shipping industry, and the results are somewhat worrying with almost 90% of the seafarers questioned expressing concerns about the issue and two thirds saying it impacted on the way they felt about working in the profession.

IATA Figures Released Show Tenth Consecutive Monthly Fall

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), contracted by 3.9% in August 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This marks the tenth consecutive month of year-on-year decline in freight volumes, the longest period since the global financial crisis in 2008.

AI to be Used to Look at Logistics and its Influences

JAPAN – Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Line (K Line) has announced a joint project to work on research and analysis on maritime logistics and shipping market conditions using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Six Ultra Large Vessels for Delivery in 2022

SOUTH KOREA – TAIWAN – Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has clinched a deal worth a total of US$920 million with Taiwanese shipping company, Evergreen Marine, to build 6 ultra-large containerships with each with a capacity of circa 23,764 TEU, slightly exceeding the current largest vessels currently in service owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Science of Protecting the Environment Courtesy of Prince Albert

UK – When he established a Commission to fund scientific advances almost 170 years ago, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, could have had little idea that his innovation would have the potential to fund research to detect the presence of alien species carried on the hulls of today's enormous cargo carrying vessels.

New Chinese Venture for Partners

CHINA – German thermal insulation packaging specialist va-Q-tec AG says it is strengthening its position in the Chinese market after partnering with freight transport group Worldwide Logistics. The pair are opening a new TempChain Service Centre (TSC) in Shanghai to offer clients a comprehensive portfolio of safe, cost-efficient and green temperature controlled packaging solutions.

Possibility of More Takeovers Ahead in Road Haulage Sector

DENMARK – SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – The big freight forwarding takeover this year has been that of Panalpina by DSV, a company which has grown from humble road haulage beginnings to a leading international role in the industry, mainly by a policy of shrewd mergers and acquisitions. Now the new boss has spoken out about the plans ahead.

Don't Panic About Brexit Comes the Message from Sweden

SWEDEN – UK – EUROPE – One of the things which is most interesting for Britons as the UK heads out of the European door is how the country's European neighbours view the future following the British departure. This week, Elvir Dzanic, CEO of the Gothenburg Port Authority gives us a personal view of what may lay ahead.

Liverpool Looks Forward to Contributing to Post-Brexit Britain

UK – According to a recent report commissioned by Mersey Maritime, working with Maritime UK and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) to estimate the regional contribution to both the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and the overall national economy, the local shipping heritage could have a major impact on the UK's economic prospects post-Brexit.

Pontoon Will Enable Discharge of Trailers at New Facility

UK – Another piece in the jigsaw has been put in place for the new development of Tilbury Docks with the launch of a floating pontoon from a slipway earlier this month from the Ravestein BV yard in Deest, Holland. The pontoon will form the vital addition to join ship to shore for the new RoRo ferry terminal being built as part of the Tilbury2 project.

Annual Congress Gets Tougher with Criminals

SOUTH AFRICA – WORLDWIDE – As is so often the case the annual gathering of international freight forwarding organisations at the FIATA Congress has produced some positive results, including this year benefit for indigenous wildlife as well as the usual boost for youngsters aiming for the top of the logistics profession.

MSC Vessel Arrives After Maiden Voyage from China

UK – When the MSC Isabella hove into the Port of Felixstowe this week she became the largest container ship to make a cargo call in the UK, after completing her maiden voyage from the north of China. However in a race which has seen ever larger box ships successively exchange titles the Isabella sets a new standard in container shipping, in particular in terms of environmental performance.

Ambitious Construction Plans to Suit Home Delivery Market by Local Firms

UK – Suffolk it seems is set to take a higher supply chain profile, just days after the announcement that the Port of Great Yarmouth is making moves to raise its own position with regard to post Brexit trade comes another announcement, this time a major development squarely aimed at enticing more ecommerce business to the county.

Round up of Personnel Moves Around the Industry

US – This week’s round-up of staff changes in the shipping and logistics world starts with the sad news of the death of Mike Welch, Co-Founder of Magnate Worldwide and Express-1, the company that eventually developed into the industry giant, XPO Logistics. He died on September 27 after a long illness.

The Bits You Might Have Missed (but Still Want to Know About)

CHINA – Austrian headquartered logistics outfit cargo-partner has introduced a multimodal service utilising rail and sea links via a corridor in Western and Central China. Until recently connections to China's main sea ports in the east of the country have been limited to road or barge transport. Road is expensive, barges slow with restricted availability and complete suspension of services during the winter season.

Unusual Case of a Hard Done by Orang-utan

ARGENTINA – US – Rarely does another species receive human rights, however it was the granting of these by Argentine judge, Elena Liberatori which freed up an orang-utan, Sandra, allowing her to escape her Latin American captivity for new life in Florida.

Better Handling for Anhydrous Product after Canopy Construction

UK – Middlesbrough freight logistics firm AV Dawson has solved one of the problems associated with carrying anhydrous products in bulk by investing £1 million in a new canopy in a rail linked facility to help service a multi-million pound deal with a major blue-chip manufacturer.

System Accurate to Parts per Billion Tracking Lineage of Bunkered Product

NETHERLANDS – The successful first test of a system that combines synthetic DNA tracers and blockchain technology to manage risk for marine fuels by creating a transparent chain of custody, was successfully completed this week. Such technological advances can help a ship's crew decide whether or not a fuel coming on board a vessel is suitable, given the latest and incoming standards.

FIATA Publishes Updates After Two Decades of Changes to the Industry

WORLDWIDE – At the FIATA 2019 World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations released an updated version of the FIATA Model Rules for Freight Forwarding Services. This revision took into account various changes in the business landscape and legal requirement of the logistics and freight forwarding industry in the past 20 years.

Gas and Shipping Specialists Partner Up

SWITZERLAND – SWEDEN – WORLDWIDE – In a serious boost to yet another new fuel aimed at the deep sea shipping sector Proman Shipping AG and Stena Bulk AB have announced a new Joint Venture partnership testing and promoting the use of methanol.

Zero Emission Machines Point the Way Forward

US – Clean cargo handling operations at the Port of Los Angeles are taking a giant leap forward with the demonstration what it says are the world's first zero-emissions top handlers. In celebration of California Clean Air Day on October 2nd, the Port showcased two pre-commercial battery-electric top handlers that will be tested at the Everport Container Terminal.

Temperature Sensitive Pharma Cargoes Targeted

POLAND – Polish airline LOT Cargo, has signed a Master Lease Agreement with temperature-controlled air cargo containers company, CSafe Global, to extend cold-chain transportation offerings to the air freight carrier's life-science customers who ship temperature-sensitive and life-enhancing products to patients around the globe. Michal Grochowski, LOT Cargo Director, said:

Proposal to Regulate the Propulsion Power of Ocean Going Vessels

WORLDWIDE – The Baltic and International Maritime Council, these days simply BIMCO, has submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to regulate the propulsion power of ships in order to sustain the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings already achieved through slower steaming which has become de rigeur with some branches of the ocean shipping sector, particularly the new generation of mega container carriers.

Norwegian Firm Orders More of the Same After Green Award Success

NORWAY – CHINA – United European Car Carriers (UECC), which mainly provides short sea RoRo transport throughout Europe, and is jointly owned by NYK and Wallenius Lines has, hot on the heels of an order for two new battery hybrid LNG pure car truck carrying vessels (PCTCs), now confirmed an option with China Ship Building Trading and the Jiangnan Shipyard Group for a similar craft, this time slated for UECC's Atlantic short sea trade.

Turkish Yard to Deliver Two New Vessels

DENMARK – Towage company Svitzer, has signed a new deal with Turkish shipbuilder Med Marine for two new ice class tugs, the company has announced. The new 30 metre ice class tugs are expected to be delivered in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021, and will join Svitzer's 30-strong fleet of towage vessels in Scandinavia and Germany.

New Intermediate Membership Grade for Graduate Status

UK – To celebrate its centenary and to continue to promote the profession and the Institute to the next generation of logistics and transport professionals, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT (UK)) has launched its new Graduate membership grade, effective from October 1.

Multimodal Coverage for Freight on the Move

DENMARK – WORLDWIDE – Bowing to the inevitability of multimodality, as we reported last month in our weekly round-up, Risk Intelligence A/S has launched its latest product, LandRisk, for the security of cargoes transported ashore, rather than at sea.

Donations Bring Sight to the Blind

EUROPE – WORLDWIDE – For the third year in a row Stena Line has launched a donation campaign in favour of the non-profit organisation Mercy Ships life-changing work, bringing free medical care to where it's needed the most with their floating hospital Africa Mercy. During the month of October guests travelling on board Stena Line ferries are given the opportunity to donate by rounding up every purchase.

Landmark Site Still Has Construction Potential

UK – The Belfast-based shipyard best known for building the famously ill-fated Titanic, Harland and Wolff, has been bought by London-based energy firm, Infrastrata from administrator BDO NI for a total consideration of £6 million, saving it from closure after it went into administration in August 2019, following the collapse of its Norwegian parent company, Dolphin Drilling.

Spending Commitment to Upgrade Strategic English Highway Network

UK – In March 2017 the UK government published its proposed 'Road to Growth' plan to improve Britain's Strategic Road Network (SRN) followed a year later by the latest version of its Road Investment Strategy (RIS2). The bill for these developments? A total of £25 billion, partially prompted of course by a looming Brexit. Now the country's leading freight forwarding organisation has commented on the latest government statement.

Subcontract of Customs Services to Dutch Specialist

UK – EUROPE – Having reflagged six of its cross Channel fleet from the UK to Cyprus earlier this year as part of its Brexit preparations, P&O Ferries has now seen one of its subsidiaries, P&O Ferrymasters, make a less contentious decision regarding trade following the potential of a no deal exit from the European Union.

Air Freight a Key Point in Aim to Establish Second Flag Carrying Airline

UK – WORLDWIDE – With the Anglo-Spanish International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) currently suffering industrial unrest via its pilot problems at British Airways, competitor Virgin Atlantic has announced its intention to 'end that company's stranglehold over the UK's only hub airport and main air cargo gateway', London's Heathrow Airport.

Regulatory Concerns Seemingly Spell the End of System

HONG KONG – WORLDWIDE – Container shipping industry focused blockchain initiative 300cubits, has decided to suspend the operation of its Booking Deposit Module (System) effective on October 1, 2019.

Shared Interests Include Training Agency

UK – The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) have agreed to explore plans for a potential merger, in what the two industry associations say could lead to one of the most significant developments in recent years within the materials handling sector.