Scania launches its 2011 online sustainability report, outlining a shift in focus that puts sustainable transport right at the heart of the company’s business strategy. This shows the increased ambition in Scania’s work with sustainability.
“Customer value goes hand in hand with sustainability,” says Leif Östling, Scania’s President and CEO. “There is no conflict of interest between making our customers’ businesses as profitable as possible and ensuring they are as safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable as possible.”
The 2011 report highlights how Scania’s biggest environmental impacts arise when vehicles and engines are in use. A key strategy is therefore to work closely with customers to support their sustainability efforts.
The 2011 report also underlines the need for sustainable transport systems − and what Scania is doing to make these a reality.
Transport is a sector with growing carbon dioxide emissions and high oil dependency. The key challenge for the industry is to decouple growth in road transport from emissions. With increasing urbanisation and road freight traffic, the shift to sustainable transport is a top priority for Scania and for society.
“I’m convinced Scania’s long-term competitiveness will be closely linked with our ability to meet key challenges and develop solutions that enable our industry to grow without increasing its carbon dioxide emissions and that also make mobility cleaner, safer and easier,” says Leif Östling.
Source Scania
2012-04-03
KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce an upgrade of its Intra-Asia Service (JABCO-1 and JABCO-2) with additional China call.
With this enhancement, “K” Line can offer efficient, high-quality services in its Intra-Asia service which adds calls at Ningbo and Da Chan Bay, providing direct connection coverage for China - Philippines/Thailand/Vietnam trade lanes.
A total of 8 vessels will be deployed by “K” Line, covering 28-day round voyage in two Intra-Asia Loops.
Details of the service are as follows:-
Vessel Deployment:
Four (4) x 2500 TEU type vessel for Loop 1 (JABCO-1)
Four (4) x 1700 TEU type vessel for Loop 2 (JABCO-2)
Port Rotation:
JABCO-1: Tokyo – Yokohama – Shimizu – Yokkaichi – Nagoya – Shanghai – Ningbo – Laem Chabang – Manila – Ningbo – Shanghai – Tokyo
JABCO-2: Tokyo – Nagoya – Osaka – Kobe – Moji – Shanghai – Da Chan Bay – Ho Chi Minh – Laem Chabang – Ho Chi Minh - Tokyo
Service Frequency:
Weekly
Commencement Date:
For JABCO-1 GUAYAQUIL BRIDGE A031S/N (ETA Tokyo 23rd Apr 2012)
For JABCO 2 ANDERSON BRIDGE B060S/N (ETA Tokyo 25th Apr 2012)
Source ISIS Communications
TAIWAN's big container lines' suffered losses last year amid the slowing global economy led by the eurozone debt crisis and weak rates due to oversupply, reported the Taipei Times.
But Taiwan's third-largest carrier, Wan Hai Lines, focused on intra-Asia trades, outperformed the rest, posting a net profit of NT$32.31 million (US$43.1 million) year on year.
Compared with long-haul routes, rates on intra-regional routes were relatively stable last year, as Asia's emerging economies performed better than in the US and Europe.
Domestic container lines are looking to get back into the black this year by focusing on the intra-Asia. Yang Ming announced last week that it was expanding its service between China, South Korea and Australia to Southeast Asia to provide more customers with a better service.
Wan Hai also announced a US$150 per TEU rate increase on its East India services effective this week.
Meanwhile, Evergreen Marine Corp, Taiwan's largest container shipping firm by fleet size, reported a net loss of NT$3.68 billion, compared with a net profit of NT$17.77 billion in 2010, the company said in a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
Taiwan's second-biggest container line, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp, is also expected to post a loss for last year. Its net losses totalled NT$5.21 billion in the first three quarters, from a net profit of NT$10.45 billion in 2010.
Evergreen Group vice chairman Bronson Hsieh said last month that several global container shippers have cut rates in recent years to pursue a greater market share, seriously eroding the industry's profitability.
Global economic uncertainty, led by Europe's debt crisis, were major factors bringing down container shippers' businesses last year, Mr Hsieh said.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SOMALI pirates who hijacked the 1,066-TEU Malaysian-flagged Albedo with its 22 crewmen, have agreed to release the crew for US$2.85 million spoken of a "expenses" incurred in keeping the hostages and the men to guard them rather than a ransom. Deadline for the payment is April 20.
"The agreement was reached after night-long negotiations. We are not paying any ransom, just expenses. That's why it took us nearly 18 months to reach a deal," chief negotiator Ahmed Chinoy, chairman of Citizens-Police Liaison Committee in Karachi told the Khaleej Times in Dubai after the deal was made.
"The pirates had reached a point of fatigue," he said. "They were looking for an exit and the payment of part expenses was the only way." He demanded $4 million but agreed to $2.85 million.
The negotiations were held via video link and satellite phone between Mr Chinoy and Dubai-based Somali businessmen the go-between to the pirates. The Malaysian owner had authorised Chinoy to represent him. The first session lasted for four hours and the talks resumed for another hour after a break.
"The pirates wanted us to pay $100 per day per person for the 100 people (22 hostages and some 75 Somalis looking after them and the ship) involved during the captivity period. But we finally made them agree on $50 per day per person. They wanted us to make the payment by March 31, but we finally agreed for the April 20 deadline," Mr Chinoy said.
The pirates will give the terms of the agreement in writing with the Somali tribal elders signing it as witnesses to ensure that it is implemented, he said. The pirates will also keep the ship ready to sail after the money is paid. The ship is located 60 nautical miles off Somali coast. Now we have to raise the funds in a short period.
The Malaysian owner is expected to pay one-third of the amount. Still, we need some $2 million," Mr Chinoy said. He appealed to the UAE government to consider financial support so that the crew can unite with their families.
The 10,859-ton Albedo's 22 crewmen include seven Pakistanis, seven Sri Lankans, five Bangladeshis, two Indians and one Iranian.
Nareman Jawaid, daughter of the ship's captain Jawaid Saleem Khan, is a consultant in Dubai. She met Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, Pakistan's Minister of Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri and Mr Chinoy in Dubai on Tuesday. The governor assured her of full moral support.
"I really hope that people will support the cause of the crew and they will be released soon. I can't wait to see my father," Ms Jawaid told Khaleej Times after receiving the news. The vessel was hijacked 293 miles west of the Maldives on the Indian Ocean while heading to Mombasa port from Jebel Ali port in Dubai laden with containers. The vessel had 23 crew members at the time of the attack, but one Indian crewman died in captivity.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SOUTHERN California shipping executives say they are optimistic they will have an improved peak season at the Port of Long Beach this year.
Speaking at the Port of Long Beach's "Pulse of the Ports: Peak Season Forecast," its annual industry forecast event attended by 400 people at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown, the executives were optimistic, reported the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Ninety-five per cent of Ocean & Cargo Management Services customers believe volumes in the west coast ports will either stay the same or increase, said company vice president Daniel Wall.
Better sales from consumers coming back to the job market and looser credit to open more stores as well as labour disputes on the east coast may combine to mean more cargo shipments to the west coast, said Mr Wall.
"We're looking at a traditional peak season this year, which is something we haven't seen in a long time," he said.
Said Long Beach Harbour Commission chief Susan Anderson Wise: "Piecing together projections from these different vantage points is what allows us to see the big picture."
Hong Kong's OOCL (USA) president Erxin Yao discussed his soundings among customers for the coming season.
Mr Yao whose company recently agreed to a 40-year lease with the Port of Long Beach in the future Middle Harbour, spoke of the "mega trend" of larger carriers.
About half of the ships are now able to carry 5,000 TEU and 10 per cent of the ships are more than 10,000 TEU, he said.
"But if you look at our order book, almost half of the ships being built will be 10,000 TEU or more," he said. "And that will be the trend of the future."
Long Beach port executive director Christopher Lytle recalled the talk of the 12,500-TEU MSC Fabiola docking at Long Beach a few weeks ago. "That was a significant event. The question of future competitiveness comes down to which ports could handle the biggest ships the most effective way. And with the Fabiola, we proved that Long Beach is ready," Mr Lytle said.
"We're well positioned to bring. more trade, more business, more jobs and more revenue to the port. With the help of many stakeholders, we're moving quickly to do just that," he said.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
INDIA's Kerala High Court has ruled that the owner of the Singapore-flagged vessel, which collided with a fishing boat off Kerala on March 1, has been ordered to pay INR2.5 million (US$49,138) to each family of the four of the five fishermen killed, reports the Press Trust of India.
The relatives of Jose, Justin, Cleatus and Santosh had informed the court that they had discussed compensation with Mumbai area's Tolani Shipping company, owners of the Singapore-flagged 29,986-ton geared multipurpose vessel, the Prabhu Daya.
The case had been sent for mediation by the court. The mediation report was filed before Justice Haroon-Ul Rasheed. The relatives of another fisherman, who was killed in the collision, has approached the Madras High court for compensation.
The relatives had earlier asked for INR10 million compensation.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SRI LANKA's maritime industry is about to build large-scale maritime infrastructure projects that will bring about vast national economic improvement, according to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority's (SLPA) managing director Nihal Keppetipola.
"A total 2,299,446 TEU was handled in 2011, the highest-ever throughput in the history of SLPA, shows an overall increase of 6.1 per cent when compared to 2,167,173 TEU handled in 2010," he said, reported the Sri Lanka Nation.
"Overall, SLPA stands at a 53.9 per cent market share of the total 4,262,887 TEU handled at Colombo in 2011 as against the 46.1 per cent market share of [privately owned] SAGT [South Asia Gateway Terminal]," Capt Keppetipola said.
Speaking at welcoming ceremony in Colombo to greet the 8,200-TEU NYK Virgo at the state-owned, SLPA-run Jaye Container Terminal (JCT), Capt Keppetipola said that the new era had come about with the end of the Tamil Tiger war.
"We have demonstrated our management efficiency and operational capabilities to our customers, and won their loyalty. This has been evidenced by the G6 Alliance with the lead line NYK coming back to the state-run JCT after 10 years," he said.
"Under the Colombo Port Expansion Project, the 18 metre deep East Terminal will be ready by mid 2013 and a part of the Colombo South Terminal will be ready for operations by end of 2013," he said.
Capt Keppetipola said that the SLPA had acquired six modern gantry cranes, 30 transfer cranes, 50 terminal tractors with 30 terminal trailers.
Capt Keppetipola said container had increased. "A 14.9 per cent growth had been recorded in domestic container volumes from 563,349 TEU in 2010 to 647,482 TEU in 2011. The volume of transshipment containers handled at the SLPA container terminals had shown a 3.2 per cent increase from 1,533,845 TEU in year 2010 to 1,583,195 TEU in 2011."
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
BIMCO, an international shipping organisation that represents the interests of shipowners controlling 65 per cent of the world's tonnage, has published the GUARDCON standard contract for the employment of security guards on vessels.
This new contract has been developed to provide shipowners and private maritime security companies (PMSC) with a clearly worded and comprehensive standard contract to govern the employment and use of security guards, with or without firearms, on board merchant vessels.
"While BIMCO would not like to see the use of armed security guards on ships becoming institutionalised, it recognises armed guards provide an effective deterrent to piracy attacks," it said in a statement.
The shipping association's chief officer of Legal and Contractual Affairs, Grant Hunter, explained BIMCO's move: "In response to shipowners' increasing demand for security services, an ever growing number of private maritime security companies have entered the market to meet that demand.
"In the absence of a standard contract for these services, shipowners and their P&I Clubs are currently faced with the difficult and time consuming task of assessing large numbers of contracts from these security companies, all with varying terms and conditions.
"GUARDCON's objective is to create a contractual benchmark for the employment of security services so that minimum levels of insurance cover for PMSCs are established and that adequate safeguards are put in place to ensure that liabilities and responsibilities are properly addressed and that all necessary permits and licences are obtained."
According to BIMCO deputy secretary general, Soren Larsen, GUARDCON has been drafted by a small group of experts drawn from ship owners, insurance underwriters, P&I Clubs and lawyers with first-hand experience of working with contracts for security services. The drafting work also involved consultations with PMSCs.
Sample copies of the GUARDCON contract, with detailed Explanatory Notes, and the accompanying Guidance on the Rules of the Use of Force can be obtained through BIMCO's website (www.bimco.org).
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
ITALIAN freight forwarding expert, Maimex Far East, and warehousing and quality control apparel specialist Beretti Group, celebrated their newly formed partnership with an official launch in Hong Kong recently.
The merger, which has been one year in the making, now offers fashion and apparel shippers an end-to-end supply chain solution with an added emphasis on attention to detail and quality service, said Maimex Far East CEO, Stefano Casella and Beretti Group CEO, Gianmaria Beretti.
"We provide the full list of services for the supply chain. From the moment the supplier has finished the production we can then go and pick up the goods, bring them to the warehouse, check the quality and prepare the order to go to different countries.
"We can handle order replenishment in case there is a fault or other problem. We also handle the customs clearance and oversee the whole process right to the point of delivery," Mr Casella said.
While the China-Italy trade is a major focal point of the Maimex-Beretti partnership, the two companies have also established themselves in the fast-growing Brazilian market with warehousing facilities now located in the country.
Southeast Asia is next on the radar as the supply chain partners look to expand their global network and offer the high level of service that both companies have come to be known for over the past 30 years to an even wider customer base.
"I think what is most important with this partnership is that we can take care of the customer right from the beginning, no matter what country we are in," Mr Beretti said.
"Right from the production side, whether it is in China, Southeast Asia, Brazil or Italy, we offer the full range of services to get the product to its final destination," he said.
Value-added services are central to the group's success, the two CEOs noted. But what really sets the Maimex-Beretti Group collaboration apart, in what is a very competitive niche market, is its people.
"The key of our company, the true added value, comes from the Italian mentality for fashion. Each station, each warehouse for the group has inside it; experts from Italy, coming from Italian factories, speaking the Italian language. But also we seek out people who also speak the language of the markets we are in. So of course they can speak Italian, but they can also speak and write in Chinese. And it is the same story in Brazil or wherever else we go," Mr Casella said.
Looking ahead the two CEOs acknowledged the challenges going forward, given the gloomy economic outlook, but they remain optimistic.
"There are so many companies that are still looking for good service. And the crisis is helping us in that respect because more people are caring about the quality of their products now," the Maimex CEO said.
Mr Beretti agreed, stating that the group's ongoing commitment to quality service would be a message that would continue to resonate with customers in its key markets going forward.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
WHILE Singapore Airlines and Taiwan's China Airlines are downplaying cargo services, the mainland's Air China Cargo's (ACC) freighter fleet is looking to add new routes.
The last two of four B747-400BCFs that Cathay Pacific is contributing to the joint venture with Air China are due to join the fleet this month, bringing the total to twelve 747 freighters.
ACC has eyes on India to fill some of its new main-deck capacity. It gained approval for the Shanghai-Chennai sector and aims to have thrice weekly flights. "We plan to combine it with Chongqing," said Air China Cargo's chief operations officer Titus Diu.
Chongqing will be served on the return leg from India to Shanghai. "We can carry cargo from India, plus we can feed traffic from Chongqing to our intercontinental departures out of Shanghai," Mr Diu said.
Air China Cargo is also looking at Dhaka, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, but management has not yet made a final decision on routes and frequencies.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
RUSSIA's Volga-Dnepr Airlines has transported 200 tonnes shipment of industrial equipment in three AN-124-100 cargo flights from Japan to the Thai capital of Bangkok on behalf of Honda Logistics.
The flights each carried a payload of between 60-70 tonnes, operated from Nagoya and Osaka airports in Japan to the Thai capital to help with the reconstruction of Honda's assembly facilities after they were severely damaged in floods at the end of 2011 which claimed more than 500 lives and flooded large parts of the capital.
"As always, we were able to ensure we met the customer's requirements for safe and on-time deliveries to the destination thanks to the detailed work carried out by our technical team. It took 13 hours to place the equipment inside the aircraft on each of the first two flights and six hours for the third flight," said Tak Konita, Volga-Dnepr's representative in Japan.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
SWISS forwarding giant Kuehne + Nagel is rolling out KN PharmaChain, a product tailored to the specific needs of the pharmaceutical and health care industry.
KN PharmaChain offers door-to-door temperature control, a 24-hour alert system, optional wireless temperature measuring and best practice (GxP) standards for facilities, working processes and training programmes.
A company statement said: "If not correctly handled and transported, pharmaceuticals efficacy may be compromised or rendered completely ineffective, resulting in serious and costly consequences, in particular, in the case of high value, mission critical and temperature sensitive products.
"Therefore, the choice of a logistics provider is highly important for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies as they need partners who understand the nature of sensitive products as well as the strict regulatory rules. They must also be familiar with the logistics challenges in both mature and emerging global markets," it said.
Full risk assessments of carrier partners as well as of transport lanes ensure best-in-class services on all routes within the network comprising of 58 designated stations.
Comprehensive best practice (GxP) policies apply for staff, working processes and facilities, and by the end of 2012, all locations will be fully GxP-compliant.
Temperature visibility can be provided by the use of active wireless sensors, which record and transmit the shipment temperature throughout. Kuehne + Nagel claims to be the first logistics provider to offer a service using active sensors.
Temperature controlled shipments are monitored by the KN PharmaChain CareTeam, operating 24 hours/day and seven days/week from two locations in Europe and the Americas. An electronic alert system ensures that any disruption in the supply chain will be reported immediately to the CareTeam, which pro-actively monitors temperature-controlled shipments.
Said K+N air logistics vice president Tim Scharwath: "We have developed this product in close cooperation with customers and partners."
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
2012-04-02
Warsaw Chopin Airport's Twitter page has clocked up over 11,000 followers, making it one of the most popular airport profiles in the world.
The English-language Chopin Airport's page is used as passenger support, and at the same time, a means of contact with the airport.
"It is a very convenient communication channel. We inform passengers about what's going on at the airport, and they post their comments and ideas. And all this in the concise, vivid form of 140 characters," said Radosław Żuk, Director of Chopin Airport's PR Bureau.
The airport's tweets include updates on delayed and cancelled flights, tips for travellers, news and special offers in duty-free shops, as well as tourist information about Warsaw and Poland.
"Our profile is mainly dedicated to foreigners, which is why we often recommend what to see and where to stay in Warsaw, give tips for eating out and provide information on important cultural events and the main news from Poland," said Radosław Żuk.
The number of people following Chopin Airport on Twitter is growing rapidly. In January, it stood at less than 2,000, only to reach 10,000 in the middle of March and 11K at the end. This makes the airport's Twitter feed one of the most popular airport pages in the world. Only seven other airports, including Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, Dublin, Edinburgh, Los Angeles and London City can boast more followers.
Source Warsaw Chopin Airport
Experts for Experts (e4e) International AG are celebrating their 10th anniversary in October in Lisbon. The network with currently 16 partner companies on three continents continues its international expansion and strengthens both the global footprint and service offering.
The war on talents is in full swing in the transport and logistics industry. High level defections from market leaders to competitors underline the importance of executive search companies. They are the experts for sniffing out talent that is successful in the existing job but willing to face a new challenge. They are able to find leadership personnel that would not respond to an advertisement in a newspaper or magazine but would respond to a personal call.
The globalization of industry and trade has been followed by a globalization of logistics companies as well as executive search companies. HR managers in one country need to fill executive positions in another with talent from not necessarily either country. Only truly international executive search companies and networks can fill these needs.
Experts for Experts (e4e) International AG are one of the longest established and biggest specialized networks focused on the transport and logistics industry. It was founded and registered in 2002 in Switzerland and currently has 16 shareholding partners on three continents. It is proud of a presence in all the major logistics centers around the globe.
With the global support of their e4e colleagues, the local partner companies have the ability and expertise to find the best solutions in their individual markets and around the world. Agile, flexible, and customer focused with a flat hierarchy e4e partner companies can respond quickly to any enquiry, deploying network resources and know-how. In addition, a strategic key account management supports the one face to the customer approach.
As the globalization of the transport and logistics sector continues so does the globalization of e4e. The network is currently negotiating with further partner companies to expand its footprint in emerging markets. Whilst there is no territorial exclusivity as far as the activities of each partner company is concerned there is only one partner per country. Common quality standards and a policy of continuous quality improvements ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
One of the founding partners of e4e, Fritz Schultze of Experts for Experts Ltd., Porto, is organizing the jubilee. e4e has set an example that many have tried to imitate but we are the original ― and the most successful executive search network focused on the transport and logistics industry. No doubt, we will be able to report on new partners and customers in Lisbon. Our aims are ambitious”, says a proud Dick Binkhorst, President of Experts for Experts (e4e) International AG.
Source Meneghin & Partner
Bombardier Wins Order to Supply TWINDEXX Vario Double-deck Multiple Unit Trains for Northern Germany
2012-04-02
First call-off by Deutsche Bahn of variable double-deck multiple units for regional transport
Berlin, March 30, 2012 - Bombardier Transportation will deliver 16 BOMBARDIER TWINDEXX Vario multiple units to Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) for operation on the Kiel-Hamburg and Flensburg-Hamburg railway lines. DB AG was awarded a contract to operate services on these regional lines in a Europe-wide tender process. The order is valued at approximately 160 million euro ($208 million US) and is part of a framework agreement between Bombardier and DB AG from December 2008. DB AG has already ordered 135 of the variable double-deck coaches for intercity transport as well as 18 intermediate coaches and three double-deck power cars for regional services.
Each of the 16 new four-car TWINDEXX Vario trains comprises two double-deck power cars and two intermediate coaches. The new trains will operate on the network LVS Schleswig-Holstein with speeds of up to 160 km/h. The trains are due to be delivered in the second half of 2014.
With high-floor entry and LVS' new interior design, the trains offer improved passenger comfort including more legroom and large storage spaces for luggage and bicycles. Wide doors allow passengers to enter and exit the trains quickly, especially during peak travel times. The centre buffer coupling enables double traction operation, allowing seamless travel without the need for passengers to change trains in Neumünster. The trains' single car concept means they can be lengthened or shortened easily to meet varying passenger demand.
"Bombardier's innovative TWINDEXX Vario trains have proven themselves over many years of service," said Michael Clausecker, Chairman of the Management Board, Bombardier Transportation Germany. "With this order, we will be supplying Deutsche Bahn with the 2,000thof these modern double-deck coaches. Their variability in length, configuration and interior design is one of the key reasons for our trains' great success. We are delighted that they will continue to form the backbone of modern and efficient public transportation in northern Germany."
The TWINDEXX Vario power cars are equipped with the reliable and energy efficient BOMBARDIER MITRAC 1000 propulsion and control system. One of the advantages of this system is that it allows trains to accelerate quickly to an optimum speed. The double-deck coaches are built at Bombardier's Görlitz plant in Germany. The bogies are manufactured at its site in Siegen, Germany, and the propulsion and control system is manufactured at its site in Västerås, Sweden.
Bombardier double-deck trains move millions of passengers on local and regional rail networks each day in countries including Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Israel and the United States.
Source Hugin Online
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