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Archives for July 2011

Shipowners’ P&I Restructures its London Operation

London, Luxembourg,  Singapore & Vancouver, 25th July, 2011

As part of its on-going drive to increase both customer focus and operational efficiency, the Shipowners’ Club, which specialises in the provision of P&I insurance cover for small and specialist vessels worldwide, has restructured the key departmental functions at its London branch. 

The claims and underwriting teams will now be organised according to three distinct areas of responsibility, called syndicates.  Within each syndicate underwriters and claims handlers will work alongside each other, bringing a greater degree of synergy to the Club’s service delivery to Members.

One syndicate will handle European business; another will manage the “rest of the world” accounts, which fall within the London branch’s realm of responsibility* and a third syndicate will focus on the offshore sector.  The latter is an area already prominent in the Club’s portfolio and within which Shipowners plans to develop its service offering further.

In announcing the changes Shipowners’ CEO, Charles Hume, said, “We believe that the Club’s new operational approach will provide Members and their brokers with a rounded overall service, more attuned to their needs and will help to develop customers’ relations with a broader range of the Club’s staff, putting a larger degree of their skills at the Members’ disposal.”

The London branch’s loss prevention team will sit alongside the syndicates and continue to assist Members in minimising their exposure to risk.   The syndicate concept is one that the Club’s managers believe will ensure that service levels are enhanced and in every case will confirm with Members and their brokers that they are comfortable with the arrangements going forward.

The re-organisation at the London branch of the Club forms part of a continuing programme to re-energise customer relations, stabilise existing business and engender growth through closer links with all its customers, Members and brokers alike.  This growth will be underpinned by a systematic, focussed development of simplified insurance products; this process of simplification is in specific response to customer demands. 

Announcements by Shipowners covering expansion at its Singapore branch, the details of its new offshore syndicate in London and the terms of a number of simplified forms of cover aimed at specialised small vessel sectors will be made over the coming months.

In addressing potential concerns of Members over the consequences of the changes, Hume concluded, “Inevitably there will be some re-allocation of responsibilities and as such it is possible that an individual underwriter or claims handler, who previously looked after a particular Member’s affairs, may change.  We plan to limit this disruption as we recognise the importance of existing relationships.  Such potential changes will be discussed individually with Members.”

*The Club’s other two branches in Singapore and Vancouver are responsible for the Asia-Pacific and the Americas regions respectively

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small vessels since 1855. The Club currently insurers almost 29,000 vessels from 5,624 Members worldwide and is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

The Club has branches located in Luxembourg, London, Singapore and Vancouver.

“K” Line to Launch New Direct Service from Far East to India and Pakistan

July 22, 2011

KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce launching of a new dedicated service (called CIX-2) between the Far East and Indian Sub-Continent from 10th August 2011.

The new CIX-2 service, currently operated by Evergreen Line and Simatech Shipping, will run with six 2500-2800 teu vessels and offer a fixed-day weekly sailing. “K” Line will deploy one vessel to this new service.

The port rotation will be as follows:

Xingang – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Singapore – Tanjung Pelepas – Port Kelang –  Nhava Sheva – Karachi – Colombo – Port Kelang – Tanjung Pelapas – Singapore – Xingang.

“K” Line presently operates another weekly service (called INDFEX) calling at Nhava Sheva port. The new service will double sailing frequency for Nhava Sheva and newly add Xingang and Qingdao as direct calling ports.

“K” Line continues to provide high quality direct service to meet customer demands and enhance service coverage between the Far East and Indian Sub-Continent.

For further information, please contact:

Fumiyoshi Sato

Manager, Planning Team, Containerships Strategy Group

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

Tel: +81-3-3595-5341 Fax: +81-3-3595-5288

“K” Line Enhances Far East – West Africa Service

July 21, 2011

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce an upgrade of its West Africa Express Service (WAX) to a weekly service with an additional Singapore call on both west and eastbound.

A total of 11 vessels will be deployed with “K” Line deploying 2 vessels, China Shipping 4, Hapag-Lloyd 2 and the remaining 3 coming from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), who will newly join the service, covering a 77-day round voyage.

Details of the service are as follows:-

  • Vessel Deployment:

Eleven (11) x 2500 TEU type vessel

  • New WAX service rotation (77-day round voyage):

Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Shekou – Singapore – Port Kelang – Durban (South Africa) – Tema (Ghana) – Lome (Togo) – Cotonou (Benin) – Tincan Island (Nigeria) – Durban –

Port Kelang – Singapore – Shanghai

  • Commencement date:

Departure from Shanghai on August 23, 2011

“K” Line offers efficient, high-quality services in its Far East – West Africa service with additional Singapore call, which provides wider connection coverage for Southeast Asian countries.

5th “K” Line Maritime Academy Global Meeting Held in Tokyo

15th July 2011

“K” Line held the 5th Global Meeting of “K” Line Maritime Academy (KLMA) which is the aggregation of our seafarer’s training centre in the world including the career path of seafarer on 4th and 5th of July in Tokyo. 110 and more participants including instructors from each KLMA around the world, representatives of in-house ship management companies and concerned manning agents, President and CEO Jiro Asakura, “K” Line executives and staff attended this meeting.

In the plenary session on the first day and the instructors’ meeting on the second day, KLMA (Headquarters) in Tokyo explained the review of current measures and policies for securing and fostering seafarers in view of 5 years having elapsed since its establishment as well as showing new direction for the future. Each ship management company introduced its own specialized approach to training and KLMA instructors introduced the present situation and their effort at each KLMA in the world.  The discussions for those issues were executed very actively and positively and all attendees shared KLMA’s future challenges.

Furthermore, KLMA Instructors took the real danger sensing course as external training for their skill improvement on 7th July. They will bring their new knowledge and experience back to their countries and put their new skills into action from the KLMA training.

According to the KLMA Master Plan based on these common consensus, we will accelerate progress towards securing and fostering good seafarers to fulfill our safety standards, assure maximum safety of navigation, maintain and improve the “K” Line brand of Security, Safety and Trust, and then achieve “Synergy for All and Sustainable Growth,” the main theme of our mid-term management plan called “K” LINE Vision 100.

“K” Line agrees Contract with National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations

July 14, 2011

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) completed a dedicated vessel contract for grain raw material transportation, from North America Gulf, West Coasts and Australia using Panamax and Handymax type vessels, with the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Group).

The distribution volume of domestic mixed grains varies between 24 -25 million tons a year, and the handling amount of JA Group accounts for about 30 percent. In concluding all contracts, “K” Line will transport about two million tons of grain for JA Group in total.

JA Group aims to provide a constant supply of grain to Japan through the efficiency of this transportation system, effected by the reliability and dependability of these vessels, and consequently helping in the support of production of Japan’s domestic stock raising farmers.

““K” LINE Vision 100 – New Challenges” is the mid-term management plan that the Company announced in April, which includes a fleet expansion plan for mainly small and medium-sized bulk vessels. This plan encourages efforts to promote a stronger relationship with the JA Group, including a series of contracts in the future similar to this current one, which will strive to achieve our mission for “Expansion of stable earnings base and sustainable growth”.

Dachser opens Rhine-Neckar logistics centre

Newly built Mannheim branch to create around 50 new jobs by mid-2012

Kempten/Mannheim, 13 July 2011. Dachser has officially opened its Rhine-Neckar logistics centre. For its new Mannheim branch, the internationally operating logistics provider has invested in the region of EUR 40 million, already creating 25 new jobs. Another 25 will follow by mid-2012.

The 130,000-square-metre site on the Friedrichsfeld-West industrial estate will be utilized by all three business fields: Dachser European Logistics, Dachser Food Logistics and Dachser Air & Sea Logistics.

The new logistics facility comprises two transit terminals: 9,200 square metres is available for industrial goods and 3,800 square metres for temperature-controlled foodstuffs. There is also a 6,000-square-metre warehouse with 13,200 pallet spaces for correct storage of goods with different temperature ranges, enabling the Mannheim branch to provide additional scope for high-quality contract logistics services. A two-storey administration building with over 3,300 square metres of usable space completes the logistics centre. On the roof space, Dachser has also installed a photovoltaic system with a rated output of around 800 kWp.

“Dachser has had roots in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region for 45 years. Our Mannheim branch employs a staff in excess of 300 and today’s new opening represents one of the biggest expansion projects in our company’s history,” says Michael Schilling, managing director European Network Management & Logistics Systems at Dachser. “The continued success of the Mannheim branch underscores the sustainable, customer-oriented growth we are striving for as a logistics provider.”

“This new logistics facility puts us in an excellent position for future growth,” comments branch manager Christian Klein. “Warehouse space and value added services in particular are currently in high demand in the greater Mannheim region. We are now in a position to offer our customers an ultramodern facility in conjunction with tailor-made contract logistics solutions – all conveniently located near the A656, A5 and A6 motorways.”

In 2010, Dachser generated total revenue of EUR 3.8 billion. 19,250 staff working in 310 profit centres worldwide handled 46.2 million consignments weighing a total of 35.5 million tonnes.

left to right: Schilling, managing director European Network Management & Logistics Systems at Dachser; Christian Klein, Branch Manager at Mannheim and Dr. Peter Kurz, Mayor of the city of Mannheim

TT Club delighted as FIATA’s training initiative attracts more participants than ever before

12th July 2011

Four regional finalists representing the future of the freight forwarding industry are preparing to travel to Cairo, Egypt for the FIATA World Congress – 16 – 21 October 2011. The four, from the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Hong Kong and Ireland , will each be hoping for selection as the overall Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year 2011 and a prize that includes hands-on training experience at one of TT Club’s regional centres in London, Hong Kong or New Jersey.

The Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award is recognition by FIATA, and the participating sponsors, of the need to develop quality in the industry and to reward young talent with valuable training opportunities. TT Club has been a sponsor of the award since its inception and firmly believes in the importance of individual training and development within the industry.

2011 attracted the highest number of participants in the Awards’ thirteen year history.  Each participant had to select one key import commodity/cargo for their home country plus one key export commodity/cargo. They were asked in their dissertation to consider the complexity of the issues of importing and exporting i.e.  bulk cargo, time sensitive delivery, hazardous goods, multi modal moves as well as cross-border issues, regulatory issues and risk management.

The award will consist of practical and academic training, including a week based at one of the TT Club’s regional centres in London, Hong Kong or New Jersey and attendance at the TT Club’s “Insight into Transport Law and Insurance” course in London. Additionally, one year’s free subscription to the International Transport Journal (ITJ), Switzerland and International Freighting Weekly in the UK, is provided.

TT Club’s European Regional Director, Andrew Kemp commented: “We were delighted that this year’s awards proved to be the most successful in terms of attracting candidates from across the globe – the highest number of candidates that we have had since the inception of the award. The topic that we had picked this year was intended to attract more candidates – so the Steering Committee are encouraged that this aim was met. In terms of the calibre of dissertations, this year’s candidates managed to raise the bar on expectations. It was clear that a lot of research, planning and hard work had gone into the production of these papers. The dissertations were of a consistently high standard.

It meant that the judging of the papers was significantly harder than in recent years – but, we are delighted to announce the Regional winners are:”
Region Africa/Middle East :  Mr  Niranjan Venkatesh, United Arab Emirates

Region Americas :   Ms  Rosa Maria Gallardo Reyes, Mexico

Region Asia/Pacific :    Mr  Lai Kin Wong, Hong Kong

Region Europe  :    Ms Silvia Valles Barrera, Ireland 

Documentation for the 2012 Award will be distributed to FIATA Association members towards the end of August 2011 with the usual deadline for nominating candidates of 15 January 2012.
 

Note to Editors:

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics Expands Warehouse, Distribution Capacity in Singapore

Global Logistics Firm Strengthens Support for Asia Customers with Advanced Facility Emphasizing Environmental Sustainability

SINGAPORE — July 12, 2011 — Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced it is expanding its presence in Singapore and breaking ground on a new, 400,000-square-foot warehousing and retail distribution management centre on Sunview Way.

The new Sunview Way facility complements and expands Menlo’s existing capabilities in Singapore, where the company provides a wide variety of logistics, warehousing, inventory and transportation management, distribution, fulfillment, light manufacturing and supply chain design and engineering services for local and multinational customers. The four-story centre joins Menlo’s current footprint of seven facilities in Singapore, which support the supply chain operations of customers in aerospace, retail consumer electronics and apparels, automotive, wine and spirits, chemical, and industrial products businesses.

The new centre will feature advanced building design and construction materials emphasizing environmental sustainability and high levels of energy and water efficiency to achieve the Singapore Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark environmental initiative. This program encourages the use of recognized best practices in environmental design and construction and advanced “green” building performance.

Said Mr. Kelvin Wong, executive director of logistics and professional services, Singapore Economic Development Board, “Menlo’s decision to establish a regional retail distribution centre in Singapore is a testament to Singapore’s position as a leading supply chain management hub in Asia for consumer and retail business. The centre will add to the suite of specialized logistics capabilities in Singapore, and allow consumer and retail companies to better manage their supply chain in Asia.”

The Sunview Way facility will serve as Menlo’s new base for storage and distribution, high-velocity picking and packing operations, customized labeling and return management services. This integrated facility offers customers a more sustainable tenure of space, the ability to share and leverage existing IT platforms, an experienced management and labor infrastructure, automated product and freight-handling equipment and warehouse management assets. This facility will house 150 employees supporting the multi-disciplined operations.

“Menlo started in Singapore 15 years ago with one facility and 25 employees,” said Desmond Chan, managing director, South Asia for Menlo. “This expansion marks an important milestone which speaks to our commitment to Singapore and our focus on providing customers with best-in-class facilities, tools and services to increase efficiency and drives value into a wide spectrum of logistics operations and supply chain solutions.”

Menlo’s existing network of seven facilities are located throughout Singapore with 450 employees and provide dedicated and multi-client distribution services. Menlo also operates additional multi-client logistics facilities in Southeast Asia, as well as China, India, Australia, North America and Europe.

Follow the Con-way companies on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Con_way_.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics images are available at

www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.4 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Mateo, Calif.-based Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities. With more than 16 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Worldwide Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com.

The Shipowners’ Club Register Strong 2010 Results

London 8 July, 2011

The Shipowners’ Club, the specialist P&I insurer to the smaller vessel sector, announced a strong financial performance for the year-end February 2011, with an impressive increase of 39% in free reserves and a combined ratio of 85%.

Excellent financial results have been reported by the Shipowners’ Club for the trading year ending February 2011.  Positive growth or improvements across almost all parameters have been recorded from increased tonnage and numbers of vessels entered to an up-lift on gross earned premiums to US$196.8 million (up 13% on last year) and an underwriting surplus of US$25.2 million.

Chairman of the Club, Donald MacLeod puts the recent success of the Club down to the diversity of its Members and the results of organisational changes over the last two years that are now coming to fruition.  “Our strong performance coincides with the culmination of a period of change for the Club. The most significant of which was the process of rationalising activities between our London, Singapore and Vancouver branch offices, which has brought us closer to more of our Members and their brokers,” he said in his Chairman’s Statement.  Additionally, the volatile trading environment did not affect Shipowners as dramatically as it did others.  “The Club is uniquely suited to volatile conditions. Our Members, by and large, are not dependent on freight rates or commodity pricing.  Club vessels can be found throughout the world, engaged in a broad spectrum of activities from fishing to offshore to passenger carriage, dredging and towage. Such geographic and sectoral diversification acts as a natural hedge for the Club against regional, industry-specific trading volatility,” said MacLeod.

The Club’s good operational performance, resulting in the underwriting surplus, contrasted with a small deficit in the previous year and, together with a 6.8% return on investments producing an income of US$27.6 million, returned an overall surplus of US$52.9 million.  This addition to free reserves brought an increase of 39% to US$187.9 million and combined ratio for the 2011 year of 85%; total funds under management rose by 17% to US$431.0 million.  Claims reduced by 9% compared with the previous year and totalled US$107.2 million, while operating expense increased by just over US$6 million to US$40.5 million.

The Club’s strength in diversity was emphasised by a 9.5% increase in tonnage entered to 17.8 million GRT, an advance of 8.4% in vessel numbers to two short of 29,000 and 7% more Members than last year. Commenting on the very encouraging results, the Club’s Chief Executive Charles Hume said, “After a positive year of growth, coupled with organisational change, the Club looks forward to a period of consolidation as the three branch offices look to establish themselves in their regions.  Looking forward, the Club primarily recognises the need to develop closer ties with its customers – the six hundred plus insurance brokers who place business with the Club and ultimately its worldwide membership.  We need to demonstrate the benefits of mutuality, the benefits of Member ownership, the benefits of belonging to, and of being insured within, an environment where the insurer seeks to find solutions.  We look forward, in particular to innovating;  to launching simplified products; to delivering peace of mind to our customers and to assuring owners of small and specialised ships, of all shapes and sizes, that they may go about their tasks safe in the knowledge that their P&I insurer is working alongside them in partnership.”

ENDS

Financial Highlights as at 20th February 2011 (vs 2010)

  • Net result:  Overall Surplus of US$52.9 million (US$39.5 million)
  • Gross Premiums Earned: US$196.8 million (US$174.2 million)
  • Claims Incurred, net of reinsurance:  US$107.2 million (US$117.8 million)
  • Combined ratio:  85.0% (101.5%)
  • Operating expenses: US$40.5 million (US$34.4 million)
  • Investment return:  US$27.6 million gain (US$41.6 million  gain)
  • Free Reserves: US$187.9 million (US$135.0 million)

 A pdf of the full Annual Report 2010 is available for download at www.shipownersclub.com

 

Notes for Editors:

The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small vessels since 1855. The Club currently insurers almost 29,000 vessels from 5,624 Members worldwide and is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

The Club has regional offices located in Luxembourg, London, Singapore and Vancouver.

“K” Line to Start Power Saving Campaign in Tokyo

5  July , 2011 

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line Group) will start a campaign to save electric power consumption in its head office in Tokyo that includes introduction of in-house Summer Time working hours system and reduce lighting and use of air conditioners. “K” Line Group has been proactively taking measures to reduce consumption of electricity by partially turning off lights in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in March that crippled the Fukushima nuclear plant, sparking serious concerns about power shortages in Eastern Japan, including Tokyo. Over the past few years, “K” Line Group has implemented lower electrical consumption in summer by setting the temperature of air conditioners at 28C in consideration of environmental conservation. The campaign this summer is aimed at cutting power consumption by 25 percent compared with the peak season last year through enhancing such power saving measures.

Measures include:

– Partial shutdown of air conditioners

– Reduction of lighting units by half

– Introduction of in-house Summer Time working hours system

– Introduction of “Super Cool Biz” (Expansion of Casual Day from Friday to all working days) 

The campaign is scheduled to begin on July 11 (Mon) in order to prevent power outages for over two months after the end of this year’s rainy season during which time demand for electricity is expected to reach its highest level.

“K” Line Group continues to proactively contribute to society as a good corporate citizen and is committed to a voluntary approach to protect and preserve the environment.” 

For further information, please contact:

Ryoichi Ikeda

Division Manager, CSR & Compliance division

Tel: +81-3-3595-5092   Fax: +81-3-3595-5175

Toshiaki Takasaki

Manager, Information & Public Relations Team, IR & PR Group

Tel: +81-3-3595-5189  Fax: +81-3-3595-5001

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line)