Miami & Hamburg, 23 August 2012
As both its cruise-related and cargo vessel supply business increases the Marine Logistics division of global freight management specialists, Geodis Wilson has ramped up its resources in Hamburg. The new ‘control tower’ will be introduced at the up-coming SMM Conference & Exhibition (4-7 September) in Hamburg.
Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics has established one of its global ‘control towers’ in Hamburg. Initially, this was to facilitate the successful management of two projects at the German port for Crystal Cruises in May and June. The Marine Logistics team handled the transport and logistics management of an array of spare and replacement parts as well as other supplies involved in the overhaul and refitting of the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony at the Blohm & Voss dry-dock facility.
Hamburg is now well-established as a cruise hub and its importance as a regular call on liner vessel (both container and break-bulk) schedules, as well as a major port for liquid and bulk cargoes makes it a critical focal point for the delivery of Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics’ rapidly expanding services.
Sergio Herrero, the Vertical Market Director of the Marine Logistics Division explains how the new ‘control tower’ fits into Geodis Wilson’s global strategy. “Essentially we have a 4PL approach to marine supplies. We prioritise visibility throughout the supply chain, including vendor performance. Of course we need the capacity to deliver everything from emergency individual parts to high volume consumables but we always emphasise low inventory costs and a high degree of synergy to increase efficiency for our customers. To achieve these aims effective information flow and data analysis is essential. This is the function of our control towers.”
In addition to providing a source of the skill sets and expertise required, Hamburg’s diversity of marine activity provides synergy with Geodis Wilson’s three sectors of Marine Logistics operation. The division’s cruise business is well-established through its head-quarters in Miami; the Hamburg location develops this into Europe; the commercial sector, dealing with scheduled vessels such as container ships and the industrial sector, which covers vessels most usually trading on the spot market, such as tankers and bulkers also frequent the port.
As Herrero points out each vessel sector requires a differing set of logistics services. “Variations in logistical challenges of global ship supply are profound”, he points out. “For example, regular quantities of fresh and frozen food are required by cruise vessels; a container ship needs less volume but on a port and time-specific basis while customers running vessels in our industrial sector have variable ports of call and a less predictable maintenance and repair schedule. All however could need an expedited replacement part, of variable proportions and weight at any time.”
With the help of the Hamburg ‘control tower’ Geodis Wilson aims to cope with this variability in demand with a consolidated approach to service provision and visibility throughout the supply chain to maximise efficiency and minimise costs for customers in all three trading sectors.
Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics personnel will be available for further comment at SMM in Hamburg from the 4th to the 7th September; Hall B6, Stand 203.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group
Geodis Wilson is a leading global freight management company. With 7,300 employees in more than 50 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to customers enabling them to operate as ‘best in class.’ Geodis Wilson is the freight forwarding arm of Geodis Group which became part of the French rail and freight group SNCF in 2008. With its 46.000 employees in 120 countries ‘SNCF GEODIS’ ranks among the top 7 companies in its field in the world.
For more information about Geodis Wilson go to – www.geodiswilson.com