Archives for October 2014

Winner of TT Club Sponsored Young Freight Forwarder Award Announced

October 21, 2014 by Julia Hiles

The 2014 Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year (YIFFY) Award has been presented to South African forwarder Fortunate Nompumelelo Mboweni at the FIATA Annual Congress in Istanbul.

Each year at the FIATA Annual Congress the achievements of young freight forwarders from around the world are celebrated via an awards programme. TT Club is proud to have sponsored this award, now in its sixteenth year, since its foundation. The process of awarding the honour of Young Freight Forwarder of the Year (YIFFY) began earlier this year when entrants from all over the world submitted papers about a wide variety of transport and logistics projects.

These ranged from the transportation of tunnel drilling equipment to Bolivia to the delivery of a catamaran in Indonesia and from a project moving radioactive isotopes from South Africa to Namibia to the expedited deployment of a Disaster Assistance Response Team in the Philippines.

From this bewildering, yet highly professional array, the YIFFY Steering Committee selected a shortlist of four regional finalists. These four young professionals were then invited to attend the 2014 FIATA World Congress this week in Istanbul, Turkey to make a presentation on their dissertation topic.

The four regional finalists who proudly represented the future of the international freight forwarding industry in Istanbul were –

Africa/Middle East: Miss Fortunate Nompumelelo Mboweni, South Africa

Americas: Mr Douglas Whitlock, Canada

Asia-Pacific: Mr Saiful Ridhwan Bin Zulkifli, Singapore

Europe: Mr Christian Hensen, Germany

Ms Fortunate Nompumelelo Mboweni from South Africa was announced as the 2014 Young Freight Forwarder of the Year

Following a comprehensive judging process, Ms Fortunate Nompumelelo Mboweni from South Africa was announced as the 2014 Young Freight Forwarder of the Year at the FIATA Congress’ opening ceremony on 13 October. Ms Nompumelelo Mboweni works as an Airfreight Import Controller at Bidvest Panalpina Logistics in Johannesburg. Andrew Kemp, TT Club’s Regional Director for Europe congratulated her and presented the award.

“I have been honoured as TT Club’s representative to be part of the selection process, and I personally was engrossed by the finalists’ presentations, which showed a considerable depth of understanding of their individual projects. I have to say all four finalists performed with flying colours at the recent final presentations; it was certainly a difficult decision to pick an overall winner. However, Fortunate prevailed and deservedly takes this year’s award,” said Kemp.

The award is presented in recognition of forwarding excellence and was established by FIATA with the support of TT Club to encourage the development of quality training in the industry and to reward young talent with additional valuable training opportunities. The TT Club has been a sponsor of the award since its inception and remains firmly committed to the importance of individual training and development within the global freight forwarding community.

Speaking at the award ceremony, TT Club’s Kemp, said, “We are proud to have been able to continue our sponsorship of this unique award, now in its sixteenth year. Once again, the competition proved to be successful in terms of attracting outstanding candidates from across the globe. The quality of the dissertations and presentations were of the usual exceptional standard and it was clear that a lot of research, planning and hard work had gone into their preparation.”

ENDS

Notes 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. www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

CKYHE Alliance Files Agreement and Reports to Related Regulators for Expansion of Cooperation Scope to U.S. Trades

October 21, 2014 by Julia Hiles

October 21, 2014

The CKYHE Alliance (COSCO, “K” LINE, Yang Ming, Hanjin Shipping, and Evergreen Line) has announced that today they will expand their cooperation scope to U.S. Trades and CKYHE files an Agreement and reports to related regulators to comply with their regulations.

Regarding the expansion of the cooperation, CKYHE already submitted a formal letter to Ministry of Transport (MOT) of PRC, filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) a Filing Agreement to cover U.S. trades, and informed the EU Commission of developments.

In U.S. trades, CKYHE will follow the same pattern of cooperation that the alliance members have successfully used in the Asia/Europe, Mediterranean trades during the past year. This expanded cooperation will provide the carriers with greater operational flexibility and will permit each of them to better serve its customers, offering wider port coverage, increased frequency of sailings and stable transit times.

CKYHE acknowledges its environmental obligations, and their cooperation will be benefits to the environment. Each line is committed to environment-friendly shipping; a quality known to be highly valued by their customers.

After the regulators approve, the parties will discuss and agree their cooperation with a target implementation date of the spring 2015.

The CKYHE carriers wish to thank their customers for their support and look forward to continuing to serve them.

Filed Under: "K" Line, Evergreen Line

“K” Line Continues to be Included in FTSE4Good Global Index

October 20, 2014 by Julia Hiles

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has been selected as a constituent company of the FTSE4Good Global Index Series, the leading SRI ^(*1) index provided by FTSE Group ^(*2). “K” Line has qualified for inclusion in the FTSE4Good indices since 2003.

The FTSE4Good is an equity index series that is designed to facilitate investment in companies that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards. For inclusion, eligible companies must meet stringent environmental, social and governance criteria.

“K” Line always strives to reduce environmental impact, strengthen corporate governance and support communities in which it operates as a good corporate citizen.

*1 SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) describes an investment strategy which takes account of social, ethical and environmental factors as well as financial performance.

*2 FTSE is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. FTSE is a global leader in indexing and analytical solutions. FTSE’s indices measure multiple markets and asset classes in more than 80 countries.

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K”Line Recognized by CDP as Leader for Corporate Action on Climate Change

October 15, 2014 by Julia Hiles

October 15, 2014

“K” Line has been recognized as a leader in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the business risks of climate change, as well as disclosing the information, and was selected as member of both CDP’s (*1) Japan Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) and CDP’s Japan 500 Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014(CPLI) for the first time at CDP’s debriefing session today.

Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI)

We were ranked in the top 10% of the respondents in the 500 surveyed Japanese companies, and recognized as an excellent company that provides a high level of transparency in the disclosure of climate-related information in CDLI.

Climate Performance Leadership Index（CPLI）

Information provided by nearly 2,000 listed companies has been independently assessed against CDP’s widely-respected scoring methodology and ranked accordingly. ”K” Line is one of the 187 that has been awarded an A grade for its climate performance, earning a position in this global ranking of corporate efforts to mitigate change.

In order to build a logistics infrastructure with excellent energy efficiency, we have been constructing newer energy-efficient ships, reducing fuel consumption of our operating fleet and have received third-party verification for reliability and transparency of GHG emission data from processes ranging from upstream to downstream. We are regarded as demonstrating corporate responsibility in responding to climate change issues, an attitude that we have strongly evaluated and sincerely pursued, which has now bore fruit.

We will continue contributing to social sustained development from now on as a company fully committed to environmental preservation.

*1: CDP

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 767 institutional investors with assets of US$92 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them.

For further information please contact:

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd (“K” Line)

Kumiko Iwasa

General Manager, Environment Management Group

Tel: +81-3-3595-5205

Filed Under: "K" Line

Shipowners’ Club announces ‘nil’ general increase at next renewal as half yearly results strengthen the Club’s finances still further

October 14, 2014 by Julia Hiles

14 October 2014

The Shipowners’ Club has released its half yearly results as at 20^th August for the 2014/15 year, and reports a strong underwriting performance with a significant increase in free reserves over the same period last year.

Highlights* include

Earned premiums US$120.3M
Ultimate claims US$73.6M
Underwriting surplus US$4.6M
Investment return US$11.6M
Increase in free reserves US$15.3M
Capital and free reserves US$314.1M
Combined ratio 95.5%

The decision to withdraw from the Pacific North West fishing sector, taken last year, has resulted in a loss of premium income but is expected to have a positive effect on the underwriting result. Despite this, gross earned premium is ahead of the 2013 figure at the half year stage, and underlying organic growth remains strong.

Reinsurance costs have grown in recent years but the enhanced ‘stop loss’ cover that the Club now has with Swiss Re will mitigate future claims exposure. Despite one large casualty, claims activity in the first half has been relatively modest, with fewer high value claims and fewer claims overall.

There is a small underwriting surplus in the first six months of the policy year itself but there has also been improvement on prior years to produce a combined ratio of 95.5% at the half way stage. The Club’s investments have resulted in a return on capital of 2.2% at the half year and an overall surplus of US$15.3 million has been added to free reserves which now total US$314.1 million.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Charles Hume said, “The Club remains in a strong financial position and our Board has decided that there should be no general increase applied to premiums for next year. In addition, we will absorb any increase in reinsurance costs; we will continue with our policy of not applying any adjustments for reinsurance at a later stage. For our pooled membership, we maintain our policy of no additional or release calls. We thank our Members and their brokers for their continued support and the trust that they place in the Club. We remain committed to them and to the smaller and specialist vessel sector. However, we are aware that some Members have moved into trading sectors that have resulted in the operation of larger vessels. We are prepared to consider these larger units, and this also extends to regionally trading tankers and dry cargo vessels where we are prepared to consider vessels up to 20,000 GT, and in some cases larger.”

*Six-month period 21^st February – 20^th August 2014 (Unaudited)

ENDS

Notes for editors

Shipowners’ are a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small and specialist vessels since 1855. We work with more than 600 broking companies globally and insure over 33,000 vessels across a range of operating sectors and geographical areas. We are a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

Filed Under: The Shipowners' Protection Ltd

Dachser expands capacity in Belgium

October 13, 2014 by Julia Hiles

Kempten, October 13, 2014. With its move to a new and larger property in Willebroek, Belgium, international logistics provider Dachser is boosting its presence in the Benelux region. New construction took five months, with the new logistics center launching its operations on October 6^th. Construction included a 7,000-square-meter transit terminal with 68 gates and a three-story office building that measures 2,300 square meters.

“In recent years, we have experienced strong growth in Willebroek, and our capacity in the old facility had reached its limits. The newly added capacity will help us continue to develop new opportunities together with our customers,” says Aat van der Meer, Managing Director Dachser Benelux.

Willebroek is a strategically favorable location between Brussels and the port of Antwerp. As a result, this branch office has excellent connections to the most important European and international economic regions. Dachser Belgium has been at this location since 1995 and currently employs a staff of 90 people. The newly built facilities are less than five kilometers from the former premises, which will be closed once the move is completed.

The new transit terminal is a state-of-the-art facility that has an underfloor conveyor chain for convenient and safe transport of shipments. Furthermore, at 37,800 square meters, the new property’s size provides ample room for expansion.

The commissioning of the newly constructed facilities in Willebroek is yet another milestone in Dachser’s development in Belgium. “We have maintained a presence in the Belgian market since 1975 and since then, we have significantly expanded our network,” says Michael Schilling, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. “By dovetailing overland freight services with air and sea transport, we can provide our customers with seamless access to international markets.”

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned internationally operating company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, is one of the leading logistics providers in Europe.

Dachser provides comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customer-specific services in three business fields: Dachser European Logistics, Dachser Food Logistics, and Dachser Air & Sea Logistics. Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary services, such as contract logistics, consulting and advisory services, and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless transport network – both in Europe and overseas – and information technology that is fully integrated into all its systems provide intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

With a staff of 25,000 employees in 42 countries at 471 locations all over the globe, in 2013, Dachser generated revenue of almost EUR 5 billion and handled about 70 million shipments.

For more information about Dachser, please visit www.dachser.com.

Filed Under: Dachser UK

TT Club announces strong year to date performance

October 13, 2014 by Julia Hiles

10 October 2014

The TT Club, the leading international transport and logistics insurance provider, today released a trading update for the period 1 January – 31 August 2014.

Highlights:

$121.4 million gross earned premiums
Total assets of $503.6 million
Total surplus and reserves $167.4 million
AM Best Financial strength rating maintained as A- (Excellent)
Number of claims continue to decline
2014 financial year combined ratio of 92%
85% of stake holders feel the Club always meets or exceeds the service commitment

Charles Fenton, Chief Executive of the TT Club, said: “Low claim levels have continued through from 2013 which have contributed to TT Club’s strong financial performance in the year to date. We have obtained a mid-year combined ratio which is below 100% and slightly below the Board’s requirement. This is a very healthy place to be.

“The current soft market conditions we are seeing have negatively impacted premium levels but this has been offset by good growth in Member reported volumes and also by net new business. The Club’s retention in the year to date has been excellent and that, coupled with on budget new business performance, is making a positive impact on premium income.

“Our Member satisfaction levels remain high with 85% of stake holders commenting that the Club always meets or exceeds the service commitment that we have pledged.

“We will continue to build on our current success and remain as the leading provider of insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry.”

– End –

Notes to editors

www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

“K” Line to Support Ocean Transportation of an Ambulance and a Fire Engine Donated to Republic of El Salvador

October 13, 2014 by Julia Hiles

October 10, 2014

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has today announced that it has provided free ocean transportation of an ambulance and a fire engine donated by Fujisawa-city Fire Department in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, to Republic of El Salvador.

Being the most densely populated country in Americas, with over 6 million residents in the area of around 21,000 km2, El Salvador has long been faced with shortage of fire engines, having only 19 units in the whole nation. Recognizing such a situation, Fujisawa-city has decided to donate its ambulance and fire engine to El Salvador because Ms. Martha Lidia Zelayandia, the country’s Ambassador to Japan, had long been living in the city before, while “K” Line provides free ocean transportation of those vehicles as per request from the ambassador to Mr. Hiroyuki Maekawa, Special Executive Advisor of the company and Honorary Consul of the country. Those vehicles have been put in order for usage in El Salvador supported by Mr. Koichiro Hara, Representative Director of Fulltime System Co., Ltd. and Chairman of Japan-El Salvador Association, and have been loaded onto “K” Line’s pure car carriers (PCCs) at Yokohama. The ambulance has been loaded on August 31, and so has the fire engine on October 10, respectively, in the cooperation of Daito Corporation, an affiliate company of “K” Line. It wishes the ambulance and the fire engine from Japan will successfully serve in El Salvador for helping precious lives.

“K” Line has established close relationship with Latin American Countries for a long time, assuming Honorary Consul of El Salvador since 1969, Chairmanship of Japan-Chile Association (est. 1940) and Japan-Peru Association (est. 1954), as well as Directorship of Latin-America Association in Japan (est. 1958). It has been actively providing free ocean transportation of supporting goods for Latin American countries, such as an ambulance and a fire engine donated from Japan to Republic of Peru in 2012. It will continue contribution to society through its core business, ocean transportation.

Photo in front of the fire engine donated by Fujisawa-city Fire Department
(Center) Ms. Martha Lidia Zelayandia, Ambassador to Japan, Republic of El Salvador
(Right) Mr. Koichiro Hara, Representative Director, Fulltime System Co., Ltd.
(Left) Mr. Kunio Okumura, Assistant to Honorary Consul of El Salvador in Japan, “K” Line (on behalf of Mr. Hiroyuki Maekawa, Honorary Consul of El Salvador in Japan)

Filed Under: "K" Line

Menlo Logistics Extends the Footprint of its Amsterdam Operations

October 8, 2014 by Julia Hiles

AMSTERDAM — October 7 2014 Significant increased demand for services from a key hi-tech customer has required Menlo Logistics (Menlo), the global logistics and supply chain management unit of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), to open a third facility in Amsterdam. The 15,200 m² warehouse in the Westpoort area of the city came into operation in August and is dedicated to fulfilling a wide range of value-added services for a global brand client at the top end of hi-tech equipment provision.

Menlo’s General Manager in Amsterdam, Bart Roters welcomed the expansion, “We are of course delighted that our client is entrusting Menlo with the increased supply of logistics services. But, most significantly an expansion of the complex portfolio of value-added services that compliment the client’s sophisticated supply chain infrastructure here in Europe,” he said.

In addition to repackaging of product and testing for malfunctions Menlo also runs MRP (Materials Requirement Planning) for the packaging demands of the client throughout the European market and arranges JIT (Just In Time) delivery to production sites in the region. Menlo also supports scrapping and dismantling processes as required.

In welcoming the expansion Menlo’s Managing Director Europe, Tony Gunn, commented, “The global supply chains characterized by the hi-tech sector have many demanding facets. We feel that Menlo’s culture of developing long-term, resilient customer relationships and our ability to adapt to dynamic changes in demand is particularly relevant in this sector. In this case we are delighted to provide a high profile client with a state-of-the art facility to support its significant growth plans and extension of our current contract.”

The new Westpoort location is TAPA A certified, has 12 loading/unloading docks and an eight meter working space height. It is Menlo’s third Amsterdam facility as it is additional to existing facilities at Schipol-Rijk. The Company also has its European headquarters based in the city.

ENDS

www.menlologistics.com/europe

Follow Menlo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

About Menlo Logistics Europe

In Europe, Menlo Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centres located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion & apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic and data network equipment; automotive; defense and government services; oil and gas as well as retail e-fulfillment. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands. www.menloworldwide.com/europe

About Menlo Logistics

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.5 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 Francisco, California-based Menlo 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 fulfilment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities.

With nearly 20 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world. Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

Filed Under: Menlo Logistics

Menlo Logistics Announces Launch of New Brand and Website

October 8, 2014 by Julia Hiles

Visitors Will Find Lean-Inspired Logistics Capabilities and Sophisticated Supply Chain Improvement Processes and Ideas at www.menlologistics.com.

SAN FRANCISCO — Sept. 22, 2014 — Menlo Logistics, the US$1.5 billion global logistics and supply chain management subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced the introduction of an updated brand, a new tagline and new website designed to present Menlo to the market as the leader in supply chain and logistics solutions built on customer innovation.

The rebranding of Menlo is the result of extensive research with senior logistics professionals globally to gain a greater understanding of the company’s brand, the key value attributes of it, as identified by customers, employees and other influencers; and how the brand defines and reinforces Menlo’s core value proposition.

As a result of the research, Menlo has updated its brand to be known as Menlo Logistics across all operations and locations. The company also adopted “Customer Innovation” as its new tag line to better reflect Menlo’s culture of innovation and its focus on measured and validated performance for customers.

“Our new brand speaks to the heart of high performing supply chain management, which is customer innovation,” said Robert W. Bassett, vice president of sales and marketing at Menlo Logistics. “Our customers trust us to deliver solutions tailored to their business, and while our work is built on a foundation of core values and Lean experience and expertise, we are successful because of our ability to adapt and manage custom supply chain solutions that drive measurable results.”

Menlo’s new website is the interactive element of the brand launch, providing a meaningful experience for visitors by creating a hub of information valuable to a variety of audiences. Features include attractive and efficient site navigation with enhanced search capability and expert content about supply chain management, Lean operations and the value of third-party transportation management, logistics and supply chain engineering services as delivered to various industries.

The website officially launched on Sept. 18, 2014 and can be found at http://www.menlologistics.com/en

About Menlo Logistics
Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.5 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 Francisco, California-based Menlo 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.

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

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Visitors Will Find Lean-Inspired Logistics Capabilities and Sophisticated Supply Chain Improvement Processes and Ideas at www.menlologistics.com.

The website officially launched on Sept. 18, 2014 and can be found at www.menlologistics.com.

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

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Filed Under: Menlo Logistics

Transport communications

Archives for October 2014

Winner of TT Club Sponsored Young Freight Forwarder Award Announced

CKYHE Alliance Files Agreement and Reports to Related Regulators for Expansion of Cooperation Scope to U.S. Trades

“K” Line Continues to be Included in FTSE4Good Global Index

“K”Line Recognized by CDP as Leader for Corporate Action on Climate Change

Shipowners’ Club announces ‘nil’ general increase at next renewal as half yearly results strengthen the Club’s finances still further

Dachser expands capacity in Belgium

TT Club announces strong year to date performance

“K” Line to Support Ocean Transportation of an Ambulance and a Fire Engine Donated to Republic of El Salvador

Menlo Logistics Extends the Footprint of its Amsterdam Operations

Menlo Logistics Announces Launch of New Brand and Website

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