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Archives for December 2014

Even ‘Small’ Vessels are Getting Bigger

18 December 2014

The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual provider of P&I insurance that has throughout its 160 year history been dedicated to serving owners of small and specialist ships.  These vessels, active in a range of different operations, are at the lower end of the size spectrum and, in keeping with the trend seen across vessel design as a whole, are also getting larger in order to cope with the demands of their individual markets.

In a recent blog, the Club’s Underwriting Director, Ian Edwards has outlined more detail of the trend and explains how the Club has responded to its Members’ needs.

Some 20 years ago 12,655 of these vessels were covered by the Club and had an average size of 297GT. In the intervening period numbers have increased nearly threefold and the average size of an entered vessel has more than doubled to 672GT.  

“It is definitely the case that larger vessels are more likely to generate larger claims,” comments Edwards in his blog, “But as a result of the Club’s long and in-depth experience of insuring these specialist vessels, we also believe that larger vessels, as long as they are well run and operate a well defined regional trading pattern, represent as good a risk as some smaller vessels. We are more than happy to consider regionally trading vessels up to 20,000GT for entry with the Club.”

An analysis of the various sectors in which the Club’s vessels operate puts meat on the bones of the growth trend. Coastal tankers have increased in size by 90%; those in dry cargo trades by 50%, while offshore vessels have similarly grown by 50% and dumb barges by 269%.

The superyacht fleet is of particular interest, as it is one of the sectors which bucks the trend. Shipowners’ was the first P&I Club to offer full cover to the owners of such vessels.  Twenty years ago there were just 37 yachts entered; now the number has now grown to over 2,200 (as at 20 February 2014). In 1994 it was only the largest and widest trading yachts that required the most comprehensive P&I cover available but over time smaller yachts switched from the restricted cover provided by the commercial markets.  As a consequence, while large superyachts have grown in size (the largest entered in the Club is some 13,000GT), the average size of yachts covered by Shipowners’ has actually reduced.

Regional trade has generally been a feature of the operation of smaller vessels but there is now a tendency for vessels to be larger and to operate further afield.  This has increasingly become the case with specialist vessels and, in particular those operating in the offshore sector. “To best serve our Members with the most appropriate cover, it is vital for the Club to monitor and analyse these trends and to understand the changes that are taking place in Members’ fleets,” concludes Edwards. “Our largest offshore vessels have regularly been in excess of 10,000GT for many years, likewise the larger dredgers. We will always try to provide the cover that our Members need for the vessels they acquire if their trading fits with the overall profile of the Club’s varied sectors.”

Link to blog: http://www.shipownersclub.com/ian-edwards-meeting-our-members-changing-needs

 

141218 Shipowners Club_Development of tonnage infographic_logo_Dec 2014

ENDS

Notes for editors

The Shipowners’ Club is

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

Evergreen Expands its Service Network in the Philippines

In order to offer a more comprehensive service to shippers and importers in the Philippines, Evergreen Line is to team up with Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC) to launch the new China-Philippines Service (CPH ).

Two ships of around 1,000 TEU will be deployed on the new weekly service, one each operated by the joint service partners.   The first sailing on the CPH service will be from Shanghai on the 11th of December and the  port rotation is as follows:

Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Shekou – Manila (south harbour) –Shanghai.

The new service is in addition to the four feeder loops, which Evergreen offers serving the Philippines.  This comprehensive coverage of all major ports in the Philippines, includes Manila (both north and south harbours), Cebu, Davao and General Santos, etc.  All services connect to Evergreen’s global network via either Kaohsiung and/or Hong Kong.

According to statistics published by China’s General Administration of Customs, the amount of bilateral trade between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) increased by 8.9% during the first ten months of 2014.  In particular, China’s imports and exports to/from the Philippines showed an even stronger growth of 17.1%.

ASEAN member states have held several rounds of trade talks with China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and India for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and aimed to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2015. As a positive indication of future trade growth, this initiative is expected to significantly benefit the further development of Intra-Asia trades.

 

Menlo Presents Guidance for Specialist Supply Chain Management in the Medical Device Sector

Amsterdam – December 5th 2014

Menlo Logistics, (Menlo), the global logistics and supply chain management unit of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) is emphasising the specialised nature of the Medical Device (Medtech) supply chain in Europe.  Menlo is particularly keen to outline the particular skills and capabilities required by a 3PL to manage the unique requirements of medical device manufacturers and the hospitals and health systems that make up the majority of consumers.

A detailed review of the sector, including consultation with a number of leading global suppliers in the sector, has lead Menlo to conclude that five key attributes of a 3PL/supply chain service provider are essential to deliver an effective service.

Speaking at the Life Sciences Supply Chain Summit in Amsterdam yesterday, Arthur van Gerven, Menlo’s Senior Director of Business Development in Europe said, “We are finding that the introduction of a centralised warehousing and distribution model, replacing national level networks, is being increasingly employed in Europe by medical device manufacturers; the process is most often assisted by a 3PL with global capabilities.”

During a panel session which included leading suppliers supporting his view, van Gerven continued, “However, once the ‘big picture’ re-engineering of a complex supply chain has been completed, the incumbent 3PL must have the necessary skills and capabilities to continue the job within the re-aligned infrastructure.”

The five key attributes that Menlo believes are essential to fulfil customer expectations in the medical device sector are outlined in the diagram below.

141205 Medical Device Graphic

 

Menlo is at pains to stress that a commonality of culture is the dominant factor in the mix. “You need the right culture, a shared mindset between people in both organisations to implement a structured and continuous improvement process,” said van Gerven at the Summit.  Menlo’s own solution to this need is to employ the Lean concept, applying the well-established waste-reduction technique to logistics.  “While this shared culture is the most difficult of the five to achieve, it is the most important, as it is also the driver of quality,” he emphasised.  The other three elements, while critical, are easier for a 3PL to put in place.

In addition, van Gerven’s Amsterdam comments drew on the contents of a soon to be published White Paper by Menlo entitled ‘Rationalising the Medical Device Supply Chain’*.  The five key 3PL attributes are described in detail within the White Paper along with results of other research into the European Medical Device market, estimated to be worth €100 billion.  The sector employs 575,000 people, working for around 23,000 companies, 95% of which are SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).

The aim of the White Paper is to summarise the current challenges to producers, suppliers and consumers in optimising their supply chains and contains examples of how the players, including their logistics service providers, are responding in order to design supply networks and work processes that are more refined, efficient, effective and environmentally friendly.

*Pre-publication advanced copies of the White Paper are available for review by the media on request

ENDS

 

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: lifestyle, fashion & apparel; healthcare and medtech; e-fulfillment and e-returns; manufacturing support; data center logistics; spare parts and aftermarket supply and high tech. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands. www.menlologistics.com/europe

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

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.

Geodis Wilson to exhibit at the Annual Power-Gen Exhibition in Orlando

Houston, 8 December 2014

Global freight management and logistics provider, Geodis Wilson, will be exhibiting at Power-Gen International, part of the Power Generation Week, which will take place at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, to showcase its logistics solutions in the Power Segment.  

The Industrial Project divisions of Geodis Wilson is serving a range of global players in the areas of power and renewable energy, including a record-breaking airfreight shipment of wind turbine blades from China to Scandinavia and lead the first rail freight solution for similar blade delivery in Europe.

Geodis Wilson’s Power Segment Leader Henrik Lindahl willl be attending the event:  “This exhibition is an excellent opportunity for us to be close to the industry trends. It helps us to   provide reliable, transparent, and tailor made solutions that meet our clients’ needs.”

Power-Gen International is the largest, most respected power generation event in the world. It is the one major exhibition to discover new, cutting edge innovations in power generation, absorb new business development ideas and gain insight on industry trends and best practices.

Geodis Wilson will be exhibiting at Booth No. 3147, from 9 – 11 December, 2014, whereby attendees at the exhibition will have the opportunity to meet with both Global and US based teams in the Power Segment of the Industrial Projects division.

For more information on the Conference go to – http://www.power-gen.com/exhibit.html

Geodis Wilson executives in Attendance will be:

Henrik Lindal, Global Segment Leader, Power

Mikael Pedersen, Global Segment Leader, Renewables

Antoine Bondoux Global Segment Leader, Nuclear

About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group

Geodis Wilson is a leading, global freight management company. With around 9,000 employees in 61 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to its customers enabling them to grow their business wordwide. Geodis Wilson – with a revenue of 2,67 bn € in 2013 – is the freight forwarding arm of Geodis Group, a subsidiary of the French rail and freight group SNCF.

For more information about Geodis Wilson go to – www.geodiswilson.com

 

K Line (THAILAND) Ltd. 50th Anniversary Party held in Bangkok

K LINE (THAILAND) LTD. (“KTL”) held its 50th Anniversary Party at Plaza Athénée Bangkok on December 1, 2014.

KTL’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated by about 700 people who gathered for the party including Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Shigekazu Sato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand and many distinguished guests from Port Authority of Thailand, government agencies, customer companies and other related people.

In his speech, Mr. Jiro Asakura, President of KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. expressed his sincere gratitude for all attendees who have given support and cooperation to KTL for 50 years in order to develop business in Thailand. He also stressed how the company continues to advance its systems of quality control, conservation of environment and safety standards.

KAWASAKI (BANGKOK) LTD. (former name of KTL) was established in 1964, after which business continually progressed in accordance with economic growth of Thailand. KTL and 7 other group companies in Thailand are now successfully providing a broad spectrum of business services including shipping agencies, inland transportation, custom clearance, machine installation, warehousing, cold storage, freight forwarding and insurance agency. One of KTL’s group companies, BANGKOK COLD STORAGE SERVICE, LTD., has recently opened its second cold storage in a suburb area of Bangkok. In 2015, it is scheduled to open K Line Bang Phra Logistics Center near Laem Chabang port which will consist of warehouse, container depot and truck depot.

In 2015, ASEAN Economic Community (“AEC”) will be established and it is expected to accelerate economic growth of ASEAN countries more and more  beyond their respective borders. The “K” Line Group includes companies such as KTL and representative offices in various countries throughout Asia. In order to provide our esteemed customers with the highest quality total logistics services, we are constantly improving our business operations and will further  strengthen our overall worldwide organization, not only to meet shippers’ needs but to also contribute to each local economy where our operations are located.

 

141203 KLine Thailand 50th Anniversary Party

From the left, Mr. Vitthya, Chairman of K Line (Thailand) Ltd., Mr. Abhisit, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Asakura, President of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.,
Mr. Sato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, Mr. Ishida, Managing Director of K Line (Thailand) Ltd.

 

SAL Heavy Lift GmbH enters offshore wind energy sector

1 December 2014

In October 2014, SAL successfully completed its first offshore wind-farm-related operation on the Baltic Sea. This offshore operation was part of the Wikinger offshore wind farm project developed by Spanish energy company Iberdrola, whose test pile contract was awarded to German engineering and services group Bilfinger. Bilfinger subcontracted SAL to carry out the tests, and accordingly, SAL’s main offshore installation vessel MV LONE independently conducted the driving of 9 piles into the seabed to a depth of approximately 35 m, including loading and transporting the piles. The piles are for the purpose of confirming the design from a soils perspective.

SAL had sporadically engaged in offshore operations in the past, including implementing a project to deliver equipment underwater (wet-handshake) off the coast of India and a project to change the equipment modules of a floating production, storage and offloading vessel for oil and gas off the coast of Nigeria. SAL then officially entered the offshore operation sector after constructing MV LONE and MV SVENJA, which are equipped with dynamic positioning systems. In 2013, SAL Offshore B.V. was established in Delft, Netherlands, and since then SAL has actively participated in offshore projects, including the installation of submarine pipeline equipment in the Mediterranean and the installation of a tide power generator off the coast of Scotland. This piling work is SAL’s first offshore wind-farm-related operation.

The project was started at the end of September after 4 months of careful planning and thorough preparation, including with significant support from engineering. MV LONE was first fitted out with additional living quarters and project equipment, including 6 tugger winches at Rotterdam. MV LONE was then loaded with the piles, a template for specifying the pile driving positions, a level for setting a pile, an ROV (underwater robot), and an underwater hammer at Sassnitz, Germany, and traveled to the planned construction site of the offshore wind farm approximately,30 km off the coast. MV LONE carried out a series of activities, namely, installation of the 110-t template at the seabed, insertion of piles into the template, and hammering of piles into the seabed. The operation was divided into two sessions in accordance with the water depth, and 9 piles were successfully installed in about 10 days. A further testing campaign of the piles is planned to be carried out by MV LONE in December.

SAL will continue to actively participate in offshore projects by taking full advantage of its engineering capability developed through heavy-item shipping and harbor construction projects, recent experience in offshore projects, high-quality vessels, and the quality work provided by its skilled competent crews.