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Archives for January 2015

TT Club Celebrates 25 Year Support of BIFA Awards

January 29, 2015 by

29th January 2015

At the British International Freight Association (BIFA) Annual Awards Lunch in London last week, the global freight insurance specialist, TT Club was itself presented with an honorary award in recognition of the Club’s twenty-five year support of the event. In addition the Club sponsored the European Logistics Award and played its part in selecting the winner from a wide-range of entries.

BIFA Special Award 2014

Event Host: Naga Munchetty, Financial Journalist & Television Presenter (left)
Recipient: Brian Sullivan, TT Club (centre)
Presenter: Becky Thurtell, BIFA Events Organiser (right)
(Photo courtesy of Philippa Gedge)

Brian Sullivan, TT Club’s Development Director in accepting the award said, “TT’s long-standing relationship with BIFA is based on a mutual interest in encouraging best practice in the international freight and logistics industry.  BIFA’s promotion of a strict code of conduct and the adoption of Standard Trading Conditions by all its Members is very much in line with TT’s advocacy for clear and precise contractual arrangements in the transport of goods internationally.  This provides a well defined understanding of liability in the event of loss damage or personal injury.”

Presenting the Award BIFA’s Event Organiser, Becky Thurtell said, “We are most grateful to TT Club for its ongoing support of the BIFA Freight Service Awards. The Club have provided sponsorship for one of the competition categories since 1990, making this their 25th year of continued support. It is only with the endorsement of industry leaders such as TT Club, that BIFA is able to produce such a high profile ceremony. On BIFA’s behalf, I was delighted to present Brian with a Special Award trophy as a token of appreciation of TT Club’s association with our flagship event.”

This year, as in the past TT Club sponsored the European Logistics Award, which was won by Freightex.  The winner specialises in managing European, cross-Channel road freight. Its large carrier network, which includes a dedicated fleet, provides a full range of vehicle types.

The judges selected Freightex for, in part, its aptitude for using technology at the sharp end to change its  distribution model so as to provide an optimum solution to the logistics challenges presented by customers. Equally important was the contribution made by the company’s own people, which was significant in the scale of the project.

TT Club’s Sullivan, who was part of the judging panel commented, “Freightex showed strongly the characteristics that are distinguishing successful companies in the sector these days.

Innovative IT solutions are employed in a tailored fashion to improve efficiency but critically, the human touch has not been abandoned.  In fact an emphasis on stable personal relationships and effective customer service is crucial to such success.”

In providing liability, cargo and property cover to freight forwarders and logistics companies for nearly fifty years, TT Club has consistently emphasised the importance of risk management or loss prevention to both minimise an operator’s claims but also to improve the efficiency of its operation. The creative use of technical advances in IT-driven processes is becoming almost a given in supply chain management, those transport companies which are marrying these skills with a genuine commitment …. not just lip-service …. to customer relations, are trending among the most profitable.

“As ever, the freight transport industry continues to feel pressure on rates, distracting customers on occasion from the worth of a myriad of value-added services that logistics operators are seeking to provide in order to distinguish themselves in a crowded market.  Perhaps the ‘human touch’ can become a modern day panacea for the operator searching for that elusive competitive edge,” concludes Sullivan.
ENDS

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. TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller. www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

Evergreen to Charter Eleven 18,000 TEU Vessels

January 28, 2015 by

January 28, 2015 – Evergreen Group today signed time charter agreements with Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (Shoei) to charter a total of eleven 18,000 TEU vessels, which include the six units of the same capacity announced by Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) and its subsidiary last December. The charter parties were signed by EMC’s Chairman Mr. Anchor Chang and Shoei’s President Mr. Yukito Higaki. The ships are planned to be delivered from 2018 through 2019.

Evergreen adopts the most advanced shipbuilding technologies and cooperates with Shoei to build the new generation ultra-large containerships.  The ship measurements are about 400 meters in length and about 59 meters wide.  The ship design incorporates optimized hull profiles and minimum ballast water requirements to maximize cargo carrying capability.  The vessels are designed to have lager depth to strengthen hull structure and navigation safety.

Signing representatives at the table : Mr. Anchor Chang, Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation (left), Mr. Yukito Higaki, President of Shoei Kisen Kaisha (right). Witnesses in the second row (from left to right) : Mr. K.W. Chang, Evergreen Group Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Raymond Lin, Evergreen Group Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Bronson Hsieh, Evergreen Group Second Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Toshiyuki Higaki, Chairman of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Mr. Kaoru Iwasa, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Marubeni Corporation, Mr. Shigefumi Mabuchi, Chairman of Marubeni Corporation Taiwan

Signing representatives at the table : Mr. Anchor Chang, Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation (left), Mr. Yukito Higaki, President of Shoei Kisen Kaisha (right).
Witnesses in the second row (from left to right) : Mr. K.W. Chang, Evergreen Group Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Raymond Lin, Evergreen Group Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Bronson Hsieh, Evergreen Group Second Vice Group Chairman, Mr. Toshiyuki Higaki, Chairman of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Mr. Kaoru Iwasa, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Marubeni Corporation, Mr. Shigefumi Mabuchi, Chairman of Marubeni Corporation Taiwan

In line with the stringent eco-friendly criteria that Evergreen has imposed on its own operation, the ships are equipped with various environmental protection devices and fully comply with the regulations of international maritime agencies.  Ship-to-shore real time data transmission system is introduced to enable operation concerned departments on land to monitor navigation statistics and weather condition, analyse the data and take in time action for speed optimization and route planning at sea.  The capabilities can lower fuel consumption and enhance navigation safety.  The ship’s new generation G-type main engine is developed with a longer stroke to operate at lower speeds with capability to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission up to 7 % than traditional main engines.

Evergreen has taken this investment decision to introduce 18,000 TEU vessels based on market demand and the capacity requirement for joint service. Current service cooperation arrangements with its alliance partners will enable Evergreen to efficiently utilise the capacity and garner the potential economic benefits represented by larger vessels.

In light of the continuing demand growth in shipping market, Evergreen Group continues to adopt the latest technologies for fleet renewal.  Along with the ongoing delivery of its own thirty 8,500 TEU L type vessels, a programme which began in July 2012 and is due to be completed this year, Evergreen has already taken delivery of five 8,800 TEU and ten 13,800 TEU chartered ships with another ten chartered units of 14,000 TEU to be delivered in 2016/17.

With the delivery of these, in total, sixty-six ships within the medium to ultra-large size range, the carrier plans to redeliver currently chartered vessels upon expiry of their charter periods. The programme will rejuvenate the fleet thereby enhancing the quality of service offered to customers and reinforcing the line’s competitiveness in the marketplace.

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

Appointment – Thomas Kraus joins Geodis as Group Marketing Director

January 26, 2015 by

Clichy, 22 January 2015

Since the 1st of January 2015, Thomas Kraus heads the Group Marketing at Geodis.

Thomas Kraus, 48 years, formerly CEO of TNT Express in Germany, is in charge of developing a cohesive and differentiating marketing strategy for Geodis, incorporating the full range of the Group’s know-how. He will also run the marketing community at Geodis.

Kraus, Thomas, Geodis Group Marketing Director

Thomas Kraus, who hails from Germany, has held various positions within TNT, including Marketing Director in 1990, Customer Service Director in 1992, Managing Director of the Sales, Marketing & Customer Service in 2006 and CEO of TNT Innight from the same year. In his 24 years within the transport and logistics sector he has gathered experience in designing, developing and deploying sales and marketing strategy as well as being at the helm of sizable business units – most recently being CEO of TNT Express Germany for a period of six years.

“We are delighted to welcome Thomas Kraus,” said Geodis CEO, Marie-Christine Lombard. “I count on Thomas’ proven track record, his broad expertise in the transport and logistics sector and his understanding of international markets enhance a marketing strategy and marketing mix that is differentiating and that allows us to be the growth partner for our clients.”

ENDS

Geodis: a transport and logistics expert – www.geodis.com

A global supply chain operator and part of SNCF Logistics, Geodis is a European group with global reach, ranking as the number four logistics provider in Europe. Harnessing its ability to resolve logistics constraints and coordinate all or part of the supply chain (air and sea freight forwarding, groupage/express, contract logistics, part- and full-load transport, reverse logistics, supply chain management and optimization), the Group supports its customers in their growth, bringing them bespoke solutions to optimize their physical and information flows. Based in 67 countries, the Group’s 30,900 employees strive to continuously improve their performance and that of their customers. Geodis reported revenues of €6.9 billion in 2013.

Filed Under: GEODIS

The Shipowners’ P&I Club has announced the appointment of Simon Swallow as Chief Executive in succession to Charles Hume

January 26, 2015 by

15 January 2015

Following a Board meeting on 15th January, the Shipowners’ P&I Club has announced the appointment of Simon Swallow as Chief Executive, in succession to Charles Hume, with effect from 9th March.

Simon Swallow, Chief Executive

Chairman, Philip Orme, said: “I am delighted that the Board has appointed Simon Swallow a Chief Executive.  Simon is very well known in the market, having been with the Club for over 23 years.  As Commercial Director in recent years he has led the business development of the Club and I have no doubt that he will build on that success as Chief Executive.”

Simon Swallow said: “I am honoured to have been chosen by the Board to succeed Charles as Chief Executive, and I am very grateful for the support of all the staff, as well as the membership and broking community, as I take on the role.”

Charles Hume said: “Having worked closely with Simon for over 20 years I know very well how much he has done in developing the Club and he has been seen as the face of the Club in the market for a number of years already.  I am delighted to be handing over as Chief Executive to someone so very well qualified for the role.”

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.

 

Filed Under: The Shipowners' Protection Ltd

Dachser UK – New Member of Leading Chemical Association

January 22, 2015 by

Northampton, 22 January 2015.  International transport logistics service provider Dachser UK has confirmed its membership of the Chemical Business Association (CBA) underlining the Company’s commitment to the chemical supply chain sector in the UK.

The CBA is the voice of the UK chemical supply chain and Dachser is pleased to add its own brand of European transport, distribution and warehouse operations skills to the pool of professional expertise already represented by members of this prestigious association.

The CBA represents a wide range of businesses – from distributors and traders to manufacturers and blenders as well as logistics service providers. It delivers advocacy for members of the chemical industry in Westminster and Brussels; it offers key compliance information and advice on regulatory demands and other legal requirements and is an effective disseminator of supply chain best-practice through its seminars and workshops.

Nick Lowe, Dachser UK’s Managing Director, in announcing his Company’s new affiliation, said, “The UK chemical sector has great export potential and we at Dachser are committed to serving those producers and distributors seeking to fulfil that potential with regular cargo flows throughout continental Europe.  We have joined the CBA, as a leading proactive professional body, to strengthen our market presence in this important sector.”

CBA’s Chief Executive, Peter Newport, said, “I would like to welcome Dachser UK into CBA membership and very much value its support for our work on behalf of the chemical supply chain.”

Dachser UK is also a member of The Hazchem Network, linking regional logistics companies that specialise in dangerous goods, via a hub and spoke transport system that provides fast, secure and reliable distribution throughout the UK. As additional reassurance for shippers the Network also provides 24/7 access to an Emergency Response help-line.

ENDS

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned 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 nearly EUR 5 billion and handled 70 million shipments.

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

 

Filed Under: Dachser UK

“K” Line Issuer Rating Upgrades from BBB- to BBB

January 22, 2015 by

20 January, 2015

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) announces that the Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) has upgraded the Issuer Rating of the company from “BBB-” to “BBB”, effective from Jan 19, 2015. The rating on the Domestic Commercial Paper Programme remains unchanged.

Issuer Rating                                    :  BBB   (Upgraded from BBB- )

Rating Outlook                                :  Stable

Commercial Paper Rating            :  a-2  (Affirmed)

R&I cited the following major reasons for the upgrade:

  1. Reforming cost structure in the container ship business helps to reduce concern over a possible huge loss.
  2. The car carrier business has become a source of earnings thanks to high transportation quality and strong relationship with customers.
  3. The dry bulk business with medium-long term contracts and the LNG business with high entry barriers are generating solid profit.
  4. Its equity capital is rising and the balance between debt and cash flow is also improving.

 

Filed Under: "K" Line

Geodis Wilson Sponsors Inaugural Automotive Logistics, Mexico Conference

January 22, 2015 by

Mexico, 20th January 2015

The global multimodal service provider Geodis Wilson will be a silver sponsor at the inaugural Automotive Logistics Mexico Conference, which takes place at the Marquis Reforma, Mexico City from 27 – 29 January 2015. 

Geodis Wilson is a dedicated supporter of Automotive Logistics Conferences around the world as it believes the sharing of knowledge and best-practice is vital in maintaining an efficient global supply chain.  With the automotive production spotlight keenly focused on Mexico at present, Geodis Wilson sees this particular Conference as a key event in showcasing its expertise and innovative transport and logistics capabilities.

“Our skills and competence in the Automotive Industry provide value added services that allow our clients to successfully overcome the logistics challenges they face in this specialist sector”, commented Kai Schmersahl, Managing Director for Geodis Wilson Mexico. “We know that Mexico plays a fundamental role in the automotive industry globally, and through our competitive costs, well-established proficiency, wealth of qualified suppliers and our own employees’ talent, Geodis Wilson is able to offer the best logistics solutions to our partners.”

Miguel Trejo, National Sales Director, Geodis Wilson Mexico, added, “We participate globally in the series of Automotive Logistics Conferences around the world because we are looking for the best logistic practices available in this industry.”

For this inaugural Mexico event,  Automotive Logistics have joined with the AIAG, the US Automotive Industry Action Group, to bring together the supply chain professionals from government, OEMs, tier suppliers and service providers from within Mexico, across North America and globally.  This unique gathering will help make the vital personal connections, and the essential physical supply chain connections, to ensure that plants in Mexico can deliver on their investment.

For further details about this event please visit: http://www.automotivelogisticsmagazine.com/events/mexico/overview

Geodis Wilson will be available with a Booth at Automotive Logistics Mexico.

ENDS

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 further information about Geodis, please visit www.geodiswilson.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

Evergreen Expands its Service Network in the Philippines

January 14, 2015 by

December 8, 2014

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.

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

Dachser secures software development

January 14, 2015 by

Certification of Corporate IT in accordance with ISO 27001 renewed and enhanced

Kempten, January 14, 2015. Information security in accordance with DIN ISO/IEC 27001 is not a snapshot event, but a continuous improvement process. In keeping with this principle, Dachser not only arranges for annual audits of its Corporate IT, it currently is also having TÜV Süd review its entire software development process. 

For over 25 years now, Dachser has relied on the complete in-house development of its core applications, DOMINO and OTHELLO (management software for overland transport services as well as air and sea freight, respectively), MIKADO (warehouse management) and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). In addition, there are the Web-based eLogistics tools (including those for order acceptance, or tracking & tracing). All of these applications are developed, rolled out, and updated at weekly intervals at Dachser, on a centralized basis for the branch offices and country organizations. Of the total 280 employees at its head office in Kempten, 100 currently are engaged in software development. 

“Our core systems are highly integrated, can be flexibly adapted, and reflect the state of the art everywhere; that is a unique selling proposition in the logistics industry,” comments Christian von Rützen, Team Leader IT-Security at Dachser. “With the ISO 27001 certification, we are issuing a clear statement on efficiency, quality, and professionalism in operating, security, and software development processes.”

Electronic data exchange needs secure IT processes

Customer data in safe hands: that is the motivation behind ISO 27001 certification for Dachser’s central IT system. Indeed, electronic data exchange has clearly picked up pace over the last few years—and inherently, the demands on IT security as well. Today, 80 percent of all orders at Dachser are already processed electronically; more than 13,000 customers have linked their systems to the Dachser EDI Center, and more than 16,000 use the eLogistics tools.

“These companies know that their own global supply chains depend on the constant availability of their logistics supplier’s systems, and therefore insist on commensurate security infrastructure in tenders and audits,” von Rützen clarifies. “Considering this environment, we are in a superb position for the complete ISO 27001 certification of our central IT system.”

Dachser had its Corporate IT certified according to ISO 27001 in December 2011—one of the first logistics providers to do so. In the process, a host of aspects of information security were examined, such as the protection from cyber attacks, security of Internet applications, IT risk management, fail-safe performance, emergency planning, and confidentiality regulations.  For annual audits, advancements and improvements based on preceding audits are integrated into the evaluation.

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned 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 lines: 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 nearly EUR 5 billion and handled 70 million shipments.

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

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Evergreen Naming Ceremony for EVER LUNAR

January 14, 2015 by

December 26, 2014

Evergreen Group today held the naming ceremony for EVER LUNAR, the seventh of its L-type vessels to be built by CSBC Corporation in Taiwan. The ceremony, which was officiated by Ms. Lee-Ching Ko, Second Vice Group Chairman of Evergreen Group, took place at CSBC’s Kaohsiung shipyard.  The official rope-cutting of the new 8,508 TEU vessel was performed by Mrs. Lin, Mei-Chun.

EVER LUNAR is owned by Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. The ship is 334.8 meters in length, 45.8 meters wide and has a draft of 14.2 meters.  In common with its L-type sister ships, EVER LUNAR can cruise at speeds up to 24.5 knots. The ship will be delivered into service in January and join Evergreen Line’s Far East – Arabian Persian Gulf (APG) Service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Ko said, “Evergreen has taken delivery of six L-type vessels from CSBC, assisting in our on-going fleet renewal program, which is enhancing our competitiveness and operating performance. The name of this new ship is symbolic of a shining outlook for the container shipping market.  We are confident that our business can benefit from recent forecast of market growth and that such momentum will contribute to an increase in  profitability .”

Evergreen Line commenced its fleet renewal program in 2010. The project entailed ordering twenty L-type vessels from Samsung Heavy Industries and another ten units of the same specifications from CSBC. The Samsung building program was concluded in July this year. The delivery of EVER LUNAR will add the 27th such vessel to Evergreen’s operating fleet. The remaining three ships will be delivered by the third quarter of 2015 and be balanced by the redelivery of vessels currently on charter when the charter periods expire.

In addition to the fleet renewal program, Evergreen is consolidating its service cooperation with strategic partners, including those in the CKYHE alliance to provide a more comprehensive service and to strengthen its competitiveness.

 

Filed Under: Evergreen Line