Transport communications

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Archives for February 2015

TT Club warns of concentration of causes of claims in the transport industry

25 February 2015

The TT Club is alerting the supply chain industry globally to the stark fact that there is a persistence of claims in a handful of loss types. The leading international transport, freight and logistics insurance provider found that 66% of its claims by number and 62% by value over a five year period can be categorised into just five causes.

The analysis, which was conducted on 7,000 insurance claims each costing more than USD10,000 recorded between 2010 and 2014, totalling USD425 million, revealed that the same five generic causes identified in its previous five year analysis continue to disrupt and cost dearly. The TT Club particularly draws attention to the continuing concentration of these causes, rather than the ordering of each individual cause since these proportions can be volatile, especially in terms of headline claim value.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at the TT Club, says, “Risk management and loss prevention initiatives really can be effective in reducing not only losses, but also the largely hidden costs of disruption that ensues. There are many prevention strategies and actions that can be put in place to reduce costs and occurrence of claims, and these should be of paramount importance for the transport industry”.

It is notable that traffic accidents and collisions are significant through the transport industry, firstly outside the port/terminal area, where the cost is USD68 million, but also similar incidents within the port/terminal operations, accounting for a further USD57 million in the statistics. Thus, the entire industry – represented by freight forwarders, logistics operators, container shipping lines, and ports and terminals – are exposed. The detailed causes may be varied, but it is striking that these broad causes dominate. The biggest issues for collisions within cargo handling operations continue to be quay crane boom to ship collisions and overall stack collisions. In these instances, emerging technologies can almost eliminate the risks, particularly where combined with automation.

As Peregrine Storrs-Fox expands, “Many traffic incidents and collisions are due to inappropriate speed, but detailed case review frequently demonstrates the impact that effective management culture can have on preventing losses. For example, technology solutions, such as the use of GPS tracking or anti-collision sensors, can only be effective when regularly enforced and integrated into staff management”.

The remainder of the top five causes reflect the old chestnuts of theft, fire and cargo packing, which the TT Club has repeatedly highlighted. Theft accounts for USD54 million, where the most vulnerable part of the supply chain, unsurprisingly, is whilst cargo is in transit, although standard site security measures continue to prove critical to reduce theft. A clear emerging risk is cybercrime as increasingly internet capabilities are used to identify, track and intercept cargo.

Fire is the fourth most costly area, currently accounting for USD44 million, although Peregrine Storrs-Fox comments, “This is a most volatile cost area, as evidenced by the disparity in proportion between the number and value of claims. By its nature fire can be devastating and threaten the very survival of a business. Its volatility in impact in the supply chain, however, relates to the fact that both on board ships and in warehouses there is concentration of value. In both these scenarios the impact of cargo mis-declaration is a real and continuing concern, although a significant number of fires can be traced to design or maintenance issues”. Building fires are mostly caused by electrical faults and mobile equipment fires by hydraulic faults.

Related to some fires, and currently subject of much international focus, was the issue of cargo packing, amounting to USD41 million in the analysis. The TT Club asserts that 65% of cargo damage incidents can be attributed in part to poor or incorrect packing. Peregrine Storrs-Fox adds, “The importance of the industry developing good practice guidance, such as the CTU Code, cannot be under-estimated; the challenge for the supply chain industry is to raise its game in terms of its understanding of good practice and awareness of global requirements”.

Concluding, Peregrine Storrs-Fox said: “Conducting a thorough claim analysis is an essential part of the TT Club’s risk management strategy. Advising the Members on incident prevention strategies and actions that can be put in place to reduce costs and occurrence is of paramount importance.”

Top five most costly insurance claims made by freight forwarders, logistics operators, container shipping lines, and ports and terminals *:

  1. Traffic accidents USD68 million (16.1%)
  2. Handling equipment collisions USD57 million (13.5%)
  3. Theft USD54 million (12.7%)
  4. Fire USD44 million (10.5%)
  5. Cargo packing USD41 million (9.8%)

*Analysis conducted on 7,000 TT Club claims over USD10,000 in the last five years from 2010 and 2014. Total claims worth USD425m

ENDS

Notes to editors

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT 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.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.

The TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

About Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services. Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller’s origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self-employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

 

Principal activities include:

Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals

  • Investment management for institutions and private clients
  • Professional services
  • Building defects insurance

 

www.thomasmiller.com

Yachtowners announce medical emergency helpline for yacht crew

23 February 2015

Yachtowners, the specialist yacht syndicate of The Shipowners’ Club, has launched an additional service for those Owners who have purchased its Enhanced PA cover, (crew Personal Accident with medical expenses cover). The availability of this dedicated helpline for crew, providing 24-hour emergency medical advice and access to treatment where necessary, is part of Yachtowners’ strategy to provide the best service in the sector as well as the most comprehensive cover.

Yachtowners continues to bring the established values of mutuality to the growing superyacht sector, including enhanced service and assistance in managing claims. Following the earlier introduction of market leading liability policy wording and PA covers, the addition of this valuable source of assistance to crew in need of medical attention in a foreign port or remote region, further promotes the aim of making life easier for both owners and crew, and is provided at no cost to them.

The Emergency Helpline will be operated by Speciality Assist Ltd*, which provides experienced medical co-ordinators ensuring appropriate advice and care 24/7. Speciality Assist’s contact details will be made available to all crew members employed by vessels benefitting from Yachtowners Enhanced PA cover. The medical cover is applicable to crew whether they are onboard or not at the time of the emergency. Speciality Assist’s service boasts multi-lingual staff with 24hr access to medical expertise  and a comprehensive network of practitioners, clinics and hospitals around the world. All costs incurred will be billed direct to Yachtowners, thus ensuring that the crew and owner are inconvenienced as little as possible.

Head of the syndicate, Nicola Kingman commented, “A prime goal in establishing Yachtowners within The Shipowners’ Club was to bring improved and relevant services to those owning, operating and crewing superyachts.  We are pleased that we have been able to launch this helpline as part of fulfilling this goal and we will continue to develop our products to meet the needs of the evolving superyacht market.”

*www.specialty-group.com/specialty-assist-limited/services

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.

Geodis Wilson names new Regional Vice President

Hamburg, 19 February 2015

Geodis Wilson has announced the appointment of Matthias Hansen as the new Regional Vice President (RVP), EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) with immediate effect.  Matthias has been acting as interim RVP for the last few months. He now replaces Alain Chimene on a permanent basis.

Matthias Hansen_Feb2015

Matthias Hansen, Regional Vice President (RVP), EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa)

Matthias became Managing Director for Germany in 2009 and also served as Managing Director North Europe (including Belgium, Netherland and United Kingdom). Matthias will continue with his responsibilities in the North European region in addition to his new role, until a successor is nominated.

Commenting on his appointment, Matthias said, “EMEA is Geodis Wilson’s largest region in terms of business volume and number of employees, and it has many unique challenges – as well as opportunities. Building on the established organisational structure put in place by Alain since the establishment of the region in 2010, my aim is to increase market growth whilst balancing that with cost-conscious improvements in productivity”.

“Matthias has a strong network mentality and is both result and customer driven. I am confident that he will lead the EMEA region towards our strategic objectives“ said Kim Pedersen, Executive Vice President of Geodis Wilson. “The region is diverse and covers a wide range of countries, so there is a real need to offer cohesive solutions to our customers‘ requirements. We also have many operational advantages in this region, not least the skills of our people, and a well balanced airfreight and sea freight global offering.“

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 worldwide. 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

 

International Transportation Service, Inc. order four of the most up-to-date Gantry Cranes for Long Beach

February 17th, 2015

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce that International Transportation Service, Inc.(ITS), a subsidiary of “K” Line, has placed an order for 4 units of the largest and most modern gantry cranes with PACECO® CORP., a subsidiary of MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD. that will install these new 23-row width cranes at ITS’s container terminal at Long Beach.

These cranes also have capability to load and discharge containers from ULCVs (Ultra Large Container Vessels) with new technology such as soft landing system(*), which will enable ITS to provide even higher quality service than that which its customers presently enjoy.

(*) With this system, crane automatically slows down or stops when approaching the container to be lifted. This system eases crane driver’s handling and improves operational efficiency.

About ITS

ITS was established in 1971 and operates terminals in Long Beach, California, supporting “K” Line’s transpacific containership services for more than 40 years. In 2014, K” Line and Ports America agreed to form a strategic partnership with Ports America obtaining 30% of ITS shares. This partnership aims at further enhancing and expanding “K” Line’s container terminal business.

Husky Terminal & Stevedoring, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITS, was established in 1983 and has operated a terminal in Tacoma, Washington for more than 30 years, continuously responding to increasing cargo movements by conducting terminal expansion construction and increasing exclusive leased land.

Dachser changes legal form to SE

Kempten, February 16, 2015

Dachser, one of Europe’s leading logistics providers, has changed its legal form to a Societas Europaea (SE) and has opened the way for the future. The family-owned company is not planning an IPO.

Image Trailer 2007

Dachser is now a Societas Europaea (SE). Dachser GmbH & Co. KG has transferred its major business fields Road Logistics (including the European Logistics and Food Logistics Business Lines) and Air & Sea Logistics to the 100%-owned subsidiary Dachser SE. Dachser GmbH & Co. KG itself will operate as a holding company called Dachser Group SE & Co. KG.

By providing a modern holding structure, the legal form of the SE offers the family-owned company an ideal framework in which to combine its corporate structure with subsidiaries in Germany and abroad. In the future, Dachser’s name in the German marketplace will be Dachser SE, but the various names of the country organizations outside of Germany will remain unchanged.

This legal conversion is not tied to any change in the shareholder structure. There will not be an IPO, nor will outside investors acquire any holdings. Dachser CEO Bernhard Simon said, “We have altered our legal form to fit our global growth strategy and have therefore opened the way for the future. Dachser is a successful family-owned company and will remain so in the future.”

The existing Administrative Board will also continue to operate as a supervisory board at Dachser SE with oversight functions.

Organizational and management structure: Customer proximity and decentralized decision-making process

Within Dachser Group SE & Co. KG, the Executive Board and the corporate positions reporting to it will carry out central management and control functions at the global group-wide level. The Executive Board includes Bernhard Simon (CEO), Michael Schilling (COO Road Logistics), who also serves as deputy head of the Executive Board, Thomas Reuter (COO Air & Sea Logistics), and Burkhard Eling (CFO).

Eight operating divisions, which are led by Managing Directors, will function at the level below the Board within Dachser SE. Aside from Dachser Food Logistics, which Alfred Miller will continue to manage, these units are divided up by region: Germany, North Central Europe, France & Maghreb, and Iberia in the Road Logistics business field, and EMEA, Americas, and Asia Pacific in the Air & Sea Logistics business field. “The eight operating divisions will reinforce our decentralized business strategy, giving us the ability to be even quicker and more flexible in our decision-making. And once again this will bring us closer to our customers,” said Simon.

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned company operating globally and 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.

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

 

CKYHE Alliance to Reorganize Europe Service Network

February 16, 2015

CKYHE Alliance, COSCON, “K”Line, Yang Ming, Hanjin and Evergreen Line is reorganizing their service network for Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trades in 2015.

CKYHE Alliance will provide six Asia-North Europe services (NE2 / NE3 / NE5-CEM / NE6 / NE7 / NE8-CES) and three Asia-Mediterranean services (MD1 / MD2 / ADR) with the optimum port coverage throughout Asia, North Europe, East Mediterranean, West Mediterranean and Adriatic region from early April of 2015.

CKYHE Alliance will continuously offer quality service to customers by enhancing service efficiency, providing stable transit time and offering more flexible port-pair options.

The detailed service information will be as follow.

Asia-North Europe service:

NE2 (10*14000TEU vessels):

Nansha-Kaohsiung-Yantian-Singapore-Piraeus-Rotterdam-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Antwerp-Piraeus-Singapore-Hong Kong-Nansha.

 

NE3 (11*13000TEU vessels):

Xingang-Dalian-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Singapore-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Shanghai-Xingang.

 

NE5 (10*14000TEU vessels):

Evergreen Line names as CEM:

Shanghai-Ningbo-Yantian-Tanjung Pelepas-Rotterdam-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Tanjung Pelepas-Kaohsiung-Shanghai.

 

NE6 (11*13000TEU vessels):

Qingdao-Kwangyang-Pusan-Shanghai-Yantian-Singapore-Algeciras-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Le Havre-Algeciras-Singapore-Yantian-Qingdao.

 

NE7 (10*14000TEU vessels):

Ningbo-Shanghai-Xiamen-Singapore-Piraeus-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Felixstowe -Antwerp-Piraeus-Ningbo.

 

NE8 (10*8500TEU vessels):

Evergreen Line names as CES:

Taipei-Ningbo-Shanghai-Shekou-Colombo-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Le Havre-Colombo-Taipei.

 

Asia-Mediterranean Service:

MD1 Pendulum service (16*10000TEU vessels):

Pusan-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Yantian-Hong Kong-Nansha-Singapore-Piraeus-La-Spezia-Genoa-Barcelona-Valencia-Piraeus-Singapore-VungTau-Hong Kong-Shanghai-Pusan- (USA) -Pusan.

 

MD2 (10*8500TEU vessels):

Xiamen-Ningbo-Shanghai-Kaohsiung-Yantian-Singapore-Port Said-Ashdod-Genoa-Barcelona-FOS-Port Said-Singapore-Hong Kong-Xiamen.

 

ADR (10*8500TEU vessels):

Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Taipei-Shekou-Yantian-Tanjung Pelepas-Ashdod-Alexandra-Piraeus-Koper-Trieste-Piraeus-Jeddah-Colombo-Tanjung Pelepas-Shekou-Kaohsiung-Qingdao

Geodis Wilson honours its Innovators

Bangkok, 16 February 2015

Geodis Wilson, one of the world’s leading freight management companies, launched its internal innovation campaign in 2011. Now being presented for the third time, the initiative is designed to encourage the creative potential of its employees worldwide. The winners of this year’s “Innovation Masters Award” (IMA) were announced at a ceremony in Bangkok on 5th of February.

Caption:  The IMA Award Winners 2014-15 (l-r) Cherian George, Nicolas Chaze, Leonie Zimmermann, Ludovic Vergin, Susanna Vallejo, Anders Wennberg

Caption: The IMA Award Winners 2014-15 (l-r) Cherian George, Nicolas Chaze, Leonie Zimmermann, Ludovic Vergin, Susanna Vallejo, Anders Wennberg

The awards, honouring the winners for outstanding internal innovative initiatives, were presented to two individuals and a small team of innovators. The winners, who received their awards from Kim Pedersen, Executive Vice President, Geodis Wilson, at the IMA Ceremony, are:

Susanna Vallejo from Spain for her CSR related project entitled ‘Citizens of the World’ to foster international mobility within the company.

Cherian George from Australia for his project entitled ‘Global Office Ranking’ to increase efficiency and to foster a performance culture.

Anders Wennberg from Sweden, Nicolas Chaze and Ludovic Vergin (both from France) for their project entitled ‘Check ‘n’ Amend Tool’ that aims at improving data quality internally as well as for the customers.

The Award attracted over 250 entries from Geodis Wilson employees and the merits of each were considered by regional judging panels. Once a short-list had been drawn up the final panel of judges, compiled of board members, selected the winners of the “Innovation Masters Award” for 2015.

“The IMA-program is a product of Geodis Wilson’s corporate philosophy, which includes a commitment to become the leading innovator in the freight forwarding industry”, says Kim Pedersen. “Employee engagement is crucial to the success of this aim and we are justly proud of the standard of entries for the Award and of our dedicated employees, award-winners or not.  They are all pivotal in delivering top-class customer service.”

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

 

“K” Line News Release: Change of Representative Directors & Executive Officers

16 February 2015

 

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (“K” Line) has decided in a board meeting held on Friday, 13th February changes of Representative Directors and Executive Officers.

Details of these changes are available to download from the “K” Line website at:

http://bit.ly/1Dx98jN

 

“K” Line Contact:

Kiyoshi Tokonami

IR& PR Group

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo

Geodis India appoints new National Sales Manager

Delhi, 12 February 2015

Geodis India is pleased to announce the appointment of Martijn Tasma as National Sales Manager. Martijn has the overall responsibility for sales & market development of Geodis’ Freight Forwarding and Logistics business line in India. 

Martijn Tasma as National Sales Manager, Geodis Wilson

Martijn Tasma as National Sales Manager, Geodis Wilson

The main priorities of the new National Sales Manager will be to strengthen and increase the company’s trade lane activities, particularly with a focus on Brazil, China and the USA, and to expand the business in key market segments such as Fashion, Retail, Industrial, Automotive, Hi-tech and Pharma.

Martijn has been associated with Geodis since 2006, and in his previous roles has played an important part in driving key strategies for business development in the organisation. He brings more than 14 years’ of experience in the industry. The Cluster Managing Director for Geodis in South Asia, Leif Voelcker, welcomes this new appointment:  “We are certain that Martijn’s experience and knowledge of the industry will be a key advantage for us in India’s fast growing and demanding market.”

Martijn comments: “India is an incredible country with a large growth potential. It is an honour for me to work with the skilled and experienced staff of Geodis India to steer the commercial development of the company and reach our ambitious growth target. Our aim is to deliver the best service to our customers, whether this be ‘out of the box solutions’ or tailor-made to customer requirements.”

ENDS

Notes to the Editors:

About Geodis

Geodis is a leading international logistics provider, with 32,000 employees in more than 60 countries. Its freight forwarding division, Geodis Wilson, delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to its customers enabling them to grow their business worldwide. Geodis India belongs to the freight forwarding division. 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 please go to – www.geodis.com

TT Club Urge Better Management Practices to Safeguard People at Ports & Terminals

Manila 12th February 2015

A detailed analysis of the root causes of insurance claims show 80% of bodily injuries at global ports and container terminals involve handling equipment or vehicles.  Speaking at the Philippine Ports and Shipping Conference in Manila today, TT Club’s Asia Pacific Regional Director, Phillip Emmanuel emphasised the statistic and urged operators to improve their management practices in order to reduce the incidents which result in injury and sadly sometimes death to workers and others at ports and terminals.

Phillip Emmanuel

Phillip Emmanuel

TT Club, a leading international provider of insurance to the freight transport and cargo handling sector, has carried out root cause analysis of nearly 7,000 claims valued at more than US$10,000 and totalling US$425 million.  The lessons to be learned for port and terminal operators in terms of minimising future risk to the workforce and third parties, equipment, ships and other property are numerous. TT Club executives, including Emmanuel, are committed to highlighting these, often avoidable, dangers and to promoting safer working practices across the sector.

During his Manila speech, Emmanuel drew his audience’s attention to a comprehensive catalogue of operational issues that require careful management to control potential risk, including quay crane boom collision and adequate crane braking systems, regular equipment maintenance regimes, fire prevention systems, adoption of best practice in packing and handling of cargo, and appropriate processing of dangerous goods.

In particular, however, Emmanuel addressed the risk profile of ports and terminals as it pertains to the occurrence of accidents resulting in bodily injury.  These are costly in the sense of both the human suffering and value of claims. “Similar to many preventable incidents, those involving the workforce and third parties can very often be minimised in the simplest of ways given careful attention and the employment of sensible management practices,” emphasised Emmanuel. “Strict limits to pedestrian access to yard stacks, well indicated one-way vehicle lanes, designated safe and secure areas for truckers, and regulated on-terminal induction procedures are all easily enforced and effective procedures.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The TT Club

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT 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.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.

The TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

About Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services. Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller’s origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self-employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

Principal activities include:

Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals

  • Investment management for institutions and private clients
  • Professional services
  • Building defects insurance

www.thomasmiller.com