Transport communications

Portcare International is the press relations consultancy for the shipping and logistics industry. Formed by transport people for transport people. We can truly claim to understand our clients’ needs and ‘talk the same language’. Portcare provide effective, value for money PR to some of the industry’s best-known names.

Archives for September 2015

“K”Line Signs Time Charter of VLGC with Gyxis Corporation

September 30, 2015 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K”Line) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Gyxis Corporation (Gyxis) to enter into a Time Charterer contract of a new 82,200m3 VLGC to be built and delivered by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd in November 2018.

Gyxis, established on April 1, 2015, is focusing on expanding overseas sales as well as domestic sales. In order to meet this purpose, Gyxis is promoting expansion of its VLGC fleet. This new VLGC will be “K”　Line’s second VLGC under Time Charter contract with Gyxis.

“K” Line now operates 4 VLGCs and 1 VLGC being newly-built, and this latest agreement will expand its fleet to 6 VLGCs. As a part of our medium-term management plan “ Value for our Next Century,” “K” Line will continue to contribute to meet the expanding needs of LPG transportation utilizing the latest technology combined with established knowledge and know-how from its more than 40 years of LPG transport experience.

Gyxis Corporation

A newly-established company that started business from April 1, 2015, integrating import and wholesale LPG operations of four companies comprised of Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd, Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., Sumitomo Corporation, and TonenGeneral Sekiyu, K.K.

Capital  : 11 billion yen

Shareholders & Ownership  : Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd (25%), Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. (25%) and Sumitomo Corporation (25%), TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. (25%)

Sales Volume: 

Domestic  :  Approx. 3 million tons

Overseas :  Approx. 1 million tons

Filed Under: "K" Line

Evergreen stars in BBC 4’s Timeshift

September 24, 2015 by

The Engine that powers the world

Mark Evans tells the surprising story of the hidden powerhouse behind the globalised world – the diesel engine, a 19th-century invention that has become indispensable to the 21st.

The full episode can be viewed at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06csy8c/timeshift-series-15-3-the-engine-that-powers-the-world

 

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

GEODIS appoints new Head for its Industrial Projects network in Europe and South East Asia

September 23, 2015 by

PARIS / 23 September 2015

GEODIS Freight Forwarding, the international transport division of leading global logistics group, GEODIS has announced two new appointments in its Industrial Projects arm. Michael Doerpinghaus has joined as Director Industrial Projects South East Asia Pacific (SEAP). He succeeds Igor Muñiz, who is taking over the role as Director Industrial Projects Europe.

Doerpinghaus, who is to be Singapore based, comes from a strong energy and project logistics background with Panalpina, where he gained some nine years experience in Asia-Pacific and previously in North America and Europe. The multi-lingual German has a proven track record in mega-project movements.

Muñiz steps into the newly created role of Director Industrial Projects for Europe having spent two years in the equivalent position in the SEAP region. He has significant experience in start-up and development of IP operations having joined GEODIS Freight Forwarding (then Geodis Wilson) in 2008 to establish the company’s industrial projects services in Spain. Prior to this Muñiz’s career has been firmly grounded in transport and logistics services throughout Iberia.

Welcoming the both Muñiz and Doerpinghaus to their new roles Philippe Somers, Senior Vice President of GEODIS’ Industrial Projects business, says: “There is no substitute for experience in the handling of the projects we logistically manage from door to door. Specialists are required to move refineries, power plants, mining, oil and gas equipment, as well as renewable and nuclear power production units and transport infrastructure. In Igor and Michael we have two of the most proficient professionals in this highly specialized role.”

ENDS

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

Supply chain operator and subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, GEODIS is a global European company (4th logistics provider in Europe). Through its ability to overcome logistical constraints and coordinate the different steps of the logistic chain (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding (air and sea), Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, Road Transport), the Group is the growth partner for its clients and offers them tailored solutions. With over 30,000 employees in 67 countries, the Group constantly innovates to improve its performance and its customers’ one. GEODIS reported in 2014 a €6.9 billion in revenue.

 

For more information about GEODIS Freight Forwarding go to – www.geodis.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

Dachser welcomes 558 future logisticians

September 22, 2015 by

150922 Dachser-Ausbildungsbeginn-2015Kempten, September 15, 2015. As the new training year begins, 530 trainees begin their professional training at Dachser in Germany. The logistics provider is also welcoming 28 students who are taking advantage of the dual educational system to prepare for their career. The family company is currently training 1,341 logisticians at 78 locations throughout Germany. 

Logistics is a peoplebusiness—how logistics performs always depends on the performance of the people who provide it. That is why training has an especially high priority at Dachser. In Germany, the vocational training rate has been constant at ten percent for years. Throughout Germany, the family-owned company from Kempten in the Allgäu region is preparing its trainees for a career in logistics in seven vocational professions. It offers training in business, IT, technical, and industrial professions. “The combination of theory and practice prepares our trainees and students for a demanding career in logistics,” says Martina Szautner, Corporate Director Corporate Human Resources. “We need people, who in addition to their professional qualifications, thrive within a team and develop their profile. Looking beyond the horizon of their own responsibilities is an absolute necessity for a position in a company that operates internationally.”

Martina Szautner is also very pleased about the 58 professional drivers who are now beginning their training at Dachser. Last year, there were 45. “Our commitment to training professional drivers through Dachser Service und Ausbildungs GmbH is being well received,” says the head of HR. In September, Dachser Service und Ausbildungs GmbH is starting five continuing education modules as well as basic and partial qualifications in collaboration with DEKRA.

The logistics provider is also training future logisticians outside of Germany through the Dachser Education Program along the lines of the dual education system. The company is training 58 trainees as Dachser forwarding and logistics specialists in Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Hungary.

About Dachser:

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

Dachser provides comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter is divided into two business lines, Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems provide for intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

With a staff of around 25,000 employees at 437 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated revenue of EUR 5.3 billion in 2014. The logistics provider moved a total of 73.7 million shipments weighing 35.4 million tons. Dachser is now represented in 42 countries.

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

Filed Under: Dachser UK

GEODIS Sponsors Automotive Logistics Event in Detroit

September 21, 2015 by

International transport & logistics provider, GEODIS will be a silver sponsor at this year’s Automotive Logistics Conference in Detroit, USA, which takes place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center from 22 – 24 September 2015. Mark Ellis, the Market Line Director for Automotive, will be attending, together with other senior GEODIS executives, and Mark will also be a Moderator at one of conference sessions.

Now in its 16th year, this conference is part of the worldwide Automotive Logistics series and will be host to automotive logisticians and industry executives, providing the opportunity to share strategies and opportunities, and benefit from the most important networking event for the automotive industry.

Speaking prior to this key event, Mark Ellis said, “GEODIS understands the specific logistic challenges in the automotive industry and our commitment is to help drive the automotive business forward with an innovative approach to analyzing supply chains. This is an important event for us as it offers a meeting of minds between the key logistics players, and an opportunity to share information and find new and more efficient methods for delivering to our customers.”

Ellis will be a Moderator for a group discussion on Wednesday, 23rd September 14-00 – 15.15, entitled ‘Outside the USA’.   The session will focus on “Where are the growth areas and challenges for your sector outside the borders? What other regions are you looking at?

For more information on the Conference, click here

ENDS

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

Supply chain operator and subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, GEODIS is a global European company (4th logistics provider in Europe). Through its ability to overcome logistical constraints and coordinate the different steps of the logistic chain (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding (air and sea), Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, Road Transport), the Group is the growth partner for its clients and offer tailored solutions. With over 30,000 employees in over 67 countries, the Group constantly innovates to improve its performance and that of its customers. GEODIS reported in 2014 a €6.8 billion in revenue.

 

 
Filed Under: GEODIS

DACHSER celebrates 10th year anniversary

September 17, 2015 by

17 September 2015

Dachser’s branch in Dartford celebrates 10 years trading in September.

Dachser DartfordThe branch operates the company’s Southern UK hub with its road freight services departing daily to and from Europe.

The branch opened with 25 employees, and has increased steadily over the years. 65 members of staff now organise some 15,000 shipments every month, and the business continues to develop. In addition to the European services, Dachser in Dartford operates a direct trailer service to and from Morocco and Tunisia, and also offers seafreight and airfreight forwarding services to its growing client base.

A highly customer-focused approach puts quality and reliability at the heart of Dachser’s service offering. Customer satisfaction is further enhanced through the benefits of Dachser’s eLogistics facility which provides on line booking, real time track and trace and proofs of delivery.

Mick Adams, Dachser’s Sales Manager for the South, is very pleased to have witnessed such a successful growth in business. “Having been here from day one, it’s clear that our customers have come to appreciate the value and reliability of our services.” he explained, “I’ve no doubt that we will continue to expand our facilities and develop our services in the future.”

Dachser has its UK headquarters and new purpose-built Logistics centre in Northampton that opened in 2014, as well as a North West hub in Rochdale which started operations in 2010 following the acquisition of JA Leach Transport.

ENDS

ABOUT DACHSER UK

Dachser UK is part of the Dachser group, a major international logistics provider which on 31 December 2014 generated total sales worth EUR 5.3 billion. 24,988 staff working in 437 locations worldwide handled 73.7 million consignments comprising 35.4 million tonnes.

For more information, please visit www.dachser.co.uk

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Evergreen Orders Ten 2,800 TEU Class Vessels from Imabari

September 14, 2015 by

September 11, 2015 – Evergreen Group has signed an order with Japanese shipbuilder Imabari for ten 2,800 TEU class B-type vessels yesterday.  These are in addition to the order for ten similar vessels announced last month from CSBC in Taiwan.

The latest contract was signed by EMC Chairman Mr. Anchor Chang and Imabari Shipbuilding President Mr. Yukito Higaki. The first ship is planned to be delivered during the first half of 2018 with the completion of the series due by the first half of 2019.  All twenty newbuildings are planned to be deployed in the intra-Asia trade.

Evergreen’s B-type vessels will be 211 meters in length, 32.8 meters wide, and have a design draft of 10 meters with a capacity of around 2,800 TEU. The ships are designed to load 13 rows of containers on deck, which is within the span of existing gantry cranes in the major ports on the intra-Asian trade. The hull design of the vessels is wider in comparison to ships of a similar capacity. Such design enables the ships to navigate in the shallower ports encountered in the intra-Asia trade and to enhance their cargo carrying capability. The ships can cruise at a speed up to 21.8 knots, enhancing their on-time performance and competitiveness.

Vessels operating on regional trades, such as intra-Asia, often sail in coastal areas.  With frequent port calls, these ships operate in close proximity to human activity and the living environment.  To reduce their impact on port communities and eco-systems, Evergreen has imposed stringent eco-friendly criteria on their operation.  The B-type vessels are equipped with various environmental protection devices and the latest technology to safeguard the sustainable development of the marine environment. The ships are also to be equipped with an electronic-controlled fuel injection engine, which meets the IMO Tier II standards for NOx emission and the requirements of Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), and can reduce emissions by around 20% in comparison with vessels of traditional designs.

Founded in 1901, Imabari Shipbuilding is Japan’s largest shipbuilder. The agreement for B-type vessels is the third project in which Imabari will participate in Evergreen Line’s fleet renewal program. Evergreen has signed agreements with Shoei Kisen Kaisha, the ship owning arm of Imabari Shipbuilding Group, to charter five 14,000 TEU containerships to be delivered in 2017 and eleven 18,000 TEU containerships to be delivered in 2018 and 2019.

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

“K” Line Continues to be Selected as an Index Component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index

September 14, 2015 by

September 11, 2015

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has been selected again as an Asia/Pacific Index component company of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), one of the leading global indices on Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)(*1). It has been selected for 5 consecutive years since 2011.

DJSI is a world’s leading SRI index jointly offered by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC of the United States and Robeco SAM AG of Switzerland, which only includes the top ranked companies among the largest 3,000 companies worldwide as a result of evaluation of their sustainability performance in terms of social, environmental and economic criteria. Launched in 1999, DSJI is one of the first global sustainability benchmarks for investors and fund managers who integrate sustainability consideration into their portfolios.

As a global logistics company group centering on shipping business, “K” Line always strives to contribute to realize the better society and increase the corporate value.

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

Filed Under: "K" Line

FIATA Announce Winner of Young Forwarder Award

September 14, 2015 by

The 2015 Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year (YIFFY) Award has been presented to Daniella Smal of Zambia at the FIATA Annual Congress in Taipei.

10th September 2015

150910 FIATA YIFFY Winner

FIATA YIFFY Winner 2015 – (l to r) President of FIATA, Francesco Parisi; YIFFY Award winner, Daniella Smal and TT Club’s Mike Yarwood

FIATA celebrates the achievements of young freight forwarders working for logistics companies in its ranks at its Annual Congress every year.  This year was no exception as the numerous attendees at the Taipei Congress applauded the winner of the Young Freight Forwarder of the Year (YIFFY) Award, Daniella Smal of Zambia.

Insurance provider to the international freight transport industry, TT Club is proud to have sponsored this award for each of its seventeen years and Claims Manager; Mike Yarwood was on hand to announce the winner and present the award with a brief speech, evocative of the important achievements in training made by FIATA and its members.  Commenting on the outstanding quality of the work presented to the judges Yarwood said, “From a bewildering, yet highly professional array of entries the YIFFY Steering Committee selected a shortlist of four regional finalists.  These four young professionals were then invited here to Taipei to face the judges and present their dissertation topic. Congratulations to all four finalists for their polished presentations and especially, of course to our winner Daniella”.

The four regional finalists were:

Africa/Middle East      Mrs Daniella Smal, Zambia

Americas                     Mr Kaya Karakaya, Canada

Asia/Pacific                 Mr Madi Kassebekov, Kazakhstan

Europe                         Mrs Jennifer Taylor, England

The judges stressed that the dissertations this year were of a particularly high standard. The work of the entrants as a whole admirably demonstrated the complexity of processes carried out within the global supply chain and the logistics skills required to serve it. The diverse subjects covered by the dissertations included the transport of Liquid Argon, Copper Cathodes, High Fashion Garments and an Air Separation Plant, a clear example of the variety of challenges the industry is facing to provide crucial trade services.

The TT Club sponsored award is presented in recognition of operational excellence in the logistics field 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 and enhanced visibility. 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 and logistics community, which is regarded by FIATA as a strategic important cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of TT Club, Yarwood said, “We are pleased to be continuing our sponsorship of this unique award into 2016. Once again, we hope that the competition will prove to be successful in terms of attracting outstanding candidates from across the globe. The quality of the dissertations and presentations this year were of the usual exceptional standard and it was clear that a lot of research, planning and hard work had gone into their preparation.”

Inviting the Chairs of the FIATA Foundation, the FIATA Advisory Body Vocational Training and the FIATA Logistics Academy for the group photograph the President of FIATA, Francesco Parisi, said: “Learning is crucial for our young professionals to succeed in their career. This is the reason why over the years FIATA has maintained a proactive approach on logistics training by adopting the worldwide vocational training programme, where the ABVT ensures the compliance of the FIATA well known standards. Now the FIATA Logistics Academy comes to assist with extensive promotion and networking in this area, with the assistance of the Foundation and its focus on developing countries and territories, I consider the training package is now complete and quite appealing. The YIFFYA is really the accomplishment of this enthusiastic approach and its sight into our future contributes to making our ranks forward looking and capable of taking present and future challenges. I am grateful for the support we get form the TT Club and hold it in great esteem.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

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

www.ttclub.com

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

About FIATA

FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, was founded in Vienna, Austria on May 31st 1926.  It is a non-governmental organisation that today represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms, employing around 10 million people in some 160 countries. FIATA has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (inter alia ECE, ESCAP, ESCWA, etc.), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) as well as many other UN related bodies, e.g. the World Bank. It is recognised as representing the freight forwarding industry by many other governmental organisations, governmental authorities, private international organisations in the field of transport and logistics, such as the European Commission (through CLECAT), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), etc.

Filed Under: TT Club

Evergreen’s Bronson Hsieh Addresses FIATA’s World Congress

September 14, 2015 by

The executive shares his views on global transport and logistics trends

150910 Bronson at FIATA 1September 10, 2015 – Bronson Hsieh, Second Vice Group Chairman of the Evergreen Group, delivered the keynote speech at the FIATA World Congress 2015 in Taipei.  He talked about a slow but upward development of the global economic recovery, different trends in the container shipping and air freight markets as well as the opportunities for logistics service providers brought about by growing cross-border e-commerce.

To start, Mr. Hsieh quoted IMF (International Monetary Fund) forecasts that imply that the world economic outlook is experiencing a slow but upward development in spite of some regional variations. In addition, he noted several free trade agreements have begun to take shape in recent years, such as TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) and TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). Once established, these economic cooperation agreements will remove trade barriers and thereby accelerate growth of international trade and cargo flows.

Next, Hsieh analysed major trends in the container shipping market. “The current trend in vessel upsizing is to benefit from the scale economics that large vessels afford by reducing unit cost,” he said.  However, to effectively produce the expected cost benefits, Ultra-Large Container Ships have to be sufficiently loaded. Carriers are thus motivated to join alliances and work with other members to raise capacity utilization on these big ships.

After its expansion project is completed in 2016, the Panama Canal will be able to handle new ‘Panamax’ vessels of around 12,000-teu ships, causing a fundamental shift in U.S. supply chains and cargo movement patterns. To prepare for the large vessels and cargo flows attracted to the expanded Panama Canal, several ports on the U.S. east coast are deepening channels and enlarging their facilities, added Hsieh.

As far as developments in the air freight industry are concerned, he mentioned that as consumer electronics are getting smaller in size, most air cargo carriers are not ordering bigger freighters.  He cited statistics from IATA and pointed out that deliveries of wide body freighters were matched by retiring of older ones in recent years; payload capacity of the global freighter fleet is not increasing.

In contrast, the growing fleet of passenger jets is adding more belly capacity to air freight markets. Belly holds of passenger jets offer additional cargo revenue.  Order books of Boeing and Airbus show that many airlines prefer aircraft models with high belly capacity, including Boeing 777, Boeing 787, A330 and A350.

Referring to statistics provided by Transport Intelligence (Ti), he noted that major logistics service providers managed to increase revenues in recent years in spite of volume fluctuations. The trend proves that customers are willing to pay higher charges for comprehensive logistics solutions and a customized service.

Hsieh believes that the expansion of cross-border e-commerce will provide new business opportunities for logistics service providers. E-commerce platforms are offering trade assurance services to create trust between buyers and suppliers and to speed up online business-to-business transactions.  It requires a trusted logistics service provider to oversee the fulfilment process and arrange transportation.  In return, the logistics operator can secure the cargoes from these online transactions.

Hsieh concluded by saying, “If logistics service providers want to stay at the forefront of the industry and participate in the growing e-commerce business, they need to embrace the dynamics of these developments and provide effective solutions.”

Filed Under: Evergreen Line
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