Transport communications

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Archives for May 2018

TT Club Highlights Cyber Activity is the Norm not the Exception

Speaking at the 6th Med Ports Conference in Livorno (Italy) last month, TT Club’s Andrew Huxley highlighted that cyber activity is a daily operational risk which needs to be addressed urgently. 

London, 3rd May, 2018

According to freight transport specialist insurer TT Club, supply chain operators are vulnerable to disruptive cyber activity, from criminals or other perpetrators, impacting operations and putting commercially sensitive or confidential data at risk.

Huxley explained, “Many in the marine supply chain business have operations characterised by widespread office networks and a reliance on multiple third party suppliers. Often IT systems are of an in-house, legacy nature, which may be poorly protected by security software.” Specifically, ports and terminals are exposed to threats as they are at the confluence of physical and communications activity.  The data interfaces are complex and the drive towards interconnected control systems and efficient processes, exacerbates the opportunities for outside malicious interference. Most of all, at the ship/port interface there is much opportunity to cause loss and damage, far beyond the persistent exposure to criminal activity.

The problem is intensifying. At a global level reports by AV-TEST indicate that on average 4.2 new files of malware code were generated every second last year.  From a maritime supply chain perspective an example of serious IT incursion in 2017 was the spoofing attack on over twenty ships in Novorossiysk (Russia). Navigation experts claim the spoofing sent false signals and resulted in ship-board equipment providing false information as to the location of the ships. There is speculation that this incident could have been a state-sponsored attack. A second incident, the NotPetya strike, impacted many in the supply chain, including AP Moller-Maersk, resulting in large scale disruption and substantial costs for those immediately impacted and their partners.

As to the extent of attacks, research that is available reveals a worrying situation.  “A BIMCO survey in 2016 suggested that more than 20% of respondents admitted to cyber attacks and last year a SeaIntel Maritime Analysis report estimated that 44% of the top 50 container carriers had weak or inadequate cyber security policies and processes,” stated TT Club’s Huxley.

The US Coast Guard issued a draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NAVIC) titled ‘Guidelines for Addressing Cyber Risks at Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Regulated Facilities’. The circular currently under review requires incorporation of personnel training, drills and exercises to test capabilities, security measures for access control, handling cargo, delivery of stores, procedures for interfacing with ships and security systems and equipment maintenance.

Additional national and regional initiatives, exemplified in the European Union by the Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS Directive) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are indicative of the development of regulatory expectations. While the latter does not directly address it, cyber protection is intrinsically at the core of data protection. Such initiatives, together with known vulnerabilities, highlight that cyber security is ever more pertinent for ports and terminals, as well as the broader supply chain community.

TT Club, jointly with UK P&I Club (also managed by Thomas Miller) and cyber security consultants NYA, has published a paper entitled ‘Risk Focus: Cyber – Considering Threats in the Maritime Supply Chain’.  This is available as a free download here

Huxley introduced the paper in his Livorno presentation, “As an insurance mutual, TT Club has always been dedicated to minimising risk through its loss prevention efforts. By publishing ‘Risk Focus: Cyber’ we hope to generate more awareness of the risks to help combat the situation.  Ultimately, the main threat continues to derive from human error – downloading malicious content, opening an unsecured web browser or falling victim to social engineering attacks and phishing scams.”

Awareness of the nature of potential attacks and the need for protection is clearly a crucial initial step towards thorough risk assessment and mitigation – and this needs to become part of corporate culture.

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

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 including legal services, claims and captive management
  • Managing General Agency

www.thomasmiller.com 

Combi Lift kicks off major project in Russia with tug delivery

With the loading of eight custom-made Damen tugs, German heavy lift expert Combi Lift reached an important milestone in the Gazprom Amur Gas Processing Plant Project in Russia. This officially marks the transition period between the project’s intense planning and long-awaited implementation stages.

Combi Lift, contracted by the Linde Group as the exclusive logistics partner for oversized and heavy cargo, chose to cooperate with SAL Heavy Lift in this project. On behalf of Combi Lift, SAL’s Type 161B vessel MV Annette loaded eight newly built tugs in the Waalhaven in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The tugs will be shipped to De-Kastri, Russia to play an important role in the Gazprom Amur GPP Project. The four Amur River tugs and four Zeya River shallow draft tugs were custom-built by the Damen Shipyards Group for this project, and are designed to cope with extremely low water levels, especially in the Zeya River.

“We appreciate Damen’s professionalism, good teamwork and smooth handling of all production processes. A punctual and reliable delivery of the tugs was essential for the progress and success of this important project. We are very satisfied with the great teamwork and the quality of all tugs,” explains Heiko Felderhoff, CEO at Combi Lift.

All loaded and transported tugs included initial outfitting and spare parts packages. Handling this cargo and loading it directly out of the water was no problem: A customised rigging arrangement ensured safe loading procedures. The Amur River tugs, measuring 24.88 m x 11.97 m x 10.3 m and weighing 272 t each, and the Zeya River shallow draft tugs, measuring 25.9 m x 8.5 m x 8.3 m and weighing 150 t each, were stowed on deck with an overhang of up to 2,600 mm to each side.

All engineering planning, including stowage planning, rigging arrangement, lifting plans, cribbing plans and sea fastening calculations, was performed in-house in close cooperation with SAL Heavy Lift, another member of the Harren & Partner Group. Very tight stowage planning was necessary to realise the transportation of all eight tugs in one shipment. All of the tugs will sail under the Russian flag, and are certified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) and the Russian River Register (RRR).

MV Annette will now continue her journey from Rotterdam to De-Kastri via the Suez Channel and Singapore to bring the tugs to their final destination. At the same time, customised barges and side floaters will be shipped from Damen Yichang via Shanghai to De-Kastri. Once all of the assets have arrived in their final port in early May, the next stage of this exciting project can begin.

About the project: Spanning 2,824 kilometres, the Amur River is the world’s tenth longest river, forming the border between the far eastern part of Russia and north-eastern China. All project cargo needs to be discharged in Svobodny, located on the right bank of the Zeya River, a northern tributary of the Amur River. Heavy lift transportation is quite challenging in a place like this: The water is only 1.10 metres deep in some areas, and weather conditions are often severe.

Combi Lift developed a sophisticated concept to master this difficult feat: Heavy lift vessels will transport the cargo from ports in Europe and Korea, which then will be transferred to barges on the sheltered inner anchorage of the port of De-Kastri. Special shallow draft pusher tugs will tow the barges up the Amur and Zeya Rivers to Svobodny for discharging at jetty and transfer the cargo to the last mile logistics service provider.

Gazprom, The Linde Group, Gazprom Pererabotka Blagoveshchensk and NIPIGAS will use the delivered components for the Gazprom Amur GPP Project – one of the largest natural gas processing plants in the world, with a capacity of up to 42 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year. The plant is part of Gazprom’s project to supply Russian gas from eastern Siberian gas fields to China using the “Power of Siberia” pipeline. This will be built in five phases and completed by 2024.

The cargo will be shipped in five phases from 2018 to 2022, taking advantage of the ice-free periods on the Amur and Zeya Rivers.

About Combi Lift: Over the last 18 years, Combi Lift’s experienced mariners and engineers have become experts in the worldwide marine transport of heavy lift and project cargoes. From the outset, Combi Lift has focussed on developing smart and efficient engineering solutions for complex logistics tasks. The Harren & Partner Group affiliate provides clients with customised solutions that suit individual demands and expectations, developed in close cooperation with expert teams.
For more information about Combi Lift, go to www.combi-lift.net
For more information about SAL Heavy Lift, go to www.sal-heavylift.com
For more information about Harren & Partner, go to www.harren-partner.de

Dachser UK Annual Results Encouraging – Growth Continues

  • Dachser Ltd., UK sales turnover up by 16% to £77 millionNick Lowe, Managing Director, DACHSER UK
  • Export services revenue increases by 21%
  • No discernible downturn due to impending Brexit
  • Further investment plans in both Northampton and Rochdale
  • ‘eLogistics’ digital services continue to generate competitive advantage 

1st May 2018

2017 was another successful year for Dachser Ltd, the UK subsidiary of the family-owned, German-headquartered global logistics services provider. UK sales turnover increased by around 16% to £ 77 million.  The European export service portfolio saw the highest degree of growth, up 21% on top-line sales. Import business also grew by 7 % year-on-year.

Commenting, Nick Lowe, Managing Director Dachser UK, said, “Many more customers have decided to take advantage of our daily outbound services from each branch which connect with the regional hub centres and local delivery branches comprising Dachser’s comprehensive European network.”  The number of employees grew across all four branch locations at Northampton, Rochdale, Dartford and Bristol, to a total of 410.

As yet there has been no discernible adverse reaction to the impending fall-out from Brexit.  The company has been making extensive contingency plans to handle any operational and/or commercial challenges that might transpire from the various scenarios that will affect the UK’s trade with the EU post-Brexit.  “We are talking very much to our colleagues across Europe,” says Lowe.  “Of course, we agree with what the British government has said about frictionless trade and borders. However, we are preparing for all options and we have the strength of our network to help our customers – after all, our decisions will be driven, as ever, by customer need.”

Dachser UK has seen exceptionally high levels of growth in its contract logistics and value-added services. The company already has two warehouse locations in Northampton, one at its Brackmills Logistics Centre, which was opened 4 years ago in 2014 having been built to a bespoke design and configuration, and the other being a leased warehouse.  There is a combined storage capacity of some 30,000 pallets across the two sites. ‘We will continue to invest in additional warehouse space for contract logistics and value-added services in line with our continuing strong business development in these areas,” says Lowe.

At the company’s north west location in Rochdale there are also plans for expansion.  The current premises, the result of the acquisition and integration of JA Leach Transport in 2010, are now insufficient to handle Dachser’s projected business growth in the region, and planning is at an advanced stage for a new, purpose built 6,700 square metre cross-dock facility which is expected to be operational from mid-2019. “There was a great culture fit with the team at JA Leach, and a very high percentage of colleagues remaining with us and positively embracing change, a factor which was and continues to be instrumental in our success”, explains Lowe. “Our annual sales turnover in Rochdale is now approaching the £ 20 million mark, from £ 6.5 million at the time of the acquisition in 2010.  These days, roughly 65 % of our turnover is attributable to European road freight, evidencing our strategy to simultaneously grow and diversify our customer portfolio. Inevitably we now need to reflect that on-going positive development by investing in the right facility to sustain our growth into the future.”

Another major contributor to this success is Dachser’s ability to deliver time-defined, reliable distribution services accompanied by an exceptional degree of delivery status visibility.  The latter is accessible via Dachser’s web portal as well as the ‘Shipment Pointer’ App. Dachser brands this user-friendly, internet-based tracking service under its ‘eLogistics’ offering.

“The ‘real-time’ nature of our track-and-trace function is a really valuable tool for our export customers”, says Lowe.  “Real-time consignment and delivery status information is available to them as a result of the wide extent of bar-code scanning throughout our network.  This captures the arrival and departure of all shipments at every stage of their journey, right through to the final delivery to the ultimate consignee.”

ENDS

ABOUT DACHSER UK

Dachser UK is part of the Dachser group, a major international logistics provider which on 31 December 2017 generated total sales worth EUR 6.12 billion. 29,100 staff working in 369 locations worldwide handled 81.7 million consignments comprising 39.8 million metric tonnes. Dachser has been established in the UK since 1975, and now has four locations which include a new logistics centre in Northampton as well as branch offices in Rochdale, Dartford and Bristol.

Dachser aims to be the supplier of choice for European logistics and value-added services. A fully-integrated European distribution network provides a comprehensive, high quality service of total freight solutions supported by the latest technology. Core services in the United Kingdom comprise European export, import and UK pallet distribution, as well as contract logistics, value added services and international sea and air freight forwarding.

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

Enhanced Hazcheck Restrictions Portal Launched

Exis Technologies, with the support of leading shipping and freight insurers, TT Club and UK P&I Club, is announcing its next phase of implementation of its Hazcheck Restrictions Portal at the transport industry’s Multimodal 2018 event at Birmingham’s NEC today*

Birmingham & Darlington, UK, 1 May 2018

In order to help reduce incidents caused by undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods (DG), Exis Technologies’ Hazcheck software has been facilitating the operations of a number of major container shipping lines.  However, a key element of streamlining is now being offered through the development of a portal integrating port restrictions.  This portal is designed to simplify the end-to-end management of DG booking processes, taking account also of carrier, ship and partner line restrictions.

Supported by the two insurance mutuals and developed with the in-house IT expertise of Exis Technologies, the Hazcheck Restrictions Portal is now moving into a new implementation phase.  This concentrates on urging container lines, ports and terminals to upload their DG handling policies and restrictions into the portal free of charge, allowing use by shippers, forwarders and others involved in the movement of such goods.

TT Club’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox commented, “Varying estimates put declared DG at around 10% of all containerised shipments, with the result that some ships will have in excess of a thousand DG containers on any given voyage. As recent incidents of on-board fires have shown, the cocktail of DG can have catastrophic effects.  There are numerous issues involved, but the business case to engage with a uniform data process is clear. All supply chain stakeholders benefit from improving clarity for carriage by sea; the most urgent need is for the port/terminal community to commit to upload and maintain the relevant data via the Exis portal.”

UK P&I Club’s Stuart Edmonston is equally supportive of the Exis initiative synching with both Clubs’ missions to improve safety in DG shipping, “We are delighted to collaborate with Exis in promoting the work on this portal.  Clearer information on how DG should be correctly handled and shipped is vital in avoiding loss of life and damage to ships and cargo at sea.  Our recently published guide ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ also encourages best practice for packing dangerous goods for carriage by sea.’**

There is a growing awareness among the shipping community that each carrier has been collating its own record of restrictions in relation to house policies, ship owner policies, ship constraints and restrictions applied at ports/terminals of loading, transit, transhipment and discharge. This inconsistent approach is complex, creating possibility for error or failure to update, and pure inefficiency – all in an area that is intended to achieve compliance and safety, but is hugely burdensome and delivers zero competitive advantage.

The Exis Hazcheck Restrictions Portal is aimed at resolving these inefficiencies.  Simple comparisons demonstrate that there are material differences in understanding and interpretation about the way that, in particular, port/terminal prohibitions, restrictions and additional requirements operate. Exis Technologies is exhibiting at Multimodal to encourage stakeholders to take advantage of making their own rules and regulations clearer to users of shipping and port services.

*Please visit stand TV6, Tees Valley Pavilion for more information

**www.ttclub.com/fileadmin/uploads/tt-club/Documents/UK-TT_BIRPIT_2018_secured.pdf

ENDS

About Exis Technologies

Exis Technologies, headquartered in Darlington, UK, is the leading supplier of compliance systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport.  For over 30 years major container shipping lines, ports and shippers have been relying on Hazcheck Systems for regulatory compliance, efficiency and safety in their global operations. 9 of the top 10 container lines are customers. Exis has recently worked with industry partners to develop a new restrictions portal for container lines/ports (Hazcheck Restrictions) and a hazardous goods incidents database (CINSnet).

Exis Technologies also develops e-learning courses.  IMDG Code e-learning is a cost-effective training solution for shore side staff that has been implemented by 6 of the top 10 container lines as well as shippers and logistics operations worldwide.  Exis also sells CTUpack e-learning courses for the safe handling and packing of cargo transport units (CTUs) and Tank Contaner e-learning for the safe operation of a tank container.

For further information please contact:

Melanie Stephenson

T: +44 (0)1325 466672

E: melanie.stephenson@existec.com

W: www.existec.com

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

www.ttclub.com

About UK P&I Club

The UK P&I Club is a leading provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community. Established in 1865 the UK P&I Club insures over 239 million tonnes of owned and chartered shipping through its international offices and claims network. ‘A (Stable)’ rated by Standard & Poor’s with free reserves and hybrid capital of $558m, the UK P&I Club is renowned for its specialist skills and expertise which ensure ‘best in class’ underwriting, claims handling and loss prevention services.

The UK P&I Club is managed by Thomas Miller, an independent and international insurance, professional and investment services provider.

www.ukpandi.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 including legal services, claims and captive management
  • Managing General Agency

www.thomasmiller.com