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 April 2019

New Managing Director for Dachser European Logistics Iberia

Celestino Silva, long-standing General Manager West Iberia, to take the helm of the Iberian overland transport organization.

Madrid / Kempten, April 26, 2019. Celestino Silva will take over as Managing Director of Dachser’s European Logistics (EL) Iberia business unit. He succeeds Juan Quintana, who has opted to leave the company to pursue new professional opportunities.

A native of Portugal, 51-year-old Silva brings a wealth of experience in logistics management to the helm of the Iberian overland transport organization. He began his career at Azkar—the predecessor of Dachser EL Iberia—over 20 years ago when the Portuguese country organization was first established. Following Azkar’s acquisition by Dachser, a family company with a global presence, he successfully integrated the Portuguese overland transport organizations. In 2014, he also assumed responsibility for Dachser’s business in the Galicia region in northwestern Spain.

“Celestino Silva is a successful manager with many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the company, its processes, and the Iberian market,” says Michael Schilling, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. “He was closely involved in the successful transformation of our Iberian business unit from the outset and will oversee its further integration into Dachser’s European network.”

Juan Quintana has been heading the successful restructuring of Dachser EL Iberia’s business model since 2013, focusing on systematic alignment with the culture and the principles of the Dachser European Logistics network. This goes hand in hand with closer integration into the network, an ongoing endeavor that was reflected in the 2017 rebranding.

The transformation has brought economic success: the Iberian business unit has grown every year since 2013 and increased its revenue by around 27 percent in the same period. In 2018, the EL Iberia business unit generated unconsolidated gross revenue of EUR 661 million euros across 65 locations. Last year, the Iberian overland transport organization handled 20.7 million shipments. It employs a workforce of around 3,000 people.    

“Over the past few years, Dachser EL Iberia has laid the groundwork for a successful future. I’m looking forward to leading the business unit into the future and continuing to drive its alignment with the European business,” explains Silva, who will take over as Managing Director of the Dachser EL Iberia business in the future. “I’ll be placing a strong focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and employee motivation—all of which, in turn, will help drive dynamic growth in our Spanish and Portuguese business,” he says.

ENDS

About Dachser:

Thanks to some 30,600 employees at 399 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 5.6 billion in 2018. That same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.7 million shipments weighing 41.3 million metric tons. Country organizations represent Dachser in 44 countries.

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

“K” Line Wins Prize at Panama Green Shipping Award 2019

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “K” Line) being highly regarded for its various environmental conservation measures beginning with construction and operation of the eco-flagship, “Drive Green Highway” completed in 2016 (Note 1), has received the Panama Green Shipping Award 2019 at the opening ceremony in “Panama Maritime XIV (the 14th) World Conference and Exhibition” (Note 2) on March 17, 2019.

Mr. Shimogaki, V.P. from “K” Line Mexico, participated in the awards ceremony as  representative of the entire “K” Line group, and received the Award from Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of IMO, International Maritime Organization.

In our Medium-term Management Plan, we define ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) initiatives as a key management issue. With respect for the environment, we are pursuing measures in line with “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 – Securing Blue Seas for Tomorrow (Note 3) that is our long-term environmental vision formulated in 2015. We are honored and proud of the various activities being highly evaluated in connection with our 2015 vision.

As an environmental front runner, we will continue to aim for the realization of being a business that enables a greater number of people around the world to enjoy the advantage of marine transportation characterized by a lower environmental load and higher efficiency. 

(Note 1)

“Drive Green Highway” : Please refer to the following link –  https://www.kline.co.jp/en/feature02.html

(Note 2)

“Panama Maritime XIV (the 14th) World Conference and Exhibition”, big international marine conference and exhibition that has been held every two years in Panama City since 1991, this being 14th year(held from March 17-20).

Organizers are “The Maritime Chamber of Panama” and “The Panamanian Maritime Law Association (APADEMAR).”

Supported by other marine organizations, including “Panama Maritime Authority” and “Panama Canal Authority,” the Organizers Committee awards groups and individuals that have made excellent achievements in the maritime field.

Please refer to following links for Panama Maritime World Conference and Exhibition –  http://panamamaritimeworld.com/panama-maritime-2019   https://www.facebook.com/PanamaMaritimeConference/

(Note 3)

“K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 :  Please refer to following link –   https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/vision.html

Dachser pursues sustainable growth

Logistics provider reports 5.5 percent growth; European export business remains primary growth driver; new records in shipment, tonnage, and workforce

Kempten, Munich. April 2, 2019. Dachser posted substantial growth once again in 2018. The logistics provider increased its consolidated net revenue by 5.5 percent to EUR 5.57 billion. As they did last year, shipment numbers increased, rising by 2.5 percent to 83.7 million; tonnage rose 3.0 percent to 41.3 million metric tons. With 30,609 employees in total, up 1,511 from the preceding year, Dachser’s workforce reached a record high.

The global logistics provider’s growth was again boosted by economic conditions. However, certain challenges became increasingly apparent: the shortage of professional drivers and logistics operatives; potential capacity bottlenecks resulting from pronounced seasonal peaks and a shortage of load capacity; and growing uncertainty about diesel driving bans, Brexit, and the future of international trade relationships. “By 2018, it was clear that logistics had to focus on the discipline of scarce resources management,” explains Bernhard Simon, CEO Dachser SE. “Against this backdrop, it is important to handle growth with purpose and manage it such that we maintain a healthy balance between quality, processes, and costs. Only sustainable growth will benefit our employees and customers.”

Business development in detail

Dachser’s Road Logistics business field—which comprises the transport and storage of industrial goods (European Logistics) and food (Food Logistics)—posted dynamic growth again in 2018 to increase its consolidated net revenue by 6.6 percent to EUR 4.47 billion.

The European Logistics (EL) business line posted the strongest growth with net revenue up 7.0 percent to EUR 3.55 billion. Shipments and tonnage each increased by 3.1 percent. “All four regional business units helped substantially strengthen the network. The network effects in the export business ensure that the EL business units continue to grow and mutually drive each other’s growth,” says Simon.

Dachser’s Food Logistics business line also posted robust revenue figures for 2018. Consolidated net revenue increased by 5.3 percent to EUR 917 million. The virtually unchanged number of shipments compared to the previous year was offset by tonnage growth of 2.0 percent. “We continue to pursue our quality strategy, and it is paying off. Dachser Food Logistics has seen positive development for many years now and is generating growth with national transports and contract logistics. We have also seen encouraging growth rates in cross-border transports,” reports Simon. “On the downside, the shortage of freight space and drivers plus seasonal fluctuations in volume are hitting this segment hard.”  

The Air & Sea Logistics business field again proved to be volatile. As a result of exchange-rate effects, decreasing freight rates, and a downturn in volume on the China-Europe route, consolidated net revenue stagnated at around EUR 1.19 billion. A 2.9 percent decrease in the number of shipments was offset by tonnage growth—most notably in sea freight—of 6.6 percent. “By 2020, we aim to replace all isolated solutions with our Othello transport management system, which we developed in-house. In 2018, we completed the rollout of the system in China to mark a major milestone in this project,” Simon explains. “The key to sustainable growth in air and sea freight lies in mastering and managing complex interfaces and the deep integration of our logistics systems. As we have seen with European overland transport, our investments in integration and standardization will pay off here, too.” 

Investment in network and personnel

In times of scarce resources, investment in personnel, capacities, and innovations is critical to Dachser’s continued growth. In 2018, the company invested EUR 126 million in logistics facilities, IT systems, and technical equipment. For 2019, the company has earmarked EUR 234 million for this purpose. Dachser also places a strong focus on training, an approach that has proved very successful, particularly for professional drivers. “At present, we have 207 people training to become professional drivers through Dachser Service & Ausbildungs GmbH, which makes us one of the largest driver training centers in Germany. Our next step is to broaden our focus to include logistics operatives in transit terminals and warehouses,” Simon says. 

Overview of net revenue:

Net revenue (in EUR millions) 2018 2017 Change
Road Logistics 4,465 4,187 +6.6%
European Logistics 3,548 3,316 +7.0%
Food Logistics 917 871 +5.3%
Air & Sea Logistics 1,185 1,190 -0.4%
Consolidation
(deducting revenue from company interests of 50% and lower)
-80 -98  
Group 5,570 5,280 +5.5%

Overview of gross revenue, incl. duties and import tax:


Gross revenue (in EUR millions)
2018 2017 Change
Road Logistics 4,741 4,441 +6.8%
European Logistics 3,824 3,570 +7.1%
Food Logistics 917 871 +5.3%
Air & Sea Logistics 1,835 1,785 +2.8%
Consolidation
(deducting revenue from company interests of 50% and lower)
-83 -107  
Group 6,493 6,118 +6.1%



About Dachser:

Thanks to some 30,600 employees at 399 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 5.6 billion in 2018. That same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.7 million shipments weighing 41.3 million metric tons. Country organizations represent Dachser in 44 countries. For more information about Dachser, please visit www.dachser.com

American Club Managers enhance Global Services Team with new Senior Appointments

NEW YORK, 26 MARCH, 2019:  Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), Managers ofthe American Club, has announced several senior appointments which have been made to enhance the capabilities of its global service teams.

At the Club’s headquarters in New York, Margaret Lee has been appointed as Lead Counsel. With twenty years of experience in the industry, Margaret is a New York-admitted attorney who worked in private practice before joining the Club’s management several years ago.

Margaret has particular expertise in occupational disease claims and, in addition to overseeing the wide – and diverse – range of legal matters which attend the operation of the Club and its Managers, she is a member of the International Group’s Occupational Disease Sub-Committee in which role she liaises with the representatives of other clubs in this important area of the Group’s collective engagements.

In the Managers’ office in Piraeus, Joanna Koukouli has been appointed as Deputy Global Claims Director, reporting to Global Claims Director Don Moore in New York. Holding both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law, and qualified to practice in Greece, the United Kingdom and New York, Joanna also has twenty years’ industry experience including that of in-house counsel at a major Greek container company.

Joanna has also been appointed as Joint Managing Director of the Piraeus office, in which role she will continue to work closely with Dorothea Ioannou, the Managers’ Chief Commercial Officer.

In addition, Marivi Banou has been appointed as P&I Claims Manager, assisting Joanna Koukouli in the general day-to-day supervision of the Piraeus-based claims team. Having gained a degree from Metropolitan University, London in shipping and transport, and then acquired experience in both the shipowning and insurance broking sectors, Marivi originally joined the Managers’ Greek office on its opening in 2005.

At the same time, Elina Souli was recently recruited by the Managers’ Piraeus office to undertake the roles of FD&D Manager and Regional Business Development Director. With undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law, and holding legal qualifications from both Greece and the United Kingdom, Elina has extensive experience working with both a major local shipping firm and the branch office of another Group club.

In her new role, Elina brings a duality of expertise in promotion of the Club’s capabilities both in Greece and elsewhere in the region.

Joe Hughes, Chairman and CEO of SCB said:“I am delighted to announce this quartet of senior appointments.  They speak not only to the evident abilities of the individuals concerned, each of whom has more than twenty years’ experience, but also to the growing gender diversity for which our company continues to gain a market-leading reputation. I am certain that Members, and the Club’s many other friends, will wish to congratulate Margaret, Joanna, Marivi and Elina, in the expectation that they will continue to apply their characteristic energy and dedication to the fulfilment of their new professional duties.”

Notes to Editors

The American Club

American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) was established in New York in 1917. It is the only mutual Protection and Indemnity Club domiciled in the entire Americas and its headquarters are in New York, USA.

The American Club has been successful in recent years in building on its US heritage to create a truly international insurer with a global reach second-to-none in the industry. Day to day management of the American Club is provided by Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. also headquartered in New York.

The Club is able to provide local service for its members across all time zones, communicating in eleven languages, and has subsidiary offices located in London, Piraeus, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Houston, plus a worldwide network of correspondents.

The Club is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs, a collective of thirteen mutuals which together provide Protection and Indemnity insurance for some 90% of all world shipping.

For more information, please visit the Club’s website http://www.american-club.com/

P&I Insurance

Protection and Indemnity insurance (commonly referred to as “P&I”) provides cover to shipowners and charterers against third-party liabilities encountered in their commercial operations; typical exposures include damage to cargo, pollution, death/injury or illness of passengers or crew or damage to docks and other installations.

Running in parallel with a ship’s hull and machinery cover, traditional P&I cover distinguishes itself from usual forms of marine insurance by being based on the not-for-profit principle of mutuality where Members of the Club are both the insurers and the assureds.

SAL Heavy Lift, Spain opens its doors

SAL Heavy Lift and Davila Group come together to establish SAL Heavy Lift, Spain.  

SAL Heavy Lift GmbH is proud to announce that together with its Spanish business partner Grupo Davila (Davila Group), a new entity has been formed to represent SAL in the Spanish market.

As of 1st of April 2019, SAL Heavy Lift, Spain will open its doors to Spanish clients.

In charge will be Sr. Carlos Claramunt Lebrón – a familiar name to many, who brings 15 years of commercial and technical experience in the maritime industry to the role. 

Eduardo Davila, President of Davila Group, says: “I am honored to have SAL as a close business partner and to be able to present SAL Heavy Lift, Spain to the Spanish market. We share the same passion for shipping and both companies represents the best of shipping within our respective fields. I am confident that with the closer ties we are creating between us, we will provide the best possible service to our clients wherever they are in Spain.”

The concept is a new one to both SAL and Davila. It takes the most relevant elements of each company to create a dedicated and client focused service offering in the local market. 

Justin Archard, Chief Operating Officer of SAL Heavy Lift, explains; “With Davila Group, we saw the right partner to advance this concept. We have worked with the Davila Group and family for a long time, and the timing and opportunity for this step suited us both.  Davila has been a significant part of the Spanish shipping industry for more than 100 years and I have no doubt that we have the best possible partner to help develop the SAL brand in the Spanish market.”

Carlos Claramunt Lebrón: 15 years of experience within the maritime sector, 5 years in heavy lift shipping. A qualified Naval Architect.  Carlos can connect sales and marketing with deep technical knowledge and understanding.  SAL Heavy Lift, Spain will reside in Madrid.

aAbout SAL Heavy Lift

SAL Heavy Lift, a member of the Harren & Partner Group, is one of the world’s leading carriers specialized in sea transport of heavy lift and project cargo. The company was founded in 1980 as “Schiffahrtskontor Altes Land GmbH & Co. KG” and belongs to Harren & Partner Group since 2017. The modern fleet of heavy lift vessels offers highly flexible options to customers. The vessels of SAL Heavy Lift boast an impressive travel speed of 20 knots, up to 3500 m2 of unobstructed main deck space and combined crane capacities ranging from 550 to 2000 tons: amongst the world’s highest lifting capacity in the heavy lift sector. As a leading global company in the heavy lift and project cargo segment, the company meets the highest standards with regard to quality, technical innovation and health, safety and environment.

www.sal-heavylift.com

About Grupo Davila

The Davila Group is a family owned company whose origins date back to its parent company Joaquin Davila & Cia, which was founded in 1917. The Davila Group is a Spanish based company with more than 100 years of experience in the Spanish maritime sector, and with a strong inter-national presence in South America.

The Group’s main services include amongst others: a network of agencies dedicated to the representation of tramp and liner vessels, the managing and development of container and reefer terminals, reparation and maintenance of dry and reefer containers, project cargo and container forwarding focused in all the different areas of the supply chain, customs agents with special focus in perishable cargo, mega yacht management and brokerage and their own Marina located in Vigo which includes one of the best known restaurants in the city.

The key of the Group’s success resides in its qualified team of professionals and a personalized service to fit customer’s needs. 

www.grupodavila.es