Transport communications

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Archives for October 2020

South Africa remains a top hotspot for cargo crime

New report highlights country’s ongoing vulnerability to cargo theft as well as the trends during the first half of 2020. These include:

  • Hijacking of vehicles in transit is the primary theft type
  • Theft from facilities is on the rise
  • Johannesburg and surrounding province remain chief region at risk
  • An uptick in incidents of cargo theft in Eastern and Western Cape
  • Food and beverages and medical supplies have seen an elevated number of thefts in Q2

London, 13October 2020

Having collaborated over the last three years to produce global reports on the incidence of cargo theft, international freight transport insurer TT Club and BSI, the business improvement company, have once again come together to highlight risk; this time, specifically focusing in on South Africa. The report, entitled ‘Freight Crime in South African Supply Chains’ is made possible by fusing the threat and intelligence data and analysis from BSI’s Supply Chain Risk Exposure Evaluation Network (SCREEN) and TT Club’s insurance risk management and loss prevention insights. The full report is downloadable here .

South Africa ranks among the top countries in the world, and first on the African continent, for BSI’s forecasted losses due to cargo theft, underscoring the significant economic impact of this issue in the nation. Historically, there is an inverse relationship between crime and economic growth in South Africa. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of lockdowns and a decline in the economy, an additional layer was added to that relationship.

The economic decline, along with the changes brought about by a restrictive lockdown in response to COVID-19 earlier this year, left the freight sector in a vulnerable situation. South Africa is an environment traditionally characterised by cargo truck hijackings. Further, cross-border truck congestion and slower freight clearance created secondary disruptions that leave cargo even more susceptible to theft and general violence.    

The attached graphic – Cargo Theft Trends South Africa –  illustrates statistics from both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and news sources, in addition to those recorded by BSI’s SCREEN, and underlines the typical characteristics of cargo thefts occurring in the country. In total, three key trends resulted from BSI and TT’s research in 2019 and 2020: thefts from facilities increased during the first half of 2020; an uptick in incidents of cargo theft occurred in Eastern Cape and Western Cape between the first two quarters of 2020; and thefts of food and beverage and medical supplies increased in Q2 2020. The report’s authors emphasise that the understanding of cargo theft risk plays a big part in mitigating both the occurrence and impact of these incidents on stakeholders’ organisations and is crucial in building a truly resilient supply chain.

Mike Yarwood, TT Club’s Loss Prevention Managing Director stated, “As cargo theft continues to impact business operations and disrupt supply chains in South Africa and elsewhere, it is vital that companies stay on top of potential threats and risks. Security awareness and proactive risk management actions are essential steps in creating a risk-averse supply chain. In highlighting causal influences this report also points the way to how preventative measures can, and must, be introduced and enhanced to reverse the damaging trends.”

David Fairnie, BSI Principal Consultant for Supply Chain Security  added, “Understanding the threats in South Africa, detailed in this report, and incorporating the suggested preventative measures, including screening employees, implementing security management systems, and securing parking depots, will help organisations work towards developing more secure and resilient supply chains.”

ENDS

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

www.ttclub.com

About BSI:

BSI is the business improvement company that enables organizations to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. For over a century BSI has championed what good looks like and driven best practice in organizations around the world. Working with over 84,000 clients across 193 countries, it is a truly international business with skills and experience across a number of sectors including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food, and healthcare. Through its expertise in Standards Development and Knowledge Solutions, Assurance and Professional Services, BSI improves business performance to help clients grow sustainably, manage risk and ultimately be more resilient.

To learn more, please visit: www.bsigroup.com

BSI SCREEN Intelligence:

Supply Chain Risk Exposure Evaluation Network (SCREEN), is BSI’s web-based, comprehensive global supply chain intelligence system. SCREEN is the most complete, publicly available Supply Chain Security, Corporate Social Responsibility, Food Safety/Fraud, and Business Continuity intelligence and analysis resource used to measure country-level risk factors through BSI’s 25 proprietary country-level supply chain risk ratings. SCREEN’s unique, proprietary global supply chain risk data and analysis helps organisations identify and understand where their supply chain risks exist. SCREEN generates trade interruption updates, BSI-authored special reports on major disruption incidents and trends as well as insights and analyses on supply chain topics, countermeasure programs, and risk mitigation best practices to help protect supply chains worldwide. SCREEN’s intelligence provides organisations with full transparency of country risks and helps them to make intelligent risk-based decisions that drive resilience.

GEODIS website to host emissions calculator for assessing the environmental impact of freight transport

GEODIS’ commitment to a socially and environmentally responsible business dates back over 10 years. Now, its online emissions calculator that determines the carbon footprint of a freight shipment is freely available on its website.

Accessed via https://geodis.com/geodis_carbon_calculator/form, the calculator measures air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions generated by an individual shipment’s journey, comparing the performance of different modes of transport (air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway, etc.). For each shipment of goods, the calculator gives an overview of the various options, making it an invaluable aid in choosing the most environmentally friendly transport.

The tool performs calculations that take into account the goods being shipped, their origin, destination and mode of transport before providing a quantitative evaluation.

“The precise measurement of emissions generated by one’s activities is a precondition for improvement. This initiative provides a transparent and reliable way to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants for each mode of transport” says Cécile Bray, Senior Expert Climate and Carbon Accounting at GEODIS.

A user-friendly solution

This new, intuitive service is available in English and French. It is developed in partnership with EcoTransIT World, whose methodology is accredited by the Smart Freight Centre’s Global Logistics Emission Council’s (GLEC) framework.

GEODIS’ actions recognized by the CDP*

Aware that climate change is a major challenge in the transport sector, GEODIS has set its sights on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% between now and 2030.
In 2019, the company was awarded an A- rating by the CDP. With this rating, the CDP recognized GEODIS as a pioneering company that is implementing appropriate actions to report, control and effectively reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Only 6% of the companies assessed by the CDP worldwide received an equivalent or higher rating.

To reduce its carbon emissions, GEODIS:

– strives to optimize transport plans by implementing approaches that improve trucks’ load factor and avoid empty miles

– develop the use of rail for multimodal transport

– has integrated vehicles that use cleaner energy into their fleet (natural gas and electric)

GEODIS also commits to providing its customers with solutions to reduce their carbon footprint at each step of the supply chain.

*CDP is a non-profit international organization that manages the largest environmental reporting platform devoted to companies and cities.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

“K” Line Group Subsidiary Ship Management Company and Vessel Accredited for Cyber Security Management System

“K” Line Group subsidiary “K” Line Energy Ship Management Co., Ltd. (K-ENE) and Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) “SETAGAWA” managed by K-ENE were accredited by Class NK for Cyber Security Management System (CSMS). The certificate presentation ceremony was held on Oct. 2, 2020.

In recent years, information transmission such as ship operation data to the shore, and telecommunication between the ship and shore via internet connection tend to increase. Our company also advances fully equipping with the onboard ICT devices and computer network to promote developing utilization of IoT onboard and the telecommunication between the ship and shore, with a goal of enhancing the quality of safety.

Under these circumstances, it is necessary to take appropriate actions as maritime cyber risk management. As an international effort, a resolution for the maritime cyber risk management was passed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which is one of the UN organizations. Our company also had been proceeding with the preparations for appropriately dealing with maritime cyber risks in accordance with the CSMS guidelines of Class NK. Although they were evaluated under the effect of COVID-19, CSMS Certification was acquired by remote-evaluation with Class NK.

Currently, in terms of other types of ships, the preparations for acquisition of CSMS Certification have been proceeded. “Safety” forms the basis of our group business whose essential task is maritime transportation. Hence, we will provide the safer and best maritime transport service by strengthening protection against cyber risks.

Actions for Cyber-Security Risk

The resolution of “MSC.428(98): Maritime cyber risk management in safety management systems” was passed at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee which was held in June 2017. It is recommended that the cyber risks are under appropriate control in SMS manual by the first annual audit of “Document of Compliance (DOC)” after Jan. 1, 2021.

GEODIS Appoints New Managing Director in Vietnam

Leading global logistics service provider, GEODIS has announced the appointment of Simon Vandekerckove as Country Managing Director in Vietnam.

The pace of change in supply chains is accelerating rapidly.  To reach its five-year growth objectives, GEODIS needs to be even more agile and adapt even faster than in recent years. Based on customer centric value creation and sustainability, the global logistics company plans on achieving this in particular in Vietnam, which has both experienced a continuous GDP growth of about 10% on average per year and transformed exponentially by leapfrogging to some of the most recent technologies and systems.

The country’s economy is on the same path to wealth as were those of China and Japan in the past. The recent European Union Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) reinforces this trend by making the European market more accessible to Vietnamese exporters. It also opens the Vietnam market to European exporters, an opportunity for which GEODIS in Vietnam is uniquely positioned to support its clients in taking advantage of.

To meet the requirements of this increasingly demanding market, GEODIS has appointed as Country Managing Director Simon Vandekerckove, who takes over from Alan Miu, the caretaker in the role for the last eighteen months. Simon joins GEODIS in Vietnam with over 13 years of experience in the freight delivery sector. A French national, he has lived in Vietnam for the past 7 years as the country manager for a leading logistics company and is recognized for his expertise as well as experience in supply chain management. In his role Simon reports to Rene Bach-Larsen, the sub-regional Managing Director of GEODIS ASEAN.

In welcoming Simon, GEODIS Asia-Pacific Regional President and CEO, Onno Boots said, “In order to drive our ambitious plans for sustainable growth in the midst of challenging trading conditions we require strong leadership within our country organizations.  We seek to put in position those with industry experience, a thorough knowledge of the country and varied relevant skill-sets. Simon’s appointment underlines these priorities.”

With the continuous inward integration of ASEAN economies and supply chains, Vietnam also has a growing role as a regional transport hub.  GEODIS has developed its own cross border trucking operation, GEODIS ROAD NETWORK (GRN) which currently connects Singapore to Thailand and is planned to extend into Vietnam by end of 2020 and additionally into China in 2021. One of Simon’s prime objectives will be to integrate Vietnamese hubs into GRN.  This pioneering cross-border trucking system offers scheduled departures for consignments along the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok axis and will facilitate multi-modal gateway services to/from Vietnam. 

Understandably, Simon is relishing his challenging new role, “GEODIS in Vietnam is one of the best positioned forwarders in the country to support suppliers to the retail sector in particular,” he notes.  “We are able to arrange freight, customs clearance inhouse, contract logistics and distribution from our own facility.  We are well-placed to assist brands in taking advantage of the ecommerce boom with the full range of supply chain management tools, including last mile delivery to fulfill orders received on customers own ecommerce platforms. We plan on scaling up this offer.”

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide.

In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

“K” LINE received the letter of appreciation for providing free ocean transportation of fire engines and ambulances donated to the Republic of El Salvador

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) received a letter of appreciation from Embassy of El Salvador in Japan for providing free ocean transportation of fire engines and ambulances donated by Japanese municipalities. 

Since 2014, in order to contribute to solve the problem for lack of fire engines and ambulances in Republic of El Salvador, “K” Line group has supported free ocean transportation by “K” Line’s pure car carrier (PCC), and undertaken total of 22 donated vehicles to the country (10 fire engines and 12 ambulances), in 11 times shipments.

“K” Line has been acting as Honorary Consul of El Salvador in Japan since 1969, and kept cooperating with the country due to the deep relationship between them. With respect to a customs clearance work and loading operation at loading port of Yokohama, we requested a cooperation to Daito Corporation (A group company of “K” Line)

“K” Line group is praying that those vehicles transported through our activity will contribute to protecting precious human lives in Republic of El Salvador, and we will continue actively working on marine transportation as a social contribution activity unique to shipping company.

New research by GEODIS and Accenture Interactive reveals Ecommerce challenges facing global brands

October 8, 2020, Paris, FRANCE: Leading logistics operator GEODIS and Accenture Interactive, part of Accenture (NYSE: ACN), today unveiled a new study which found that while there are key logistics capabilities required to build and maintain successful ecommerce operations, few brands excel at any of them.

Findings highlight:

  • Acceleration of online sales
  • Aims to reduce dependence on online marketplaces
  • Pivotal nature of customer experience in growing sales
  • Weaknesses in key logistics capabilities
  • A lack of real-time supply chain visibility

“This study takes stock of the ambitions and concerns of European and American companies facing the rapid increase in ecommerce. If they want to take advantage of the rise in online sales, they must develop omnichannel logistics strategies tailored to their maturity levels,” says Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive officer of GEODIS.

200 European and American companies that operate multiple channel logistics were interviewed about their ecommerce-related expectations for growing their brands’ sales.

2020: The Acceleration of Ecommerce

First and foremost, the study confirms that the pandemic greatly accelerated online commerce growth. Brands estimate that ecommerce in 2020 will represent nearly half of their sales (compared to a third before COVID-19).

Before the crisis, companies were making 34% of their sales online (28% on average in marketplaces and 6% on their own websites).

During lockdown, 65% of sales were made online: 38% via marketplaces and 27% on brands’ online stores. The increase is even more marked in Europe than in the United States. European companies without online sales solutions were heavily penalized, with 40% of the brands surveyed estimating that sales lost due to COVID-19 will exceed 15% of their earnings on average.

A Desire for Greater Ecommerce Ownership

A second finding indicated that most companies (52%) felt that their ecommerce potential is limited by their logistical capabilities.

“Many brands use marketplaces as a one-stop shop for selling their products online. This allows them to reach a wide audience and compensate for a lack of resources and logistical infrastructures, all while providing an expected customer experience,” said Sohel Aziz, managing director, Accenture Interactive.

59% of European companies rely on marketplaces for their online sales, a number even higher than for American companies (46%). Marketplaces held a 28% market share in the pre-COVID-19 period, a number that has risen to 38% during the pandemic.

However, most of the brands surveyed believe that over-reliance on marketplaces is not sustainable and wish to shift more of that balance toward owned ecommerce channels. Nearly two-thirds (64%) state that reducing their dependence on marketplaces is their first or second priority for the next six months.

Within 3 years, 76% of American companies and 56% of European companies surveyed wish to sell directly to consumers via their own websites, aiming to make 20% of their total sales there. (Infographic A)

“Direct sales from brands’ retail websites currently represent 5% to 8% of online sales. Brands would like to increase that to 20% or 30% in the next three to five years. The survey shows that brands are aware of the fact that improving their omnichannel logistics capabilities, such as customer experience – through customization of delivery options and tracking or customers’ ability to modify orders, for example, is essential and urgent if they are to reach this goal,” concludes Aziz.

Improving the Customer Experience, a Priority for Brands

76% of the companies surveyed state that improving the customer experience is their greatest long-term challenge. (Infographic C)

“The customer experience includes the purchasing experience and the delivery experience,” notes Ashwani Nath, vice president and global head of e-channel solutions, GEODIS. “Brands strive to provide a delivery experience that equals the act of purchasing. Among other things, this means providing improved e-fulfillment, a range of flexible delivery options, more practical tracking visibility and simple returns,” explains Nath.

Currently, 38% of American brands offer two-to-three-day shipping nationwide, and 56% plan to do so within three years (25% and 57% for European brands).

For international (intercontinental) shipping, no American brands currently offer two-to-three-day shipping, although 17% plan to do so within the next three years; 15% offer four-to-five-day shipping, with 66% planning to do so within the next three years. As for European brands, none of them currently offer two-to-three-day international shipping, although 7% plan to do so within the next three years; 4% offer four-to-five-day shipping, with 76% hoping to do so within the next three years.

The study reveals the ambitious objectives of the brands to reduce shipping times to three-day shipping within a maximum of three years for the domestic market and four-to-five for intercontinental shipping.

Among the Challenges: The Lack of Real-Time Visibility

Other challenges are emerging. Although they differ between the United States and Europe, the actions taken are comparable: Brands have worked on offering greater shipping flexibility and simplifying returns (80% of the brands surveyed had recently made efforts to provide a more practical product return process).

However, the survey points to the fact that just 16% of the companies questioned are able to get real-time key performance indicators for their supply chain (only 25% of American brands and 10% of European brands say they have access to this information). In addition, 40% of European brands say that their analytical capabilities are too rudimentary, generating data in a fragmented way, often manually and without clear governance.

“Only a minority of them have real-time supply chain inventory visibility. However, this visibility is essential to ensuring product availability, offering a variety of shipping choices and informing the customer of the product’s shipping status. In short — satisfying the customer,” says Nath. “Behind the scenes, this means optimizing the logistics cost for each order and overcoming many logistical challenges: reconciling the physical with the digital, maintaining a real-time inventory, optimizing stock, managing transportation, orchestrating orders while dealing with a variety of processes and partners. This will help brands to better utilize their physical assets and gain a competitive advantage.”

“This calls for integrating stores with ecommerce networks to serve as order processing centers, collection points, shipping facilities and fulfillment centers. One thing is for certain: inventory will have to be closer to the end customer, no matter where they may be, to ensure agility and availability,” concludes Nath.

Whitepaper available for download on the GEODIS site

Available upon request from the press department.

Methodology

  • Accenture Research surveyed 200 companies (60% in Europe and 40% in the United States) with an online presence and a network of stores.
  • Sales revenue between $100 million and $20 billion.
  • Nine lines of business: consumer electronics, fashion & sport, luxury, furnishings, body care, non-perishable food, home care, games & toys.
  • Report is the result of in-depth telephone interviews in the United States and in Europe at the end of 2019, coupled with a study conducted online in the United States and Europe between May and June of 2020.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

About Accenture 
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries — powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 506,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at www.accenture.com

Copyright © 2020 Accenture.

All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks

Accenture Interactive is reimagining business through experience. We drive sustainable growth by creating meaningful experiences that live at the intersection of purpose and innovation. By connecting deep human and business insights with the possibilities of technology, we design, build, communicate and run experiences that make lives easier, more productive and rewarding. Accenture Interactive is ranked the world’s largest digital agency by Ad Age and has been named a Most Innovative Company by Fast Company. To learn more, follow us @AccentureACTIVE and visit www.accentureinteractive.com

“K” Line Conduct an Emergency Response Drill

On October 6th, 2020, an “Emergency Response Drill” was carried out as a part of, optimum training on emergency response, preparedness for any kind of major maritime accidents.

The scenario of the drill developed when a “K” Line Coal Carrier collided with a Coastal Tanker when she was transiting in the Seto Inland Sea. The accident damaged the tanker’s hull and breached its cargo tank, resulting to its oil cargoes spilling from the damaged cargo tank. The spilled oil reached the coasts nearby; in addition, a crew of the said Tanker was reportedly missing. Professionals from other related firms of law, insurance, consulting, and the Ship Management Company actively cooperated and participated in the exercise.

To prevent COVID-19 infection, remote work from home for employees were established. We sought to enhance our communication by using online tools during an emergency response and then identified the points and tasks to work and improve on.

At the end of the drill, a mock press conference was held at both the press room and online simultaneously as a part of the complete drill proceedings. Mr. Myochin, the CEO of “K” Line, and other representatives attended the Q&A session of press briefing. Many questions were raised by the attendees as a media reporter that made the event more realistic and momentous.

Moreover, several shipowners joined and observed the drill for the purpose of strengthening how to respond promptly in the event of an accident involving chartered ships and the ties and cooperation between “K” Line and shipowners. We will make the most of the given reviews and comments from shipowners for the betterment and improvement of correspondence in the event of an accident.

“K” Line principle and vision calls for enhancing “Safety”, “Environment” and “Quality”. We are preparing for any unexpected and unforeseen circumstances through the “Emergency Response Drill”. Furthermore, we promote safety in navigation and environmental conservation and quality enhancement while doing work on awareness building activities like “Safety Campaign”.

SAL acquires major stake in Intermarine and expands its business in the Americas

Houston, 05 October 2020

A great new venture is ready to set sail. SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine, two of the most recognized names in the heavy lift shipping arena, are coming together to create a yet unrivalled shipping setup within the Americas and for cross-Atlantic trade. Operating as an independent brand within the SAL Heavy Lift Group, Intermarine will tie its Americas liner service to SAL’s global heavy lift trade and in combination bring to market the most comprehensive maritime breakbulk and heavy lift solution in the Americas.

The Americas are about to see a unique project, breakbulk, and heavy lift shipping setup unfold. Intermarine and SAL Heavy Lift have for decades been synonymous with shipping excellence, yet they have served different market segments and regions. Now this association of heavy lift excellence brings together the expertise, resources and fleets of both companies and establishes a unique commercial proposition that will benefit a broad spectrum of customers, whether local or international, with shipping services to, from, and within the Americas.

Mr. Richard Seeg, President of Intermarine

For over 30 years, Intermarine has provided high-quality breakbulk liner services between North America and South America and in the Caribbean, in combination with a strong intra-South America trading network. Under the operational helm of Intermarine veterans Mr. Richard Seeg as President and Mr. Chad Call as Vice President and CFO, Intermarine will continue to serve its customers throughout the Americas as part of the SAL Heavy Lift Group. New to the management team is CEO and shareholder Mr. Svend Andersen, who, with his four decades in the breakbulk and multi-purpose sector, is one of the most influential persons in the industry. As part of Intermarine in the early days of his career, Svend is now back onboard and brings valuable strategic insight and commercial experience to the table. Together this management trio will develop the Intermarine business moving forward.

Svend Andersen, Intermarine CEO, states: “The joining of Intermarine with the SAL organization is a perfect matching of two companies which share the same basic set of values and business philosophy yet with a different fleet of vessels, resources and outreach. In combination, it makes an unmatched setup in cross-Atlantic trading and intra-Americas heavy lift shipping. I have invested in this venture, as I see great prospects in bringing the Intermarine brand and business onwards under the helm and support by SAL Heavy Lift as a top brand in the heavy lift shipping industry.”

SAL sees great value in enlarging its footprint in the Americas by offering a wider range of shipping opportunities and scope of services to both existing and new customers. With the acquisition of Intermarine, SAL’s customers can benefit from more vessels being able to operate not only in and out of South America, but also into offsite river deltas, where SAL would otherwise have had limited access. Further, Intermarine customers will get access to the highly advanced heavy lift fleet of SAL, which, as the largest operator of +900t SWL vessels in the world, can efficiently connect cargo between Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Richard Seeg, Intermarine President, says; “Having SAL as an organization behind the activities of Intermarine brings with it a wide range of commercial opportunities. SAL holds one of the most comprehensive sales networks globally, and they also bring vessels, world-class engineering capabilities and other resources that are extremely valuable to the commercial setup of Intermarine.”

Martin Harren, SAL CEO

Martin Harren, SAL CEO, adds; “We have for a while been looking at expanding our services in the Americas, and with Intermarine now being part of the SAL Group, we can enable further trade across the Atlantic, combining important trade between Africa, South America, North America and Europe. We could instantly see the great synergy effects between Intermarine and SAL. When we can combine our already strong sales setup in the USA with the know-how from resources like Richard Seeg, Chad Call, and lastly Svend Andersen, who I have known and worked with for many years, I see a very powerful setup unfold.”

The Intermarine fleet consists of multi-purpose heavy lift vessels that are IMO and Lakes fitted and with lifting capacities up to 400t SWL, which compliments well with SAL’s fleet of both ice class vessels, IMO fitted and Lakes fitted vessels, and vessels with lifting capacities up to 2000t. Together it makes a comprehensive fleet proposition for customers both inside and outside of the Americas.

The new business constellation begins commercial operation effective immediately.

About Intermarine

Intermarine, as agent for Industrial Maritime Carriers, LLC, is a leading provider of reliable liner services for the transport of project, breakbulk and heavy lift cargo in the Americas. From its US offices in Houston and New Orleans and a wide network of agency offices throughout the region, Intermarine provides weekly sailings to and from the US Gulf and Colombia, Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname with frequent regular sailings to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Brazil, and the West Coast of South America. For more information please visit

www.intermarine.com.

About 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 modern fleet of heavy lift vessels offers highly flexible options to customers both within project shipping as well as in offshore projects. With travel speeds of up to 20 knots, up to 3500 square metres of unobstructed main deck space and combined crane capacities ranging from 550 to 2000 tons the fleet belongs to the most advanced in the heavy lift sector.

With the Type 183 fleet, equipped with dynamic position systems and an optional mountable Fly-Jib for greater crane outreach, SAL offers offshore services to multiple sectors. With the Type 171 and 116, SAL holds a fleet of heavy lift vessels with 1A ice class, capable of trading in arctic waters and northern sea route transits.

As a leading global company in the heavy lift and project cargo segment, SAL meets the highest standards with regard to quality, technical innovation, health, safety and environment. SAL’s latest investments in advanced hydrogen/methanol power generators, takes an industry leading step in applying green technology to its fleet. The global outreach of SAL is ensured via own sales offices and exclusive agents spread across more than 20 countries.

www.sal-heavylift.com