Archives for March 2021

A Logistics Maturity Score for Brands Aiming for e-Commerce Growth

March 22, 2021 by Julia Hiles

In order to help brands assess their e-Commerce logistics capabilities, leading global logistics provider GEODIS, in collaboration with professional services consultancy Accenture, has devised a methodological approach to measure the level of e-Commerce readiness. Called “Maturity Score”, it determines challenges brands have to face to rapidly adapt their logistics infrastructure to changing retail purchasing habits.

In their recent, original research study of brands developing their e-Commerce sales channels[1], GEODIS and Accenture Interactive had identified five key logistics’ capabilities needed to build and maintain flourishing ecommerce operations.

On this basis, they have devised a methodology that evaluates each e-logistics capability and converts companies’ practices into scores. The average score across the 200 companies involved in the research are a middling 58; one third of brands earned “high maturity” scores of 67 or greater; one third achieved “average maturity” with scores of 51 to 66 and the remaining third recorded “low maturity” scores of 50 or lower.

These key capabilities are skilled inventory management, agile distribution networks, flexibility of transport options, IT and software optimization and, most crucially of all, the quality of the customer experience.

Commenting on the survey’s results Ashwani Nath, Vice President and global head of e-Channel solutions, GEODIS explains, “The level of the Maturity Score is a strong indicator of a brand’s preparedness for significant e-Commerce sales growth. Few brands excel at any of the 5 key logistics capabilities and even fewer excel at all of them”.

Challenges vary in accordance with the level of maturity. “Brands at the more mature end of the spectrum tend to struggle with flexible shipping options and, at times poor inventory management, while at the lower end brands are challenged by integration of their stores with e-Commerce networks resulting in operational inefficiencies” says Nath.

GEODIS offers brands to assess their own level of maturity along with an e-Commerce expert.

The White Paper entitled ‘Getting e-Commerce Logistics Right: Faster, Leaner, Scalable’ is available for download on the GEODIS site

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 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.3 billion in sales.

[1] ‘Getting e-Commerce Logistics Right: Faster, Leaner, Scalable’. The study involved phone and online interviews with 200 companies, which achieve sales revenues between $100 million and $20 billion across Europe and the US and covered a variety of sectors including electronics, fashion, home care and furnishings among others.

Filed Under: GEODIS

“K” LINE’s Car Carrier Obtains World’s First Remote Survey Notation as Newly-built Ship

March 12, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Today, “K” LINE’s car carrier “CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN” completed by Tadotsu Shipyard Co., Ltd., the Imabari Shipbuilding Group, became the world’s first newly-built vessel to obtain Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) notation certifying that the ship is adapted for remote surveys(*1).

A remote survey uses digital technology on vessel to remotely perform the inspection surveys of facilities within a vessel that has previously been performed by a class inspector on site.

Use of the remote surveys will enable “K” LINE to perform inspections without being constrained by location, and also enables surveys to be conducted while lowering the risk of infection of the crew during the COVID-19 pandemic because it is not necessary to visit the vessel. It is expected that safe operation will be enhanced through the appropriate and timely implementation of surveys.

In February 2021, ClassNK published guidelines for appropriate operation of remote surveys using information and communication technology (ICT). The “Guidelines for Remote Surveys” (Ver. 2.0) summarizes the judgment standards for ensuring reliability equivalent to conventional witness surveys with transparency in the application of remote surveys. The guidelines also include class notation requirements for the vessel with reliable telecommunications equipment and is adapted for remote surveys.

CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN has significantly enhanced on-board and ship-to-shore telecommunications equipment compared to conventional vessels and obtained the remote survey class notation in recognition of this point.

Examples of Enhanced Telecommunications Equipment

Expansion of on-board Wi-Fi: In addition to living quarters, efficiency of vessel operations has been improved by installing Wi-Fi on the cargo deck and in the engine room and LNG fuel-related equipment compartment.
Introduction of wireless communication equipment supporting explosion-proof areas: Explosion-proof LCX wireless communications equipment has been introduced in explosion-proof areas to ensure communications.
Introduction of 4G/LTE: The communication environment with relevant personnel and operational efficiency has been improved by utilizing high-speed broadband communication on a land cellular phone network while docked(*2).

Filed Under: "K" Line

THE AMERICAN CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS IN ITS MANAGERS’ PIRAEUS OFFICE

March 10, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Andrew Dyer recruited from leading law firm Hill Dickinson as Regional Claims Director for EMEA and Global Claims Manager for Club’s Eagle Ocean Marine business, the latter in succession to Despina Beveratou

Niki Tiga becomes Club Correspondents’ Manager, also in succession to Beveratou who returns from London to Greece, and pastures new

NEW YORK AND PIRAEUS, MARCH 9, 2021: Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc. (SCB), Managers of the American Club, has announced important new appointments in its Piraeus office to consolidate and enhance service to Club Members and EOM Insureds both regionally and across the world.

Andrew Dyer, currently a partner in the Greek office of Hill Dickinson, a leading international law firm, will join SCB’s Piraeus office in early April as corporate Vice President. He will undertake the role of Regional Claims Director for the American Club’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with coterminous responsibility as Global Claims Manager for the Club’s Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM) facility.

A well-known figure within the maritime community, Mr. Dyer brings with him a wealth of professional experience gained from his more than twenty-five years as a solicitor and fourteen years as a partner of his firm. During his long career, Mr. Dyer has been involved in the broadest range of casualty and contract work, and every type of shipping dispute, both wet and dry.

In another new appointment in Piraeus, Niki Tiga takes on the role of Club Correspondents‘ Manager. Ms. Tiga has been part of the Club’s management team for some ten years, having started in the London office and having more recently moved to Greece. Her educational background, together with her experience of both P&I and FD&D claims handling, give her an excellent platform from which to fulfill her new duties.

In welcoming Mr. Dyer, SCB also says farewell to Despina Beveratou who has to date fulfilled Mr. Dyer’s forthcoming responsibilities in regard to EOM in SCB’s London office, as well as Ms. Tiga’s new duties as Correspondents’ Manager. Ms. Beveratou will be returning from London to Greece at the end of March to pursue new interests, and leaves with the best wishes of her colleagues for every future success.

Mr. Dyer’s connection with the American Club and its Managers is of some longstanding not only personally but also by virtue of Hill Dickinson’s own long history of providing legal services to the maritime community both in Piraeus and in other major shipping centers.

Indeed, in noting Mr. Dyer’s change of career, Jasel Chauhan, head of Hill Dickinson’s Piraeus office, commented: “During his 25 years with Hill Dickinson, Andrew made an immense contribution and helped to forge some of our strongest relationships in the Greek market. Andrew will be missed but the role with the American Club is a fantastic opportunity and we wish him all the best.”

In addition, Tony Goldsmith, master mariner and head of Hill Dickinson’s marine business group, said: “We have always had an excellent relationship with the American Club – both in Greece and internationally. Having worked alongside Andrew as a colleague and a friend during the whole of his career at Hill Dickinson, his move can only serve to affirm and enhance that relationship. We very much look forward to working closely with the American Club and Andrew in his new role.”

In summing up these recent developments, Joe Hughes, Chairman & CEO of SCB, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Andrew to our global management team where I am certain his expertise will be of incomparable value to both the American Club and EOM over the years ahead. The warm words of farewell from Tony and Jasel speak to the legacy he leaves at Hill Dickinson and reinforce our confidence in Andrew’s continuing success in serving the Club and EOM in the future.”

“We also extend our congratulations to Niki on her appointment as Club Correspondents’ Manager. I am certain that she will discharge her new duties with her characteristic intelligence and vigor.

“Finally, we are very sorry to be saying farewell to Despina. Wherever her future endeavors may lead her, she departs with the best wishes of her colleagues in appreciation of her exemplary service over many years to the Club and EOM, and of the great energy and good humor she imparted to that service.”

Filed Under: The American Club

“K” Line : Establishment of Carbon Neutral Promotion Group

March 9, 2021 by Julia Hiles

We are pleased to announce to establish a new department focusing on businesses and projects for carbon neutrality including renewable energy effective on April 1^st, 2021.

The requirement of de-carbonization is rapidly growing in the world and it accelerates the expectation for business field of carbon neutrality, such as Renewable Energy projects including offshore wind, Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage projects, Energy Transition projects (LNG value chain related) and Carbon Emission Trading.

For the purpose of proactively responding such needs, “K” Line will establish “Carbon Neutral Promotion Group” and facilitate business development for net-zero CO2 emission along with related parties and companies of “K” Line group.

**“K” Line Organizations on Environmental Initiatives**

“K” Line group will continue to contribute to people’s living and prosperity throughout the world as an integrated logistics company grown from shipping business, and aim at realizing a sustainable society.

Filed Under: "K" Line

Diversity: GEODIS reports on its Mentor Programs in Asia-Pacific and Americas

March 3, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Having set the goal of 25% female fulfilment of its leadership roles by 2023, leading global logistics provider GEODIS has established an employee Mentor Program as part of its drive towards diversity. To mark International Women’s Day on 8^th March, GEODIS reports on the progress of the Programs.

Only 13% of senior leaders in the logistics industry as a whole are women. This is despite females scoring higher in leadership competencies than men, according to a Novosensus survey [1] in 2020.

“The logistics industry urgently needs a greater degree of gender diversity and inclusion to recognize, reward and profit from the talents of its female workforce and to improve its record of attracting women of superior ability. The industry’s image is one of traditional male leadership, lack of upward mobility for women and unattractive to aspiring young females,” says Mario Ceccon, GEODIS’ Group HR director.

GEODIS is committed to contributing positively to gender equality and increase the number of women in leadership positions. Its own progress in this regard has seen levels of 13% in 2017 grow to 18% currently and the drive to 25% by 2023 will continue.

GEODIS Australia and New Zealand’s mentor program in action

Through its GEODIS Women’s Network (GWN), mentor Programs have been evolving in regions across the globe over the past four years. The GWN has three pillars that support its activities: career development and mentorship; inclusive leadership and connecting people. The Mentor Program builds on the first of these pillars.

Each mentee has a mentor from within the company assigned to them for the duration of the Program. They engage over a series of informal and more formalized sessions during which inter-action is consistent in being constructive, confidential, respectful, open-minded and frank.

In the Americas region a pilot was established in 2018 to trial a Mentor Program in partnership with the professional development experts at Dale Carnegie. The Program has evolved in content and has grown in numbers of participants across the US, expanding into the Latin American organization for this year’s schedule starting in April. In 2021, there will be a total of 218 teammates involved, both mentors and mentees.

Gerri Commodore, Senior Vice President New Business and GEODIS Women’s Network America’s Chairperson comments on the development of the Program, “Based on feedback from those involved in our 2019 Program, we made significant changes last year. Our mentors and mentees wanted more structure and tools to help them. So, we partnered with Impacting Leaders, a leadership consulting company and introduced the Style of Influence (SOI) assessment. This measure focuses on the natural way people would influence others.” The response from mentors and mentees based on these changes, was overwhelming praise for the program and an increase in applications to participate this year.

“This year we are employing a new format to complement the original. This entails 29 of the mentees working in small groups. Each will focus on practical applications of our ‘5 Core Competencies of a Leader’ in order to further develop their natural leadership style” adds Gerri.

In the Asia-Pacific (APAC), GEODIS Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) team launched their Program in September last year, with a schedule of activity set through to July. With the benefit of lessons learned as the Program develops, it is planned to roll it out across the GEODIS APAC region over the balance of the year.

Stuart Asplet, Managing Director, Pacific Region, the main sponsor of the Mentor Program comments, “We are seeking to understand the goals of our mentees and support their potential development within the company. Although the first twenty-five are all women and drawn from the ANZ region, the Program, is open to male employees. A key goal of the program is to engender a feeling of empowerment, of being noticed, valued and develop confidence.”

A ‘6 Steps to Success’ framework has been designed for the ANZ Program running over the ten-month period. After initial training sessions last year, Mentee Networking Events and mentoring sessions are regularly underway. Feedback indicates that 98% of the mentees have found the structure engaging.

“Gender diversity is not only a social necessity but also a corporate responsibility and a sound business policy. Empathetic leadership that balances the sensibilities of all genders brings greater understanding of all human inter-action and hence value creation for employees, customers, suppliers and business partners” concludes Mario Ceccon.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

[1] https://www.novosensus.org