Transport communications

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Archives for October 2021

Jürgen Adler joins GEODIS as Vice President Automotive Vertical Market

October 14, 2021 by

Jürgen Adler has been appointed head of the Automotive market, one of the strategic vertical markets in which GEODIS is seeking to expand.

Jürgen Adler, age 43, is a German national and holds a degree in Transport and Logistics from the University of Bonn. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the logistics and transport sector of the automotive industry.

Jürgen Adler

Speaking several languages, he has worked on five continents, principally in Germany, France, China and the United States.

His aim will be to address the specific expectations of the sector, which is currently facing significant structural changes as well as ongoing supply chain disruptions, in a sector where “just-in-time” is a standard.

Philippe de Carné, Executive Vice President Business Development, Innovation & CSR, said: “Faced with the increasingly rapid pace of change in the field of new mobility, Jürgen will draw on his experience to help GEODIS customers in the Automotive sector manage their supply chains on a global scale, taking account of the challenges of flexibility and cost reduction.”

Jürgen Adler said: “I am delighted to be joining GEODIS, where I will be able to contribute to developing solutions for the Automotive market. Both manufacturers and suppliers need a reliable logistics partner who can bridge the visibility gap through its global end-to-end solutions.”

Jürgen Adler joined GEODIS on October 1, 2021. He is based in the GEODIS offices in Frankfurt, Germany.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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 global network spanning nearly 170 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

“K “Line Conduct Emergency Response Exercise

October 12, 2021 by

On October 7th, 2021, “the Emergency Response Exercise” was carried out as a part of training of optimum emergency response prepared for any major maritime accidents. The scenario of the exercise developed when an Ore Carrier chartered by “K” Line collided with a Coastal Cargo Carrier when she was transiting in Tokyo Bay. We confirmed a series of emergency response process by setting crisis-management headquarters upon receiving an incident report, establishing communication channel with Ship Owner, Ship Management company and conducting a mock press conference at the end of the exercise.

Emergency Response Exercise Headquarter　　

Online tools were effectively used on the assumption that many concerned members were working remotely in response to the COVID-19 outbreak to enhance our communication by using online tools during an emergency response and then identified the points and tasks to work and improve on.

A mock press conference was held both at the press room and online simultaneously. Many questions were raised by the attendees as media reporters that made the event more realistic and momentous.

At the mock press conference

“K” Line principle and vision calls for enhancing “Safety”, “Environment” and “Quality”. While growing interest on safety and environmental load reduction over the world, we are preparing for any unexpected and unforeseen circumstances through the “Emergency Response Exercise”. Furthermore, we promote safety in navigation, environmental conservation, and quality enhancement, which are important to fulfill social responsibility while doing work on awareness building activities like “Safety Campaign”.

Filed Under: "K" Line

GEODIS Collaborates with Bastian Solutions on New Fulfillment Site to Deliver Highest AutoStore Throughput Globally

October 7, 2021 by

Global leading transport and logistics provider GEODIS today announced a partnership with Bastian Solutions to implement an AutoStore system into a new fulfillment site for a leading clothing retailer. The $48 million material handling equipment deal will deliver the highest throughput documented of an AutoStore system globally to support the retailer’s omnichannel capabilities, including e-Commerce and its more than 1,000 stores across the United States.

AutoStore is a pioneering goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval system that is the market leader in storage density. AutoStore Bins are stacked vertically in a grid and retrieved by Robots that travel on the top layer of the system, allowing the grid to be placed around columns and on mezzanines and multiple levels. This design allows bins of products to be stacked on top of each other in a condensed grid-style system, increasing storage capacity up to four times in the same footprint and performance up to 10 times without added workers.

“GEODIS’ strategic partnership with Bastian Solutions and AutoStore will provide us even greater efficiencies and added capacity as we continue to navigate ongoing industry challenges on behalf of our clients, such as swiftly changing consumer buying patterns and labor shortages,” said Rob Thyen, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Facilities at GEODIS in Americas. “By investing in technology such as the AutoStore system, we can ensure we are supporting our clients’ future growth and exceeding their expectations.”

GEODIS is estimated to move up to 270,000 order lines per day in service of both retail store and direct-to-consumer channels, making this the AutoStore system with the highest throughput in the world. GEODIS will use the AutoStore system to facilitate fulfillment for its customer’s retail and e-Commerce channels to deliver a truly omnichannel solution. GEODIS will also utilize the AutoStore technology to expedite e-Commerce returns, which continues to be an industry priority due to recent increases in online purchases. In addition to featuring the innovative AutoStore storage and fulfillment technology, the 400,000-square-foot facility will include robotic piece picking with five robotic arms, automated packing and carton closing, and more. Construction for the site is expected to begin in January 2022 and wrap in November 2022.

“It has been a pleasure working with the GEODIS team,” said Marvin Logan, Vice President of Solution Delivery at Bastian Solutions. “We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the necessary advantage to remain competitive—especially as the retail and e-Commerce markets continue to change drastically. With this system, GEODIS will be well-equipped to meet demand, thanks to the advanced automation in this new omnichannel facility.”

Bastian Solutions is one of the leading partners in AutoStore installations. This project marks the second AutoStore system that Bastian Solutions has implemented on behalf of GEODIS. Construction is currently underway for an AutoStore system at a highly automated fulfillment site on behalf of a top pet product retailer, which is expected to be completed in November 2021.

“It is an exciting time for retailers, especially given the substantial increase in e-Commerce orders that we have seen over the past 18 months,” said Paul Roy, North American General Manager for AutoStore. “We’ve always aimed to provide an autonomous robotic solution that empowers our customers to fully leverage their warehouse operations to ensure an efficient, reliable and sustainable supply chain. Now, in partnership with GEODIS and Bastian Solutions, we’re proud to continue empowering retailers with a system that delivers the highest throughput globally.”

To learn more about GEODIS, visit www.geodis.com. To learn more about Bastian Solutions and AutoStore, visit www.bastiansolutions.com.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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 global network spanning nearly 170 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

Bastian Solutions –bastiansolutions.com

Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, is a trusted supply chain integration partner committed to providing clients a competitive advantage by designing and delivering world-class distribution and production solutions. By combining data-driven designs, scalable material handling systems and innovative software, the company helps clients across a broad spectrum of markets become leaders in their industries. For more information, visit bastiansolutions.com.

AutoStore – www.autostoresystem.com

AutoStore, founded in 1996, is a robot technology company that invented, and continues to pioneer, cube storage automation—the densest storage and order fulfilment solution in existence. The company’s focus is to blend software and hardware with human abilities to create the future of warehousing. AutoStore solutions are appreciated worldwide, with more than 600 systems installed in over 30 countries within a wide range of industries. All sales are designed, installed and serviced by a network of qualified system integrators—called “AutoStore Partners.” The company’s headquarters is in Nedre Vats (Norway), with additional offices in Oslo (Norway), U.S., UK, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Japan and Korea.

Filed Under: GEODIS

HPC to survey information systems for inland waterway ports and terminals in Europe

October 6, 2021 by

Potential analysis and determination of digital maturity level of the European inland waterways within the TEN-T corridors to inform an EU-wide digitalisation strategy

Hamburg, 6 October 2021 – HPC Hamburg Port Consulting, the leading logistics consultancy for ports, maritime and inland terminals as well as intermodal rail transport, has been commissioned by the German Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) to conduct a study on information services for ports and terminals. The analysis is being carried out as part of a European project aimed at developing a digitalisation strategy for freight transport on continental Europe’s inland waterways. 

As the central federal authority of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, the GDWS is participating in the “Digitalisation of Inland Waterways” (DIWA) project, which is funded by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme and involves four other national inland waterway authorities: the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria. The project aims to develop a common, integrated strategy for the digitalisation of the inland waterways of the TEN-T corridors, making the transport mode more competitive and sustainable in the long term.

“We at GDWS are pleased that, together with our European project partners, we will be able to help shape the future of European inland waterway transport and to contribute to this environmentally friendly mode yielding an even better performance,” say Thomas Wagner, Head of Department for Inland Transport Engineering and Tobias Aretz, National DIWA Coordinator (both GDWS).

As part of the business process developing a framework for the DIWA master plan, HPC has been commissioned to explore the information services for ports and terminals. The focus will be on building an inventory of the data inter-faces between inland navigation operators and European ports, as well as the IT system landscape.  The aim is to determine the existing level of digital maturity and future potential with regard to the digitalisation of the processes engaging ports and inland navigation.

” Against the background of the heavy utilisation of road and railway systems, the integration of inland navigation into the overall development of intermodal transport concepts is very welcome, ” says Hartmut Beyer, authorised signatory at HPC. He is convinced that “The digital transformation of the inland waterways network will significantly increase the attractiveness of the mode for customers. At HPC, we are very pleased to be able to input into the strategic development of this important trans-European project with our combined port and IT know-how.”

HPC has many years of experience in this sector and has advised national and international inland ports on operational issues, analyses and digitalisation projects. For example, HPC supports the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center HVCC in optimisation and coordination of maneuvering when feeder vessels and larger ships meet in restricted parts of the Elbe or in port.

In addition, HPC has successfully implemented digitalisation and inland navigation projects for operators on the Rhine, in India and the USA.

HPC is an active member of the Inland Vessel Working Group of Hamburg Hafen Marketing. The working group aims to strengthen the role of inland navigation in the Port of Hamburg.

Further information on the DIWA project and the TEN-T corridors can be found at www.masterplandiwa.eu.

For more information on HPC’s consultancy services, please visit www.hamburgportconsulting.com.

Filed Under: HPC Hamburg Port Consulting

GEODIS to Open New Multi-User Facility in Luhari to Seize Strong Growth Opportunities in India’s Retail Supply Chain

October 6, 2021 by

The facility extends GEODIS’ contract logistics capabilities in India to support the e-commerce boom with advanced warehousing solutions for retailers

GEODIS, a global leading transport and logistics services provider, today announced the upcoming launch of a new multi-user facility at the LOGOS Logistics Estate in Luhari, 60 kilometres north of Delhi.  This will support the rapidly growing needs of GEODIS clients within the retail sector. Developed by LOGOS, one of Asia Pacific’s top logistics property groups, the new purpose-built facility offers both a modern infrastructure and an extensive space that allows GEODIS to fully optimize its contract logistics offerings to the Indian market which is currently experiencing unprecedented demand.

The shift towards online shopping and omnichannel platforms, accelerated by the pandemic, has compelled retailers to seek logistics operators who can provide the sheer capacity to manage large merchandise inventory, along with the necessary tools to ensure both real-time and end-to-end visibility. The 26,654 sqm warehouse will have a state-of-the-art storage system consisting of both selective and very narrow aisle (VNA) pallet racks.  Equipped in this way, the new facility addresses retailers’ concerns regarding space availability and packing efficiency to ramp up order processing procedures.

The LOGOS Luhari Logistics Estate is strategically located within close proximity to other large industrial clusters, including Bawal, Bhiwadi, and Dharuhera, as well as the central business districts of Gurugram and Delhi, the International Airport and National Highway 48.  The location is a prime spot for manufacturers and retailers alike, who wish to strengthen their presence in New Delhi and Northern India. With these strong networks in place, GEODIS’ customers can look forward to faster and more reliable delivery options when the facility officially opens in March 2022.

“The new facility in the LOGOS Luhari Logistics Estate ushers in a new era for GEODIS’ contract logistics capabilities and reinforces the company’s commitment to being a strategic growth partner for our retail and e-commerce customers,” said Lakshmanan Venkateswaran, Sub-Regional Managing Director, South Asia, GEODIS. “We look forward to unveiling the facility and its potential to strengthen both our own and our partners’ presence in an industry that is currently undergoing a great deal of change.”

CEO of LOGOS’ India business, Mehul Shah, added: “This is our first partnership with GEODIS and we are pleased to be working with them to deliver their state-of-the-art facility at Luhari. LOGOS is committed to establishing a new benchmark of high quality and sustainable logistics warehousing in India to support the critical infrastructure services needed and our work with GEODIS is another step in achieving this. We look forward to supporting GEODIS’s real estate needs throughout India and Asia.”

The Luhari Estate will incorporate market leading sustainability and environmental initiatives including 20 acres of Miyawaki Forest Plantation, solar power generation and distribution for warehouse and common infrastructure energy provision in line with both partners’ commitments to care for the environment. State of the art monitoring to measure warehousing air circulation, temperature, energy and water usage will also be employed within the Estate in conjunction with heat mapping on the movement of trucks and people throughout the property.  Such operational control will also influence the future design requirements of logistics estates. 

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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 global network spanning nearly 170 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Joint Research on Marine Plastic Waste Launched with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

October 4, 2021 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) announced today the signing of a joint research agreement with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) to start joint research on marine plastics. The TUMSAT has been leading research in this field, surveying the amount of marine plastic waste (Note 1), including microplastics (plastic particles 5 mm or less) floating in the world’s oceans. This joint research will use “K” LINE’s vessels, which navigate many seas around the world, to collect samples of plastic particles, and is expected to promote the study of marine plastic waste.

The joint research will evaluate how much plastic waste can be collected from seawater under common process without installing any special equipment on intake and filtration of seawater by ships on voyages in order to avoid possible further marine pollution. First, the “K” LINE vessel will take samples from the seawater intake line with a strainer while the ship is running, and then the TUMSAT will collect plastic particles from the samples and analyze the material, size, and other elements.

The project will lead to further research, such as the collection of microplastics in the open sea using ocean-going vessels and the establishment of a monitoring system for the density of microplastics in specific areas.

As an integrated logistics company grown from shipping business, the “K” LINE Group is working to reduce its environmental impact based on its corporate philosophy of helping to enrich the lives of people and its mission of “Blue Seas for the Future.” (Note 2)

(Note 1) The marine plastic waste problem

It is said that approximately eight million tons of plastic waste is discharged from land into the ocean every year throughout the world. This causes various problems, such as deterioration of ecosystems and the marine environment, deterioration of coastal functions, disruption of vessel navigation, and impacts on fisheries and tourism. There is also concern about the impact of microplastics from seafood on the human body. As such, it has become a global environmental issue. It is also said that more than 95% of marine plastic waste originates from land-based sources. Social initiatives are underway on land such as efforts to prevent the generation of plastic waste and introduce legislation. However, there is still no established method of recovering this marine plastic waste without expending significant energy.

(Note 2) “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: “Blue Seas for the Future”

Tackling marine plastic waste is part of the Action Plan for until 2030.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management/main/00/teaserItems1/0/linkList/0/link/K-LINE_E-vision_en_2020_v2.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

GEODIS enhances its environmental policy with an eco-design approach to its logistics solutions

October 4, 2021 by

To help its customers reduce their environmental footprint, GEODIS has developed an eco-design approach that integrates the impacts of its logistics services. GEODIS is one of the first logisticians in the world to be audited. Its eco-design methodology has been validated by the French association for quality improvement and management (AFAQ[1]).

Implemented by GEODIS for its Contract Logistics line of business, the eco-design methodology aims to identify the environmental impact of a logistics service at all stages of its life cycle and propose areas for improvement. GEODIS provides its customers with a detailed carbon assessment as well as effective reductions in, or even avoidance of CO2 emissions. These options help to minimize energy consumption, improve waste management and optimize the use of buildings, equipment and transport flows. For one of its clients, GEODIS developed an approach to reduce CO2 emissions by 51%, i.e., approximately 2,250 tons of CO2 less over five years, using a system that combines the use of photovoltaic panels and LED lamps, recycling process, optimization of space and equipment, and a BREEAM-certified building.

“Our customers expect a strong commitment from their logistics partners. ISO 14001-certified for many years, we wanted to take our environmental approach even further and move towards a responsible supply chain. Our approach is based on more transparent communication. It provides a guarantee to our customers that behind an offer and a price, environmental aspects have been taken into account and are part of the quality of service that we are committed to delivering,” says Laurent Parat, President & CEO of Western Europe, Middle East & Africa (WEMEA) & EVP, Contract Logistics of GEODIS.

This unique approach (only 21% of companies use the eco-approach to develop products and services according to ADEME[2]), addresses the entire life cycle of the logistics service. This is in line with the definition of eco-design, which “consists of integrating the environment from the design stage of a product or service, and during all stages of its life cycle” (AFNOR, 2004).

GEODIS’s approach is comprehensive. It incorporates CO2 emissions related to the total service life cycle.  From the initial sales and tender stage, it takes into account all the assets necessary through to the completion of the project, including the final site closure phase.

The GEODIS engineers in charge of designing logistics offers are all trained in the eco-design approach to anticipate CO2 emissions before a project even begins. GEODIS customers have access to a comparison between a standard logistics offer and the “eco-designed” proposal, which they can use in their own carbon assessment.

The methodology, based on GEODIS’s expertise and data in sustainable development, has been audited by an external auditing firm and validated by AFAQ.

“With the development of e-Commerce, more and more customers are calling on us to find solutions to decarbonize and reduce waste in the supply chain. We wanted to provide our clients with a very precise assessment of the CO2 emissions generated, but above all to propose sustainable solutions to limit them as much as possible,” concludes Laurent Parat.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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 global network spanning nearly 170 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

[1] (Association Française pour l’Amélioration et le Management de la Qualité).

[2] ADEME: (Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie [Agency for the Environment and Energy Management])

Filed Under: GEODIS

Combi Lift founds new Forwarding Solutions Division

October 1, 2021 by

German heavy lift and logistics expert Combi Lift is proud to announce a further expansion of its service portfolio: The newly founded Forwarding Solutions Division will start working on 1 October, allowing customers to benefit from an experienced team with a world-wide network.

(l-r) Matthias Gross, Florian Koppelmann and Mike Schmidt

Led by General Manager Matthias Gross, the new Forwarding Solutions Division (forwarding@combi-lift.net) consists of three experienced employees specialised in the Non-Containerised Cargo (NCC) segment – pieces and goods that can be transported both with and without the use of special equipment, at maximum reliability and the lowest possible cost. “Our logistics offering primarily targets international customers in the machine building industry and plant construction sector, but we basically transport everything that fits or does not fit into a standard container – by ship, road or rail,” Matthias Gross explained.

“We at Combi Lift are extremely pleased that Matthias Gross, Florian Koppelmann and Mike Schmidt have joined our team. They all have tremendous experience in the international forwarding business,” said Holger Hinrichs, Managing Director of Combi Lift. “The new department adds another pillar to our business model: In addition to the established project and salvage business, Combi Lift now also offers comprehensive forwarding and supply chain solutions. This makes us even more flexible and attractive for our customers.”

Dr Martin Harren, Managing Director of the Harren & Partner Group, described the strategy behind founding the new division: “I am very proud and delighted that we were able to form this new Forwarding Solutions Division. This marks yet another milestone in the history of our group. Now that Harren & Partner has spent the last several years strengthening and expanding its position in the heavy lift, tanker and bulker segments, we want to continue this development with our newly expanded forwarding services.”

About Combi Lift: Combi Lift is a logistics expert for comprehensive transport and salvage solutions. The dedicated Combi Lift team led by Heiko Felderhoff and Holger Hinrichs consists of more than 30 experienced logisticians, forwarders, naval architects and engineers.

Combi Lift focuses on demanding logistics challenges beyond the day-to-day transport business. It’s the one-stop shop for all kinds of heavy lift transport solutions, particularly door-to-door and multimodal concepts – from the factory to the building site. Combi Lift offers its clients seamless logistics solutions, from initial planning and budgetary phases to the final delivery and facility start-up. The German logistics experts provide comprehensive land and sea transport services without any liability gaps; the entire process is handled by Combi Lift.

The company also provides a full range of salvage and towage services across the globe to its customers. Wherever their capsized vessels are, Combi Lift always serves them safely, quickly and efficiently.

Combi Lift is headquartered in Bremen – at the heart of the Harren & Partner Group, which has a fleet of 86 units, 22 offices and 3,200 employees worldwide. This simplifies decision-making processes and ensures that the necessary expertise is always at hand.

For more information about Combi Lift, go to www.combi-lift.net

Filed Under: Combi Lift, Harren & Partner
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