Transport communications

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Archives for March 2024

“K” Line : Publication of ESG DATA BOOK 2023

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce a publication of ESG DATA BOOK 2023.

ESG DATA BOOK has been issued since FY2021 to summarize policies, systems, specific initiatives and relevant data related to “K” LINE Group’s environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) aspects. It has been published as a tool for dispatch of information to, and for communication with, stakeholders who are interested in the Group’s ESG initiatives.

ESG DATA BOOK 2023 features new contents such as a disclosure in accordance with the framework of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and a list of key performance indicators (KPIs) for readers’ better understanding of the goals and progress of our sustainability management.

From this fiscal year’s issue, we have changed the layout of the booklet to A4 horizontal for easier viewing on screens such as personal computers and tablets. Furthermore, links are provided on various pages, such as table of contents, to improve operability and searchability.

ESG DATA BOOK 2023 can be found on our website.

HOME > Sustainability > ESG Data

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/esg_data.html

Downloads:

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/esg_data/main/0111/teaserItems2/0/linkList/00/link/ESGDATABOOK2023_EN.pdf

“K” Line : Signing of a Joint Research and Development Agreement for a New Fire Detection System for Car Carriers

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has entered into a joint research and development agreement with NIPPON HAKUYO electronics, ltd. ※1) and OPT Gate Co., LTD. (※2) for the development of a new fire detection system for vessels, using optical technology.

In recent years, the transportation of electric vehicles in addition to conventional gasoline vehicles has been increasing in car carriers. It is said that lithium-ion batteries installed in electric vehicles tend to rapidly escalate combustion in the event of a fire, making it crucial to detect fires at an earlier stage and to engage in firefighting activities promptly. This research aims to develop a fire detection system that detects fires earlier and with higher accuracy than existing smoke detectors for vessels, addressing the challenges.

“K” LINE is committed to enhancing safety and ship quality management. We will continue to pursue initiatives for safety in navigation utilizing cutting-edge technologies.

1  NIPPON HAKUYO electronics, ltd.  (Head office: Kanagawa)

Established in 1981, taking over the business of the marine equipment division of the Oki Electric Industry Group. They manufacture and sell various electronic products for vessels, including fire detection system, surveillance camera system, marine automatic telephone exchange, marine public address, and clock system.

2 OPT Gate Co., LTD.  (Head office: Tokyo)

Established in 2005, they specialize in manufacturing and design of optical products, with focus on the optoelectronics business. They also provide services such as reliability evaluation, analysis, and technical support for optical products.

Dachser stays on course and expands its global network

  • Investments in several acquisitions and new joint ventures worldwide. 
  • European overland transport provides stability; air and sea freight suffers from overcapacity and decline in rates.
  • Investments totaling around EUR 500 million are planned for 2024.

Kempten/Munich, March 21, 2024 – After the economic boom in logistics resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and worldwide disruption to supply chains, normalcy returned to the industry in 2023. Dachser was among those whose financial year was marked by weak demand for logistics services in the face of significant overcapacity and a sharp decline in air and sea freight rates.

As a result, Group revenue decreased to some EUR 7.1 billion, 12.5 percent down on the previous year. Transported volumes fell by 4.6 percent to approximately 77.4 million shipments, while tonnage decreased by 6.5 percent to some 40.0 million metric tons.

“Against the backdrop of an ailing global economy and a challenging market environment, supply chains were under considerably less strain in 2023, which allowed us to focus on improving productivity, capacity utilization, and quality. At the same time, we made considerable investments in the expansion of our networks,” says Burkhard Eling, CEO of Dachser.

Compared to the last pre-crisis year 2019, turnover in 2023 was over 25 percent higher. At that time, Dachser had reported turnover of around EUR 5.7 billion.

Significant expansion of the global network

In 2023, the company made strategic acquisitions and established new joint ventures in the Netherlands (Müller Fresh Food Logistics), Australia and New Zealand (ACA International), Japan (50% joint venture Dachser Japan), Italy (80% joint venture Dachser & Fercam Italia), South Africa (100% share acquisition Dachser South Africa), and Sweden (Frigoscandia). Of these, only the acquisitions in the Netherlands and Oceania in the first half of the year feature in the revenue figures for 2023.

“In 2023, we deliberately took a countercyclical and farsighted approach to investments: we completed our European groupage network in Italy with the third-largest acquisition of our company history. We tapped key food logistics markets in the Benelux and Nordic countries. Moreover, we now have our own locations in the large overseas markets of Japan and Australia,” Eling says.

Given the conservative economic forecasts, Dachser still expects low volumes and only slight revenue growth in 2024. “In pursuit of our goal of becoming the world’s most integrated logistics provider, we are continuing to invest in expanding and enhancing our networks, in digitalization, in climate action, and of course in our employees,” Eling says. In 2023, Dachser invested more than EUR 244 million; it plans to increase that figure to over EUR 500 million in 2024.

Business development in detail

Dachser’s Road Logistics business field—which comprises the transport and warehousing of industrial and consumer goods (European Logistics) and food (Food Logistics)—increased its revenue by 1.8 percent to EUR 5.8 billion in 2023. By way of contrast, the number of shipments fell by 4.7 percent and transported tonnage by 6.5 percent.

The European Logistics business line generated revenue of EUR 4.4 billion, roughly on a par with the record year of 2022. Business was good across European business units, with Iberia coming out on top with a revenue increase of more than 2 percent. Shipment numbers and tonnage declined overall due to Germany’s weak economy, which also had a negative impact on the close-knit countries in the North Central Europe region.

The Food Logistics business line also had a successful financial year in 2023, recording a 9.7 percent increase in revenue to EUR 1.4 billion. This jump in revenue stemmed from positive business development at branches in Germany as well as from inorganic growth through the acquisition of Müller Fresh Food Logistics in the Netherlands and the purchase of the remaining shares in Dachser Hungary. In total, Dachser Food Logistics transported 10.9 million shipments, slightly more than in the previous year, while tonnage fell by 3.8 percent.

In the Air & Sea Logistics business field, the combination of weak demand and substantially more capacity in air and sea freight had a profound effect. Plummeting freight rates were responsible for a drop in revenue of 46.3 percent—compared to 2022—to EUR 1.3 billion. The number of shipments rose by 2.4 percent, while tonnage fell by 7.9 percent.

Contract Logistics—a combination of transport, warehousing, and customer-specific value-added services—also underwent large-scale expansion in 2023. Dachser invested in additional capacity during the year and increased the number of pallet spaces to just under 400,000. Dachser now offers a total of more than 3 million pallet spaces across 164 warehouse locations on five continents.

Looking to the future, Eling announced that Dachser will focus even more on closely integrating the Road Logistics and Air & Sea business fields. “In the coming years, significant growth impetus will come from markets outside Europe. In order to continue serving our customers worldwide with high quality and reliability, we are linking the processes and systems of our two business fields even more closely together in order to develop an integrated global, door-to-door groupage solution that we call ‘Global Groupage’.”

Dachser’s workforce grew in 2023 by more than 1,100 people to a total of approximately 34,000. This is a reflection of the expansion of sales and IT teams, as well as the acquisitions of Müller Fresh Food Logistics and ACA International.

Overview of revenue:

Net revenue in EUR million2023 (provisional)2022Change in 2023
vs. 2022
Road Logistics5,8065,701+1.8%
European Logistics4,4264,443−0.4%
Food Logistics1,3801,258+9.7%
Air & Sea Logistics1,3002,420−46.3%
Group7,1068,122−12.5%

About Dachser

Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 34,000 employees at 382 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 7.1 billion in 2023. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 77.4 million shipments weighing 40.0 million metric tons. Country organizations represent Dachser in 43 countries. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com

Ten Organisations Unite to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trafficking in Global Supply Chains

20 March 2024 – Wildlife crime continues to pose a significant threat to biodiversity, local and national economies, as well as national and international security. The illicit trafficking of wildlife not only endangers countless species but also undermines the stability of ecosystems and jeopardizes the livelihoods of communities worldwide. Recognising the severity of this issue, ten leading organisations have joined forces to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through increasing awareness and vigilance across global supply chains.

Maritime traffic, in particular, remains vulnerable to the trafficking of illegal goods. With the vast volume of trade carried by sea, the demand for faster, just-in-time deliveries and the increasing complexity of intermodal supply chains, criminals increasingly exploit weaknesses in global maritime supply chains to traffic contraband items.

Stepping up the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, ten international organisations have joined forces in an initiative led by the World Shipping Council, supported by United Nations Development Program, the Global Environment Facility, and the Global Wildlife Program, in collaboration with TRAFFIC and WWF, and co-sponsored by BIC, Global Shippers Forum, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and TT Club. Together, they have produced practical guidelines for all supply chain participants, with advice on measures to take, questions to ask to help identify criminal wildlife trade, and guidance on reporting suspicious activities. An accompanying “Red Flags” document serves as a daily reference for all individuals involved in the supply chain.   

Combatting illegal wildlife trafficking is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across international containerized supply chains. All parties involved, especially consolidators and those receiving goods for packing or carriage, must take proactive steps to prevent the shipment of illegal wildlife. This includes verifying the legitimacy of cargoes, properly sealing shipments, conducting risk assessments, and promptly alerting national authorities to suspicious activities, as appropriate.

The Joint Industry Guidelines for Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trafficking are designed to support and further promote existing International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines by providing specific and actionable guidance to private sector stakeholders, and the IMO was kept informed through the development process. The joint industry guidelines have been submitted to the IMO for additional awareness and action.

Illegal wildlife trafficking is not only decimating endangered species worldwide but also fuelling organized crime and threatening global security. The coalition’s joint effort underscores the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in combatting illegal wildlife trafficking. By uniting their expertise and resources, these organisations demonstrate their commitment to protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable trade practices.


QUOTES

“We recognize the critical role that the maritime industry plays in combatting illegal wildlife trafficking. By working together to increase awareness across the supply chain of how to spot and address this criminal activity, we can prevent the exploitation of global maritime supply chains for criminal activities and protect endangered species worldwide,” says John Butler, President & CEO of the World Shipping Council.

“Wildlife crime often converges with transnational organized crime, such as trafficking in illicit drugs and arms. The Joint Industry Guidelines for Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trafficking aim to support stakeholders to address wildlife trafficking through their organizational processes. WWF is committed to continue fostering strong public-private partnerships through collective initiatives like this, to disrupt illegal trade and to disincentivize wildlife traffickers using the maritime sector supply chain to traffic illicit goods,” says Dr Margaret Kinnaird, Wildlife Practice Lead of WWF.

“The illegal trade of wildlife across our oceans is immense, overlooked, and often under-reported. Given its scale and vulnerability, it is critical that maritime traffic be central to our collective efforts to mitigate the illegal trade in wildlife. The creation of these guidelines is a fundamental first step in shining a spotlight on this part of the supply chain, giving us the building blocks for a solution which positively impacts animals across the globe. When we protect biodiversity, we protect ourselves, and today, we are one step closer to making this a reality,” said Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). 

“It’s estimated that 72-90% of illegally trafficked wildlife, including live animals, animal products, plants, and timber, is smuggled via the shipping industry, so the sector holds a responsibility to rise against transnational organised crime. By taking action with these resources, the sector will have far-reaching positive impacts for conversation and biodiversity growth at the same time as protecting livelihoods of local communities.“ Philippa Dyson, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager at TRAFFIC.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking, download the Guidelines for Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trafficking here: Protecting Wildlife — World Shipping Council.


About World Shipping Council

The World Shipping Council is the united voice of liner shipping, working with policymakers and industry groups to shape the future growth of a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, safe, and secure shipping industry. We are a non- profit trade association with offices in Brussels, London, Singapore and Washington, D.C.

Read more at www.worldshipping.org

Contact WSC

Anna Larsson, Communications Director; GM Europe

Tel: +44 7442 088 862

alarsson@worldshipping.org           

About WWF

WWF is an independent conservation organisation, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

Contact WWF

Marsden Momanyi, Head of Communications,

WWF Wildlife Practice

Email: mmomanyi@wwfint.org

Whatsapp: +254719784872

About Bureau International des Containers

BIC was founded under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in 1933 as a neutral, non-profit, international organization. BIC promotes safety, security, standardization, and sustainability in the container supply chain and today has over 2900 container owning and operating members in 128 countries. BIC operates registers and data resources for the industry, including the BIC Code Register, the BoxTech Global Container Database, BIC Facility Code Database and Geofence Library, and the Global ACEP Database. Based in Paris, BIC holds observer status at the IMO, the WCO, and UN/CEFACT. Read more at www.bic-code.org

Contact BIC

Douglas Owen

douglas.owen@bic-code.org

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

Contact IFAW

Polen Cisneros

Tel: +1 (202) 536 1945

Email pcisneros@ifaw.org

About Global Shippers Forum

GSF is the global business organisation speaking up for exporters and importers as cargo owners in international supply chains and trade procedures. Its members are national and regional shippers’ associations representing hundreds of manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing businesses in across five continents. GSF works for safe, competitively efficient, and environmentally sustainable global trade and logistics.

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 1200 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 97% 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

Contact GSF & TT Club

Maria Udy, Portcare International

Tel: + 44 (0) 7979 868539

maria@portcare.com

About TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that trade in wild species is legal and sustainable for the benefit of the planet and people.

Contact TRAFFIC

Abbie Pearce, Media Support Manager

media@traffic.org

“K” LINE Posted CEO Message after being recognized as a CDP2023 “A List” Company

Yukikazu Myochin, President & CEO of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) delivered a message in recognition of “K” Line’s placement onto the CDP2023 “A List” of companies. The video message is posted on “K” LINE’s YouTube channel.

“K” LINE YouTube channel  https://youtu.be/PzzG4Dwib7U

“K” LINE corporate website  https://www.kline.co.jp/en/index.html *accessible from banner

“K” LINE was selected for the “A List 2023”, the top rating, on climate change from CDP, which is a non-profit global organization engaging in activities for realizing a sustainable economy, on February 7, 2024. This is the eighth consecutive year that “K” LINE has been selected as an “A List” company, after being selected an “A List” company in 2016, in recognition of its leadership in transparency and performance in corporate sustainability on climate change. This year, the number of companies certified as “A List” companies for CDP Climate Change totaled 346 worldwide, with 109 Japanese companies including “K” LINE.

In our long-term management vision, we are committed to a smooth energy transition for ourselves and society, and we will promote activities to realize a low-carbon, decarbonized society. We are engaged in the introduction of alternative fuel vessels, energy-saving activities utilizing big data systems, offshore wind power generation support business, hydrogen and ammonia transportation businesses, and CCS (carbon dioxide capture and storage) projects. The “K” LINE Group will aim for sustainable growth and increased corporate value as a partner trusted by all stakeholders.

References

February 7, 2024: “K” LINE Awarded CDP’s “A List 2023” on Climate Change

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr-20240207.html

“K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management.html

“K” LINE Begins Participating in Joint Study on Liquefied CO2 Marine Transportation for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has reached an agreement with TOKYO GAS CO., LTD. (“Tokyo Gas”) regarding a joint study of liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) marine transportation with a view towards achieving carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS).

The Japanese government believes CCS to be one of the significant methods for achieving carbon neutrality and aims to enable the storage of 120 to 240 million tons of CO2 per year in 2050. The final report of the study group for a long-term CCS roadmap suggests that the use of the promising storage potential overseas is one strong option. This requires the liquefaction of CO2 and marine transportation of the liquefied CO2 to a place suitable for CO2 storage.

The two companies will carry out a simulation of marine transportation of liquefied CO2 to storage sites in Japan and in the Asian-Pacific region for CO2 emitted in the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as studying its economic efficiency and operations relating to the transportation of liquefied CO2 by ship. Based on the findings of this study, both companies aim to help achieve carbon neutrality in the Tokyo region with various types of carbon management solutions including CCS.

“K” LINE group is promoting a variety of initiatives to support the low-carbon and carbon-free of its own operations and  society in accordance with its long-term environmental policy, “Environmental Vision 2050”. In the field of CCS, we are planning to start the world’s first full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) transport from next year. It is expected that liquefied CO2 carriers will sequentially begin to operate in Japan and overseas in the future. “K” LINE will incorporate knowledge*1 acquired from operations, including this study, into its future development of businesses with the aim of realizing a sustainable society and increasing its corporate value.

*¹The webpage for the press releases about “K” LINE’s activities concerning liquefied CO2 transportation:

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/carbon-neutral.html

Despite challenges, American Club experiences stability with the 2024 P&I renewal

  • 93% Member retention rate.
  • 2023/2024 policy year combined loss ratio tracking at 103%.
  • Average premium dollar per gross ton increased by 6.4%.
  • Eagle Ocean Marine bolsters profitability.

NEW YORK, March 15, 2024: The American Club has reported relatively moderate drops from the year-on-year renewal results, which reflects overall stability within the context of recent challenges as well as its de-risking strategy.

Gross tonnage for the Club’s Class I (mutual P&I) entries stands at 22.5 million, down by approximately 2.5 million compared to inception one year earlier, with a relative premium income drop of 6.5% over the period. Its Class II (mutual FD&D) portfolio followed a similar shift, while its Class III (charterers’ liability) business is poised to increase by about 5% in 2024 by comparison with the previous twelve months. Initial combined loss ratio for the 2023/2024 policy year is tracking at 103% as of December 31, 2023 with an improving trajectory.

Eagle Ocean Marine, the Club’s fixed premium facility, which serves the operators of smaller vessels in local and regional trades, continues to benefit the mutual membership, with its overall historical net loss ratio now standing at 85% with the 22/23 and 23/24 facility year running below 70%, while the current 23/24 facility year relatively benign but still in an active period of development.

The Club’s Board had mandated an overall target increase in expiring premium of 7.5% for the 2024 policy year. As the overall combined loss ratio of renewing tonnage has continued to improve, the cash rise year on year on renewing business achieved was 4.2%, net of the downward adjustment in the IG reinsurance program cost for 2024 passed on to the Members in the usual manner. Augmenting the premium position were terms changes calculated to have a value of another 1% against net premium resulting in an overall increase of 5.2% on renewing premium. In terms of the average premium dollar per gross ton from expiry of the 2023 policy year to inception of the 2024 policy year, this increased by 6.4%.

Speaking in New York earlier today, Tom Hamilton, the Chief Underwriting Officer of SCB, Inc., the Managers of the American Club, said: “The 2024 renewal campaign for the American Club built on the successes of recent renewals, focusing on rate adequacy and continued refinement of its portfolio and evidenced the support of its core, loyal membership. This is highlighted by a high retention rate amidst challenging times. We are grateful for the support of members and brokers around the world. The American Club commences the 2024 policy year in a solid position with premium income for P&I, FD&D and charterers’ liability classes, along with the contribution from Eagle Ocean Marine, in excess of $130 million and we are encouraged by the expectation for growth across all classes over the course of 2024/2025.

Dorothea Ioannou, the Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Inc., also commented on the Club’s recent results: “While the growth of the two preceding renewals has slightly retreated, this was partly deliberate through de-risking strategies, and partly natural as a result of S&P’s downgrade. The Club’s premium and tonnage volume remains at historically high levels, reflecting 30% more in premium and 20% more in tonnage as compared to the 2021 policy year, with consistently improving combined loss ratio results. Furthermore, the high retention levels of renewing tonnage, in the face of extraordinary disruption, is a testament to the strength of relationships within the Membership and acknowledgment of the American Club’s service. The Club represents a significant and important voice in the industry, and in the International Group. We have and will continue to ensure that it is heard.”

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.

The American Club also operates a fixed premium facility, Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM), aimed at the operators of smaller vessels in local and regional trades. Since it commenced underwriting in 2011, EOM has enjoyed considerable success in building a growing footprint in this specialist market and generating strong profitability for the Club.

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.

TT Club Sponsors the Young Supply Chain Resilience Professional of the Year Award 2024

In announcing its continued support of the TAPA EMEA* Award, leading provider of insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry, TT Club proclaims its aim to encourage career development in cargo security and enhance resilience in the supply chain.

To enter, applicants must produce a 1,500-word submission on an innovative cargo security or supply chain resilience initiative they have developed or contributed to significantly. The potential areas of focus are an innovative solution to a current security concern or an experience of cargo loss that has been overcome in a practical way. Additionally, addressing an emerging new trend in security risk could be offered up.

Entries must be submitted before the closing deadline of 19 April 2024¹ and the winner will be notified by 1 May to ensure they can join TT at TAPA EMEA’s Annual Conference in Amsterdam on 12 & 13 June to receive their Award. Entries are to be judged on the originality and complexity of their solution, as well as how innovative and successful it is in improving supply chain resilience for the applicants’ companies or clients.

“We wish to identify, inspire and reward young talent in the industry, encouraging them to continue to innovate and communicate with their peers to strive for greater security throughout the supply chain sector,” said Mike Yarwood, TT’s Managing Director Loss Prevention. “We are extremely proud to continue our sponsorship of this Award; the inaugural award last year was a great success and attracted a number of bright young minds from the industry to showcase their respective security solutions.”

2023 Award Winner Sjef Boekestijn of Boekestijn Transport Service presents his solution

The 2023 Award was won by Sjef Boekestijn of Boekestijn Transport Service, for his entry on the creation of a new automated security auditing tool linked to clients’ Standard Operating Procedures.  Boekestijn Transport is domiciled in the Netherlands and Sjef is based in Poznan, Poland.  He was welcomed to London, as part of his award prize where he presented his solution to TT colleagues.  His hosts introduced him to the UK Government’s Department for Transport to discuss standards around truck stops in the UK and he also met with NaVCIS Freight** to discuss current trends in the causes of freight crime; Sjef providing insight from his experience across Europe.

Underlining the importance of the partnership between TAPA EMEA and TT Club, Thorsten Neumann, the former’s President & CEO said, “It is important for every industry to nurture the next generation of leaders. The business focus on supply chain resilience and cargo security has never been greater with the world facing economic, geopolitical, health and environmental challenges and disruptions, in addition to the now well-established and growing threat of cargo crime.  This award gives individuals in our industry an opportunity to earn an achievement they can carry forward in their careers. I ask senior managers in our membership to encourage their outstanding young professionals to participate is this year’s award.”

¹TAPA-EMEA-Young-Supply-Chain-Resilience-Professional-of-the-Year-Award-2024-Entry-Form (1).pdf

*Transported Asset Protection Association’s Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Region

**The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. A UK Police Authority.

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 1200 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 97% 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

GEODIS Marks International Women’s Day

Leading global logistics service provider GEODIS is taking the occasion of International Women’s Day to announce significant achievements in the Asia Pacific region (APAC) in attaining GEEIS* certification by both its Hong Kong and Singapore operations, along with underlining its female leadership roles in the region.

Following the Company’s commitment to diversity and particularly to ensuring professional gender equality, Hong Kong and Singapore are added to the already 15 countries, which have attained the GEEIS certification.  It is all part of GEODIS’ diversity and equal opportunity drive to promote initiatives creating a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion throughout its work environment globally. The success of these efforts is further evidenced in APAC with the existing appointments of female General Managers in both Japan and Taiwan and women constituting a third of the regional management board and 40% of the country management teams.

Photo credit: Lin Hui LOW, Regional Marketing Operations Executive, GEODIS APAC and Middle East
Names of women in the picture, From Left to Right:
June KOH, Regional Human Resources Director, GEODIS APAC and Middle East
Evelyn OOI, Regional Information Technology Director, GEODIS APAC and Middle East
Florence LEE, Regional Sales and Marketing Director, GEODIS APAC and Middle East

Such certifications demonstrate GEODIS’ proven commitment and level of resources mobilized to achieve equality in the workplace. It is an evaluation of the steering, training and communications tools implemented to work towards equal opportunities and GEODIS in both Hong Kong and Singapore have now achieved Level 3 – ‘Very good practices’.

The accreditation is assessed by one of the world’s leading certification bodies, Bureau Veritas via an audit based on nine GEEIS criteria. This allowed GEODIS to present the nature of the general social environment and culture the company maintains. 

Welcoming the news of the double certification, Onno Boots, President & CEO of Asia Pacific and Middle East said, “Diversity and inclusion are at the core of our culture, it is reflected in our policies, reinforced through our processes and evaluated through our feedback mechanisms. This is achieved via a number of internal initiatives including, our Employee Engagement Group (EEG), in particular, our highly successful worldwide GEODIS Women’s Network (GWN) and Mentorship program; the Leaders Engagement Group (LEG); an Individual Development Plan (IDP). We are proud of the developments we have made in this area because we truly believe that diversity is a rich resource that stimulates innovation and team performance.”

GEODIS is convinced that fostering diversity wherever and however it operates is a real opportunity to develop the skills of all employees which in turn improves individual and corporate performance. The latest achievements in the region are testimony to the organization’s commitment to these values throughout the GEODIS family.

*The GEEIS (Gender Equality European and International Standard) is a real management support tool and contributes to promoting gender equality in the workplace. It certifies the level of resources mobilized by the company to achieve equality at work, as well as the successful deployment of the related human resource policy.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 53 000 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 5 in its sector across the world. In 2023, GEODIS generated €11.6 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

“K” LINE Awarded CDP’s “Supplier Engagement Leaderboard”

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that on March 6, 2024, the company was listed on the “Supplier Engagement Leaderboard” for the sixth consecutive year, the top rating, on “Supplier Engagement Rating” from CDP, which is a non-profit global organization (NGO) engaged in investigating and disclosing environmental information.

The “Supplier Engagement Rating” evaluates the companies’ initiatives for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain and ranks the companies in line with their efforts. Our strategies and initiatives were evaluated via the “Supplier Engagement Rating”.

This year 450 companies, including 110 Japanese companies were recognized on the “Supplier Engagement Leaderboard” worldwide. 

Going forward, the “K” LINE Group will continue to enhance information disclosure based on a comprehensive understanding of climate change and natural capital and aim for sustainable growth and increased corporate value as a partner trusted by all its stakeholders.