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Archives for July 2025

GEODIS Announces Laura Ritchey as President & CEO of Americas Region

July 8, 2025 by

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, announced today the appointment of Laura Ritchey as President & CEO of the Americas region. Laura Ritchey will also serve as a member of the Group’s Executive Board, which is chaired by Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS.

Photo Credit : Laura Ritchey

As President & CEO of GEODIS in Americas, Laura Ritchey will oversee the management and growth of the region’s multiple business units across North and South America, including contract logistics, freight forwarding and transportation. Ritchey now leads the region’s nearly 20,000 teammates across eight countries, comprised of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

“With the U.S. being one of the top markets in our global network, Laura has the robust industry and leadership experience needed to continue strengthening GEODIS’ position in this critical region,” said Marie-Christine Lombard. “Laura’s unique knowledge of the logistics industry, including deep expertise in retail and e-commerce, and business acumen makes her the right leader to further the region’s incredible growth and help navigate in the face of today’s complex and ever-changing landscape.”

Laura Ritchey joins GEODIS with more than 30 years of experience, including 15 years in supply chain management for both retail and third-party logistics. She began her career in finance before shifting into supply chain operations, including sourcing, distribution and strategic transformation. Laura Ritchey was most recently CEO at Radial, Inc., a leader in e-commerce fulfillment solutions, where she delivered revenue growth and profitability through operational excellence.

Prior to joining Radial, Laura Ritchey held leadership positions at L Brands, FullBeauty Brands and Centric Brands. She is a board member for Goodwill Manasota in Florida and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. Ritchey earned her J.D., MBA and bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. She is a certified public accountant and admitted to the bar in Ohio.

Laura Ritchey will succeed Mike Honious, who is retiring from the supply chain industry after 30 years (20 of those at GEODIS). Mike Honious will serve in an advisory capacity to Marie-Christine Lombard to assist in the transition and will continue to hold director roles with the GEODIS Foundation and GEODIS Compassion Fund.

To learn more about GEODIS, visit www.geodis.com.

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. The Group operates a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 50,000 employees. In 2024, GEODIS generated €11.3 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS Completes the Transport and Float-Off of Three Floating Wind Foundations

July 8, 2025 by

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has successfully completed a major operation in partnership with Eiffage Metal for the transport and float-off of three floating substructures of 2,500 tons. Designed by Principle Power, the turbine foundations are part of the “Les Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion” (EFGL) pilot project, one of the largest floating offshore wind farms in the world.

This large-scale operation was managed by a dedicated GEODIS team, onsite between the end of April and early June 2025. The complex move took place within the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM), from the Eiffage Darsette site to the Carfos terminal in Fos-sur-Mer (France).

Photo Credit : GEODIS

The project required an extensive engineering phase, including the design of grillage and sea fastening systems, precise ballasting calculations, and close coordination with local port authorities. High environmental and safety standards were also applied throughout the process.

To execute the float-offs, GEODIS mobilized a semi-submersible barge, specifically selected for its suitability. The process involved a carefully sequenced ballasting operation to ground the barge and allow the floaters to be safely launched into the water. Despite strict weather requirements, the float-offs were conducted efficiently and without incident.

Nicolas Bonnier, Global Manager Offshore Wind Solution, Project Logistics at GEODIS, commented:

“The EFGL project, with 30 MW of capacity, represents nearly 10% of the operational floating wind turbines currently installed worldwide, so we are very proud to have contributed to its success. Also, GEODIS’ seamless execution of two consecutive float-offs within six days highlights the potential scalability and industrial feasibility of commercial size floating wind energy projects.”

The success of the project, GEODIS’ first in floating offshore wind, marks a key milestone and reinforces the Group’s strategic commitment to strengthening its position in this emerging sector. Building on this experience, GEODIS will continue to develop innovative, tailor-made solutions specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of future commercial-scale projects.

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. The Group operates a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 50,000 employees. In 2024, GEODIS generated €11.3 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

GEODIS Completes the Transport and Float-Off

of Three Floating Wind Foundations

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has successfully completed a major operation in partnership with Eiffage Metal for the transport and float-off of three floating substructures of 2,500 tons. Designed by Principle Power, the turbine foundations are part of the “Les Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion” (EFGL) pilot project, one of the largest floating offshore wind farms in the world.

This large-scale operation was managed by a dedicated GEODIS team, onsite between the end of April and early June 2025. The complex move took place within the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM), from the Eiffage Darsette site to the Carfos terminal in Fos-sur-Mer (France).

The project required an extensive engineering phase, including the design of grillage and sea fastening systems, precise ballasting calculations, and close coordination with local port authorities. High environmental and safety standards were also applied throughout the process.

To execute the float-offs, GEODIS mobilized a semi-submersible barge, specifically selected for its suitability. The process involved a carefully sequenced ballasting operation to ground the barge and allow the floaters to be safely launched into the water. Despite strict weather requirements, the float-offs were conducted efficiently and without incident.

Nicolas Bonnier, Global Manager Offshore Wind Solution, Project Logistics at GEODIS, commented:

“The EFGL project, with 30 MW of capacity, represents nearly 10% of the operational floating wind turbines currently installed worldwide, so we are very proud to have contributed to its success. Also, GEODIS’ seamless execution of two consecutive float-offs within six days highlights the potential scalability and industrial feasibility of commercial size floating wind energy projects.”

The success of the project, GEODIS’ first in floating offshore wind, marks a key milestone and reinforces the Group’s strategic commitment to strengthening its position in this emerging sector. Building on this experience, GEODIS will continue to develop innovative, tailor-made solutions specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of future commercial-scale projects.

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. The Group operates a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 50,000 employees. In 2024, GEODIS generated €11.3 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

Filed Under: GEODIS

“K” LINE starts use of Bio-LNG fuel for Car Carrier

July 8, 2025 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce its first use of bio-LNG fuel supplied by Shell Western LNG B.V. (Shell) to the car carrier “OCEANUS HIGHWAY”.

The vessel received 500 tons of bio-LNG from Shell at the Belgium port of Zeebrugge on June 16, 2025.

The bio-LNG fuel (liquefied bio methane, LBM), derived from renewable organic waste and residue, is ISCC-EU*1 certified to have a carbon intensity of less than zero on a lifecycle basis*2, from fuel production to consumption.

Bio-LNG is a drop-in solution that is fully compatible with existing LNG infrastructure, making it an effective means of decarbonization for the shipping industry.

“OCEANUS HIGHWAY” using Bio LNG

Dexter Belmar, Vice President of Shell Downstream LNG said: “Bio-LNG is a scalable solution we can use today. It is great for Shell to collaborate with key shipping players like “K” LINE that are taking the lead in the adoption of bio-LNG. Together, we’re helping to build industry-wide momentum in the transition to renewable fuels. Bio-LNG’s increasing availability and commercial viability gives our customers confidence that their dual-fuel LNG fleets are ready to further reduce emissions.”

Hiroto Arai, the General Manager of the “K” LINE Environmental/Technical Strategy Group said, “Our goal is to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport is one of our top priorities. Our beginning to use bio-LNG fuel is a significant step towards our net-zero GHG emissions goal. Additionally, we feel that our partnership with Shell, a leading global energy company, puts us in a position where we will be able to substantially impact the shipping industry’s transition to renewable fuels. We will continue to work diligently on the introduction of renewable fuels to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.”

In “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future,*3 we have set a 2030 interim target of improving CO2 emission efficiency by 50% from 2008, surpassing the IMO target of a 40% improvement. Furthermore, we have set our new target for 2050, net-zero GHG emissions. As an action plan, we will continue to work to introduce new low environmental-impact fuels and take on the challenge of achieving the targets we have set.

*1  International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-EU of sustainable maritime fuel ensures the sustainability of feedstock production, the full end-to-end traceability of sustainable products through the supply chain, and the verified reduction of life cycle emissions in accordance with the EU’s RED II.

*2 The certified life cycle carbon intensity of less than zero is based on a methodology that includes avoided CO2e emissions from improved agricultural practices in line with RED II. *3 “K” LINE Environmental Vision 205: Blue Seas for the Future
As an action plan for GHG reduction, we are introducing zero-emission fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen fuels, as well as carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels. https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/management.html

Filed Under: "K" Line