Transport communications

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“K” Line Holds Environmental Awards 2023 Ceremony

June 16, 2023 by

“K” Line Group Environmental Awards 2023 Ceremony held on June 12, 2023.

The awards were established to honor and give recognition to outstanding environmental-preservation-contributive activities undertaken by both executives and employees working throughout the “K” Line Group according to the direction developed in “K” Line Environmental Vision 2050. This year marks the 9th awards ceremony since establishment of the awards in 2015. We accepted many entries from our group companies both in Japan and overseas. The activities of five companies — one “Grand Award” , four “Excellence Award” and one “Special Award” —  were selected from such standpoints as “originality,” “challenge level,” “degree of contribution,” “continuity” and “potential for pervasiveness”, and they received the awards from our President and CEO, Yukikazu Myochin.

The “K” Line Group will continue to broadly share environmental preservation activities being addressed within our Group companies via the presentation of these annual “K” Line Group Environmental Awards in order to demonstrate the environmental preservation activities by the entire Group. Through this emphasis on continuing to aggressively contribute to environmental preservation and biodiversity protection, we will successfully accomplish our mission, i.e., “Passing on a sustainable society and this blue and beautiful ocean to the next generation” as expressed in “K” Line Environmental Vision 2050.

Awardees of the “K” Line Group Environmental Awards are as follows:

GRAND AWARD

  • Reducing fossil fuels and CO2 emissions by using EV cars, installing solar carports and storage batteries at the Daikoku Car Carrier Terminal

Daito Corporation

The Daito Corporation considered ways to contribute to CO2 emissions reduction at the Daikoku Car Carrier terminal, and decided to convert company cars to EVs and install solar carports that can charge EVs. The solar carport can be used to charge EVs, and a portion of the surplus power can be supplied to the guardroom office or can be stored in storage batteries for use at night or in times of disaster.

The amount of electricity generated during the first four months of operation has been 1581.9 kwh since it started operating in November 2022, resulting in a reduction of approximately 1140.55 kg of CO2 emissions.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

  • Restoring the ecosystem through dam building

“K” Line (Thailand) Ltd.

The water storage will increase in forests by building check dams in national parks and we can restore the ecosystems of surrounding organisms.

  • Improvement of business operations through the introduction of RPA

Nitto Total Logistics Ltd.

We can improve work efficiency and reduce copy paper usage.by Introducing RPA (Robotic Process Automation) into daily operations,

  • Use of “ECOPLA WOOD” as a substitute for wood dunnage

“K” Line Marine Solutions Co., Ltd.

We can reduce wood usage by changing the part of the dunnage (cargo bedding material) used for curing and protecting cargo and hold decks from wood to “ECOPLA WOOD”, which is Recycled Plastic Products.
Entering into World’s first full scale CCS project with Northern Lights for two liquefied CO2 vessels/CO2 reduction through CCS/liquefied CO2 transportation Carbon-Neutral Promotion Group (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.)

We participated in the world’s first full-scale Carbon capture and storage value chain project in Norway by two liquefied CO2 carriers.
(Special Award) : Accumulation 10 entries

  • “K” Line (Thailand) Ltd.
Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line in receipt of Gold Award in the 44th 2023 Japan BtoB Advertising Awards

June 12, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) received the Gold Award in the Magazine Advertising Category for the 44th 2023 Japan BtoB Advertising Awards hosted by the BtoB Association Japan. The award was given for four advertisements in “K” LINE’s environment series, entitled, “Full ahead to carbon neutral”, and the award ceremony was held on June 9th.

The Japan BtoB Advertising Awards is the only comprehensive contest for BtoB advertising works in Japan, started by the BtoB Association Japan in 1980. The Awards are divided into 15 categories, including the Product Catalog Category, the Poster Category, and the Newspaper Advertisement Category, and the purpose of the Awards is to commend the creative results of business advertising in Japan and to acknowledge and offer evaluations of excellent BtoB advertising by experts in creating advertisements and marketing. This was the first award in any of the categories for “K” LINE.

“K” LINE established the long-term “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050*¹ policy on the environment, defining a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2008 and establishing the goal reaching net zero in GHG (GreenHouse Gases) by 2050. In the Medium-Term Management Plan released in May 2022, “K” LINE established a long-term management vision to commit to a smooth energy transition for both the company and society and to promote activities aimed at realizing a low-carbon and decarbonized society. “K” LINE’s environmental advertising, entitled, “Full Steam Ahead to Low Carbon and Decarbonization”, was created based on specific initiatives and each of the four advertisements features a different model: an LNG-fueled pure car and truck carrier, a main measure to reduce GHG emissions by 2030; SEAWING, an automatic kite system to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20% by utilizing wind power; a zero-emissions ammonia-fueled pure car and truck carrier aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; and a ship supporting offshore wind power generation that is expected to become popular in the future.

Going forward, “K” LINE will continue to strive to contribute to sustainable economic and social development and enhance corporate value while actively and flexibly responding to customers’ needs, including environmental responses which are expected to grow, and preserving the environment through business activities based on the “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050.

*¹: “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050:-Blue Seas for the Future-

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/management.html#002


An LNG-fueled pure car, truck carrier

Ship supporting offshore wind power generation
SEAWING
An ammonia-fueled pure car, truck carrier
Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line : Notice of occurrence of Non-Operating Income by dividends income

June 12, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereafter, “the Company”) will account following dividends income on Non-Operating Income of non-consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

  1. Outline of dividends

Based on today’s resolution at the general meeting of the shareholders of OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS PTE. LTD., the affiliate company accounted with the equity method, the Company will receive dividends of 616 million U.S. Dollars (Approx. 86.1 billion Japanese Yen) in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The dividend is scheduled to be received on June 15, 2023.

  1. Impact on The Company’s business performance

The Company will account aforementioned dividends income on Non-Operating Income of non-consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

There will not be impact on consolidated financial results at the period, as it is dividends from the affiliate company accounted with the equity method.

“K” LINE’s website URL:  https://www.kline.co.jp/en/index.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

GEODIS obtains CEIV Pharma certification for its Paris-Charles de Gaulle airside hub

June 6, 2023 by

A year after it opened, the GEODIS site connected to the runways at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport has been awarded CEIV Pharma certification, testifying to its excellence in the handling and air transport of pharmaceutical products.

Conferred by IATA, the International Air Transport Association, the CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification attests to GEODIS’s capabilities in transport and handling services for the pharmaceutical industry. The certification confirms the company’s excellence in safety, security and compliance.

The GEODIS site has already attracted a number of major names in the sector. With this certification, it intends to establish itself as a top-ranking player in the pharmaceutical sector. Located in cargo zone 4 of Europe’s second-largest airport, the state-of-the-art facility extends over 6,000 m2 and includes two cold rooms (2/8° and 15/25°) for handling temperature-controlled products. With direct access to the runways and close to major highways, its prime location ensures that goods are transported smoothly.

Massimo Norcaro, CEO of GEODIS’s Freight Forwarding Line of Business in France, said: “CEIV certification is a guarantee of quality, confirming our expertise and our ability to handle the air transport of pharmaceutical products to their final destination, whether in France or round the world. It is proof of our complete mastery of the logistics chain, through the conformity of our facilities, equipment, operations and staff training, and it guarantees total product integrity.”

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 five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS acquires ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd., strengthening its freight forwarding offer in Switzerland

June 2, 2023 by

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, announced today that it has acquired the Swiss freight forwarder, ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd.

Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS, commented: “Switzerland is home to a wide number of multinational companies that are key GEODIS customers, among them several dynamic members of the pharmaceutical industry. Having acquired ITS, GEODIS is one step closer to its aim of completing a global end-to-end network to serve its customers.

Under the leadership of Massimo Bianco and Javier Sanchez, ITS has successfully developed into a trusted partner and special services expert for its customers. We look forward to welcoming ITS talented management and staff into GEODIS.”

Left :Massimo Bianco, CEO of ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd and
right : Eric Martin Neuville, Executive Vice President, Global Freight Forwarding GEODIS

ITS is an independent Swiss freight forwarder, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Reinach, in the canton of Basel-Country. ITS main offering is high-tech “special services”, organizing transport and logistics for dedicated projects and outsized equipment for the industrial, automotive and defense sectors. The company also provides standard ocean freight and general cargo services, as well as other ancillary services (oil and food, event logistics, artwork transportation, customs brokerage, etc.). ITS employs 26 people and reported revenues of CHF 58 million in 2022.

Massimo Bianco, Chief Executive Officer of ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd., said, “Our aim is to provide an even broader range of services to our customers across an extended geographical market.  This move, which combines our existing capabilities with GEODIS’ wealth of expertise and global footprint will help achieve that goal and assist all customers in navigating the complexities of an ever-changing supply chain environment.  We are therefore delighted to be joining GEODIS, with whom we share an ambition to constantly grow our business and that of our customers.” 

ITS will join the GEODIS Global Freight Forwarding line of business and will report into the Region EUROPE.

GEODIS übernimmt ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd. und baut sein Speditionsangebot in der Schweiz aus

GEODIS, einer der weltweit führenden Unternehmen im Transport- und Logistikbereich, gab heute die Übernahme des Schweizer Spediteurs ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd. bekannt.

Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO von GEODIS, erklärte dazu: „Zahlreiche multinationale Unternehmen, die wichtige GEODIS-Kunden sind, haben ihren Sitz in der Schweiz. Unter ihnen sind auch einige bedeutende Akteure aus der Pharmaindustrie. Mit der Übernahme von ITS ist GEODIS seinem Ziel, seinen Kunden ein weltweit lückenloses Netzwerk anzubieten, einen Schritt näher gekommen. Unter der Führung von Massimo Bianco und Javier Sanchez hat sich ITS erfolgreich zu einem bewährten Partner und spezialisierten Experten für seine Kunden entwickelt. Wir freuen uns darauf, das erfahrene Management-Team und die talentierten Mitarbeitenden von ITS bei GEODIS willkommen zu heißen.“

ITS ist ein unabhängiger, 1992 gegründeter, Schweizer Spediteur mit Hauptsitz in Reinach im Kanton Basel-Landschaft. Das Unternehmen bietet hauptsächlich spezialisierte Dienste für den High-Tech-Bereich an. Dabei geht es insbesondere um die Organisation von Transport und Logistik für dedizierte Projekte und überdimensionale Ausrüstung für die Industrie, den Automobilsektor und die Verteidigungsbranche. Das Unternehmen bietet auch standardmäßige Seefracht- und allgemeine Frachtdienstleistungen sowie sonstige Zusatzleistungen (Öl und Lebensmittel, Veranstaltungslogistik, Kunsttransporte, Zollabfertigung usw.) an. Insgesamt beschäftigt ITS 26 Mitarbeitende und meldete für das Jahr 2022 einen Umsatz in Höhe von 58 Millionen CHF.

Massimo Bianco, CEO von ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd., sagte: „Unser Ziel besteht darin, unseren Kunden in einem größeren geografischen Markt ein noch breiteres Spektrum an Dienstleistungen bereitzustellen. Mit der Übernahme werden unsere bestehenden Fähigkeiten durch die umfangreiche Kompetenz von GEODIS und dessen weltweite Präsenz ergänzt. Dieser Schritt wird dazu beitragen, unser Ziel zu erreichen und wird alle Kunden unterstützen, die komplexe Welt einer sich ständig ändernden Lieferkettenumgebung zu bewältigen. Wir sind daher sehr glücklich, nun ein Teil von GEODIS zu sein. Mit diesem Unternehmen teilen wir unser Bestreben, unser Geschäft wie auch das unserer Kunden kontinuierlich auszubauen.“

ITS wird sich dem Geschäftsbereich GEODIS Global Freight Forwarding anschließen und an die Region EUROPE berichten.

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 five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Filed Under: GEODIS

Joint Research Agreement Signed for Next-Generation (Floating Axis) Small-scale Offshore Wind Turbine Demonstration Project

June 1, 2023 by

Developing a Japanese-produced floating wind turbine to reduce the cost of offshore wind power

Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER),1 Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO HD),2 Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Chubu Electric),3 Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE),4 and Albatross Technology Inc. (Albatross),5 have entered into a joint research agreement for a next-generation (floating axis) offshore wind turbine demonstration project (the “project”).

Artist’s concept of a floating axis wind turbine (FAWT) wind farm
(Courtesy of Albatross Technology Inc.)

The  Japanese government has announced the intention to maximize the adoption of renewable energy sources as part of the nation’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Offshore wind power, in particular, is considered a vital part of the initiative to make renewables a primary source of power due to the potential for large-scale installation, lower cost, and economic ripple effects. In Japan, with limited shallow sea areas, there is growing interest in floating offshore wind power because it can be deployed in deep water. To promote the widespread adoption, it is essential to significantly reduce costs through technological development. In addition, increasing the ratio of domestic production (in Japan) is expected to create a strong economic ripple effect.

Against this backdrop, the five partnering companies in this demonstration project will jointly develop a small-scale (20kW) next-generation experimental floating axis wind turbine that is expected to reduce costs and increase the domestic production ratio.

The floating axis wind turbine (FAWT) is a concept under which a vertical-axis wind turbine is supported by a “rotating” cylindrical floating foundation. Its main features are as follows:

Cost Reduction

  • The wind turbine can be tilted 20 degrees at maximum output, as it is designed to maintain effectiveness even when tilted. This allows for downsizing for the floating foundation and a significant reduction in equipment costs.
  • The wind turbine section can be manufactured at low cost through continuous pultrusion,6 a molding process used to form composite materials into long shapes, with carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP).
  • By taking advantage of the characteristics to install vertical axis wind turbines close to sea level due to their specific characteristics, operation and maintenance costs for the major apparatus are also anticipated to be substantially lower.

Increase in Domestic Production Ratio

  • The wind turbine blades can be manufactured in lengthwise sections with the same cross-sectional shape, eliminating the need for large-scale manufacturing facilities. Additionally, this design makes sections easier to transport, and is therefore suited for domestic production.
  • Japanese companies hold approximately 80% of the market share for carbon fiber, the raw material used in the carbon composite for the wind turbine.

J-POWER, Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering and Albatross are jointly conducting initial studies of the FAWT concept. Embarking on the tests signifies the next step under a new framework. For the project, small-scale experimental versions of the FAWT will be installed in Japanese waters. After confirming the validity of the analysis and design method, this will lead to an even larger scale (megawatt class) offshore demonstration project.

The five companies involved in the project will use their individual expertise to jointly develop the FAWT, which is anticipated to be a “game changer” in floating offshore wind power generation. Through this collaboration, we aim to make offshore wind power generation the primary source of electricity and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

Goals of participating companies:

J-POWER, TEPCO HD, Chubu ElectricTo develop promising technologies for floating offshore wind power generation and increase the introduction of renewable energy, thereby contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.  
“K” LINEAs Japan’s Ship Safety Act applies to floating offshore wind turbines, “K” LINE will cooperate in the practical implementation of new floating offshore wind turbines by providing its expertise, and contribute to a decarbonized society by applying the knowledge gained from this research in activities for offshore wind support vessels in the future.  
AlbatrossTo practically implement innovative floating offshore wind turbines and widely extend their use both in Japan and internationally.  

Cooperating Organizations

The wind turbine section of the small-scale experimental units will be developed by Fukui Fibertech Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture), and the floating section will be developed by Mirai Ships Inc. (Miyagi Prefecture). The carbon composite material molding technology will be developed in partnership with the Innovative Composite Center (ICC) at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, and the motion analysis technology will be developed in partnership with Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering.

Notes:

  1. Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshifumi Watanabe)
  2. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomoaki Kobayakawa)
  3. Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (headquartered in Nagoya City, Aichi; President: Kingo Hayashi)
  4. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yukikazu Myochin)
  5. Albatross Technology Inc. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hiromichi Akimoto)
  6. A molding method for continuously manufacturing components with the same (fixed) cross-section by solidifying the resin and fibers as they are drawn through a mold
Artist’s concept of a floating axis wind turbine (5MW demonstrator) (Courtesy of Albatross Technology Inc.)

Filed Under: "K" Line

Freight industry must resist the tidal wave of drug smuggling

May 30, 2023 by

In response to the exponential growth in contraband drugs entering Europe via ports on the Atlantic seaboard, specialist freight insurer TT Club is increasing its efforts to promote industry awareness of both trends in criminal activity and methods of combatting its success.

In the past two months, since the beginning of April, yet more examples of criminal gangs utilising the complexity of European import trades to smuggle in drugs have continued to emerge.  Reports include cocaine in containers of fruit through the port of Antwerp; in Rotterdam narcotics were discovered in reefer containers carrying melons from Panama; ecstasy with a value of €1.5 million in a truck at Calais and Le Havre emerging as a hotspot for cocaine imports; 133 kilos of marijuana and hashish at the Port of Motril in southern Spain brought in from North Africa, and news of smuggling gangs with links to Brazil operating in Lisbon and Oporto.

“These are just fragments of the evidence that we have of the crucial role ports are playing in the illicit drug trade across Western Europe,” comments Mike Yarwood, Managing Director Loss Prevention at TT Club.  “110 tons of cocaine were seized at the port of Antwerp last year and much has been reported of how the city has become the European hub for drug importation.  But the network of channels for the trade is widespread and few ports along the seaboard can turn a blind eye to the problem.”

To open the industry’s eyes to the dangers yet further, TT is committing significant resource to collating detailed reporting, including that of their partner BSI Screen, to create greater awareness of the sophisticated methods that criminals employ, the extent of their geographical reach and the diverse gateways they are using to supply the vast European market for illicit drugs.

“Increasing awareness, particularly the role of European ports in drug smuggling is crucial to restricting this trade,” comments Erica Bressner, BSI’s European Analyst.  “Especially as indications show that smuggling at ports may be increasing for certain key narcotics, like cocaine. Europol has reported record-setting seizures of cocaine every year since 2017, particularly in seaports. This points to a growing market for the narcotic as cocaine becomes more affordable to the average consumer.”

“In response, European port authorities have worked to implement additional security measures to combat this trade and its concurrent violence. However, the control of the criminal syndicates is such that they have the ability to adapt their smuggling routes to evade authorities. This includes a diversification of smuggling routes to target non-traditional ports of entry where security measures are less intensive,” says Bressner.

With the potentially enormous profits to be made within the drugs trade, funds to bribe port employees and others working in the transport infrastructure are readily available.  Customs officials and police officers are not beyond corruption and the current levels of inflation and high living costs are further incentivising those that were perhaps beyond reproach in the past.  In addition to corruption, the criminal syndicates are able to discover key contacts at the ports (often online and through social media) and threaten them and their families with harm to ensure their compliance and silence.

Ports offer an attractive transfer point for drugs from sea going vessels and containers to trucks.  These trucks leaving for the hinterland can contain contraband, often without the driver’s knowledge, and are hijacked, increasingly by heavily armed and brutal gangs.  Also becoming more extensive is computer hacking, either to directly obtain information of a specific containers whereabouts or intended destinations, or to plant tracking software that facilitates raids at pinpointed locations.

Much more vigilance across European port communities is clearly required.  TT’s Yarwood outlines one strategy, “Employee vetting and training both in terms of motivating them to be vigilant and loyal but also in terms of maintaining secure processes of documentation and online communication.  Identifying the more common origin points of contraband cargo, such as South America and North Africa, and ‘rogue’ consignees and unexpected delivery points will help,” he advises.

Security at the established targeted ports has naturally been increased with, for example a new seventy-strong security corps established in Antwerp, increased CCTV surveillance and the use of drones in Rotterdam, and a specialist anti-drug trafficking police unit in the Netherlands.  However, the crime groups are well entrenched, having established long tentacles throughout supply chains and are sophisticated in their expertise and knowledge of how trade works. 

“We are dealing with global crime syndicates,” concludes Yarwood.  “Efforts to combat their activities will be akin to squeezing a half-inflated balloon, we may constrict them in one or two ports but they will find ways to exploit others.  We urge all in our industry then to be aware of the possibilities of drug importation and to take all steps they can to restrict this illicit trade.”

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 97% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

https://www.ttclub.com

About BSI

BSI is the business improvement and standards company that enables organizations to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence, ‘inspiring trust for a more resilient world’. For over a century BSI has driven best practice in organizations around the world. Working with over 77,500 clients across 195 countries, it is a truly global business with skills and experience across all sectors including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food and retail and healthcare. Through its expertise in Standards and Knowledge, Assurance Services, Regulatory Services and Consulting Services, BSI helps clients to improve their performance, grow sustainably, manage risk and ultimately become more resilient.

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

About BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions
BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions is the leading global provider of supply chain intelligence, global supply chain verification auditing services, audit compliance and risk management software solutions, and advisory services. BSI’s supply chain services and solutions and services can work independently to address specific needs or combined together to gain unparalleled visibility into your global operations. Implementing BSI’s holistic supply chain risk management suite provides organizations with a complete solution for a more sustainable and secure supply chain.

Filed Under: TT Club

Innovative Solutions at forefront of GEODIS offering at Breakbulk Europe 2023

May 25, 2023 by

Leading project cargo forwarder GEODIS will exhibit at the world’s largest industry event for the sector, Breakbulk Europe 2023, from June 6th to 8th in Rotterdam.  GEODIS’ booth will be located in Hall 2 at 2F31.

Innovation is a key pillar of the services offered by GEODIS Project Logistics and a range of executive representatives will be in Rotterdam to demonstrate to visitors how sustainable solutions, skilled transport engineering and advances in digital technologies are employed to meet the client’s evolving supply chain challenges.

GEODIS delivers its Project Logistics services via offices located in more than 30 countries to all major industries. As a growth partner to its clients, the division serves customers with complex project moves, oversized shipments and extra-heavy transport requirements.  Its end-to-end solutions are tailored to each project and carried out within a strict no harm environment.

Breakbulk Europe provides a networking platform to generate new business and strengthen key existing relationships. It brings together industry decision makers in Rotterdam this June to drive the connections and innovation that support the completion of global projects. Breakbulk Europe has a truly international audience, representing over 120 countries​​​​​ under one roof.

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 five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. www.geodis.com    

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS Expands Drayage Offering with Acquisition of Southern Companies, Strengthening End-to-End Supply Chain Capabilities Across U.S.

May 23, 2023 by

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, announced today it has acquired Southern Companies, a leading drayage provider based in the U.S. that handles all phases of the import and export process. The acquisition enhances GEODIS’ end-to-end supply chain capabilities across the U.S., further strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading providers of logistics services.

Southern Companies is a family-owned business founded in Miami in 1965 and has moved more than 1 million containers. The company runs operating terminals serving seven key ports: Port of Miami, Port of Everglades, Port of Houston, Port of Jacksonville, Port of Tampa, Port of Savannah and Port of Charleston. Southern Companies provides a range of import and export services, including warehousing and trucking, to ensure customer goods are moving swiftly through the supply chain.

“The acquisition of Southern Companies represents an important addition to GEODIS as we continue to strengthen and grow our capabilities, our team and our client roster throughout the U.S.,” said Mike Honious, GEODIS in Americas President & CEO. “Southern Companies has been a leader in drayage services, from warehousing to trucking, for nearly six decades and operates in ports that are critical to our clients. From their people and culture to their expertise and capabilities, Southern Companies is an ideal fit for GEODIS and aligns perfectly with our Americas growth strategy.”

Jorge Mora, Owner & CEO of Southern Companies, said, “We have been relentlessly focused on import and export logistics, with a special emphasis on port operations, and have witnessed tremendous organic growth since our beginnings over 55 years ago. We understand the unique needs of our clients and have proven expertise in maintaining the highest standards of excellence while meeting the ever-changing demands of a growing international market. By combining our capabilities with GEODIS’ exceptional leadership, deep bench of experts and global footprint, we can expand our reach and provide an even broader range of services to our clients to help them navigate today’s complex supply chain landscape.”

The acquisition complements GEODIS in Americas’ existing transportation and warehousing capabilities, providing customers with an efficient and reliable end-to-end logistics solution. More than 80 employees spanning Southern Companies’ seven facilities throughout the Southeast will officially join GEODIS. With its Americas region headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, GEODIS currently operates more than 150 warehouse facilities for its clients with over 50 million square feet of warehousing space in the U.S. alone. GEODIS now has more than 17,000 employees across North America.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

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 five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

Filed Under: GEODIS

TT Club joins anti-corruption alliance

May 23, 2023 by

In a move to underline further the mutual insurer’s commitment to making the industry safer and more secure, TT Club has joined the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), which represents a pre-eminent example of collective action to tackle corruption in the maritime sector.

TT Club has long been aware of the issues surrounding corruption in the maritime transport industry.  The insurer is dedicated to ensuring these corrupting effects on the overall integrity of freight transport worldwide are minimised, if not eradicated.  As such TT is delighted to partner with the MACN, an organisation with an exceptional track record of highlighting and reducing corruption. 

MACN is a global business network working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to benefit of society at large. With a current membership of over 180 organisations globally, MACN has three primary objectives: Capability Building, Collective Action and Collaboration.

As the only non-P&I insurer to be part of MACN, and as a specialist mutual insurer in both maritime and shoreside multi-modal activities, TT is well placed to use its established skills in co-developing and sharing best practices across the complex global supply chain on both land and at sea.

TT will work with MACN in implementing its Anti-Corruption Principles by raising the awareness of corruption issues and promoting best practices to combat its effects.  Moreover the insurer will help MACN promote their drive for collective action with the aim of creating a more sustainable operating environment through anonymous reporting and data analysis.  Finally, through its experience and knowledge of shore-side operations TT will widen the scope of MACN efforts to combat corruption beyond its current maritime focus.  All in support of their own insured Members’ operations.

In commenting on TT’s new membership, COO Mark Argentieri said, “At TT we have aligned our ESG strategy with the UN Global Compact and its Sustainable Development Goals, becoming a signatory to the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance (UN PSI) late last year.  In now joining MACN, we are taking a further step in focusing on the issues that are most relevant to our own Members, and where the Club is able to have a positive impact, cooperating with international institutions that are dedicated to ensuring increased transparency in maritime transactions and enhanced procedural integrity.”

In welcoming TT as a new member, Cecilia Müller Torbrand, CEO of MACN said, “We are delighted to welcome TT Club to the Maritime Anti-Corruption network (MACN) and look forward to working together towards the elimination of all forms of maritime corruption. It is exciting that we will be able to reach a new group of stakeholders with TT Club as a Member.”

Within TT’s stated ESG framework (outlined in full HERE) there are particular committed actions that are very much in line with MACN’s aims.  TT’s history of working with governmental organisations such as the IMO, and a swathe of industry representative associations in order to improve safety, security and environmental standards is impressive.  The Club will replicate these efforts in working with governments, regulators and other key stakeholders to promote widespread action on anti-corruption matters.

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 97% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

https://www.ttclub.com

About the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) is a global business network working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to the benefit of society at large. Established in 2011 by a small group of committed maritime companies, MACN has grown to include 190 companies globally, and has become one of the pre-eminent examples of collective action to tackle corruption.

MACN and its members work towards the elimination of all forms of maritime corruption by: raising awareness of the challenges faced; implementing the MACN Anti-Corruption Principles and co-developing and sharing best practices; collaborating with governments, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to identify and mitigate the root causes of corruption; and creating a culture of integrity within the maritime community.

https://macn.dk/

Filed Under: TT Club
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