Communications are the press relations consultancy for the Shipping and logistics industry
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce publication of “K” LINE REPORT 2022.
In the “K” LINE REPORT, we explain from both financial and non-financial information with the goal of helping all stakeholders, including shareholders and investors, better understand our efforts to improve corporate value over the medium to long term.
Global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) focusses on helping ships transporting ammonium nitrate to manage risks in a whitepaper detailing guidance for fire prevention and mitigation.
The risks posed by poor conditions of storage of this common compound, which is used extensively in the Fertilisers and Explosives industries, have been well documented but awareness of the dangers of fire during transportation by sea is less well known. The objective of this guide, entitled ‘Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ships’ is to outline best practice with respect to the management of risk on vessels chartered to ship the compound through ports around the world.
Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃), a white to grey odourless chemical has a melting point of 169 degrees C and decomposes at 210 degrees C. While it does not burn by itself, significantly it will accelerate burning of combustible material, producing toxic oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, which will support combustion, even in the absence of oxygen.
“These properties in particular demand careful consideration of how and where ammonium nitrate is stowed on board vessels that are used to ship large volumes around the world,” says the paper’s lead author Brian Devaraj, who is a member of ICHCA’s Technical Panel. “Ammonium nitrate fires can escalate out of control very rapidly. To mitigate consequential loss of life and damage, the provisions laid out in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) should be complied with at all times.”
The whitepaper outlines in detail ammonium nitrate’s peculiar reactions to heat and subsequent conflagration, as well as the nature of its decomposition. These characteristics mean that the specifications of vessels’ equipment, including deck cranes, hatch covers, hold linings, fuel tanks and pumps, also forklifts and other handling devices, must be precise. The whitepaper offers comprehensive guidance on these particulars.
Above all however from a fire prevention point of view emphasis is put on compliance with IMDG Code, which typically requires ammonium nitrate to be stowed on deck only. The Code does however allow an exception for certain forms of the compound and fertiliser containing it to be stowed under deck. The rules for this are outlined in clause 7.6.2.8.4.
“This seemingly unremarkable clause is in fact crucial to safe shipping of ammonium nitrate,” explains Devaraj in the whitepaper. “7.6.2.8.4 states that certain UN Numbers of the product may be stowed under deck in a clean cargo space capable of being opened in an emergency, including need to open hatches in case of fire to provide maximum ventilation and to apply water. This of course precludes a hold containing ammonium nitrate to be over-stowed with another cargo.”
The whitepaper is at pains to underline that while all IMDG clauses are pertinent to fire risk, all ships and cargo operators must be particularly cognisant of Clause 7.6.2.8.4. as it is crucial to the ability to respond effectively if an ammonium nitrate fire on board a ship is out of control and the risk of an explosion is imminent.
The intention of the clause is that all a vessels’ hatches – including tween decks- shall be openable in case of an ammonium nitrate fire. There is however potential to misunderstand this point and ICHCA is working with the IMO and stakeholders to clarify the wording of the clause. Several jurisdictions, that handle the product in significant quantities, have taken heed of this risk and the related IMDG requirements. At the time of publishing, three countries that have specific arrangements are Australia, South Africa and Chile. The guidance of these authorities is contained within the whitepaper which is available for free download until Friday 9 December 2022:
About ICHCA International
Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.
The “Strategic company” Prize rewards a major French company that has played an eminent role for national sovereignty.
The Institut Choiseul, an independent think tank dedicated to the analysis of contemporary strategic issues and international economic questions, has presented Marie-Christine Lombard, Chairwoman of the Executive Board and CEO of GEODIS, with the “Strategic Company of the Year” award as part of the Sovereignty Initiative. This initiative brings together high-level decision-makers to address strategic issues affecting national and European sovereignty.
This prize rewards GEODIS for its eminent role in French sovereignty. As a global leading transport and logistics provider, the Group is an essential contributor to the world economy. It plays a decisive role in boosting the growth and competitiveness of French companies internationally and supports the relocation of certain strategic industries in France.
The vital nature of logistics was clearly demonstrated during the health crisis. GEODIS leveraged its expertise to set up an emergency airlift between China and France for the delivery of masks. Months later, the Group also supported the vaccination campaign by supplying vaccines throughout the country. This enabled France to keep control of the autonomous supply and distribution of these essential products.
Receiving the “Strategic Company” award for GEODIS, Marie-Christine Lombard declared: “On behalf of the 45,000 employees of GEODIS, we are very proud to receive this award, which recognizes our role as a strategic company. It is also an opportunity to highlight our business sector, because without transport and logistics, the economy would come to a standstill. This is the reason why France must have a national logistician of international scope.”
About Marie-Christine Lombard
Marie-Christine Lombard joined the GEODIS Group as CEO in 2012, before becoming Chairwoman of the Executive Board a year later. She has held senior management positions in the international transport and logistics sector for over 22 years. Since 2013, the Group’s turnover has grown from €6.9 billion to €11 billion by 2021.
GEODIS – www.geodis.com
GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics 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, is reflected by its top business rankings: no. 1 in France and no. 7 worldwide. GEODIS employs over 44,000 people globally and generated €10.9 billion in revenue in 2021.
Northampton, 1st December 2022
Dachser UK has recently announced two new appointments designed to strengthen its business growth potential in the UK and Ireland. Mark Cosgrove fills a newly created role as Regional Sales and Commercial Manager responsible for both countries in a move that will bolster the Company’s ambitious growth plans, while Chris Radley as Branch Manager, Air & Sea Logistics, Northampton assumes full responsibility for Dachser’s Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) activities across the UK.
Changing trading conditions for exporters and importers in both the UK and Ireland have brought new opportunities for customers which Dachser’s extensive road distribution services within Europe, as well as its logistics capabilities, can help them exploit. Cosgrove’s lengthy management experience will strengthen the UK and Irish subsidiary of Europe´s second largest distribution company in the groupage market segment coordinating key customer relationships. Radley’s task will be to build on the momentum created by record growth in its ASL business unit last year.
In announcing the appointments Mark Rollinson, Dachser UK’s Managing Director said, “Mark Cosgrove has an enviable depth of experience in the UK and Ireland’s road logistics market. I am convinced that his expertise in the sector along with his extensive market knowledge will be instrumental in the development of our services over the coming years, and will add significantly to the growth of our business in the UK and Ireland.”
Having most recently held the post of Head of Commercial Land Transport within the UK and Ireland cluster with DB Schenker and a previous twenty five year career with Redhead International, where he spearheaded that organisation’s development into one of the market leaders in the UK/Ireland trade lane, Cosgrove is well-placed to enhance Dachser’s role in the current competitive trading environment.
Cosgrove is relishing the challenges of his new role, “Dachser’s reputation in the European distribution and logistics arena is undoubted. We are the leaders for quality and innovation in the market and thrive on the reliability of our services,” he said. “New opportunities abound, especially given our significant investment in our customs infrastructure and I am confident that with the accomplished team of professional sales and customer service people already in place, we can help grow our customers’ business as well as our own.”
Radley has nearly thirty years’ experience within the forwarding sector. Highly qualified, he has a career spanning both large and small ocean and air forwarding organisations with an extensive period holding both operational and commercial roles with DHL Global Forwarding. Recent and continuing dynamic conditions that characterise global trade offer many opportunities for shippers to re-configure their supply chains to their economic advantage. Radley will lead Dachser’s assistance to customers with the multiple service options that the Company offers across Europe which will play a significant part in such re-engineering when needed.
Commenting on Radley’s role Mark Rollinson commented, “The growth trend of ASL provides us with an ideal opportunity to invest further in this element of our business. The international freight forwarding sector continues to be an attractive market and the synergies we can offer customers with our interlocked ASL & European Road distribution and logistics services are highly beneficial. Chris will be taking a leading role bringing these offerings to the market”
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 is divided into two business lines, Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems provide for intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.
Thanks to some 31,800 employees at 376 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 7.1 billion in 2021. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.6 million shipments weighing 42.8 million metric tons. Dachser is represented by its own country organizations in 42 countries on five continents. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com
International freight transport insurer TT Club’s latest StopLoss publication, produced in collaboration with forwarder’s association, FIATA and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), provides a straightforward summary of the topic, along with essential good practice advice.
London 30th November, 2022
While the concept of General Average (GA) is widely utilised and is as old as maritime transport itself, it is a commonly misunderstood process. Its application as a result of a maritime accident often takes shippers (beneficial cargo owners, BCOs), and sometimes forwarders by surprise. Especially those without adequate cargo insurance. GA’s complexities, owing to the amount and variation in value of cargo onboard modern-day large container ships, can be baffling. The additional financial burden and extended delays in cargo delivery are also frustrating.
“This situation gave TT and our partners ample motivation to create one of our StopLoss advisory publications on the issue, as there is obviously a need for a clear explanatory guideline,” said Mike Yarwood, MD of Loss Prevention at TT. “Experience shows that the system is an effective means of dealing with large and complex casualties. However with container ships now capable of carrying in excess of 23,000 TEU, GA adjustment is likely to be an extremely complex calculation and the administrative burden placed on the interested parties is significant.
GA is a globally applicable legal principle of maritime law by which extraordinary additional expenditure incurred during a voyage because of a defined incident can be recovered from all parties involved in the ‘maritime adventure’ on a pro rata basis against the ‘arrived’ value of goods and other property aboard.
“The concept of ‘maritime adventure’ sounds quaint,” comments Yarwood. “But describes the total group of stakeholders involved in the voyage. GA is the system whereby the ship owner can recover the extraordinary expenses that are necessarily incurred following some maritime incident, in protecting the cargo and/or preserving the ship. The costs are apportioned between the ship, its bunkers (sometimes owned by a charterer of the ship) and stores, and the cargo (including the containers) in proportion to their value.”
The StopLoss publication is directed at an audience of freight forwarders, NVOCs and BCOs explaining in detail the circumstances in which GA can be declared and who declares it, as well as the process of declaration and the appointment of a GA adjuster. It goes on to outline the role of the adjuster including how bonds and guarantees are assessed and lodged, and how uninsured and LCL (less than container load) cargo is dealt with.
“It is essential that all freight forwarders understand GA to efficiently manage matters and set realistic expectations for their clients and represent their interests effectively. Equally, BCOs need to understand their obligations, particularly where they have chosen not to purchase cargo insurance,” concludes Yarwood. As such a section of the StopLoss is dedicated to the actions required by each party and includes a useful checklist of preparations each can make in anticipation of a GA declaration effecting any of their cargoes.
The StopLoss publication can be downloaded free of charge HERE
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 1,100 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 93% 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
Customs solutions provider Customs4trade NV (C4T) announces a new CEO and two key executive appointments as it strengthens its management to take advantage of accelerating growth in the UK and across Europe.
30th November 2022, Mechelen, Belgium
Customs4trade, one of Europe’s leading SaaS platforms for customs management solutions, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Rupert Spiegelberg as its new CEO. Rupert Spiegelberg will lead the team and is joined by Chief Revenue Officer Jo Buvens, ex Salesforce and Chief Product and Technology Officer Oliver Conze, ex SAP to drive C4T management and its digital platform CAS in a new direction to accelerate growth in 2023.
Spiegelberg succeeds Pieter Haesaert, who founded C4T together with Ilse Vermeersch as a customs consultancy in 2004 before developing the CAS platform ten years later. Founders Haesaert and Vermeersch will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operational management and strategy of C4T, but remain invested in the company as shareholders together with 83North, Hi Inov, 42CAP and 10x Group. Werner Koninckx will represent the founders on the board. Werner is chairman of 3E and DeltaQ and has extensive experience in scaling SaaS businesses.
“We are extremely proud of all the C4T’ers and our partners who have been relentlessly contributing to the progress we made at C4T the last years”, Haesaert and Vermeersch said. “We thank our clients and partners for the trust they put in our hands to service them in the complex and time critical world of customs compliance. C4T is now with CAS in a fantastic position to take advantage of all the changes in the customs world that we will see in coming years.”
Spiegelberg is a 20-year veteran of SaaS (Software as a Service) scale-up businesses in the UK, mainland Europe and the US. He is joined by Buvens as CRO, formerly Salesforce’s Regional Vice President and Country Leader for Belgium and Luxembourg, and by Oliver Conze as Chief Product and Technology Officer. Conze has spent 15 years at SAP – most recently as the German technology giant’s Chief Product Officer for Marketing Cloud.
“C4T is leading the way in driving down costs, speeding up turnaround times for UK and European importers and exporters and simplifying the hugely complex world of online customs management,” said Spiegelberg. “In taking up the role to lead C4T’s ‘A-team’ of customs experts, I will support their tireless dedication to transform our company into a champion of the sector. We will help our customers go beyond compliance to make customs and trade a strategic component of their growth.”
C4T, whose CAS digital platform manages more than one hundred thousand customs declarations every month for major brands such as Honda, Mizuno, Agristo, and many others, and delivers to customers the benefits of the increased digitisation of the customs sector as national governments across Europe move to upgrade customs systems over the course of the next couple of years.
Notes for Editors
About Customs4trade (C4T)
C4T has developed CAS, a collaborative hub, built on the Microsoft Azure platform delivered as a service (SaaS). It is designed to manage regional and worldwide customs and trade compliance quickly and accurately, with a digital-first approach, helping customers stay ahead of the digitisation of customs processes. CAS provides customers with continual updates and feature enhancements, including the incorporation of any changes to legislation and compliance regulation—along with Azure’s signature accessibility, scalability, and security.
Forward-thinking companies are turning to C4T to help them navigate customs and trade with native-cloud software and managed services for their organisation’s highest strategic benefit.
For more information or to contact the company, please visit www.customs4trade.com.
C4T employs about 100 people in Mechelen, Belgium and Wigan, UK and has raised funding from European venture capital companies 83North, Hi Inov and 42CAP.
The future of heavy-lift shipping is unfolding in an exciting new way. With a combined fleet of 50 vessels, Intermarine and SAL Heavy Lift enter the world as sister companies under one corporate roof and ownership. A greater service scope to clients and a larger footprint in the market is the target.
When the Harren Group took a 50% stake in Intermarine in late 2020, the market was still significantly affected by the decade-long slump in the multipurpose sector and amid a COVID-19 pandemic. With a fleet of six vessels servicing the Americas, Intermarine was a niche operator with a historically strong brand and a dedicated team. Fast forward to 2022: Intermarine now operates a fleet of 25 vessels, is the dominant multipurpose operator in the Americas and is expanding internationally servicing clients in Asia and Europe.
From the beginning, it was clear that Intermarine should remain an independent brand with its own dedicated commercial setup next to SAL’s. This strategy will remain after the full acquisition of Intermarine, but an even closer cooperation will develop over time.
Svend Andersen, CEO of Intermarine, states: “When Martin Harren and I discussed the business plan for Intermarine two years ago, it was clear that we should build on its existing strong brand and legacy and keep focused on our core competency – our reliable and regular breakbulk shipping in the Americas. Since that discussion, we have expanded the business with offices in Brazil, Denmark, and most recently Bangkok. Today the Intermarine brand stands strong and in lock-step with that of SAL.”
Richard Seeg, President of Intermarine, elaborates further: “The last two years have been busy – we have re-established Intermarine as the go-to multipurpose carrier in all the Americas. We focus on reliable transportation for our clients in the oil and gas, mining, power generation and infrastructure industries, through our regular liner and chartering services. While SAL and the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance focus more on complex, heavy project cargos, we continue to find synergies that are beneficial for our individual and mutual customers with the vessels and services available through both of our services.”
Jens Baumgarten, Managing Director and Head of Chartering at SAL Heavy Lift, adds: “I can justly confirm that both the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance and Intermarine have grown stronger through the cooperation and mutual understanding we have commercially. We now explore together with Intermarine how we can expand further and build an even stronger offering in strategic markets and for key clients that can benefit from the bandwidth of services that we jointly provide. Intermarine sits extremely well within our global network that counts 23 offices in 21 countries and 50 vessels with more to come.”
Chad Call, CFO of Intermarine, says: “The synergies with SAL and the Harren Group have been crucial to building up Intermarine for the long term. By leveraging the Group’s ship management capacity, financing capabilities, engineering resources and marketing function, Intermarine has been strengthened significantly over the past 24 months. This will continue.”
Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group, adds: “In fact both SAL and Intermarine support each other – our breakbulk clients benefit from more vessel positions and a wider range of services looking holistically at the business. But just as important – each company contributes to the growth of the entire group, enabling us to continue to invest and develop our businesses and fleets for the long-term future. So, you can say that the success of one becomes the success of the other.”
The transfer of shares was completed on 16 November 2022 and has no effect on the current operations or the commercial obligations of either Intermarine or the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance.
About SAL Heavy Lift: SAL Heavy Lift, a company in the Harren Group and part of the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, is one of the world’s leading carriers specialized in sea transport of heavy lift and project cargo. The modern fleet of heavy lift vessels offers highly flexible options to customers both within project shipping as well as in offshore projects. With travel speeds of up to 20 knots, dynamic position systems, Fly-Jib, 1A ice class, up to 3500 square metres of unobstructed main deck space and combined crane capacities ranging from 550 to 2000 tons the fleet belongs to the most advanced in the heavy lift sector.
As a leading global company in the heavy lift and project cargo segment, SAL meets the highest standards with regard to quality, technical innovation, health, safety and environment. With SAL’s latest investments in its newbuild program of Orca class heavy lift vessels, the company takes an industry leading step in applying green technology to its fleet. The global outreach of SAL is ensured via own sales offices and exclusive agents spread across more than 20 countries.
About Intermarine: Over more than 30 years, Intermarine has built the industry’s leading team of experts who have the resources, experience, and spirit to provide exceptional service for clients’ global cargo needs. With its frequent and flexible liner service between the U.S. Gulf, NCSA, Caribbean, ECSA and WCSA, Intermarine offers the fastest regional transit available. Through its offices in the USA, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Denmark, and Thailand, and as part of the SAL Heavy Lift network with offices on all continents, Intermarine can transport cargos to any corner of the globe. With its dynamic fleet of highly specialized vessels, Intermarine delivers the most reliable solutions for breakbulk, project and heavy-lift cargos across the Americas and beyond.
About Jumbo-SAL-Alliance: The Jumbo-SAL-Alliance handles marine logistics for all types of heavy lift, breakbulk and project cargo. Side by side, two of the most prominent and technically advanced heavy lift carriers are combining their strengths and resources to deliver the best engineered heavy transport solutions to customers around the world.
Two united teams and two specialised fleets operate as one shared fleet. Customers benefit from excellent service, an experienced crew and simplified commercial transactions. Jumbo-SAL-Alliance is in full control of their 30 dedicated project cargo vessels. With three DP2 vessels, two range-extending fly-jibs and eleven ice-class vessels, the Alliance can reach nearly any location and master the most demanding project scopes.
Jumbo-SAL-Alliance provides highly flexible shipping solutions and a broad range of services – exceeding any other comparable project cargo shipping service in the market. With lifting capacities up to 3,000 t SWL, Jumbo-SAL-Alliance manages the largest fleet of vessels in the 800+ t lifting segment. This provides a commercial bandwidth that stretches from rapidly positioning vessels for single shipments of all sizes to large volume contracts and even comprehensive solutions for highly complex projects – all under one roof.
A tight-knit group of experienced professionals in a variety of areas, including commercial, engineering, project management and QHSE, works closely together with a strong network of agents and offices around the world. The goal: providing clients, whether EPCs, brokers, forwarders, OEMs, energy companies or others, with a partnership mentality, expert advice and safely delivered goods. Jumbo-SAL-Alliance: stronger, together.
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) announced today that, together with ITOCHU Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsui E&S Machinery Co., Ltd., and NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., has obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai for the design of an ammonia-fuelled ship (200,000 deadweight ton class bulk carrier and hereinafter “the Vessel”).
The vessel, which recently received an AiP, was developed by Nihon Shipyard as the part of the “Integrated Project for the Development and Social Implementation of Ammonia Fuelled Ships” which was jointly adopted by “the Green Innovation Fund Project / Development for Next-Generation Ships / Development of Ammonia Fuelled Ships” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) (Note1).
At this time, there are no international guidelines for the use of ammonia as marine fuel, so ““K” Line and partners are looking toward obtaining Alternative Design Approval (Note 2) for the shipbuilding of the Vessel. A risk assessment (Hazard Identification Study – “HAZID”) was recently conducted on the safety of using ammonia as marine fuel, and the basic design of the Vessel was evaluated as “capable of ensuring the same level of safety as ships operating with existing fuel”.
The acquisition of the AiP is an important milestone for the implementation of ammonia-fuelled ships, a new challenge for the maritime industry, and also an important step toward the further promotion of the “Integrated Project” being facilitated by ITOCHU Corporation. “K” Line and partners will proceed with the development of the Vessel based on the basic design for which the AiP has been obtained, and aims to take delivery of the Vessel and begin its social implementation in 2026.
“K” Line has revised a part of its long-term environmental guideline, “K” Line Environmental Vision 2050 (Note3) in Nov 2021 and has set a new goal for 2050 “to achieve net zero GHG emissions”.
As a comprehensive logistics group based on the shipping industry, “K” Line Group will continue to work to reduce its environmental impact in order to realize a sustainable society and increase its corporate value, based on its corporate philosophy of “contributing to the enrichment of people’s lives”.
(Note1）Announced on 26th October 2021:
Joint project on “Development of Ammonia-fuelled ship” adopted as Green Innovation Fund
（Note2） Alternative Design Approval is to prove that the ship is as safe as a ship built in accordance with existing international regulations and to obtain approval from the competent authorities when the ship is designed without any international guidelines. Ships designed in accordance with ClassNK guidelines, such as the vessel, may use ammonia as a marine fuel if they are approved by the competent authorities in accordance with the SOLAS Convention (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and are built according to an approved alternative design.
(Note3) “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 can be seen in below link:
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management.html#002
Leading global logistics provider GEODIS’s operation in Poland has received Logistics Leader Award in Logistics Operator of the Year research program. Results of an independent survey of leading operators’ customers throughout Poland confirms GEODIS position in the top rank once again.
Award program organizers Data Group Consulting (DGC) and the publication Eurologistics made the announcement of the winners at a ceremony in Warsawon the evening of the 17th November. The award is presented to operators who perform outstandingly in a rigorous survey of customers, who were interviewed in-depth on their experiences of the services offered by the operator during the course of the year.
“We value this award in particular,” said Olivier Royer, CEO of GEODIS Road Transport, “As only the logistics operators aspiring to the highest standards of service are confident enough to participate in the research program. We are being judged by our own customers, which is the only true assessment of our success that we value. We are proud therefore to be a Logistics Leader .”
This award is the result of a logistics operators’ customers satisfaction study, which provides information on the scope and quality of logistics services offered in the Polish market. For the last twenty years the study has been conducted by DGC and the Eurologistics Publishing House. A ranking of companies enjoying the greatest trust of customers is created. Many of the winning company’s management elements are evaluated: competitive potential, comprehensiveness of logistics services offered, standard of service in the assessment of key clients and in the assessment of all customers, and similarly an assessment of both customer groups as to which are market leaders.
“This year GEODIS was celebrated in the category of Team’s credibility in customers’ assessment”, noted Olivier Royer. “This underlines our strength in the Polish market which has been much enhanced by the integration of Road Network organization (former PEKAES) over the past two years. Our people should be applauded as this award references the quality of the service they provide in meeting the expectations of our customers. The award program’s unique approach illustrates the market position of each company as their clients not only have the opportunity to assess the importance of each aspect of service, but also have a free choice to indicate which company best meets their expectations.”
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, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 44,000 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 7 in its sector across the world. In 2021, GEODIS generated €10.9 billion in revenue.
Disruptions through the global supply chain continue to create opportunities for criminals to infiltrate and access cargo. In recognition of the threat landscape, TT continues its advisory campaign with the second edition of its a regularly published Supply Chain Security Bulletin.
London 17th November 2022
The international freight transport insurer, TT Club is redoubling its efforts to inform the sector on critical risk profiles. The ongoing impacts of the pandemic blight economies, variable consumer demand trends, labour disputes, and the war in Ukraine all have an influence on continuing the profoundly dynamic global supply chain situation. Congestion at ports and other freight hubs, mis-matches in the availability of transport equipment and ships in relation to demand are all consequences of this volatile environment.
TT’s latest Supply Chain Bulletin* highlights that such disruption can create opportunities for those with criminal intent. Drawing on data, expertise and opinion from organisations across the globe, including TT’s own claims analysis, the Bulletin highlights a series of risk trends and in particular cargo theft.
The graphic above taken from the Bulletin highlights the top countries for cargo theft.
Commenting on the latest publication, Mike Yarwood, TT’s Managing Director, Loss Prevention said, “Our series of Bulletins are aimed at identifying global trends, as well as to focus on particular areas of concern and offer practical guidance for those potentially impacted by freight crime. The risk landscape is constantly evolving; the criminal organisations providing the threat are getting ever more sophisticated. So our regular Bulletins will keep track of those intent on monitoring supply chain activity and building operational profiles to identify a weakness or a particular vulnerability to exploit.”
The 2022 year to date TT claims data utilised in this latest Bulletin highlight the preponderance of electrical goods as targets globally, with the US reporting over 70% of these losses. The split in general between theft from vehicles and depots is in the order of two-thirds versus one-third. This is a consistent finding; though vehicles ‘at rest’ as opposed to hi-jackings are more prevalent targets.
The threat posed by the insider continues to present challenges. TT’s analysis for 2022 suggests that around 23% of reported cargo thefts likely involved insider activity, whether it is in facilitating intricate knowledge of systems and security provisions or simply allowing access to criminals. Digital solutions to enhance the free-flow of goods within a disruptive supply chain environment, however well designed, is a further trend which can give rise to internet-enabled fraud. Computer generated access is creating opportunities to steal cargo through seemingly legitimate transactions.
Yarwood underlines the Bulletin’s advisory nature, “At this time, it would be prudent for those throughout the international supply chain to heighten their levels of awareness and increase their vigilance when carrying out financial transactions. The insider threat clearly also needs to be managed. Security strategies should include control over identification badges/passes and restricting full site access where applicable.”
Other issues covered in this latest edition of the Supply Chain Security Bulletin are the power of social media as a means of investigation; the threat imposed by fake carriers in Europe and a special focus on theft in Papua New Guinea.
Yarwood concludes, “During this final quarter of the year when this type of crime is typically at its most abundant, those managing risk through the supply chain must remain vigilant. The holidays unfortunately create increased demand and market opportunities for criminals to sell their stolen cargo. Via its Bulletins and other stringent risk management activities TT remains dedicated to advise on robust mitigation processes and efforts to disrupt criminal activity throughout the year.”
* Guidance | Supply chain security bulletin (ttclub.com)
ENDS
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 1,100 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 93% 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