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“K” Line to Provide Free Ocean Transportation of Books for Children in the Republic of South Africa

May 12, 2016 by

Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has announced that it has provided free ocean transportation of books for children to be donated to the “Mobile Library Project” promoted by NPO “South African Primary Education Support Initiative (SAPESI)” in the Republic of South Africa.

SAPESI is an NPO established in South Africa to help improve the quality of primary education in the country, and the Mobile Library Project is an activity to operate mobile libraries, donated from Japan with books sent from various English speaking countries such as the United States, around primary schools across the country. “K” Line has been supporting the Project since 2011 by providing free transportation of children’s books that are collected and presented by group companies of Sony Corporation, who has been supporting the activity of SAPESI as well. This year, “K” Line has already transported more than 12,000 books from Singapore, UAE and the United States to the port of Durban, South Africa, with its container vessels.

In addition, after the arrival of those books at the port of Durban, staffs of “K” LINE SHIPPING (SOUTH AFRICA) PTY LTD, an affiliated company of “K” Line in South Africa, have voluntarily provided repairing and sorting works of the book, which have been sorted by direction and sent to each mobile library (photo 2).

“K” Line, in cooperation with Sony Corporation at each other’s local affiliates, has transported more than 100,000 books so far. Hoping that the books presented to the project may contribute to the improvement of the quality of education as well as give children in South Africa dreams for the future, “K” Line would continue to contribute to the society through its core business, ocean transportation.

* “K” Line’s supporting activity to SAPESI is introduced on “CSR” pages its corporate web-site, namely “Collaboration with Stakeholders”（http://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/community/#2） and “Social Contribution Activities”　( http://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/community/#3).

 

Filed Under: "K" Line

Five Marine Visionaries Honoured at 23rd Annual Maritime Hall of Fame Awards

May 12, 2016 by

New York, May 12, 2016:

The 23rd Annual International Maritime Hall of Fame reception and awards dinner took place yesterday evening in New York where five individuals were honoured in front of more than 350 of their colleagues from the international maritime transportation industry.

The Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey founded the Annual International Maritime Hall of Fame in 1993 to recognise maritime visionaries who, through excellence in their company, organisation or services, best exemplify the qualities of futuristic thinking that guides the maritime industry.

Funds raised from the Awards evening promote educational services for the sector and, whilst all previous honorees are from within the global maritime and related transportation industries, in 2013 former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg was recognised.

The five outstanding leaders honoured were:

  • Duff Hughes, President, The Vane Brothers Company.

Celebrating 25 years as President of Vane Brothers, Mr Hughes has overseen the company’s transition from a Baltimore-based ship chandlery, established in 1898, to a major marine transportation provider with 150 vessels operating out of seven locations along the U.S. East Coast.

Mr Hughes joined Vane Brothers as a junior partner in 1980 and, leading up to Vane’s 100th anniversary in 1998, spearheaded the construction and acquisition of a fleet of tugboats and barges greatly broadening the bunkering business.

In 2014, Mr Hughes donated Vane’s flagship tug, the Elizabeth Anne, as a training vessel for midshipmen.

  • Robert (Rob) P. Kusiciel, Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain Logistics and Transportation, Honeywell International, Inc.

Prior to becoming Vice President in 2014, Mr Kusiciel spent several years at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. before joining Honeywell in 2001 as Director of Global Transportation. He has held a number of executive roles, most recently Vice President of International Transportation and also as Director of Global Services.

Before joining Wal-Mart, he was the Vice President of Product Development for i-Scope, an Internet-based start-up of global order fulfillment systems and, prior to that, spent 15 years with global industry leaders in transportation such as Sea-Land Service, Hapag Lloyd, APL and Cast North America. Mr Kusiciel holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois.

  • Symeon P. Palios, Chairman and CEO, Diana Shipping, Inc.

Mr Palios is a qualified naval architect and engineer and has been actively involved in the shipping industry for his entire working life.

He purchased his first ship the m.v. “SEMIRA” in 1969, after forming Diana Shipping Agencies S.A., a company he served as its Managing Director and President.

After purchasing and operating a number of cargo vessels capable of carrying both dry and wet cargoes for over 30 years, he formed Diana Shipping Inc., and in February 2005 became its Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Since 2011, Mr Palios has been a Board Member of the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation which is closely involved in matters affecting maritime technology and the marine environment.

  • William (Bill) Payne, Vice Chairman, NYK Line (NA), Inc., and Vice President, NYK Ports, LLC.

Mr Payne took his first maritime job as a relief summer deckhand in 1973 on a newsprint carrier calling at mills in western British Columbia and returning to San Francisco and the newspaper industry in his native California.

Following graduation from UC Berkeley in 1976, Mr Payne joined the San Francisco office of Kerr Steamship Company in 1978. Then in 1989 he was recruited to NYK Line (North America) which was in the process of opening its own offices in lieu of using a general agent.

Promoted to Vice President of Liner Operations and Customer Service in 1999, in 2006 he became Senior Vice President of Marketing, Pricing, and Trade management for the Transpacific and Transatlantic services for NYK Line.

In 2008 Mr Payne became COO and Executive Vice President rising in 2011 to President of NYK Line (North America).

  • Christopher (Chris) J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO, American Bureau of Shipping, Inc.

Mr Wiernicki is an internationally recognized naval architect and business leader.

He joined the American Bureau of Shipping in 1993 and has served in many positions in the organisation. Prior to American Bureau of Shipping, Mr Wiernicki was President and CEO of Designers and Planners Inc., one of the leading naval architecture firms in the US.

Mr Wiernicki holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt, a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from George Washington University.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Joe Hughes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Manager of the American P&I Club.

A past President and current Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, Mr Hughes was himself honoured in the 2011 International Maritime Hall of Fame and is a well known figure in the marine insurance industry internationally.

 

Notes For Editors

About the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey

Although it has served the port since 1873, the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey can trace its beginnings back to the early 1860s when the Merchants Exchange and News Association collected and distributed information concerning ships’ sailings and arrivals.

It provided the most updated information of New York’s ships’ positions as they travelled, as well as other maritime information, and became known as the Pine Street News Room, building up a good reputation for reliable shipping news.

As maritime activity in New York flourished, the need for more information exchange increased and the Maritime Association of the Port of New York was formally opened in February 1873.

The organisation’s usefulness gained prestige and, in 1879, it became Lloyd’s of London’s United States ship intelligence representative.

In 1944 the Maritime Association created the Joint Committee on New York Port Protection, which joined the United States Coast Guard and Navy to protect piers, ships, and cargo from damage as, by this year, more ships travelled through the New York port than any other in the world.

In 1982 the Maritime Association completed the renovation of the Statue of Liberty, the great symbol of American freedom.

Every year the Association hosts the acclaimed International Maritime Hall of Fame Awards, in the early years at the Statue of Liberty Island, then at the World Trade Center’s Windows On the World and at the United Nations.

Today, through its marine intelligence staff, the Association works 24 hours a day, providing ship traffic information through its PINS System (Port Information Network System) that announces ship arrivals and departures with real-time data through a network of computer systems easily accessible for Association members.

 

Filed Under: The American Club

Exis Technologies launches e-learning courses to aid compliance with CTU Code and container VGM requirements

May 12, 2016 by

Darlington, UK, 10 May 2016

Exis is pleased to announce the introduction of two new e-learning courses for safe handling and packing in accordance with the CTU Code and to assist compliance with the SOLAS Verification of Gross Mass (VGM) regulation. TT Club has provided sponsorship to support development of the courses.

As consistently evidenced by the experience of both global freight transport insurer, TT Club and the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) Organisation, poor CTU packing is responsible for an alarmingly high number of incidents  leading to damage, loss, injuries and fatalities.  Additionally, the declaration of incorrect container weight (or Gross Mass) also contributes to adverse safety conditions.

There have been two recent, important developments that are aimed at improving this situation.    The first is the introduction of the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) formulated jointly by three United Nations bodies, IMO, ILO and UNECE*, and approved as non-mandatory international law.  The second is the amendment to SOLAS** to require verified gross mass (VGM) for packed containers, which enters into mandatory force on 1 July 2016.

Exis Technologies, a leading supplier of compliance systems to the freight transport industry, has responded to these positive initiatives to improve transport safety by introducing two new e-learning courses.

  • Introduction to the CTU Code Course provides an overview to the CTU Code.  It highlights how to navigate the key sections of the Code and how it can support training in the packing and securing of cargo into/onto CTUs.  The course is aimed at all those  who are involved in packing and consigning goods through the supply chain, including warehouse operators, forwarders, freight depot staff, hauliers and logistics service providers. This practical course contains direct links to the electronic version of the CTU Code.
  • Introduction to Freight Container VGM Course explores the verified gross mass requirement, including the two methods permitted in obtaining VGM, being weighing the container once it is packed (Method 1) or weighing all the constituent parts and adding that to the tare mass of the container (Method 2).  This course is designed to provide all the information needed to understand why this legal requirement was developed, its objectives and offer practical solutions.

The new courses will follow the tried and tested e-learning format already being used for the Exis IMDG Code e-learning courses, launched in January 2010 to meet the mandatory requirements for training of shore side staff involved in shipping dangerous goods by sea.

The end of course review and assessment will provide a final summary and test understanding of the material covered.   A course completion certificate will automatically be generated that can be printed out and kept as a record of training.

The courses are available for the web or as SCORM (learning management system) compliant content packages for national, regional or global training programs.  The courses are set up on an e-learning administrator system to enable in-house management for staff undertaking the training,  including course configuration, setting pass marks and timeframes for completion and progress monitoring.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director, TT Club, commented, “TT Club has long been concerned over the safety implications of badly packed cargoes in containers and other cargo transport units (CTUs).  The CTU Code and changes to SOLAS requiring Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of packed containers are important steps in promoting good practice and improving efficiency in the supply chain.  Training is clearly the number one loss prevention measure and, if adopted as a core feature of the operator’s culture, can greatly reduce the number of incidents incurred globally each year throughout the industry.  These  e-learning courses offer high quality and easily accessible training for all those involved in freight transport, each of whom materially impact safety.”

The new courses are also supported by the International Cargo Handling Association (ICHCA).

More information is available at www.ctupack.com

*International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

**International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

ENDS

Notes for editors:

What is the aim of the CTU Code of Practice for Packing of CTUs?

The aim of this IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) is to give advice on the safe packing and securing of cargo into cargo transport units (CTUs) to those responsible for the packing and securing of the cargo, and by those whose task it is to train people to pack such units. The aim is also to outline theoretical details for packing and securing as well as to give practical measures to ensure the safe packing of cargo onto or into CTUs.

In addition to advice to the packer, the CTU Code also provides information and advice for all parties in the supply chain up to and including those involved in unpacking the CTU.

The CTU Code also addresses issues such as training and the packing of dangerous goods.  It states, ‘The successful application of this Code concerning the packing of CTUs and the achievement of its objectives are greatly dependent on the appreciation by all persons concerned of the risks involved and on a detailed understanding of the Code. This can only be achieved by properly planned and maintained initial and retraining programmes for all persons concerned with the packing of CTUs.

The online version of the CTU Code of Practice is available here: https://www2.unece.org/wiki/display/TransportSustainableCTUCode/CTU+Code

What are the requirements for verified gross mass (VGM)

In November 2014, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted mandatory amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter VI, Part A, Regulation 2 – Cargo information. The SOLAS amendments, effective from 1 July 2016, place a requirement on the shipper of a packed container, regardless of who packed the container, to verify and provide the container’s gross verified gross mass (VGM) to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative prior to it being loaded onto a ship. VGM is the combined weight of a container’s tare weight and weights of all the packages and cargo items, including pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing materials packed into the container.  It can be calculated using one of two approved methods: either weighing the packed container as a whole, or weighing the cargo items and all dunnage, lashing and securing material and adding this to the tare of the container.

 

About Exis Technologies:

Exis Technologies, headquartered in Darlington, UK, is the leading supplier of compliance systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport. For over 25 years major container shipping lines, ports and shippers have been relying on Hazcheck Systems for regulatory compliance, efficiency and safety in their global operations. They serve 80% of the top container lines.

Exis Technologies also develops e-learning courses for the transport industry.  IMDG Code e-learning is a cost-effective training solution for shore side staff that has been implemented by half of the top 20 container lines as well as shippers and logistics operations worldwide. CTUpack e-learning is a range of online courses for the safe handling and packing of CTUs, including the new Introduction to the CTU Code and Introduction to Freight Container VGM courses.

About TT Club

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators. The TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller. www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

Sustained growth in European Logistics for Dachser

May 9, 2016 by

Dachser Ltd in the UK maintains its growth path, and its market share in European road export services continues to increase.

A new daily direct road trailer service to and from San Sebastian (Spain) in co-operation with Azkar Dachser Group, the Dachser SE Group’s subsidiary organisation in Iberia, was introduced last Autumn and has gone from strength to strength. It has proved very popular with existing and new customers alike.

Azkar Dachser Group’s San Sebastian hub acts as one of its key gateways for import and export freight distribution to and from the Iberian peninsula, connecting with a comprehensive network of over 69 locations throughout Spain and Portugal.  Dachser acquired the privately-owned Iberian logistics provider in early 2013, following a close working partnership with the company since 2008, during which time freight volumes grew significantly and an increasingly wide portfolio of customers across various industry sectors was served. That growth continues today, as the Iberian and European networks of the combined organisation become ever more closely integrated.

The direct service from and to the UK has further improved lead times, and provides a focal point for on-going business development between the two organisations. Accordingly, increasing volumes on the route mean that the Company is planning additional direct lines for the future.

Dachser UK is also experiencing considerable growth in its contract logistics and value-added services business, having recently taken on an additional 80,000 sq ft warehouse at Round Spinney, Northampton, to serve a customer-bespoke Excise Bond warehousing and UK distribution requirement.

‘We pride ourselves on a professional and reliable operation across all aspects of our business, and endeavour to work in partnership with our customers to optimise their supply chains ‘, explains Nick Lowe, Dachser Ltd’s UK Managing Director. ‘It is a priority for us to ensure that we deliver first-class service through  very pro-active quality and performance management systems, a close co-operation with all of our customers and an intelligent use and application of our freight forwarding and warehouse management IT systems to mutual benefit.’

ENDS

ABOUT DACHSER UK

Dachser UK is part of the Dachser group, a major international logistics provider which on 31 December 2015 generated total sales worth EUR 5.6 billion. 26,500 staff working in 428 locations worldwide handled 78.1 million consignments comprising 37.3 million tonnes. Dachser has been established in the UK since 1975, and now has three locations which include a brand new logistics centre in Northampton as well as branch offices in Rochdale and Dartford.

Dachser aims to be the supplier of choice for European logistics and value-added services. A  fully-integrated European distribution network provides a comprehensive, high quality service of total freight solutions supported by the latest technology. Core services in the United Kingdom comprise European export, import and UK pallet distribution, as well as contract logistics services.

For more information, please visit   www.dachser.co.uk

About Azkar Dachser Group:

Azkar Dachser Group offers its customers an efficient network on the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Azkar Dachser Group has 676.800 square metres of logistics area.  The company has a staff of more than 3,000 working at 70 locations.

For more information, please visit www.azkar.com

Dachser UK are exhibiting at Multimodal 2016 from 10–12 May at NEC Birmingham. Please do join us on our stand – Hall 3 1120 – for our Iberian event from 15.00-17.00 on Wednesday, 11 May.  For further details of the event please Click Here

 

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Dachser remains on course

April 21, 2016 by

Kempten, Munich. April 20, 2016. Dachser reports strong, organic growth for fiscal year 2015. Consolidated revenue increased by 6.5 percent to EUR 5.64 billion. Shipments rose by 4.0 percent to 78.1 million, while tonnage increased by 5.2 percent to 37.3 million metric tons. The primary contributors for the positive performance were the overland freight services for food and industrial goods in Europe.

“We reaped the rewards of our long-term investment policy and growth strategies, which we are consistently implementing throughout the company,” explains Dachser CEO Bernhard Simon. “European exports remain our growth engine, in addition to solutions that intelligently combine overland, air, and  freight. But mostly, our customers respect the fact that we consistently focus on quality.”

Business trends in detail

Within the Road Logistics business field, which makes up 72 percent of Dachser’s revenue, Dachser European Logistics (EL) continues to benefit from export as an engine of growth. Dachser generated revenue of EUR 3.433 billion (+ 5.5 percent) in 2015 from transporting and storing industrial goods. Shipments and tonnage rose 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively. “Thanks to extremely expert and flexible maneuvering in the marketplace, which was difficult this year for Europe, we were able to grow in all regional business units for overland freight,” says Bernhard Simon.

In addition to strong, export-driven performance in Germany and France, there were also two-digit growth rates in the EL North Central Europe and EL Iberia business units. “Reorienting Azkar to European operations has produced successful outcomes,” says Bernhard Simon. “We were able to gain the confidence of major customers and also invest in new markets. In the past year, we upgraded 48 Iberian branches for the transport of hazardous materials, and in so doing, gained access to the Spanish chemical industry, which is both robust and export-oriented.”

With revenue growing 8.1 percent to EUR 741 million, Dachser Food Logistics advanced to become the growth leader. At a national level, food logistics mostly owes this success to a strong showing in consumer goods in Germany. But the European Food Network also developed for cross-border food shipments. With 13 partners, eight correspondents, and regular line hauls between 29 countries, it’s the food network with the greatest coverage in Europe. “We are contributing to the company’s success by investing in the network. We have opened up a new branch office In Erlensee, near Frankfurt, that will also serve as the central hub for food transports in Europe,” says Bernhard Simon.

Dachser Air & Sea Logistics generated revenue growth of 8.0 percent and contributed a total of EUR 1.599 billion to consolidated revenue in 2015.

“We’re already established in the world’s most important economic centers, either directly or through partners, so last year we didn’t significantly expand our network geographically,” explains Simon. “Instead, we are focusing on standardized processes, integrated IT systems, and close connections with the European overland network. We want to offer our customers global logistics solutions for distribution and procurement from a single source, what we call Dachser Interlocking.”

Simon announced greater investments for the current year: “Having invested EUR 81 million last year, we will be investing around EUR 125 million in 2016. Some of this money will go toward information technology and technical equipment. But as in previous years, the lion’s share will be put into our European Road Logistics network where we will be building or expanding logistics facilities in Austria, France, Germany, and Poland.”

Revenues at a glance:

Gross revenue (in EUR billions) 2015 (provisional) 2014 (final with corrections) Change*
Road Logistics* 4.174 3.940 +5.9%
European Logistics 3.433 3.254 +5.5%
Food Logistics 0.741 0.686 +8.1%
Air & Sea Logistics 1.599 1.481 +8.0%
Consolidation (minus revenue from corporate holdings of 50% or less) -0.133 -0.122 —-
Consolidated revenue* 5.640 5.298 +6.5%

* Non-rounded revenues of the business lines were used to determine the total values of “Road Logistics” and “Consolidated revenue,” and for calculating the percentage change from the prior year. Therefore, the percentages shown here may deviate from any calculations using the rounded revenue figures.

 

About Dachser:

DACHSER is a family-owned logistics provider headquartered in Kempten, Germany. It employs a staff around 26,500 at 428 locations worldwide and is represented by subsidiaries in 43 countries. In 2015, the company generated revenue of EUR 5.64 billion and handled a total of 78.1 million shipments weighing 37.3 million metric tons. For more information, please visit www.dachser.com

 

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Enhancement of Container Terminal in Tacoma

April 13, 2016 by

April 12, 2016

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

International Transportation Service, Inc. (ITS), a subsidiary of “K” Line, has been operating container terminals in Ports of Long Beach, CA, and Tacoma, WA and providing high quality services to customers through major shipping lines, including “K” Line, which call at its terminals along the U.S. West Coast.

Having established its container terminal in Tacoma named HUSKY Terminal in 1983, ITS recently reached an agreement in principle with Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) covering major terms with respect to future rebuilding and reconfiguration of HUSKY Terminal. According to this agreement, the expansion will be completed by July 2018. The extensive enhancement being planned will provide Husky Terminal with approximately 420,000 sqm (104 acres) of leased and preferential berthing area in this major gate port in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. NWSA has additionally agreed with ITS to place an order for four of the largest and most modern gantry cranes to be installed at the new and innovative HUSKY Terminal. Through this ambitious future expansion, the newly-designed HUSKY Terminal will be upgraded to a container terminal capable of simultaneously accommodating two 18,000 TEU mega-containership vessels.

ITS, as one of the major container terminal operators along the U.S. West Coast, will continue in its dedicated commitment of providing high level and top quality services to shipping lines, including “K” Line, and their customers in anticipation of continued growth of future market demand.

Outline of HUSKY Terminal in Tacoma

New Current
Area 420,000 sqm (104 acres) 376,000 sqm (93 acres)
Draft 16 m (52.5 ft) 16 m (52.5 ft)
Quay Length 902 m (2,960 ft) 823 m (2,700 ft)
Gantry Cranes 16-18 rows × 4

24 rows × 4

 16-18 rows × 4

 

For further information, please contact:

Naoyasu Nakajima, Manager of Overseas Terminal Business Team

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

TEL：+81 3-3595-5748/FAX：+81 3-3595-5288

Filed Under: "K" Line

TT Club Alerts Baltic Transport Professionals to the New Demands of the SOLAS Convention

April 6, 2016 by

With the effective date of 1st July getting ever closer, the need for all involved in the international transport of containers to be prepared for the revised SOLAS Convention regulations on container weighing has recently been once more emphasised by freight transport insurance specialist TT Club.

6th April, 2016

As a responsible insurer, specialising in liability cover for the container handling and transport sector, TT Club has been leading, advising and consulting on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) work to amend the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for the past six years. TT Club participated actively in the comprehensive IMO regulatory procedure to draft the revised regulation and accompanying guidelines that require verified gross mass (VGM) for every packed container before it can be loaded on board a ship*. Aimed at improving safety by ensuring accurate weight information is available, TT Club has been strongly promoting awareness of VGM throughout the period and particularly since adoption of the regulation by IMO in November 2014.

Last month the Baltic region was targeted, with TT Club’s Andrew Huxley speaking at two industry Conferences on the implementation of the SOLAS amendment. During Transport Week in Gdansk earlier in the month, and at a seminar on the issue, specially organised by the Port Authority of Riga, Huxley drew attention to not only to the challenges in the implementation of the regulation but also the advantages.

“We have seen a great deal of debate, which continues apace, about the most efficient way in which shippers can comply, how forwarders, lines, ports and terminals can assist in the weighing process and in streamlining the documentation trail. Many interests have pointed out pitfalls and potential bottlenecks in the transport chain. But more positive voices see opportunities to improve clarity about container contents among stakeholders and improved safety both on land and at sea.”

Above all ignorance of the demands of the regulation should not be an excuse for non-compliance or delay in the mandatory implementation of the regulation. While many individual ports and terminal operator groups have already announced port-based solutions, TT Club continues to advocate that accurate weighing should, for safety throughout the supply chain, be completed before the container leaves the packing facility.

A number of industry associations representing shippers, forwarders and shipping lines have produced guidelines for their members. TT Club, in partnership with World Shipping Council, ICHCA and the Global Shippers Forum have published the ‘VGM – Industry FAQs’, available in PDF format here http://bit.ly/1qnVahK, and continues to work with stakeholders in the industry and governments to clarify the benefits of the revised regulation and how compliance can be achieved.

“But clearly,” concluded Huxley, “VGM Awareness remains an unfulfilled mission that demands our further, wholehearted attention.”

*Outline details of Amendment to SOLAS Chapter VI Part A Regulation 2

  • Gross Mass = contents (cargo/dunnage/securing) + tare
  • Verified gross mass (VGM) obtained by: (a) either weighing the packed container (‘Method 1’) (b)  or weighing all constituent parts (‘Method 2’)
  • VGM to be stated on a signed shipping document
  • Sent to carrier & terminal for use in stowage planning
  • If not, the container shall not be loaded on to a ship

ENDS

About TT Club

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators. The TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller. www.ttclub.com

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services. Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller’s origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self-employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

Principal activities include: Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals

  • Investment management for institutions and private clients
  • Professional services
  • Building defects insurance

www.thomasmiller.com

 

Filed Under: TT Club

GEODIS’ Brazil to Exhibit at Intermodal South America

March 31, 2016 by

GEODIS Brazil will be exhibiting at this year’s Intermodal South America at the Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil, from Tuesday, 5th until Thursday, 7th April 2016.

“GEODIS remains committed to Latin America, despite the recent economic trends and worsening situation in Brazil” said Chris Cahill, Managing Director Geodis Brazil. “GEODIS has successfully grown its business throughout this period by providing extremely high service quality with market competitive pricing.”

GEODIS has over 30 years of operational expertise in Brazil; with its headquarters in San Paulo and a further seven offices in other cities across the country, it offers its customers a full range of services in logistics, storage, customs clearance, freight forwarding, reverse logistics and industrial projects.

Recently GEODIS Brazil invested in a new 40,000m2 logistics distribution facility at Jundiai, near Sao Paulo, which is now processing on behalf of its clients more than 15,000 orders per day. The general warehousing facility has expanded the scope for new business and this means that GEODIS Brazil can now offer warehouse and distribution services to clients without them having to establish their own branches at the warehouse. In 2016, GEODIS plans to further invest in its infrastructure in Brazil to continue to expand our coverage and quality services for existing and potential clients.

Despite the challenging market context in Brazil, the entire region remains one of the fastest growing areas for logistics, cargo transportation and foreign trade. More than 48,000 qualified professionals will visit Intermodal South America during its three days duration. More than 600 companies representing 26 countries will be exhibiting at this major international trade fair thereby making this a significant event for networking with key players in the industry.

ENDS

For more information on the Conference go to – http://www.intermodal.com.br

The GEODIS team can be found at Booth: B215

About GEODIS

Supply chain operator and subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, GEODIS is a global European company, ranking fourth in its field in Europe. Through its ability to overcome logistical constraints and coordinate the different steps of the logistic chain (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding (air and sea), Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, Road Transport), the Group is the growth partner for its clients and offers them tailored solutions. With over 39,000 employees in 67 countries, the Group constantly innovates to improve the performance of its clients. The Freight Forwarding business of GEODIS delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions supported by a specialized Industrial Projects division, managing oversized cargo operations worldwide. This division has achieved international recognition for its innovative and sustainable approach to transportation solutions.

For more information about GEODIS go to – www.geodis.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS exhibits at Automotive Logistics in Bonn

March 14, 2016 by

Hamburg, 14 March 2016 

GEODIS will be a silver sponsor at this year’s Automotive Logistics Conference in Bonn, Germany, which takes place at the Kameha Grand Hotel from 15 – 17 March 2016.  Mark Ellis, the Vertical Market Director for Automotive at GEODIS will be addressing the conference and will be joined by several representatives of GEODIS’ Freight Forwarding activity.  

Automotive Logistics Europe is part of the worldwide Automotive Logistics series and will be host to some 300 senior executive participants from the industry. Focusing on “Success through technology and talent in the supply chain”, the conference looks at the pace of technology adoption in automotive supply chain management.

Speaking prior to this key event, Mark Ellis said, “ With its expanding distribution networks, complex supply chains and intense competition, the Automotive sector is one of the most challenging in today’s global economy.  GEODIS‘ commitment to the industry is to help drive the automotive business forward with an innovative approach to analyze supply chains and understand logistics needs for our customers.”

Addressing the conference on the topic “The internet of Everything”, Mark will speak during Session 4 on Wednesday, 16th March from 16.00 to 17.30.

For more information on the Conference Programme, please click here

ENDS

About GEODIS

Supply chain operator and subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, GEODIS is a global European company, ranking fourth in its field in Europe. Through its ability to overcome logistical constraints and coordinate the different steps of the logistic chain (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding (air and sea), Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, Road Transport), the Group is the growth partner for its clients and offers them tailored solutions. With over 39,000 employees in 67 countries, the Group constantly innovates to improve the performance of its clients. The Freight Forwarding business of GEODIS delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions supported by a specialized Industrial Projects division, managing oversized cargo operations worldwide. This division has achieved international recognition for its innovative and sustainable approach to transportation solutions.

For more information about GEODIS go to – www.geodis.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

GEODIS’ Marine Logistics Team to Exhibit at Seatrade Cruise Global at Fort Lauderdale

March 14, 2016 by

GEODIS will be exhibiting at Seatrade Cruise Global at Broward County Convention Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida from today, Monday, 14th until Thursday 17th March 2016.

GEODIS operates one of the world’s largest freight forwarding networks, servicing its customers with integrated supply chain solutions that deliver cargo by sea and air. In the marine industry, unexpected situations and shortages must be dealt with seamlessly; The Freight Forwarding network of GEODIS provides solutions for this challenge and is geared to reduce costs for its clients by optimizing their supply chain – this is what the company will showcase during the exhibition in Fort Lauderdale.

“Our 20+ years of expertise in this industry have created an environment of continuous product development.” commented Mark Hedin, Marine Logistics Account Manager in the US. “Our dedicated teams, that are strategically located across the world, support your supply chain with our intelligent online tool. This provides order visibility for your logistics and purchasing departments.”  Mark will be attending this event together with other senior executives, showcasing Geodis’ capabilities in this segment.

Seatrade Cruise Global (formerly Cruise Shipping Miami) is the Cruise Industry’s premier global event, serving the cruise industry by bringing together buyers and suppliers for a week of networking, sourcing, and education.  After 27 years in Miami, the 2016 show is being held in Fort Lauderdale, and will feature a revamped sectored show floor, allowing visitors a more targeted approach to expand their network.

For more information on the Conference go to – http://seatradecruiseglobal.com

The GEODIS team can be found at Booth: 1236

About GEODIS

Supply chain operator and subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, GEODIS is a global European company, ranking fourth in its field in Europe. Through its ability to overcome logistical constraints and coordinate the different steps of the logistic chain (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding (air and sea), Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, Road Transport), the Group is the growth partner for its clients and offers them tailored solutions. With over 39,000 employees in 67 countries, the Group constantly innovates to improve the performance of its clients. The Freight Forwarding business of GEODIS delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions supported by a specialized Industrial Projects division, managing oversized cargo operations worldwide. This division has achieved international recognition for its innovative and sustainable approach to transportation solutions.

For more information about GEODIS go to – www.geodis.com

 

Filed Under: GEODIS
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