Transport communications

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“K” Line Issuer Rating Upgrades from BBB- to BBB

January 22, 2015 by

20 January, 2015

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) announces that the Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) has upgraded the Issuer Rating of the company from “BBB-” to “BBB”, effective from Jan 19, 2015. The rating on the Domestic Commercial Paper Programme remains unchanged.

Issuer Rating                                    :  BBB   (Upgraded from BBB- )

Rating Outlook                                :  Stable

Commercial Paper Rating            :  a-2  (Affirmed)

R&I cited the following major reasons for the upgrade:

  1. Reforming cost structure in the container ship business helps to reduce concern over a possible huge loss.
  2. The car carrier business has become a source of earnings thanks to high transportation quality and strong relationship with customers.
  3. The dry bulk business with medium-long term contracts and the LNG business with high entry barriers are generating solid profit.
  4. Its equity capital is rising and the balance between debt and cash flow is also improving.

 

Filed Under: "K" Line

Geodis Wilson Sponsors Inaugural Automotive Logistics, Mexico Conference

January 22, 2015 by

Mexico, 20th January 2015

The global multimodal service provider Geodis Wilson will be a silver sponsor at the inaugural Automotive Logistics Mexico Conference, which takes place at the Marquis Reforma, Mexico City from 27 – 29 January 2015. 

Geodis Wilson is a dedicated supporter of Automotive Logistics Conferences around the world as it believes the sharing of knowledge and best-practice is vital in maintaining an efficient global supply chain.  With the automotive production spotlight keenly focused on Mexico at present, Geodis Wilson sees this particular Conference as a key event in showcasing its expertise and innovative transport and logistics capabilities.

“Our skills and competence in the Automotive Industry provide value added services that allow our clients to successfully overcome the logistics challenges they face in this specialist sector”, commented Kai Schmersahl, Managing Director for Geodis Wilson Mexico. “We know that Mexico plays a fundamental role in the automotive industry globally, and through our competitive costs, well-established proficiency, wealth of qualified suppliers and our own employees’ talent, Geodis Wilson is able to offer the best logistics solutions to our partners.”

Miguel Trejo, National Sales Director, Geodis Wilson Mexico, added, “We participate globally in the series of Automotive Logistics Conferences around the world because we are looking for the best logistic practices available in this industry.”

For this inaugural Mexico event,  Automotive Logistics have joined with the AIAG, the US Automotive Industry Action Group, to bring together the supply chain professionals from government, OEMs, tier suppliers and service providers from within Mexico, across North America and globally.  This unique gathering will help make the vital personal connections, and the essential physical supply chain connections, to ensure that plants in Mexico can deliver on their investment.

For further details about this event please visit: http://www.automotivelogisticsmagazine.com/events/mexico/overview

Geodis Wilson will be available with a Booth at Automotive Logistics Mexico.

ENDS

About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group

Geodis Wilson is a leading, global freight management company. With around 9,000 employees in 61 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to its customers enabling them to grow their business wordwide. Geodis Wilson – with a revenue of 2,67 bn € in 2013 – is the freight forwarding arm of Geodis Group, a subsidiary of the French rail and freight group SNCF.

For further information about Geodis, please visit www.geodiswilson.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

Evergreen Expands its Service Network in the Philippines

January 14, 2015 by

December 8, 2014

In order to offer a more comprehensive service to shippers and importers in the Philippines, Evergreen Line is to team up with Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC) to launch the new China-Philippines Service (CPH ).

Two ships of around 1,000 TEU will be deployed on the new weekly service, one each operated by the joint service partners.   The first sailing on the CPH service will be from Shanghai on the 11th of December and the  port rotation is as follows:

Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Shekou – Manila (south harbour) –Shanghai.

The new service is in addition to the four feeder loops, which Evergreen offers serving the Philippines.  This comprehensive coverage of all major ports in the Philippines, includes Manila (both north and south harbours), Cebu, Davao and General Santos, etc.  All services connect to Evergreen’s global network via either Kaohsiung and/or Hong Kong.

According to statistics published by China’s General Administration of Customs, the amount of bilateral trade between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) increased by 8.9% during the first ten months of 2014.  In particular, China’s imports and exports to/from the Philippines showed an even stronger growth of 17.1%.

ASEAN member states have held several rounds of trade talks with China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and India for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and aimed to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2015. As a positive indication of future trade growth, this initiative is expected to significantly benefit the further development of Intra-Asia trades.

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

Dachser secures software development

January 14, 2015 by

Certification of Corporate IT in accordance with ISO 27001 renewed and enhanced

Kempten, January 14, 2015. Information security in accordance with DIN ISO/IEC 27001 is not a snapshot event, but a continuous improvement process. In keeping with this principle, Dachser not only arranges for annual audits of its Corporate IT, it currently is also having TÜV Süd review its entire software development process. 

For over 25 years now, Dachser has relied on the complete in-house development of its core applications, DOMINO and OTHELLO (management software for overland transport services as well as air and sea freight, respectively), MIKADO (warehouse management) and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). In addition, there are the Web-based eLogistics tools (including those for order acceptance, or tracking & tracing). All of these applications are developed, rolled out, and updated at weekly intervals at Dachser, on a centralized basis for the branch offices and country organizations. Of the total 280 employees at its head office in Kempten, 100 currently are engaged in software development. 

“Our core systems are highly integrated, can be flexibly adapted, and reflect the state of the art everywhere; that is a unique selling proposition in the logistics industry,” comments Christian von Rützen, Team Leader IT-Security at Dachser. “With the ISO 27001 certification, we are issuing a clear statement on efficiency, quality, and professionalism in operating, security, and software development processes.”

Electronic data exchange needs secure IT processes

Customer data in safe hands: that is the motivation behind ISO 27001 certification for Dachser’s central IT system. Indeed, electronic data exchange has clearly picked up pace over the last few years—and inherently, the demands on IT security as well. Today, 80 percent of all orders at Dachser are already processed electronically; more than 13,000 customers have linked their systems to the Dachser EDI Center, and more than 16,000 use the eLogistics tools.

“These companies know that their own global supply chains depend on the constant availability of their logistics supplier’s systems, and therefore insist on commensurate security infrastructure in tenders and audits,” von Rützen clarifies. “Considering this environment, we are in a superb position for the complete ISO 27001 certification of our central IT system.”

Dachser had its Corporate IT certified according to ISO 27001 in December 2011—one of the first logistics providers to do so. In the process, a host of aspects of information security were examined, such as the protection from cyber attacks, security of Internet applications, IT risk management, fail-safe performance, emergency planning, and confidentiality regulations.  For annual audits, advancements and improvements based on preceding audits are integrated into the evaluation.

About Dachser:

Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, is one of the leading logistics providers in Europe.

Dachser provides comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customer-specific services in three business lines: Dachser European Logistics, Dachser Food Logistics, and Dachser Air & Sea Logistics. Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary services, such as contract logistics, consulting and advisory services, and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless transport network—both in Europe and overseas—and information technology that is fully integrated into all its systems provide intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

With a staff of 25,000 employees in 42 countries at 471 locations all over the globe, in 2013, Dachser generated revenue of nearly EUR 5 billion and handled 70 million shipments.

For more information about Dachser, please visit www.dachser.com

Filed Under: Dachser UK

Evergreen Naming Ceremony for EVER LUNAR

January 14, 2015 by

December 26, 2014

Evergreen Group today held the naming ceremony for EVER LUNAR, the seventh of its L-type vessels to be built by CSBC Corporation in Taiwan. The ceremony, which was officiated by Ms. Lee-Ching Ko, Second Vice Group Chairman of Evergreen Group, took place at CSBC’s Kaohsiung shipyard.  The official rope-cutting of the new 8,508 TEU vessel was performed by Mrs. Lin, Mei-Chun.

EVER LUNAR is owned by Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. The ship is 334.8 meters in length, 45.8 meters wide and has a draft of 14.2 meters.  In common with its L-type sister ships, EVER LUNAR can cruise at speeds up to 24.5 knots. The ship will be delivered into service in January and join Evergreen Line’s Far East – Arabian Persian Gulf (APG) Service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Ko said, “Evergreen has taken delivery of six L-type vessels from CSBC, assisting in our on-going fleet renewal program, which is enhancing our competitiveness and operating performance. The name of this new ship is symbolic of a shining outlook for the container shipping market.  We are confident that our business can benefit from recent forecast of market growth and that such momentum will contribute to an increase in  profitability .”

Evergreen Line commenced its fleet renewal program in 2010. The project entailed ordering twenty L-type vessels from Samsung Heavy Industries and another ten units of the same specifications from CSBC. The Samsung building program was concluded in July this year. The delivery of EVER LUNAR will add the 27th such vessel to Evergreen’s operating fleet. The remaining three ships will be delivered by the third quarter of 2015 and be balanced by the redelivery of vessels currently on charter when the charter periods expire.

In addition to the fleet renewal program, Evergreen is consolidating its service cooperation with strategic partners, including those in the CKYHE alliance to provide a more comprehensive service and to strengthen its competitiveness.

 

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

Even ‘Small’ Vessels are Getting Bigger

December 18, 2014 by

18 December 2014

The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual provider of P&I insurance that has throughout its 160 year history been dedicated to serving owners of small and specialist ships.  These vessels, active in a range of different operations, are at the lower end of the size spectrum and, in keeping with the trend seen across vessel design as a whole, are also getting larger in order to cope with the demands of their individual markets.

In a recent blog, the Club’s Underwriting Director, Ian Edwards has outlined more detail of the trend and explains how the Club has responded to its Members’ needs.

Some 20 years ago 12,655 of these vessels were covered by the Club and had an average size of 297GT. In the intervening period numbers have increased nearly threefold and the average size of an entered vessel has more than doubled to 672GT.  

“It is definitely the case that larger vessels are more likely to generate larger claims,” comments Edwards in his blog, “But as a result of the Club’s long and in-depth experience of insuring these specialist vessels, we also believe that larger vessels, as long as they are well run and operate a well defined regional trading pattern, represent as good a risk as some smaller vessels. We are more than happy to consider regionally trading vessels up to 20,000GT for entry with the Club.”

An analysis of the various sectors in which the Club’s vessels operate puts meat on the bones of the growth trend. Coastal tankers have increased in size by 90%; those in dry cargo trades by 50%, while offshore vessels have similarly grown by 50% and dumb barges by 269%.

The superyacht fleet is of particular interest, as it is one of the sectors which bucks the trend. Shipowners’ was the first P&I Club to offer full cover to the owners of such vessels.  Twenty years ago there were just 37 yachts entered; now the number has now grown to over 2,200 (as at 20 February 2014). In 1994 it was only the largest and widest trading yachts that required the most comprehensive P&I cover available but over time smaller yachts switched from the restricted cover provided by the commercial markets.  As a consequence, while large superyachts have grown in size (the largest entered in the Club is some 13,000GT), the average size of yachts covered by Shipowners’ has actually reduced.

Regional trade has generally been a feature of the operation of smaller vessels but there is now a tendency for vessels to be larger and to operate further afield.  This has increasingly become the case with specialist vessels and, in particular those operating in the offshore sector. “To best serve our Members with the most appropriate cover, it is vital for the Club to monitor and analyse these trends and to understand the changes that are taking place in Members’ fleets,” concludes Edwards. “Our largest offshore vessels have regularly been in excess of 10,000GT for many years, likewise the larger dredgers. We will always try to provide the cover that our Members need for the vessels they acquire if their trading fits with the overall profile of the Club’s varied sectors.”

Link to blog: http://www.shipownersclub.com/ian-edwards-meeting-our-members-changing-needs

 

141218 Shipowners Club_Development of tonnage infographic_logo_Dec 2014

ENDS

Notes for editors

The Shipowners’ Club is

a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small and specialist vessels since 1855. The Club is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs and works with more than 600 broking companies globally to insure over 33,000 vessels across a range of operating sectors and geographical areas.

Filed Under: The Shipowners' Protection Ltd

Evergreen Expands its Service Network in the Philippines

December 8, 2014 by

In order to offer a more comprehensive service to shippers and importers in the Philippines, Evergreen Line is to team up with Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC) to launch the new China-Philippines Service (CPH ).

Two ships of around 1,000 TEU will be deployed on the new weekly service, one each operated by the joint service partners.   The first sailing on the CPH service will be from Shanghai on the 11th of December and the  port rotation is as follows:

Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Shekou – Manila (south harbour) –Shanghai.

The new service is in addition to the four feeder loops, which Evergreen offers serving the Philippines.  This comprehensive coverage of all major ports in the Philippines, includes Manila (both north and south harbours), Cebu, Davao and General Santos, etc.  All services connect to Evergreen’s global network via either Kaohsiung and/or Hong Kong.

According to statistics published by China’s General Administration of Customs, the amount of bilateral trade between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) increased by 8.9% during the first ten months of 2014.  In particular, China’s imports and exports to/from the Philippines showed an even stronger growth of 17.1%.

ASEAN member states have held several rounds of trade talks with China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and India for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and aimed to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2015. As a positive indication of future trade growth, this initiative is expected to significantly benefit the further development of Intra-Asia trades.

 

Filed Under: Evergreen Line

Menlo Presents Guidance for Specialist Supply Chain Management in the Medical Device Sector

December 8, 2014 by

Amsterdam – December 5th 2014

Menlo Logistics, (Menlo), the global logistics and supply chain management unit of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) is emphasising the specialised nature of the Medical Device (Medtech) supply chain in Europe.  Menlo is particularly keen to outline the particular skills and capabilities required by a 3PL to manage the unique requirements of medical device manufacturers and the hospitals and health systems that make up the majority of consumers.

A detailed review of the sector, including consultation with a number of leading global suppliers in the sector, has lead Menlo to conclude that five key attributes of a 3PL/supply chain service provider are essential to deliver an effective service.

Speaking at the Life Sciences Supply Chain Summit in Amsterdam yesterday, Arthur van Gerven, Menlo’s Senior Director of Business Development in Europe said, “We are finding that the introduction of a centralised warehousing and distribution model, replacing national level networks, is being increasingly employed in Europe by medical device manufacturers; the process is most often assisted by a 3PL with global capabilities.”

During a panel session which included leading suppliers supporting his view, van Gerven continued, “However, once the ‘big picture’ re-engineering of a complex supply chain has been completed, the incumbent 3PL must have the necessary skills and capabilities to continue the job within the re-aligned infrastructure.”

The five key attributes that Menlo believes are essential to fulfil customer expectations in the medical device sector are outlined in the diagram below.

141205 Medical Device Graphic

 

Menlo is at pains to stress that a commonality of culture is the dominant factor in the mix. “You need the right culture, a shared mindset between people in both organisations to implement a structured and continuous improvement process,” said van Gerven at the Summit.  Menlo’s own solution to this need is to employ the Lean concept, applying the well-established waste-reduction technique to logistics.  “While this shared culture is the most difficult of the five to achieve, it is the most important, as it is also the driver of quality,” he emphasised.  The other three elements, while critical, are easier for a 3PL to put in place.

In addition, van Gerven’s Amsterdam comments drew on the contents of a soon to be published White Paper by Menlo entitled ‘Rationalising the Medical Device Supply Chain’*.  The five key 3PL attributes are described in detail within the White Paper along with results of other research into the European Medical Device market, estimated to be worth €100 billion.  The sector employs 575,000 people, working for around 23,000 companies, 95% of which are SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).

The aim of the White Paper is to summarise the current challenges to producers, suppliers and consumers in optimising their supply chains and contains examples of how the players, including their logistics service providers, are responding in order to design supply networks and work processes that are more refined, efficient, effective and environmentally friendly.

*Pre-publication advanced copies of the White Paper are available for review by the media on request

ENDS

 

About Menlo Logistics Europe

In Europe, Menlo Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centres located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: lifestyle, fashion & apparel; healthcare and medtech; e-fulfillment and e-returns; manufacturing support; data center logistics; spare parts and aftermarket supply and high tech. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands. www.menlologistics.com/europe

Follow Menlo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.5 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Francisco, California-based Menlo Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfilment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities.

With nearly 20 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world. Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

Filed Under: Menlo Logistics

Geodis Wilson to exhibit at the Annual Power-Gen Exhibition in Orlando

December 8, 2014 by

Houston, 8 December 2014

Global freight management and logistics provider, Geodis Wilson, will be exhibiting at Power-Gen International, part of the Power Generation Week, which will take place at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, to showcase its logistics solutions in the Power Segment.  

The Industrial Project divisions of Geodis Wilson is serving a range of global players in the areas of power and renewable energy, including a record-breaking airfreight shipment of wind turbine blades from China to Scandinavia and lead the first rail freight solution for similar blade delivery in Europe.

Geodis Wilson’s Power Segment Leader Henrik Lindahl willl be attending the event:  “This exhibition is an excellent opportunity for us to be close to the industry trends. It helps us to   provide reliable, transparent, and tailor made solutions that meet our clients’ needs.”

Power-Gen International is the largest, most respected power generation event in the world. It is the one major exhibition to discover new, cutting edge innovations in power generation, absorb new business development ideas and gain insight on industry trends and best practices.

Geodis Wilson will be exhibiting at Booth No. 3147, from 9 – 11 December, 2014, whereby attendees at the exhibition will have the opportunity to meet with both Global and US based teams in the Power Segment of the Industrial Projects division.

For more information on the Conference go to – http://www.power-gen.com/exhibit.html

Geodis Wilson executives in Attendance will be:

Henrik Lindal, Global Segment Leader, Power

Mikael Pedersen, Global Segment Leader, Renewables

Antoine Bondoux Global Segment Leader, Nuclear

About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group

Geodis Wilson is a leading, global freight management company. With around 9,000 employees in 61 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to its customers enabling them to grow their business wordwide. Geodis Wilson – with a revenue of 2,67 bn € in 2013 – is the freight forwarding arm of Geodis Group, a subsidiary of the French rail and freight group SNCF.

For more information about Geodis Wilson go to – www.geodiswilson.com

 

Filed Under: GEODIS

K Line (THAILAND) Ltd. 50th Anniversary Party held in Bangkok

December 3, 2014 by

K LINE (THAILAND) LTD. (“KTL”) held its 50th Anniversary Party at Plaza Athénée Bangkok on December 1, 2014.

KTL’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated by about 700 people who gathered for the party including Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Shigekazu Sato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand and many distinguished guests from Port Authority of Thailand, government agencies, customer companies and other related people.

In his speech, Mr. Jiro Asakura, President of KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. expressed his sincere gratitude for all attendees who have given support and cooperation to KTL for 50 years in order to develop business in Thailand. He also stressed how the company continues to advance its systems of quality control, conservation of environment and safety standards.

KAWASAKI (BANGKOK) LTD. (former name of KTL) was established in 1964, after which business continually progressed in accordance with economic growth of Thailand. KTL and 7 other group companies in Thailand are now successfully providing a broad spectrum of business services including shipping agencies, inland transportation, custom clearance, machine installation, warehousing, cold storage, freight forwarding and insurance agency. One of KTL’s group companies, BANGKOK COLD STORAGE SERVICE, LTD., has recently opened its second cold storage in a suburb area of Bangkok. In 2015, it is scheduled to open K Line Bang Phra Logistics Center near Laem Chabang port which will consist of warehouse, container depot and truck depot.

In 2015, ASEAN Economic Community (“AEC”) will be established and it is expected to accelerate economic growth of ASEAN countries more and more  beyond their respective borders. The “K” Line Group includes companies such as KTL and representative offices in various countries throughout Asia. In order to provide our esteemed customers with the highest quality total logistics services, we are constantly improving our business operations and will further  strengthen our overall worldwide organization, not only to meet shippers’ needs but to also contribute to each local economy where our operations are located.

 

141203 KLine Thailand 50th Anniversary Party

From the left, Mr. Vitthya, Chairman of K Line (Thailand) Ltd., Mr. Abhisit, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Asakura, President of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.,
Mr. Sato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, Mr. Ishida, Managing Director of K Line (Thailand) Ltd.

 

Filed Under: "K" Line
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