Transport communications

Portcare International is the press relations consultancy for the shipping and logistics industry. Formed by transport people for transport people. We can truly claim to understand our clients’ needs and ‘talk the same language’. Portcare provide effective, value for money PR to some of the industry’s best-known names.

New Managing Director for Dachser UK

August 28, 2018 by
Mark Rollinson Aug 18

Mark Rollinson, Managing Director for Dachser UK

After more than 17 years at the helm, Nick Lowe is taking early retirement from Dachser at the end of September to pursue other interests. His successor, Mark Rollinson, who has formerly held senior Director positions at Schenker and Allport Cargo Services, began a three month induction and hand-over process on the 2nd July.

‘I’m delighted to be joining Dachser at this time, having witnessed from an external viewpoint the organisation’s successful development and growth in the UK over many years’, explains Mark. ‘I do see an enormous potential for further growth and the introduction and implementation of an ever wider range of logistics services in the future’.

Nick is very happy to have overseen the expansion of Dachser’s UK business since 2001. ‘Dachser’s culture and values, the strength and quality of our network and a loyal and hard-working team here in the UK have all combined to drive our success’, he says. ‘Despite some challenging external economic conditions from time to time, we have continually increased our market share and delivered some great solutions for our customers.’        

Dachser UK increased its annual sales turnover in 2017 by over 15% to £ 76 M, experiencing strong growth in particular in European road freight, contract logistics and value-added-services.

Mark and Nick agree that Brexit, whilst initially having the possibility of creating short-term supply chain disruption depending on what evolves over the next few months, will also present new horizons and opportunities that a company such as Dachser is well-positioned to embrace.

Mark Rollinson sums up Dachser’s outlook for the future. ‘Irrespective of the prevailing trade, economic and political contexts we may be faced with, we will continue to support and add value to our customers’ supply chains. At the same time, we will maintain the high levels of service reliability and quality that our customers have come to expect’.    

 

ABOUT DACHSER UK

Dachser UK is part of the Dachser group, a major international logistics provider which on 31 December 2017 generated total sales worth EUR 6.12 billion. 29,100 staff working in 369 locations worldwide handled 81.7 million consignments comprising 39.8 million metric tonnes. Dachser has been established in the UK since 1975, and now has four locations which include a new logistics centre in Northampton as well as branch offices in Rochdale, Dartford and Bristol.

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, value added services and international sea and air freight forwarding.

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

Filed Under: Dachser UK

“K” Line Invites Graduate School Student as Intern from Republic of Mozambique

August 20, 2018 by

“K” LINE has offered an internship program as part of a “Master’s Degree and Internship Program” of the “African Business Education Initiative for Youth,” also kno180820 Africa internship 1wn as the ABE Initiative, sponsored by the Japanese government and its implementing agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Through the ABE Initiative, which “K” LINE is supporting for the first time, the Japanese government supports young and eligible people from Africa to encourage them to be a part of the development of industries in Africa and to be “navigators” for Japanese companies doing business in Africa.

The intern, a graduate school student from the Republic of Mozambique, attended the five- day internship program from 6 August, including visits to Ohi Container Terminal and a shipyard where a new LNG carrier is currently under construction. The intern also experienced attending various meetings with other parties closely related to the shipping industry.

“K” LINE and its group believe that contributing to development of local communities and international society through educational support and job creation is also an important corporate social responsibility. With this in mind, “K” LINE fosters job creation and skills development in the areas where we operate businesses.

ABE Initiative (JICA website) :

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/countries/africa/internship.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

New LNG Carrier for JERA Named “ENSHU MARU”

August 8, 2018 by
ENSHU MARU LNG Carrier Aug18

LNG Carrier “ENSHU MARU” August 2018

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) and Tokyo Century Corporation held naming ceremony for the newly-built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier (*1) for JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) at Sakaide Shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) yesterday.

The new vessel was given her name“ENSHU MARU”by Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Akihisa Mizuno of Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.“ENSHU MARU”comes from the name of an old district in western Shizuoka Prefecture named “Tohtoumi” which is part of the service area of Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Under the operation of LNG Marine Transport Ltd.,“ENSHU MARU”will mainly serve the transportation route between Freeport LNG project in United States and Japan after delivery, and is expected to contribute to stable transportation of energy for Japan.

Main Particulars of the Vessel:

   Owner  　Trans Pacific Shipping 4 S.A. (*1)
  Construction Yard  　KHI Sakaide Shipyard
   LOA  　About 293m
   Beam   　48.9m
   Tank Capacity   　164,700m3
   Boil Off Rate (*2)   　0.08% per day
   Propulsion System   　Reheat Steam Turbine (Kawasaki Advanced Reheat Turbine Plant) (*3)
   Speed  　19.5 Knot
(*1) Joint venture company with shares owned by “K” Line and Tokyo Century.
(*2) Boil Off Rate (BOR): Ratio of natural vaporized gas against maximum tank capacity to indicate capability of tank heat-insulation system.
(*3) Reheat Turbine Plant: Next-generation LNG carrier propulsion plant of high thermal efficiency and high reliability, incorporating the most advanced materials and control　technologies including improvements in steam conditions to raise the thermal efficiency.
Filed Under: "K" Line

Rising to the digital challenge in shipping

August 6, 2018 by
  • Joint TT Club & McKinsey report concludes that the future is digital
  • ‘Brave new world?’ examines two potential future digital scenarios, one of which is termed ‘Digital reinvention’

Industry experts, looking at the future for the container transport industry over the next 25 years, see the possibility of traditional supply chain service providers being significantly challenged. Increasingly digitally enabled services, which can directly control the flow of goods from factory to consumer, will become progressively more influential.

Indeed, these ‘Digital natives’, that apply technology to previously unsolvable challenges (as has been seen with Amazon and Alibaba), as well as ‘scrappy tech start ups’, fast-moving newcomers assuming an integrator role, could transform and re-shape the container transport industry.

In their ‘Brave new world? – Container transport in 2043’ report, leading international freight transport insurer TT Club, in conjunction with global management consulting firm McKinsey, have looked at the future of containerised trade, how value can be created and who the ‘winners’ could be within the industry by 2043.

Having carefully garnered the perceptions of leading figures from a cross section of the transport industry and beyond, the report highlights that an efficient containerised supply chain, acting like a conveyor belt from factory to consumer, could be one of the significant changes in the future outlook. 

It acknowledges the well-known paradox of cargo owners and end-consumers enjoying lower costs, while industry players struggle to share in the value-creation and highlights six potential sources of value creation.

180806 Six Sources of value creation

 

1.    Greater economies of scale – The exceptional expansion in ship sizes has reverberated through the rest of the container supply chain. A key question for the future is the extent to which customers prefer lower unit costs or greater flexibility
2.    Flexibility – Do customers value faster, more direct services? If so, scale would be deprioritised in favour of flexibility and modularity
3.    Supply chain reliability and predictability – The other side of the flexibility coin, as e-commerce changes consumer expectations, driving improved cycle-times and transparency
4.    Consolidation and integration – So far seen in limited segments of the industry, which is still fragmented compared to some comparable industries and with potential of optimisation through vertical integration 
5.    Automation and productivity hold the potential to improve reliability and service levels, while reducing structural cost#
6.   Environmental performance – Responding to the challenges relating to fuel and emissions but also the growing societal sensitivities towards protection of the environment

 

 

The container transport industry today is entering a period of incredible experimentation as different players try to find a winning formula to create value. The Digital Reinvention scenario goes some way to utilising the six suggested sources of such value creation, resulting in a 2043 landscape in which the incumbents of the container transport industry lead what is fundamentally a digital future, where trade developments may not be the key driver. In this world, flexibility, resilience and optimisation are paramount, applying the ‘last mile’ lessons to deep sea trades. Furthermore, vertical integration becomes the strategic imperative in order to build effective digital platforms and operating systems that both satisfy, and benefit from, end to end demand. Scale economies lose value, as flexibility and deep integration into customer supply chains  increase, providing transparency, predictive capability and high reliability.

In this 2043 scenario, as the report states, “Digital, data and analytics have indeed become the fundamental driver of value creation. Players with significant asset footprints lead the way, with proprietary data that allows them to out-compete any potential disruptive entrant. Data and technologies like blockchain are used in creative ways and many digital native suppliers of software and analytical solutions thrive.”

Charles Fenton, TT Club’s CEO highlights the thought-provoking nature of the research:

“The container transport industry faces a complex future. The industry experts in this research are generally agreed that the physical characteristics of the industry won’t change radically. However, automation holds enormous potential; digital, data and analytics will be central to competitive dynamics, and the business models of industry leaders in 2043 could look very different from today. Digital reinvention is just one of four potential scenarios that our report envisages.  Its in-depth challenge to our perceptions of the future is well worth close consideration. ”

To download a copy of ‘Brave New World?’ please visit: https://www.ttclub.com/news-events/brave-new-world/

ENDS

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the 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.

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

 

Filed Under: TT Club

“K” Line’s settlement of the lawsuit against APL Logistics Ltd.

July 25, 2018 by

In September 2016, employees of APL Logistics Ltd.(APLL) sent erroneous e-mails to its customers which were not based on the facts regarding our financial situation. We thereafter filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court in December 2016 demanding damages in relation to such e-mails. APLL and its parent company, Kintetsu World Express, Inc., acknowledged the fact that the e-mails included an erroneous report, expressed their regret and responded sincerely, and now we and APLL have reached an amicable settlement in relation to that claim.

Filed Under: "K" Line

EcoVadis once again COMMENDS GEODIS for the quality of its CSR activity

July 11, 2018 by

EcoVadis, the ratings agency for social and environmental performance in global supply chains, has given GEODIS an overall grade of 70/100 for the quality of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity.

This year, GEODIS was again commended by EcoVadis with the “Gold”* recognition level. GEODIS group has therefore continued its upward progression, compared to the previous year, with the overall grade of 70/100 (two points higher than in 2017). This excellent rating puts GEODIS among the top 300 companies out of a total of 30,000 assessed by EcoVadis. This means that EcoVadis recognizes GEODIS as one of the most advanced and committed businesses of any sector, in terms of environmental, social, ethical and responsible purchasing policies. Furthermore, the EcoVadis analysis shows that the average grade for evaluated businesses within the logistics sector to be 45/100. The overall score for GEODIS comes in at 25 points more than that.

This result, the highest since GEODIS’ first assessment in 2009, is the result of more than 10 years of working to carry out concrete and coherent actions concerning CSR. It reflects the commitment of the GEODIS Group to satisfy all of stakeholders, including society at large. In 2018, GEODIS has gone even further in its CSR commitment by announcing an overall goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

The EcoVadis evaluation focuses on four topics: social, environmental, business ethics and responsible purchasing. This year, as in 2017, GEODIS especially stood out on environmental issues, with an excellent score of 90/100.

As stated by Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS: “Environmental responsibility and sustainability: today, these two terms must be a part of the governance of every company. Beyond simply economic interests, it’s about taking a longer view and thinking of the company as an integral stakeholder in society, mindful of its impact, whose ultimate objective is also societal.”

(*) 2018 evaluation based on 2017 data.

ENDS

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its passion and 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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #4 in Europe and #7 worldwide.

 

 

Filed Under: GEODIS

Regional Winners of FIATA’s Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Announced

July 11, 2018 by

London, 11 July 2018

In the year that leading international freight insurer TT Club celebrates its 50th anniversary, FIATA’s Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award (YIFFYA) also passes a significant milestone. The 2018 competition witnesses the 20th year of support and collaboration between TT Club and FIATA. Sponsorship of FIATA’s YIFFYA continues to be a priority for TT Club. 

TT Club believes the annual award and the associated entry process is crucial in identifying, recognising and encouraging young talent throughout the freight forwarding community around the world. 

The four regional finalists, selected this year from among 17 entries representing national forwarding associations globally, are:

Region Africa/Middle East:   Miss Tjaka Segooa, South Africa – SAAFF

Region Americas:   Mrs Kendyl Baptiste, Canada — CIFFA             

Region Asia/Pacific:   Miss Sarah Kate Skrypec, Australia — CBFCA           

Region Europe:  Mr Louis Perrin, UK – BIFA 

The entries this year were, as ever, of a high standard and drew from a wide range of dissertation topics. The work of the entrants demonstrated the complexity of processes carried out within the global supply chain and the logistics skills required to serve it.

The diverse subjects covered by the dissertations of this year’s entrants included live plants, super cars, flexi-tanks, aid shipments, aircraft components, Antarctic ice and a rhinoceros.   

Later this year the regional finalists will travel to FIATA’s World Congress hosted by the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations India in New Delhi, India (26th – 29th September) in order to present their dissertations to the steering committee and for the final judging and announcement of the international award winner. 

The prize to be awarded to the winner principally consists of practical and academic training, including a week based at one of TT Club’s regional centres in London, Hong Kong or New Jersey plus a week in TT Club’s Head Office in London. Additionally, one year’s subscription to the International Transport Journal (ITJ) is granted to all four regional winners. 

Mike Yarwood, TT Club’s Senior Loss Prevention Executive and Chairman of the Award Steering Committee commented, “This award aims to contribute to the development of quality professionals in the freight forwarding industry and rewards young talent with valuable training. At TT Club, we are proud to have been a sponsor of the award since its inception and firmly believe in the importance of nurturing the talents and enhancing the skills of young individuals in freight forwarding.”

Thomas Sim, Chairman of FIATA’s Advisory Body Vocational Training, mentioned, “For an emerging young freight forwarder, the YIFFYA is a great platform to immediately be seen by such a wide audience and the press,  and the winning candidate receives generous support from the TT Club team and sponsor. I am extremely excited for this amazing opportunity to showcase young professionals in the pursuit of a successful career.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the 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.

About FIATA

The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) was founded in Vienna, Austria on 31 May 1926. It is a non-governmental organisation that today represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms, employing around 10 million people in some 160 countries. FIATA has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) as well as many other UN related bodies such as the World Bank. It is recognised as representing the freight forwarding industry by many other governmental organisations, governmental authorities, private international organisations in the field of transport and logistics, such as the European Commission (through CLECAT), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Learn more at www.fiata.com.

Hans Guenther Kersten, Director General, kersten@fiata.com

Filed Under: TT Club

“K” Line to Provide Relief for Victims of Torrential Rains in West Japan

July 11, 2018 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. announced that it will provide a monetary donation in the amount of 5 million yen toward relief efforts from the recent torrential rain damage in Western Japan. In addition, the “K” Line Group is now organizing fund-raising activities among officers and employees.

We would like to express our deepest sympathy to those in the disaster areas and sincerely wish for the earliest recovery from this most unfortunate event.

 

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K”Line Selected for FTSE4Good Index Series and FTSE Blossom Japan Index

July 11, 2018 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has been selected again as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series, one of the leading global indices for Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) (*1), for the 16th consecutive year since its initial inclusion in 2003 and FTSE Blossom Japan Index for two consecutive years.

FTSE4Good Global Index is an index developed by FTSE Russell (*2), whose constituents are selected by measuring their performance in terms of management and information disclosure utilizing globally-recognized Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards (Japanese companies number 152 out of 925 global companies). The index is a leading indicator used by investors who place importance on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

In addition, we were also selected as a constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Index which reflects the performance of Japanese companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices (155 companies selected). This index has been adopted as a benchmark of ESG investment by Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).  

Furthermore, as of June 2018, we have also been selected as a constituent of the MSCI (*3) Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN) which is constituted of companies that promote and maintain higher levels of gender diversity in individual industry sector (215 companies selected). This index has been also adopted as a benchmark of ESG investment by GPIF.

We have raised ESG as one of the important initiatives in our medium-term management plan. We will continue striving to fulfill our social responsibility through ESG initiatives and contribute to sustainable progress of the society.

*1 SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) describes an investment strategy which takes account of enterprises’ social, ethical and environmental aspects as well as financial performance.

*2 FTSE Russell is owned by London Stock Exchange Group, an index company offering indexing and analytical solutions worldwide.

*3 MSCI is listed on New York Stock Exchange, a provider of investment decision support tools worldwide.

Filed Under: "K" Line

Harren & Partner to acquire MV Blue Giant

July 11, 2018 by

Bremen-based shipping company Harren & Partner is proud to announce the acquisition of the offshore construction vessel, MV Blue Giant for an undisclosed pr180711 MV Blue Giant in Bremerhaven, Germany © Jan Meier - Harren & Partnerice from the English operator, OIG Group. Harren & Partner’s Offshore Department, headed by Robert Fowler (offshore@hp-shipping.de) will be responsible for managing the vessel.

Peter Harren, Founder and Managing Director of Harren & Partner, explains the strategy behind the purchase: “Although the oil markets are currently still recovering, we have deliberately opted for this investment despite its counter-cyclical nature. Alongside our classic offshore activities, we also wish to further strengthen our position in attractive niche markets such as the salvage business, where this vessel also has possibilities for deployment.”

“Blue Giant is a cutting-edge vessel which represents an important enhancement of our diversified H&P fleet. It extends our scope of action to provide our customers with comprehensive, yet customised solutions,” says Dr. Martin Harren, Managing Director of Harren & Partner.

The history of the MV Blue Giant has come full circle as it was built in 2008 to the order of Harren & Partner at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven, Germany. It was one of the first ships to combine the functions of a dock ship with those of a Ro-Ro and heavy lift vessel. After several successful offshore and salvage projects in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Coast of the United States, MV Blue Giant was sold in 2011 to the OIG Group. Since delivery the vessel has been continuously under the technical management of Harren & Partner. In 2017 during the ice-free summer months the vessel was used for extensive maintenance and repair work on a gas platform in the Pechora Sea, Russia.

The offshore construction vessel (length 179.63 m, breadth 25.40 m) has a variety of special features. For example its dynamic positioning system (DP2). This allows for fast and efficient changes of location without the need for tugs. With a combined crane capacity of up to 700 t and one height extended crane up to 60 m, MV Blue Giant is able to salvage containers from the top layers. Furthermore the vessel is equipped with a cabin block which can accommodate up to 200 people, a moon pool, a helideck and a fire fighting system reaching a distance of 180 m. Heiko Felderhoff, Managing Director of Harren & Partner, underlines the flexibility of MV Blue Giant: “It’s a highly adaptable ship that can also be used as an emergency response vessel. There are few things that it can’t do,” he enthuses.

Following its ten-year class renewal in Bremerhaven, MV Blue Giant will be in perfect shape to meet the upcoming challenges. Currently, Harren & Partner is holding intensive talks about future projects.

About Harren & Partner:

The Bremen-based shipping group was founded in 1989 by Capt. Peter Harren, and employs around 250 people ashore as well as around 2,300 regular crew members on board of vessels. Harren & Partner delivers the full range of services related to the entire life cycle of a ship – from the conceptual designs of new constructions and the extensive technical and nautical management of the fleet, to the sale and purchase of ships. Our core activity involves managing our own fleet as well as external tonnage: Harren Shipping Services GmbH & Co. KG ensures the flawless operations of our fleet of 65 vessels, comprising tankers, container feeders, heavy lift vessels, bulk carriers, dock ships and offshore vessels. With specialised teams for the different types of ships and a strong seafaring DNA embedded in our business culture, Harren & Partner guarantees the highest standards of quality – on both land and sea.

 

For more information about Harren & Partner, go to www.harren-partner.de

Filed Under: Harren & Partner
« Previous Page
Next Page »