TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC NEWS * WORLDWIDE

Briefing Weekly News

Week: 8 June 2011

(Video from YouTube, by Paulo13302 -5 June 2011: Big Planes TAKE-OFFs. Flight Simulator 2011)

* News from DHL

- All DHL Express' major facilities in the US are now TAPA-certified; and DHL has launched new direct flights between the US and the Middle East & Asia. Read full news here

* TNT launches India – Europe dedicated freighter service

- TNT Express has launched a dedicated B767 freighter service between New Delhi and TNT's European air hub in Belgium. Read full news here

* UPS expands Latin American air network capacity

- In response to the solid growth in Latin American economies, UPS has significantly expanded the capacity of its express air network throughout the region. Read full news here

* Strategic Airlines awards contract to Virgin Atlantic Cargo

- Virgin Atlantic Cargo has been awarded a freight outsourcing contract by Brisbane-based Strategic Airlines. Read full news here

* Agility signs MOU with Schmidt Heilbronn

- Agility has signed a memorandum of understanding with Schmidt Heilbronn, formalising a long-term collaboration with the European dry bulk chemicals logistics provider. Read full news here

* Safmarine launches new iPhone app

- Safmarine has added another e-product to its range of e-Business accessories with the launch of its application for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. Read full news here

* Geodis Wilson acquires One Source Logistics

- Geodis Wilson has strengthened its position in the US market with the acquisition of domestic transportation specialist, One Source Logistics. Read full news here

* DHL launches disaster prevention at Bangladesh airports

- Deutsche Post DHL will conduct its "Get Airports Ready for Disaster" (GARD) training at the Dhaka and Chittagong airports in Bangladesh in June, preparing both airports and personnel for post-disaster logistics situations. Read full news here

* Maersk Line CEO calls for industry change

- Maersk Line CEO Eivind Kolding believes that if container shipping is to secure its licence to operate in the future, the industry needs to change now. Read full news here

* Cargotec discusses its Port 2060 project

- More than fifty years after the start of containerisation, Cargotec has envisaged the way the port of the future might look against a possible backdrop of game-change technology and innovation. Read full news here

* EVA Airways to pay $13m in US DOJ Antitrust case

- Taiwan-based EVA Airways has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $13.2 million criminal fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the air cargo industry. Read full news here

* China Southern orders six B777 Freighters

- China Southern Airlines has entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase six Boeing B777F aircraft. Read full news here

* GSC Logistics acquires Best Way Trucking

- California-based GSC Logistics has expanded its presence into the Pacific Northwest with the acquisition of Seattle-based Best Way Trucking, effective June 1st. Read full news here

* A320/A321 P2F conversion development program ends

- The strong demand for used Airbus A320 aircraft has inspired a joint decision to stop the A320/A321 Passenger to Freighter (P2F) conversion program. Read full news here

* Korean Air launches Miami – Uzbekistan freighter service

- Korean Air has begun scheduled freighter service with a B747-400F aircraft connecting Miami International and New York JFK to Brussels (Belgium) and Navoi (Uzbekistan). Read full news here

* IATA urges South Africa to revise its air transport policies

- With South Africa having joined the BRICS nations and now playing a key role in linking Africa to these other fast growing economies, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the South African government to use joined-up policy thinking and take key measures to boost its air transport sector. Read full news here

* JAL and American Airlines strengthen cargo relationship

- Japan Airlines (JAL) and American Airlines (American) have embarked on a closer cooperation aimed at strengthening international cargo operations for both airlines. Read full news here

* ODFL expands Pacific Promise service to Taiwan

- To meet increasing shipping demand from Asia, Old Dominion Freight Line has expanded its Pacific PromiseTM LCL service to Taiwan's three main ports: Taichung, Keelung and Kaohsiung. Read full news here

* IATA supports third runway at HKIA

- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reiterated its support for the construction of a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), as the Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA) opened public consultations on the project. Read full news here

* Deutsche Bahn and RZD consider Russian JV

- DB Schenker Rail and the RZD subsidiary TransContainer have reaffirmed their intention to investigate the feasibility of setting up a joint venture to provide logistics services in Russia, with a focus on the automotive sector. Read full news here

* Recently awarded / expanded contracts

- Damaris appoints Menlo Worldwide Logistics to handle global distribution; the Highways Agency expands its contract with Norbert Dentressangle. Read full news here

* Rickmers-Linie upgrades Indian service

- Rickmers-Linie is upgrading its Indian service with the addition of four new vessels. Read full news here

* New facilities for Cargotec, CEVA and GAC

- Cargotec will establish a global competence centre in Singapore; CEVA has opened a new Freight Management office in Finland; GAC opens new office in Trinidad & Tobago. Read full news here

* VPs of hi-tech supply chains to meet at Singapore Summit

- Vice presidents and senior directors of Supply Chain from leading hi-tech & electronics manufacturers and retailers will gather in Singapore in September to discuss supply chain issues in Asia-Pacific. Read full news here

* eyefortransport reveals 3PL Awards shortlist

- The shortlist for this year's eyefortransport 3PL awards has been announced after months of customer voting. The top three companies in each of nine categories now enter a final round of voting, before the winners are announced. Read full news here

* ICTSI makes cash offer for Portek

- ICTSI Far East has announced a voluntary conditional cash offer for all issued and paid-up ordinary shares in Portek International, other than those already owned, controlled or agreed to be acquired by ICTSI. Read full news here

* NFI acquires Gilbert Company’s west coast operation

- New Jersey-based NFI has acquired the West Coast operation of The Gilbert Company - a subsidiary of Maersk. Read full news here

* FedEx offers international direct service to Colombia

- In response to market demands from the fast-growing economy in Colombia, FedEx Express now international direct service throughout the country. Read full news here

Briefing Weekly News 

Week: 1st June 2011

(Photo from 2.bp.blogspot: CMA CGM TITAN. The CMA CGM Group, the world's third largest container)

* Toll to acquire Tianjin Anda Logistics

- Toll Group has agreed to acquire 40% of Tianjin Anda Logistics, one of the largest 3PLs in China's rapidly expanding automotive market. Read full news here

* DB Schenker forms alliance with NICTA

- NICTA, Australia's ICT Research Centre of Excellence, has teamed up with DB Schenker to tackle the task of improving productivity in the transport and logistics sector. Read full news here

* DHL invests in global connections

- DHL Express is expanding its global capabilities and improving customer service through a significant investment in its infrastructure and its people. Read full news here

* Recently awarded / extended contracts

- Colomer appoints Kuehne + Nagel as logistics partner for warehousing & distribution; Kuehne + Nagel manages a new temperature-controlled warehouse in Singapore for Danisco; Philips extends its logistics agreement with DHL; Groupe CAT signs a three-year contract with Aixam Mega; CeBIT Australia appoints DB Schenker as official logistics provider; Weber Logistics signs multi-year contract with Topco. Read full news here

* DSV acquires Wasa Logistics

- DSV has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Wasa Logistics. Read full news here

* STI releases iPhone app

- Specialized Transportation Inc. (STI) has released a free iPhone application to enable customers to access shipment status. Read full news here

* Refining fuel distribution

- Outsourcing to capable local logistics managers is reducing risk and increasing returns for oil companies. Read full news here

* APL cold-irons ships in Oakland

- Singapore-based APL has become the first container shipping line to shut down a vessel's engines to eliminate exhaust emissions at the Port of Oakland. Read full news here

* DB Schenker operates first freight train over High Speed 1

- The introduction of regular European-sized freight trains on High Speed 1 has taken a significant step forward with the successful operation by DB Schenker Rail of the first freight train on the route on Friday May 27th. Read full news here

* MUA cancels proposed strikes

- Australian stevedoring company Patrick has announced the last minute decision by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to lift its industrial action at Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle container terminals. Read full news here

* Maersk announces new and upgraded services

- Maersk Line has announced a new service to Papua New Guinea, and upgrades to its Far East - East Coast South America service. Read full news here

* UPS leverages new hub to enhance service in Asia

- One year after opening an ultra-modern air hub in Shenzhen, UPS has announced the completion of a series of air lane enhancements that have dramatically improved service for customers throughout Asia. Read full news here

* BAE Systems sells aircraft fleet and asset management business

- BAE Systems has agreed to sell its commercial aircraft lease portfolio and Asset Management business to investment affiliates of Fortress Investment Group for $187 million in cash, subject to certain post-completion adjustments. Read full news here

* PSP, Pindar and GAC form T&L alliance

- PSP, Pindar and GAC have joined forces to provide a transportation and logistics service for sail racing teams and individuals around the world.Read full news here

* Swiss WorldCargo adds four new destinations this summer

- A capacity agreement with Edelweiss Air has enabled Swiss WorldCargo to expand its network in the summer flight schedule. Read full news here

* Lufthansa Cargo opens pharma hub in Hyderabad

- Lufthansa Cargo's pharma hub for temperature-sensitive airfreight has officially gone into operation at Hyderabad Airport in India. Read full news here

* SAGE slams “archaic” control of international trade

- According to a group of industry representatives, current customs and trade compliance requirements are holding back international commerce and putting huge strains on the national authorities controlling them. Read full news here

* CMA CGM christens eighth giant ship

- CMA CGM christened the 11,400 TEU CMA CGM Titan at the Dunkirk Terminal on Tuesday. Read full news here