Current challenges and trends in the maritime transport sector, ESG strategy, presentations of the most interesting investments in ports and terminals and the development of offshore wind energy – these are the main topics of the upcoming 13th edition of the international Transport Week conference. The event organized by Actia Forum will take place on March 12-13, 2024 in Gdynia, Poland. The 1st edition of the BPO Offshore Wind Conference organized in cooperation with the Baltic Ports Organization will be this year’s novelty.

Key Highlights
• We expect Red Sea crises and current weather conditions in the North of Europe and Panama to have a short term and mild impact only on affected individual ports.
• Primary ports of call are expected to have a milder impact and quicker recovery given more stable cash flows
• Delays on vessels given the longer alternative route through Cape of Good Hope will bring further temporary
operational inefficiencies to affected ports while the situation is solved.
• Despite challenges, we expect the credit profiles of rated issuers to remain
supported by fundamental factors.

Arsenio Dominguez assumed the role of Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with a vision centered around transparency, inclusion, and diversity. In the face of evolving challenges within the maritime industry, ranging from climate change to security threats, he emphasizes the need for efficiency, resilience, and forward-thinking.

The transport logistic China and air cargo China will take place in Shanghai
again this year after the pandemic forced the events to take a six-year break.
The Shanghai New International Expo Centre will once again take
centerstage as the place where the global logistics and air cargo industry
gathers between June 25 and 27.

Following the TSM-Service established in September last year, the new founded company will play a key role for the trade between North Africa and the rest of the world based on an optimized global network with green shipping and digital supply chain services

Finland headquartered Groke Technologies is expanding its commercial and marketing teams to meet growing interest in its pioneering digital sensor technology across the international shipping industry.

In a landmark joint announcement, 90POE and Harbor Lab are delighted to reveal their strategic integration partnership. This collaboration unites 90POE's pioneering maritime digital platform, OpenOcean STUDIO, with Harbor Lab's industry leading e-disbursement platform, underscoring a mutual commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies and ensuring transparent, secure commercial outcomes in the maritime sector.

Heitkamp Industrial Solutions GmbH has been awarded the contract as main contractor of Asiyan Enerji, a company of the Rönesans Group, for the installation of wind turbines in three Turkish provinces. Heitkamp will be responsible for the technical and commercial management of these projects as EPC contractor. The turbines will be equipped with Nordex Group technology and are a further important step towards achieving Turkey's renewable energy and sustainability targets.

Coach tourism is finally recognised by European legislators. The Council presidency and European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement that gives coach tourism drivers rules meant for their profession.

Vienna, 30 January 2024 – Air cargo handling at Vienna Airport remained stable: More than 172,000 tons were handled for transport by cargo or passenger aircraft in 2023. This represents an increase of two percent compared to 2022. Due to the recovery in global air traffic, more belly capacities were available again in 2023. As a result, this segment was able to grow significantly and overcompensate for the decline in cargo aircraft transportation. Together with a decline in air freight trucking volumes, the airport closed 2023 with a total of 245,000 tons, a slight decrease of two percent compared to the previous year. Pharmaceutical handling reached a record level.

Warsaw Chopin Airport marked an impressive milestone in 2023, surpassing expectations by checking in nearly 18.5 million passengers. The airport achieved record-breaking results, with cargo tonnage reaching an all-time high. In August, a historic daily record was set with 67,968 travellers handled.

Swedish shipping company Lakeway Link announces the acquisition of the RoRo vessel Miramar Express. The vessel, which will be renamed M/S Lakeway Express, is set to deploy Lakeway Link's new service connecting Poland and Sweden.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that its commencement provision of marine data to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). This data, sourced from monitoring systems onboard the merchant vessels of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and “K” LINE is now being shared through the Ship IoT data sharing platform IoS Open Platform (IoS-OP) managed by Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. (ShipDC).

Frankfurt / Munich - 29 January 2024 - Delta Air Lines has extended its partnership with LUG aircargo handling in Frankfurt and Munich, securing a contract extension until 2027. LUG will remain responsible for Delta Cargo’s handling at the German airfreight hubs. The Atlanta-based airline has utilized LUG's services in Frankfurt for over four years and in Munich for a decade.

New research has identified the most affordable European countries for personal loans, with Luxembourg coming out on top
The analysis calculates the loan repayment as a percentage of the disposable income per person after accounting for expenses, salary, and bank interest rates
Of the 36 countries that had the full data available, Ireland follows as the second most affordable country for personal loans, with Denmark in third – while the UK ranks as the least affordable
A personal finance expert shares tips on what to remember when taking out a loan, including keeping an eye out for additional fees you may incur