FEDEX has confirmed that it is in talks to buy the Paris-based express company Tatex in a bid to expand its European footprint by taking over small to mid-sized delivery companies.
The news comes two weeks after FedEx bought Polish courier company Opek in its first European acquisition following United Parcel Service's US$6.8 billion takeover of Netherlands-based TNT Express.
Tatex is a 36-year-old B2B parcel and heavy-lift express company with a 1,000 employees running a nationwide network that carries 19 million parcels a year and specialises in the high tech, spare parts, automotive, clothing, and generates annual revenues of $198 million.
The acquisitions will reportedly increase FedEx Europe revenue by $270 million. FedEx is also said be bidding for the European assets UPS and TNT Express which may be forced to divest to win merger approval from EU competition authorities.
FedEx has opened 26 new stations across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Northern Ireland so far in fiscal 2012.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
European transport organisations call on the EU to maintain budget for transport infrastructure
Europe’s transport organisations make an united and strong demand that the EU maintains the EUR 32 billion earmarked for transport infrastructure within the 2014-2020 budget for the Connecting Europe Facility. It is highly unusual that more than 25 European organisations join forces, but the stakes are high with the Member States willing to cut the future EU budget.
In an open letter, sent jointly by organisations representing inland and maritime shipping, roads, rail, airlines, ports, chambers of commerce, workers and associated groups, the industry urges the European Council and Parliament to keep up infrastructure investment as transport will play a key role in the recovery from the current economic turndown.
Transport infrastructure is not only the backbone of the EU internal market. The letter points out that, with 10 million people in the EU directly employed in transport, as many again working in related sectors, and with a value amounting to some 5% of GDP, transport will play a key part in the recovery of the European economy from the economic downturn. “Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints all governments face at the moment, we all know transport infrastructure investments pay off in the long run”, the group tells Brussels.
Source Inland Navigation Europe
2012-04-23
Amman - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Hussein Dabbas as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), based in Amman, Jordan with effect from 1 June 2012.
Dabbas has served as President and CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines since 2009. That was the culmination of a career at the carrier that spanned over three decades during which Dabbas held various positions in the airline's commercial departments. Dabbas takes over from Dr. Majdi Sabri who will retire from IATA after the leading the association in the MENA region since 2001.
"I welcome Hussein to IATA. His decades of aviation experience will help IATA to deliver its many important global programs in the fast growing MENA region. I also thank Majdi for his many years of dedicated service to IATA and the aviation industry of the region," said Tony Tyler, IATA's Director General and CEO.
"I am excited to be joining IATA and look forward to contributing to the development of aviation in the MENA region. Aviation is a critical component of the region's development and exhibits a tremendous potential for growth. In the Middle East alone, the aviation sector currently supports 2.7 million jobs and $129 billion in economic activity. I look forward to leading IATA's efforts regionally to ensure that aviation can continue be an economic catalyst by growing safely, securely and sustainably," said Dabbas
IATA's mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry. IATA brings together some 240 member airlines. Flights by these airlines account for 84% of all international scheduled air traffic.
IATA has 28 member airlines across the MENA region, including some of the fastest growing airlines in the world. From its Amman Regional Office, IATA supports the MENA region with access to the full range of IATA's activities, programs and services. This includes flagship programs such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit, Simplifying the Business, and Checkpoint of the Future as well as the full range of IATA's Industry Settlement Systems.
Source IATA
2012-04-23
CO2 emissions to be reduced by 25 percent by 2020
MAN will be playing a significant role in CO2 reduction: it intends to reduce its own CO2 emissions at MAN sites by 25 percent worldwide by 2020 (baseline: 2008). This mandatory target is set out in the Climate Strategy, which is part of MAN's Corporate Responsibility Strategy. It is presented in detail in the new 2011 MAN Corporate Responsibility Report, which meets the highest reporting level (A+) of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the first time.
By concentrating on the two fields of transportation and energy, MAN is focusing on precisely those products and services that significantly influence climate change. The new MAN Climate Strategy has now been adopted to contribute to the reduction of global CO2 emissions. "We can only meet our responsibility and seize business opportunities at the same time if we have clear and binding targets. After all, climate protection and cost effectiveness belong together: efficient, low-emission production and products minimize emissions and cut costs," explains Dr. Georg Pachta-Reyhofen, Chief Executive Officer of MAN SE.
In order to define and translate the climate targets, an MAN Climate Expert Team has developed five core initiatives. To cut CO2 emissions at the sites, renewable energy sources will be used, among other things, and comprehensive energy management will be introduced. At the MAN Truck & Bus plant in Steyr, the waste heat from engine test beds is already used to heat production halls, for example. In addition to cutting CO2 emissions at its sites, positioning efficient products with low emission values is also important to MAN.
MAN has defined key performance indicators to monitor and manage implementation of the entire Climate Strategy. The information will be collected and reported on a regular basis. "MAN wants to be recognized as one of the industry players to have dealt with the challenges of climate change the best by 2020," says Yvonne Benkert, Head of Corporate Responsibility for MAN SE.
Source MAN SE
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is launching a revised portfolio with Unitor and Nalfleet product brands as the first part of their strengthened chemicals offer today. When this scheme has been fully rolled out it will offer an increased product range, enhanced customer service, specialist support in the form of an innovative new customer portal and an improved global logistics network.
Graham Hunter, Business Director Marine Chemicals says;
“The concept called Active Solutions is about people, products - and ultimately - better performance. This is more than a just a make-up exercise, I believe the full version of the new offer will be a game changer in this business. We’ve worked closely with our customers to look at critical operational issues affecting them. We know that crew competence and health and safety are a key concern for all owners and operators. Also, the shortage of time due to a multitude of other pressures means that it can be difficult to stay on top of changes in regulation and increasing environmental legislation”.
“Active Solutions has been developed with the aim of assisting our customers in solving these issues and providing solid, long term solutions. Although times are tough, this is the right time for us to invest for the future. With focus on competence, compliance and efficiency, we want to show that there are better ways of servicing marine chemical customers worldwide”.
“We are looking to transform our customer's experience from one where we simply reliably deliver a product range, to that of a consultative partnership, delivering shared knowledge, technical expertise and world-class after sales service. Active Solutions will enable vessel owners and operators to streamline their day to day activity, assure coordination between applications and improve operational effectiveness, whilst continuing to protect their bottom line”.
The new offer will take a phased approach throughout 2012, with today’s initial launch focussing on the introduction of a strengthened product portfolio, which will consist of three main product categories branded as follows: Water treatment (Nalfleet), Fuel oil treatment (Unitor) and Cleaning chemicals (Unitor).
Source Wilhelmsen
RATES from Asia to Europe softened again this week, slipping 2.1 per cent to US$1,708 per TEU, according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI).
Asia-Mediterranean rates were also down, dipping 0.9 per cent to $1,747 per TEU.
But rates from Asia to the US west coast increased 5.7 per cent to $2,415 per FEU, and by 1.1 per cent to $3,556 per FEU on the Asia-US east coast route.
Across all trades covered by the index, the SCFI was up 0.6 per cent to 1,426.23 points.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
American exports in February rose 9.6 per cent year on year, driven by strong gains in paper and paperboard, building materials and reefer, according to PIERS data.
Northeast Asia led US containerised exports, showing a 12 per cent gain to 459,713 TEU year on year and represented 45.3 per cent of total export volume. Shipments to north Europe increased 19 per cent to 135,384 TEU.
February's total of 1,014,176 TEU represented a four per cent increase from January volume.
Shipments of paper and paperboard, including paper waste, was the largest export up 18 per cent to 154,271 TEU. Animal feed came in second, up 12 per cent to 48,227 TEU.
Scrap metal increased 28 per cent to 13,139 TEU as poultry soared 62 per cent to 22,267 TEU and frozen fish shot up 157 per cent to 10,524 TEU and building materials skyrocketed nearly 300 per cent to 13,788 TEU.
But raw cotton and fabric exports fell 15 per cent to 37,692 TEU. Logs and lumber were off seven per cent to 27,425 TEU and synthetic resins dropped 21 per cent to 16,488 TEU.
Strong gains also were posted in exports to the Caribbean, up 49 per cent to 55,813 TEU, and the west coast of South America, where exports increased 16 per cent to 35,621 TEU, boosted by increased shipments of paper and paperboard, PVC resins and auto parts.
Exports to the Mediterranean fell 18 per cent to 40,841 TEU while southeast Asia volumes fell nine per cent to 73,973 TEU.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
DURING the first three months this year, port of Chongqing handled 179,200 TEU, 21.2 per cent more than in the same period one year ago, Xinhua reports.
In the same period, the port recorded a throughput tonnage of 27.83 million tonnes, up 13.4 per cent. Foreign trade cargo throughput grew 25 per cent to 942,000 tonnes.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
CONTAINER volumes through Puget Sound ports were up and down in the first quarter with Tacoma traffic up 3.1 per cent while Seattle's throughput fell five per cent.
Results were better in March with Tacoma gaining 14.6 per cent in imports while exports were up 10.4 per cent year on year, and Seattle volume increased five per cent with exports leading with a separate 8.3 per cent increase.
First quarter breakbulk results did well in Tacoma where volumes increased 93 per cent year on year, resulting from a robust demand for machinery and construction equipment.
Seattle March grain also increased 20 per cent, and intermodal lifts were up 15 per cent. Seattle's total international container volume in March increased 6.5 per cent year on year. The port's total of containers handled, including empties and the coastal trade with Alaska, was up 5.8 per cent.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
HAPAG-LLOYD is launching a new express connection from Germany through the Baltic region called the Russia Express Service (REX) linking Hamburg and Bremerhaven, its two European hubs, to Russia, Finland and Poland.
Two vessels each with a capacity of 1,400 TEU that meet the highest standard for ice-class ships will be used to operate the REX service.
From the beginning of May the service will call weekly at the ports of Bremerhaven, Hamburg, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Gdynia and back to Bremerhaven.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
DUBAI's DP World has welcomed the 6,606-TEU PIL Kota Carum, one of the largest ships to call at Aden Container Terminal (ACT), reports TradeArabia News Service.
The vessel, owned by Singapore's Pacific International Lines (PIL), came alongside for 21 hours and 14 minutes, a "premium turnaround time" for loading and discharge of cargo, said the report.
"We congratulate Pacific International Lines and its new vessel on her maiden visit to Aden and the Red Sea, the busiest sea trade transit route in the world," said Faisal Al Qahtani, vice president and managing director of DP World, Middle East.
"This port call once again demonstrates the efficient gateway and transshipment role played by DP World Aden and its importance to Yemen's domestic economy. We commend DP World Aden's team for the meticulous ability with which they safely and efficiently discharged and loaded a ship of this size."
Said DP World Aden general manager Arthur Flynn: "PIL Kota Carum is among the largest ships to visit us and we thank PIL for their confidence in DP World Aden's service capabilities. DP World Aden's natural deepwater harbour and proven operational efficiencies has made it possible for us to handle this mega liner. We are proud that our operations team was able to safely achieve an excellent turnaround time."
With its 16-metre alongside, DP World Aden occupies a strategic position as a gateway port to meet the needs of Yemen's importers and exporters, the statement said.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
THE Port of Savannah posted an 8.3 per cent increase in container volume to 759,000 TEU in March year on year, beating the previous record set in April last year, reported the Georgia Ports Authority.
For fiscal year 2012 through March, the GPA has handled 19.5 million tons of cargo, an increase of 280,035 tons over the same period in FY2011. Of that total, container traffic accounted for 16.5 million tons or 2.2 million TEU, with an export to import ratio of 53.71 per cent to 46.29 per cent.
"We are cautiously optimistic about continued market recovery that will spur additional manufacturing and distribution opportunities," said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
THE Port of Marseilles-Fos has posted a 26 per cent increase in first quarter container volume to 260,000 TEU based on a poor performance last year and only six per cent better than in the first quarter in 2010, say port authorities.
Overall cargo throughput was only up one per cent year on year to 22 million tonnes in the first quarter with boxes leading gains, and general cargo up 23 per cent to 4.2 million tonnes on the back of revitalised container volumes, reported London's International Freighting Weekly, adding that gains were attributed to a "manifest improvement in reliability" following last year's national port reforms.
Ro-ro services contributed 980,000 tonnes, a five per cent increase, resulting from increased trade with Corsica, while conventional cargo was up 27 per cent to 690,000 tonnes rising on increased demand for steel.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
INTTRA, an e-commerce provider for ocean shipping and founder of the Ocean Freight Advisory Board representing the major carriers and forwarders, announced it will expand membership by 25 per cent.
The Ocean Freight Industry EIPP Standards Advisory Board mission is to lead the ocean freight industry towards greater efficiency through automated electronic invoicing and payment.
Member organisations encompasses ocean carriers, 3PL providers, forwarders and NVOCC, Companies that recently joined the advisory board include: Leschaco, Sinotrans, Damco, Ecu Line, Geodis Wilson.
Said Maersk Line's Steen Larsen, a board member: "Our diverse membership is certainly an important and welcome quality that is essential to creating industry solutions that address the needs of the various segments."
Ecu Line CEO Marc Stoffelen said its membership this year supports future electronic presentment and payment standardisation which will benefit his niche market.
"By adopting automated bill presentment and payment, the process will be more accurate, transparent and settlements will be faster and uniform. It provides a better way to analyse payment behaviour and incorrect billing," said Mr Stoffelen.
INTTRA's efforts received a boost last week at the Containerisation International Global Liner Shipping Conference in London when Maersk's chief commercial officer Lucas Vos told delegates of the need to cut administrative costs.
"Invoicing is a complete nightmare" because of all the different charges and surcharges, he said. "We need simple rate structures. Let's rely on companies like INTTRA."
Global ocean freight organisations from North America, Europe, and Asia gather twice a year for general advisory board meetings in addition to working teams that focus on developing specific standards and processes for the industry. The next meeting will be in Copenhagen this week.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
POLISH home improvement retailer, OBI, has signed a two-year warehousing and distribution contract with Kuehne + Nagel to manage its import sea freight for its stores nationwide.
The new contract will oversee the entire OBI supply chain beginning at the container terminal in Asia, including the intermodal pre-haulage and warehousing services in Poland and finishing with the final delivery to the OBI stores. Data exchange with the suppliers is processed via the OBI supplier integration platform.
OBI Poland board member Adam Rosinski said in a company statement: "Combining the international with the domestic shipment flows gives us the opportunities to lever the information across the whole process, which is important in our business which has a strong seasonal focus."
The hub operation is managed in a facility located at the intersection of A1 and S8 in Piotrkow Trybunalski, 130 kilometres south of Warsaw.
In order to provide transparent and reliable distribution services to over 40 OBI stores across Poland, Kuehne + Nagel has developed a booking application which allows all OBI stores to view the central stock in order to avoid shortages. Value-added-services such as labelling and cross docking pallets for some suppliers complement the service portfolio.
The project was implemented within three months following Kuehne + Nagel's proven CTI (Customer Transition & Integration) methodology. The process ensures a smooth transition an integration of the customer's business using experienced project specialists, standardised tools and systematic knowledge transfer.
Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
.jpg)
The magazine SEA has been published since 1935
International business magazine JŪRA MOPE SEA has been published since 1999
The first magazine in Eurasia in the four languages: English, Chinese, Russian and Lithuanian
|
|