Supply Chain News

Inmarsat: In Support of Maritime Start-ups

Inmarsat  has joined forces with tRainmaking’s Trade and Transport Impact (T&TI) and Bluetech Accelerator to create initiatives that directly support start-ups focused on IoT and big data innovation in the maritime, ports and logistics supply chain.The programs will fund, support and mentor start-ups developing applications that aim to harness the power of IoT and big data to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability. Inmarsat will collaborate with those start-ups to find a route to market via its global…

ITF Blames BHP for Starving Crew

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) informed that crew members aboard a ship at a BHP terminal in Queensland are being neglected and underpaid."Crew aboard a ship at a BHP terminal in Queensland claim they are being starved and underpaid, in yet another instance of the coal giant’s veil of secrecy over its operations in Australian waters," said an ITF release.A seafarer aboard an 80,000-tonne bulk carrier, the Villa Deste, contacted ITF pleading for help. The starving crew claims to have no food and no onboard wages…

MOL, Den Hartogh Form Chemical Logistics Alliance

Singapore-based MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) and Dutch Den Hartogh Logistics have established a strategic alliance to jointly develop and streamline liquid chemical logistics services utilizing tank containers, parcel chemical tankers and tank terminals.MOL Chemical Tankers is one of the global leaders in ocean transport, specializing in chemical parcel tankers for bulk liquid chemicals and vegetable oil and animal fats.As strategic partners MOLCT and Den Hartogh Logistics offer their customers in the petrochemical industry truly global supply chain solutions…

Maersk Acquires Customs Broker Vandegrift

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S has acquired Vandegrift, a US-based customs house broker,  as the ocean container line pushes further into land-based logistics services and operations. This is the first acquisition of the year in the fast-growing logistics sector.“Vandegrift’s expertise and reputation enables us to place a trusted advisor in front of our customers to design and build individualized Customs Brokerage and Compliance programs that identify risk and provide solutions.

Kia Motors to Use Georgia Ports for SUV

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia has announced the Telluride, its new eight-passenger SUV, will be shipped to the Port of Brunswick for global markets this month.“The launch of the Kia Telluride, our largest and most refined SUV to date, will be a monumental achievement for KMMG,” said Countess. “From the support we receive from GPA with our inbound parts from our global supply chain to supporting our export of finished vehicles to current and future markets, GPA will play an important role.”Through vertical integration – parts in via Savannah…

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Shipping Sets 2019 Priorities

Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows has unveiled a 2019 wish list for legislative and policymakers designed to make Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and coastal shipping more competitive and build on the remarkable growth of the 2018 season.St. Lawrence Seaway cargo volumes increased almost 7 per cent in 2018, reaching 40.9 million metric tons for the first time since 2007.“Despite an unpredictable business environment of tariff wars and trade negotiations, many of our Canadian and U.S.

AAPA: US Ports Need $4B for Security

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)  identified nearly $4 billion in crucial port and supply chain security needs over the next 10 years.That funding level is what’s needed to maintain and upgrade America’s port facilities and ensure they are properly equipped to address new and evolving security challenges, said AAPA in the latest report in its “The State of Freight” infrastructure series.“The State of Freight IV” is the fourth report in as many years, conducted by AAPA…

Singapore Solidifies Maritime Hub Status

Singapore has introduced two initiatives for the maritime industry - the Singapore War Risks Insurance Conditions (SWRIC) and the development of an inter-operability framework for electronic trade documents for the maritime and trade industries, which will strengthen Singapore’s standing as a leading global maritime hub.According to Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport, the SWRIC is an enhancement to the Singapore War Risks Mutual (SWRM), Singapore’s first national…

Peterson Wins Logitsics Contract for Repsol Sinopec

Energy logistics provider Peterson announced Monday it has been awarded a new long-term integrated logistics contract to service Repsol Sinopec Resources U.K.The contract sees Repsol Sinopec transitioning their marine and quayside operations to Aberdeen from Peterhead with integrated supply base, logistics, transport and warehousing operations being provided from Peterson’s Aberdeen Operations Center.This latest contract, together with increased activity from existing clients, has led to significant increases in tonnage volumes across Peterson’s Aberdeen quayside operations, the company said.

AsiaPac Oil and Gas Industry Looks Up

Confidence in the outlook for Asia Pacific’s oil and gas industry has more than doubled in the past two years, according to new research published by DNV GL, the technical advisor to the oil and gas industry.According to a new research from DNV GL, three quarters (76%) of senior oil and gas professionals in Asia Pacific are optimistic about the industry’s growth in 2019, compared with 58% in 2018 and 30% in 2017. The proportion of industry leaders who are confident in their own organizations’ prospects has also risen from 59% last year to 74% in 2019.

Crowley Logistics Announces Organizational Changes

To continue providing customers with industry-leading integrated supply chain solutions, Crowley Logistics has announced several personnel moves that further position the company for exceptional customer service and growth.Patrick Collins has been promoted to vice president of terminal operations; Jose “Pache” Ayala has been named vice president of Caribbean logistics, and Claudia Kattán de Jordán has been appointed vice president of Central America logistics. All three executives report to Steve Collar…

GPA: Six 14,000-TEU Vessels Simultaneously

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch unveiled GPA's Big Berth/Big Ship program that will allow the Port of Savannah to simultaneously handle six 14,000 TEU vessels by 2024."No other single container terminal in North America has the ability to expand berth capacity at this rate," said Lynch. Currently, Savannah's Garden City Terminal is equipped to handle two of these vessels and by April of this year that number will increase to three.During his presentation…

SpotSee Promotes Glen to VP, Supply Chain

SpotSee has promoted Dale Glen from director of supply chain to vice president of supply chain.In this role, Glen is responsible for directing and coordinating supply chain processes, procurement, production and resource planning. He will be responsible for costs, personnel and the implementation of company policies as they apply to supply chain management. Other direct responsibilities include enforcing safety standards, managing customer demand, developing tools and processes…

Hamburg Süd Presents RCM

Hamburg Süd is introducing its future use of Remote Container Management (RCM) with full transparency in real time as well as significantly increased efficiency for refrigerated transport chains.In recent months, all the reefer containers used by Hamburg Süd have been outfitted with RCM technology, said the international logistics service sector.Using satellite and mobile radio technology, RCM makes it possible to monitor the refrigerated container and the condition of the cargo inside it – including its location…

Maersk Adds Virtual Assistant to Reefer Platform

Maersk Shipping Line will add a virtual assistant — named Captain Peter — in the first half of 2019 to its remote container management (RCM) platform, which will feature a revamped design and new product features.Currently being tested by a group of select customers, technical improvements are being put in place to simplify the processes integrated into the Remote Container Management (RCM) platform. In the first half of 2019, Maersk will release the new platform with a revamped…

EU Shipping Industry Urges to Adot Clune Report

The European Parliament Transport Committee will vote on Deirdre Clune’s report on the draft regulation for a European Maritime Single Window Environment, today (January 10).The World Shipping Council (WSC) and the European Community Shipowners Associations (ECSA), which represent shipowners and maritime carriers that are the principal parties affected by this legislation, strongly support the Commission proposal and the rapporteur’s recommendations.Currently the shipping industry…

MICT Gets Eco-Friendly RTGs

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) has received four of 16 new hybrid rubber-tired gantries (RTG) as part of the Company’s long-term investment in capacity enhancement and environmental efficiency."A first in Philippines and Manufactured by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (MES) of Japan, the Mitsui Li-ion Hybrid RTG is equipped with a 200kVA Li-ion battery and a smaller diesel engine that dramatically improves the carbon footprint of the terminal…

Cosco Opens New International Hainan-ASEAN Liner Route

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) and COSCO Shipping  'Hainan-ASEAN (Singapore)' Liner Route, co-hosted by Hainan Provincial People’s Government and COSCO Shipping, was launched at Hainan Yangpu Xiaochantan Terminal owned by Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding.Hainan Governor Shen Xiaoming announced the launch of the maiden voyage.The “Hainan-ASEAN (Singapore)” Liner Route opens a direct passage through which goods from China’s western regions can be shipped southward to Singapore via Yangpu Port…

P&O Ferrymasters Launches New Link Turkey

P&O Ferrymasters announced the launch of new intermodal services from the Turkish ports of Pendik, Ambarli and Mersin to the Free Port of Trieste in Italy, with onward connections to its European intermodal network.The European provider of tailor-made transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions said in a press release that the new services – with departures six times a week in both directions – will connect with rail links from the port of Trieste to P&O Ferries’ continental hubs at Rotterdam and Zeebrugge…

Supply Chain Battle to Aide Container Supply-Demand Balance

“We believe that the industry’s supply-demand balance will benefit from a reduced appetite for Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) among the major carriers, some of which now have their eyes fixed on a bigger prize of becoming global logistics integrators. Aside from feeder ship replenishment, there has been no reaction from other lines to HMM’s mega-ship order and as such we have greatly reduced our projected new orders for 2020 onwards,” said Simon Heaney, senior manager, container research at Drewry and editor of the Container Forecaster.

NRF: Retail Imports Level Off After Rush to Beat Tariffs

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have slowed down after a months-long rush to beat increased tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“With the holiday season behind us, the immediate pressure to stock up on merchandise has passed but retailers remain concerned about tariffs and their impact on the nation’s economy,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

Kinnetik Partners with BASS to Optimize Marine Supply Chain

Kinnetik Solutions AS, has announced its business agreement with BASS Software Limited, the ERP solutions provider for shipping & offshore companies and developer of the BASSnet Fleet Management Systems version 2.10which is now integrated with Kinnetik's eProcurement cloud application, the KinnetikBuyer.BASS's clients are now able to experience KinnetikBuyer's connectivity features to their suppliers' network around the globe. BASSnet is empowered with the extra and advanced functionality that Kinnetik Solutions promises and delivers, and all that with a zero learning curve for the user.

Automotive Customers Recommit to the Port of Hueneme

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean (WWO) joins BMW North America (BMW) and GLOVIS America (GLOVIS) to secure their presence at the Port of Hueneme with long-term contracts.Representing over half of the Port’s cargo revenue, the automobiles being imported will reach more than 13 states. In addition, the Port also exports globally multiple OEM brands manufactured in the United States, acting as Ventura County’s international commerce gateway.“In a time of uncertainty from ongoing global trade talks and a watchdog approach to the tariff discussion…

Crowley’s LNG-Fueled ConRo Completes Maiden Voyage

The second of Crowley Maritime Corp.’s new combination container/roll-on roll-off “ConRo” ships - MV Taíno, one of the first of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) - completed its maiden voyage to Puerto Rico on Friday morning, Jan. 11. MV Taíno, which departed Jan. 8 from its mainland homeport of Jacksonville, Fla. (JAXPORT), is the second of two ConRo vessels constructed for Crowley. Sister ship MV El Coquí began its first-in-class service in July 2018.The ships…

PSA International Terminal Volumes Up by 9%

The Singapore-headquartered global port operator PSA International handled 81.00 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of containers at its port projects around the world for the year ending 31 December 2018.The Group’s volume increased by 9.1% over 2017, with flagship PSA Singapore contributing 36.31 million TEUs (+8.9%) and PSA terminals outside Singapore handling 44.69 million TEUs (+9.3%), it said.PSA participates in around 40 terminals in 16 countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas with flagship operations in PSA Singapore Terminals and PSA Antwerp.Tan Chong Meng…

PORTS: Busiest U.S. Port Set Cargo Records

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Wednesday said they set all-time records for moving cargo in 2018, after U.S. retailers and manufacturers pulled forward imports to avoid higher tariffs on Chinese goods.The Port of Los Angeles, North America's busiest container port, handled 9.46 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year, the most in its 111-year history and 1.2 percent more than in 2017.The neighboring Port of Long Beach processed more than 8 million TEUs for the first time last year…