Dear Readers,
Dear readers, it is Thursday and I am currently in Singapore. From minus 5 in Stockholm to plus 32 is a bit of a rude awakening albeit a pleasant one.
Anti-corruption is something that I am keen on addressing – I’m aware of the saying coined by Mao Tse Tung, “In the cleanest water lives no fish” but I still dislike very much how corruption empowers fools. We have corruption in shipping too and sometimes contracts are awarded for the wrong reasons.
Most recently the UK’s serious fraud office indicted and convicted an otherwise reputable freight forwarder for corruption. The problem is how to say no if, for example, the potential customer tells you that if you don’t do it someone else will. Perhaps it is a kneejerk reaction from the customer, but still, we in our business need to stand tall and tell such people off. We should all stand together so that customers of that kind cannot play us against each other.
In this issue of PCW, we have an interview with MACN which is a network dedicated to anti-corruption efforts. Apparently, they also enlist help from governments and I suppose if there is noise enough even politicians must listen.
I am also reminded here in Singapore about the fragile state of life, a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer and suddenly went from being on “top of the world” to the “bottom of the barrel”. It gives credence to the saying that you should live your life to the fullest every day. Let us do that and appreciate what we have before it’s too late.
Wishing you a good read and, until next time, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) – Copenhagen
Interview with
Ms. Cecilia Müller Torbrand
Program Director
What is the purpose of your network?
MACN and its members promote good corporate practice in the maritime industry for tackling bribes, facilitation payments and other forms of corruption. MACN collaborates with key stakeholders, including governments and international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to identify and mitigate the root causes of corruption in the maritime industry.
New Weekly Speed Train Service from Duisburg to Suzhou
Click here to view the route map at full-size.
Far East Land Bridge is beginning another new eastbound service in 2018. The first departure for the FCL speed train service from Duisburg to Suzhou will be on the second week of April. The transit time will be 16-18 days.
ZIM Upgrades ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP) and Introduces a New Service (CFX)
ZIM is pleased to announce a change and upgrade of our flagship ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP), and the simultaneous launch of a new Canada Florida Express service (CFX), starting April 3rd. The combined synchronized change will improve transit time and service levels, and expand port coverage.
CFX is a weekly, fixed-day service deploying 2×1300 TEU’s vessels. Connecting our Latin American hub in Kingston, Jamaica, with Florida and Halifax, the new service offers a fast and reliable service, smoothly connecting our regional network to ZIM mainliners. CFX rotation: Kingston- Miami – Halifax – Kingston.
Renewables
Vattenfall Wins Tender to Build Dutch Offshore Wind Farm Hollandse Kust Zuid
Swedish energy company Vattenfall has won a tender for the construction of the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm, which is expected to have capacity of 700-750MW, in the Netherlands. Read more…
TPI and Vestas Sign Wind Blade Supply Agreement to Open New Facility in China
TPI Composites, Inc., (TPI) (Nasdaq:TPIC), the largest U.S.-based independent manufacturer of composite wind blades, announced today that it has signed a multiyear supply agreement with Vestas Wind Systems A/S to provide blades from four manufacturing lines (with option to add more lines) for the new V150-4.2 MW wind turbine for global markets. Read more…
Mining & Minerals
Australian Firm in Talks Over £70M Tees Valley Refinery Development
Discussions have been held with an Australian company over the development of a rare earth refinery in Tees Valley, which could create more than 100 jobs.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen met representatives from Peak Resources to move forward the development of the facility, which will produce materials used in the manufacture of powerful magnets. Read more…
Bulgaria’s Kaolin to Invest 30M Euro in New Processing Plant
Kaolin, the wholly-owned Bulgarian subsidiary of Germany’s Quarzwerke GmbH, plans to invest 30 million euro ($37 million) in setting up a new processing plant in the town of Dulovo, in the country’s northeast. Read more…
Destiny of a Maritime Nation
Editor’s Note:
Being in the Lion City of Singapore is great at least for a few days. See this video to understand more about the country which really is located at the crossroads of shipping if that word ever meant anything.
Editor’s Note:
A fantastic picture this week with thanks to Swire & China Navigation Co.
