Dear Readers,
It’s Thursday 19th September and we are in your inbox again.
Today, I am actually on the train to my native country of Denmark. The train from Stockholm to Copenhagen only takes five hours, which might seem like a long time. However, if you compare that to a flight with SAS or Norwegian, which normally takes an hour and ten minutes, plus the need to be there at the airport one hour before (at least), also the transport both to the airport (another hour) and after arrival in Copenhagen (say, twenty minutes plus waiting etc.) from the airport to downtown, then the difference becomes negligible.
The added benefit, as I also mentioned before when visiting Gothenburg, is that I can work during the whole trip, back and forth. Indeed, it’s a long day but I think it’s worth it in this way. No, I am not taking the train because it is better for the environment. Is it even better?
I am probably as confused as many of you regarding the new green religion that has swamped us in recent times. A friend of mine in Hamburg reminded me of what is going to happen to the battery packs once they are obsolete, the wind turbine towers, and equipment, once they can no longer be used. Do we have the ability to then dispose of these items in safe and ‘green’ ways? I am all for having a cleaner environment, that is a no-brainer, but perhaps we shouldn’t move so fast that we cannot follow-up just because soundbytes and bold statements that look good on paper may not, in practice, be feasible.
On the political front, it seems that the Greek Islands are once again being swamped by people looking for a better life. Well, who can blame them? The inability of the EU to make any kind of tough decisions or stand up for anything (besides bullying Eastern Europe and Britain for not taking all of Brussels’ directives to heart) shows itself in the Mediterranean again. How many years ago was it when the EU commissioner for migration was wringing her hands in Lampedusa, along with Barroso, that this situation is ‘unacceptable’?
It’s a complex issue but avoiding dealing with problems head-on will not make them go away. Still, what do politicians care? They are elected for five years and can retire after that and become consultants or lobbyists for businesses or former colleagues. In many ways, the notion of democracy as we know it is under attack. If democracy means being unable to decide and if what we decide we don’t implement, then what’s the use? So, I have decided to skip thinking about EU politics and instead I ordered the latest book by Edward Snowden called Permanent Record, in which he tells his story about the US (not Chinese) surveillance industry. Already after reading just a few chapters, it seems to me that people who live in glass Whitehouses shouldn’t throw stones.
Getting back to the real business world, we have got some interesting interviews in store for you today. We start in Hamburg, talking to UHL (United Heavy Lift) which incidentally now is joining forces with OCEAN 7 and making new and positive changes to an already volatile MPP market. Next, we travel to Laos, a landlocked beautiful country that can be reached normally via Vietnam, or mostly via Thailand and even via China in some cases. There is a capable logistics provider in Laos, Savan Logistics, that also provides inland transport. They provide some interesting insights. After Laos, we travel to the Ivory Coast in West Africa, a country that is seldom in the news, but a country that is developing. In the interview, you will learn more about the Belgian company COMEXAS, which offers all kinds of services there, including inland transhipment to Burkina Faso and Mali.
We finish off providing you with shipping news, trade intelligence and wise words, and we even found some very interesting videos for you to watch this week.
Wishing you well and, until next week, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
United Heavy Lift – Hamburg, Germany
Interview with
Mr. Lars Bonnesen
Managing Director
Do you strictly run a tramp service, or do you also have liner or semi-liner ambitions? If so, which trade lanes do you feel would fit you?
Our focus has been from Europe to the Middle East/Asia and back again to Europe on the heavy-lift ships. We have, however, just started a new…
Savan Logistics – Laos
Interview with
Mr. Jean Pierre Grzelczyk
C.E.O.
Laos is a landlocked country and thus must benefit from good relationships with its neighbours, especially from a logistics perspective. Can you elaborate for us on the trade between Laos and its neighbours?
As you say, Laos is a landlocked country, so we have developed multimodal road transport options that help cross borders from China, Vietnam…
COMEXAS – Ivory Coast
Interview with
Mr. Xavier Berbers & Mr. Pierre Paul Agnero
Managing Director & Logistics Manager
Do you sometimes handle transhipments between Abidjan and other countries/places around you? Would inland transport via Abidjan to Mali be possible and if so, how is it done?
The country borders Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana. But most transit shipments going through the Ivory Coast are for Mali and Burkina, as they don’t…
A Project Coordinator at Rhenus Project Logistics Indonesia Gives Insights on a Project
Ever wondered what goes into ensuring your cargo reaches its destination halfway across the globe safe and sound? Iman Annas, Project Coordinator at Rhenus Projects Logistics, gives special insights.
Watch the video. Visit Rhenus Project Logistics online: www.rhenusproject.com
CMA CGM Launches RHINE VALLEY RAIL, a New Train Service Connecting the Port of Rotterdam with the German Hinterland
The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, is pleased to announce the introduction of RHINE VALLEY RAIL, a new rail service connecting the Port of Rotterdam with the German hinterland.
LNG Bunker Operation at the Port of Södertälje
Editor’s Note:
Finding and using cleaner and greener fuel is paramount according to the experts. Now LNG is actively being used as fuel for ships as well. Here’s the latest press release concerning an LNG bunker operation at port of Sodertalje, near Stockholm, Sweden.
The world’s largest bunker supply vessel (BSV) for LNG has conducted the first LNG bunker operation in Sweden’s Port of Södertälje.
BSV Kairos, which LNG supplier Nauticor has a charter agreement for, transferred 150t of LNG to product tanker Ternsund, chartered by the Finnish fuel supply company NEOT (North European Oil Trade). The operation took place at the port’s oil terminal.
Hamburg – European Hub for the China Trades
Editor’s Note:
Hamburg has a huge interest in the Chinese trade as you can can see below. In addition to that, over the years they’ve also secured the status as the Eastern Europe and Scandinavian hub specialist involving even greater volumes.
Hamburg and China have been trading partners by since the 18th century. Hamburg has nurtured a city & port partnership with Shanghai since 1986. Hamburg opened its Liaison Office – HLO – in Shanghai in 1995. This represents Hamburg interests in China and markets the city as a destination for visitors.
The World’s Only ICC-Endorsed Incoterms(R) 2020 Online Training has Arrived
Editor’s Note:
Terms and conditions are on whatever you do including international trade. You can’t live without it. Therefore, you’d be well advised to buy the latest INCO 2020 terms, which are now out, replacing the former.
The Incoterms® rules define important responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods under sales contracts. They are the authoritative rules for determining how costs and risks are allocated to the parties. Incoterms rules are regularly incorporated into contracts for the sale of goods worldwide and have become part of the daily language of trade.
Bruks Siwertell Awarded Repeat Truck Dump Equipment Order from Douglas Pellets
Bruks Siwertell, has won a contract to supply a back-on truck dump receiving system for Douglas Pellets LLC. It will be used to efficiently unload dry peanut hulls at the company’s facility in Pearson, Georgia, in the US, and is planned for delivery in January 2020.
Bruks Siwertell has supplied various truck dumpers as well as chippers and other equipment to Douglas Pellets’ network of pellet plants and sawmills in Georgia.
Pöyry Awarded EPCM Services Assignment for the Star Project in Lençóis Paulista (SP), Brazil
Bracell has awarded Pöyry with an EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Management) assignment to develop the BoP (Balance of Plant) of the Star Project. The services include interconnections between all process areas, turbo generators and steam distribution systems, the water cooling centre and other complementary systems.
Valmet to Supply Board Machine to JK Paper Limited in India
Valmet will supply a board machine with an extensive automation and Industrial Internet package for JK Paper Limited’s Fort Songadh Mill in India. By investing in the latest coated board technology, JK Paper targets to increase its market share on a growing Indian market and to serve the market with more local supply.
SCA Invests in Obbola Kraftliner Mill
SCA to build a new paper machine for the production of kraftliner at its Obbola paper mill in Umeå. The annual production in Obbola will increase from the current 450,000 tonnes of kraftliner to 725,000 tonnes to meet the growing demand for renewable packaging. The investment amount is SEK 7.5 billion.
Striking a Balance: Work Life at the Port of Prince Rupert
Editor’s Note:
Prince Rupert sounds like the name of a character in a movie or a Nigerian nobleman. However it is also the name of a fast growing port on the West Coast of Canada. This video reminds us about business but it certainly provides food for thought on why to plan one’s next holiday visit to British Columbia.
Martin Bencher Ingenuity In Action
Editor’s Note:
Having had a special relationship with Martin Bencher from its inception in 1997 to 2012 when I left the company, it makes me happy to see that they are going stronger than ever. Here a very impressive video showing parts for windturbines being transported up the mighty Mississippi in the US organised and coordinated by MB. I sincerely hope that the green focus will continue because where most of us would be without windturbines being shipped left, right and centre nowadays?
Editor’s Note:
By now you would know that some shipowners, in particular CMA CGM, accept passengers on many of their globally trading container ships. But, what you perhaps didn’t know is that a selected few of them have VIP suites even with Direct access from the cabin to a private balcony. This is on a giant container vessel mind you! It’s amazing to say the least. Here’s a view from the balcony as the 13000 TEU container vessel CMA CGM Christophe Colomb is entering Hong Kong. A room with a view!
