Dear Readers,
It is Week 38, Thursday, and I am again writing this editorial to you from the 19th floor overlooking the Andes mountains in the Chilean capital of Santiago.
This week is independence week, so virtually the whole country has come to a standstill from mid-week. Thus, there is nothing better to do than relax or take a long drive to the Pacific Ocean in order to take a look at a place some hours away by car from the capital. Most people have left already, so traffic will be light.
I am otherwise preparing for a trip to Panama where I shall attend the FIATA World Congress taking place from the 24th to the 27th of September. It will no doubt be a place where I can meet many freight forwarders, discuss their current situation, and know more people in places and countries where I still haven’t been.
The world has not changed much since my last editorial — in which I tried to make a new kind of editorial style incorporating the interviews a bit in the editorial. Yet, I find after all that the best way is to get back to “normal”.
Productivity is a word I learnt more about recently. Former Italian prime minister, Mr. Mario Draghi left a devastating report on the current competitiveness of the EU in comparison with both the US and China (see here).
Now I don’t think most Europeans would like to live either in the US or China for that matter, but we do have an issue with over-regulation, not only for businesses and the green hysterical lobby but also and more importantly from ECHR, the European Court of Human Rights.
I am all for human rights but when they become activists and wish to micromanage the legislation of national governments (such as whether or not we can expel a father who violated his child because of “human rights” or because the prisons in the native country are not up to “standards”), where are we?
The ECHR is a legacy from World War II. Then, it certainly was prudent to have a minimum set of rules to follow. However, now, I think we are seeing the downsides. These include illegal immigration, crime, and clan-related or widespread crime syndicates which to a great extent roam free around Europe because we have no border controls. At the moment, we are somewhat in dire straits.
And yes, I know that the minute anyone questions the ECHR they are called either a racist, far right, or whatever, but that is just not the case.
We need to stand up more for Europe, make the EU efficient, particularly when it comes to reducing the number of rules and regulations that companies must follow. Yes, agreed, we should not have a monopoly anywhere, and here we need strong powerful rulings, so that we are not overrun. But we must also develop our own industry, competitiveness, and yes, productivity, so we can move the continent forward.
The EU is very busy with ‘who gets what position in the commission’, etc., and that seems to be the key focus for our well-paid politicians. The gravy train is still there for all to see, not least the “gravy trucks” that still roam the roads between Brussels and Strasbourg once a month to the tune of a cost of EUR 150 million a year. We really need to accomplish more than grand speeches if we will be able to compete overall.
On the subject of productivity, I also notice that for the first time ever Volkswagen, a beacon of light for Germany, is now talking about closing plants in Germany! That I never thought to hear that in my lifetime, so something is up…
On the personal front, life is good, although I need to get another check up soon as I have started to have some pains in my hip. Although I am still at a respectable 61, there is no doubt that time is passing, and quickly, and the “old Volkswagen” needs more and more attention as the time passes. Suddenly, what was easier before in a sense becomes slowly more difficult or time consuming. Well, as someone said, “It is difficult to become older; we never tried it before!” 😀
I have plans to take another freighter trip in the middle of next year. AGW and I am currently talking to a couple of shipowners now for either Asia to Europe or Korea to Australia. I do have high hopes to be able to take such a trip again. There is also the possibility of boarding in Chile and sailing along with a reputable MPP carrier to Houston or New Orleans via Panama (now that the water level is back to normal…😀), but otherwise the Magellan Strait at the far south of Chile would have been a treat. I shall keep you posted, trust me. I will try if possible to get my then-to-be 16-year-old son along with me. He might learn more on such a trip than 3 weeks in school in Scandinavia 😀. There is only so much books can teach you…
This week in Project Cargo Weekly we’ve got some stellar interviews in place I believe:
- Comark Project Logistics in Slovenia is a strong, family-owned company involved in trucking, logistics, seaworthy packing, etc. and they’ve got a good reputation. We speak to one of the owners. Generally, the advantage of being family-owned is the ability to act fast and not adhere to greedy shareholders… Watch the video here.
2. WAVE Logistics in Uruguay — another small country like Slovenia but also with a strategic location—is a well-managed logistics company able to do a lot in the field of transhipment as well via Uruguayan ports into places such as Paraguay and even parts of Bolivia. Do read the interview with them.
3. KOGA Shipping USA, a shipowner with MPP tonnage plying worldwide, is also renowned although perhaps not too much known outside the Americas. Still, it is a most interesting shipowner, and in our interview, we speak to a very nice lady handling their day-to-day.
We, of course, provide you with selected shipping news, trade intelligence. Besides looking at the wise words and featured picture and photo of the day, I hope that you still enjoy receiving PCW, and that you don’t delete it but save it for when you have time for a proper view and read!
Until our next issue, due out on October 3 with input from my week long trip next week in Panama,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
Editor in Chief
Project Cargo Weekly
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
VOLANS Has Acquired a New Vessel, the
MV CONDOR MAGALLANES
Editor’s Note:
Volans a Madrid and Chilean based shipowner are expanding their Condor service fleet. Good news for shippers and freight forwarders interested in Europe to LATAM West Coast trade v.v. – Contact them for inquiries at: chartering@volans-lg.com.
The MV CONDOR MAGALLANES will further strengthen and enhance VOLANS’ Condor Service. With a capacity of 17,000 DWT— comparable to CONDOR BILBAO and CONDOR VALPARAÍSO — this new addition will allow VOLANS to serve cargo owners with even greater efficiency and flexibility.
ONE, HMM and Yang Ming Confirm the Alliance Partnership
Editor’s Note:
A new alliance is seeing the light of day now that Hapag Lloyd is leaving to join Maersk. Premier Alliance whic we also understand have a policy of being freight forwarder friendly! So it may be an idea for you to look into their service and solutions starting 2025.
Here is the press release from one of the partners, ONE (One Network Express)
Ocean Network Express (“ONE”), HMM (“HMM”) and Yang Ming Marine Transportation (“Yang Ming”) are pleased to announce that the three companies will continue to cooperate closely under the new alliance name Premier Alliance, effective for five years from February 2025. This strategic and long-standing partnership enables ONE to continue delivering reliable and flexible services with expanded global coverage, ensuring enhanced value and seamless operations for our customers.
The Latest News from Arctic Today
Editor’s Note:
What happens in Russia and subsequently in the Russian Arctic has implications for us all. Therefore I find it interesting to read Arctic Today…
This week, the world’s leading Arctic security experts will gather to discuss changes to the security landscape in the Far North, Needless to say, many of these have been sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with Sweden and Finland joining NATO.
August 2024 Acquisitions
Editor’s Note:
When you wish to retire you may wish to sell off your company and do it well. You may be hungry for acquisitions to expand either way you may find below newsletter interesting. There are companies specialised in M&A worldwide. Wishing you a Happy Sale or a Happy Buy!
North America accounted for the largest number of acquisitions (by target location) in August 2024, with 40% of all acquisitions recorded. Europe accounted for 37% of acquisitions, with 13 acquisitions recorded in August. The United States was the most active country in terms of acquisitions (by target location), accounting for 12 acquisitions, or 34% of all acquisitions recorded. In terms of target services, Transportation and Software were the two most popular target services, accounting for a combined 46% of total August acquisitions.
TotalEnergies wins enviro nod for 3 GW of Spanish solar projects
French energy group TotalEnergies SE (EPA:TTE) on Monday announced it has secured environmental permits for large-scale solar projects that will add roughly 3 GW of capacity in several Spanish regions.
JSW Energy unit bags 600 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Maharashtra
JSW Neo Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited, has received letter of award for 600 megawatts (MW) of Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Project from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).
VIS and NXP to build a new 300mm JV fab
Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) and NXP Semiconductors have secured the necessary approvals and injected capital to establish their joint venture VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (VSMC). The new company will now proceed with the planned construction its first
300mm wafer manufacturing facility.
Svanehøj secures fuel pump order for ammonia-fueled bulker octet
Danish liquified gas equipment specialist Svanehøj has been awarded a contract to supply 32 deepwell fuel pumps for a new series of ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers.
Beautiful Blue Atlantic Ocean from aft of mv Lutetia
Editor’s Note:
Enroute 2012 from Hamburg to Callao, close to Kingston, Jamaica
Editor’s Note:
Visited Panama Canal (before expansion) in 2010 onboard mv Rickmers Antwerp. Then again 2012 going from Atlantic to Pacific Coast onboard mv Lutetia.
