10 July 2006 issue

Headlines

Proactive ELAA

The ELAA's (EUROPEAN LINER AFFAIRS ASSOCIATION) 200 pages submission to the EC is proof that it has been proactive since Brussels decided that the conference system’s days were numbered. It has come up with a new regime based on the need for joint industry discussion in order to discern trends. But rather than talking behind closed doors, the lines want to bring shippers and other stakeholders into the fold in future. Whether the shippers want to be part of this collective approach to decision making is a moot point. They are concerned that the carriers will be examining the same data and then coming to a broadly similar conclusion on how much the shipper should pay. The customers also say the things they care about such as congestion, security and service performance will not be on the liner’s agenda. Carriers, however, say their importance to the global economy means the stakes are too high to abolish the conference system without a replacement. The commission agrees that the industry deserves special status, as shown by its plan to issue guidelines. But with such strong opposition from shippers it’s doubtful how much of the ELAA’s proposal will be under discussion in Brussels next year.

Source : IFW 26 June 2006

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CMA CGM teams up with China Shipping

CMA CGM and China Shipping are joining forces between Asia and Europe, allowing them to rationalise their existing services. From 22 August, eight vessels of 9 400 and 9 600 teu capacity - four from each line - will be deployed on a new weekly service named FAL2/AEX7. The rotation will be : Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, port Kelang, le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Port Kelang and Ningbo.

Source : IFW 26 June 2006

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Operators bid to run new Mumbai hub

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has invited expressions of interest to operate its fourth container terminal, at Nhava Sheva, near Mumbai. The port which handles about 60% of India's container traffic, already has three working box terminals – a state-owned facility, plus the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal operated by Dubai Ports World and the partially commissioned Gateway Terminal operated by AP Moller Maersk. The latest deadline is July 19. The security issue arose due to the proximity of the proposed terminal to key naval installation. JNPT sources revealed that the initial response to its tender has been encouraging, with major foreign players, including DP World, AP Moller Maersk, PSA Corporation and Mitsui, as well as domestic players such as JP Baxi Group, showing interest in the project.

Source : IFW 3 July 2006

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The port of Shanghai aiming to expand abroad

Shanghai's public port operator, Shanghai International Ports Group aims to expand abroad via acquisitions in the USA, Europe and Asia despite possible political opposition. First in China, the port of Shanghai holds first place worldwide ahead of Singapore in terms of freight volume at 443 m t in 2005, 21 m more than Singapore. With a standard size container throughput of 18,08 m , it ranked third behind Hong Kong and Singapore in 2005.

Source : Antenne, 4 July 2006

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CMA CGM Fidelio named in Marseilles

The CMA CGM Fidelio made a memorable call in Marseilles where it was christened on July 4 at the Leon Gouret pier. The 76th ship owned by the Marseilles based shipowner has a capacity of 9415teu. She is the biggest containership worldwide to fly the French flag.

Source : Antenne, 5 July 2006

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Truckers’ union slams EC road policy

The general delegate of the International Road Transport Union (IRU*) said he was "shocked" by the EC’s lack of clear political commitment to the road transport industry, despite positive developments in the review of the 2001 Transport White Paper. Smart charging was still based on the “false promise” that limited road infrastructure could be optimised through tolls that varied according to the time of day. "Premium tolls for peak periods will not change behaviour but will simply increase costs for transport companies and ultimately the European consumer", said the IRU general delegate. He also slammed th allocation of too much of the limited TENs (The Trans-European Networks) budget towards railway infrastructure.

Source : IFW 26 June 2006

*The IRU, through its national associations, represents the entire road transport industry world-wide.

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New trailer gives Lufthansa capacity lift

Lufthansa Cargo last week introduced a new trailer type into its road feeder services that allows cargo pallets to be loaded on two levels, increasing per-trip capacity by up to 75%. The prototype truck can handle up to seven pallets depending on the size and make-up of the palletised freight, using a flexible and automated lifting system. Development of the prototype took almost two years of co-operation between Lufthansa Cargo and FSKey services, a company in the Freschi & Schiavoni Group, a haulage contractor and handling agent that also funded the project. The first truck will run on the Munich-Milan route.

Source : IFW 3 July 2006

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San Francisco International airport to screen all cargo on passenger aircraft

San Francisco International is set to become the first airport in the US to screen all cargo to be carried on passenger aircraft for explosives, as part of a US$30m government pilot programme to be launched later this summer.

Source : IFW 3 July 2006

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New security regime for air cargo in India

India’s customs authority last week began operating a new security regime for air cargo, similar to that operated in the US and, later this month, Canada. Carriers were last week reminding customers to check the new advance manifest information requirements of the system and that charges similar to those for the US’s Air AMS* would apply.

Source : IFW 3 July 2006

*Air AMS is an easy-to-use Web application to file your air manifest.

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