DP World reorganizes three regions

 THREE OF DP World’s eight operating regions have been reorganized to reflect the company’s growing business in Russia and Africa, CEO Mohammad Sharaf said in a statement Feb 29.

 DP World has appointed Flemming Dalgaard as senior vice president and managing director of its Europe and Russia region, and Anil Singh as senior vice president and managing director of its Africa region, according to the announcement.

 The former Europe and North Africa region now encompasses Europe and Russia under Dalgaard, while Singh’s Africa region now encompasses all of Africa except Egypt.

 The newly acquired DP World Sokhna, Egypt, is now part of the Middle East region, headed by Faisal Al Qah’tani, who joined the company in 2007.

 Dalgaard will join DP World in April from Danish shipping company Maersk Line, where he is currently UK and Ireland managing director.

 Anil Singh joined DP World this month from Thailand, where he was group chief executive of Laem Chabang container terminals B1 and A0, a joint venture between APM Terminals, PSA, and Marubeni.

 Web site:

 DP World

http://www.dpworld.com

 

ACP orders 150 Exousia cargo boxes

 EXOUSIA Advanced Materials Inc. Feb 28 announced that American Cargo Products has placed an order for 150 commercial cargo boxes to be constructed using Exousia’s lightweight RPA-based TrussCore laminated panels.

 “With Exousia’s material, we can build stronger, safer trucks that weigh 750 lbs less than using traditional materials,” said Barney Simon, president of American Cargo Products.

 “That means our new trucks can transport more cargo per trip and realize the fuel cost savings of hauling less weight, not to mention less wear and tear on the brakes, shocks, and tires … the potential energy savings are remarkable.

 “Additionally, the TrussCore materials and aluminum fasteners used to assemble the cargo boxes are all recyclable,” added Simon.

 “This order is another milestone in Exousia’s mission to build market share in the $40mn cargo box segment of the $1.2bn trucking industry,” said J. Wayne Rodrigue, Exousia CEO.

 RPA is a proprietary thermo-plastic olefin resin that bonds rubber and plastic to produce a new category of resins with enhanced performance characteristics that include greater resilience, the ability to sustain high impact, and increased longevity. TrussCore is an RPA-based structural core.

 Web sites:

 Exousia Advanced Materials Inc.

http://www.exousiacorp.com/

 American Cargo Products

http://www.americancargo.com/

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

 K + N sells 22 pan-European assets

 KUEHNE + Nagel, a leading global logistics provider, has entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with Goodman’s European Logistics Fund for 22 pan-European warehouse locations, the companies announced Mar 4.

 The total transaction value is approximately 220mn euros, with an average lease-back period of five years.

 The “mutually beneficial agreement” allows Goodman to enlarge its portfolio with assets at locations that are complementary to its existing stock, while Kuehne + Nagel is able to streamline its freehold portfolio in line with its global corporate real estate strategy.

 Together with the 22 properties, Goodman has also acquired 18.8 ha of undeveloped land reserves. The combined portfolio is spread over five European countries with 10 assets in Germany, nine in France, and one each in Spain, Belgium, and Austria.

 The assets cover approximately 430,000 sq meters of warehouse space.

 For Goodman, the acquisition represents the second largest transaction in the Fund’s history and a significant increase in assets under management, now standing at 1.4bn euros. The Fund now comprises approximately 2mn sq meters of warehouse space and covers 10 countries.

 Web sites:

 Kuehne + Nagel

http://www.kuehne-nagel.com

 Goodman’s European Logistics Fund

http://www.goodman.com

 

YRC Worldwide earns Fortune top place

 YRC WORLDWIDE, one of the largest transportation service providers in the world, has been ranked number one in its industry for the sixth consecutive year on the Fortune Magazine annual list of America’s Most Admired Companies, the company announced Mar 3.

 In addition, YRC Worldwide ranked number one in all eight categories, a recognition achieved by only 13 other companies, the company said.

 “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition for the sixth year in a row,” said Bill Zollars, chairman, president, and CEO, YRC Worldwide. “We are especially excited to have ranked number one in all eight attributes of reputation categories, an achievement that validates our position as an industry leader and our ongoing commitment to our customers.”

 The reputation attributes are innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, and quality of products/services.

 To create the industry lists, Fortune and its survey partner, Hay Group, asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate companies in their own industry on the eight criteria. A total of 622 companies in 65 industries were surveyed.

 Web site:

 YRC Worldwide

http://www.yrcw.com/

 

Allen Group names Howell CFO

 THE ALLEN GROUP, a leading developer of logistics parks and inland ports, Mar 3 announced the appointment of Ken Howell as chief financial officer.

 Howell will oversee the company’s financial operations, including accounting and tax reporting, monitoring financial resources, and securing project financing. He will also develop and implement capital-raising initiatives and manage IT systems corporate-wide.

 “Ken brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, and real estate to The Allen Group,” said Edward B. Romanov, president and chief operating officer of The Allen Group.

 “His combination of management and industry experience are an excellent fit to meet our company’s future financial objectives,” Romanov added.

 Prior to joining The Allen Group, Howell served as senior vice president and chief financial officer at McWhinney, a commercial development company in Northern Colorado

 Howell also formerly served as vice president of finance for Clayton, Williams & Sherwood Inc., a residential developer and property management company located in Newport Beach, CA.

 The Allen Group is based in San Diego and currently has more than 8,000 acres under development across the US.

 Web site:

 The Allen Group

http://www.allengroup.com

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Tanker, box ship, vessel collide; 1 dead

 THREE VESSELS collided Mar 5 in a strait in western Japan, killing one Filipino crew member and leaving three others missing as their cargo ship sank, the Japan Coast Guard said in a statement.

 The coast guard said the cargo ship, the 1,466-tonne Belizean Gold Leader, sank with nine Filipino crew on board. Six have been rescued, but one later died at a local hospital, according to a coast guard official.

 The Gold Leader collided with a Japan-registered vessel and a tanker about one mile southeast of the Akashi bridge in the Akashi Strait, officials said.

 None of the five crew members of the Japanese ship was injured, but the status of the tanker’s crew was not yet clear, the statement said.

 The coast guard has deployed 11 vessels and four aircraft to search for the three still missing. They said oil was also leaking from the sunken cargo ship.

 The Akashi Strait is one of Japan’s busiest bodies of water that links major cities in western Japan with the Pacific Ocean.

 Web site:

 

$1bn expansion for Port of New Orleans

 PORT OF NEW ORLEANS officials say that a proposed $1bn expansion will be key to the city’s economic rebound.

 A $478mn expansion to the port’s container cargo terminal to increase its capacity would be the centerpiece of the plan, according to a copy of the plan released Mar 4.

 “It’s critical for the entire recovery of the city and greater New Orleans area,” said Gary LaGrange, Port of New Orleans president and CEO. “If the port doesn’t recover and can’t compete, New Orleans loses and Louisiana loses.”

 Hurricane Katrina battered the port in 2005, causing roughly $165mn in damages, said Chris Bonura, a port spokesman. The port has collected $42mn of that claim and is in settlement negotiations for the rest, he said.

 If the first phase of the master plan is completed, Bonura said, the container terminal would triple its capacity by 2012, in time for the widening of the Panama Canal, scheduled to be completed by 2014.

 The plan also calls for a $22.5mn expansion of the port’s cruiseship terminals and a $75mn expansion of its break-bulk facility.

 Web site:

 Port of New Orleans

http://www.portno.com/

 

AAPA names “Port Person of Year”

 US SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D-WV) will be honored as the American Association of Port Authorities’ “Port Person of the Year” at the port association’s annual Washington People’s Luncheon Apr 1 in Washington, DC’s historic Willard Intercontinental Hotel, the AAPA announced Mar 4.

 AAPA — a trade organization representing the leading public ports in the Western Hemisphere — selected Sen. Byrd to receive its most prestigious annual award based on his “strong advocacy in Congress for increasing cargo and facility security at America’s seaports,” AAPA said.

 In addition to receiving the “Port Person” award, Sen. Byrd will serve as the luncheon’s keynote speaker. During his remarks, he is expected to discuss the increasing security needs of America’s ports and the port security agenda he has championed as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 “Senator Byrd can rightfully be called one of the ‘fathers’ of the Port Security Grant program,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO.

 “Senator Byrd’s consistent effort to fund and secure our ports has been instrumental since September 11, 2001, and AAPA sincerely appreciates his strong leadership and support,” said Nagle.

 Web site:

 American Association of Port Authorities

http://www.aapa-ports.org

Thursday, March 6, 2008

New inspectors at ports

 THE US CONSUMER Product Safety Commission Mar 5 at the Port of Long Beach announced the creation of the new Import Surveillance Division of the CPSC.

 This team, in coordination with the Customs and Border Protection agency, is tasked with inspecting, detecting, and stopping hazardous products from entering into the United States.

 The Port of Long Beach is the first port that will have a permanent CPSC presence, and additional staff will be assigned to other busy ports as the division is expanded, according to the press release.

 The new inspection unit will be able to place a hold on any shipments deemed hazardous, according to Nancy Nord, the commission’s acting chairperson. Previously, inspectors and customs agents checked goods only on a case-by-case basis at the nation’s ports.

 “With new strategies and growing resources, I am confident that we can prevent the entry of unsafe products into our country, remove those that do find a way in and punish those who willfully disregard the safety of our consumers,” said Acting Chairman Nord.

 Web site:

 Consumer Product Safety Commission

http://www.cpsc.gov/

 

CN opposes rail grain re-regulation

 CN, saying it’s compelled to oppose the continued erosion of its grain profits by creeping re-regulation, Mar 3 urged the Canadian government to “stay the course toward a commercial framework for grain transportation,” CN said.

 CN raised the issue as it seeks leave from the Federal Court to appeal the Feb 19, 2008, decision of the Canadian Transportation Agency to reduce rail revenue entitlement for grain transportation under the Canada Transportation Act.

 The CTA decision cutting rail grain rates by 8% under the revenue cap is retroactive to Aug 1, 2007.

 E. Hunter Harrison, CN president and CEO, commented, “With the latest CTA decision, the government of Canada is effectively transferring income from one sector of the economy — railways — to another — farmers — in what we believe is an unfair ruling on rate cap inputs.”

 “Rail rates for grain transport in Canada are among the lowest in the world and significantly less than those in the United States,” Harrison continued. “Unless amended by the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada, the CTA ruling will permanently damage CN’s grain business.”

 CN — Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries — spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico.

 Web site:

 CN

http://www.cn.ca/

 

POLB’s “Green Flag” honored

 An innovative and successful program to reduce air pollution by slowing ship speeds has earned the Port of Long Beach a national environmental excellence award, the port announced Mar 5.

 The port’s voluntary “Green Flag” air quality initiative has been recognized by the National Association of Environmental Professionals with its Environmental Management Award. The award will be presented later this month at the organization’s annual conference in San Diego.

 The award is given to organizations and programs that achieve “lasting contributions to improving environmental methods, improving the quality of the environment, and reducing impacts on the environment,” said Jim Melton, president of the National Association of Environmental Professionals.

 The two-year-old Green Flag program asks ships and vessel operators to voluntarily slow down to 12 knots or less within 20 nautical miles of the harbor, which greatly reduces fuel consumption and air pollution.

 Companies that achieve 90% compliance receive rebates on dockage fees. In 2007 nearly 90% of the ships coming into and out of Long Beach terminals were in compliance with the Green Flag standards, the port said.

 Web site:

 Port of Long Beach

http://www.polb.com

Friday, March 7, 2008

Report: Retail box traffic slowing

 TRAFFIC at the nation’s major retail container ports will continue to reflect the slowdown in the nation’s economy with weak or negative growth compared with last year over the next several months, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released Mar 6 by the National Retail Federation and Global Insight.

“Container traffic at the ports mirrors what retailers expect to sell in their stores, and the retail industry is expecting only modest growth this year,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy.

Ports surveyed handled 1.24mn TEUs of container traffic in January, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. The number was down 3.5% from December’s 1.28mn TEUs and down 4.3% from January 2007.

 February was estimated at 1.18mn TEUs, down 9.6% from February 2007, and was the seventh month in a row to show a year-to-year decline.

 March is forecast at 1.27mn TEUs, unchanged from last year; April at 1.35mn TEUs, up 1.8% from April 2007; May at 1.37mn TEUs, up 0.7% from May 2007; June at 1.4mn TEUs, down 3.6%; and July at 1.45mn TEUs, up 0.2%.

 Web site:

Port Tracker report

http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=393

 

POLB hosts cargo forecast conference

 A FREE “Pulse of the Ports” 2008 peak season forecast conference will be hosted by the Port of Long Beach Mar 19 at 7:30 a.m.

 The three-hour event, which draws several hundred attendees each year, brings together economic experts, importers, terminal operators, labor leaders, and other transportation industry professionals to discuss issues related to the ports, the economy, consumer demand, and more.

 This year’s scheduled speakers are Paul Bingham, Principal, Global Insight; Charles Woo, CEO, Megatoys; Brian Black, Senior VP, Hyundai Merchant Marine; Frank Pisano, VP, TraPac; Doug Tilden, CEO, Ports Americas Group; Mike Mitre, President, ILWU Local 13; John Kaiser, VP and General Manager, Intermodal Marketing, Union Pacific; and Vic la Rosa, President, TTSI.

 Find out “how the softening import market, national economic outlook, federal TWIC security requirements, labor negotiations, and other factors will affect Port cargo traffic,” port authorities say.

 Admission is free and a breakfast will be provided, but seating is limited. To make a reservation, send your name, title, and company affiliation to Sallie Rodman, rodman@polb.com, or call (562) 590-4110.

 Web site:

 Port of Long Beach

http://www.polb.com

 

Hyster offers FleetSmart program

 HYSTER Co., a leading lift truck designer and manufacturer in North America, Mar 6 announced the introduction of the FleetSmart program, a fleet management program with a variety of services designed to reduce costs and improve the productivity of large lift truck fleets.

 The customizable FleetSmart program offers “Web-based access, digital paging technology, e-mail service reminders, online reports, maintenance plans, and other features to help effectively operate and maintain material-handling equipment,” the company said.

Customers can choose from four maintenance plans to meet their company’s needs: “basic periodic maintenance, comprehensive periodic maintenance, full maintenance, and full maintenance with abuse included,” Hyster said.

 A large component of the program, said Hyster, is the “Power by the Hour” concept, which offers a fixed “per hour” charge for services, as opposed to a blanket cost “that can lead to unnecessary maintenance and fees.”

 Uptime is tracked by a remote hour meter that remotely acquires and tracks lift truck runtime. The charges are then billed monthly to reduce the number of invoices billed over the course of a year.
 Web site:

 http://www.hysteramericas.com