8


Issue 4 2012


UK could see piggyback trains by September


The Russell Group’s Barking terminal in East London hosted the UK’s first ever ‘piggyback’ train to carry full-height trailers on 22 May. A successful test run by Eurotunnel’s Europorte Channel through-rail subsidiary transported goods for the Vauxhall Group over the almost 400km distance from Antwerp in Belgium in conjunction with Ewals Intermodal, a sister company of Dutch-based Ewals Cargo care. This new service is unique in the UK in that it allows the transport of complete trailers on board ‘pocket’ wagons, with the trailers being liſted on and off the train by crane at either end of the rail journey. Ewals Cargo Care’s purchasing


manager Dennis Steeghs told FBJ that his company hopes to have a commercial service operating into Barking from the Benelux countries by September this year, initially three days a week but the intention is to go to weekly as soon as possible. Ewals already operates similar


services on the Continent, including Germany/Czech Republic, Germany/Sweden, Belgium/Italy and between north


and south Germany. It operates its own intermodal terminal at Geleen in southern Netherlands and 1,200 of its 3,000-strong road trailer fleet are already ‘Megahuckepack’ specification – specially strengthened and with an adapted air suspension that allows them to be liſted on and off the rail wagons without damage. Ewals also operates a fleet of 250 rail wagons, including 40 pocket piggyback wagons. Although piggyback operation has been tried before on UK domestic rail routes, these attempts used cut-down trailers because of the restricted UK rail loading gauge. The Europorte service avoids this restriction by using the High Speed 1 route from the Channel Tunnel to Barking, currently the UK’s only rail line with the necessary clearance for full size trailers, but Europorte Channel director, Kevin Walker told FBJ: “We would like to put pressure on politicians to gauge-clear routes to the north of the UK to make them suitable for this kind of traffic.” The


Rail Freight Group’s chairman Tony Berkeley added that


///NEWS


NEWS ROUNDUP SEAFREIGHT


ZIM is issuing a new Bill of Lading form with better security. It is printed on special paper and incorporates advanced measures designed for prevention and fast identification of forgery, similar to methods used in printing of currency and passports. ZIM will supply its agents worldwide with tools that enable swiſt examination of each B/L, ensuring its authenticity. It has been developed in cooperation with Arjowiggins, a world-leading producer of security paper, banknotes, cheque books and passports. Zim line is also adding the Albanian port of Durrës to the schedule of its Adriatic Express Service from July. The port is a gateway not only to Albania but the Central Balkans, including the former Yugoslavian republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Kosovo.


Business Secretary Vince Cable officially opened a fourth new multi- deck trade vehicle terminal at the Port of Southampton on 7 June to meet extra demand for UK car exports. The terminal is part of a major investment by Associated British Ports (ABP) to expand its vehicle export facilities. ABP also announced a further £7.5m investment to construct a fiſth multi-deck trade vehicle terminal at the port.


a Thrall version of the piggyback wagon with inside bogie frames would fit within the existing width envelope on the UK rail system and would require only raising of bridges and tunnels to clear a route from the south to the north of England. The attraction of piggyback


operation to hauliers and logistics companies is that it would allow intermodal operation without investment in specialised fleets of containers and swapbodies. Ewals Cargo Care fleet control manager Bart van Rens said that


the Megahuckepack specification trailers were very similar to standard units. The strengthening added around 400kg to the tare weight although this could be mitigated by use of lighter-weight material; the only other major modification was a ‘splitter’ on the trailer’s air-suspension that prevented


the vehicle being


inadvertently moved while it was deflated. It was also possible to buy ‘Huckepack-ready’ trailers to which the modifications could be easily and cheaply added.


Vestas fails to strike Sheerness deal


Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has abandoned plans to set up a plant at the port of Sheerness in south- east England, despite being granted planning permission to do so in May. Sheerness owner, Peel Ports said it


while it was extremely disappointed at the decision, it remained fully committed to its strategy outlined for the Port of Sheerness of attracting major renewables manufacturers.


Peel Ports chief executive, Mark


Whitworth said: “We are extremely disappointed that we have been unable to conclude the agreement with Vestas. However, we remain fully committed to the strategy outlined for the Port of Sheerness of attracting major renewables manufacturers to complement our valued heritage business within the significant footprint of the Port.


“Port of Sheerness’ natural


attributes, strategic location and planning consent remain a compelling proposition for major wind turbine manufacturers and will facilitate the delivery of major new investment into the port and the Kent economy.” Swale Borough Council leader


Andrew Bowles said that he would work with Peel Ports


to attract


another operator. Conservative MP for South Thanet Laura Sandys blamed commercial factors at Vestas and also a lack of confidence within the industry over the government’s commitment to the green economy and crucially offshore wind. A task force has now been set


up to look at ways of attracting manufacturers to the region.


Entries invited for BIFA awards


The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is seeking entries for its annual Freight Service Awards competition. Entries to any of the categories can be made at: www. bifa.org/awards (Enter Now). BIFA’s Freight Service Awards are open to all full and probationary Members of the trade association. BIFA director general, Peter


Quantrill said: “BIFA has long emphasised the value of these awards in driving up standards in our industry, while at the same


time acknowledging the skills and attributes of the many hard-working individuals and companies working within our industry.” He added that


all last year’s


sponsors have signed up again for this year - a first for BIFA and “the ultimate vote of confidence in the value of the Awards from those that come forward to sponsor the categories.” Finalists will be announced at the


end of October, and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony


early next year. The nine categories are: • Air Freight Award – sponsored by IAG Cargo


• Environment Award – sponsored by Red Recruit


• European Logistics Award – sponsored by TT Club


• Ocean Freight Award – sponsored by CargoWise


• Project Forwarding Award – sponsored by Peter Lole & Co


• Special Services Award –


sponsored by Forward Computers


• Staff Development Award – sponsored by Albacore Systems


• Supply Chain Management Award – sponsored by BoxTop Technologies


• Young Freight Forwarder Award – sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo Registrations


to enter must


be made by 21 September and submissions and supporting documentation must be received by BIFA by 5 October.


The European Commission is expected to present a legislative proposal on inland waterway transport emissions next year, according to a new working document. Although seen as a ‘green’ mode of transport, especially in terms of carbon emissions, it has been losing ground to road transport in the last few years with regard to other emissions, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. At the current rate, emissions from trucks could be lower for road transport by 2020 thanks to improvements in road transport technology. There are currently few incentives to waterway operators to adopt new technology. The Commission will most likely start by drawing up stricter maximum emission values for new barges but might target the existing fleet later. A group of experts on the reduction of inland waterway transport emissions will also be set up.


EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas says that he planned to draw up guidelines for the relations between port authorities and service providers, specifically where a port authority fulfils both roles and where state aid is involved. In a speech on 11 May in Sopot, Poland, at a conference on sea ports, Kallas added that this dual role can lead to conflicts of interest and hinder the entry of independent operators. “The different roles and responsibilities of the two sides should now be properly defined – and the rules clarified and simplified,” he said. He also said that concessions in some European ports were “not always awarded in a non-discriminatory, objective or transparent way”. A directive is currently being adopted on concessions and the commissioner said that it was “not yet clear whether complementary rules would be needed for ports” - all questions that would be addressed in a consultation of stakeholders just launched by the Commission. Legislative proposals are expected in spring 2013.


The Port of Cork officially opened its extended container capacity at the Sean Lemass Deepwater Terminal, Ringaskiddy on 30 May. The facilities have allowed Maersk to commence its first ever direct service to Ireland operating weekly from the Mexican port of Vera Cruz and calling to Costa Rica, Belize and Panama. The new service also sees a return of the Fyffes banana trade to Cork which has not been seen in the port since the 1980s. The port has invested €2.9 million in a new container compound and with the purchase of a new electric RTG.


This year’s British Ports Association (BPA) Annual Conference will be hosted by the Port of Workington on 2-4 October. The port of Workington will emphasise its recent £5.7 million infrastructure development programme and potential to become the biggest container handling terminal between the Mersey and the Clyde. http://www.resourcemarketing.co.uk/#/bpa2012


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36