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Issue 4 2015 - Freight Business Journal


First call in Southampton for CMA CGM super-ship


CMA CGM’s largest vessel made her maiden call in the UK on 13 May when the 17,722teu CMA CGM Kerguelen called in Southampton. If all the ship’s containers were placed together end to end they would stretch from the south coast port to London – nearly 80 miles.


Don’t neglect logistics, FTA tells Tories


Within hours of David Cameron being confirmed as the next prime minister, the Freight Transport Association urged him and his new Government to recognise the importance of logistics in keeping the people of Britain supplied with essential goods they need. FTA director of policy, Karen


Dee, said that policies “must ensure the industry can be as efficient and effective as possible in support of businesses and consumers in the UK. Our objective is to ensure that the UK has a safe, efficient and sustainable supply chain, and we sincerely hope that the new Government will support us in these goals.” In its Logistics Manifesto 2015,


FTA said that the freight industry requires better support from Government, and set out key issues which need addressing– including a cut in fuel duty; addressing skills shortages and recruiting professional drivers; and ensuring UK’s infrastructure networks (including airport capacity) are capable of meeting freight needs. Logistics was not exactly


centre-stage in the election campaign. However, on a visit to the hotly contested South Thanet constituency, David Cameron said that he was “very keen” to save Manston Airport – closed by current owner Ann Gloag. A few days later, on 16 May, FTA’s director of global and


European policy, Chris Welsh, said a decision on airport capacity in south-east England needs to be made by Government sooner rather than later. He said: “An early decision on additional airport capacity is needed once the Airports Commission issues its recommendations. This will be seen as an important test by Britain’s exporters and importers, who depend on


air cargo


services, of the government’s commitment to boosting the UK’s competitiveness in international markets.” A poll of UK voters by for airport expansion


Populus,


campaign group Let Britain Fly, also showed that voters backed calls for the new Government to use its fresh mandate to make


an early decision to expand airport capacity once the Airports Commission publishes its final recommendation. The Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, is scheduled to issue its final recommendation on where expansion should take place later this year. The options include a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, or a second runway at Gatwick. Many people are frustrated at


the length of time it has taken for the Davies Commission, set up in 2012, to reach its conclusion, and calls have been made for the Government to endorse the preferred option immediately following the publication of the report.


Air charterers slam ‘unhelpful’ runway comments


Boris Johnson’s comments on future aviation policy are “unhelpful” says the Baltic Air Charter Association. The London Mayor and recently elected MP for Twickenham said that he would “lie down and stop the bulldozers” building


Heathrow during his acceptance speech. BACA is calling on the newly


elected UK government to act quickly in implementing new aviation policies, in particular runway capacity and border control. However,


the a third runway at


delay in the publication of the Airports Commission report being compiled by Sir Howard Davies, announced on 8 May, indicates that progress may be slow, even when the report is published. The British International Freight Association (BIFA)


did


however welcome the fact that


Patrick McLoughlin has further


retained his cabinet position as Transport Secretary in the new UK Government. Director general, Robert Keen says the association has previously urged the Government not to use


the Department for Transport as a political football, but to focus on long-term solutions to infrastructure. McLoughlin’s reappointment is a welcome sign of continuity in the Department, allowing issues including capacity in the aviation industry, road infrastructure, investment in the railways and port strategy to be addressed. And, as well as “imploring”


the new government to tackle investment


in transport, Kevin


Buchanan, managing director at palletised freight network


Pall-Ex boss called on the new government to be firm on European drivers. He said: “Under the current system, drivers from across the Continent use our roads for free, do not pay tax, and do not always buy fuel. Taking a tougher, fairer stance on this should lead to lower fuel duty costs.” He added though that since


the UK’s new HGV levy has been in place, the charges imposed on over 112,000 vehicles from 76 countries have raised enough money to repair 320,000 potholes.


///NEWS


News Roundup Forwarding & Logistics


Ceva Logistics is to build a new 166,000 sq m ‘super site’ at Truganina, west of Melbourne. Described as the centrepiece of its growth plans in Australia and New Zealand, it will include four warehouses with a combined footprint of over 72,000sq m. It will be the largest CEVA facility in Australia and is close to Melbourne’s road and rail network, the port and international airport.


The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has engaged Paul Newman in a consultancy role for the trade association’s London East and South East region. He replaces Nigel Peall, who is retiring, and becomes one of five consultants appointed by BIFA to engage with members and other stakeholders at a local level to provide support and information as required.


Norbert Dentressangle’s Air and Sea division has launched a range of time critical services, offering tailor-made solutions for urgent and specialist deliveries. It has also recruited time critical expert, Stacy Rouillon, along with a dedicated team of specialists to deliver and develop the new services. These currently include secure critical services, including on-board courier, chartered aircraft and secure container.


DHL Global Forwarding chief executive Roger Crook has stepped down for personal reasons. He has held leading positions within the Group since 1988. Pending the appointment of a new board member for Global Forwarding, chief executive Frank Appel will take on the corresponding responsibilities in a dual role and, for the operational management of the Global Forwarding business, Renato Chiavi has been named interim chief executive. Amadou Diallo remains CEO freight, responsible for road and rail transport services.


Allport Cargo Services has appointed current managing director, Charles McGurin to the new post of chief executive officer. McGurin took his current position in 2014. ACS is part of Hong Kong-based Cargo Services Group, with operations in over 30 countries worldwide and representation in a further 100.


Drinks forwarding specialist JF Hillebrand has opened a new wine and beverages facility in Piacenza, northern Italy. Located 5km from Piacenza rail terminal, and close to all major highways, the 2,860sq m warehouse includes a sq m temperature controlled zone and a 1,100sq m insulated area. The warehouse is authorised by Customs as a fiscal depot for wine.


Logistics and freight forwarding company CML has opened a second, 110,000sq ft warehouse at its site at Magna Park in Lutterworth. It is is taking on 90 members of staff to run its second site, and plans to recruit more during peak periods.


Baxter Freight is forecasting revenues of more than £8m for 2015, its first full year of trading. It expects to handle 18,000 consignments this year. Baxter Freight was established by former RH Freight owner, Ian Baxter, together with RH’s former sales director Peter Isler and finance director Steve Rafferty.


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