Virus control - News
Maersk is donating the services of its Special Project Logistics (SPL) unit and charging a symbolic nominal freight cost of $1 per 40’ container for urgently needed medical supplies to be distributed to medical facilities in India in response to COVID-19 related shortages. "Several donors and organisations had donated supplies worth millions of dollars; however, they all were struggling with the shipment process disrupted by Covid. We thank Maersk and the Government of India profusely f...
Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, publishes a new report pinpointing the impact of COVID-19 in accelerating global shipping’s digital journey. Written by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius and sponsored by the Inmarsat Research Programme, ‘A Changed World: The state of digital transformation in a post-COVID-19 maritime industry’ captures a sector fast-tracking IoT-based solutions from November 2019. It characterises COVID-19 as a 'univers...
The UK government has selected eight new freeports in England, as a means to boost trade, jobs and investment, across the country. The special taxation and customs rules for the freeports will help businesses develop new facilities and operations, to trade and manufacture goods more cost-effectively, countering the effects of other complications, such as Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic. Early deliverability of opportunities for new businesses is the key, with Solent Gateway Ltd, at Marchwood...
Inmarsat is delighted to return as Official Communications Partner to The Maiden Factor, the round-the-world sailing campaign promoting equal access to education for girls from all backgrounds and countries. Spearheaded by iconic sailing legend Tracy Edwards, Maiden’s campaign began in 2018, which saw a rotating all-female crew sail over 33,000 miles around the globe, visiting over 23 destinations in 12 countries. However, they were forced to put their voyage on hold in 2020 becau...
Jotun achieved record high revenue of NOK 14 975 million in the first eight months of 2021. The operating profit was NOK 2 496 million, but high raw material prices put pressure on the operating margin. Sales in the segments for Decorative Paints, Performance Coatings and Powder Coatings have shown a positive development so far this year. In the Marine Coatings segment, Jotun has experienced a decline in sales due to reduced newbuilding activity for ships. The strong growth in the first eight m...
Xeneta’s Long-Term XSI Public Indices has revealed yet another monthly hike in long-term ocean freight rates, with global container prices climbing by 3.2%. The development follows a 2.2% increase in August 2021 and an unprecedented 28.1% jump in July 2021, leaving rates now standing 91.5% up year-on-year. What’s more, Oslo-based Xeneta reports there is little evidence to suggest a weakening of market fundamentals – meaning there could be more pain in store for shippers, with...
A near-record backlog of cargo ships in Southern California could have serious ramifications for the US economy. The build-up of cargo ships carrying key exports from China, including electronics, furniture, and toys, threatens to increase shortages and price hikes in the US ahead of the holiday season. The dozens of hulking cargo ships wait an average of nearly 10 days to dock and unload, according to data from the Port of Los Angeles. Container vessels Los Angeles a...
Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has secured a significant new commitment to its Fleet Hotspot internet portal service, following an extension of its Fleet Xpress service agreement with leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport group Petredec. Fleet Hotspot has been designed by Inmarsat to give crew onboard access to high-speed connectivity with the freedom to use their own devices. As the owner of one of the most modern fleets of specialized...
As the global maritime industry looks back on a hugely challenging year for seafarers, four major maritime charities will come together at Inmarsat, to explore how technology will shape the future for seafarers’ welfare. The Mission to Seafarers, in collaboration with The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris and Sailors’ Society, will be fielding their CEOs, on each of the four panels. Promoting Seafarers welfare This half-day afternoon conference, ‘Meeting the needs of se...
The biggest lesson over the past year is that curveballs can come from anywhere and disrupt even the best-laid plans. Global logistics has to evolve and become more agile to swing more effectively. Smart digitalisation can help build resilience, increase end-to-end visibility and ultimately optimise global supply chains. Technological innovations allow logistics to not only move business, but to shape it. When done right, it enables new solutions that elevate opportunities and make logistics...
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a globally renowned transportation and logistics company, welcomes initiatives, such as Belgium’s efforts to vaccinate all seafarers, who visit Belgian ports. Antwerp is a strategic location for MSC and seafarers on many MSC ships will now be able to take advantage of the programme. COVID-19 vaccination campaign Following a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which was aimed at Belgian seafarers, Belgium is now extending its vaccination program...
BWS' good customer - Danish Crown entrusted them with a very important assignment for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, which had been postponed until 23 July 2021, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Its scope was to transport a classic Danish hot dog stand from the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing, China to the Royal Danish Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. Timely delivery “The hot dog stand was transported by sea. Despite the hectic market situation as well as more stringent customs and v...
Five months after the launch of MSC eBL, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will be taking to the stage at the Swiss Supply Chain & Logistics Conference 2021 (SCLC) to explain what this digital solution means for customers and the industry. Held in Geneva, the home of MSC’s headquarters, the Swiss Supply Chain & Logistics Conference (SCLC) is expected to attract around 150 participants and feature more than 30 speakers. Swiss Supply Chain & Logistics Conference The aim of...
“The pandemic has in many cases made crew repatriation difficult, posing challenges to the mental health of seafarers working and living in relatively confined spaces for extended periods,” said Georg Smefjell, Head of Maritime Management Systems (MMS) Services, DNV Maritime. “With the support of experts throughout DNV, we have established a separate audit protocol addressing challenges to crew health and well-being.” ILO’s deep concern The International Labour O...
Inmarsat, the globally renowned company in global, mobile satellite communications, has published a new report based on an exclusive analysis of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Services alerts from ships. The Future of Maritime Safety Drawing on distress calls sent free at the point of use via the Inmarsat network, from vessels worldwide, between 2018 and 2020, The Future of Maritime Safety report is published by the Inmarsat Research Programme and has been written by the team at Intent Co...
NeuroFlow, a globally renowned company in technology and services for behavioural health integration and shipmen health solutions, has been contracted by the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) to support Midshipmen wellness, during their 47-month journey to commission as naval officers. The new offering gives Midshipmen access to a secure mobile application, which is designed to enhance resiliency and when necessary, support a pathway to care. NeuroFlow platform NeuroFlow's platform confidentially cap...
CrewSafe is the creation of the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund Task Force (SFTF), which was established by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officer’s Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) and later joined by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) and the International Chamber...
Maersk remains committed to ensuring the supply chain needs are met in this period of uncertainty and intensified congestion all around the globe. In this “Asia Pacific Market Update”, Maersk provides the most relevant and up-to-date information so that together Maersk navigates this period of heightened volatility and keeps the supply chain moving. Industry Trends As the world and businesses continue to face challenges, Asia Pacific leads the way in projected GDP growth:...
Maersk remains committed to ensuring the supply chain needs are met in this period of uncertainty and intensified congestion all around the globe. In this Asia Pacific Market Update, Maersk provides the most relevant and up-to-date information as Maersk navigates this period of heightened volatility together to keep the supply chain moving. This month Maersk looks at the disruption affecting Yantian in South China due to COVID-19 flare-up and the knock-on effect this is having globall...
After a six-day stop on export containers, the Yantian Port Authorities have announced that productivity is gradually set to increase as more workers return and more berths reopen, but the damage has already been done. The current estimated wait is over a fortnight, causing many carriers to divert vessels to other ports. In total, over 300 sailings from all liners will omit Yantian and for Maersk, 19 of the mainline services have been affected. Fighting to get reliability back i...
Maersk is redesigning its ocean network in West & Central Asia that connects countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, UAE and Saudi Arabia to the world. The changes in the network are primarily aimed at improving speed to market, providing higher predictability and offering more flexibility to customers’ supply chains. Further, redesigning the network will also bring more resilience to the customers’ supply chains, protecting them better from operational cha...
With the traditional peak season approaching, the outlook for both ocean and airfreight remains buoyant although capacity constraints and service reliability continue to present challenges. Maersk shares the latest market trend before highlighting the issues and challenges they face and also explain Maersk’s latest solutions to help one keep cargo moving. Market trend While global demand for logistics services remains strong, COVID-19 continues to cause supply-side problems: l...
Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, has further showcased its commitment to crew welfare by sponsoring a new report exploring the future of seafaring to 2050. The report offers recommendations on how shipping, training institutions and welfare services can respond to the changing needs of tomorrow’s seafarers. The thought-provoking study, ‘A fair future for seafarers?’, has been prepared by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius. It has been publ...
Anticipation for London International Shipping Week 2021 (LISW21), the global maritime industry’s first in-person gathering since early 2020, is set to soar following UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s announcement that London is open for business. The British Prime Minister has confirmed an easing of COVID-19 restrictions across England by July 19, 2021, giving people working in shipping clear passage to reconnect at LISW21, slated to take place from September 13 – 17, 2021....
With their initiative on schedule reliability, Hapag-Lloyd is tackling one of the main challenges faced by the global shipping industry. Container shipping is currently going through its worst operational crisis, in many years. Due to high demand, massive COVID-19-related restrictions and the Suez Canal incident in April 2021, the shipping industry has been forced to deal with major operational challenges, such as congested ports, ship delays and infrastructural bottlenecks. Transparency on th...
The latest technological developments regarding tactical equipment, as well as security, communication and detection systems, will be presented by VANOS S.A. at DEFEA – Defense Exhibition Athens, from the 13th to the 15th of July 2021. VANOS S.A. will participate, among other companies of the industry, in the first DEFEA (Defense Exhibition Athens) that will be held from the 13th to the 15th of July, at the Athens Metropolitan Expo (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport). National security...
Consultations are underway to determine the impact of the pandemic. The International Transport Forum is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, including in consultation with OECD, and is currently considering implications for the ITF’s Annual Summit to be held in Leipzig, Germany, from 27-29 May 2020. Many countries have put in place restrictive measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the Summit host country, Germany, as well as other countries whose governments, ente...
Wan Hai Lines Ltd. held ship naming ceremonies for WAN HAI 287 and WAN HAI 288 accompanied by a charity donation on 29th June, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a physical ceremony was replaced by an online one. WAN HAI 287 and WAN HAI 288 are the 4th-5th vessels in a series of 2,038 teu containerships, built by China Shipbuilding Trading Co., LTD., and Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Co., LTD. Ms. Bin Li, General Manager of Midea International Logistics Technology Co., Ltd., and Ms. Li Gui Lan,...
Influenced by the global COVID-19 epidemic and other factors, the dilemma of "one equipment is difficult to obtain" for foreign trade customers is further highlighted. To solve the urgent needs of customers, CULINES made efforts to increase the supply of shipping space on various services in July. Asia - Europe service upgraded CULINES has expanded the AEX service scope and added direct service from Asia to London Tilbury, UK China United Lines will upgrade its AEX route (Asia - Europe Expre...
The Seafarers’ Charity, in partnership with researchers at the University of Nottingham, released a new survey to better understand the reality of working conditions for fishing crew across the UK. The 20-minute research survey covers subjects including contracts and crew accommodation, facilities, and fishers' welfare. Crew members are encouraged to anonymously share their experiences of working life on fishing vessels. Financial challenges Catherine Spencer, CEO of The S...