Freight Forwarding Services News

Global Transport Solutions (GTS), a logistics service provider specialized in supply chain solutions for the maritime industry (through the brand Marinetrans), has acquired Ship Spares Logistics (SSL) (formerly part of Burando Maritime Services), a marine logistics specialist providing barge deliveries, warehouse consolidation and freight forwarding services. The combination of the two companies will elevate service offerings in marine spare parts logistics, creating a synergy that leverages the combined strengths…

The Biden administration recently issued a sweeping Executive Order [1] aimed at protecting and enhancing competition, and the transportation sector—including air, ocean, and rail—is among the industries specifically identified and likely to see heightened antitrust scrutiny under the new directives. This executive action was soon followed by the long-awaited announcement of Biden’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division (Division), Jonathan Kanter, who…

The GAC Group has appointed industry veteran and current Chair of the Swedish Shipbrokers Association, Johan Ehn, as Managing Director of its operation in Sweden.Ehn started his career in shipping in 1989 when he joined Swedish Maritime AB, and subsequently gained logistics expertise as a partner in a freight forwarding business, before establishing his own company. He also served as Managing Director of Georg Hansen AB, and Head of Commercial with APL line in Gothenburg. In addition to his active role in the Swedish Shipbrokers Association, he is also a longstanding board member of Gothenburg Shipbrokers.Ivo Verheyen, GAC’s Group Vice President…

Supply chain management and freight forwarding services provider DAMCO, part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, has announced the appointment of Ashutosh Dixit as CEO for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (IBS) effective from June 15, 2018.A seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in Supply Chain, Ashutosh will lead the next phase of growth for Damco across IBS with a key focus on offering innovative and seamless solutions to customers shipping from and to the IBS markets.Ashutosh comes to Damco from DHL Global Forwarding where he held different leadership positions across functions.

Eimskip has secured 80% financing of the contract price of the vessels with a 15 year tenor in Euros taken upon delivery. The lender is the German bank KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH. The loan is secured by China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure). On 25 January, Eimskip signed a contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited and Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Co. Ltd. to build two 2,150 TEU container vessels. The contract price of each vessel is approximately USD 32 million and the vessels are expected to be delivered in 2019. The payment profile of the vessels is that 40% of the contract price is paid during the building period and 60% upon delivery. The contract was subject to financing and that has now been lifted.

The Norwegian Competition Authority has today rejected Eimskip’s acquisition of the Norwegian shipping and logistics company Nor Lines AS. The result of this decision is that Eimskip is not allowed to acquire Nor Lines. The potential acquisition of Nor Lines was not taken into account in the EBITDA forecast for the year 2017, and therefore this decision has no effect on that forecast. Acquisition cost in year 2017 related to this project is estimated EUR 300,000 which will be expensed in the first quarter 2017. Eimskip will seek other options in developing and strengthening its operations in Norway for the benefit of our customers. If the acquisition had been approved that would have led to more extended services to importers and exporters in the Norwegian market.

CMA CGM has acquired a 60 percent stake in India's LCL Logistix as it tries to expand in freight forwarding services, the French shipping group said on Wednesday. CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping firm, did not disclose the price of the deal to buy Mumbai-based LCL Logistix, which had sales of $120 million last year and operates freight services across India as well as in North America and East Africa. The acquisition is being done by the group's CMA CGM LOG unit which runs logistics services to complement sea transport. CMA CGM last month reported higher profits and record sales of $16.7 billion for 2014, supported by strong volumes and lower costs. Reporting by Gus Trompiz

Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has sold APL Logistics (APLL) to Kintetsu World Express (KWE) for $1.2 billion in a stunning deal that gives the Singapore-listed group a net gain of more than $900 million. The KWE Group considers the establishment of a management base that can compete on a par with European and U.S. competitors in the global market to be one of the Group’s management priorities. In its Medium-Term Management Plan, released in May 2013, the entire Group is engaging in these measures. APLL is a logistics company with strengths in logistics services and various high-value-added services for companies in the automobile industry and retail industry, among others, and it is expanding its business globally, with a focus on North America and Asia.

Automotive shipping and logistics provider Giga Maritime Group (GMG) has announced plans to invest in new IT infrastructure, the expansion and replacement of fleets, assets and vehicles as well as developing new car terminals, in an effort to hone the group's competitive edge and meet the demands of Malaysia's growing automotive industry. Datuk Kumar Prabakaran, the managing director of GMG companies Giga Shipping Sdn Bhd and Nexus Mega Carriers Sdn Bhd, said these investments are vital in order for the group to meet growth demands following the National Automotive Policy (NAP) announcement earlier this year. Malaysia aims to increase its total production of 1.25 million vehicles and boost annual exports to 250,000 units by the year 2020.

Deutsche Post expects its DHL forwarding business to be granted immunity from prosecution and fines by Singapore antitrust authorities, who are investigating 11 companies for alleged price fixing, the German logistics company said. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) said this month it was investigating 11 freight forwarding companies, including Deutsche Post unit DHL Global Forwarding, for alleged price-fixing of air freight forwarding services. Deutsche Post told Reuters last week that the probe related to pricing and surcharges in the forwarding industry from 2002 to 2007. Forwarders buy cargo space from airlines, shippers and truckers and bundle shipments for customers, such as carmakers, high-tech firms and agriculture firms.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has secured a further nomination from one of their key accounts to support their operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Building on other recent successes in the region, ISS announced commencement last month of an offshore logistics and support contract for Norwegian-based Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS). Under the five-month contract, ISS will support a seismic survey project to map oil and gas deposits off the East African coast. Coordinated from the company’s Durban office…

Unithai has signed a joint venture agreement with Chin Corp Myanmar to establish Unithai Chin Corp Logistics (Myanmar) Limited, a joint-venture company that will operate as UNICHIN, providing an entire range of shipping and freight-forwarding services in Myanmar. Chin Corp is a Myanmar-based conglomerate that has strong partnership with major international firms in Myanmar. Its partnerships and ventures have enabled Chin Corp to expand into diverse businesses. “This venture will enable Unithai and Chin Corp to strengthen their cooperation and collaboration to share experience…

C.H. Robinson Worldwide to acquire Phoenix International for $571.5 million in cash & about $63.5 million in newly-issued C.H. Robinson stock. Founded in 1905, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., is a global provider of multimodal transportation services and logistics solutions, serving over 37,000 customers through a network of 234 offices in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. Phoenix,  headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a privately-held international freight forwarder. In its most recently completed fiscal year, as of June 30, 2012, Phoenix generated gross revenues of approximately $807 million, net revenues of approximately $161 million and adjusted operating income of approximately $48 million.

Pilot Freight Services, a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, announce its recognition by three trade publications. Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider with over 75 locations throughout North America and a recently opened station in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company’s freight forwarding services encompasses every mode of transportation, including air, ground and ocean. The company was awarded its 23rd Quest for Quality Award from Logistics Management magazine, and recognized as the #1 Overall Freight Forwarder. Additionally, Pilot was named to Inbound Logistics magazine’s Top 100 3PL Providers list, and SupplyChainBrain’s “100 Great SC Partners” list.

Pilot Freight Services announce reported revenue of $126.5 million for the second quarter, ending June 30, 2012. This marks a 12.5 percent increase over the same period in 2011 and a continued strengthening in the momentum of ten consecutive quarters of revenue growth. Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider with over 75 locations throughout North America. Pilot is also a founding member of the World Freight Alliance (WFA), operating in more than 190 countries worldwide. The company’s freight forwarding services encompasses every mode of transportation, including air, ground, and ocean, serving all corners of the globe.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service, a ships services network, has restructured its Polish operation and implemented an advanced level of connectivity to enable the company to offer its full capacity of products and services to the regional market place. The enhanced services include account sales to Polish owners, ship managers and charterers. In addition ships agency services are now available under the name of Wilhelmsen Ships Service in the ports of Szczecin and Gdansk, including their subports. Services include marine products and technical services, safety and refrigeration. WSS also now operates freight forwarding services in and out of these ports for Polish and foreign customers. Wilhelmsen Ships Service Polska Sp. z.o.o.

Seaways Shipping Ltd, a Hyderabad-based maritime company, proposes to double its turnover to about Rs. 1,200 crore by the end of next fiscal (2008-09) by infusing funds through a Rs. 200-crore private equity (PE) and Rs. 500 crore of initial public offering (IPO). While the company has almost zeroed in on a single private equity investor to pump in the funds before the end of the current financial year, it plans to raise the IPO during 2008-09. P. V. K. Mohan, Chairman and Managing Director, reportedly said he planned to add six more container ships on the West Coast of India. Apart from adding container ships, the company planned to establish container freight stations at seaports and also in hinterland, increase freight forwarding services through air and sea, and add more containers.

Strengthening its position as a leading player in West African shipping and logistics, OT Africa Line (OTAL) has expanded its agency network in China. United Transportation Limited (UTL), OTAL's general agents covering Hong Kong and China, will now co-ordinate all Chinese commercial and operational activities via a sub agency network managed by Chiao Feng Shipping Ltd. With headquarters in Hong Kong, Chiao Feng has strategically located offices (highlighted below) based at important regional transhipment hubs. Chiao Feng has been established for 15 years with all branches holding a Class A license issued by the Chinese Government granting authority to handle freight traffic throughout the region.