Logistics Division News

At SAAM’s annual general meeting last week, Chairman Óscar Hasbún outlined the objectives for the company's new phase, following the sale of the port terminals and inland logistics division."SAAM has robust solvency and liquidity indicators and a solid capital structure for this new cycle where our objective is clear: to become a leading global operator in the towage business and a regional leader in airport logistics. We are already a benchmark in both businesses and have developed a unique operating model…

France's CMA CGM has completed a $5 billion takeover of Bollore Logistics, its biggest-ever acquisition, and said it had funds for more deals as it seeks to counter volatility in container shipping.The acquisition of the logistics division of French conglomerate Bollore, announced last year, closed on Thursday at a final price of 4.85 billion euros ($5.25 billion) after debt and cash adjustments.The deal will extend the reach of CMA CGM's CEVA Logistics unit into areas such as freight management for pharmaceutical, cosmetics and luxury firms.CMA CGM, based in Marseille and privately controlled

Global port congestion is set to continue until at least early 2023 and keep spot freight rates elevated, logistics executives said on Wednesday, urging charterers to switch to long-term contracts to manage shipping costs.The COVID-19 outbreak has lengthened ship delivery times since 2020, pushing up freight costs, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict and lockdowns in Shanghai have added to supply chain disruptions this year."We believe the current congestions, not only the ports but also the landside infrastructure…

Boluda Corporación Marítima CEO Vicente Boluda Fos will receive the Knight of the Legion of Honour medal in Paris on June 16, in recognition of outstanding services rendered to France by the Valencian businessman. The distinction will be awarded by former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy.Boluda France was created in 2007 after the purchase of the French company Les Abeilles, a company whose activity dates back to 1864.“It is with great pride that I accept this award from the French Republic: I cannot begin to express my gratitude towards the country.

French shipping giant CMA CGM said it had struck a preliminary agreement to acquire a majority stake in French delivery firm Colis Prive, as it continues to build up its logistics business.CMA CGM is to buy 51% of Colis Prive from current owner Hopps Group and will have an option of increasing its stake further. The value of the planned transaction was not disclosed.Marseille-based CMA CGM has been investing in non-maritime services, similar to its container shipping rivals. After buying Swiss logistics group CEVA Logistics in 2019…

SAAM, a provider of port, towage and logistics services in 14 countries in the Americas, reported net income of $55.5 million for the nine months ended September 2021, up 40% from the January-September period in 2020. EBITDA reached $202.3 million and sales totaled $548.9 million, marking rises of 28% and 29%, respectively (all consolidated figures).Figures for the quarter were also positive: Net income was $18.8 million (+162% with respect to 3Q2020), Sales totaled $192.6 million…

If suppliers in China fail to pick up freight containers to fill an order for MediaShop, Marcel Schneider gets an alert via a digital freight system, allowing the retailer to reach out and fix the problem swiftly.Before July 2020, Austria-based MediaShop’s deputy supply chain director says he would discover problems in his supply chain only when containers failed to arrive in Hamburg as scheduled.“It was like being in a tunnel where you had only a limited view of what was going on…

A.P. Moller - Maersk said it will integrate APM Terminals' Inland Services division into Maersk's Logistics and Services division beginning August, providing customers with seamless access to a wider range of logistics & services offerings."This is a next step for A.P. Moller - Maersk in the implementation of our strategy to offer end-to-end solutions to our customers," said a press release.The Inland Services portfolio is a network of inland terminals around the globe consisting of 36 business units with over 100 locations. By bringing together all operations skills and capabilities within logistics, it creates a base for growth and enables Maersk to excel in the execution within Logistics & Services products.“APM Terminals can fully focus on becoming a world-class port operator…

Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator and logistics company based in the UAE, has been handed the 2018 prestigious Gold Award by the UK-based RoSPA Award Scheme.Gulftainer has been recognised for its commitment to employee health and safety standards at its flagship gateway terminal, Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), in Port Khalid.Recognising significant milestones in health and safety management systems including best practices in leadership and workforce involvement, the RoSPA Awards scheme receives submissions from organisations around the world. Gold medals, President’s awards, Orders of Distinction and the Patron’s Award are presented to organisations sustaining the highest standards.Speaking on the achievement…

Chilean maritime services and logistics company SAAM announced its plans to invest some $85 million to reinforce its tug fleet and maintain port equipment and infrastructure. "In 2018, we expect to invest close to $85 million, which will be used to maintain our port equipment and infrastructure and reinforce our tug fleet. This could also include inorganic growth opportunities that we are constantly evaluating,” commented SAAM’s chairman, Óscar Hasbún. After concluding a high investment cycle last year, the company’s investments this year will focus on ports and its tug fleet. It also elected a new board of directors for the next three years, incorporating Armando Valdivieso Montes as independent director.

Dubai-based DP World, , one of the world's largest port operators, said it had bought a logistics firm  Cosmos Agencia Maritima (CAM) in Peru for $315.7 million, giving it a 50 percent stake in the country's second largest container terminal. "CAM owns a fully integrated logistics service business (Neptunia S.A and Triton Transport S.A)that offers end-to-end solutions to its customers. The logistics division offers an integrated platform of solutions in activities related to foreign trade, product storage and distribution, as well as freight services that facilitate development and implementation of industry specific projects," said a press release from the company.

Alison Nolan is General Manager and a fourth-generation owner of Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC), a company that moves more than 2.5 million passengers annually on its fleet of 60 vessels with more than 600 daily departures seven ports and more than 30 facilities. But the story of BHC and Alison Nolan transcends raw numbers; as the company and passenger vessel industry are in her DNA, more of a lifestyle than a career. She spoke with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently to address the rewards and challenges inherent in her position.

Veteran Maersk Leader, Omar Shamsie, becomes President of Maersk Line in North America. Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company, announces the appointment of Omar Shamsie as the new president of Maersk Line in North America effective December 1st, 2017. His most recent position was president of Maersk Line Latin America & the Caribbean and before that president of Maersk Line Canada. Mr. Shamsie’s rich background also includes director and vice president positions throughout the globe with Maersk. In 2018, Omar will continue developing reliable end-to-end container shipping solutions and supply chain services brought by the integration and synergies of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Transport & Logistics Company.

20 Vessels, 6,500 Loads of Cargo will be Offloaded by Week’s End. The Full-Scale Logistics Operation includes 375 Trucks Used to Expedite Deliveries. With employees working around the clock and its vessels calling the Port of San Juan almost daily, Crowley Maritime Corp. said today it will have offloaded by the end of this week more than 6,500 loads of FEMA and commercial cargo from 20 vessels since Hurricane Maria struck the island in late September. And the company projects another 9 vessels, carrying between 2,500 and 3,000 loads, will arrive in Puerto Rico next week. “I am very grateful for the extraordinary work of our teams in San Juan, Jacksonville and in other parts of the country,” said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO.

Chilean provider of port, logistics and towage services SAAM ended the first half of 2017 with a net income of USD 43 million, showing a rise of 48.3 percent year-on-year basis. The provider of port, logistics and towage services in 13 countries in the Americas said that this  figure was strongly impacted by a non-recurring gain of US$26.9 million, mainly from the sale of its minority interest in Tramarsa. “Isolating the non-recurring effect, these results reflect the challenges we are facing in an industry experiencing consolidation. For this reason, we are working hard, and with a long-term outlook, to strengthen our current assets and evaluate new opportunities in the region.

Maersk Container Industry is introducing an energy meter with its Star Cool refrigerated containers. Star Cool refrigerated containers are now fitted with a new embedded digital feature that offers visibility and precise knowledge of actual energy consumption. To provide transparency into actual energy consumption throughout the transportation window, over land and sea, Maersk Container Industry (MCI) is introducing an energy meter feature integrated into all new Star Cool refrigerated containers. Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company and part of Maersk’s Transport & Logistics division, became the first of MCI’s customers to take delivery of the new Star Cool reefers at the start of the year.

Ferry and logistics operator DFDS has many activities and 2,200 employees in the U.K., placing it at the heart of the ongoing “Brexit” process following the U.K.’s vote to leave the EU and making the firm an early indicator of changes in trade and passenger movements. In a post on its website, the Danish based firm addressed Brexit’s immediate and long-term impact, stating that it has seen little to no effect on trade so far. “We also discuss our experiences and expectations from the Brexit situation with customers.

Maersk Line reported a 2016 result that is USD 1,679 million lower than the 2015 result (USD 1,303 million). The overriding reason for the loss is a 19% decline in freight rates compared to 2015. Revenue was USD 20.7 billion, which is 13% lower than 2015 (USD 23.7bn). Volumes were 9.4% higher as Maersk Line was able to win a significant market share. All trades contributed hereto with largest increases in the East-West backhaul (19%) and North-South head haul (7.3%). By the end of 2016, Maersk Line’s total capacity had grown 9.4% compared to the end of 2015. Maersk Line continues to manage capacity tightly resulting in high utilisation. “We made a loss in 2016 due to a 19% decline in freight rates. This loss is clearly unsatisfactory.

The world's biggest container shipper A.P. Moller-Maersk may consider selling assets or cutting dividends as it seeks to retain its credit rating, the company said on Tuesday. Maersk's Baa1 credit rating was put under review for a downgrade by Moody's in September, after it announced it would split up the company to focus on the shipping business and spin off its energy assets. Last month, Standard & Poor's lowered the company's credit rating to BBB from BBB+ with a negative outlook.

Hili Company, the logistics division of Hili Ventures, has entered into a joint venture agreement with leading international energy logistics company Peterson to provide oil and gas logistics services across the Mediterranean and North Africa. Peterson offers a comprehensive range of safe, reliable and value added logistics solutions to the global energy industry from locations including the Netherlands, North America and the northeast of Scotland. Established in 1920, the organisation has expanded throughout the UK with facilities at several prominent ports, including an integrated asset base in Aberdeen. The joint venture marries Peterson’s expertise in global oil and gas support with the wide-ranging capabilities of Hili Company…

It's oficial now. Danish conglomerate A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S said Thursday it is splitting into two separate units - transport and energy businesses. Denmark’s biggest company moves ahead with an historic shake-up of the conglomerate to generate growth, as it battles with the worst shipping downturn in years and a historic oil-price rout. "As announced on 23 June 2016, the Board of Directors has tasked the management of A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S to perform a review focusing on the strategic and structural options for the Maersk Group with the objective of generating growth, increasing agilities and synergies and unlocking and maximising shareholder value with the long-term view," says a press release from the company. The main growth focus of A.P.

The decision by A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S to split into two separate divisions - Transport & Logistics and Energy - reflects the challenging fundamentals in the sectors in which it operates, and diminishing counter-cyclical benefits of operating in them in the current economic cycle, Fitch Ratings says. We do not expect the split to significantly improve the performance of the group's separate units, although the increased focus may help long-term strategy execution. We believe operational diversification does not consistently provide material benefit to Moeller-Maersk's business profile because the industries in which the company operates are highly cyclical and volatile.

Denmark-based shipping and oil company A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S (Maersk)'s decision to split the group into two parts now get the credit rating agency for questioning to the light blue conglomerate's debt. It ends "probably" with a downgrade, because large parts of the oil revenue will no longer contribute to upholster transport division. "We have placed the ratings of Maersk on review for downgrade because we believe that its business diversification will reduce significantly with the separation of its energy businesses which represented 62% of EBITDA as of the first half of 2016," says Maria Maslovsky, a Moody's Vice President-Senior Analyst and lead analyst for Maersk.