Overall Supply Chain News

Voestalpine Böhler Welding Germany GmbH has become the first manufacturer worldwide to be awarded a Type Approval certificate from classification society DNV, for their solid wire 3Dprint AM 70/I1 feedstock. The Type Approval has been awarded based on DNV’s new class programme, DNV-CP-291 “Additive Manufacturing Feedstock”.The Type Approval certificate was presented to voestalpine Böhler Welding Germany GmbH during the DVS Congress held in Essen, Germany, and is the first of its kind to be issued by a classification society.

Steve Felder, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia has outlined the developments in 2019 and what we can expect in 2020:“While the global container demand was lower in 2019 due to weaker growth in the global economy, India witnessed a broad-based slowdown in its import export trade as well after a growth of several years. This is aligned closely with the weaker domestic demand, tight liquidity and working capital as well as a reflection of the overall cyclical weakening of the economic environment in all the main global economies.

APM Terminals Inland Services in Costa Rica has worked closely with one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of tropical fruit.The Hague-based international container terminal operating company  said in a press release that among other things, the solution has helped optimize the flow of containers to fruit plantations on the Caribbean coast, increase efficiency and lower reefer inventory.With a large number of refrigerated containers (reefers) being shipped to global markets by Costa Rican tropical fruit exporters, the challenge is finding a cost-effective way of getting them back to the farmer to start their cycle again.Many of the reefer containers are shipped back as non-operating reefers (NORs).

A strategic partnership with the USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management aimed at improving the global competitiveness of the nation’s supply chains was signed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on October 14 at the University Park campus. “Through this new partnership, we hope to encourage ports around the country to increase efficiency by adopting new technologies that will provide more information on the flow of goods to port users and stakeholders,” said Secretary Pritzker. The partnership with USC Marshall will allow for collaboration on digitalization of the nation’s supply chains, including applications related to IoT (Internet of Things).

Adani Kattupalli Port Private Ltd (AKPPL), a subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and operator, has been certified by the Indian Customs in its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, with their AEO status being extended upto July 2020. AEO refers to a party involved in the international movement of goods, in any capacity, which has been approved by Customs. The Port of Kattupalli has successfully demonstrated their complete compliance with the stringent requirements that have to be fulfilled in order to attain the AEO status. As the process of AEO certification gains momentum…

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) says that the use of mega ships and alliances remain the main problems within the shipping sector. The popular belief is that larger ships and alliances are good for competition because of the benefits they give, but the reality is that there are added costs due to the negative externalities they impose on others, says Chris Welsh, general secretary of GSF. The restriction of competition can make other approaches necessary for regulatory policy or competition to address the competition concerns raised by the mega ships and alliances, he  said. Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has warned that the insurance industry is facing an increasing risk of billion-dollar losses from mega-ships as demand for larger container vessels continues unabated.

The newbuild “arms race” for mega containerships may not deliver the hoped-for cost benefits, according to shipping consultancy Drewry, whose study on these increasingly massive vessels found new operational and financial impacts on lines, terminal operators, ports and other supply chain stakeholders. The results of Drewry’s simulation study show that the economies of scale – a key feature of the liner industry – may be running out as vessel size increases up to and beyond 18,000 teu.

The IMO subcommittee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) has extended the transition period for software updates to existing ECDIS for one year to August 31, 2017. The NCSR accepted the IHO’s proposal to give all ship owners using ECDIS more time to be able to obtain the correct software updates to the new IHO -52 presentation library and thus ensure compliance with the guidelines on Maintenance of ECDIS software contained in IMO MSC 1.circ 1503. The latest IHO Presentation Library (version 4.0) addresses the number one complaint leveled at ECDIS…

Senate bill aims to mitigate impact of labor disputes at America’s ports. In a letter sent today, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) welcomed the introduction of the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act in the U.S Senate. The bill, sponsored by Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), would amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to provide state governors a mechanism under federal law to mitigate the destructive impact of port labor disputes on the economy at both the state and federal level. Specifically, the legislation would authorize a governor from a state where a port labor dispute is causing economic harm to form a board of inquiry and start the Taft Hartley process.

The maiden voyage of Crowley Liner Services’ new flat-deck barge will end on Monday when the barge is scheduled to arrive in San Juan with a full 400-load delivery. The vessel’s deployment is a major part of Crowley’s rapid response to the sudden departure of Horizon Lines from the Puerto Rico trade. Since mid December, Crowley has, through a number of service enhancements, created additional weekly cargo carrying capacity for about 780 loads – or 78 percent the 1,000 loads previously transported by Horizon Lines in an average week.

The port of Antwerp has planned a Roadshow in India as this country has generated a record 5 million tonnes of cargo in Antwerp in 2014. The roadshow has been programmed from 9 to 13 February 2015. With an annual freight volume of 199 million tonnes the port of Antwerp is the second-largest in Europe. Its central location in the heart of Europe makes it possible to serve a huge consumer market very quickly: an essential advantage for exporting countries that target the European consumer. To help convince such countries of the unique position occupied by Antwerp in the European port landscape, the Antwerp port community regularly organises missions abroad. The port of Antwerp has long been convinced of the economic growth potential of India.

From January 1,  2011, 13 partners from nine European countries have been working on the project ULYSSES, funded by EU's Seventh Framework Programme, in order to develop environmentally friendly concept of ultra-slow ships. The budget for this EU project is over € 3.5 million. With climate change coming to the forefront of society's perception, there is increasing pressure on all industries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the efficiency and the maritime industry is no exception.

PD Ports senior representatives, including David Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, have returned to PD Ports’ Teesport operations, following a successful 14-day tour of the Far East. The aim of the tour, which included visits to Taipei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Dubai, was to promote greater use of Teesport and stimulate interest for new shipping lines to call at the Port direct. Teesport currently has frequent callings from eight container shipping lines and carriers such as Maersk, CMA CGM, K Line and MSC. PD Ports’ Far East schedule included meetings with several leading shipping lines and logistics companies to raise the awareness of the Port’s $444m deep sea container terminal development, known as The Northern Gateway (NGCT).

Elemica has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Stolt-Nielsen’s subsidiary Optimum Logistics Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Elemica will acquire the full technology platform and the ongoing business operations of Optimum Logistics. operators, and freight forwarders. Current Optimum Logistics' client, Lyondell Chemical Company vice president for supply chain, Jeffrey L. Hemmer stated, "One of Lyondell's supply chain objectives is 'touchless fulfillment'. Our desire is to establish a virtual enterprise where we collaborate with our business partners to optimize the overall supply chain.

U.S. Sen. U.S. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. organizations involved in global commerce. C-TPAT program," said Chambliss. strengthening their supply chains. federal regulatory agencies," said Doug J. Director. relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. level of security be provided," said Marchand. Chambliss added. community. Manifest Procedures, and Conveyance Security. · Submit a supply chain security profile questionnaire to Customs. supply chain in accordance with C-TPAT guidelines. companies. war against terrorism," said Chambliss.