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Month: December 2021

MSC bids €5.7bn for Bolloré’s Africa arm

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Bolloré Group has received an offer from the MSC Group, a major player in container transport and logistics, to acquire 100% of Bolloré Africa Logistics, comprising all of the Bolloré Group’s transport and logistics activities in Africa, on the basis of an enterprise value, net of minority interests, of €5.7bn.

The Bolloré Group has granted the MSC Group an exclusivity until 31st March 2022 to enable it to conduct additional due diligence and contractual negotiations.

Completion of the sale would require the approval of regulatory and competition authorities, as well as of certain counterparties of Bolloré Africa Logistics.

BYD launches full range of eTrucks in Hungary

Posted on by Keith McKinley

BYD, the world’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has entered the eTruck market for the first time in Hungary with its full-range of pure-electric, zero-emission eTrucks.

These include the compact, very manoeuvrable ETP3 panel van and the versatile ETM6 cargo truck. The ETM6 is suited to a wide variety of logistical operations and offers the longest driving range of its class in the market.

This coincides with BYD appointing Eurotrade as its first eTruck dealer in Hungary. Eurotrade has a long and respected 30-year heritage in the commercial truck business, and now takes on the responsibility for sales and aftersales services in Hungary, offering the full range of BYD eTrucks in key weight sectors. Through its three key facilities in Szombathely, Mass; Kisigmánd, Esztergom and Kistarcsa, customers have the reassurance of a comprehensive aftersales and parts service within Hungary.

BYD is very much ‘at home’ in Hungary, having chosen Komárom as the location to open its first manufacturing eBus facility in Europe back in 2017. BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary Kft. is primarily involved with eBus assembly operations and associated new energy products. BYD strongly believes in meaningful partnerships, supporting local economies through employment opportunities, and continues to invest in such initiatives, embracing its philosophy ‘made in Europe for Europe’.

BYD’s expertise in pioneering battery and electric vehicle technology delivers a longer driving range and battery life, with convenient rapid charging for optimal productivity. BYD is the first and only automotive manufacturer to produce its own powertrain system, batteries and motor control system, as part of integrated technology for increased reliability and ease of use.

Fully electric, these features combined have the added benefit of low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared with traditional trucks and provide a practical zero-emission solution to commercial carriers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Isbrand Ho, Managing Director, BYD Europe B.V., said: “We are delighted to see our BYD eTruck business make its debut in Hungary, a country that we are already very familiar with. There is exciting market potential in Hungary for our pure-electric, zero-emissions BYD eTrucks, at a time when the world is coming together to address climate change. BYD is committed to playing an active role in helping commercial transportation make the smooth transition to clean, pure-electric trucks that are safe, reliable and practical to operate.”

Orders for BYD eTrucks are already being taken by Eurotrade in preparation for delivery to customers in Hungary in 2022.

Randon develops innovative semi-trailer concept

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A new concept in semi-trailers is arriving on the highways of Brazil, equipped with the latest technology and on-board electronics. The new “Concept Trailer” is a dump truck developed by the engineers at Randon Implementos, a leading company in the Brazilian semi-trailer market, together with Volvo Trucks Brazil and other partner suppliers.

It will be tested for real during the country’s grain harvest on routes connecting the farming regions to the main ports. It is equipped with automated features and sensors and built to a design that reduces the total weight of the trailer. The new product is intended to optimise performance and reduce the operating costs of the transporter.

One of the main innovations of the Concept Trailer by Randon Implementos is the reduced weight of the road train dumper. It has fewer welded seams, uses high-strength aluminium and steel, which results in a product that is a ton lighter than current similar models and it uses manufacturing processes that are unprecedented in this sector.

The other difference is the design. The aerodynamic drag is reduced thanks to the lack of vertical struts on the body of the trailer and the inclusion of deflectors. It has an anti-tip system that helps to correct it in hazardous conditions.

In addition, the Concept Trailer has a set of electronics that improves operational efficiency and safety, such as a rear sensor and camera that is interlinked to the braking system, which trigger it automatically if there are obstacles in the way.

Coupling and decoupling has also been optimised. Sensors on the fifth wheel and an electric lifting device make this procedure safer and ergonomically easier. The cargo can be covered by a fully automated tarp, activated by remote control, which saves time and means that the driver does not need climb onto the trailer. In addition, the system identifies when the trailer is not loaded and automatically raises the axles, reducing tyre wear and fuel consumption.

“This new product has a special design, is a tonne lighter and is fully connected to the tractor and the driver – it brings the future to the present, as a new concept in transporting cargo,” explained the superintendent director of the Assembly division of the Randon Companies, Sandro Trentin. “The company’s next step is to apply the technology from this concept we are launching now, to the next generation of products that are already part of the company’s portfolio.”

The Concept Trailer is part of an innovative project in Brazil to develop a concept bulk transporter, in partnership with Volvo Trucks, and with the involvement of other important partners, such as Hyva and Continental, to help to introduce innovation to the hydraulic systems and tyres.

Report: warehouse theft is primary cargo crime

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The well-established collaboration between international freight transport insurer, TT Club and the supply chain services and solutions team at BSI, the business improvement and standards company has produced the latest report on trends in the theft of goods entitled, ‘Cargo Crime in Gulf Countries and Regional Free Trade Zones’.

Intended as a risk mitigation tool for transport operators, its timing might be more relevant given the spike in cargo movements running-up to the seasonal festivities.

Key findings include:

  • 76% of cargo theft is from warehouse and storage facilities
  • Crime hot-spots in UAE & Saudi Arabia
  • High-value goods such as electronics targeted
  • Insider assistance and corruption plays a prominent role
  • Smuggling of illicit contraband prevalent in Free trade Zones (FTZ)

TT Club’s Mike Yarwood commented: “Our reports are intended to alert those in the supply chain to the variable and developing trends in the risk of cargo theft during intermodal transportation. The unique combination of BSI sourced data on criminal activity and TT Club’s insurance claims records provides valuable intelligence to operators.

“Regular updates of this nature are essential as criminal gangs are constantly altering their points of attack. The current prevalence of supply chain congestion, delays, disruption, and in the Middle East region in particular packed warehouses, makes such information critical.”

The report highlights that warehouse thefts and supply chain corruption are the stand-outs, with a concentration on higher risk areas across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The role special economic zones play in the Middle East also effects regional disparities in cargo theft.

Free Trade Zones (FTZ) are a significant feature of the regional economy and represent potential vulnerabilities for supply chains by virtue of facilitating high volumes of trade under simplified customs procedures that can provide opportunities for criminals to act. Furthermore, as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies return to pre-pandemic levels, and data provided by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) is projecting growth in trade, it is possible that criminals will also seek to exploit these higher volumes of cargo throughput to introduce illicit drugs and counterfeited products into shipments.

Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General, International Road Transport Union commented: “The IRU, together with its members and partners, continues to strengthen global transport supply chains, notably through the implementation of international standards such as TIR for compliance management and security, and through innovative training to help road transport professionals identify risks and adapt operations to avoid security threats.”

There is also valuable guidance on mitigating the risk contained in the report. These guidelines cover avoiding the introduction of drugs into shipments; reducing theft from facilities and combating counterfeit smuggling, all of which are of particular concern in the Middle East region.

“Operators should be consistent in their vigilance, especially in the current season of festivities when the movement of gifts is at a peak,” recommended Yarwood. “TT’s intention is to help reduce theft related loss and to that end these reports offer loss prevention advice to complement the joint analysis of current trends. As well as financial damage these incidents can cause severe operational disruption and unquantifiable reputational damage to supply chain service providers. As a consequence, it remains of key importance to the transport industry to identify, prevent and report any criminal activity.”

CLICK HERE to download a copy of the report.

Guidance issued for dangerous goods storage and handling

Posted on by David Priestman

The tragic incidents in Tianjin and Beirut have marked a decade of increased concern over the safety of dangerous goods stored in ports, terminals and other warehousing facilities. Four industry groups have collaborated to address the issue and produce best practice guidelines in the form of a White Paper and Warehouse Checklist.

In the face of increased volumes of dangerous goods transported in sea containers, and the occurrence of major incidents as well as a plethora of lesser accidents, there is a clear need for guidance on safe storage and handling of dangerous goods in warehouses, including port and terminal facilities.

Building on their combined expertise and experience, International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), International Vessel Owners Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA), National Cargo Bureau (NCB) and World Shipping Council (WSC) have responded to this critical requirement by developing a Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper.

In introducing the White Paper, Uffe V Ernst-Frederiksen and Ken Rohlmann both of IVODGA highlight: “The temporary or long-term storage of dangerous goods in a facility, necessitates careful planning, supervision and continued due diligence. While the major disasters in Beirut and Tianjin have been widely reported, there are many other incidents around the globe that do not garner the same attention, but which have the potential to escalate.

“There are existing international, national and local regulations for dangerous goods in transit for various modes of transport but there is no direct equivalent for warehouses.”

The Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper, and its accompanying Checklist, detail the risks involved in storing and handling dangerous goods and, importantly the measures to be taken in containing them. Topics covered include: competency and training of workforces; property construction; fire protection; security equipment and protocols and emergency response procedures. It is intended as a practical guide to systematic and documentable processes for those managing and operating storage facilities to ensure on-going safety but also that incidents are containable if and when they arise.

“A pivotal element of our guidance is a Warehouse Checklist,” stated Richard Steele of ICHCA. “Given our aim to provide a practical management tool, we believe the Checklist format is a significant addition to the other elements of the White Paper. Broken down into eight key functional areas of operation, this comprehensive 14-page Checklist is designed as both a planning guideline and a review tool, as well as an everyday device for maintaining safety management vigilance.”

The Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper has been endorsed by influential industry stakeholders including Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Bureau International des Containers (BIC), Container Owners Association (COA), Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), Danish Shipping, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) and Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Ltd (TT Club). “We have shared our work with the relevant maritime regulators and the International Maritime Organization (IMO),” states Steele, “And we welcome every opportunity to work with them on developing and refining appropriate warehousing safety instruments, codes and circulars.”

Both the Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper and Checklist are downloadable FROM HERE.

Envirotainer handles billionth vaccine

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Envirotainer, a global leader in secure cold-chain solutions for air transportation of pharmaceuticals, is calling for continued collaboration between pharmaceutical firms and the logistics industry.

The call to action comes as Envirotainer passes a major milestone in the shipment of COVID-19 vaccines. One billion have been carried in the company’s fleet of over 6,500 temperature-controlled air cargo containers. These are designed to maintain constant internal temperature, some for over a week, ensuring treatments arrive in perfect condition.

With much of Europe introducing new curbs on freedoms to reduce cases, the whole sector needs to be ready to meet increased demand for vaccines and boosters.

Globally, just 56.9% of the world population has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This illustrates the mountain left to climb. In doing so, pharmaceutical manufacturers, forwards, airlines and cold chain-solutions providers need to work seamlessly as extensions of each other.

This calls for total transparency on which consignments are crucial and need to be prioritised. It also requires further advance planning. Not only in terms of keeping COVID-19 treatments moving, but also other life-saving drugs that are required every day across the globe.

Niklas Adamsson, Envirotainer’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re incredibly proud of handling a billion vaccines at a time when air freight has been restricted and demand has been sky high. This is thanks to the incredible collaboration we’ve been part of across the industry.

“We’ve worked closely with our partners and customers, and now want to work even closer with those efforts in the face of Omicron. It’s crucial we continue to work in unity across the cold-chain to get the next doses to the patients, where they’re needed. It’s our responsibility as part of the fight against coronavirus, and we’re ready to do all we can.”

Ribbon printer adds luxury to gifting

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Nothing expresses thoughtfulness more than a sublimely wrapped gift. And prestigious, luxury brands such as Christian Dior take the art of gifting very seriously, with branded ribbons and bows often providing the finishing touches. A good 20-30% of customers prefer to visit stores and concessions where complimentary giftwrapping is offered because it makes the gift appear so much more exclusive and special. And now, thanks to a solution developed by Bryanthings in conjunction with TSC Printronix Auto ID, luxury brands can stand out even more with beautiful, foiled, customised ribbons with which to gift-wrap presents.

As a specialist in designing and creating beautiful retail displays and experiences, Bryanthings teamed up with TSC Printronix Auto ID to develop a solution called Ribbon Printer. It allows brands, at point of sale (POS), to personalise in real-time each piece of ribbon with tailor-made messages before gift-wrapping the presents, making gifts even more special and memorable.

The solution combines a tablet for the retail customer interface with a hot foil ribbon stamping system with 600dpi print resolution. Everything can be customised, from the font, layout, colour and content of the message itself to the ribbon material, its pantone colour, its width and any cut-outs. The software was developed by Bryanthings and the printer used is TSC Printronix Auto ID’s high-performance desktop, the TX600.

An application on the tablet enables the retailer or concession to select, via a simple and intuitive user interface, their desired typography, the message they want written, the brand logo and their choice of ribbon and ink colour. The tablet is connected directly to the TX600, which prints at a very sharp 600dpi resolution on 30m media for gilding and 300m satin ribbons. An optional guillotine cutter can be specified to finish the cut of the ribbon.

Retailers can choose between a 10” or 15’’ screen tablet and the solution can work on- and offline. Tutorials are available to make it easier to get started. The complete system can be either be housed in a cabinet or placed on a counter top. Bryanthings has also developed a specific packaging solution that can be personalised in line with brand colour and image.

The luxurious Ribbon Printer solution has already been implemented in more than 1,000 stores around the world. Renowned brands like Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent are all using Ribbon Printer to personalise their gift packaging, as are some leading florists and chocolatiers. The solution won a prestigious Popai, an award, much prized in POS application and luxury goods.

The three models in the TX Series of thermal transfer desktop printers can support a wide range of printing applications. Each one uses a generous 300m ribbon supply and an easy drop-in media loading of 5” rolls media to save both time and money. The TX Series 4” model is ideal for printing high volume 4×6 shipping labels as well as high-resolution product marking and graphic solutions applications.

Standard interfaces include USB 2.0, USB-A Host, 10/100Mbps Ethernet and Serial connectivity. Optional communication interfaces include Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Centronics Parallel. Printer options include a bright colour LCD display, label peel and present, and a guillotine cutter.

As with all TSC printers, the TX Series features the TSPL-EZÔ printer-control language, which is fully compatible with the most commonly used printer languages in the industry.

Cherbourg handles 100,000th container from Ireland

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Cherbourg Port has handled its 100,000th trailer travelling between Ireland and France, having multiplied its roll-on/roll-off traffic by a factor of three in a year and confirmed its position as market leader.

These results, seen in light of Brexit – which has made this route more competitive compared to the the Ireland-France landbridge route through England – demonstrate the tremendous capacity for adaptation of this port and the companies that serve it.

  • The link between Cherbourg Port and Ireland means:
  • Three ferry operators – Stena Line, Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries – which together offer a stable, regular, competitive and flexible service.
  • Two destinations – Rosslare and Dublin.
  • One of the shortest routes between Ireland and the Continent with an average crossing time of 17 hours.
  • Up to three departures a day, six days a week with large-capacity ferries (up to 160 trailers).
  • Reliable Cherbourg Port teams, providing a high-quality service against the background of Brexit and the COVID crisis. In 2021, Cherbourg Port recruited seven dockers on permanent contracts and 12 on fixed-term contracts. The quality of their work combined with the growth in traffic allows the port to extend their contracts in 2022.
  • A port that is adapting its equipment and infrastructure – investments made include four extra terminal tractors (€170k each) and extension of the ferry companies’ ticket booths, on top of €8m of works to prepare for Brexit.

The result is that since 1st January 2021, Cherbourg Port has multiplied its roll-on/roll-off traffic between France and Ireland by three, going from 33,888 trailers at the end of December 2020 to 100,000 by the end of December 2021. And that includes a doubling of the number of unaccompanied trailers (20 to 45,000 approximately).

Following these results, Cherbourg Port and Ports of Normandy are working hard on several projects that will enable them to expand their services:

  • Creation of a multimodal transport terminal for the Bayonne/Cherbourg rail motorway service. This project is backed by Brittany Ferries and the Ministry of Transport.
  • Continued reorganisation of the terminals to create more trailer storage space.
  • Upgrading the linkspans for the latest generation of ferries.
  • Digitalisation of data.
  • Supporting logistics with, among other things, the creation of a 10ha business park near the port.
  • To mark the occasion of passage of the 100,000th trailer, David Margueritte, President of Cherbourg Port, and Cillian Rossi, representing the Irish Embassy, presented the lorry driver with a typically Norman gift, a large basket of delicious local Cotentin products.

“Supporting the cross-channel traffic, increasing links with Ireland, developing business activities on our port, all of this is crucial to consolidating the Cotentin’s position as a maritime region,” explained David Margueritte, President of the Cherbourg Port company and the Agglomération du Cotentin local authority. “With its 200km of coastline, Cotentin has Normandy’s longest seaboard, and we aim to strengthen our strategic position, thanks to the excellent work of all the Ports of Normandy and Cherbourg Ports’ teams, the commitment of the three ferry companies operating out of Cherbourg and the haulage companies and shippers who count on them.”

UgoWork wins software & technology providers award

Posted on by David Priestman

UgoWork, a Canadian energy solutions provider specialising in lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks, has won Food Logistics’ 2021 Top Software & Technology Providers Award. This award honours software and technology providers that ensure safe and UL approved, efficient and reliable global cold food and beverage supply chains.

UgoWork helps organisations with manufacturing and warehousing challenges to reduce operational costs through improved efficiency in their material handling operations. Here are some key features:

  • Fast and easy charging: Universal charging infrastructure with automotive-grade connectors to power Class I, II and III industrial trucks
  • 24/7 support: Cloud-connected batteries enable constant remote monitoring of their state of health to ensure optimal uptimes
  • Energy as a service (EaaS): UgoWork’s flexible financing programmes and pay-per-use plans offer peace of mind including the replacement and recycling of lithium battery packs

“Energy as a Service is not new in terms of concept, but needed a technological shift to make it happen in the material handling market,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, President and CEO of UgoWork. “When we launched our lithium-ion battery several years ago, it was clear that our customers did not want batteries. They wanted a turnkey solution where the provider would take 100% responsibility of uptime of the systems and bring complete peace of mind for their operations. We introduced the industry with a battery infrastructure and IoT system that allows just that – and we top it off with a level of technical support that is unmatched in the industry.”

Equipment owners urged to review inspection programme

Posted on by David Priestman

Following a busy Christmas period, work equipment owners are being advised to examine their maintenance and inspection programme schedules to ensure everything is kept at a safe and legal standard throughout 2022.

CFTS – the industry’s accrediting body for Thorough Examinations in the UK – is aware that thousands of trucks and attachments may not currently have a suitable Thorough Examination plan to ensure they fulfil all requirements under LOLER and PUWER.

Geoff Martin, CFTS Chairman, explained: “A huge number of businesses have been working flat-out in recent months, so January is an ideal time to take stock and assess the condition of equipment.

“I’d suggest that your first step should be to check the truck’s paperwork for the last inspection date and see if there is a sticker on the equipment bearing the CFTS Quality Mark. If you don’t know what you are looking for, talk to the person at your company who oversees the equipment.”

Many companies also find themselves unclear over whose responsibility it is to book the inspections when trucks are leased or hired. It’s often assumed that any liability is with the company the trucks are hired from, but this is only sometimes the case. Speak to the hiring company if you are unsure of your obligations.

When trucks are owned outright, the responsibility is yours and if you let the inspection period lapse, you could potentially leave yourself open to fines or worse — letting the equipment become unsafe.

There is also a common misconception that the inspection is simply an annual undertaking, but in reality, it isn’t quite that simple.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all rule,” said Geoff Martin. “It’s important that each piece of equipment is on its own schedule appropriate to its type and use. Your nearest CFTS-accredited member will be able to advise on the frequency of inspections required on a case-by-case basis. And with the ever-changing situation we find ourselves in, it’s always best to be fully prepared as early as possible.”

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https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/uncategorised/increase-equipment-safety-compliance-with-visual-tagging-solutions/

 

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