The Friday Flyer - April 24th 2015

This week's Friday Flyer is sponsored by Instar Logistics, your personal heavy lift logistics provider in power generation and industrial projects.

There would appear to be growing concerns among manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers about the long term threats of a concentrated container liner shipping industry through alliances, according to the European Shippers' Council (ESC), which has announced a global review of the container liner shipping market.
 
HLPFI notes that the ESC proposes to monitor spot rates, transit time, ports directly called and blank sailings among others in the three main trading lanes that are important to manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers that ship their goods overseas.
 
These sentiments were echoed at the TOC Container Supply China event in Singapore this week, where delegates heard that major shippers remain sceptical about the benefits conferred by the development of larger shipping alliances. David Panjwani, global logistics director for US machinery manufacturer John Deere was unequivocal when asked, do the larger alliances and vessels cause more headaches for shippers? "In a word, yes," he said.

In business

Steady start for Panalpina
Panalpina reported a consolidated profit of CHF19.6 million (USD20.31 million) in the first quarter of the year, up 10 percent over 2014.

ACS flies through 2014
Air Charter Service saw strong growth across its commercial airliner, group travel and cargo, and private jet divisions during its 2014 financial year.

Revenues and profits tumble at Air Partner
Air Partner revealed a steep fall in revenue and profits for its financial year ended January 31, 2015.

2,000 exhibitors set for transport logistic
2,040 exhibitors from 62 countries have registered to take part in transport logistic, which takes place May 5 to 8, 2015 in Munich.

Huisman starts production in Brazil
Crane manufacturer Huisman has opened its new production facility in Navegantes, Brazil.

Contractual obligations
Pasha's Horizon deal cleared
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared The Pasha Group's acquisition of the Hawaii trade-lane business of Horizon Lines, Inc.

A2SEA signs Dong Energy deal
A2SEA will provide its purpose-built offshore installation vessel, Sea Challenger, to install 32 wind turbines at Dong Energy's Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm in the UK.

Capacity developments

Mitsui expands ro-ro fleet
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will buy four next-generation 6,800 ceu car carriers, which will be delivered in 2017 and 2018.

Longest ever trailers for Kässbohrer
Kässbohrer has revealed new pin-connected extension options with detachable platforms for its two and three-axle hydraulic low-loader semi-trailers.

Eineder adds Terex capacity
Eineder Autodienst has added a new Terex Explorer 5800 all terrain crane to its fleet.

On the move
UTi names area leaders
UTi Worldwide Inc appointed two new managers of its freight forwarding area teams - Raymond Lee as leader of the Greater China area, and David Buss as leader of the North America area.
 
SC&RA elects officers
The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) elected Bruce Forster of Rigging Gear Sales as its president, while appointing four new officers, four newly elected board chairs, and six new board members.


Network and association developments
The Pacific Power Logistics (PPL) network added Romania's Fast Freight and Qatar's North Ocean Company as new members.

CLC Projects welcomed Qingdao Ocean Navy Logistics as a new representative in China.

The XLProjects (XLP) network added a quartet of new offices to its roster: Shanghai, China headquartered Integrated Projects Logistics International;  Transmares Logistica representing Colombia and Costa Rica; and India's M S Logistics.

The Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) welcomed Interfracht as its latest member, representing Japan.

Arrow Express has joined the Project Partners network representing Malta.

Shipment of the week

After a year of planning, Mammoet lifted the tunnel boring machine (TBM) Bertha's 1,700-tonne cutter drive unit (CDU) from the ground in Seattle. 

All about Evie
Evie congratulates the winners of the ESTA Awards of Excellence 2015, which were announced at the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle in France yesterday and saw awards for Sarens (Netherlands); Ville Silvasti Transport; Vernazza Autogru; Mammoet Europe; Wagenborg; ALE; Sarens (Belgium) and Liebherr-Werk Ehingen.
 
In addition, a pat on the back is given to the winners of the SC&RA's Annual Awards which included Barnhart Crane & Rigging of the USA in three categories; Transdata Movimentacao De Cargas Complexas of Brazil; Fagioli of Italy, Tradelossa of Mexico and Precision Specialized Division of Canada.
 
She was intrigued to receive a complaint about a headline HLPFI used for a news item that had been submitted. 'Revenues and profits tumble' seems a perfectly reasonable summary of a press release which revealed that a company's underlying profit was down 35.6 percent year on year, whilst revenues had fallen by almost GBP20 million from the prior year.