This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
This week the United States Congress enacted the strongest statement of support for the Jones Act and the American domestic maritime industry since the Merchant Maritime Act of 1936.
The measure was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which noted that the national security benefits of the domestic maritime industry and the Jones Act are "unquestioned".
The bill states that the Jones Act and the American domestic maritime industry are vital to "the national security and economic vitality of the United States and the efficient operation of the United States transportation system."
The legislation has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, and is expected to be signed into law by the President.
The Congressional statement of support for the Jones Act specifically states that "the national security benefits of the domestic maritime industry are unquestioned as the Department of Defense depends on United States domestic trades' fleet of containerships, ro-ro ships, and product tankers to carry military cargoes."
In business
C.H. Robinson targets oil and gas
C.H. Robinson has created an Oil and Gas Solutions division to capitalise on the rapid demand in the sector.
Gefco adds 'High & Heavy' business
Gefco has won additional business for its 'High & Heavy' product, landing a contract with France's Vinci Construction Grands Projets (VCGP) in the Dominican Republic.
Boskalis and Kotug merge towing activities
Boskalis and Kotug signed a memorandum of understanding to merge their European harbour towage operations.
The DFDS Seaways terminal in Rotterdam has seen a surge in demand for heavy and project cargo handling services.
SC&RA hails updated Illinois restrictions
Effective January 1, 2015, oversize and overweight permitted moves of up to 14 ft 6 in (4.4 m) wide, 15 ft (4.5 m) high and 145 ft (44.2 m) long may occur in Illinois during daylight hours every day of the week.
Capacity developments
Schmidbauer adds Liebherr trio
Schmidbauer took delivery of three new Liebherr mobile cranes: an LTM 1100-5.2; an LTM 1130-5.1; and an LTM 1130-5.1.
Dunagep - the Danubian Building Machines Servicing Corporation - took delivery of its largest all-terrain crane: a 500-tonne capacity Terex AC 500-2.
Innovations on the double at Antwerp
The Port of Antwerp's Connectivity Platform - an online tool that provides information about the various possibilities for transport to and from the port - has been expanded and upgraded.
Prangl blade transporter makes German debut
Prangl's PFTV 300 blade transporter was put to use for the first time in Germany at the Jerichower Land wind farm.
World's strongest gantry makes debut
The Honghai gantry crane has been used for the first time, launching the Nordic Trym platform supply vessel at Honghua Offshore Oil & Gas Equipment Company's new shipyard in Jiangsu, China.
Port Manatee website gets a revamp
Port Manatee has relaunched its website - www.portmanatee.com - providing new features in a fresh format.
Shipment of the week
ALE claims to have transported the heaviest load ever moved in the Caspian region - a 280-tonne gas turbine - from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.
On the move
The Port of Everett appointed Steve Kirkelie as its new chief of administrative and legal affairs.
Air Charter Service (ACS) has promoted Thomas Howe to president of its US West Coast operation.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has appointed Adrian Lau as regional human resources and organisation development director for Asia Pacific.
Network and association developments
Cuchi Shipping from Vietnam joined the Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN).
The XLProjects (XLP) network gained Logistics Plus in Turkey and Octagon Freight Solutions FZC in the UAE.
Aryamasir International Transport was approved as a Project Cargo Network (PCN) member in Iran.
The CLC Projects network added five new members: Ming Tong Heavy Logistics in China; Clark Spence & Co from Sri Lanka; Multicont International Forwarding Logistics representing Hungary; Turkey's PAN Lojistik Hizmetleri; and Marakiba Shipping from Lebanon.
All about Evie
With her Christmas pudding mix made, and turkey prepped, Evie is really getting into the Christmas spirit now. On behalf of everyone at HLPFI, she extends seasons greeting to all of our readers this year and the very best wishes for 2015.
Evie is also looking forward to catching sight of the MAN Christmas Truck, which is spending December touring through Bavaria, stopping off at kindergartens, children's hospitals and Christmas markets with presents from Santa.
In other news, Evie was amused by a marriage proposal that went very wrong in the Netherlands, when a man hired a crane to drop him into his girlfriend's garden, but the machine tipped over and crashed into the roof of a house...oops.
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