This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.

Just one week after J. Poulsen Shipping and Harren & Partner announced changes to their Combi Lift joint venture and the establishment of Combi Dock Chartering, the Danish shipping company is back in the news this week, having formed an alliance with Germany's HBC Hamburg Bulk Carriers in a pact that could set the scene for a full merger.

According to a company statement, the initial deal has been put in place to allow the two companies to jointly execute current opportunities on a short-term basis for both market and fleet activities, with Anders Poulsen, candidly describing the German market as a "closed shop" in reference to the fact that the German shipping industry still controls the majority of the world's multipurpose fleet.

HBC has no particular experience with project cargo and it remains to be seen what, if anything, this new alliance means for the existing partnership between JPS and H&P.

This week's Friday Flyer is sponsored by Air Charter Service (ACS), which specialises in arranging charters on cargo aircraft, as well as private jets and group charters. With 18 offices spanning North America, South America, Europe, CIS, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, ACS is globally recognised as one of the leading names in air cargo chartering.


In business

Following ALP Maritime Services entering into a purchase agreement to acquire six anchor handling tugs, operated and managed by Harms Bergung, the company has commenced legal action claiming damages against the respective companies, and is seeking to have the shareholders' resolutions set aside.
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Siem Industries completed the takeover of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) shipyard in Germany, which was followed shortly by the company's ceo, Peter Sierk, stepping down from his position at the yard. Legal advisor for FSG, Ulf Bertheau, will take over temporary management of the company.

?Stena Line and Mann Lines will cooperate on logistics services through a joint route network in the North Sea and Baltics.

Members of the European Consortium of Aeroscraft Operations (ECAO) signed a memorandum of understanding defining an independent study concerning the Aeroscraft.


Capacity developments

Swire Shipping's West Coast North America (WCNA) service will add a monthly, direct call linking the Port of Everett with Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Allseas Group confirmed that Pieter Schelte will leave South Korea for Europe over the coming days.

Veracruz based rental company Grúas Villarreal took delivery of a 165-tonne capacity Manitowoc MLC165 crawler crane; while Canadian Professional Crane (CP Crane) purchased a new 72.5-tonne lift capacity Terex Crossover 8000 boom. Würzburger Kranverleih und Bergedienst invested in a new Liebherr LTF 1045-4.1 truck-mounted telescopic crane with a Volvo chassis.

Emirates SkyCargo enhanced its Central Europe connectivity with the addition of freighter flights to Budapest, Hungary.

HAE Group has been chosen to represent 2Excel Aviation UK as it commences freighter flights from the UK using its B727-2S2F.


Shipment of the week

?Mammoet claims to have completed the heaviest machinery lift ever undertaken in Malaysia - a 1,210-tonne absorber used in the development of a petrochemical plant in Sarawak. The DEEP AGR absorber will be used at Petronas' petrochemical plant to purify gas. The lift was a 'top and tail' operation. The top section of the 55 m long absorber was lifted using a specialised gantry system, while the other end of the absorber was driven into position with an auxiliary crane. It took roughly five hours to complete the lift.


On the move

BNSF Logistics extended its project cargo team with the arrival of three former employees from Progressive Rail Specialized Logistics (PRSL): Ed Isbell, Jeremy Young and Jeff Clark. Cargolux Airlines International confirmed Nick van der Weide as its new executive vice president, sales and marketing, while Steve Gibson was appointed oil and gas business manager, Europe Global Hub Services at GAC. Agility named Mohammed Esa (pictured) its chief commercial officer for Europe. FREJA Transport & Logistics appointed Per Olsen as regional director for its division in Zealand, Denmark, while Ulrik Rasmussen, who has served as regional director of east Denmark until now, will focus wholly on the job of managing director for FREJA Denmark. London Offshore Consultants (LOC) opened an office in Mumbai, India.


Network and association developments

The Cargo Equipment Experts (CEE) network appointed Procam Logistics from Gurgaon, India as a new representative. FREJA Transport & Logistics joined the Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) with its Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden offices. The Project Cargo Network (PCN) welcomed Express Global Logistics as a new member representing India.


All about Evie

It was music to DHL's ears when they were contracted (once again) to transport over 100 musical instruments for Leipzig Gewandhausorchester's annual seven-day concert tour through the USA. Evie wishes she could have been transported too, and seen the ensemble perform across the States.

Evie would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in HLPFI's reader survey. The winners of the three iPad mini's will be announced in the coming weeks, so she suggests you keep your eyes and ears peeled!

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