Transportation Logistics Trouble Wind Energy Industry

There are now more than 45,000 wind turbines in operation in the U.S., and the installed capacity continues to grow quickly. The wind energy industry is, however, experiencing logistical issues that impact the bottom line and wind energy deployment.Although policy uncertainty continues to plague the renewable energy industry, overcoming transportation issues are a tangible way to help bolster wind energy growth by lowering costs and reducing delays.

Source :  http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/01/transportation-logistics-trouble-wind-energy-industry/

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17TH WCA FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2015

For the 17^th consecutive year, WCA will once again host the world’s most dynamic event for independent logistics companies. Acknowledged globally as the most important conference of its kind, independent freight forwarders from the world’s premier global network will come together for face-to-face meetings with their peers from around the world.
Thanks to the unprecedented opportunities to build new relationships and strengthen existing ties, the conference is firmly established as the most productive business-generating platform of the year. The event has grown every year without exception and the 2015 conference will offer even greater avenues for you to develop new partnerships and secure more business.
The 17^th WCA First Annual Conference will be held from 29 Jan - 1 Feb and acts as the launch event for the prestigious WCA Conference Week, which runs from 2-5 Feb and integrates all WCA networks into the world’s largest logistics meeting.
WCA Conference Week is a must for all members of WCA – with millions of dollars of new business generated from One-on-One Meetings with fellow members, potential partners and existing colleagues, as well as from the extensive social networking events.
Members of WCA make up the world’s most powerful grouping of independent freight forwarders with 5565 member offices in more than 762 cities and ports – more logistics power than all other logistics networks combined.

Source : www.wcaworld.com

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Lootah Biofuels and TNT Express gearing up for Expo 2020

Lootah Biofuels, a fully owned subsidiary of S.S. Lootah Group has signed an agreement with TNT Express, a leading global Express Company to supply locally produced environmentally superior and performance enhancing biodiesel made from used cooking oil for the latter's commercial vehicles in Dubai.

This agreement aims at reducing carbon footprints, and also supports Lootah Biofuels mission of converting 5% of transportation fuel to Biofuels by the year 2020.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels and Mr. Bryan Moulds, Manging Director Middle East and Sub Continent Associates, TNT Express. As per the agreement Lootah Biofuels will provide its high rich content biodiesel B5 to meet the needs of TNT's large fleet of commercial vehicles in Dubai.

The key benefits of this initiative include carbon foot print reduction as well as reduction of UCO waste. It is expected that the agreement will reduce carbon emissions by 18% per year. Through using B5, UCO is put into sustainable use as opposed to being discarded as waste, thereby impacting the environment negatively. This is a further step towards environmental sustainability.

Commenting on this agreement, Mr. Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels said "Keeping in line with UAE's vision, the project is a significant step towards sustainable development and the Expo 2020 bid for sustainability. Our mission is to deliver economic, operational and environmental benefits for long-term customer satisfaction and sustainable growth and with the TNT agreement we hope to take the consumption of B5 biodiesel to the next level."

"We are pleased to work with Lootah Biofuels who share the same vision as we do for a sustainable environment. This joins our other regional initiatives such as recent CNG vehicle fleet in Pakistan in our continued efforts to reduce carbon emissions globally. With this agreement, we look forward to creating an eco- friendly environment with economically viable biodiesel, thus promoting H.H. Sheikh Mohammad's vision for a green and sustainable Dubai." said Mr. Bryan Moulds, Managing Director Middle East and Sub Continent Associates, TNT Express.

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Piracy and its Effect on Global Trade

Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), contends that over the last ten years, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea have reached high levels of piracy, lending to increased risk for the maritime shipping industry. At Tuesday’s international symposium entitled: ‘The Challenges of Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea,’ he highlighted the issue.

“The risks of such crimes taking place are exacerbated by links to organizations involved in international terrorism. Undoubtedly, the volume of global trade that passes through the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea makes this region an indispensable economic artery and maritime corridor for world security and stability,” he is quoted as saying.

However, aiming for a balance in his rhetoric, he also accentuated how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have shown their commitment over the past ten years to reducing piracy and related activities in the region. These actions by the UAE have shown positive results, as well as a commitment to working against international terrorism and the collateral crime manifests itself as a bi-product of it.

Acknowledging the notion that piracy is largely a bi-product of weak government as well as ties to terrorist organizations, Dr. Al-Suwaidi is later quoted as saying: “In response to maritime piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the UAE is following a two-track approach. On the one hand it provides support for international efforts to confront maritime piracy gangs and on the other hand it supports political ties aimed at enabling the Somali state to control its territory.” Lending credit to the nations in the region for exhibiting their best efforts to curb the phenomenon of piracy is a major step forward into the realm of significantly cutting down on the problem.

The symposium held on Tuesday reflected the issue of piracy in the region, while also seeking solutions through various panels to combat the problem in the future. Overall, it will contribute to safer shipping lanes and economic activity in the region to be reflected in the coming months/years.

Source: http://globalseafreight.com/piracy-and-its-effect-on-global-trade/

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GMS Offers Valuable Service for Retired Vessels

Being as controversial as it is, the practice of shipbreaking is relinquishing its role to more productive means of retiring used vessels. One of these means is ship recycling. One of the most prominent companies in this industry is GMS LeaderShip, a company with a global office disposition that conducts cash buys of ships in order to recycle them or sell them to other companies that do.

So far, GMS has negotiated the recycling of about 2,000 vessels, making them the premier company in the industry worldwide. They operate out of offices ranging from Bangledesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Shanghai to Dubai and Romania. GMS stands out due to its exceptional Corporate Social Responsibility Standards (CSR). It has exhibited these many times over through its deals with other companies and its innovative solutions to ship recycling.

GMS has achieved numerous milestones over the last three years. These include: negotiating more than 100 ship buying deals over the last nine years, delivered 300 ships in one year, developed a Green Ship Recycling Program, and delivered 24 vessels in one month. For more information on GMS’ accomplishments, visit the following site: http://www.gmsinc.net/gms/aboutus.php.

In the coming years, GMS will be a significant partner for companies who want to exercise CRS and engage in disposal of vessels in a way that will not be harmful to the environment or the people who work to dispose of them or recycle them.

Source: http://globalseafreight.com/gms-offers-valuable-service-for-retired-vessels/

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Future Expansion of Malaysian Ports

Kuantan Port in Malaysia is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. A partnership between IJM Corp Bhd and its subsidiary Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd (KPC), as well as China’s Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group will facilitate the expansion.

The final design of the project is due in October; the partners have agreed to expand the facility with 16 extra meters of draft alongside the new facility’s berths to help support trade to and from the adjacent Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s major gateway near the capital, is also slated for expansion. Rumors of a third major port being built have also circulated via the Port Klang Authority; this would be in response to rising demand. Westport and Northport currently handle container traffic at Klang.

This presents an issue because these ports also have their own ambitions for expansion, being hindered in their endeavours as long as Port Klang continues to use their facilities. Northport’s plans to increase capacity include means of purchasing larger container-handling equipment, while Wesport plans to raise funds for new developments through a proposed initial public offering. Westport’s goal is to have this complete within the calendar year.

The expansion in Malaysia means more access of maritime shipping to the Asian market, especially due to the connections between Malaysia and China. This is an expansion project that companies will want to be familiar with in the coming months, as its development will affect access to the region.

Source: http://globalseafreight.com/future-expansion-of-malaysian-ports/

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Peak Season Surcharge for All Imports to Vostochniy, Russia

The shipping industry experienced a flux of increased freight rates.  This is due to the year before showing exceptionally low freight rates where shipping companies lost billions of dollars due to overcapacity.  The consequence of this was a 2012 that saw many companies looking for ways to increase their rates to meet costs on ocean freight.

This phenomenon has manifested itself in many companies increasing previously implemented or implementing peak-season surcharges.  One of the most recent to adopt this measure is MCC Transport.

MCC Transport is a regional specialist handling all Intra-Asia containerized cargo for the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group in addition to providing feeder services for a wide range of regional and global shipping lines.  Their rates, going into effect on 15 July 2013 for all dry cargo imports, will be as indicated in the following table:

TYPE	PEAK SEASON SURCHARGE
	20’	40’	40’HC	45’
DRY	USD 50	USD 50	USD 50	USD 50

Source: http://globalseafreight.com/peak-season-surcharge-for-all-imports-to-vostochniy-russia/

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Project Freight Forwarding Logistics Simpler with Modern Technology

CAD and Predictive Software Makes Designs for Tricky Cargo Movements Easier


WORLDWIDE – According to Per Thornblom, the planning of difficult freight movements using modern technology is allowing logistics providers to set new standards of value and efficiency. Thornblom, Group Project Logistics Manager for the GAC Group, will be addressing the PowerLogistics Asia 2013 conference this October where he will explain why he is embracing the new tools available to shippers with such enthusiasm.

Thornblom recounts how Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) is emerging as a vital element in planning how to load and store complex shipments. Lashing calculations identify the best way to secure cargo on a vessel whilst on-board stability and weather routing software help plan a safe and efficient voyage. In his speech the GAC man will outline the key advantage that dedicated software brings to the planning of heavy lift projects, and how the smart application of technology facilitates the engineering of detailed solutions to ensure timely, safe and on-budget execution. He explains how the availability of these new instruments, plus the wise utilisation of a trained workforce can ensure success, saying:

"Project logistics is a diverse and demanding field, in which having the right skills, knowledge and experience is essential. Project skills are built on practical experience and a solid background in shipping and logistics – and we now have new tools to enhance that expertise.

“Within GAC, wherever we can, we aim to bring existing employees into the heart of project logistics operations - as and when required - and train them in the specific skills they need. Our staff can also enhance their knowledge through a range of theoretical and practical courses offered by the GAC Corporate Academy. Staff with a practical background, who have served at sea or who have been involved in heavy lift logistics operations, are always a good fit.”

Many of the world's leading project forwarding professionals and their clients from the EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction), oil & gas, energy and mining sectors will gather at the Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Hotel for PowerLogistics Asia 2013. Participants from throughout the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Asia and Australia will include industry giants such as Chevron, Technip, Jacobs Engineering, Mammoet, Jumbo Shipping, SAL Heavy Lift, Panalpina, JAS Forwarding and many more.

Source: http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/project-freight-forwarding-logistics-simpler-with-modern-technology_4788

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