An index for LNG units 
An index for the seaborne trade in liquified natural gas (LNG) went live this week. The Baltic Exchange introduced it on the basis of carriers burning LNG as their primary fuel (and not marine fuel oil or marine gas oil).The new index, with the acronym BLNGg, will be published... more
Overland transport – quicker and cheaper
Concor, a specialist for containerised rail transport in India, and Russian Railways Logistics (RZDL) have signed an MoU to cooperate in promoting intermodal transport in the international north–south overland transport corridor. The agreement enables players to transport cargo... more
Further expansion in China
Just like other players, Seko Logistics also wants to expand its footprint in China, with its new investment partner, Ridgemont Equity Partners, backing the plans. Thus Seko opened an office in Qingdao in February, which will be followed later this year by the expansion of its... more
“Re-setting” Europe–Australia air cargo routes
Consol Alliance, an Australian wholesaler founded in 2011, and the recently-formed airfreight consolidator Wholesale-by-Vels, have entered into a strategic partnership to develop trade air cargo business on the Europe-Australia route.Initially, the alliance will operate weekly,... more
CFO for CIS
The USA's Cass Information Systems (CIS), a provider of information and payment management solutions, has named Michael J. Normile (photo) as executive vice-president and chief financial officer. He succeeded P. Stephen Appelbaum, Cass EVP and CFO since 2006, who will help... more
Vaccines from Belgium distributed in South Korea
Last week, UPS transported the first Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines to South Korea. A fleet of trucks lined up at Seoul Incheon airport to handle the shipments after landing.The vaccines, which require ultra-cold chain storage, were packed in Belgium for their journey, and... more
Kirchgeorg takes the reins
Siemens Digital Logistics has hired Volker Kirchgeorg as CEO, starting in March. Kirchgeorg, an experienced technology sector manager, has joined the IT provider for global supply chain management as a specialist in the digital transformation of logistics processes.Kirchgeorg... more
TIR cuts time from Oman by 85%
Two TIR trucks carrying food set off from Oman recently, passed through the United Arab Emirates and arrived at their destination in Saudi Arabia less than 24 hours later. This transit time represented a time reduction of 85% compared to trucks not using TIR.Ahmed Said Alhosni,... more
Sweden turning from land to sea
The Swedish government wants to drive the ecological transformation in the country further. Shipping companies are eligible to apply for an environmental compensation bonus to transition from overland to maritime transport. It was revealed at the end of February that three of... more
Five o’clock at Walker’s
The Real Tea Company is outsourcing its logistics. The English firm, which has specialised in purchasing and distributing tea since 2004, has outsourced responsibility for the management of its B2B and new B2C supply chains to Berkshire-based Walker Logistics.As online sales to... more