Spanish ports report mixed figures 
Spain’s state ports moved 365.6 million t of merchandise between January and August this year, which represents a decrease of 4.1% compared to the same period in 2022 – but 1.5% more than in 2021. 2022 didn’t yet see a return to the levels of 2019 (381.5 million t from January... more
Hanson Spur to open in 2024
The US shortline carrier Sandersville Railroad has won Southern Chips as an additional user of its planned rail spur in Hancock County GA. Southern Chips will use the spur to transport pulp and paper-quality wood chips to mills throughout the southeastern USA and beyond. The... more
United renewing its fleet
United Airlines has announced orders for 110 aircraft, due to be delivered from early 2028 onwards. The US carrier has converted options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing B787-9s, due between 2028 and 2031, and 60 Airbus A321neos, due between 2028 and 2030. The... more
DB Schenker investing in Ireland
DB Schenker has completed three of its four development projects in Ireland. Sites in Shannon, Leixlip and Baldonnell are now fully operational after EUR 94 million of investment in new facilities in the country. An additional facility in Dublin, designed to house DB Schenker’s... more
GLS names new CEO
The GLS Group (General Logistics Systems) has appointed Dr Karl Pfaff as its new chief executive officer. On 1 October he succeeded Martin Seidenberg, who was appointed Group CEO of IDS in August. Pfaff has a proven track record in the German and international parcel and... more
Revitalise cargo at Barcelona El Prat
The Spanish forwarders’ federation Feteia-Oltra and a Catalan transport users’ council (Consell d'usuaris del transport de Catalunya) have held a meeting to discuss the situation of airfreight transport at Barcelona El Prat airport. The meeting highlighted the need to adopt... more
"Curiosity of the Day" 
1983’s ‘Vamos a la playa’ (Let’s go to the beach) by the Italian duo Righeira, something of a summer hit in Europe 40 years ago and still popular in discos and at parties today, is actually about the pollution of the Mediterranean and the consequences of nuclear war. more
New Istanbul hub for Varamar
Varamar has responded to increasing demand from the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East by opening a branch in Istanbul (Turkey). Emre Öncü, the new managing director of Varamar Istanbul, will head the office. This expansion of its global presence augments Varamar’s... more
Indian Railways handles more raw materials
In the two quarters from April to September 2023 Indian Railways (IR) transported 758.2 million t freight, or 21.5 million t more compared to the same period last year, as the state-own railway enterprise announced recently. In September alone the freight volume amounted... more
OceanConnect marks a promotion
Mark Perrins was promoted to managing director of KPI OceanConnect London Ltd, a leading marine energy provider, with effect from 1 August. He joined the OceanConnect group in 2009 in a trading role, and was subsequently promoted to team leader in 2013 and trading manager in... more