Gas specialist powers Purus’ new fleet 
The Wärtsilä Corporation has secured a contract to provide Cargo Handling Systems (CHS) with four new medium gas carrier vessels, with a 45,000 cbm capacity each, being built for UK and Singapore-based Purus. These ships, under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in... more
A takeover in South Africa 
With the acquisition of the last 30% of shares in Dachser South Africa, Dachser now becomes the sole owner of its lovechild with Jonen Freight. Dachser South Africa was a successful joint venture between Dachser and the local family-owned Jonen Freight company. It employed 250... more
First FE Electric for Isle of White
Sustainable waste management company Biffa introduces first electric skiploader. With its new 18 t Volvo FE Electric 4x2 rigid, Biffa is bringing zero tailpipe emission operations to the Isle of Wight. The vehicle has been mounted with Boughton Engineering skiploader bodywork... more
LPR appoints country manager for France
The European pallet-pooling specialist, LPR-La Palette Rouge, has appointed Steve Belot as its country manager in France, with effect from 1 October 2023. He has extensive experience in business development and supply chain management, having held leadership positions with Yusen... more
A bombshell in Hamburg
A period of general upheaval in the port of Hamburg also sees a pilot leaving the ship. Europe’s northern ports have been losing ground to the continent’s western range for many years now. In addition to a large number of unresolved port infrastructure matters there’s an... more
Duisport strengthening hub function
A new tariff structure in the inland port of Duisburg brings 50% savings for containers that make a stopover at the port. The new gateway tariff for railfreight in combined transport will apply from 1 January 2024. From then, loaded containers or trailers that enter the port of... more
Cargo handling for new carrier at CGN
Maersk Air Freight has awarded a multi-year contract to Dnata in Germany. Dnata will handle around 6,000 t of cargo annually for the new air cargo player, which currently operates weekly flights between Cologne Bonn (CGN, Germany) and Greenville Spartanburg (GSP, USA), with a... more
Port of Rotterdam appoints regional German representative
Starting today, 1 December 2023, Ulrich Reuter represents the port of Rotterdam in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. He succeeded Wolfgang Hönemann, who held this position for five years and retired recently. North Rhine-Westphalia is an important region for... more
Energy shock easing, according to RWI / ISL
The RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index, a measure of global trade activity, decreased slightly in October to a seasonally-adjusted 125 points. This slight decline follows a period of recovery from the impacts of energy price shocks. Chinese ports experienced minor... more
Carriers face post-boom dip
In Q3/2023, major shipping lines experienced significant year-on-year revenue declines, with the least contraction being –51.8%. This downturn aligns with pre-pandemic levels when viewed against 2019 figures, however, suggesting the recent declines are a correction from the... more