Friday, July 11, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 853

Leading manufacturer hails London Gateway as major opportunity for supply chain innovation

0

Speaking at the Logistics Leaders Network Forum, hosted by London Gateway on Thursday, Surtees described the success of Project Sphinx, a collaborative initiative led by Kimberley-Clark, in which seven leading brands (including Heinz, Nestle and Kelloggs) are sharing warehousing and distribution, achieving annual cost savings in six figures for Kimberley-Clark alone.

“London Gateway is a fantastic proposition and a perfect opportunity to design collaborative supply chains” he said. “It’s not until you get here that you realise the scale of both the project and the opportunity. I’m really excited by the possibilities it offers.”

Although Kimberley-Clark has been highly successful in implementing innovative collaboration projects in Europe, notably France and Holland, Surtees has not attempted to replicate the model in the UK, believing outdated infrastructure and to some extent, inflexible 3PL thinking, to be serious barriers to success.

“Our most recent collaboration project is hugely complex but highly successful for all brands involved. Key elements have been VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) replenishment, the right location close to shared markets and a willingness to think outside of traditional supply chain models both on the part of the manufacturers and the 3PLs.”

“London Gateway is definitely the right location to achieve the Holy Grail both for manufacturers and retailers, namely improved on shelf availability with lower costs due to a shorter supply chain. The Logistics Park additionally provides a virtually unique opportunity to build a purpose-designed facility for collaboration adjacent to the port. Goods can then be brought in through a single gateway, stored centrally, and distributed collaboratively.”

“For manufacturers and retailers with vision, London Gateway has created a chance to re-evaluate existing supply chains and make innovative decisions to achieve shared goals of lower costs with improved customer service and increased sales.”

Surtees was addressing an audience of members of the Logistics Leaders Network, an organisation established to provide supply chain professionals and freight transport leaders from all sectors with a focal point of communication, leadership, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.

Chairman of the Logistics Leaders Network, Peter Acton commented, “As we hopefully emerge from recession, it is vital that we rebalance our economy through stimulating both import and export activity. This major infrastructure project at London Gateway is key to achieving this aim, and in my view will help generate growth and prosperity in the UK. We are delighted to have been able to hold our Forum on collaboration at this exciting venue and to showcase this impressive new development to our members.”

Speaking on behalf of London Gateway, Commercial Manager Peter Ward said, “At London Gateway we will be offering a 5-star service, setting new standards in performance and reliability. Our message to logistics and supply chain professionals is that whilst historically ports have been viewed as a necessary supply chain ‘node’ that simply adds cost, in contrast London Gateway will add  tangible value to the supply chain, by reducing cost, replacing legacy practices and delivering real, long-term benefits.”

“Our aim in hosting events and inviting industry leaders to site is to raise awareness and understanding of the tremendous opportunity at London Gateway to develop and enhance end-to-end supply chains, and reduce costs.”

Photo shows:

Peter Surtees, Kimberley-Clark – European Supply Chain Director, Peter Acton, Logistics Leaders Network – Managing Director, and Peter Ward, London Gateway – Cargo Supply Chain Commercial Manager at the Logistics Leaders Network conference sponsored by DP World’s London Gateway

Seamen's Union launches 48 hour strike action in Greece affecting key ports

0

ISS Greece has confirmed that the strike disruption means that there will be no assistance by tug boat crews with berthing and sailing movements for vessels calling at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis and Lavrion and pilots have also confirmed they will be joining the strike from 12.00 until 16.00 on 31st January. Vessel movements at Thessaloniki will not be affected as the local towage company will not be joining the strike.

Says Christos Makrialeas, Managing Director ISS Greece:  “This 48 hour strike by the Seamen’s Union in Greece will affect all ports and Islands as local ferries will not be operating, and at the same time all vessel movements at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis and Lavrion.” 

ISS Greece will continue to monitor developments on behalf of ship owners and operators and will keep customers updated. 

Boskalis announces mandatory offer for Dockwise

0

As per the date of this announcement, the offer price per Share equals NOK 137. The Offer is being made through Boskalis’ wholly owned subsidiary Boskalis Holding B.V.

Today, Boskalis acquired 2,016,030 Shares. The Shares were purchased at an average price of EUR 18.50 with a maximum price of EUR 18.50, which equals NOK 137.

Boskalis now holds approximately 38.39% of the Shares, as a result of which the mandatory offer obligation pursuant to Section 6-1 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act is triggered. Together with the irrevocable commitments obtained by Boskalis in connection with the Offer, approximately 88.59% of the Shares is already acquired by, or committed to, the Offer.

Boskalis has resolved all relevant outstanding conditions making the launch of the mandatory offer possible. Boskalis has completed its due diligence of Dockwise, successfully raised EUR 320 million equity and secured EUR 1.3 billion of committed financing arrangements, progressed the relevant antitrust filings and has obtained a positive advice from the relevant works council.

Determination mandatory offer price

The offer price will be determined in accordance with Section 6-10 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Boskalis did not acquire, nor agreed to acquire, any Shares at a price exceeding EUR 18.50 (or, at any moment in time, the NOK equivalent) during the six months period prior to today.

Timetable

The voluntary offer document submitted to the regulators earlier will be withdrawn. Boskalis will submit a request for approval of its mandatory offer document (the Offer Document) to the Oslo Stock Exchange and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial markets as soon as possible following this announcement. The Offer Document is expected to be published and the Offer is expected to commence in the week of 4 February 2013.

VPA cuts air emissions from terminals while increasing volume

0

The reductions are reflected in a comprehensive air emissions inventory of operations at the VPA’s marine terminals in 2011. The study was commissioned by the VPA as part of its ongoing, proactive environmental policy.

“Emissions, because they are mostly invisible, sometimes get lost in the conversation about larger environmental projects and efforts,” said Heather L. Wood, the VPA’s environmental affairs director. “The emissions inventory is among the drivers of our overall environmental program; it has an impact on several policies. It speaks to the efficiency of our operations and helps pinpoint areas that warrant further study.”

The VPA began modeling emissions from marine terminal operations in 2004 and has updated the emissions inventory in 2005, 2008 and 2011.

Since the first emissions inventory, the VPA has:

• Instituted a policy of cycling out older diesel engines in favor of Tier III diesels, the lowest emissions emitting engines available;

• Started using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in port vehicles well ahead of the federal mandate;

• Encouraged idle reduction among all types of cargo handling vehicles (vessels included), work vehicles and personal vehicles;

• Created the GO program – Green Operator – that provides low-interest loans to truck and fleet owners to update their vehicles with emissions-reducing technology or buy new trucks;

• Expanded GO to other modes with the creation of a voluntary, incentive-driven fuel switching program for cargo ships. This offshoot of GO encourages the use of locally-developed alternative fuel/hybrid technology to reduce emissions coming from vessels during cargo operations;

• Adopted and implement the ISO 14001 international environmental standards and practices;

• Started using ultra-low emission locomotives in the rail operation at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and expanded its on-dock rail services at NIT and APM Terminals;

• Reduced the overall number of truck trips between Hampton Roads and Richmond through use of the 64 Express barge service; and

• Shifted cargo from Portsmouth Marine Terminal to the more automated operations at APM Terminals.

“It is important to put this in context: Since 2004, pollutants from VPA and VIT owned, operated, and maintained cargo handling equipment have declined dramatically – in some cases almost totally eliminated, depending on the pollutant — while total cargo volume increased by 28 percent over the same period (2004-2011),” said Rodney W. Oliver, the VPA’s interim executive director.

Port-related emissions generated from all cargo handling modes within the Hampton Roads Hampton Roads Ozone Attainment/Maintenance Area were modeled and evaluated. The evaluated modes included: ocean-going vessels; ship assist tugs known as harbor craft; cargo handling equipment; rail locomotives; and on-road heavy duty vehicles, which are primarily over-the-road trucks.

The methodology employed for preparing the emission inventories was consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency best practices for mobile sources. Emissions levels were calculated using an integrated terminal capacity model developed by the engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol to assess activity and operational efficiency levels based on cargo throughput at the terminals.

The results of the 2011 inventory report emissions reductions for all criteria pollutants among all modes transporting containerized cargo through Hampton Roads are:

• Container volume increased 18.4 percent from 1,619,329 TEUs to 1,918,024 TEUs

• Emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), an ozone contributing pollutant = -23%

• Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 & 10) = -50%

• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) = -60%

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) = -33%

• Carbon Dioxide (Greenhouse Gas) = -4.3% (2008-2011)

Since 2004, criteria pollutants from VPA and VIT’s marine terminal operations alone have declined depending on the pollutant while cargo volume increased by 28 percent during the same period (2004-2011).

• CO = -85%

• NOx = -85%

• PM = -88%

• SO2 = -99%

• CO2 = -74%