February 2017

Leading lights

PD Ports won the Transport & Logistics Company of the Year title while chief executive David Robinson was named Business Personality of the Year at the inaugural Northern Lights Awards 2017. They were made in recognition of the business’ commitment to collaboration across the Northern Powerhouse and helping to rebalance the economy. The judges also cited David Robinson’s efforts as a business ambassador and his charitable endeavours. [+]

Hactl gets CEIV cert

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminls Ltd (HACTL) has become the first handler in the Territory to gain full IATA CEIV Pharma certification. It is part of an airport authority initiative to gain similar validation for all other players in Hong Kong’s cargo industry. [+]

Tilbury consults on port plans

The Port of Tilbury is due to start pre-planning community consultation on 6 March on its proposals to build a new Tilbury2, terminal adjacent to the port. It will be built on a 152 acre site which was part of the former Tilbury Power Station and will include a new ... [+]

New LCL rail service between China and Europe

Kuehne + Nagel has launched a new rail service for less-than-containerload (LCL) consignments between China and Europe. The KN Eurasia Express will be aimed particularly at customers in automotive, high-tech, and fashion. A direct rail link will operate between Wuhan in China to Hamburg in Germany and Poznan (Poland). Kuehne ... [+]

FTA Multimodal awards – finalists announced

Finalists have been announced for the Multimodal awards, due to be unveiled by cricketing legend David Gower at a dinner on Tuesday 4 April 2017 at 19.00. They are: The Seafreight Operator of the Year Award - sponsored by Freightliner - finalists are Maersk, CMA CGM, MSC, Evergreen, P&O Ferries, ... [+]

Ipswich grain still growing

ABP Ipswich says it has again broken records with larger vessels and saw a surge in ship calls in 2016. In total, 743 ships called at the port, up 8% on 2015 figures, while gross rose 13% to 2.6 million gross tonnes last year. Ipswich, which is the UK’s leading export ... [+]

Faster trade deal comes into force

The World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) came into force on 22 February after it was ratified by two-thirds of its members. Rwanda, Oman, Chad and Jordan submitted their acceptance, bringing the total number of ratifications over the required two thirds threshold of 110. The agreement aims to speed up ... [+]

Rail group slams grants cut

Freight on Rail Manager, Philippa Edmunds, has described a planned 21% cut in rail freight grants from the beginning of April, as likely to force freight back onto congested roads. She argued:  "These cuts, which are not aligned with the Government's own rail freight strategy of September 2016, are counter-productive ... [+]

Seven flights to Saudi from Manchester

Saudia is to operate twice weekly 787 Dreamliner passenger and cargo flights between Manchester and Riyadh from June on Monday and Wednesday. It already operates five times a week from Manchester to Jeddah. [+]

High-flying Emirates appoints UK cargo chief

Emirates SkyCargo has appointed current cargo manager for Northern England and Scotland, Ross Barnett, as UK cargo manager. Based in London, he will oversee cargo operations for 18 daily passenger flights and two Heathrow freighter services. Emirates says that December 2016 was the first month in which it exported more ... [+]

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