February 2017

Hanjin liquidation looms

The Seoul Central District Court said on 9 February said it would declare Hanjin bankrupt on 17 February leading to the shipping company’s liquidation. The assets of Hanjin, once the world’s seventh largest container line, will be auctioned off to help pay off its debts. Analysts vesselsvalue.com said that two containerships are currently listed for sale out of a total of 29 listed but it expected the others to go following ... [+]

Early signs promising for Panama canal

Vessel traffic through the enlarged Panama Canal hit its highest since 2012 in January, growing 6% on a year earlier, said global trade intelligence platform Panjiva. But after adjusting for the increased capacity of neopanamax vessels the growth may have been 42%, it added. Some 78% of neopanamax slots were ... [+]

Ruscon buys logistics firm

Russian container transport company Ruscon has acquired one of the country’s largest logistics companies SLG-Operating (Smart Logistics Group-Operating). SLG offers warehouse and logistics services to customers including Microsoft, Pepsi, Danone, Castorama, Kimberly-Clark, Haier and Cargill. It has a 60,000sq m complex at Chekhov City, near Moscow, with a capacity of ... [+]

Brexit could put huge strain on Welsh ports, warns Assembly Member

Labour Welsh Assembly Member Eluned Morgan has warned that the UK leaving the EU customs union could require immense infrastructure at Welsh ports, the BBC reports. There is a danger that freight traffic could be diverted away from Wales if there was a hard border with Ireland, she said. One of ... [+]

EU Commissioner pans Trump’s border tax plan

EU trade commissioner Jyrki Katainen said in mid-February that the EU would be prepared to take legal action should the US try to impose a “border tax” against its imports. In an article published in the Financial Times Katainen also warned that such a move trigger expedited action at the ... [+]

CMA signs second Alibaba deal

CMA CGM has become the second shipping line to sign a deal with Asian online retailer Alibaba. A memorandum of understanding drawn up in Hangzhou will seek cooperation between the two leading companies in the digital area, with digital services for Alibaba’s users via the retailer’s OneTouch trade facilitation platform. ... [+]

Containerships builds green vessels

Finnish-owned shortsea operator Containerships is having four new dual-fuel container vessels built in Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in China, with options for further four. The main engine meets future NOx tier III requirements in gas mode and all vessels are equipped with an auxiliary engine. The new short-sea vessels have a ... [+]

Palletways member gains customs status

Southampton-based Palletways member Acclaim Logistics has gained ETSF (External Temporary Storage Facility) status for its warehouse at Totton following auditing and approval by HM Revenue & Customs. ETSF (formerly known as ERTS) is a secure, dedicated storage area which is used to hold imported goods not yet cleared by Customs.  ... [+]

Time to make tracks for Miami

TIACA’s 2017 Executive Summit in Miami, Florida on 18-20 October will feature a Latin America and pharma focus, and will take place in partnership with the Supply Chain Americas, aimed at shippers looking for ways to run slicker supply chains. TIACA secretary general Vladimir Zubkov, said the new tracks were ... [+]

Trade experts see brighter outlook

The World Trade Organisation says that its latest Outlook Indicator (WTOI) suggests that global trade growth will continue to grow moderately in the first quarter of 2017 after strengthening in the final quarter of 2016. The indicator is based on a number of components, including air freight, container shipping, export ... [+]

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