May 2017

FTA calls for protection as migrants return to Calais

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging the government to lobby the French authorities to protect drivers passing through the Calais area, following reports of increased migrant activity.  According to driver reports, rubbish bins were placed on the entry to the Port of Calais on the night of Sunday 21 May, and vehicles were attacked with stones, as migrants attempted to board lorries travelling towards the port.   A Czech driver was ... [+]

All change at Cathay cargo

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has made 600 people redundant including elimination of the cargo director role. There will instead be a director of commercial and cargo. Current cargo director James Ginns, who only took over from Simon Large a month ago, will become director of customer service. [+]

Former FH Bertling MD dies

Ralf Petersen, the former managing director of forwarder FH Bertling and who was facing charges by the UK Serious Fraud Office over alleged bribery payments, has died. According to the company’s website, he passed away peacefully on 17 May. He was charged in July last year, along with six other ... [+]

We need a Brexit minister, says Irish freight industry

XThe Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) is calling for the urgent appointment of a dedicated Brexit Minister in the Irish Parliament, following the resignation of Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. FTAI says that, without a minister operating in the role, there would be a lack of leadership which could affect the ... [+]

Board of Trade to rise again, say Tories

The Conservative party said it would reconvene the Board of Trade and that it would be “specially charged with ensuring increased exports from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as England” in its general election manifesto, published on 18 May. The manifesto also promised that a future Conservative government would ... [+]

Parking operators passing up profits, says TAPA

Truck park owners in Europe are missing out on substantial revenues because their locations are not recognised as being secure enough by transporters of high value products, says the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). TAPA is approaching 520 parking place operators in 35 countries in the Europe, Middle East and Africa ... [+]

From the West Mids to the Midwest

Emirates SkyCargo moved a batch of exclusive Jaguar Land Rover cars from Birmingham to Chicago on one of its 777 freighters on 18 May. The plane was chartered by the car-maker’s logistics service provider, Metro Shipping. [+]

Brussels eases port and airport spending rules

The European Commission has approved new state aid rules that it says will simplify rules on state aid for ports and airports in the EU’s outermost regions. Member States can now make public investments in regional airports handling up to 3 million passengers per year without prior control by the Commission. ... [+]

Customs expert joins BIFA

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has appointed Pawel Jarza as policy and compliance advisor for Customs issues. He will work with the trade, HMRC and other bodies to ensure customs processes and policies represent the best solutions for both trade and regulators particularly as new routines and solutions emerge during ... [+]

Samskip adds to lightweight reefer fleet

Shipping and intermodal operator Samskip has added 51 lighter-weight 45ft length refer containers to its fleet. The Chinese-built electric units feature the same flat composite inner lining first used by Samskip in a 2014 order. The containers are lighter, stronger and easier to clean than conventional reefer units, while giving smoother ... [+]

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