Global Ports establishes its own container fleet

26.04.2023

Global Ports Group aims to create its own container fleet, consisting of 4,000 specialised boxes that will be used to transport, store and handle bulk cargo.

With this equipment and in partnership with Russian intermodal container operator TransContainer, Global Ports is launching a service which is expected to enable manufacturers to ship bulk cargo by block trains from their own manufacturing facilities.

"Such a service may be of particular interest to companies in the chemical industry, particularly producers of mineral fertilisers," said Global Ports in a statement.

The first 1,240 20-foot containers are already at the terminals of the company in St. Petersburg, Russia. About the same number of boxes will be delivered to Global Ports at the beginning of May and the third lot is expected by the end of June.

The containers are custom-made in China.

Global Ports believes that loading in containers from their own facilities and the following shipment by the block train will enable its customers to significantly speed up logistics in comparison to traditional shipping in open wagons.

In addition, cargo owners will be able to store different grades of fertilizers separately in the port and accumulate any combination of shipment lots, while handling cargo into the hold from a specialised container is also significantly safer and more environmentally friendly, according to the company's statement.

The first customer of the new service will be the chemical holding company EuroChem. On 18 April, during the annual transport and logistics exhibition TransRussia, the two parties signed a letter of intent, under which the mineral fertilizer producer will ship up to 100,000 tonnes of its products each month to Global Ports for handling in the port of St. Petersburg.

CMA CGM enters into exclusive negotiations to acquire Bolloré Group’s logistics activities

19.04.2023

French shipping company CMA CGM Group announced today (18 April) that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the transportation and logistics activities held through Bolloré Logistics.

CMA CGM said the negotiations are in line with its long-term strategy, based on the two pillars of shipping and logistics. "The Group’s strategy is to offer end-to-end solutions in support of its customer’s supply chain needs," said CMA CGM in a statement.

The Marseille-headquartered container shipping giant noted that a potential acquisition agreement would further strengthen its logistics activities.

"The negotiations in no way guarantee an acquisition in the end," pointed out CMA CGM.

MSC, CMA CGM enhance joint North Europe-Med-Oceania service

12.04.2023

MSC and CMA CGM announced the improvement of its joint Australia Express Service (AEX) / NEMO service with a direct call at Ennore (Chennai) on the Westbound leg to be introduced from June 2023.

MSC said the new call at Ennore will provide the company's customers with improved export connections to European ports and a direct import connection from Australia and Singapore.

"This new call will provide our customers with a quick export link from South East India's key commercial sector to Europe, as well as a direct import connection from Australia and Singapore," stated CMA CGM in its announcement.

Additionally, the service will continue to call at Colombo to cater for cargo from other Southern and Eastern Indian ports and from Sri Lanka.

According to the statement, transit times will be Ennore to Gioia Tauro in 18 days, Ennore to Valencia in 21 days and Ennore to London Gateway in 28 days. The first vessel on the new rotation will be APL Mexico City, due to arrive in Ennore on 9 June 2023.

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM officially launch 10-year air cargo partnership

03.04.2023

The long-term strategic air cargo cooperation of Air France-KLM and the CMA CGM Group, which was announced in May 2022, has officially commenced.

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM officially launch 10-year air cargo partnership

Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo, part of the Air France-KLM Group, and CMA CGM Air Cargo, part of the CMA CGM Group, will combine their cargo networks, full freighter capacity, and dedicated services aiming to build a more compelling offering.

The collaboration between the two French giants will have an initial duration of 10 years, as the deal has obtained all necessary legal approvals from the relevant authorities.

With this agreement, Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will jointly operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of their respective airlines with the combined capacity currently consisting of six full-freighter aircraft at CMA CGM Air Cargo and six full-freighter aircraft at Air France-KLM Group. The commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including 160+ long-haul aircraft.

"Our partnership will combine the best of both worlds: flexibility, agility and world-class expertise for regular and dedicated service,” stated Guillaume Lathelize, CEO of CMA CGM Air Cargo.

DP World opens reefer container facility in Sydney

30.03.2023

DP World announced the launch of Reefer World, a new one-stop refrigerated container facility in Sydney, which will offer a wide range of reefer cleaning and repair services to clients in Australia and New Zealand.

The dedicated reefer facility is the largest of its kind in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia, providing a variety of reefer solutions, such as pre-trip wash, inspection, and structural repairs, to improve efficiency and ensure the quality and freshness of perishable cargo delivered to destinations worldwide.

With the opening of this facility, DP World more than doubles its capacity to supply empty reefers, with the ability to pre-trip and wash more than 100 reefer containers daily, and capture growing demand for exports from key markets such as Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as Auckland and Tauranga in New Zealand.

“As businesses continue to build greater agility, reliability and resilience into their supply chains, Reefer World will help to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of perishable goods, while addressing increased export demand in the region,” stated Andrew Adam, CEO of DP World Australia.