Strike averted at DP World’s port facilities in Western Canada
09.07.2024
A strike by ship and dock foremen at DP World’s port facilities in Western Canada has been prevented from occurring this week.
On Sunday, July 7, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) determined that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) Local 514 cannot proceed with plans to strike on July 8 at about 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Union members had indicated that they would be going on strike at DP World’s port facilities in Western Canada, according to the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA).
CIRB gave this ruling after BCMEA pressed the federal board to intervene. Because of the strike notice, BCMEA said on July 6 that it was planning to conduct an industry-wide lockout on July 9. That lockout would have shut down all cargo operations of BCMEA member companies across British Columbia, although it would not have affected cruise operations and longshoring operations on grain vessels, BCMEA said. However, since the strike will not occur, BCMEA has withdrawn its lockout notice.
“The CIRB found ILWU Local 514’s Nanaimo dispatch proposal was illegal because it consists of a receding horizon in bargaining and amounts to a failure to bargain in good faith. Therefore, the Board directed the union to withdraw its proposal,” BCMEA said in a July 7 update.
“The BCMEA is disappointed that these steps needed to be taken to ensure the stability of Canada’s West Coast ports but is pleased with the outcomes of the CIRB’s decision,” the association continued. The group also said the CIRB hearing to address the union’s outstanding DP World Canada manning proposal is scheduled to continue on Aug. 6-9.
Negotiations between BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 began in November 2022, according to BCMEA. The labor agreement between BCMEA and ILWU Local 514 expired on March 31, 2023. BCMEA had also been negotiating a separate agreement with ILWU Longshore Locals, but the parties reached an agreement on Aug. 4, 2023.
DP World completes major expansion project at Port of Callao
01.07.2024
DP World has completed a major US$400 million expansion project at the Port of Callao in Peru, enhancing container handling capacity at the South Terminal by 80%.
The Bicentennial Pier expansion project extends the pier from 650 meters to 1,050 meters, making Callao one of the few ports in South America capable of accommodating three vessels (or two mega-vessels) simultaneously.
The project increases handling capacity from 1.5 million to 2.7 million TEUs per year, while the container yard space has also been expanded to a total of 400,000 m².
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, commented, "The Bicentennial Pier project is a landmark achievement for us in Peru. Our investment represents our commitment to supporting the region’s economic growth and solidifying Callao's position as a premier logistics hub, setting a new standard for sustainable port operations in South America."
Panama Canal increases draft and daily transits
21.06.2024
The Panama Canal has announced that it will increase the number of daily transits from 32 to 33, starting 11 July.
This number will further rise to 34 as of 22 July, in response to the current and projected water levels of Gatun Lake over the coming weeks, and the onset of the rainy season in the Panama Canal Watershed.
With these gradual increases, by 22 July the Canal will have added two transits to the current schedule: one for the panamax locks (bringing daily transits to 25), and one for the neopanamax locks (raising daily transits to 9). Additionally, an increase in draft from 45 to 46 feet was announced, effective from 15 June.
The Panama Canal said it will continue to monitor weather conditions daily to implement the necessary operational actions in the event of increased rainfall in its watershed.
?✨ Eid al-Adha Greetings from FORWARD EXP DMCC! ✨?
17.06.2024
Dear colleagues, partners, and friends,
On behalf of the FORWARD EXP DMCC team, we are delighted to extend our heartfelt wishes to you on the blessed occasion of Eid al-Adha!
During this special time, we wish you and your families peace, happiness, and prosperity. May this sacred festival bring joy to every home, strengthen our faith, fill our hearts with love, and inspire us to perform noble deeds.
We are proud of our diverse and multicultural teams, and today's celebration reminds us of the importance of unity, mutual understanding, and supporting one another.
May Eid al-Adha be a time for reflection, gratitude, and new beginnings.
With best wishes,
The FORWARD EXP DMCC Team
HMM and IKEA forge alliance to advance ocean transport decarbonization
11.06.2024
HMM and IKEA Supply Chain Operations have entered into an agreement to utilize HMM's 'Green Sailing Service', a low-carbon ocean transport solution aimed at reducing environmental impact and supporting the decarbonization of ocean transportation.
Central to this collaboration is a significant reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions achieved by replacing conventional fossil fuels with environmentally responsible, waste-based biofuels for transporting IKEA products across the ocean.
The biofuels utilized for this service are ISCC-certified and derived from waste-based biomass. HMM is incorporating sustainable biofuel into its FIM service, which connects the Far East, India, and the Mediterranean.
Noteworthy, this agreement is expected to decrease approximately 11,500 tonnes of CO2e emissions from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025, through the use of such biofuels for all IKEA ocean cargo shipments with HMM.
IKEA aims to reduce the relative greenhouse gas emissions from their product transportation by 70% by 2030 and become a zero-emissions cargo owner by 2040.
"We will keep looking for ways to make sustainable development our top goal, which will help us make important progress towards carbon neutrality," stated an HMM official.