Kolkata & Bengaluru to be included in World Bank's Doing Business report

NEW DELHI: The World Bank will now include Kolkata and Bengaluru, besides Delhi and Mumbai, for preparing Ease of Doing Business report to provide a holistic picture of business environment of the Country, an official has said.

 

"The Country of the size of India was not properly represented by just two cities, and now with the inclusion of Kolkata and Bengaluru, Indian ranking in the World Bank's report will present a much better picture," the official said.

 

The report ranks 190 nations based on ten parameters, which includes ease of starting a business, construction permits, getting electricity, getting credit, paying taxes, trade across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

The official added that the exercise to include these two new cities has already been initiated and would be included in the World Bank's ranking in the years to come.

DP World reports 1.1% gross like-for-like volume growth in 3Q 2019

DUBAI: DP World PLC handled 17.7 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio of container terminals in 3Q2019, with gross container volumes growing by 1.1 % year-on-year on a like-for-like basis. On a nine-month basis, like-for-like gross container volumes grew by +0.7% year-on-a year to 53.5 million TEU.

 

Jebel Ali (UAE) handled 3.6 million TEU in 3Q2019, down -1.0% year-on-year, as volumes stabilised following a shift of low-margin cargo. Growth in Asia and India remains robust with strong growth in ATI (Philippines), Qingdao (China). Growth in India has been driven by Cochin, Mundra and NSIGT (Mumbai). Decline in reported volumes in Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent is due to discontinued operations in Surabaya (Indonesia) and Tianjin (China).

 

At a consolidated level, our terminals handled 10.3 million TEU during 3Q 2019, a +0.8% improvement year-on-year on a like-for-like basis. The strong reported growth of +93.7% in Americas and Australia region is due to the consolidation of Australia and acquisition of the two terminals in Chile.

 

Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem commented: “Our portfolio continues to deliver a steady volume performance which is encouraging given the challenging macro backdrop caused by the global trade dispute. However, despite this uncertainty, it is encouraging to see robust growth in key markets such as Asia Pacific and Indian Subcontinent, while growth in west coast of Americas remains solid. In Europe, London Gateway continues to deliver strong growth due to market share gains. While we have seen volumes stabilising in Jebel Ali (UAE), the outlook remains uncertain given the regional geopolitics and we remain focused on profitable origin & destination cargo.’’

 

“On our broader portfolio, we continue to make progress in strengthening our product offering, allowing us to connect directly with end customers to deliver a range of unique logistic solutions. We are seeing positive signs of progress in our new businesses that give us encouragement for the future. The near-term focus is on integrating our recent acquisitions, managing costs and disciplined investment to cement DP Worlds position as the logistics partner of choice. Overall, we remain well placed to deliver full year market expectations.’’

KICT honoured as Fastest Growing Terminal in 2018-19

GANDHIDHAM: Kandla International Container Terminal (KICT) has received an award in the ‘Fastest Growing Terminal’ category for 2018-19 at the 33rd Deendayal Port Trust (DPT) Awards held on October 5, 2019 at the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gujarat. On behalf of KICT and the J. M. Baxi Group, the award was received by Mr Amardeep Singh Parmar, Terminal Head of KICT from Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, informed a release. 

 

A total of 43 port users were recognised and awarded for their contribution towards making Deendayal Port the numero uno Major Port for the 

12th consecutive year by handling 115.40 million tonnes of cargo during 2018-19.

 

Along with Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, others who graced the occasion were DPT Chairman, Mr Sanjay Mehta, IFS; Director, Ministry of Shipping, 

Mr Arvind Chaudhary, MP; Mr Vinod Chawda, MLA; Ms Maltiben Maheshwari; Mr Vasanbhai Ahir; Gandhidham Municipality President, 

Mr Kanjibhai Bharya; Kandla Timber Association Head, Mr Navnit R. Gajjar, and other leading members of the trade, the release added.

Höegh Autoliners transport critical Breakbulk cargo from Mumbai to Ghana

MUMBAI: When critical equipment needed to be transported urgently from Mumbai for an infrastructure project in Ghana, OM Freight Forwarders chose Höegh Autoliners’ unbeatable direct liner service and experience in transporting breakbulk cargo. Recently Höegh Autoliners India was presented an opportunity to transport equipment and track laying machines that would be used in the development of a rail network from Tema to Akosomba. 

 

The challenge posed was that the customer needed one hundred sensitive breakbulk units to be shipped urgently for a project deadline.

 

Unbeatable liner service

With the customer’s strict time constraints, Höegh Autoliners’ regular and direct liner service from India to Africa offered the most competitive transit time in the market. In addition, with a fixed departure time, it meant the customer could plan and prepare their cargo for transportation in advance.

Capt. Atuldutt Sharma of Höegh Autoliners India says; With the equipment being an essential part of the project, the customer could not afford any delays. Höegh’s India to Africa service offered the best possible transit time of 25 days from Mumbai to Tema, which ensured the customer keep to their tight deadline. 

 

Dependable equipment

Transporting sensitive equipment like this is a precise operational process that requires experienced personnel and dependable equipment. 

The cargo handling team were put to the test, when the shipment consisting of 100 breakbulk pieces of varying sizes and shapes, needed to be transported on the same vessel. Using Höegh’s diverse fleet of rolltrailers, the team devised a plan to strategically place the 100 breakbulk units on 15 select rolltrailers. This ensured all units fit inside the vessel, and would reach the destination in time for the project

Mr. Vishal Joshi, OM Freight Forwarders says; We were extremely pleased with Höegh’s professional team that provided a customised solution for our shipment. With the competitive transit time offered, and equipment provided on such short notice, Höegh ensured our critical cargo reached its destination on time.

 

Safer with RoRo

By rolling the cargo on and off the vessel, it eliminates the need for crane lifts in both load and discharge port. This reducing the risk of damage to the cargo and ensures a safer operation.  Once inside the vessel, the rolltrailers are secured to designated lashing points underdeck, safeguarding the sensitive equipment from humidity or seawater.

 

Atuldutt continues; Keeping to the customer’s deadline, the cargo was safely transported on board Höegh Amsterdam ready for its journey to Tema. These types of breakbulk shipments demonstrate how our dedicated Breakbulk Team around the world, in their quest for excellence offer our customers timely, reliable, safe, professional and cost effective services, said a company release.

 

MSC creates Mobile Game to raise awareness on sustainability in Shipping

GENEVA: MSC is pleased to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind shipping game: The Sea Rider, said a recent release from the company.

Available on the Apple Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android) for everybody, the game provides fun, engaging entertainment for the users, who can navigate a giant container ship, collect coins and gather points.

While featuring MSC’s green fleet including some of the World’s Largest Container Ships and the actual MSC Global Network of some 200 ocean services worldwide, the game also provides insights into MSC’s environmental performance and sustainability approach.

Users will not only learn about some of the company’s activities around preserving the environment, but practically they will have to sling the ship from one port to another while minimising the environmental impact. This might include adapting the vessel speed, or avoiding whales.

Conducting shipping operations in a sustainable, ethical way MSC is a responsible company with a longstanding nautical heritage and passion for the sea. As an active member of the United Nations Global Compact, and supporter of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, MSC is pleased to introduce The Sea Rider game as a way to raise awareness on the importance 

of conducting container shipping operations in a sustainable way.

Recently, the company published its 2018 MSC’s Sustainability Report highlighting some key achievements from various companies in the MSC Group. To download a copy, please go to msc.com/sustainability.

 

FreightBro becomes the first Indian Logistics Startup to join Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg

MUMBAI: FreightBro, India’s first freight forwarder facing digital platform that digitizes operations for Freight Forwarders, became the first Indian startup to join the Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg in an exclusive event titled ‘Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg Roadshow - An Indo-German Logistics Startups Connect.’ Organised by FreightBro, the event focused on the importance and the success of building a digital logistics ecosystem in Germany and the potential of replicating similar ecosystem based models in India.

 

Johannes Berg, Managing Director, Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg, was of the opinion that, “There is immense potential for partnership and expansion opportunities for Indian startups in Germany. We have collaborated with an Indian startup for the first time and introduced FreightBro to one of our hub partners, DAKOSY who are keen on working on Indo-German synergies. We eagerly look forward to further connect Indian startups to hub partners in Germany and connect German startups with the Indian market. We are grateful to FreightBro for organizing a unique event for us in India and enable us to connect with startups which has been immensely satisfying.”

 

Mohammed Zakkiria A, Co-Founder, FreightBro, said, “Joining hands with Digital Hub is a strategically sound decision for us  and is the perfect platform for us to connect with the right partners in Germany and plan future expansion in the European market.” After the recently established partnership with Port of Wilhelmshaven, this collaboration with Digital Hub Logistics, Hamburg comes as a significant step ahead in strengthening FreightBro’s Indo-German ties and establishing a footprint in the European logistics hub, said a release.

Threat to growth in Global Container Port throughput at highest level ever says a report

LONDON: Container terminal operators are facing higher risks than at any time in the industry’s history, according to a new report.

And Container Terminals: Paths to Profitability suggests future investment by operators and investors will need to be more carefully considered than ever before.

The report by industry veterans Remco Stenvert and Andrew Penfold says many of the risks the industry faces are “beyond the control of operators”.

“The container port and terminal business faces greater uncertainties now than at any time since the container revolution started in the late 1970s,” it says.

 

“These represent systemic and intrinsic risks that could dramatically impact the outlook for port demand, profitability and investment in the next 10 years. “All investments need to take a clear view on these risks, the days when expanding container demand could be relied upon to save marginal projects have passed,” the authors write.

 

The study outlines a range of external factors – the retreat of globalisation in the face of rising protectionism; the growing financial instability since 2009, with most growth since the financial crisis funded by mounting levels of debt; a structural change in the nature of demand with many developed economies now effectively reaching peak container throughput; the challenge of near-sourcing strategies; the technological challenges posed by blockchain and 3D printing; and mounting environmental – that port operators have no control over, but yet need to take into account when planning new projects.

 

But there is also a long list of factors internal to the shipping and terminal industry with which many are already acquainted – shipping overcapacity and under-utilisation; alliance instability, which increases in terms of risk as volume growth slows; shipping line terminal investment, which is increasingly in the minds of terminal operators independent of carrier involvement; the pressure of ever large vessel sizes; terminal overcapacity in some regions; and finally the potential for the industry to be disrupted by new operators altogether.