Archives: April 2009 cargo news
The News stories below are cargo / freight related stories which made the headlines in April 2009 (other archived months are shown at the bottom of the page).
For all the latest Cargo News, click on the link on the left-hand side menu. ukimports.org
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29/04/09 - Maersk Moves China Route To Felixstowe
- Courtesy of Felistowe TV (www.felixstowetv.co.uk)In a boost to the Port of Felixstowe, Maersk Line has announced it is transferring one if its Asia - Europe container shipping routes here from Southampton.
Maersk Line, one of the largest liner shipping companies in the world, is changing its AE1 service from next month. It will no longer call at Southampton or Le Havre in France, but will call at Felixstowe. The route will include Japan, South China and Malaysia, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Oman, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Maersk say that the improvements, along with other developments in their Asia - Europe network, will offer a better service and reliability with unchanged capacity. ukimports.org
28/04/09 - New Cold Store Service At Port
- Courtesy of Felistowe TV (www.felixstowetv.co.uk)The Port of Felixstowe is welcoming the return of Commercial Cold Storage and Handling Services after an absence of 10 years.
In a unique venture between Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of the Port, and Seafast Logistics Plc, agreements were recently signed for the first of four phases of development. The facility, named 'Celsius' will be operated by Seafast and serviced by the Port. ukimports.org
28/04/09 - Airline adds more flights from Capital as Turkish city takes off
- Courtesy of The Edinburgh Evening News (www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com)MORE direct flights between Edinburgh and the Turkish city of Dalaman are being launched due to overwhelming demand.
Low fares airline Flyglobespan said the new flights were a response to the growing popularity of Turkey as a tourist destination.It will now fly twice weekly from Edinburgh – with Glasgow and Aberdeen also offering a weekly service. ukimports.org
27/04/09 - Trucker jailed over ecstasy haul
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Customs chiefs have welcomed the 16-year jail sentence for a lorry driver who was found with 165kg (363lbs) of ecstasy tablets, worth £2.44m.
Leong Paul, 56, from Newport, south Wales, picked up the drugs from a service stop near Antwerp in Belgium, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said.
He then attempted to smuggle them into the UK through Dover, Kent, hidden in his vehicle, but the haul was found. ukimports.org
27/04/09 - Bird cull to make way for planes
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Hundreds of bird-watchers have signed a petition to save 800 rooks facing a cull at Manchester Airport.
The action was due to be taken against the flock of birds, which have nested in woods near Dunham Massey for 300 years, on Thursday.
The rookery, at the side of the golf course, is directly under a flight path from the airport.
Manchester Airport said on Monday it had postponed the cull to hold talks with the local community. ukimports.org
26/04/09 - Monday deadline for Gatwick buyer
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Monday is the deadline for companies wanting to buy Britain's second-biggest airport, London Gatwick.
Its current owner, BAA, was ordered to sell Gatwick after an inquiry found that customers were suffering from the lack of competition between airports.
It is expected to receive three serious offers, although they are rumoured to to be below last year's £2bn estimates. ukimports.org
26/04/09 - Port workers paid to stay at home
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)WHILE millions are worried about the future of their jobs, some Suffolk workers have found the recession has left them earning £25,000 a year while sitting at home.
Some Felixstowe port workers, known as floaters, are recruited to be on standby for when things get busy - but with the downturn in world trade recently, they have been collecting their salaries without having to go anywhere near the port.
However port bosses today insisted that the number of floaters has been cut significantly as full-time workers expressed anger that they are facing pay cuts while others are still paid to stay at home. ukimports.org
24/04/09 - Felixstowe a barometer for east?
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Watch the news report from the port of Felixstowe. Is this the true measurement of the state of the economy?. ukimports.org
23/04/09 - TNT loses Royal Mail VAT action
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)TNT Post, the Dutch mail delivery firm, has lost an action at the European Court of Justice to remove the UK Royal Mail's VAT-free status.
TNT had argued that since Royal Mail was privatised, it should no longer enjoy the competitive advantage over its rivals of paying no VAT.
But the court ruled that as the UK's only "universal service provider", the exemption was legally sound.
This means that TNT will have to continue paying VAT on its services. ukimports.org
23/04/09 - Rival freight depot plan unveiled
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Plans to build a rail and road freight depot on land near Borough Green close to the M26 in Kent have been unveiled.
The development has been put forward as an alternative to the planned Kent International Gateway, near Bearsted, which residents opposed.
The latest proposal, which has been put forward by a group of landowners, would see quarries and sandpits turned into a transport hub and aggregates depot. ukimports.org
20/04/09 - Flights to capital's centre start
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A new air route between Cornwall, Devon and London City Airport has started up.
Air Southwest is running twice-daily flights between Newquay and London, via Plymouth.
Although several airlines already fly between Devon and Cornwall and London Gatwick Airport, this is the first direct route into London City Airport.
Business and tourism experts claim the new flight link to and from the heart of London will be a 'lifeline' in helping to boost the local economy. ukimports.org
20/04/09 - New Thames crossing is considered
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Options for a new road bridge across the River Thames between Kent and Essex are to be considered, the government has announced.
The bridge would be in addition to the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing on the M25 east of London.
Three possible sites have been identified for the new crossing, one at the site of the existing crossing and two at points further east.
They were outlined in a study published by Transport Minister Lord Adonis. ukimports.org
20/04/09 - Brussels to probe seven airlines
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The European Commission has started anti-competition investigations into seven transatlantic airlines, including British Airways (BA).
Brussels has opened two separate investigations, the first into proposed additional cooperation between BA, American Airlines and Iberia.
The second probe is into existing and planned cooperation between Air Canada, Continental, Lufthansa and United. ukimports.org
20/04/09 - Fast ferry for freight to launch
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The largest high-speed cross-Channel ferry will begin sailings from Kent in May, a French company has announced.
The Incat 367ft (112m) catamaran will be introduced by LD Lines on the Dover to Boulogne route from 29 May.
The 11,000 tonne vessel is the world's largest diesel-powered catamaran and will be the first freight-carrying, fast ferry operating from Dover. ukimports.org
18/04/09 - Call for review of night flights
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A council is calling on Luton Airport in Bedfordshire to review the number of night flights from its runway.
Dacorum Borough Council has written to the airport urging it to review its Night Noise Policy.
The council says local residents are subjected to twice the number of night flights than take-off from Heathrow. ukimports.org
17/04/09 - Additional Duties on goods imported from the USA
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 30
Effective: 1st May 2009
A decrease to the number of goods originating from the USA that will attract 15 per cent additional duty rates as a result of the retaliatory action under the Byrd Amendment. ukimports.org
17/04/09 - Millions of cigarettes hidden - in a load of mushrooms!
- Courtesy of The KM Online (www.kentonline.co.uk)Two men have each been jailed for five years for smuggling more than 7.2 million counterfeit cigarettes in a load of mushrooms.
Lorry driver Denis Bugler and haulage boss Conor Caherty, both from Ireland, had denied evading over £1 million in excise duty but were convicted by a jury.
Maidstone Crown Court heard customs officers searched the truck and discovered the illicit cargo.
Bugler arrived at Dover Docks in October 2007 on a Norfolk Line ferry from Dunkirk in France. ukimports.org
17/04/09 - Fishermen stage 'go-slow' protest
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Ships in the Channel had to take avoiding action after a flotilla of French trawlers staged a "go-slow" protest at sea.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 31 trawlers moved up a shipping lane, side by side in a line, before turning back to France.
It follows blockades of French ports by protesters fighting EU fishing quotas this week.
The protests affected ferries, roads and businesses in Kent. ukimports.org
16/04/09 - Airport's 22,000 flight hike plea
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Airport bosses have called for flights from a Hampshire airfield to be raised by 22,000 over the next decade despite residents' concerns about noise.
A government ruling keeps the total number of take-offs at Farnborough Airport at 28,000 but owners TAG Aviation want it increased to 50,000.
The firm said growth would create 1,500 jobs and stated it was committed to tackling noise in its new master plan. ukimports.org
16/04/09 - Airline crew 'missed' plane fire
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Pilots were unaware a fire had broken out onboard their plane for several minutes, an accident report has said.
The United Airlines' plane was waiting to take off from Heathrow Airport in London, according to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
A stewardess had told the crew of "an electrical smell" in the cabin but pilots claimed there was no fire.
The crew and 185 passengers were evacuated in the incident on 26 February 2007. ukimports.org
14/04/09 - Roads may be gridlocked as Stack is back
- Courtesy of The KM Online (www.kentonline.co.uk)Motorists face rush-hour jams tonight as police set up Operation Stack.
It comes as French fisherman blockade Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk.
Ferry traffic will be unable to berth at either the ports of Calais, Dunkirk or Boulogne and police are now implementing phase two of Operation Stack. ukimports.org
14/04/09 - Ferry sailings from Dover to Calais suspended
- Courtesy of The KM Online (www.kentonline.co.uk)All ferry sailings from Dover to Calais, have been suspended, and a ship heading for Boulogne has been diverted to Dieppe, because of industrial action by French fishermen.
Fishing boats are being used to block the harbour at Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk in a protest over fishing quotas. ukimports.org
11/04/09 - Downturn 'hits regional airports'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Some regional airports could struggle to survive the recession because of falling passenger numbers, the Airport Operators Association (AOA) has warned.
Its figures suggest overall traffic in March 2009 was down 15%, with passenger numbers reduced by 70% at Blackpool Airport and 50% at Durham Tees Valley.
The AOA blamed budget carriers for squeezing costs, but airlines say extra charges have forced travellers away.
The government said it was committed to helping business during the downturn. ukimports.org
09/04/09 - Dockers may strike over job cuts
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Dockers have promised to do "all that is necessary" to protect jobs after bosses at Southampton docks confirmed redundancy plans will go ahead.
Port bosses last month said they planned to make up to 60 compulsory job cuts. This has since been scaled down to 41 redundancies.
Dubai-based firm DP World, the majority shareholder in the site, blamed "the economic climate" for the losses.
The union Unite has threatened a ballot on industrial action against DP World. ukimports.org
08/04/09 - Crackdown on illicit Thames cargo
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Vessels in the Thames Estuary have been boarded by Kent Police's marine unit as part of a crackdown on craft carrying illicit cargo.
Officers used the team's 56ft (17m) patrol boat to stop and search boats on the waterway.
The force said the exercise was part of its fight against terrorism, gun crime, drug and people trafficking. ukimports.org
07/04/09 - Tariff preference: Importation of goods from Israel
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 19
Effective: From 1 February 2005 - NB This paper first published as (05)06 titled Tariff preference: Importation of Goods from Israel
A new arrangement whereby the place of production will be included on all Israeli proofs of preferential origin thereby enabling the customs authorities in the European Community to immediately refuse claims to Israeli preference on goods produced in settlements located within the territories of the West bank and Gaza Strip (Occupied Territories). ukimports.org
07/04/09 - Challenge to Heathrow runway plan
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A legal appeal is to be launched by councils opposed to the decision to approve a third runway at Heathrow.
At the High Court the 2M group, which represents 23 local authorities, will apply for a judicial review of the government's approval of the expansion.
The group will argue the decision was irrational and that the consultation process was not lawful.
If permission for a review is granted, there is not expected to be a hearing until the early part of 2010. ukimports.org
06/04/09 - Tariff preference: importations from Switzerland
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 21
Effective: Immediately - NB This paper first published as (05)27 titled Tariff preference: Importations from Switzerland
Revision of Guidance on EC originating products returning from Switzerland in the same state or after minimal processing in that country. ukimports.org
06/04/09 - Tariff preference: Reciprocal Preferential Trade agreements - EU/Morocco/Tunisia
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 22
Effective: Immediately – NB This paper first published as (05) 52 titled Tariff preference: Reciprocal Preferential Trade agreements between the EU and Morocco and Tunisia - immediate changes in the monetary limits for the use of simplified proofs of origin
An immediate change in the monetary limits for the use of Invoice Declarations and for consignments for which no formal proof of preferential origin is required. ukimports.org
06/04/09 - Notice 100: Customs Flexible Accounting System (FAS)
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: Notice 100 (March 2009)
This notice cancels and replaces Notice 100 (October 2005). Details of any changes to the previous version can be found in paragraph 1.2 of this notice.
Paragragh 1.2 What has changed?, (taken from this Public Notice).
The technical content has changed in Notice 100.
You can access details of any changes to this notice since
October 2005 on our Internet website, go to www.hmrc.gov.uk
or by phoning the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000. ukimports.org
06/04/09 - Proofs of origin (irregular GSP Form A or EUR1 Movement Certificates)
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 17
Effective: Immediately - NB This paper first published as (05) 68 titled Tariff Preference: Proofs of Origin (GSP Forms A or EUR1 Movement Certificates) that do not comply with technical requirements
Member States’ Customs authorities are becoming increasingly aware of Form A and EUR1 certificates which do not meet the legal requirements. ukimports.org
03/04/09 - Tariff Preference: cumulation provisions within Pan-Euro-Med Countries
- Courtesy of HM Revenue & Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (09) 23
Effective: Immediately – NB This paper first published as (05) 57 titled Tariff preference:Use of Cumulation provisions within 'Pan-Euro-Mediterranean' countries – specifically Turkey and Tunisia
Further information about the widening of the scope of existing pan-European cumulation provisions when importing/exporting under preference.
JCCC Paper (05) 43 provided advance information about the imminent introduction of a new Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (Pan-Euro-Med) system of cumulation in relation to preferential origin.
Cumulation within preferential trade agreements is an additional facility that helps manufactured goods to meet their relevant origin rule(s) and therefore make it easier to claim any preferential rates of duty that may apply.
This works by forming countries in groups or zones and by allowing manufacturers to count materials originating in other countries in the zone as if they originated in the country of manufacture when incorporated into a product made there.
In advance of the introduction of this new provision, Tunisia applied to the European Commission for its own separate derogation from the existing rules of origin for Garments. This derogation would allow the manufacture in Tunisia of a range of garments for export to the EC under preference, which have been made from fabrics originating in Turkey. ukimports.org
02/04/09 - More carriages for airport trains
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Train services to Stansted airport are to benefit from the introduction of almost 200 extra carriages.
In a deal between the Department for Transport and National Express East Anglia, jobs will be safeguarded at train maker Bombardier of Derby.
Bombardier's £155m contract is for 120 carriages, primarily for routes servicing Stansted Airport in Essex.
A further 68 carriages now in use on London Midland company routes will be leased by National Express East Anglia.
By December 2011, National Express East Anglia will be able to provide 11,000 extra seats during the morning rush hour. ukimports.org
01/04/09 - Landside harbour jobs transferred
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Eighty-eight staff at a port in Kent have had their jobs transferred to other companies following a decision announced last summer.
The landside services affected at the Port of Dover will now be undertaken by either P&O Ferries or labour supply company OCS.
It follows the outsourcing by the port of its security-related services to Group Four Security (G4S) in January.
A further 34 staff have accepted a voluntary severance package. ukimports.org
01/04/09 - Fake shoes valued at £1m seized
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A haul of counterfeit Nike trainers worth almost £1m has been seized by officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) at the port of Felixstowe.
More than 770 brown cardboard cartons were found containing 9,288 pairs of the counterfeit sports shoes.
The load arrived at the Suffolk port on 27 March. ukimports.org
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