Archives: August 2009 cargo news
The News stories below are cargo / freight related stories which made the headlines in August 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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31/08/09 - Indian economy continues to grow
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)India's economy grew 6.1% in the second three months of the year compared with the same period last year, which was slightly better than had been expected.
The official gross domestic product figure was down from the 7.8% growth seen in the second quarter of 2008.
Although growth has slowed from last year, the economy is still expanding faster than most other countries.
Indian economists said weakness in agriculture could be offset by growth in manufacturing later in the year.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has projected growth of "six percent plus" for the financial year to March 2010. That is down from the 6.7% logged in the previous full financial year. ukimports.org
31/08/09 - Winter Newquay-Stansted route cut
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Budget airline Ryanair has confirmed its Newquay-Stansted route is one of the winter flights it is scrapping because of because of costs.
The company announced in July it was to cut the number of aircraft it ran at Stansted by 40% in its winter schedule.
Ryanair said airport costs at Stansted and air passenger duty forced it to cancel the daily route from 1 October.
Cornwall tourism bosses said that, although a blow, other airlines still operated London airport flights. ukimports.org
31/08/09 - Airport refuel staff go on strike
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Workers who refuel aircraft at Manchester Airport are striking in a row over pay.
About 29 members of the Unite union are involved in the stoppage, which began early on Monday.
The decision was taken after a meeting between the union and managers of ASIG, which provides refuelling services at the airport.
The airport says passengers should check in as normal and flights should operate as scheduled. ukimports.org
31/08/09 - Hauliers being hit hard by fuel prices
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)A MASSIVE increase in the cost of unleaded petrol since the start of the year risks putting hauliers out of business, it has been claimed.
The average price for a litre of unleaded petrol in Suffolk is now about 104.78p, an increase of 17.8p since January. This is expected to rise even further in coming weeks.
And with the Government pushing through with its controversial 2p-a-litre rise in fuel duty next week, hauliers in the county are concerned for the future.
Peter Butler, Suffolk area manager for the Road Haulage Association, said the 2p rise next week will add an extra £1,500 a year to running costs for an average lorry. ukimports.org
30/08/09 - Sinking ship triggers alert
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)A MAJOR collision between two ships in Dutch waters has been the focusing the attention of coastguards in East Anglia today.
One of the vessels - a 30,000-ton container ship called MSC Nikita - has been sinking, forcing its 25 crew to abandon her.
The Dutch vessel has also lost some of its containers, creating a slim chance of them being washed up on the British mainland.
The collision, which happened about 23 miles west of the Hook of Holland at around 10.40pm yesterday, sparked a fire in the other ship. ukimports.org
29/08/09 - Lorry overturns in Felixstowe
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)A LORRY driver had to be taken to hospital after his vehicle overturned on a roundabout in Felixstowe. ukimports.org
28/08/09 - Lorry driver with propane load hits bridge
- Courtesy of The Kent Messenger (www.kentonline.co.uk)A heavy goods lorry driver was left red-faced after hitting a railway bridge and displacing his load.
The incident this morning caused traffic chaos in Oxford Street, Whitstable and disrupted train services across east Kent. ukimports.org
28/08/09 - Congestion claim over toll charge
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Higher toll charges at the Dartford Crossing across the Thames between Kent and Essex have led to increased congestion, the AA has said.
The motoring organisation said there were noticeably more delays on the M25 since the charge was raised from £1 to £1.50 for cars nearly a year ago.
Paul Watters, its head of roads and transport policy, said a "sensible solution" would be to go back to £1.
"We also need to look at whether we can remove the toll southbound," he added. ukimports.org
28/08/09 - Two airport strikes are cancelled
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Two planned strikes which were due to hit Manchester Airport over the Bank Holiday weekend have been called off.
Up to 300 ground staff in the cleaning, refuelling and baggage-handling departments had threatened a walkout in a row over pay.
However, only refuelling workers are still planning industrial action against their company Asig during one of the airport's busiest weekends. ukimports.org
28/08/09 - Airline restores link with Norway
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A year after the last passenger ferry service left Newcastle for Norway, an airline is to fill the gap.
Eastern Airways will operate a daily weekday service between Newcastle and its twin town of Bergen from 5 October. ukimports.org
28/08/09 - Major roadworks to finish early
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Major roadworks on a stretch of the A1 on Tyneside are to be completed ahead of schedule, according to Highways Agency officials.
Work to repair the Allerdene Bridge, near Team Valley, Gateshead, began on 25 July and was expected to be finished by the end of September.
However, the agency has now announced that it hopes the work will be completed by 18 September.
The road is currently subject to both speed and lane restrictions. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - India takes steps to lift trade
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)India has announced measures to help its exporters, as it warned that the rate of growth of the country's exports would continue to slow.
Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said the government expected growth to slow from 25% in the year to 31 March 2009 to 15% for the year ending March 2011.
To help exporters, the government will introduce tax breaks, and waive some import duties on capital goods.
The rate of India's export growth has slowed for 10 straight months. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - £122m for Kent road schemes
- Courtesy of The Kent Messenger (www.kentonline.co.uk)More than £122m is to be spent on easing congestion across Kent.
Transport Minister Paul Clark visited Sittingbourne today to announce two vital schemes.
The £87m for the East Kent Access scheme means better road connections between the Isle of Thanet, Kent International Airport, the M2, Canterbury and the European Gateways of Ramsgate, Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
£35m is also being spent on the completion of the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road.
Congestion should be greatly improved by the changes and it’s also predicted the economy will be boosted through the regeneration of these areas, attracting more investment to the county. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - Liverpool JLA staff to vote on whether to step up strike action
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)LIVERPOOL John Lennon airport staff are voting on whether to ballot for industrial action.
One hundred and fifty baggage handlers and apron staff belonging to the GMB union are already on all-out strike over 24 redundancies imposed by their employer Servisair.
Now GMB members employed by Peel Airports, including firefighters, are considering whether to escalate the protest.
If firefighters joined the strike the airport would have to close. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - Lower fares hit Aer Lingus hard
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Irish Airline Aer Lingus has reported a big increase in losses for the first half of the year as it was forced to cut fares during the downturn.
The company lost 73.9m euros ($105.3m; £65m) in the six months to the end of June, more than three times the 21.6m euros it lost a year earlier.
Revenue fell to 555m euros, down 12.2% on the 632m it made a year ago.
The main reasons for the drop in revenue were a 17% fall in average fares and an increase in fuel costs. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - Thousands of mail workers prepare to strike
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)THE government was accused of letting the postal service “rot” as thousands of workers prepared to strike in a bitter row over jobs, pay and services.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in Warrington will be among workers taking industrial action over the next few days as preparations were made for a national ballot. ukimports.org
27/08/09 - Verge alight alongside A14 at Felixstowe
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)FIREFIGHTERS had to put out a blaze alongside the A14 on the edge of Felixstowe today.
A fire service spokesman said a crew from Felixstowe dealt with 20 sq metres of grass verge alight between the dock spur roundabout and Trimley St Mary. ukimports.org
26/08/09 - New high-speed rail plan unveiled
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Network Rail has proposed a new £34bn ($55bn) high-speed railway line linking Scotland and London by 2030.
The line would serve Birmingham and Manchester, getting passengers from Glasgow to London in just two hours and 16 minutes, the rail firm said. ukimports.org
26/08/09 - Port officials in £1.7m drug haul
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Officials at a Suffolk port have uncovered a shipment of £1.7m of cannabis they believe was destined for north west England.
The drugs arrived at Felixstowe on 19 August on board a container ship which had sailed from Durban in South Africa. ukimports.org
26/08/09 - Gas leak closes part of the M25
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Motorists in Surrey faced long delays after part of the M25 was closed in both directions for more than three hours because of a gas leak.
An exclusion zone was set up after a gas pipe ruptured near the Runnymede Hotel, Egham, close to junction 13.
Surrey Police closed the M25 in both directions between junctions 12 and 14, and Windsor Road just after midday.
The exclusion zone was lifted and roads reopened just after 1500 BST. Drivers experienced delays into the evening. ukimports.org
26/08/09 - Euro rises on German confidence
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The euro hit a two-and-a-half-month high against the pound after a survey showed confidence among German firms was growing.
The business sentiment indicator from the Ifo Institute rose to 90.5 in August from a revised 87.4 in July.
The unexpectedly strong rise was the fifth consecutive monthly increase, taking the figure to its highest since September 2008.
The euro rose to 87.82 pence, which was up 0.43% on the day.
Growing confidence may be good news for Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of federal elections on 27 September. ukimports.org
26/08/09 - Liverpool's John Lennon Airport will not see delays despite strike action claim management
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)BOSSES at John Lennon Airport today insisted they will be able to handle massive numbers of bank holiday flyers despite strikes by baggage handlers.
More than 70,000 holidaymakers are expected to use John Lennon Airport (JLA) this weekend, making it the busiest two days of their year.
Around 150 baggage handlers have been on indefinite strike since Thursday after employers Servisair announced plans to make 51 people apply for 27 jobs.
But airport chiefs say no delays have been or will be caused as they head into their busiest weekend of the year. ukimports.org
25/08/09 - Man impaled on spike at docks
- Courtesy of The Kent Messenger (www.kentonline.co.uk)A man was airlifted to hospital after being impaled on a metal spike.
Firefighters were also called to the scene of the incident at Ridham Dock at Iwade, near Sittingbourne at around 3.50pm Monday. ukimports.org
24/08/09 - New air routes bring jobs boost
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A budget airline hopes to create up to 450 jobs after announcing four new routes from Newcastle Airport.
Jet2.com is to fly to destinations in Turkey, Crete, Cyprus and Gran Canaria from summer 2010.
About 100 jobs are expected to be created at the airport, with the remainder in supporting industries.
The airline, which has 14 existing destinations from the city, predicts it will fly 400,000 passengers to and from the airport in the coming year. ukimports.org
24/08/09 - MPs urge foreign lorry crackdown
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)MPs have called for the agency in charge of safety-testing lorries and buses to be given extra powers to get unsafe foreign vehicles off the road.
The Commons Transport Committee said non-compliance among overseas vehicles was unacceptably high.
Nearly 47% of foreign vehicles stopped were found to have dangerous defects, compared with 37.5% for UK vehicles.
The committee says the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) needs more resources. ukimports.org
22/08/09 - Weekend postal strikes under way
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)More postal strikes have hit England and Northern Ireland this weekend, as part of a continuing dispute over job cuts and modernisation.
Workers walked out in Carrickfergus in County Antrim, Stockport in Greater Manchester, Boston in Lincolnshire and Hadfield in Derbyshire, for 24 hours. ukimports.org
22/08/09 - Drivers urged to check fuel level
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)On average at least a driver a day breaks down on the M20 because they have forgotten to fill up with fuel, according to the Highways Agency.
It said 455 motorists were left stranded between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 because of an empty tank. ukimports.org
22/08/09 - Boss warns over airport strikes
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A union has been accused of trying to wreck thousands of people's holidays after baggage handlers backed strikes at some of the UK's biggest airports.
Swissport workers at Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester, who are members of the Unite union, are in a dispute over pay.
Swissport chief Mark Faulkner said the threats were a "cynical attempt to ruin the holiday plans of airport users".
The unions expected a 2.75% wage rise to be paid in April and have accused Swissport of reneging on the deal. ukimports.org
21/08/09 - Japan Airlines' cargo deal talks
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Japan Airlines (JAL) is in talks to merge its cargo business with a division of Nippon Yusen, as demand for cargo transport falls in the recession.
The combination would have 30% of Japan's international air cargo market and would be the single largest cargo transport provider in Japan.
The merger, due to complete in April next year, should enable the cargo business to make a profit, JAL said. ukimports.org
21/08/09 - Postal workers strike over cuts
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Postal workers in Greater Manchester are holding a one-day strike in a row over nine voluntary redundancies.
Staff in Wigan have claimed they were not consulted about the job losses, a union spokesman said.
Carl Webb, from the Communication Workers Union, said they were not opposed to change but were unhappy with the way it was being implemented.
The Royal Mail has said workers were breaking a national agreement. Staff are due to strike again on Monday. ukimports.org
21/08/09 - Toxic waste returns from Brazil
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Containers of hazardous waste alleged to have been illegally exported from the UK to Brazil have arrived back at docks in Suffolk.
More than 70 of the 89 containers arrived at the port in Felixstowe on board the cargo ship MSC Serena, with more of the waste due at a later date.
The containers, said to include syringes and condoms, have to be fumigated before they can be examined.
Three men were arrested in Swindon in July in connection with the shipment.
The Environment Agency began an investigation after the waste was found by Brazilian officials in three of the country's ports over the past few months.
Andrew Higham, head of the Environment Agency's National Environment Crime Unit, was at the dockside to meet the ship. ukimports.org
20/08/09 - Attempted robbery at Tilbury Post Office
- Courtesy of The Thurrock Gazette (www.thurrockgazette.co.uk)POLICE are appealing for information about an attempted robbery from Tilbury Post Office yesterday.
Three men, all wearing masks and dark clothing, entered the post office on Dock Road at 5.30pm just as it was closing.
They assaulted a male worker but left empty handed after the alarm went off. ukimports.org
20/08/09 - Transport group Stobart expecting strong second half performance, says trading update
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)TRANSPORT and logistics group Stobart anticipates a “strong” performance in the second half of its financial year on the back of new contracts and cost cuts.
In a trading update today the group, which employs almost 1,000 staff around the Warrington and Runcorn areas, also revealed that its rail division completed a chilled warehousing facility at its Widnes- based inland port serving an anchor customer which will be operational by the the end of the calendar year.
The Widnes port operation links with rail, road and warehousing divisions at neighbouring Runcorn. ukimports.org
20/08/09 - Passengers face strike at Liverpool John Lennon airport
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)PASSENGERS at Liverpool John Lennon airport faced picket lines today after last minute strike talks failed.
The stoppage by 150 GMB union members responsible for loading baggage and guiding planes on the airport apron was sealed last night.
Union leaders spent more than four hours with employers Servisair but were unable to strike a deal. ukimports.org
19/08/09 - Airport gets writer-in-residence
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Philosopher Alain de Botton is to be the first ever writer-in-residence at a UK airport.
De Botton is spending a week in Heathrow's Terminal Five, where he will have access to all areas, and is due to write a book about the experience.
He says airports encapsulate the modern world, featuring "interconnection, fast travel, the destruction of nature... dreams of consumerism and travel".
The airport will give away 10,000 copies of his book once it is written. ukimports.org
18/08/09 - Illegal motorists targeted on M25
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Illegal motorists are to be targeted in one of the South East's largest cross-border police operations.
Around 75 officers from Kent, Sussex and Surrey police will carry out checks on suspicious vehicles travelling from Kent to Surrey.
Operation Baseline will carry out the investigations on the M25 at Clacket Lane services on Wednesday morning. ukimports.org
18/08/09 - Holiday strike threat at airports
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Baggage handlers and check-in staff at three of the UK's busiest airports are being balloted for industrial action.
There are fears employees of Swissport, Rentokil Initial and ASIG at Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted could strike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. ukimports.org
18/08/09 - Russia detains ship 'hijackers'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Eight people have been arrested for hijacking the cargo ship Arctic Sea, Russia's defence minister says.
Anatoly Serdyukov said the group of suspects included Russian, Estonian and Latvian nationals.
The Arctic Sea went off the radar after passing through the English Channel in late July, but was found late on Sunday far south in the Atlantic.
Speculation swirled after the ship vanished, with suggestions of piracy, a mafia dispute or a commercial row. ukimports.org
17/08/09 - Noise set to continue at port
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)NOISY piling operations at Britain's biggest container port are set to continue for several months yet, it was revealed today.
Residents have been complaining about the thumping sound of the pile-driving work - part of the first phase of work on a new £250 million extension to the terminal at Felixstowe.
The Evening Star has been inundated with people asking when the noise will stop - with many more now aware of it because they are outdoors enjoying the warm summer weather and have windows open at home and work.
James York, community liaison manager for contractors Costain, said the company had only had a few complaints. ukimports.org
17/08/09 - Airport strike talks 'progress'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Talks aimed at averting a strike by workers at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool have made progress, the GMB union has said.
Proposals were tabled during the negotiations which centres around plans to cut 23 jobs.
About 150 workers, including baggage handlers employed by ServisAir, have threatened to walk out on Thursday.
GMB official Terry Mellor said: "We do not yet have an agreement, but progress has been made." ukimports.org
17/08/09 - 'London' airport name change row
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A row has started over Oxford Airport which changed its name to London Oxford Airport despite being about 60 miles away from the capital.
The airport in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, said it hoped the rebranding would raise its international profile.
Tony Joyce, of Oxford Civic Society, said: "I think it's absurd. Changing the name will only mislead people."
However, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said it was a "good idea" which could benefit the whole region. ukimports.org
17/08/09 - Ryanair closing Manchester routes
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Ryanair is to switch or close nine of the 10 routes it currently operates from Manchester Airport, blaming the airport's refusal to lower its charges.
The firm said most affected flights would be switched to East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, and Liverpool airports.
Ryanair said the change would result in the loss of up to 600 local jobs, a claim disputed by the airport.
The airport told BBC News job losses would be limited, but said the budget airline's decision was "regrettable". ukimports.org
17/08/09 - Postal staff start more strikes
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Workers at Royal Mail have started strikes following a disagreement over cuts to jobs and services.
The strikes will run on selected days between 17 and 24 August.
They have already begun in Coventry, London, Leamington Spa, Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent and will continue across the UK.
The union says Royal Mail is failing to invest in modernisation and is cutting jobs without agreement. Royal Mail says the union opposes necessary changes. ukimports.org
17/08/09 - Japan's economy leaves recession
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Japan has come out of recession after its economy grew by 0.9% in the April-to-June quarter.
The growth comes after four consecutive quarters of contraction.
Correspondents say the rise is due to a huge government stimulus package and it is unclear whether the momentum will be sustained when this is concluded.
Recent figures show other economies coming out of recession, including Germany, France and Hong Kong, a sign the global slowdown is easing. ukimports.org
14/08/09 - Lorry driver accused of faking £1m cigarette heist at Birkenhead Docks
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)A LORRY driver is accused of faking a £1m cigarette heist at Birkenhead docks.
Father-of-two Brian Fogg, 47, is charged with conspiracy to steal as part of a “daring con” across Merseyside, Cheshire and Humberside.
It is alleged he fabricated a story that he was hijacked by knifemen on the M53 motorway on August 7 last year.
Detectives claim Fogg then drove to the Mersey waterfront, transferred the cigarettes into his lorry and drove to Killingholme, near Hull.
The conspiracy allegedly ended with the Montgomery Transport driver tying himself up and gagging himself before police discovered him.
His wife Janet, 45, is accused of assisting him in his plot by laundering money and will stand trial alongside her husband.
The massive haul of cigarettes has never been recovered. ukimports.org
14/08/09 - Branson complains about BA tie-up
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Sir Richard Branson has called on the US government to refuse British Airways permission to agree ticket schedules and prices with American Airlines.
It is one year since British Airways applied to regulators for anti-trust immunity, which would in effect allow it to dominate Heathrow Airport.
BA says Sir Richard wants the "global aviation regulatory system to be applied solely in his interests".
The BA decision is seen as a key test for future US competition policy. ukimports.org
14/08/09 - Hong Kong emerges from recession
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The economy of Hong Kong has emerged from recession, posting growth of 3.3% in the three months from April to June.
The seasonally adjusted figures were better than had been expected and the government has raised its forecast for growth in the whole year.
It followed the emergence from recession of Singapore, which grew an annualised 20.7% in the second quarter.
Hong Kong's growth was negative for four consecutive quarters, starting in the second quarter of 2008.
The growth of 3.3% compares with a revised contraction of 4.3% for the first three months of 2009. ukimports.org
13/08/09 - France and Germany exit recession
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The French and German economies both grew by 0.3% between April and June, bringing to an end year-long recessions in Europe's largest economies.
Stronger exports and consumer spending, as well as government stimulus packages, contributed to the growth.
The data came as a surprise, with few analysts expecting Germany and France to start to recover so soon.
But economic activity in the eurozone fell by 0.1%, showing the region as a whole is still in recession. ukimports.org
13/08/09 - US sugar supplies 'running out'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A number of large US food manufacturers have called on the government to ease sugar import limits, saying they fear the country could run out of supplies.
The letter from firms such as Kraft Food and Hershey comes in the week sugar prices have hit 28 year highs due to worldwide supply shortages.
Currently US food firms can only import a certain amount of sugar before they have to pay import tariffs. ukimports.org
13/08/09 - India and Asean sign trade deal
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)India and the 10-country South East Asian bloc Asean have signed a free trade agreement after more than six years of talks.
Tariffs on electronics, chemicals, machinery and textiles will be reduced and eventually eliminated.
These products make up 80% of goods traded between India and Asean.
But India has been allowed to continue protecting its farm sector, and has excluded 489 products, including rubber, from the trade deal. ukimports.org
12/08/09 - Rise in imports hits US trade gap
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The US trade deficit widened slightly in June as imports to the world's biggest economy increased, according to figures from the Commerce Department.
The deficit - the difference between the amount the US imports and the amount it exports - rose to $27bn ($16.4bn), up from $26bn in May.
The May figure was the smallest deficit in more than nine years.
The deficit for the year-to-date is running well below the deficit at the same point last year. ukimports.org
12/08/09 - Piracy fears off UK coast after cargo ship disappears in English Channel
- Courtesy of The Times (www.timesonline.co.uk)As the Arctic Sea entered the world’s busiest shipping lanes she made a routine call to the Dover coastguard giving details of her course through the Channel.
The brief conversation 15 days ago was the last confirmed contact with the 3,988-tonne cargo ship, which has sparked fears of the first modern case of piracy in Europe.
Russia’s naval fleet in the Black Sea was reported yesterday to have joined the international maritime hunt for the missing ship.
Mystery surrounding her disappearance has sparked speculation that the Arctic Sea is being used for smuggling weapons or drugs, has been seized for ransom or has been turned into a “phantom ship”. ukimports.org
11/08/09 - Notice 308: Temporary admission - temporarily importing non EC means of transport for private or commercial use
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)This revised notice provides advice on when relief from import duties can be claimed if temporarily importing a motor vehicle, civil aircraft or vessel. ukimports.org
11/08/09 - Liverpool John Lennon Airport baggage handlers poised for strike action
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)BAGGAGE handlers could disrupt flights for thousands of Liverpool John Lennon airport passengers by striking from next Wednesday, August 19.
The 150-strong crew employed by Servisair balloted on action in a dispute over more than 20 redundancies announced by the Runcorn-based business.
A spokesman for the GMB union said if the indefinite stoppage goes ahead it will affect flights by Ryanair, KLM, Wizzair, Flybe, Thomson and any football-related flights.
Everton fans could be hit when they travel for their second leg Europa League qualifying game with Czech Republic side Sigma Olomouc which is scheduled to take place on August 27.
The union spokesman said the row erupted over Servisair’s plan to force 51 staff to re-apply for 27 jobs. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Airport workers in strike ballot
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Baggage handlers at Manchester Airport are being balloted over strike action planned for the bank holiday weekend.
Members of the union Unite, which also includes cleaners and aircraft re-fuellers, are in dispute over pay.
The 300 workers taking part in the ballot are employed by Swissport, Rentokil Initial and ASIG. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Heathrow enjoys passenger pick-up
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Heathrow enjoyed its third-busiest month on record in July, owner BAA said, giving a boost to the struggling airline industry.
The airport, the UK's largest, saw passenger numbers of 6.48 million, up 0.9% from the year before.
BAA said that the recent decline in passenger numbers had stabilised in July across its seven airports. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Airport monitored for hooligans
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Police are at Manchester airport to prevent known football hooligans travelling to watch England's friendly against Holland.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said known or potential troublemakers will have their passports seized and may be be given football banning orders.
Uniformed and plain-clothes officers will be at the airport until the game, in Amsterdam, finishes on Wednesday. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Heathrow Terminal revamp unveiled
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Plans for a £1bn refurbishment of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 in west London which will increase passenger capacity will be unveiled later.
The terminal will be able to cater for 30 million travellers a year by 2019, airport operator BAA said.
The current building will close at the end of the year and a new building will open for passengers in 2013.
But critics warn that a bigger terminal could mean more flights making lives of people under the flight path difficult.
The new terminal is part of a £4.8bn investment in the west London airport with BAA claiming expansion is "crucial" for Heathrow to remain competitive. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Postal strike affects deliveries
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Further disruption to postal services is set to be caused as workers continue with industrial action over the modernisation of Royal Mail.
Postal workers belonging to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in Norfolk and Suffolk are taking part in a 24-hour stoppage.
Up to 500 staff in Suffolk are expected to walk out, hitting deliveries in Bury St Edmunds, Stanton and Ipswich.
In Norfolk, deliveries in King's Lynn and Thetford will be affected.
Royal Mail has condemned the action and said 90% of its staff would be working. ukimports.org
10/08/09 - Japan core machinery orders rise
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Japan's core machinery orders climbed in June, figures show, but the country's manufacturers are downbeat about their prospects.
Core machinery orders - seen as a key, if volatile, indicator of corporate spending - increased by 9.7% from May to 732.8bn yen ($7.5bn; £4.4bn).
This was the biggest rise in four months and above forecasts of 2.9%. ukimports.org
09/08/09 - A1 delays 'lighter than expected'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Delays caused by roadworks on the A1 in Gateshead have been less serious than expected, says the Highways Agency.
Work to strengthen Allerdene Bridge, near Team Valley, began on 25 July and is due to last for three weeks.
Drivers were warned to expect severe disruption due to the closure of a stretch of the southbound carriageway.
But the agency said lighter traffic due to the school holidays and the use of public transport meant delays at peak times were only about 20 minutes.
Southbound traffic has been diverted onto a single lane of the opposite carriageway during the works.
If possible, drivers are being urged to avoid using the A1 in the area until the bridge repairs are complete. ukimports.org
09/08/09 - BA flight has 'technical fault'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A British Airways flight was met by emergency services at Heathrow Airport after developing a fault.
A BA spokesman said flight BA010, which flew from Sydney to Heathrow, via Bangkok, suffered a "minor technical fault" with its hydraulic system.
The aircraft landed safely at about 0645 BST on Sunday and was towed to a stand at Terminal 3 as a precaution.
The spokesman said: "The safety of customers, crew and aircraft is of paramount importance." ukimports.org
07/08/09 - Postal workers begin pay strikes
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Thousands of postal workers are staging the first of what is expected to be a series of strikes amid a worsening dispute over jobs and modernisation.
The Communication Workers Union said a number of 24-hour stoppages would take place between Friday and Tuesday, after earlier strikes in London and Scotland.
The Midlands, East Anglia, the West Country, London and Edinburgh are among areas expected to be worst affected.
Royal Mail has condemned the action and says 90% of its staff will be working. ukimports.org
07/08/09 - India and South Korea boost trade
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)India and South Korea have signed an agreement to reduce tariffs on goods and services to boost commerce between the two nations.
South Korean trade minister Kim Jong-hoon and India's Minister of Commerce and Trade Anand Sharma signed the pact.
Business between the two nations has risen sharply in recent years and hit $15.6bn (£9.31) in 2008.
As well as cutting or eliminating trade tariffs, the move aims to boost job opportunities between the nations. ukimports.org
07/08/09 - Hearing over Heathrow runway plan
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A public hearing will take place into the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport, the High Court has ruled.
In January the government was given the go-ahead for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow despite concerns about its environmental impact.
The High Court ruled that campaigners can present their case against the plan in court later this year.
Protest groups welcomed the decision but the Department of Transport said it stands by the decision made in January. ukimports.org
06/08/09 - Courier driver attacked and robbed by gang in Stockbridge Village
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)A COURIER driver was viciously attacked and robbed by a group of up to eight men in broad daylight.
The man was targeted shortly after making a delivery in Stockbridge Village.
He was returning to his van after dropping items off at a business premises in Cremorne Hey on Monday at around 2.20pm when he was attacked.
The robbers stole laptop computers and mobile phones from the white Mercedes Sprinter vehicle.
They also took a box containing 28 capsules of the blood pressure medicine Tildiel LA.
The offenders then fled the scene on foot over fields at the back of Cremorne Hey, towards the Ploughmans pub, having tried unsuccessfully to start the van. ukimports.org
06/08/09 - Transport secretary claims Liverpool John Lennon airport will lose flights when high-speed rail link opens
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)LIVERPOOL will lose many of its air links to the continent when a high-speed rail line is built, the transport secretary predicted.
Lord Adonis claimed the comfort and speed of a 225mph rail line through the capital and under the Channel would drain demand for flying from northern airports to the likes of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Such a switch would be hugely damaging for John Lennon airport, which currently offers flights to the likes of Paris, Nice, Amsterdam and Barcelona, as well as to Southampton and Aberdeen. ukimports.org
06/08/09 - Port boss heads back to Oz
- Courtesy of The Southern Daily Echo (www.dailyecho.co.uk)CAMPBELL Mason, the Australian boss of Southampton’s container terminal, has announced he is to return home at the end of the year.
Since being appointed managing director of the terminal in April 2007, now renamed DP World Southampton, he has overseen one of the most turbulent times in its history. ukimports.org
05/08/09 - Change at the top at ports group
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)CHRIS Lewis has retired from his role as chief executive of Hutchison Ports (UK), the owner of operations including the Port of Felixstowe and Harwich International Port.
Mr Lewis, whose last day at the port was last Friday, has held the post for the last three years and has served with the company for 25 years in all.
The new chief executive is David Gledhill who joined the company in 2000 and was previously chief operating officer.
A company spokesman said yesterday that Mr Gledhill had taken up his new role two weeks ago and, having worked closely alongside Mr Lewis for some time, there had been no need for a lengthy hand-over period. ukimports.org
04/08/09 - Lorry rolls over at A14 dock spur (Felixstowe)
- Courtesy of The Ipswich Evening Star (www.eveningstar.co.uk)A DRIVER had a narrow escape after his lorry rolled over on the notorious dock spur roundabout at Felixstowe this afternoon.
The man, in his 30s, was able to clamber out of the vehicle after the crash at 3.35pm.
Police said he was limping but had no serious injuries.
An ambulance was called and the man was receiving treatment for bumps and bruises, and shock.
The articulated lorry, which had been coming away from the port, was completely off the road, having landed on the roundabout.
Traffic was able to flow without problems, although there may be a need to close the junction for a while later when a giant crane is brought in to right the vehicle. ukimports.org
04/08/09 - Liverpool John Lennon Airport pilots in laser jet disaster fears
- Courtesy of The Liverpool Echo (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)YOBS shining dangerous lasers into the eyes of pilots approaching Liverpool Airport could cause a major disaster, police warned today.
Invasive green lights were shone into the cockpits of several planes landing at John Lennon Airport in recent weeks.
Today, police and aviation experts said the laser lights could cause blindness and prompt a serious airline tragedy.
Officers are hunting offenders who are stationing themselves along the Liverpool flight path armed with the potentially lethal contraptions. ukimports.org
04/08/09 - Pound clears $1.70 against dollar
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The pound has continued to gain against the dollar, rising above $1.70 for the first time since October on optimism about the UK economy.
Sterling forged higher on Monday in the wake of strong UK manufacturing data and hopes about the health of the banking sector.
The pound rose as high as $1.7005 on Tuesday before falling back to $1.6915.
It also hovered near a one-month high against the euro of 84.59 pence that it reached on Monday.
The pound got a lift on Monday after data showed the UK manufacturing sector expanded for the first time in more than a year. ukimports.org
03/08/09 - Driver charged with smuggling bid
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A Greek lorry driver has appeared in court charged with attempting to smuggle cannabis after drugs with a street value of £111,300 were seized.
More than 800lb (371kg) of the drug was discovered when the German-registered lorry was stopped after arriving in Dover on a ferry from Calais. ukimports.org
01/08/09 - Fast catamaran service to start
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A new fast ferry passenger route between Ramsgate and Boulogne has been agreed, it has been revealed.
Thanet District Council, Euroferries, and Port of Boulogne announced plans for five daily crossings, with journey times of 75 minutes, on Friday.
Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet said the deal would bring jobs to both the port and town.
The fast catamaran service between Ramsgate and Boulogne is expected to start in September. ukimports.org
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