Archives: December 2008 cargo news
The News stories below are cargo / freight related stories which made the headlines in December 2008 (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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23/12/08 - GSP: Extension of derogations - textile goods originating in Laos, Cambodia
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 84
The extension of the derogations from the rules of origin for a range of textile products manufactured in Laos, Cambodia and Nepal.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
22/12/08 - Aer Lingus reopens Shannon route
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Aer Lingus has announced plans to resume flights between Shannon airport in the west of Ireland and Heathrow airport in London in March 2009.
The airline had been under pressure from the Irish government to reinstate the route after controversially scrapping it in January. ukimports.org
18/12/08 - SAD box 44 - document codes and licence types - some changes
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 81
Details of forthcoming changes to some document code and licence type combinations required to be declared in box 44 of the (Single Administrative Document) SAD.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
18/12/08 - Tariff Preference: 16 countries qualify with effect 1 January 2009 for GSP plus benefits
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 82
A list of the 16 countries that the European Commission have decided are eligible for GSP+ from 1 January 2009.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
18/12/08 - Postal workers' strike called off
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A strike planned by postal workers in five mail centres has been called off.
Workers in Coventry, Crewe, Stockport, Bolton and Oxford had threatened to take industrial action on Friday over the proposed merger of some depots.
There had been fears that a strike could cause significant disruption to Christmas deliveries.
The Communication Workers Union, which has warned that 500 jobs are under threat, said it had called off the action after "some progress" was made. ukimports.org
18/12/08 - BA and Qantas scrap merger talks
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)British Airways and Qantas have ended talks after failing to reach a deal on a potential $6.4bn (£4.1bn) merger.
Earlier this month the two airlines had said they were in talks about joining forces through a dual-listed company.
In a joint statement the airlines said that despite the "potential longer term benefits" they had "not been able to come to an agreement".
The two said they would continue to co-operate on their joint business between Australia and the UK. ukimports.org
17/12/08 - An information update on the implementation of AEO
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 80
As we are nearing the anniversary of the introduction of AEO on 1 January 2008 it is an appropriate time to provide an update on implementation.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
17/12/08 - BA and Virgin cut fuel surcharges
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Virgin Atlantic and British Airways will cut their fuel surcharges due to the fall in oil prices.
From Thursday the charge on BA's first and club world flights of no less than nine hours will be cut by £35 ($54).
Virgin will also reduce charges for upper class passengers on longer flights by £35 each way. ukimports.org
17/12/08 - BAA told to sell three airports
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The Competition Commission has said it will require BAA to sell Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh airports.
The watchdog says the decision is subject to a final consultation but is necessary to improve levels of service at UK airports.
In August, the watchdog had said BAA may have to sell three of its airports because of a lack of competition. ukimports.org
16/12/08 - Expected changes to the safety and security provisions amending the customs code
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 79
A summary of all the recent changes to safety and security law (but which have not yet been published in the Official Journal (OJ)).
Becomes effective: Immediately. ukimports.org
16/12/08 - Government backs sell-off of mail
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The government has said it accepts a report's recommendation that the Royal Mail should be part-privatised.
The study by Richard Hooper says new minority owners can offer the "confidence, experience and capital" needed to carry out vital changes.
Describing the current Royal Mail as "untenable", the report adds that the universal service is under threat without modernisation.
Dutch firm TNT said it would be interested in a stake in Royal Mail. ukimports.org
16/12/08 - Airport's future secure with deal
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Humberside Airport is to stay under the ownership of the Manchester Airports Group after senior officials had considered selling off the venture.
The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) had been holding talks with a number of potential buyers, but changed their mind about selling the airport.
Officials cited "positive developments" at the airport and the economic climate for the change of heart.
North Lincolnshire Council said it was "very good news". ukimports.org
16/12/08 - Aer Lingus rejects Ryanair offer
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Irish airline Aer Lingus has rejected a hostile 750m euro (£671.9m; $1bn) takeover bid from its rival Ryanair.
Ryanair, which already owns 30% of Aer Lingus, launched its revised formal offer on Monday by asking shareholders, to accept the deal.
Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington dismissed the offer, saying that it contained "nothing new". ukimports.org
16/12/08 - Airport gets more ground support
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)An airport in east Kent which is set to expand over the next 25 years has taken delivery of three ground support vehicles worth £500,000.
It brings investment in operations equipment at Kent International to more than £1m over the past 12 months, airport owner Infratil said. ukimports.org
15/12/08 - Tariff Preference: Changes to GSP preferential rates of duty
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: JCCC CIP (08) 78
A reminder about the removal on 1 January 2009 of GSP rates of duty for certain products originating in certain countries.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
12/12/08 - Customs Procedure Code (CPC) 71 71 000
- Courtesy of HM Revenue and Customs (www.hmrc.gov.uk)HMRC Reference: CFSP Information Paper 59
Introduction of a new Customs Procedure Code (CPC) 71 71 000 under Single Administrative Document (SAD) Harmonisation which allows the transfer of goods from one customs warehouse to another using CFSP LCP.
Becomes effective: Immediate. ukimports.org
12/12/08 - Postal workers in 24-hour strike
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Postal workers from seven sorting offices are to take part in a 24-hour strike over the merger of some depots.
Mick Kavanagh, from the Communication Workers Union, said they would strike on 19 December as 500 jobs may be lost.
Workers from centres at Coventry, Crewe, Liverpool, Stockport, Bolton, Oldham and Oxford are set to take part.
Mr Kavanagh said there could be further action at the end of December and early January but the door was "still open" for talks with Royal Mail. ukimports.org
11/12/08 - Boeing postpones Dreamliner again
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Boeing has delayed again the launch of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, blaming a strike by machinists and persistent production problems.
The 787's first test flight is now expected to take place in the second quarter of 2009, a few months later than planned.
Boeing still aims at delivering the first Dreamliner in 2010. ukimports.org
11/12/08 - Icy weather shuts Gatwick runway
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Passengers are being warned to expect delays after icy conditions forced the closure of Gatwick Airport's runway for nearly four hours.
BAA Gatwick said the runway and taxi-ways were reopened at about 1030 GMT following de-icing work on Thursday.
Earlier inbound flights were being diverted to other airports including, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted.
BAA Gatwick said there would be delays and passengers were advised to contact airlines for information. ukimports.org
11/12/08 - Sailor in hospital after airlift
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)An injured sailor is recovering in hospital after being rescued by helicopter from a cargo ship hundreds of miles out to sea.
Burmese seaman Koko Kline was injured when he plunged 40ft (12m) into a hold of the vessel, off the west coast of Ireland, the RAF said. ...
... He is being treated for cranial and spinal injuries at a Limerick hospital. ...
... The cargo ship, the Anna Rickmers, was 600 miles (965km) off the Irish coast when the accident on the 28,000-tonne vessel was reported. ukimports.org
10/12/08 - Chinese exports drop in slowdown
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)China has reported a fall in exports for the first time in seven years as a result of the global economic downturn.
Exports declined in November from the same period a year ago for the first time since June 2001, data show.
But China still reported a record monthly trade surplus of $40.1bn (£26.7bn), as the fall in imports was even bigger than the fall in exports.
Exports dropped by 2.2%, while imports shrank by a massive 17.9% as Chinese consumer spending slumped. ukimports.org
09/12/08 - Imports of Restricted Textile and Clothing Products Originating in North Korea
- Courtesy of BERR (formally the DTI) (www.berr.gov.uk)BERR Reference: Import Licensing Branch (ILB) Notice: 2769
This notice sets out the European Community (EC) quantitative limits (quotas) and import licensing arrangements for 2009 covering imports into free circulation within the EC of certain restricted textiles originating in North Korea.
Becomes effective: 1 January 2009. ukimports.org
08/12/08 - Activists breach airport security
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Four people have been arrested after more than 50 protesters broke into a secure area of Stansted airport.
Climate action group Plane Stupid said it began the protest at 0315 GMT by occupying an area near the runway as it was closed for maintenance work.
The group said it was protesting over greenhouse gas emissions and intended to stop the runway reopening.
Police said they had contained the area where the protestors were and would "deal with them in due course". ukimports.org
07/12/08 - BA announces job cuts at Gatwick
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)British Airways has announced it is planning to cut more than 100 jobs at Gatwick airport.
The company said it was planning to operate up to 15% fewer departures at the Sussex airport next summer. Four aircraft will also be withdrawn.
Ground operations staff including those working at check-in desks are expected to be affected by the cuts. ukimports.org
04/12/08 - Port strike talks 'proved useful'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Talks between officials at a Kent port and national union leaders aimed at avoiding a strike by dockside workers have been described as "useful".
Dover Harbour Board and the Unite trade union had a two-hour discussion in Dover on Thursday.
Workers at the port have already held two strikes over plans to privatise 190 mooring and security jobs.
Both parties said they would meet again on Friday. The next strike is due to be held on 8 December.
More than 300 staff took part in the two previous walk-outs in November. ukimports.org
04/12/08 - Decision on third runway delayed
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A decision on whether a third runway should be built at Heathrow Airport has been put back to January 2009, the Department for Transport has said.
A verdict on the controversial plans, which are opposed by environmentalists, had been expected before Christmas.
Airport owner BAA says the runway is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said there were "strong views" which needed "proper consideration". But the Tories accused ministers of "dithering". ukimports.org
04/12/08 - Revenue & Customs '3,400 job cut'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)HM Revenue & Customs is to close more than 90 offices, which the PCS union says will lead to 3,400 job cuts.
The union said the closures, across the UK, would be "bad for business, the public and the taxpayer".
However, an HMRC spokeswoman said the union was "scaremongering" and that it had announced no new job losses.
Planned staff cuts to improve efficiency would continue but compulsory redundancies would be avoided wherever possible, she added. ukimports.org
04/12/08 - Sailors learn to cope with piracy
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A three-day course on how to survive piracy is being run for sailors in Newcastle.
Crisis psychologists and security professionals will be at the event run by shipping company Maersk, which operates 70 ships from the city.
The firm said there has been an increased interest in the training since the super tanker Sirius Star was captured in the Indian Ocean. ukimports.org
04/12/08 - Scheduled service back at airport
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)One of Europe's biggest low cost carriers is to start flying out of Kent International Airport from next summer.
Flybe will be operating weekly flights to Jersey - one of the largest and most southerly of the Channel Islands.
Matt Clarke, chief executive of the airport, said it would be the first scheduled passenger service since the airport came under Infratil ownership.
"I am looking forward to working with Flybe whose arrival is a major vote of confidence in the airport," he said.
Flybe operates more than 180 routes and carried more than seven million passengers last year. ukimports.org
02/12/08 - Business demands better transport
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The UK's "dilapidated" transport system is costing the economy money when it can least afford it, a new survey of British businesses concludes.
The survey of almost 2,700 businesses of all sizes states that congestion is driving up operating costs by £5.7bn.
The report says not only should a third runway be built at Heathrow, but the timeline needs to be accelerated.
The survey found that business also supports a high-speed north-south rail link and faster planning processes. ukimports.org
01/12/08 - Lower VAT rate comes into force
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Thousands of shops and businesses across the UK have lowered their VAT rates from 17.5% to 15%.
Chancellor Alistair Darling announced the cut in his pre-Budget report in a bid to encourage consumers to spend more and boost the economy.
It is estimated the change will cost the Treasury around £12.5bn and save the average earner around £170 a year.
But retailers say it will cost £300m during the next two years to cover the expense of implementing the change.
The 2.5% cut will last until 31 December 2009. ukimports.org
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