Archives: January 2009 cargo news
The News stories below are cargo / freight related stories which made the headlines in January 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
..................................................................
30/01/09 - RHIDES at London Thamesport
- Courtesy of RHIDES (www.rhides.com)The RHIDES driver identity card system is being introduced at London Thamesport and, from 1st June 2009, all drivers visiting the Port must have a valid RHIDES card.
The system is being extended to London Thamesport to provide increased security in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
London Thamesport would be grateful if readers of this could advise all their hauliers and importers/exporters who arrange their own haulage about the system to assist the Port in making a smooth introduction.
Please note that drivers who already have cards issued at the Port of Felixstowe will be able to use them at London Thamesport as soon as their haulage company adds ‘London Thamesport’ to their details on RHIDES. ukimports.org
30/01/09 - False container bottom hid drugs
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A 3.5 tonne haul of cannabis worth £10m has been seized by UK Border Agency (UKAB) officers at a port in Suffolk.
The consignment was in a container full of personal and household effects that had arrived in Felixstowe Port from Ghana on 21 January. ukimports.org
29/01/09 - 'Unprecedented' fall in air cargo
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The global economic downturn has deeply reduced the amount of freight carried around the world by aircraft, says an industry body.
The International Air Transport Association (Iata) saw air cargo go into "freefall" in December, with a year-on-year fall of 22.6% in traffic.
The "unprecedented" figure is worse than the 14% drop after the 9/11 terror attacks on New York.
Now Iata is warning of a tough year for passenger airlines and freight firms. ukimports.org
29/01/09 - Ferry lorry stranded back on land
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Almost 200 passengers and crew trapped on a ferry by a jammed lorry, have finally made it to dry land.
The 156 passengers and 33 crew had been stranded on board for more than 24 hours after a lorry was found hanging off the back of the vessel.
The Stena Voyager, which was bound for Belfast, had to return to Stranraer. ukimports.org
29/01/09 - Runway opponents reveal rail plan
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Opponents of a third runway for Heathrow Airport have revealed plans to make it the centre of a rail network.
The 2M Group said its £1.5bn proposal could reduce demand for flights.
The coalition of 22 councils said the west London airport should be a hub of a local rail network linking it to 150 stations within a 25-mile radius. ukimports.org
29/01/09 - More trains running after Channel Tunnel fire
- Courtesy of The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)More trains are now able to run through the Channel Tunnel following the serious fire there earlier this month, it was announced today.
Tunnel operator Eurotunnel said another of the previously-closed sections of the north tunnel had now reopened, raising overall capacity from 170 trains a day to 210. ukimports.org
29/01/09 - Eurotunnel blaze repairs near completion
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The firm that operates services through the Channel Tunnel has admitted it is losing almost £1m-a-day after a fire on board a train last September forced it to significantly cut its operation.
Eurotunnel says a full timetable for its services - and those provided by Eurostar from London St Pancras and Kent to Paris, Disneyland and Brussels - will be restored in February. ukimports.org
28/01/09 - Government wins third runway vote
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)MPs have voted to support the government's controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow, despite a rebellion by Labour backbenchers.
They rejected a Conservative motion calling for the £9bn scheme to be reconsidered, by 297 votes to 278 a majority of 19 votes. ukimports.org
26/01/09 - One in 20 box ships to be mothballed by February
- Courtesy of The BIFA (www.bifa.org)More than one in twenty containerships are likely to be laid up in February as a result of significant declines in box traffic, taking significant capacity from the market. ukimports.org
26/01/09 - DP World in cautious 2009 outlook
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The world's fourth-largest container port operator, Dubai Ports World, has warned of a tricky year ahead.
It is reviewing all expansion projects, cutting costs and freezing recruitment as the global economy slows in 2009.
DP World operates 48 marine terminals and 13 new port developments in 31 countries worldwide. ukimports.org
24/01/09 - Mayor visits island airport site
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)London's mayor visited an area off the Kent coast where he believes an island airport could be built.
Boris Johnson was accompanied on his Thames estuary trip by engineer Doug Oakervee, who helped mastermind Hong Kong's island airport.
Mr Johnson believes an island solution is an alternative to government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow. ukimports.org
21/01/09 - Mayor wants runway debate with PM
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The mayor of London has criticised the prime minister for not agreeing to a public debate on the plan to allow a third runway at Heathrow.
Boris Johnson said despite the "enormous" impact of the move, there has yet to be a public discussion that includes Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The mayor's office said a chair meant for Mr Brown will be set out at Wednesday's public meeting in Hayes.
Downing Street insisted it had led "extensive debate" on the issue.
The west London event organised by the mayor will include advocates for and against the runway. ukimports.org
20/01/09 - Lorry fuel taken as driver sleeps
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Two hundred and fifty litres of diesel valued at £247 was siphoned from the tank of a lorry parked in a Surrey lay-by while the driver slept.
Police said the driver of the Volvo lorry, which was being used to transport chemicals, had his cab curtains shut when the theft happened.
He was woken by a man who told him he thought someone had stolen his fuel on the A3 at Wisley on Thursday night.
Pc Stephen Cake said six other lorries were parked in the lay-by at the time. ukimports.org
20/01/09 - "Leading International integrated logistics and warehousing specialist" goes into administration
- Courtesy of Anglo Overseas (www.anglooverseas.com)The following statement has been posted on the website of Anglo Overseas Limited:
Due to ongoing financial difficulties, Anglo Overseas Limited has been placed into Administration.
Glyn Mummery and Jeremy French of Vantis Business Recovery Services are the appointed Administrators.
As such, they act as agents for the Company without personal liability.
Their contact details are as follows:
43/45 Butts Green Road
Hornchurch
Essex RM11 2JX
01708 458 211
Company History:
The company was founded in 1925 as Anglo Overseas Transport Company Ltd, an international shipping and forwarding agent, dealing with ship cargo in the Port of London. The company grew by starting a similar activity in Liverpool and subsequently at other major ports throughout the UK. ukimports.org
20/01/09 - Jobs to go as freight service cut
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)More than 70 jobs could be lost when freight services are cut between Essex and the Netherlands.
Stena Line is preparing to cut the number of vessels on the route between Harwich and Rotterdam from three to two in March.
The company says it has been hit by falling exports and the slump in the car industry and jobs would go both in the UK and Holland. ukimports.org
20/01/09 - SeaFrance rescue plan is rejected
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A cross-Channel ferry operator has been given four weeks to turn its fortunes around after its parent company rejected a rescue plan.
SeaFrance, which is owned by the French national rail operator SNCF, sails between Calais and Dover.
At a meeting between managers from both companies on Monday SeaFrance was told to create a new plan by 16 February.
It is facing a drop in freight volume because of the economic downturn and has been making significant losses.
Another ferry operator, SpeedFerries, stopped operating between Dover and Boulogne in November. ukimports.org
19/01/09 - Delays at airport after snow fall
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Passengers are being warned of delays at Edinburgh Airport after heavy snow forced the runway to close for almost two hours.
Three planes were diverted to Glasgow Airport while seven other aircraft were unable to take-off following the closure at 1130 GMT on Monday.
A number of other outbound flights were also expected to be delayed.
An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: "We closed the runway due to adverse weather conditions." ukimports.org
19/01/09 - Eurotunnel reopening in February
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The section of the Channel Tunnel hit by a fire last September will be reopened in three weeks, tunnel operator Eurotunnel has announced.
The part of the tunnel known as "interval six" will reopen in the early hours of 10 February, the company said.
High speed passenger service Eurostar said that from 23 February it would return to a normal timetable with all services operating at full speed.
Eurotunnel said the work was being completed well ahead of forecasts.
From 10 February, the number of departures for truck shuttles would be able to increase to six per hour in each direction, a spokesman said. ukimports.org
19/01/09 - Strike at Alitalia hits flights
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Strike action has forced the newly-privatised Alitalia to cancel flights less than a week after its relaunch.
The Italian airline said it had cancelled 22 flights due to a four-hour strike, which began at 0900 GMT.
The walkout was called to protest against new contracts and hiring policies at the new Italian carrier.
Alitalia has been taken over by a group of prominent Italian business leaders which formed an alliance with Air France-KLM. ukimports.org
19/01/09 - Ship loses timber in rough seas
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A Russian-registered cargo ship has lost 1,500 tonnes of timber in rough seas off the Sussex coast.
It happened in a major English Channel shipping lane 14 miles off Newhaven, East Sussex, at 0815 GMT.
The vessel, which is being escorted to Portsmouth by a coastguard tug, is not thought to be at "imminent risk".
A Coastguard spokeswoman said the wood could be heading towards Dungeness in Kent, not the East Sussex coast at Newhaven as previously thought. ukimports.org
19/01/09 - Runway demo at Stansted Airport
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)About 50 environmental campaigners have been protesting against the building of a second runway at Stansted Airport.
Owner BAA's plans to expand the Essex airport are due to go before a public inquiry later this year.
The demonstrators from campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion gathered to lobby officials taking part in a pre-inquiry meeting at the airport. ukimports.org
19/01/09 - New ferry service to start early
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Two new ferry routes between France and Kent's main passenger port are to start in February, a company has announced.
LD Lines will begin the passenger and freight service from Dover to Boulogne on 12 February, five months early. The route to Dieppe will also be launched.
Initially there will be two daily return sailings to Boulogne and one to Dieppe from the former SpeedFerries berth at Dover's Eastern Docks.
A second ship will be added from 1 July to allow seven return crossings a day. ukimports.org
15/01/09 - Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The government has given the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow, saying it is "right" for the UK but opponents have vowed to fight the plans.
Environmental campaigners, residents and many MPs attacked the decision but business groups and unions welcomed it.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon told MPs that strict measures would be put in place to limit noise and emissions.
The debate was halted and local MP John McDonnell thrown out after he grabbed the mace and shouted "disgrace". ukimports.org
15/01/09 - Mayor 'to back runway legal bid'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)London Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to support any legal challenge to the government's approval of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
The government gave the go-ahead in the face of strong opposition, promising to meet air quality and noise targets.
But Mr Johnson said he was concerned proper processes had not been followed. ukimports.org
15/01/09 - Heathrow runway 'gets go-ahead'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A controversial plan to build a third runway at Heathrow has been approved by the government, the BBC understands.
Despite opposition from residents, environmental campaigners and many Labour MPs, ministers are set to confirm the decision on Thursday.
Leading business and union figures back the project, saying it will create jobs and boost the UK's competitiveness.
But critics have said it will irreparably damage the UK's credentials on tackling climate change. ukimports.org
13/01/09 - Brown 'dithering over Heathrow'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Gordon Brown has been accused of "dithering" over a third runway for Heathrow, as campaigners step up protests in anticipation of a decision.
A decision had been expected this week but the PM's spokesman would only confirm one would be made "in January".
The Tories said pressure was growing on the PM while the Lib Dems said he was trying to "buy himself... more time". ukimports.org
13/01/09 - Protesters buy up Heathrow land
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Land earmarked for the construction of Heathrow's third runway has been bought by anti-expansion protesters.
Land the size of a football pitch near Sipson village - which would lose hundreds of homes in the expansion - was bought by a Greenpeace coalition.
They have pledged not to sell the land to the government or BAA if the airport expansion gets the go-ahead.
Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "We've thrown a massive spanner in the engine driving Heathrow expansion." ukimports.org
12/01/09 - Downturn puts ferry jobs at risk
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Ferry company DFDS Tor Line has warned that it may have to make more than 70 workers redundant after an "unprecedented downturn" in business.
Most of the 71 jobs at risk are at the Humber port of Immingham, but some posts may have to go at its terminals in Harwich and Newcastle.
DFDS, which operates freight services to and from Scandinavia, is consulting with the union over the planned cuts.
DFDS said: "It is a sad day for us. We have not taken the decision lightly." ukimports.org
12/01/09 - Wincanton admits 875 jobs at risk
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)About 875 jobs are at risk at distribution company Wincanton after it confirmed that two of its depots may close in the spring.
Wincanton said the sites in Gloucester and Trafford Park, Manchester are "likely" to close after the part sale of its chilled foods distribution arm.
The company announced in November that it was selling a majority stake in this business to rival Culina.
Wincanton said it was exploring ways to avoid the closure of the two sites. ukimports.org
12/01/09 - Bosses urge Heathrow's expansion
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Unions and business leaders have joined the airline industry in urging the government to approve the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.
The Future Heathrow Group warns in newspaper adverts "Heathrow's status as a global hub is at stake". The union Unite says 172,000 jobs may be at risk.
But opponents of the runway plan to demonstrate at Heathrow later. ukimports.org
11/01/09 - Heathrow runway 'white elephant'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A third runway at Heathrow will be a "white elephant" unless aviation is made greener, a think tank has said.
The Institute of Public Policy Research said if the runway is approved, conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must be attached.
After months of speculation, the prime minister is expected to rubber stamp the controversial plans this week. ukimports.org
09/01/09 - Counterfeit goods seized at port
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Fake designer women's shoes and Nike trainers with an estimated street value of £2.3m have been seized in Suffolk.
Customs officers at the Port of Felixstowe uncovered the counterfeit footwear in separate shipments.
An HM Revenue and Customs spokeswoman said fake Jimmy Choo and Gucci branded shoes and boots, worth £1.4m, destined for the London markets had been seized.
In another shipment, also from China, more than 600 cartons of fake Nike trainers worth £900,000 were found. ukimports.org
09/01/09 - Worker dies at Newcastle airport
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)A worker has died following an accident at Newcastle Airport.
The 50-year-old, who has not been named, was working on the apron - the area where aircraft is refuelled or boarded - when the accident happened. ukimports.org
09/01/09 - Report finds runway 'was unsafe'
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)Passenger planes were involved in "serious" incidents on an unsafe temporary runway surface at Bristol Airport, an accident report has said.
In one case a plane went off the runway and ended on a grass verge after braking problems, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.
The incidents happened in wet weather between November 2006 and January 2007.
The AAIB calls for improved safety in recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority and European safety experts. ukimports.org
08/01/09 - Manchester Airport rail upgrade brings business benefits
- Courtesy of The Department for Transport (www.dft.gov.uk)Passengers and businesses will reap the rewards of a new multi-million pound upgrade to Manchester Airport railway station, officially opened today by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.
The £15million project to build a new platform, completed as part of the wider modernisation of the West Coast Main Line, improves reliability for air passengers and airport workers and enables an increase in the number of services running into Manchester Piccadilly. ukimports.org
05/01/09 - Port jobs move to private sector
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The first wave of jobs at a Kent port have transferred to the private sector despite workers striking in protest at the move last November.
A Port of Dover spokeswoman said about 68 jobs were outsourced on Monday out of a planned 190.
Those transferred to private firm G4S included security and detention centre staff, and pass office staff.
The transfer of the remaining 122 jobs are the subject of talks between the Unite union and Dover Harbour Board.
The mooring staff posts are due to be transferred on 1 February. ukimports.org
04/01/09 - Rail plan proposed for Heathrow
- Courtesy of The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)The government is putting forward plans for an international rail interchange at Heathrow alongside its proposals for a third runway at the airport.
Transport Minister Lord Adonis told The Sunday Times the hub would enable more passengers to travel to Heathrow by train rather than by car.
The £4.5bn hub would also link London and the north of Britain with destinations on the continent.
Green campaigners said they supported it as an alternative to the runway. ukimports.org
..................................................................
UKimports.org is not responsible for any content or advice given in any external site and we are not endorsing or promoting any product or company referred to on our site. ukimports.org
