TRUCKING INDUSTRY * Australia - Draft truck laws 'need revision'

Canberra,ACT,Australia -Warwick Daily News -18 May 2011: ... When they meet on Friday, Australia’s transport ministers should order the National Transport Commission to undertake a clause-by-clause reworking of the draft national truck laws, Chairman of the Australian Trucking Association, David Simon, said today... Australia’s governments are working to set up a national regulator for the trucking industry and national truck laws... Mr Simon urged ministers to consider a number of policy issues further, including:

• the NTC recommendation not to allow external review of access decisions by road managers;

• the recommendation not to provide operators in TruckSafe with the same regulatory benefits as operators in NHVAS, even though TruckSafe delivers comparable or better safety outcomes;

• the inconsistent approach in the draft to chain of responsibility and the need for the national regulator to be responsible for significant CoR investigations;

• and the need for the national regulator to have oversight of enforcement agencies.

(Image from planbooktravel: trucks on show till end may 2011)

* Northern Territories - Truck group calls for national regulation review

Alice Springs,NT,USA -Reuters/ABC News, by Tom Nightingale -May 20, 2011: -- Australian Transport Association says the proposed changes to truck regulations needs to be tweaked...  A national trucking industry group is pushing for state and territory transport ministers to reject proposed new rules that are meant to simplify regulation... Transport ministers from across Australia are meeting in Alice Springs today... They are considering national rules and an industry regulator to cut red tape... Australian Transport Association spokesman, Bill McKinley, says the proposals are good in theory but flawed in detail and need a total review...   (Image from trucksplanet: Mack Australia "Titan 2)

* ACT - No date set for safe rates

Canberra,ACT,Australia -Supply Chain, by Brad Gardner -May 20, 2011: -- The Federal Government insists it is committed to overhauling remuneration methods in the trucking industry, but will not set out a set date for the introduction of reforms... Workplace Relations Parliamentary Secretary, Jacinta Collins, has told the Transport Workers Union’s federal council the government will progress safe rates “in a timely manner”. A 2008 report commissioned by the National Transport recommended government intervention to fix rates... The government last year released its Safe Rates, Safe Roads discussion paper outlining proposals to ensure drivers received a sustainable income... During her speech to the council, Collins told the union the government is considering the options from the discussion paper and wants to ensure employees and owner-drivers receive a fair outcome... The paper proposes expanding the role of Fair Work Australia to include granting owner-drivers employee-like conditions and hounding parties in the supply chain for unpaid bills... Trucking association NatRoad wants the government to legislate paid waiting times instead, claiming it is the most pressing issue facing operators... Heavyweight Toll is also opposed to safe rates. It argues owner-drivers will be worse off under the scheme...  (Image from kenworthdownunder:  Truck V8 Supercars)

TRUCKING INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE * Germany - Deutsche Post DHL Operating Profit Jumps to $906 Million

Better express margins double DHL Express operating profit to $311 million

Bonn,Germany -The Journal of Commerce Online (USA), by Bruce Barnard -May 10, 2011: --  Deutsche Post DHL increased first quarter operating profit 23 percent from a year ago to $906 million as strong growth in shipping volume, especially in Asia, sent revenue up 6.9 percent to $18.4 billion...  The DHL unit, including express parcel delivery and ocean and air freight forwarding, contributed $523 million to the group profit, up from $315 million in the same period in 2010...  Net income at the German mail and global logistics group fell to $468 million from $2.45 billion from last year, when options on the sale of the group’s former Postbank unit boosted profit by $2 billion.

* DHL Express revenue climbed 5.5 percent in the quarter to $4 billion, driven by double-digit growth in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, and operating profit almost doubled to $311 million from $158 million a year ago.

* Global freight forwarding revenue jumped 14.9 percent to $5.2 billion reflecting double-digit growth in global ocean and air freight volume and in European overland transport. Profit increased over 30 percent to $99 million.

* Supply chain revenue grew 7.5 percent to $5.2 billion, with the highest gains in the Asia-Pacific region. Profit was up almost 40 percent at $112 million on an improved contract mix, and strict cost management to go with the higher volumes...

* Thailand - Linfox recruits female drivers

Bangkok,Thaiand -Logistics -11 May 2011: -- Linfox Thailand has hired five female drivers – a significant move in the male-dominated logistics industry, according to the company... “It’s not a job that many women apply for in Thailand,” Linfox Thailand Operations Manager Kevin Lloyd said. “The five we do have are great contributors to our business” ... The five new drivers are: Patchareerat Marsri and Tanaporn Sangthong, who drive six and 10 wheel vehicles in Linfox Thailand’s Hyper/Super/Value fresh operations for Tesco; Mali Kratudnak and Yanisa Puangjanhom, who drive pickups for Tesco Express stores, and; Soraya Pailor, who has worked with Linfox for 10 years and drives a prime mover in Tesco’s ambient operations based at Linfox’s Sam Khok DC... (Photo from t2.gstatic: Linfox logistics Thailand Co's a Tata Motors truck)

* The Netherlands - Van den Bosch demands bulk transport label

Erp, The Netherlands -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -29 April 2011: -- Logistics services provider Van den Bosch Transporten, is demanding a European label for bulk transport. To do this, it has turned to Dutch association Tank and Silo Association (DTSA). The company believes that a serious label with a high access threshold will contribute to increasing professionalism and reliability within players from the sector, and thus enable it to enhance its image...

* Germany - System Alliance Europe extends its services

Wallenhorst,Germany -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -13 May 2011: -- European cargo network System Alliance has three new countries on board, and the services index is continuing to grow. In May 2011 the network has extended to Greece, with a new partner – Greek company Omega Transport International. The network is also to extend into Denmark and Norway, with letters of intent having been signed with leading medium sized companies. The network is also planning to expand into the countries of the East over the coming years. System Alliance currently has 50 partners in 24 countries. Compared to the first quarter of 2010, the 171 subsidiaries handled an extra 17.8% of shipments and 18.7% of tonnage during the first quarter of this year. System Alliance has also developed a services index taking into account criteria such as deliveries, load and quality. Since the operational launch of this network, this index has risen by 30 points while quality criteria have multiplied four-fold...  (Image from logisblog: Rhenus Bonita truck a System Alliance partner)

TRUCKING INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE

* Austria - Hödlmayr includes part of the activities Tatschl & Söhne

Aisting,Schwertberg,Austria -Truck & Business, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- The logistics provider Hödlmayr Autria Logistics specializes in transporting cars, includes part of the activities Tatschl & Söhne und Speditions Transportation. This recovery is more specifically on 90 sets for transport vehicles and 100 employees for a volume of transport is around 150,000 vehicles per year...

* Belgium - 16 new MAN TGM 15,250 for bpost

Bruxelles,Belgium -Truck & Business, by P. A. -6 April 2011: -- bpost acquired 16 MAN TGM 15,250 with a superstructure Bruecker. TGM the first of the fleet is already operational for some time and the 5 following copies will be delivered shortly...

* UK - 60 Renault Premium English society Goldstar Transport

Felixstowe,Suffolk,USA -Truck & Business,by P. A. -19 April 2011: -- The transport company, Goldstar Transport Ltd., acquired 60 Renault Premium Route 460 hp Euro 5 6x2 configuration equipped cabins Privilege. The new Renault Premium Long Distance will be used as part of a four-year contract for the UK branch of the shipping company offshore Mediterranean Shipping Company, specialized in transporting containers. These Renault Premium join a fleet for more than seven years exclusively of vehicles from other brands...

TRUCKING INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE * Europe

* European Freight Forwarding index up in March

Brussels,Belgium -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -6 April 2011: -- The European Freight Forwarding index published by Danske Bank shows a further positive trend, moving up from 63 in February to 64 in March. And those contributing to the index’s findings reveal themselves optimistic for the months to come. In a little more detail, it is above all maritime freight which is making progress, while road freight remains fairly stable, along with air freight...

* Germany - ‘TimoCom to go’ service available en route

Düsseldorf,Germany - Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -6 April 2011: -- German company TimoCom has been offering users of its freight exchange TC Truck&Cargo a new service named ‘TimoCom to go’ since April 5th. It enables information on available space and loads to be consulted while on the road. The service has been very successful on the Czech market, which is why it has now been extended to the whole of Europe and offered free in 24 languages.

* France - GEFCO acquires 70% of Gruppo Mercurio

Blyes,l'Ain,France -Transport Intelligence -6 Apr 2011:  -- GEFCO, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, has signed an agreement with the Italian fund Venice to acquire its 70% share of Gruppo Mercurio, the leading Italian vehicle transportation and distribution company...  Mercurio has a significant worldwide presence, notably in fast growing markets Mercosur, India, South-East Asia and Central Europe. The company generated revenues of €127m in 2010...  The acquisition of Mercurio is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, amongst others factors...

* Netherlands - Neele Logistics opens in Romania

Rotterdam,Hoogvliet,The Netherlands -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -18 March 2011: -- Dutch logistics supplier Neele Logistics has opened a new installation in Oradea, Romania. With this new installation Neele Logistics will be able to serve the two Balkan states of Romania and Bulgaria in an optimal fashion. The Rotterdam company is now offering daily departures to all of the Balkan destinations. The Rumanian depot will operate around 50 vehicles. It will be under the management of Dutchman Paul Rovers.

* The Netherlands - Vos Logistics extends its EDC at Goch

Oss,The Netherlands -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- Vos Logistics has decided to extend its Goch logistics centre by 5,500 m2 (giving 11,000 extra pallet spaces), bringing it up to 20,500 m2 with an option for a future expansion. This evolution is within the framework of the prolonging of the strategic collaboration between Vos Logistics et Akzo Nobel. Vos Logistics has been managing the Decorative Coatings business unit distribution centre for Akzo Nobel since 2004, for supplying the German market...


* Austria - Hödlmayr takes over part of activities of Tatschl & Söhne

Schwertberg,Austria -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- Logistics supplier Hödlmayr Logistics Austria, specialising in car transport, is taking over part of the activities of Tatschl & Söhne Speditions und Transport. In more detail, this takeover involves 90 vehicle transport road units and 100 members of staff, with a volume of around 15,000 vehicles per year...

* France -  Acquisition of TDG by Norbert Dentressangle finalised

Saint-Vallier, Drôme, France -Truck Europe, by Claude Yvens -29 March 2011:  -- Norbert Dentressangle has announced it has finalised the acquisition of TDG for 241 million EUR (6 million EUR more than what it expected to pay in November)...  The dossier involving the takeover of TDG (via holding company Laxey Logistics Ltd) by French group Norbert Dentressangle, had finally been approved by the European Commission on March 21st...  Norbert Dentressangle had announced its intention to buy at the end of November 2010. According to our information, the French group wished to receive the green light from the Commission before the end of last year, but it had not presented a sufficiently detailed dossier. A second dossier was thus given to the Commission...  The Commission estimated that the takeover would not distort competition, even in the UK where Norbert Dentressangle already has a substantial presence via the activities of the former Christian Salvesen...(Photo from wikipedia.org: Renault Premium Norbert Dentressangle)

* Germany - CargoLine volumes up in 2010

Dietzenbach,Germany -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- The CargoLine network recorded an increase in its volume of activities in 2010, up by 13.3 % to 11.1 million shipments generating turnover of 1.3 billion Euros (+ 10.5 %). There are now fifteen partners in the network...

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * Japan - Government Restore Transportation Systems

Transport minister says most railways, roads, airports, ports usable

Tokyo,Japan -The Journal of Commerce Online, by Hisane Masaki -29 March 2011: -- Restoration work on Japanese transportation systems devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern part of the country has made significant progress, a transport minister said on Tuesday... All 15 affected major ports along the Pacific coast of the Tohoku and Kanto regions reopened by March 24. They are usable for both disaster-related and ordinary purposes... All 11 local airports in the northeastern part of the country had reopened earlier. All but one of them are usable for both disaster-related and ordinary purposes. Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture, which suffered serious damage as it bore the brunt of the killer tsunami, is available only to aircraft carrying relief supplies... As of 9:00 a.m. on Monday Japan time, five vital arterial roads crisscrossing the Tohoku region, where all worst-hit areas are located, had mostly reopened - 97 to 100 percent for disaster-related purposes and 93 to 100 percent for ordinary purposes, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's latest update on recovery efforts for transportation systems... The five vital arterial roads are the Tohoku Expressway; the Joban Expressway; Route 4; Route 6; and Route 45...

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * Australia - B-triples could carry 17 per cent of Australia's road freight

Canberra,Australia -The ATA Friday Facts -11 March 2011: -- B-triples could carry about 17 per cent of Australia’s road freight by 2030 if they are granted access to the B-double network outside built-up areas, a new report from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics shows... The report, Truck productivity: sources, trends and future prospects, examines the increase in truck productivity between 1971 and 2007 and looks at the future prospects for freight productivity growth... The report models five scenarios for the future growth in truck productivity, including the impact of granting B-triples access to the B-double network outside urban areas, with AB-triples allowed on road train routes... According to the report, Australia’s road freight task grew more than six-fold between 1971 and 2007, but the average load carried by articulated trucks doubled and the average distance travelled per articulated truck increased by almost 90 per cent...  (Image from i3.ytimg)

* Australia - Exempt TruckSafe vehicles from annual inspections

Canberra,Australia -The ATA Friday Facts -11 March 2011: -- The planned national heavy vehicle laws should exempt trucks and trailers accredited under TruckSafe from yearly roadworthiness inspections, the ATA’s Industry Technical Council recommended this week... NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory require trucks and trailers to have yearly inspections. The draft national heavy vehicle laws released for consultation last week would keep those existing state-based inspection systems... ATA Policy Manager David Coonan said operators in TruckSafe had strong systems to manage their maintenance. He said they were audited on entry to the scheme and then every two years... At its meeting, the ITC also considered the proposed national laws covering B-double spray suppression and restricted access vehicles... The ITC provides expert advice to the ATA and regulators about technical and maintenance issues. Its members include suppliers, transport consultants, workshop managers and transport company owners...

CARGO TRANSPORT NEWS * India - Port of Chennai Suspends Exports

Backlog of import containers hampers operations

Chennai,India -The Journal of Commerce Online -Dec 3, 2010: -- The terminal authority at India's Port of Chennai temporarily suspended export cargo movements as congestion at its two marine terminals escalated... The decision came at a recent meeting with stakeholders to review operational problems at the country's second-largest container gateway after the backlog of import boxes reached levels that hampered operations at the two terminals... According to the latest update from port sources, the terminal yard inventory held nearly 18,000 20-foot equivalent units, mostly imports, as of Friday morning... Officials said the situation was aggravated by a mid-November truckers' strike that lasted three days, coupled with rising traffic volume and a spate of festival holidays in recent weeks... (Photo from wikipedia/wikimedia: Chennai Port panorama)

* India - Port Cochin Truckers End Strike - Drivers win 31 percent wage increase, other benefits

Port Cochin,India -The Journal of Commerce Online -Dec 6, 2010: ...  Container truck drivers late Saturday called off a five-day strike at the Port of Cochin, restoring the movement of ocean freight traffic to and from India Gateway Terminal... Officials said truck owners agreed to a new two-year wage contract covering a 31 percent increase in wages and an 18 percent increase in other entitlements... Reports said striking drivers returned to work Saturday night and the port terminal authority was making all efforts to accelerate the clearance of some 4,000 inbound containers stranded at the terminal... The labor action, which crippled cargo movements for almost a week, came at a time when the Cochin Port authority was gearing up to launch its long-awaited International Container Transshipment Terminal, the country’s first transshipment facility, with annual capacity of 1 million 20-foot equivalent units in the first phase... Cochin handled 290,000 TEUs in fiscal 2009-10 ending March 31. According to the latest provisional data from port sources, volume for the April-November period grew 13.5 percent year-over-year to 222,000 TEUs...  (Photo from farm4.static.flickr: Indian trucks)

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * WORLDWIDE

* The Netherlands - TNT to Sell Express Business - A ‘demerger’ will separate express and mail, could roil global expedited market

Hoofddorp,The Netherlands -The Journal of Commerce Online -Dec 2, 2010: -- TNT said Thursday it plans to sell its air express business, completing the breakup of one of the world’s largest transportation companies in a move that could shake up the competition in the very tight market of international express operators... The Netherlands-based company announced the planned sale, saying it would focus on its mail operations while selling a 70.1 percent stake in the express unit, one of the world’s top four international expedited services providers... TNT set the stage for the sale earlier this year when the company announced plans to separate the mail and express divisions into separate companies, an internal separation TNT says will take place on Jan. 1, 2011... A sale could have a dramatic impact on air express competition around the world... The mail division, which runs postal operations in the Netherlands, is more profitable than the express unit, but it is tied up in tough and long-running labor negotiations... (Photo from freefoto: TNT Articulated lorry)

* UK - Transport sector profits up, confidence down

London,UK -Eyefortransport -Dec 1, 2010: -- Confidence in the transportation and storage sector tumbles, despite improved turnover and profits... This quarter, confidence among businesses in the transport & storage sector has fallen to the lowest level seen this year, alongside weakened levels of confidence across the whole UK... However, the sector expects to see improvements in turnover, gross profits and sales in 2011, according to the latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM)... According to BCM, which tracks the confidence levels of UK finance and business professionals, the Confidence Index of businesses in the transport &  storage sector has fallen by more than 20 points to stand at 7.6 points in Q4 2010, from the considerably more buoyant 29 points seen in Q3... Across the UK, confidence fell by nearly 10 points, from 21.5 to 11.9 points...

TRUCKING INDUSTRY * WORLDWIDE

* UK - Wincanton and Chevron design aerodynamic semi-trailer

Chippenham,Wiltshire,UK -Fleet Europe, by Michel Buckinx -23 Nov 2010: -- Wincanton, a supplier of supply chain services, and integrated energy company Chevron, have worked together to create a new aerodynamic semi-trailer, which is destined to reduce CO2 emissions thanks to better fuel consumption. The semi-trailer, produced by Lakeland, in particular includes an aerodynamically optimised front and rear design which improves the passage of air. The design also includes a number of elements to improve safety...