January 2021

Samskip adds Amsterdam link

Samskip has introduced a direct service between Ireland and North Continental Europe with a new weekly sailing between Amsterdam and Dublin. It complements the existing Rotterdam-Cork-Waterford-Dublin-Belfast services by offering a new Monday night departure from the Continent to Ireland. Samskip also operates rail links via Duisburg to the rest of Continental Europe. The shortsea operator says that the weekly connection will allow Irish importers to avoid post-Brexit hassles. Samskip’s head of Ireland ... [+]

Cautious welcome for new Ulster food groupage rules

New sanitary and phytosanitary SPS rules for groupage freight moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland using groupage could help prevent delays, says Logistics UK. It said it was “cautiously optimistic” that the solution proposed “will help prevent delays, by reducing the number of vehicles needing to be inspected on ... [+]

Virgin flies to Norway for the first time

Virgin Atlantic is extending its cargo-only network to Evenes, its first ever flights between London Heathrow and Norway. The twice weekly Boeing 787-9 flights from the north-western hub will offer over 100 tonnes of capacity for the Norwegian seafood and fish industry. Connections are available at Heathrow to various US destinations and ... [+]

Quick boost for Dunkerque-Rosslare route

DFDS is introducing a larger vessel to its Dunkerque-Rosslare route, introduced on 2 January. The 196m long MV Drottenreplaces the Optima Seaways, one of the three ferries that took part in the launch of this new line on January 2 and which is now resuming its activity in the Baltic ... [+]

BIFA winners triumph over adversity

Winners of the BIFA Freight Service Awards 2020 overcame multiple difficulties and uncertainties this year, said the industry association. In the Air Cargo Services category, which was sponsored by ASM UK, Simarco Worldwide Logistics triumphed over fellow finalists DHL Global Forwarding, Kerry Logistics and Ligentia Global. Winner of the Ocean Services Award, ... [+]

DP World partners with UNICEF to move Covid vaccine worldwide

DP World and UNICEF have set up a partnership to support the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies in low- and lower-middle-income countries. It will support the aid agency in procuring and supplying 2 billion doses and other supplies. The two partners will also collaborate on other global programs in ... [+]

More truckers take the unaccompanied route, says Brittany

A growing number of hauliers are shipping trailers unaccompanied, particularly on the western Channel routes, says Brittany Ferries. Freight director Simon Wagstaff says that the requirement for Covid tests for drivers are helping drive the trend but there are other financial benefits in going driverless. He says: “We know of one ... [+]

PD Ports thanks Freeport supporters

With the deadline for submitting freeport bids to Government only six working days away, PD Ports thanked over 100 customers and stakeholders for their support. Since Spring 2020, PD Ports and its independent expert advisers have been working to support the Tees Valley Mayor, who is leading the bid, as ... [+]

Welsh government calls for action as ro ro traffic slumps

Welsh Minister for Economy and Transport Ken Skates has written to the UK Government calling for action to help ports cope with a 50-70% slump in traffic as the result of Brexit. He says that hauliers are avoiding the land bridge route via Great Britain and also that freight traffic which ... [+]

FedEx Ground chief to retire

FedEx Ground president and chief executive, Henry Maier is to retire on 31 July. He will be succeeded by FedEx Freight president and chief executive, whose place will be taken by current senior vice president of operations, Lance Moll. [+]