All's well that ends well for crew of MSC Mandy 
The six crew members who had been kidnapped from the containership “MSC Mandy” during a pirate attack about 55 miles off the coast of Cotonou (Benin), on 1 January 2019, are now free. Seven to nine pirates with automatic firearms and knives boarded the 2,700 teu vessel,... more
Brazilian cargo airline expands fleet
Backed by the private-equity firm DXA Investments, Modern Logistics (Brazil) is preparing to put a fourth B737F into commercial service in coming weeks. The logistics company, based in Jundiaí, São Paulo, also plans to add several more narrowbody freighters to its fleet... more
Honold and Premium Aerotec working together
Honold Logistik and the aviation supplier Premium Aerotec have opened a new materials management centre in Augsburg (Germany). The platform is both a digitally controlled material warehouse and a hub for all deliveries to/from the four Premium Aerotec parts factories in... more
Big bridge encouraging Gambia - Senegal trade
A new 942 m long bridge spanning the Gambia River has become a safer and quicker route compared to the risky ferry crossing or the long detour between the northern and southern parts of Gambia and Senegal. The USD 93.68 million bridge, which was almost entirely financed by... more
World Insurance Services appoints new CEO
World Insurance Services, a marine insurance provider for independent freight forwarders, has named former executive Monica Lee as CEO. Bryce Barnhart, who previously led the insurance facility, is now WCA’s vice-president of North America. World Insurance was created in... more
Cannabis faster out of Zimbabwe?
With Fruit Logistica opening its doors in Berlin this week, the landlocked Southern African country Zimbabwe is discussing whether to accelerate the granting of export licences for cannabis. Government sources pointed out that legal marijuana has started gaining traction... more
Strong Q4 rounds off a strong year
UPS has tabled its Q4 and full-year earnings for 2018. Total 2018 revenue increased by 7.9% to USD 71.9 billion on shipment growth; the revenue-yield expansion of 4.3% surpassed the 2017 yield by 200 basis points. The company opened 14 major facilities in the USA in... more
Port Synergy - growth in 2018, upgrade in Le Havre
The France-based Port Synergy Group processed just over 2.3 million teu in 2018, 9% more than in 2017. The group’s share of the container market in France amounts to about 50%. The boxes are handled by its two main subsidiaries - GMP and Euro Fos. The two container terminals are... more
Transport order for sodium hydroxide
The Russian railway operator Unicon 1520, part of UWC, has landed a contract from the major polyvinyl chloride producer RusVinyl, a joint enterprise between Russia's Sibur Holding and the Belgian company Solvay. The agreement covers the transport of sodium hydroxide over a... more
Heppner chooses regional manager for southern Germany
Transport and logistics provider Heppner has chosen Alain Goehl as its regional manager for southern Germany, a very important area for the company, as it specialises in freight services between Germany and France. Goehl was born in Germany and started his career in... more