Dear Readers,
Finally it is September 17th and time for our first newsletter after the summer holidays and our latest issue published in June.
I must admit that I was supposed to have published in August, but if truth is to be told, I simply was too immersed in a very long holiday involving 3 continents and bringing my kids from Asia to South America for the first time then returning them to North Europe and spending time with my aging mum. I also managed to see my other 3 children and my grandchild which I was blessed with in February this year. With my IT and computer amateur skills, I managed to make this description of the travels I had with kids this summer:
I also have to admit though that I won’t repeat picking up my kids in Thailand and bringing them to Chile unless we take a break during the trip. Probably I am getting old, and even though TK (Turkish) is an excellent airline, the 11 hours from Bangkok to Istanbul, the 4 hour layover, and then the 18 hours from Istanbul to Santiago via Sao Paolo (including the time zone difference) makes you really groggy for days after arrival.
One highlight of the trip though was TK’s inflight entertainment. On the return from Sao Paolo to Istanbul, we were all watching the Argentina/Spain football final. It was indeed exciting in the dark of the night to hear the primarily Latino passengers being excited during the match. I suppose we can call Spaniards “Latinos” as well somehow but the majority onboard were indeed from South America.
During the 2 months of absence, it seems that the shipping world has not moved much except that prices and congestion keeps on going up. Shipowners are now earning almost the same as they did during COVID, so what is bad for some (war, crisis, etc.) is always good for someone else. And with both VIP canals being under pressure (the Panama Canal with low water level and the Suez Canal with problems around Yemen), the results include increasing freight rates.
The big problem however is NOT KNOWING what is happening and will happen in the war between the US and IRAN since media reporting is hardly reliable to say the least. Involving other countries in the conflict has been the response from IRAN so far with subsequent pressure on flights, shipping, and logistics, not to mention the upheavals in the daily lives of normal people.
Why is it always the “normal population” that must pay the ultimate price for leaders’ delusions of grandeur? The Russia & Ukraine war is still on-going and Kiev is still Ukranian, so even after a few years, there is still a stalemate there, too.
All this has led to globally increased shipping costs which also influences food prices and prices for whatever we need… Time will tell where we end up.
The UK has a “surprise, surprise: a new prime minister … again.
The boats keep on coming across the English Channel, and the inability of anyone in Europe to actually put a foot down and protect their own borders is woefully missing.
Ceuta, a Spanish mini territory on the Moroccan mainland, was overrun and although most were returned, still some 4-5000 migrants apparently still remain in Ceuta. The scenes were horrific.
Why can’t the EU (which boasts of economic muscle and influence –they have a total of 27 foreign ministers and 1 foreign policy chief) create a safe asylum including work visa application centres on the African mainland? No one is drowning enroute to Australia any longer, but they still are in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Nothing has changed since 2003 when I lived in Malta. Soon it will be almost a quarter of a century of talk about protecting external borders in the EU but to no avail. If talk was ammunition, the EU would be able to stand up to any bully country on the global stage🙂.
On the industrial front, it seems that the darkness is soon to engulf the German Auto industry as well. I just read an article in Der Spiegel about the Chinese influx, construction, and export of electrical cars to Europe. We are being swamped, and having a German flag on the product (as they have on many items here in Chile) doesn’t necessarily mean better quality anymore. It used to be….but even on the quality front, the Chinese have caught up. Read this scary article for those who hope that we can continue to compete in Europe:
We have 4 Video Interviews:
| 1. Trust Logistics – Mauritius |  |
| 2. Moveco – Guatemala |  |
| 3. Baltic Freight Services – Lithuania |  |
| 4. Transworld Cargo – Namibia |  |
We have 6 Written Interviews:
| 1. STACKS Cote d’Ivoire – Ivory Coast |  |
| 2. XS Global Logistics – Australia |  |
| 3. WICE Logistics Philippines Company Limited Inc. |  |
| 4. Nakama Worldwide Solutions S.A. – Panama |  |
| 5. Invicta Project & Shipping Srl – Italy |  |
| 6. Sccorra Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. |  |
We, of course, provide you as well with shipping news, trade intelligence, featured project shipment of the month, featured video of the month and wise words. Do NOT forget to download our mobile APP.
We will publish again to our 45,000+ receivers on October 15th!
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Video Interview
Trust Logistics – Mauritius
Mr. Michel Couronne, Business Development Manager at Trust Logistics was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Moveco – Guatemala
Mr. Leonel Ruiz, GM & CEO at Moveco Guatemala was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Baltic Freight Services – Lithuania
Mr. Lauras Lukošius, Managing Director at Baltic Freight Services was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Transworld Cargo – Namibia
Mr. Fritz Kaufmann, Business Development Manager at Transworld Cargo was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Interview
STACKS Cote d’Ivoire – Ivory Coast
Interview with
Mr. Simbo Kouyate
Sales Manager
First of all, could you tell us about your experience in shipping & logistics, and could you elaborate a little on the history of STACKS Ivory Coast?
Yes sure!
After my higher education and my degree in Maritime Transport and Logistics with a focus on Freight Forwarding – Logistics – Vessel Chartering – Shipping obtained at the Regional Academy of Maritime Sciences and Technologic , I started my 3-month school internship in 2013 at MSC-Medlog San Pedro in the Booking and Documentation department.
Afterwards, I joined the OMA group in its Ivorian subsidiary (OMA Côte d’Ivoire) in August 2014 for a second 6-month internship in the logistics department as a Trainee Logistics Officer. Six months later, I was confirmed in this role as Logistics Coordinator with a renewable 6-month fixed-term contract. I was finally confirmed in a permanent contract in the same position in 2015.
Interview
XS Global Logistics – Australia
Interview with
Mr. Cosi Cristodero
Managing Director
Australia is a huge country, indeed a continent. Our readers may like to know the main ports being used for import/export in your country. Could you elaborate? Also, you are located on the West Coast; can you handle cargoes anywhere despite this?
The main ports of Australia include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Fremantle which are all set up for containerised vessel operations and have BB berths that handle BB cargo operations depending on cargo type. In fact, many container carriers are now handling BB type shipments on their container vessels through these ports for certain BB cargo types that can fit within port size and weight limitations. We do offer and support these container carrier solutions for our customers when the cargo type fits the carriers’ handling requirements.
As Western Australia is a major mining area, our Northwest ports (Port Hedland & Dampier) are very busy with BB / Bulk vessels coming in to support our mining industry. Unfortunately, these ports are very busy, and detention is a common issue with BB carriers into these ports.
Interview
WICE Logistics Philippines Company Limited Inc.
Interview with
Mr. Michael Angelo Torres
General Manager
WICE Logistics: what can you tell us, Michael about the history and ownership of the company in the Philippines?
WICE Philippines was established in mid 2024. It’s inception was a product of the development program by WICE Group to expand their network territory across Asia considering the organization’s footprint in the region. Our existing regional customers at that time influenced the decision to put up a branch in the Philippines to serve an already established requirement. The undertaking was carefully planned to optimize and possibly make a turn-key set-up and enable the newly established location to perform at its full capacity even after a very short period of time, due to a strong bond and relationship developed with a longtime partner/agent in the Philippines. So, the owner decided to enter a Joint Venture with a local partner with decades long industry expertise plus ownership of assets and equipment capable of supporting a Projects Logistics operation.
Interview
Nakama Worldwide Solutions S.A. – Panama
Interview with
Ms. Rosangela Diaz Malave
Co-Owner & Commercial Director
Rosy, please tell our readers the history of Nakama and why you have chosen this name?
I love telling this story because Nakama Worldwide Solutions was born from a shared desire. Julio and I felt that we had to do things differently: to provide service with passion, genuine commitment, and a truly tailored approach.
Julio and I first met in 2010, when we were working together, and from that moment, a strong friendship began. Over the years, that friendship has only grown stronger. Today, I can honestly say that we are like brother and sister, connected not only by our professional journey, but also by the trust, respect, and friendship we have built along the way.
That is why we chose the name Nakama WWS.
Interview
Invicta Project & Shipping Srl – Italy
Interview with
Ms. Bianca Schiavone
CEO & Founder
First of all Bianca, please tell our readers about your career in shipping & logistics. Why did you choose this career?
I started my career in shipping in 2003, working for an Italian shipowner in chartering. After a couple of years, I moved into project freight forwarding with a Danish company, where I built my career over the years and eventually became General Manager.
What attracted me to project freight forwarding was the fact that no two shipments are ever the same. Every project involves different countries, different types of cargo, different transport modes and, very often, completely different challenges. You cannot simply apply the same solution every time. You have to study the shipment, understand the requirements and find the most suitable solution for the client.
I fell in love with the complexity of project cargo. I also really enjoy the international side of the business and the relationships that develop with people all over the world.
Interview
Sccorra Logistics India Pvt. Ltd.
Interview with
Mr. Vikas Sharma
Head of Operations, Compliance, Company Infra, Network Development and Vendor Management
Can you tell our readers about the background and history of Sccorra Logistics? Does the name Sccorra have a specific meaning?
SCCORRA Logistics India Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in 2021 with a clear purpose: to build a logistics company where professionalism, accountability and consistency are fundamental operating principles—not merely promises used in a sales presentation.
The company was created from a practical understanding of how logistics actually works. Customers do not experience freight forwarding as an isolated ocean or air booking. They experience the entire chain: the quotation, documentation, cargo readiness, customs, equipment, transportation, port or CFS handling, communication, delivery and the resolution of whatever goes wrong along the way.
Samsung Hits CMA CGM With $186m Complaint In U.S. Over Delivery Failures
Editor’s Note:
Reported scandal of recent times. Alas it would seem from reports that CMA CGM is not alone in this among some major shipowners, one may wonder in the face of billions in profit is it really necessary to treat customers small and big like this ? In the US you got FMC to address grievances to but what does EU have ? If this report is true there seem to be blackmail too in some parts of the shipping business.
Samsung Electronics America (SEA) is seeking at least $186 million in reparations from the world’s third largest container line CMA CGM in one of the largest post-pandemic regulatory claims filed with US regulators against a major container carrier.
Panama Canal Auction Hits New Record at $5.3 Million
Editor’s Note:
The Panama Canal is vital for the world and not least for the Panamanian economy….times are really good right now as opposed to the Suez Canal.
South Korea-based SK Gas Ltd. agreed to pay the sum to travel the canal on Sept. 1, said the people, who could not be identified as the information was confidential. The fee, determined through an auction run by the canal authority this week, breaks the previous high of $4.6 million set earlier this month, also paid by a shipper controlling a South Korean vessel.
Portugal Intercepts Maersk Boxship and Seizes 5 Tonnes of Cocaine
Editor’s Note:
Shipping is never boring apparently the transportation of illicit drugs is increasing since years now using parts of the global commercial fleet to ship ever increasing amounts to users in Europe…..Who can understand this kind of addiction?
The Portuguese Judicial Police are reporting one of the country’s largest ever drug seizures completed aboard a Hong Kong-flagged containership while underway. The situation, however, has grown further complicated as a crewmember who had been arrested along with two stowaways was found dead hours later in a prison cell in Portugal.
We Live On A Planet Covered In Water. So How Are We Running Out?
Editor’s Note:
Without water no shipping and without water no life. Therefore a link to this rather scary article which ought to be a wake up call for us all I believe:
You’ll be pleased to hear that Earth has no shortage of water.
The kicker is that almost all of it is salty, frozen, polluted, deep underground, or nowhere near the people who need it.
Port Otago In New Zealand Invests In 10 Hybrid Straddle Carriers And Fleet Management Technology From Konecranes
The order includes ten hybrid Konecranes Noell Straddle Carriers with twin-lift spreaders. Delivered fully assembled, they offer a 60-tonne lifting capacity, can stack containers four-high, and are fitted with four driven wheels. The twin-lift spreaders can handle either two 20-foot containers or one 40-foot container, supporting flexible and efficient container handling operations. Also included is the complete Konecranes Noell Fleet Management System, providing comprehensive telemetry and operational data across the fleet.
Ansaldo Returns To U.S. Gas Turbine Market As Equipment Crunch Widens Supplier Field
A widening gas turbine supply crunch has prompted Ansaldo Energia to explore a new path back into the U.S. generation market after more than 30 years. The Italian manufacturer will supply California-based energy infrastructure developer Pacifico Energy with eight AE64.3A gas turbines and associated generators for a Texas power project supporting major data center infrastructure. First equipment deliveries are scheduled for 2027, Ansaldo said in July.
Greenvolt Secures €218 Million UniCredit Financing For 400 MW Bess Projects In Poland
The financing comprises €153 million in bridge facilities and a €65 million guarantee facility. The package will support project-related costs for the two utility-scale BESS projects, which are being developed by Greenvolt Power.
Gaon Cable Lands W200b U.S. AI Data Center Deal
Gaon Cable has secured a 200 billion won ($143.4 million) busduct supply deal with a major US cloud operator, expanding its presence in North America’s fast-growing AI data center market.
Sunrise Over the Port of Grenaa: A Scandinavian Summer Homecoming
Editor’s Note:
A fantastic sunrise / at the Port of Grenaa, Denmark as footage here shows from the editor visiting his home country/home port. The summer in Scandinavia was incredible with pleasant temperatures hovering between 22-27 c and not at all reaching scorching degrees like in Southern Europe. To know more of the Port of Grenaa visit: www.grenaahavn.dk
Editor’s Note:
Yours truly when ceo at Martin Bencher Scandinavia (RIP) shipped several yankee cylinders around the world. Often equipment for producing tissue paper which we certainly all need and will continue to need. The Swedish quality (Finnish owned) is world renowned..Here details of a project handled by IDEA LOGISTICS, TURKEY. www.idealogistics.com
