Dear Readers,
Today it is the 3rd Thursday of the month and PCW is back.
It has been quite a relaxed month for me travelwise. I arrived back home to Santiago in Chile 5 weeks ago, and having considered both the traveling and stress that is a consequence of it, I decided that from now on when traveling, I do it less and stay longer at my destination each time. You can’t be the jack of all trades as you will end up being the master of none. Thankfully with the Internet, it does make it easier to keep in touch with one’s children in another continent.
I know full well how it is these days for many seafarers who are bound to be away for at least 3 months (and in many instances 6-9 months) before they see their families again. Having said that, let us NOT talk about the situation for the seafarers in the Persian Gulf….One can only hope that owners or charterers are compensating them enough for their hardship. Most shipowner’s bottom line is fatter than ever nowadays, so claiming a low profit margin as an excuse for not doing right by the seafarers does not fly!
I got a tip from a friend of mine, a long-term manager at OOCL, about a book on Chinese shipping. As I was involved with China since 1984 (working for the agency back then of COSCO, Sinotrans, Rickmers Line), this particular book sounded interesting. For those who might be interested in the size and origin of Chinese shipping, perhaps this book would be worthwhile to order – C. Y. Tung (1912–1982) and the Rise of Modern Chinese Shipping.
OOCL was in financial trouble at one time, but thanks to “Red China’s” investment, they survived. Some years later, it ultimately was bought by COSCO who then could combine their own size but lack of IT skills with another “sister” company with IT and planning skills. And if you are a person who believes in the greater China (which then would include Taiwan and the shipping lines of Evergreen, Yangming, Wan Hai, etc.) then China is indeed probably the world’s largest shipowner direct or indirect. Can you name any US-owned global shipping line nowadays? So not only does China produce “it”, they also transport “it”. Imagine the ramifications in case of a crisis?
Now that I am traveling less frequently and attending fewer expos, reading is a pastime that I have really started to catch up on. I also finished the memoirs of Winston Churchill, one of the great statesmen of our time. In short, they simply DON’T MAKE THEM like that anymore.
In many countries, we are now beset with a political class with little or no feeling of “the man in street”. That goes for sure regarding the “bureaucrazy” in the EU who soon need to pass their gigantic budget for the next 7 years. Count on the holy cows such as agriculture and other (mainly French) demands not to be taking a haircut meaning that every EU taxpayer must look even deeper into their wallet. That the NATO countries (of which many are EU members too) must finally start paying for their own defence is another hurdle now that the American umbrella is less available.
The fact that governments are increasing taxes and bureaucracy remains bloated is detrimental to most of us. Governments can then continue to print money, but ultimately, that solution will fail. I was alerted to this in a documentary on YouTube which you might like to watch here.
Democracy is under pressure even in the countries that regard themselves as totally democratic. In spite of open and free votes, firewalls exist in Germany, as they did before in Sweden and other countries. Like children in a kindergarden, a few political parties (normally known as the politically correct ones with the “right opinions”) simply tell others that we will NOT cooperate with you—causing deadlock to happen. What kind of democracy is that? If 20 or 30% of voters are left out and ignored, that is indeed the road to disaster.
Anyway, with the media being primarily left wing, especially in Europe and parts of South America, scare mongering can be counted upon about the “fearsome right”. In my view, JD Vance was right in his Munich speech when he put the finger on a few sore European toes and self beliefs…. in this regard. What are we defending ourselves FOR?
Well my work and life is in shipping, so I had better return to something I have at least some idea about. Shipping is doing well, new building orders are through the roof, and so are quarterly profits by almost all main shipping lines thanks mainly due to the US/Iran war and the Red Sea issues with brave Houthi warriors attacking defenceless freighters. Let us hope common sense thankfully prevails soon, and that even for some “dear leaders”, the age clock is ticking although perhaps not fast enough!
In today’s issue, we have a bunch of solid video and written interviews in store for you.
Here is the table of contents for today’s issue:
| 1. Written interview with ROYAL ARCTIC LINE, GREENLAND |  |
| 2. Video interview with BNSF LOGISTICS, USA |  |
| 3. Video interview with DAP LOGISTICS, ARGENTINA |  |
| 4. Video interview with UTC, BENELUX |  |
| 5. Video interview with BLS, MOZAMBIQUE |  |
| 6. Video interview with NAVEX, PORTUGAL |  |
| 7. Video interview with LOGISTICUS, USA | |
| 8. Written interview with ITOCHU LOGISTICS CORP., JAPAN |  |
We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intel, featured video and picture of the month and remind you again to download our AD-free and free of charge APP here.
Don’t forget to read our wise words column too. Lots of wisdom there…
We will publish again on 19th of November and remain until then,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Interview
Royal Arctic Line, Greenland
Interview with
Mr. John Aage Nielsen
CCO
For starters, John, what can you tell our readers about the history, background and purpose of Royal Arctic Line (RAL)?
Royal Arctic Line was established in 1992 and began operations in 1993, but our maritime roots in Greenland go back more than 200 years through KGH and later KNI. Today, Royal Arctic Line is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland. Our core responsibility is to provide reliable sea freight services to, from, and within Greenland. In many ways, we are part of the country’s critical infrastructure: we connect communities across Greenland with each other and with the rest of the world, while supporting both imports and Greenlandic exports.
Video Interview
BNSF Logistics, USA
Mr. David Ivan, President & CEO at BNSF Logistics, USA was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
DAP Logistics, Argentina
Mr. Pablo Ramos, Project Manager at DAP Logistics, Argentina was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
UTC, Benelux
Mr. Michael Dahoe, General Manager at UTC, Benelux was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
BLS, Mozambique
Mr. Bercencio Vilanculo, Founder and CEO of BLS, Mozambique was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
NAVEX, Portugal
Mr. Joao Silva, Managing Director at NAVEX, Portugal was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Logisticus, USA
Mr. Dalton Ribble, Head of Gov. Affairs & Planning at Logisticus, USA was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Interview
ITOCHU Logistics Corp. Japan
Interview with
Mr. Takashi Kamimura
Manager of Strategic Logistics Sect. No.1, General Merchandise & Chemical Logistics Dept., Ocean Division No.1
For starters, could you tell us about the history and background of ITOCHU Logistics?
Our company was established in 1961 as a warehousing company. In 2001, we merged with the group’s air freight and sea freight companies, forming our current structure as an integrated logistics business.
75th Anniversary Celebrated Twice
Editor’s Note:
Chinese Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company a joint venture between the 2 socialist brothers (back then ) of China and Poland has now turned 75 years. Socialism is gone to some extent and being a competitive open market shipping line is since decades the new reality.
About 300 guests joint the event at Shanghai in a typical Chinese style with great food and beverages accompanied by participants from politics, business, and the shipping industry and, of course, many contributors from our shipping company.
In a secret Arctic operation, Putin’s yacht was moved from Severomorsk to Kamchatka
Editor’s Note:
Also a kind of shipping wouldn’t you say ?…Putin’s yacht was transported to Kamchatka, far away from the danger zones of Ukrainian drones no doubt. Having the ability to save one’s property is a wish that most people around the world has…but often is impossible for “normal people”.
The dictator’s luxury yacht, Kosatka, has been transferred to the Pacific via the Northern Sea Route, accompanied by the notorious salvage ship Voevoda.
One of the most remote infrastructure projects in the US takes shape in Alaska
Editor’s Note:
And more from the Arctic, this time a project in Alaska. After the Greenland “deal” between the US, Denmark and Greenland a lot of eyes are on the Northern Part of the World in particular the arctic be it production, shipping or logistics.
GHD, a global professional services company, is the prime designer of record on a $470 million design-build modernisation of the Alcan Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Alaska, delivering modern federal infrastructure in one of the most remote and challenging environments in the US.
Kalmar and ICTSI continue collaboration with hybrid straddle carrier order for new South Luzon Container Terminal
Editor’s Note:
Shipping is impossible with ports and ports can’t run without equipment. Big order here for Kalmar in Scandinavia, a region famous for port handling equipment showing that also countries besides China can produce high quality products in port related industries.
Kalmar has concluded an agreement with International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) to supply a total of 12 Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers. The machines will be deployed at the South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT), located within Bauan International Port in Batangas, the Philippines. The significant order, which also includes MyKalmar INSIGHT coverage for all machines, was booked in Kalmar’s Q3 2026 order intake, with delivery of all machines scheduled to be completed during Q3 2027.
Advanced Navigation Takes on America’s Assured PNT Manufacturing Gap
Delivering some of the world’s most complex navigation technology at the speed and scale U.S. defense programs depend on.
B2U Storage Solutions and LG Energy Solution Partner to Repurpose Batteries
B2U Storage Solutions and LG Energy Solution announce a strategic partnership giving B2U priority access to the South Korean firm’s batteries to develop large-scale stationary storage solutions in the United States.
Taaleri takes stake in 192MW/420MWh Raudsepa BESS in Estonia
The Raudsepa BESS project is now jointly owned by the SolarWind III Fund, and KJK Fund III, managed by KJK Capital.
Lam Research to invest ₹10,000 crore in India to set-up silicon component making facility
The planned augmentation to R&D builds on Lam’s India Center for Engineering, which already supports Lam’s work for customers globally in key areas such as design, testing, validation, and next-generation technology development, the company said.
Passing a Thai Vessel in the English Channel
Editor’s Note:
I was a passenger onboard mv UHL FABLE from Port Klang to Bornholm, Denmark. In the English Channel whilst on deck I passed a Thai named and flagged vessel. Not an everyday sight and always special to pass another vessel close by.
You should consider taking a cargo vessel as a passenger, its the best holiday ever!
Editor’s Note:
The editor loves sunsets, who doesn’t? Here a spectacular one from last month taken at the Chilean Pacific Coast near Pichilemu.
