EU and US will collaborate to keep supply chains safe

The EU and the US have signed an “ambitious” collaboration agreement aimed at improving the security of global supply chains.
The agreement was sealed by a European triumvirate, consisting of EU Commissioner for Taxation, Customs and Anti-fraud Algirdas Semeta; EC Vice-President Siim Kallas; and Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom, and the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

The joint statement lays out an “ambitious agenda” for enhanced bilateral co-operation between EC and US Department of Homeland Security on Customs, aviation and maritime security and research and development.

Semeta said: “In a globalised world, no country can secure the supply chain in isolation.

“National supply chain security policies are ineffective and too costly, unless they are supported by enhanced international co-operation.

“Through international co-operation, we can ensure policy coherence, establish compatibility of national systems and reduce costs.”

The statement calls for the implementation of mutual recognition of EU and US trade partnership programmes and sharing risk information, as well as recognition “wherever possible” of each other’s transport security controls.

Semeta added that, in signing the statement, the EU and the US aimed to jointly respond to global security issues, notably those posed by terrorists.

Earlier this week, the US had confirmed it was considering alternatives to earlier plans for all containers loaded at a foreign port to be scanned before they enter the country. 

The requirement, introduced in 2007 for implementation by 2014, meant all containers would need to x-rayed at foreign ports before loading.

Napolitano said Congress was considering “a more layered approach” to container security.

Sourse:   IFW

Boeing bullish on demand for new freighters

Boeing has increased its forecast for the global aircraft market over the next 20 years by 8%, and now expects demand for 33,500 passenger planes and freighters.
The US aircraft manufacturer predicted a US$4 trillion market between 2011 and 2030, following its forecast of a year ago for 30,900 new commercial aircraft worth $3.6 trillion.

Boeing’s 2011 Current Market Outlook, its annual commercial aviation market analysis, predicts a 3.3% average annual growth of world gross domestic product during the period, a 4.2% increase in the number of airline passengers, a 5.1% increase in airline traffic and a 5.6% average rise in cargo traffic every year.

“The world market has recovered, and is now expanding at a significant rate,” said Randy Tinseth, VP of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Not only is there a strong demand for air travel and new airplanes today, but the fundamental drivers of air travel – including economic growth, world trade and liberalisation – all point to a healthy long-term demand.”

Boeing projects the world freighter fleet will increase from 1,760 to 3,500. Additions will include 970 new-production freighters, with a market value of $250 billion, and 1,990 converted from passenger models.

Larger freighters (of more than 80 tonnes in capacity) will account for 690 newbuilds, predicts Boeing, and 280 medium-sized models of 40-80 tonne capacity.

“No new standard-body freighters (less than 45 tonnes) will be required, but there will be 1,240 standard-body conversions. On average over the next 20 years, air cargo traffic will grow at a rate of 5.6%,” it said.

Meanwhile, Boeing is to fly a new 747-8 freighter (pictured above) across the Atlantic to the forthcoming Paris Air Show, using a renewable aviation jet fuel – the world’s first transatlantic crossing of a commercial jetliner using biologically derived fuel.

Each of the 747-8 freighter’s four GE GEnx-2B engines will be powered by a blend of 15% camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85% traditional kerosene.

Boeing VP, and General Manager of the 747-8, Elizabeth Lund said: “This historic flight is a boost to aviation’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in all phases of our industry.

“And the 747-8F fits in well with these efforts by bringing huge improvements in fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and less noise.”




Source;   IFW

DHL Cargo Plane Crashes, Crew Saved

Jun 7, 2011 – A DHL Express cargo plane crashed into the sea off the coast of Gabon on Monday, but the four crew members were rescued from the wreckage.
It isn’t clear what caused the Antonov-26 turboprop aircraft to plunge into the sea near the West African country’s capital  Libreville. The Russian-built plane was operated by local airline Solenta Aviation Gabon, which flies on regional routes for Germany’s DHL Express. The plane, which took off from Port Gentil, Gabon’s second city, was not carrying any cargo.




Source:   Freightfox.com

BA agrees compensation bill in US price-fixing case

Four airlines have agreed to pay more than US$150 million in compensation to settle a US class-action lawsuit over their roles in an international price-fixing cartel.


British Airways will pay $89.5 million, while three South American carriers, Chilean Lan Airlines, Lan Cargo and Brazilian carrier Aerolinhas Brasileiras (ABSA) have agreed a $66 million settlement between them.

A group of more than 20 Asian, European and South American airlines is accused of agreeing prices for fuel surcharges on US shipments between 2000 and 2006.

The latest settlements are subject to approval by a New York judge.

Michael Hausfeld, Chairman of plaintiffs’ law firm Hausfeld, said: “These two important settlements, returning over $150 million to claimants, represent yet another excellent result for the US class, which is fast approaching half a billion dollars in recoveries from settling defendants.

“BA and Lan/ABSA have taken an important step toward paying damages for their admitted price-fixing conduct. We will continue our efforts to pursue recoveries for the huge number of victims of this cartel.

“It is long overdue that the companies found to have engaged in price-fixing make restitution to all of their victims, everywhere in the world.”

In the US, 21 airlines and 21 executives have been charged in the investigation by the Department of Justice. Fines totalling more than $1.8 billion have been handed out and four executives have been sentenced to serve prison terms.

So far, 13 of the airlines involved, including Air France-KLM which has paid out $87 million, have reached compensation agreements with shippers for a total of $367.9 million.

British Airways admitted its role in the cartel four years ago and was fined $300 million by the US Department of Justice.



 
 
Source           IFW

International Chamber of Commerce calls for action on piracy

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has urged governments to take action against the increasing number of pirate attacks occurring off the Somali coast.
The Call for Action was launched at the annual International Transport Forum, which took place in Leipzig, Germany at the end of May.

The call for immediate action comes after companies witnessed an escalation in both violence and the number of attacks on ships and their crew over the past year.

It called on governments to improve the rules of engagement given to the navies present in the area.

The Call for Action also demands that the UN and other international bodies refocus their efforts to ensure that pirates are brought to justice and that required institutions in central Somalia are established to maintain economic and social standards.

According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau, there were 219 attacks in 2010 off Somalia, in which 49 vessels were hijacked and 1,016 crew members taken hostage.




Source;  IFW