CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) recently announced that it has reached an agreement with two additional railroad unions to provide paid sick leave to its employees.
The agreements were reached with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents railroad machinists, and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO), which represents the company’s utility workers.
The new contracts are demonstrative of CSX’s commitment to continue working with its employees and their representatives to improve the work experience of its employees. CSX recently announced contractual agreements with two other unions – the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen – with provisions of paid sick leave.
Joe Hinrichs, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSX said, “CSX is very much committed to the wellbeing of all of our employees and their families. We have a great respect for the work they do in service to our customers and the nation, and we will continue to partner with them and their representatives to ensure they have the best possible employment experience with our railroad. We appreciate the collaboration with IAM and NCFO, and are proud of the momentum we are building with our union partners to find solutions by working together.”
Cathay Pacific Cargo and the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal, operated by Cathay Pacific Services Ltd (CPSL), have become the first carrier and first cargo terminal operator to have cargo shipments accepted in Dongguan and transported to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) by ship for outbound airfreight, enabling full upstream sea-air intermodal export cargo handling between the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong.
The HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan developed by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) enables shipments to be security screened, built up and accepted as cargo for flights before being loaded on ships that unload in a secured area at HKIA, from where pallets and ULDs can be towed straight to a waiting aircraft. The pilot scheme’s base will migrate to a permanent facility from 2025.
Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial of AAHK, said: “The HKIA Logistics Park with sea-air intermodal connectivity to HKIA aims to reinforce HKIA’s role as the international air cargo hub in the GBA. The initiative brings our extensive air network, enormous handling capacity and efficient services to the doorstep of the air cargo customers in the GBA, contributing to the supply chain and economic development of the region. We are delighted to have keen support from the industry partners, especially the Cathay Pacific Group, which has pioneered with us the successful implementation of the pilot scheme of this strategic initiative.”
CPSL is the first cargo terminal operator (CTO) to sign an air cargo service agreement with AAHK to operate in the pilot scheme, and has established its own upstream bonded facility – Cathay Cargo Terminal Dongguan – located at the Bestar Logistics Centre in Dongguan.
“We have been actively engaged in the downstream trials of the service over the past year and are delighted to be the first CTO to have provided full upstream acceptance of intermodal cargo in Dongguan,” said CPSL Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts. “By extending our air cargo handling services to Dongguan, we are able to offer more choice and more value-added services for our customers, as part of our vision to become the world’s most customer-centric air cargo terminal operator.”
The new facility is fully compliant with Hong Kong’s air cargo security regulations, and export cargo can be screened, palletised and accepted for shipment by cargo terminal operators in Dongguan, before being transported seamlessly by ship to a secured pier area at HKIA for air transhipment to worldwide destinations via Cathay Pacific’s passenger and freighter network.
Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Tom Owen is looking forward to offering a brand new mode of cargo solution for the Hong Kong logistics industry, and to developing exports from – and then over the coming months, imports into – the GBA, which is a focus area for the airline.
“We are delighted to join hands with AAHK to promote the economic growth of Hong Kong and the region, while further strengthening HKIA’s status as an international aviation hub by using this first and only upstream facility of its kind,” Owen said. “We would like to extend our thanks to our friends at Bolloré, Cargo Link, DHL Global Forwarding, Dimerco and Yusen Logistics, who helped to realise the viability and benefits of this programme with trials using real cargo shipments.”
The scheme will offer cost savings, improved efficiency and reliability, as well as improved cut-off times for shipments from the GBA. All parties will continue extending the operation to include imports from HKIA to the GBA via the HKIA Logistics Park.
The scheme is open to those Hong Kong freight forwarders that are “regulated agents” (RA) and they will need to obtain acceptance from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to their application of Supplementary Pages to Regulated Agent Security Programme (RASP), which extend the RAs’ remit to upstream operations. The HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan uses CAD-approved X-ray machines and Explosive Trace Detectors, which are operated by AVSECO staff.
“The HKIA Logistics Park offers a cost-effective and efficient end-to-end solution to our freight forwarders and shippers in moving cargo to and from the GBA,” added Cathay Pacific Cargo’s Owen. “Our customers can benefit from competitive rates on screening, palletisation and terminal charges. The project is a tremendous opportunity to further develop an important regional market and demonstrate the strength of Hong Kong as the leading air cargo logistics hub by increasing Cathay Pacific Cargo’s attractiveness to our customers.”
On behalf of the Technical University Delft (TU Delft) and the Sea Axe Fund, wind-assisted ship propulsion specialist Blue Wasp Marine has assessed the potential of a straightforward adjustment to a Flettner rotor.
Using its in-house developed Pelican software, the company studied the effects of adding a flap to the rotor and achieved improved performance and significant reductions in both emissions and fuel consumption.
In the circumstances covered by Blue Wasp’s tests, inclusion of the flap was shown to lower fuel consumption by a significant 35%.
Giovanni Bordogna, founding partner and aerodynamics specialist at Blue Wasp Marine, said, “These tests demonstrate the significant potential of wind-assisted propulsion to support the maritime industry meet the challenges it is currently facing. Our results demonstrate how a small adjustment to a Flettner rotor can have a big impact, making shipping operations considerably cleaner and more cost-effective.”
The potential of a Flettner rotor to reduce a vessel’s fuel consumption is already well established. However, the rotor is also known to have a relatively large drag, which reduces its aerodynamic efficiency, particularly when sailing upwind.
Fixing the flow
TU Delft and the Sea Axe Fund hit upon the idea of incorporating a flap to the rotor to fix the flow separation point, thereby altering the lift and drag forces created. To test this, they approached Blue Wasp Marine.
To collect the required data on Flettner rotor aerodynamics, Blue Wasp conducted tests at the wind tunnel at the Politecnico de Milano in Italy. This information was then combined with the in-built force models of Blue Wasp’s Pelican software.
Next, Blue Wasp established a series of controls to ensure the accuracy of the experiment. Pelican was to assess the two vessels, one with a Flettner rotor alone and one with rotor and flap, sailing at the same speed, in the same conditions, on the same route.
The company selected to perform the study with a Damen Combi Freighter 5000. This 86 x 15.3 metre vessel serves as a good representative of its type and indicates the effects of the Flettner rotor and flap on a nearshore cargo vessel.
Factors included in the tests were the thrust of the Flettner rotor, wind, resistance in both waves and calm water and resistance resulting from leeway, heeling and rudder operation.
The performance of the two vessels was considered over the same North Sea route, between Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Trondheim, Norway.
The tests demonstrated that the addition of the flap delivered a significant increase in aerodynamic thrust, increasing the vessel's operating profile. The vessel equipped with the Flettner rotor and flap has a tacking angle in the region of 15 degrees smaller than the one with only the rotor. This allows the vessel to sail significantly closer to the wind, vastly improving efficiency of performance upwind.
Though not a part of the study, the results also established that, in most positions, the flap's decreases of lift and drag resulted in reduced downwash and less accelerated flow in the rotor wake. This results in a relatively smaller aerodynamic sideforce, requiring smaller heeling, leeway, and rudder angles to reach sailing equilibrium. This means that the vessel with the rotor and flap can operate at higher wind speeds.
Albert Rijkens of TU Delft explained the education establishment’s thinking behind asking Blue Wasp to perform the research, saying, “Wind-assisted ship prolusion has found renewed interests from the shipping industry to meet the global climate goals and it will play a vital role to lower emissions, especially for large ocean-going vessels. This research demonstrates how small modifications to well-known rotor systems can already make a big difference in the propulsion efficiency of wind-assisted ships. Delft University of Technology will continue to intensify its research in this area by making wind-assisted ship propulsion one of its spearheads of maritime research for the coming years.”
Giovanni Bordogna: “This case study highlights the effectiveness of Pelican. By conducting studies such as this, we can investigate the potential of various approaches to wind-assisted propulsion prior to implementation, de-risking wind investment for ship owners and operators and helping to decarbonise the industry.”
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have released a final report on the current state and overall feasibility of using clean, heavy-duty drayage truck technology throughout the San Pedro Bay port complex.
The Final 2021 Feasibility Assessment for Drayage Trucks can be downloaded from the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) website, cleanairactionplan.org/strategies/trucks.
The ports released a draft assessment in August 2022 for public review and comment. The 2021 assessment builds upon the inaugural 2018 assessment and examines the current state of technology, operational characteristics, economic considerations, infrastructure availability and commercial readiness related to zero-emissions (ZE) and low-emissions drayage trucks. The final report addresses feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders.
The 2017 CAAP Update established goals of ZE drayage trucks by 2035 and ZE terminal equipment by 2030. As part of this strategy, the ports committed to developing feasibility assessments every three years to inform a joint approach to meeting those goals.
The ports are working to accelerate the adoption and transition to ZE technologies and developing the necessary infrastructure. Currently, the ports are demonstrating 91 pieces of terminal equipment, including ZE yard tractors, top handlers, forklifts, and rubber-tired gantry cranes, and Class 8 on-road trucks — including hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies — with additional terminal equipment and on-road trucks to be commissioned by the end of the year.
The 2017 CAAP contains a comprehensive strategy to accelerate progress toward a ZE future while protecting and strengthening the ports’ competitive position in the global economy. Since 2005, port-related air pollution emissions in San Pedro Bay have dropped 86% for diesel particulate matter, 46% for nitrogen oxides and 95% for sulfur oxides. Targets for reducing greenhouse gases from port-related sources were introduced as part of the 2017 CAAP Update. The document calls for the ports to reduce greenhouse gases to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The CAAP was originally approved in 2006.
CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced that it has reached agreements with two unions that provide paid sick leave for approximately 5,000 railroad workers.
The agreements were reached with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMWED), which represent engineering employees, and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), representing mechanical workers.
Joe Hinrichs, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSX stated, “CSX is committed to listening to our railroaders and working with their representatives to find solutions that improve their quality of life and experience as employees. These agreements demonstrate that commitment and are a direct result of the collaborative relationship we are working to cultivate with all of the unions that represent CSX employees. We greatly appreciate the leadership of the BMWED and BRC in working towards these agreements.”
Nearly 4,000 BMWED and over 1,000 BRC workers are employed with CSX. The company has great respect for the work performed by its front-line employees to provide safe, reliable rail service for the nation, and will continue to pursue similar agreements with its remaining unions.
Air Canada Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver more benefits to their air freight customers around the world.
The MoU, which builds on the airlines’ strategic commercial partnership announced last year, was signed at Emirates Headquarters in Dubai, UAE by Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo and Matthieu Casey, Managing Director Commercial, Air Canada Cargo.
Under the terms of the MoU, Air Canada Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo will work closely on a number of initiatives, which include expanding cargo interline options and block space agreements, pending any required regulatory approvals. These enhancements aim to offer freight customers of both airlines access to more capacity on a larger combined global network.
Air Canada Cargo will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s high frequency distribution network through the belly-hold of Emirates scheduled passenger flights to over 140 global destinations, as well as the additional capacity offered by 11 freighters currently in the Emirates fleet. In return, SkyCargo will have access to over 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities across five continents through Air Canada Cargo thanks to a fleet of Boeing 767 freighters and the belly-hold capacity of Air Canada’s scheduled passenger flights.
Both airlines bring particular experience in handling unique cargo, such as oil and gas drilling equipment, car parts and pharmaceuticals on their dedicated fleet of freighters or passenger aircraft.
“We are thrilled to be further strengthening our cargo relationship with Emirates SkyCargo. This agreement enables both carriers to work more closely to optimize our respective freighter and belly capacity throughout each of our extensive and complementing global networks. Customers will benefit from these additional synergies by having access to an even greater array of options, destinations and streamlined handling when shipping globally,” said Matthieu Casey, Managing Director, Commercial, at Air Canada Cargo.
“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being a leading player in the global air cargo industry providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services. Cooperating with Air Canada Cargo will offer our clients added value through more rapid reach to new destinations in Canada via our Toronto and US gateways,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.
Since announcing their strategic partnership in 2022, Emirates and Air Canada have implemented a passenger codeshare agreement that spans 46 destinations across North America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and have launched a Loyalty program partnership to allow Aeroplan and Skywards members to earn and redeem Miles and Points on all flights operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively.
DP World saw a 5% rise in the volume of trade handled by its two hubs in the UK last year, as the leading provider of smart logistics solutions continued to extend its reach further into the supply chain.
London Gateway alone reported a 14% rise in volumes to 2,053,000 TEU – the first time it has ever exceeded two million units in a year, consolidating its position as Britain’s second biggest container terminal. Together with Southampton, the two terminals handled a record 3,850,000 TEU compared with 3,675,000 in 2021.
Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said: “We help trade flow across the globe and this outstanding performance shows our ability to deliver on our commitment to boost growth, support businesses, create jobs and improve living standards in the UK.”
“Within a decade, London Gateway is likely to be handling up to 30% of the country's containerised trade. Its port-centric logistics park will be one of the largest in Europe, employing 12,000 people and underpinned by investment in a second rail terminal and a new fourth berth.”
“At Southampton, we are investing to future-proof the port by improving its infrastructure and introducing warehousing facilities for our customers. We are committed to expanding its capacity as well as making it one of Britain’s most sustainable ports.”
Last month, DP World recently partnered with Economist Impact to launch the latest edition of Trade in Transition, a global trade barometer. The research showed that companies in the UK experienced strong growth in 2022, with expansion of up to 50% in the value of exports reported by 62% of those surveyed. 53% reported a similar rise in the value of imports.
With a global network spanning more than 300 business units in over 75 countries, DP World is continuing to extend its capabilities across the UK supply chain, with the latest step the launch of a new intermodal train service in November connecting London Gateway and Southampton.
Over the last 10 years, DP World has invested £2 billion in the UK, supporting thousands of jobs. Over the next 10 years, the logistics provider has earmarked a further £1 billion of investment, with a £350m new fourth berth at London Gateway now well under construction.
The Port of Los Angeles has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two decades to deindustrialize and recast the LA Waterfront as a recreational and visitor destination, greatly enhancing and expanding public access to the expansive waterfront area.
Community input has been a critical component throughout the process.
Now, the Port is asking local stakeholders to once again provide their input at a Community Workshop on Feb. 23 that will focus on how to better link the larger region, San Pedro and its neighborhoods to the LA Waterfront’s many areas and attractions.
The workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Port of Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, located at 100 W. 5th Street in San Pedro. Free parking will be available in the Club’s adjacent lot. The landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm SWA Group will lead the workshop.
“Our goal is to map out a plan creating seamless opportunities for the community and the LA Waterfront to connect, as well as ready that connectivity for projects on tap in the future,” said Director of Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate Mike Galvin. “We want to hear from our residents and stakeholders on optimal ways to enhance access to and through the LA Waterfront.”
San Pedro’s Waterfront Connectivity Plan initiative will explore a variety of transportation methods and mobility solutions to get to and between LA Waterfront areas and attractions—including the new San Pedro Promenade and Town Square, the World Cruise Center and the West Harbor development currently under construction. Potential ideas explored will include new and improved pedestrian and vehicular routes, transit, crosswalks, wayfinding signage, open space and active programming.
After an introduction and presentation about the Connectivity Plan, participants will be encouraged to share how they travel to and through the LA Waterfront area and participate in hands-on activities contributing to new ideas and solutions to improve connectivity.
Since 2015, the Port’s investment in both the San Pedro and Wilmington sections of the LA Waterfront has been funded by the Port’s Public Access Investment Plan (PAIP), which ties cargo business success to community investment. Since its establishment, the PAIP has funded nearly $234 million in new public-serving waterfront infrastructure, roadways, public promenades and other community amenities.
Miami International Airport (MIA) is kicking off the new year with a new passenger record and title: the busiest airport in Florida.
In 2022, MIA served more than 50.6 million passengers, shattering its record of 45.9 million set in 2019 by nearly 10 percent and surpassing Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) 2022 total of 50.1 million travelers last year by half a million.
MIA welcomed a record 29.3 million domestic travelers last year compared to 23.5 million in 2019 while also serving 21.3 million international passengers in 2022, which was one million less than in 2019 but 8.3 million more than in 2021. Compared to the airport’s total of 37.3 million passengers in 2021, when the aviation industry was still recovering from the pandemic, MIA served 13.3 million more passengers in 2022 for a giant leap of 35 percent year over year. In 2022, MIA also matched its record of 2.7 million tons of freight set in 2021, by handling 2.2 million tons of international freight and 500,000 tons of domestic shipments.
"In addition to MIA leading our community’s successful economic recovery from the pandemic, it is again leading the way for the state of Florida as well! Congratulations to the MIA team and partners on surpassing 50 million passengers for the first time in its history. Passenger growth represents tourism revenue, job creation, and expanded opportunities in Miami-Dade County – making all county residents proud." Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Contributing to MIA’s rebound from the pandemic were hub carrier American Airlines and its subsidiary Envoy, serving 31.8 million passengers at MIA in 2022, which was 63 percent of the airport’s total and an increase of one million passengers over 2019 for the airline. Since 2019, MIA has also welcomed low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, which now rank as the airport’s second, fourth, and eighth-busiest passenger airlines in seat capacity, respectively. Additionally, MIA’s record-breaking year in 2022 included the addition of 15 international routes: six in the Caribbean (Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero, Cuba; and San Salvador, Bahamas); five in South America (Brasilia, Fortaleza and Manaus, Brazil; and Bucaramanga and Santa Marta, Colombia); three in Europe (Dublin, Ireland; Paris, France; and Rome, Italy); and Vancouver, Canada.
Lastly, MIA ended 2022 with its busiest winter holiday travel period from December 21 to January 6, when 2.6 million passengers traveled through the airport – a 2.4 percent increase over its previous record during the same 17-day period in 2021.
"We are honored to once again serve not only as Florida’s busiest airport for international visitors but as its busiest gateway overall. This renewed role and our new record of nearly 51 million annual passengers would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and our partner airlines, federal agencies, concessionaires, and service companies. Thanks to their commitment to the Miami market, we expect continued success at MIA in 2023." Ralph Cutié, MIA Director and CEO.
MIA’s record-breaking year follows its highest rankings ever among airports in the U.S. and worldwide in 2022, according to Airports Council International’s annual report: #1 U.S. airport for international passengers and international freight; #4 U.S. airport for total freight; #10 U.S. airport for total passengers; #9 global airport for international freight and total flight operations; #10 global airport for total freight; #11 global airport for international passengers; #12 global airport for total passengers.
McLaren Racing today announced a major partnership with DP World, a leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, as an Official Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team from 2023.
The partnership will support the McLaren F1 Team to drive enhanced efficiency, reimagining the team’s supply chain to make it faster, smarter and more sustainable.
DP World’s smart logistics solutions will bring clarity and simplicity to efficiently bridge McLaren’s global and complex supplier network, to support the ongoing development process and on-track performance gains.
At the same time, partnering with McLaren provides DP World with a global platform to engage with customers, prospects and stakeholders, and this partnership will form an essential part of its business growth plans in the automotive, technology and energy sectors.
DP World will also become the lead partner of McLaren APEX, McLaren’s off-track business-to-business event programme, promoting influential collaborations across McLaren’s expansive partner network and beyond.
From the 2023 F1 season, DP World branding will feature on the 2023 McLaren F1 cars and the overalls of McLaren F1 Drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Mohammed Akoojee, Chief Operating Officer, Logistics, DP World, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Zak and the McLaren team at an extremely exciting time for both DP World and motorsports. We take great pride in leading innovation in global supply chains and this partnership will showcase our logistics capability alongside one of the most dynamic players in the sector. This is an amazing opportunity, and we look forward to supporting McLaren at all levels to enhance the sport, by providing smart logistic solutions that are transparent, sustainable and cost-efficient.”
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said: “We are thrilled to welcome DP World to the McLaren family. Logistics is a significant challenge in a global sport like Formula 1, and DP World’s smart solutions will help us enhance the efficiency of our partner and supply chain network, contributing to performance on and off the track.
“We are proud to partner with a brand that shares our values in sustainability, including our journey to reduce emissions from our sport. We look forward to going racing with DP World in 2023.”
Davies Turner is seeing excellent results from a service that it introduced to help companies to continue to supply goods to the EU despite what was expected in a post-Brexit environment.
The freight forwarding and logistics specialist’s full DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) solution for export shipments from the UK to most EU countries is helping its customers maintain both the flow of products and the same transit times that were achieved prior to Brexit.
Danny Southby, Head of European Network at Davies Turner, says that the service can simplify the process of shipping for some EU-based businesses buying from UK suppliers as it helps to remove administration, customs formalities and costs.
“Selling on a DDP basis is greatly appreciated by EU customers as they are not involved in the import Customs process and can continue to buy products from UK in the same way that they did prior to Brexit.
“The system allows us to pre-enter goods and, if there is a potential problem, we know before the trailer departs.
“The EU consignee receives goods as if they are buying from an EU supplier, and goods are customs cleared at the French Smart Border, with no VAT to be outlaid upfront by our clients. We are able to clear shipments from the UK destined to most EU countries as they enter France.”
Under Davies Turner’s full DDP solution for export shipments, import entries are completed in the name of the UK exporter, with duty (if applicable) charged back to the UK exporter, so that deliveries are not delayed.
Groupage or full load shipments are routed directly to the destination country with no requirement to stop or off-load in France, providing no customs inspection is required.
Southby concludes: “The service helps exporters to avoid delays that would otherwise be created by the need to contact importers to agree terms, and collect VAT and duty, prior to delivery.
“Brexit means that all products moving between the UK and the EU need to go through a customs process.
“By using our full DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) solution for export shipments to the EU, our customers can access a solution to keep products moving without friction, removing almost every barrier that can delay a movement, other than physical customs checks.”
Operating one of the largest networks of European overland trailer services, Davies Turner’s comprehensive network of UK branches trunk into five regional distribution centres, from where freight connects with daily, direct services to hubs across the continent.
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