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Logistics

ARLINGTON, VA, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.2% in July after falling 2% in June. In July, the index equaled 109.8 (2015=100) compared with 111.1 in June.

“Softness in tonnage over the last few months is due more to supply constraints, rather than a big drop in freight volumes,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Not only are there broader supply chain issues, like semiconductors, holding tonnage back, but there are also industry specific difficulties, including the driver shortage and lack of equipment. For-hire truckload carriers are operating fewer trucks than a year earlier. It is difficult to haul significantly more freight with fewer trucks and drivers.

“In addition to these supply issues, retail sales and housing starts, both large drivers of truck freight, retreated in July, although both rose on a year-over-year basis,” he said.

June’s reading was revised down to -2% from our July 20 press release.

Compared with July 2020, the SA index fell 2.9%, which was the first year-over-year drop since March. In June, the index was flat from a year earlier. Year-to-date, compared with the same seven months in 2020, tonnage is down 0.2%.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 111.9 in July, 3.2% below the June level (115.6). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot market freight.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.5% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.84 billion tons of freight in 2019. Motor carriers collected $791.7 billion, or 80.4% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

ATA Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.2% in July after 2% drop in June

Posted in: Logistics 08/27/2021 - 11:17

ARLINGTON, VA, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.2% in July after falling 2% in June. In July, the index equaled 109.8 (2015=100) compared with 111.1 in June.

“Softness in tonnage over the last few months is due more to supply constraints, rather than a big drop in freight volumes,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Not only are there broader supply chain issues, like semiconductors, holding tonnage back, but there are also industry specific difficulties, including the driver shortage and lack of equipment. For-hire truckload carriers are operating fewer trucks than a year earlier. It is difficult to haul significantly more freight with fewer trucks and drivers.

“In addition to these supply issues, retail sales and housing starts, both large drivers of truck freight, retreated in July, although both rose on a year-over-year basis,” he said.

June’s reading was revised down to -2% from our July 20 press release.

Compared with July 2020, the SA index fell 2.9%, which was the first year-over-year drop since March. In June, the index was flat from a year earlier. Year-to-date, compared with the same seven months in 2020, tonnage is down 0.2%.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 111.9 in July, 3.2% below the June level (115.6). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot market freight.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.5% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.84 billion tons of freight in 2019. Motor carriers collected $791.7 billion, or 80.4% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

ANTRIM, Northern Ireland, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining essential services as the backbone to any functioning society and economy. Add to this the complexities of Brexit and the growing significance of the digital economy, and the result is a perfect storm for logistics in Northern Ireland which is leading to a dramatic shortage of drivers.

This shortfall, currently numbering at 5,000 drivers in Northern Ireland, is keenly felt by many industries but none more so than the waste sector which is unique in that it provides an essential service to all businesses and households alike.

As Northern Ireland’s leading waste management provider, RiverRidge relies heavily on its drivers as the backbone of the service it provides to local councils and commercial customers – which involves not only the transportation of waste but also the collection and removal of waste for treatment. The process involves some manual handling in the moving of bins to their vehicles for offloading.

In recent years, huge progress has been made by the industry to reduce the reliance on landfill, increase recycling rates and improve the carbon intensity of waste processing – all important contributors of Northern Ireland’s zero-carbon aspirations. However, the crisis in availability of qualified drivers is threatening to erode these environmental gains due to the inevitable constraints in waste collection capability.

The supply shortage has also put upward pressure on cost, with RiverRidge seeing unprecedented wage inflation for its drivers which will inevitably lead to higher costs for customers.

According to Brett Ross, CEO of RiverRidge “To say that we have reached a crisis point regarding the availability of drivers is no exaggeration. If this situation persists, it will severely impact the enormous gains we have worked hard to achieve at RiverRidge with regard to environmental performance, customer service and pricing, never mind the unimaginable repercussions if waste cannot be collected.”

He added, “That is why we are calling on Government to act swiftly and decisively to implement three short and medium-term remedies, which we believe will go a long way in addressing this crisis. These are;

Address the current delay in turnaround times for driver testing to allow unqualified drivers achieve their professional licence at an accelerated pace.

Grant temporary work visas to EU HGV Drivers.

Introduce an incentive scheme to attract younger people into a career as a professional driver.”

RiverRidge is urgently seeking qualified drivers to join its team. Brett Ross concluded by saying, “There has never been a better time to join Northern Ireland’s leading waste management company where you are guaranteed a highly competitive salary, retention bonus and benefits. You will also enjoy other work/life benefits such as stable hours, local work and career development. Above all, we prioritise your health and safety by operating to the highest standards in our industry, ensuring the best possible work environment for every member of the RiverRidge family.”

RiverRidge calls for urgent government action to address driver shortage issue in the UK

Posted in: Logistics 08/25/2021 - 03:45

ANTRIM, Northern Ireland, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining essential services as the backbone to any functioning society and economy. Add to this the complexities of Brexit and the growing significance of the digital economy, and the result is a perfect storm for logistics in Northern Ireland which is leading to a dramatic shortage of drivers.

This shortfall, currently numbering at 5,000 drivers in Northern Ireland, is keenly felt by many industries but none more so than the waste sector which is unique in that it provides an essential service to all businesses and households alike.

As Northern Ireland’s leading waste management provider, RiverRidge relies heavily on its drivers as the backbone of the service it provides to local councils and commercial customers – which involves not only the transportation of waste but also the collection and removal of waste for treatment. The process involves some manual handling in the moving of bins to their vehicles for offloading.

In recent years, huge progress has been made by the industry to reduce the reliance on landfill, increase recycling rates and improve the carbon intensity of waste processing – all important contributors of Northern Ireland’s zero-carbon aspirations. However, the crisis in availability of qualified drivers is threatening to erode these environmental gains due to the inevitable constraints in waste collection capability.

The supply shortage has also put upward pressure on cost, with RiverRidge seeing unprecedented wage inflation for its drivers which will inevitably lead to higher costs for customers.

According to Brett Ross, CEO of RiverRidge “To say that we have reached a crisis point regarding the availability of drivers is no exaggeration. If this situation persists, it will severely impact the enormous gains we have worked hard to achieve at RiverRidge with regard to environmental performance, customer service and pricing, never mind the unimaginable repercussions if waste cannot be collected.”

He added, “That is why we are calling on Government to act swiftly and decisively to implement three short and medium-term remedies, which we believe will go a long way in addressing this crisis. These are;

Address the current delay in turnaround times for driver testing to allow unqualified drivers achieve their professional licence at an accelerated pace.

Grant temporary work visas to EU HGV Drivers.

Introduce an incentive scheme to attract younger people into a career as a professional driver.”

RiverRidge is urgently seeking qualified drivers to join its team. Brett Ross concluded by saying, “There has never been a better time to join Northern Ireland’s leading waste management company where you are guaranteed a highly competitive salary, retention bonus and benefits. You will also enjoy other work/life benefits such as stable hours, local work and career development. Above all, we prioritise your health and safety by operating to the highest standards in our industry, ensuring the best possible work environment for every member of the RiverRidge family.”

REA call for HGV drivers to be recognised as an important shortage occupation with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers;
Estimated shortfall of 100,000 HGV drivers across the UK economy;
REA says government measures to increase testing of new drivers will not be sufficient to meet demand in the short term;
Food and garden waste collection frequency reduced or suspended entirely in some local authorities due to driver shortage.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) have called for a change to immigration rules to allow the waste and recycling sector to recruit the necessary number of HGV drivers in the face of severe shortages.

The REA are asking for HGV drivers to be recognised as an important shortage occupation, with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers.

The Department for Transport has already announced some measures intended to alleviate the crisis, including allowing drivers to take one test to drive both an articulated and rigid lorry to increase the availability of test slots, and temporarily relaxing drivers’ hours rules.

However, with there being an estimated current shortfall of 100,000 HGV drivers across the UK economy, solutions that address the scale and immediacy of the problem are required.

The effect of the driver shortage is already being felt across the waste and recycling sector. This can be seen in the recent announcements by a number of local authorities to reduce the frequency of, or suspend entirely, the collection of domestic food and garden waste. These include councils in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Kent, Reading, Doncaster, Cumbria, Milton Keynes, Hampshire, Bournemouth, South Ribble, Brighton and Hove, Derbyshire, Exeter and Surrey.

The head of the Road Haulage Association has warned there may also be wider problems with refuse collection unless the situation is resolved.

Earlier this month, the REA joined the Environmental Services Agency and 12 other organisations in writing an open letter to the Home Secretary, regarding the shortage of trained HGV drivers across the waste and recycling sector.

The REA says that the failure to collect and treat these resources means that the opportunities to produce renewable energy, biofertilizers and soil improvements are being wasted. This will have a further impact on climate change and the Government’s net zero ambitions.

Jenny Grant, Head of Head of Organics and Natural Capital at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The measures recently introduced by the government should be welcomed, and this will help train the next generation of HGV drivers. However, it is going to take time to see the effect of this change translate into increased driver numbers. Our industry, and others, needs solutions that meet both the scale and immediacy of the crisis we are facing.

“That is why HGV drivers must be recognised as an important shortage occupation with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers. This will help to alleviate the problem in the short to medium term and allow employers to recruit the number of drivers required to continue to effectively deliver their services and contribute to the Government’s net zero ambitions.

“This is not just a necessity for our sector, but a crucial change needed to protect supply chains across the economy – from waste collections to food supplies and retail. As we head towards Christmas, the impacts on our everyday life could deepen unless this situation is resolved.”

About the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA):

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power and the Circular Economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.

REA calls for rule changes to ease HGV driver shortage as more councils suspend food and garden waste collections

Posted in: Logistics 08/24/2021 - 04:05

REA call for HGV drivers to be recognised as an important shortage occupation with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers;
Estimated shortfall of 100,000 HGV drivers across the UK economy;
REA says government measures to increase testing of new drivers will not be sufficient to meet demand in the short term;
Food and garden waste collection frequency reduced or suspended entirely in some local authorities due to driver shortage.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) have called for a change to immigration rules to allow the waste and recycling sector to recruit the necessary number of HGV drivers in the face of severe shortages.

The REA are asking for HGV drivers to be recognised as an important shortage occupation, with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers.

The Department for Transport has already announced some measures intended to alleviate the crisis, including allowing drivers to take one test to drive both an articulated and rigid lorry to increase the availability of test slots, and temporarily relaxing drivers’ hours rules.

However, with there being an estimated current shortfall of 100,000 HGV drivers across the UK economy, solutions that address the scale and immediacy of the problem are required.

The effect of the driver shortage is already being felt across the waste and recycling sector. This can be seen in the recent announcements by a number of local authorities to reduce the frequency of, or suspend entirely, the collection of domestic food and garden waste. These include councils in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Kent, Reading, Doncaster, Cumbria, Milton Keynes, Hampshire, Bournemouth, South Ribble, Brighton and Hove, Derbyshire, Exeter and Surrey.

The head of the Road Haulage Association has warned there may also be wider problems with refuse collection unless the situation is resolved.

Earlier this month, the REA joined the Environmental Services Agency and 12 other organisations in writing an open letter to the Home Secretary, regarding the shortage of trained HGV drivers across the waste and recycling sector.

The REA says that the failure to collect and treat these resources means that the opportunities to produce renewable energy, biofertilizers and soil improvements are being wasted. This will have a further impact on climate change and the Government’s net zero ambitions.

Jenny Grant, Head of Head of Organics and Natural Capital at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The measures recently introduced by the government should be welcomed, and this will help train the next generation of HGV drivers. However, it is going to take time to see the effect of this change translate into increased driver numbers. Our industry, and others, needs solutions that meet both the scale and immediacy of the crisis we are facing.

“That is why HGV drivers must be recognised as an important shortage occupation with a two-year derogation to the points-based immigration rules for trained HGV drivers. This will help to alleviate the problem in the short to medium term and allow employers to recruit the number of drivers required to continue to effectively deliver their services and contribute to the Government’s net zero ambitions.

“This is not just a necessity for our sector, but a crucial change needed to protect supply chains across the economy – from waste collections to food supplies and retail. As we head towards Christmas, the impacts on our everyday life could deepen unless this situation is resolved.”

About the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA):

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power and the Circular Economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -In the first quarter of 2024, A.P. Moller - Maersk will introduce the first in a groundbreaking series of 8 large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon neutral methanol. The vessels will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and have a nominal capacity of approx. 16,000 containers (Twenty Foot Equivalent - TEU). The agreement with HHI includes an option for 4 additional vessels in 2025. The series will replace older vessels, generating annual CO2 emissions savings of around 1 million tonnes. As an industry first, the vessels will offer Maersk customers truly carbon neutral transportation at scale on the high seas.

More than half of Maersk’s 200 largest customers have set – or are in the process of setting – ambitious science-based or zero carbon targets for their supply chains. As part of Maersk’s ongoing collaboration with customers, corporate sustainability leaders including Amazon, Disney, H&M Group, HP Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, The Procter and Gamble Company, PUMA, Schneider Electric, Signify, Syngenta and Unilever have committed to actively use and scale zero carbon solutions for their ocean transport, with many more expected to follow. (Note - customer quotes available at the end of the press release)

The vessels come with a dual fuel engine setup. Additional capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the dual fuel capability, which enables operation on methanol as well as conventional low Sulphur fuel, will be in the range of 10-15% of the total price, enabling Maersk to take a significant leap forward in its commitment to scale carbon neutral solutions and lead the decarbonisation of container logistics.

“The time to act is now, if we are to solve shipping’s climate challenge. This order proves that carbon neutral solutions are available today across container vessel segments and that Maersk stands committed to the growing number of our customers who look to decarbonise their supply chains. Further, this is a firm signal to fuel producers that sizable market demand for the green fuels of the future is emerging at speed,” says Soren Skou, CEO, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

Maersk will operate the vessels on carbon neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol as soon as possible. Sourcing an adequate amount of carbon neutral methanol from day one in service will be challenging, as it requires a significant production ramp up of proper carbon neutral methanol production, for which Maersk continues to engage in partnerships and collaborations with relevant players.

The vessels will be designed to have a flexible operational profile, enabling them to perform efficiently across many trades, and add flexibility regarding customer needs. They will feature a methanol propulsion configuration developed in collaboration with makers including MAN ES, Hyundai (Himsen) and Alfa Laval which represents a significant scale-up of the technology from the previous size limit of around 2,000 TEU. The vessels will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and sail under the Danish flag.

“We are very excited about this addition to our fleet, which will offer our customers unique access to carbon neutral transport on the high seas while balancing their needs for competitive slot costs and flexible operations. To us, this is the ideal large vessel type to enable sustainable, global trade on the high seas in the coming decades and from our dialogue with potential suppliers, we are confident we will manage to source the carbon neutral methanol needed,” said Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO, Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

Replacing Maersk tonnage reaching end-of-life

The new vessels come as part of Maersk’s ongoing fleet renewal program and will replace tonnage of more than 150,000 TEU which is reaching end-of-life and leaving the Maersk managed fleet between 2020 and Q1 2024.

CAPEX for the announced vessels is included in current guidance for 2021-2022 of USD 7bn. Maersk further reiterates its strategy of maintaining a fleet capacity in the 4.0 to 4.3 million TEU range, as a combination of Maersk managed and time-chartered vessels.

Customer Quotes

H&M Group

“As an industry leader, H&M Group has a responsibility to fight climate change. We have the ambition to become climate neutral by 2030 and climate positive by 2040. We truly believe that our climate actions should be co-created with our partners. Maersk’s investment in large vessels operating on green methanol is an important innovative step supporting H&M Group’s climate goals within International Freight and we are proud to take part in this pioneer journey. - Leyla Ertur, Head of Sustainability - H&M Group.

HP Inc

“Sustainability is embedded across our business and remains a core value at HP. We recently announced some of the most ambitious climate action goals in our industry and to achieve them we are implementing more sustainable transportation solutions within our supply chain, including this green fuels collaboration with Maersk. It’s an important step for all companies involved to make the greatest impact possible and help combat the climate crisis.” - Antoine Simonnet, chief supply chain officer - HP Inc.

Signify

Today, the world is finally waking up to the climate crisis. The next decade has to be one of ‘climate action.’ With Brighter Lives, Better World 2025 – our five-year sustainability program – we’ve set a new goal to go beyond carbon neutrality and to double the pace at which we will meet the 1.5°C scenario set out by the Paris Agreement. The pledge is to meet this ambitious target across our entire value chain and do this six years early. Our renewed partnership with Maersk will help us to scale zero carbon solutions in our supply chain and logistical operations, providing rich pickings for emission reductions.” – Maurice Loosschilder, Head of Sustainability - Signify.

Unilever

“Unilever is committed to accelerating the transition to clean transport solutions, not just in our own operations but along global value chains as we work to achieve net zero emissions by 2039. With logistics and distribution accounting for around 15% of our greenhouse gas emissions footprint, it’s important that we work with partners shifting to lower carbon fuels. We are proud to partner with Maersk as they pioneer carbon neutral transportation on the high seas.” – Michelle Grose, Head of Logistics and Fulfilment - Unilever.

About A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs around 80,000 people.

A.P. Moller - Maersk accelerates fleet decarbonization with eight large ocean-going vessels to operate on carbon neutral methanol

Posted in: Logistics 08/24/2021 - 03:06

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 24, 2021 (Press Release) -In the first quarter of 2024, A.P. Moller - Maersk will introduce the first in a groundbreaking series of 8 large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon neutral methanol. The vessels will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and have a nominal capacity of approx. 16,000 containers (Twenty Foot Equivalent - TEU). The agreement with HHI includes an option for 4 additional vessels in 2025. The series will replace older vessels, generating annual CO2 emissions savings of around 1 million tonnes. As an industry first, the vessels will offer Maersk customers truly carbon neutral transportation at scale on the high seas.

More than half of Maersk’s 200 largest customers have set – or are in the process of setting – ambitious science-based or zero carbon targets for their supply chains. As part of Maersk’s ongoing collaboration with customers, corporate sustainability leaders including Amazon, Disney, H&M Group, HP Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, The Procter and Gamble Company, PUMA, Schneider Electric, Signify, Syngenta and Unilever have committed to actively use and scale zero carbon solutions for their ocean transport, with many more expected to follow. (Note - customer quotes available at the end of the press release)

The vessels come with a dual fuel engine setup. Additional capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the dual fuel capability, which enables operation on methanol as well as conventional low Sulphur fuel, will be in the range of 10-15% of the total price, enabling Maersk to take a significant leap forward in its commitment to scale carbon neutral solutions and lead the decarbonisation of container logistics.

“The time to act is now, if we are to solve shipping’s climate challenge. This order proves that carbon neutral solutions are available today across container vessel segments and that Maersk stands committed to the growing number of our customers who look to decarbonise their supply chains. Further, this is a firm signal to fuel producers that sizable market demand for the green fuels of the future is emerging at speed,” says Soren Skou, CEO, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

Maersk will operate the vessels on carbon neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol as soon as possible. Sourcing an adequate amount of carbon neutral methanol from day one in service will be challenging, as it requires a significant production ramp up of proper carbon neutral methanol production, for which Maersk continues to engage in partnerships and collaborations with relevant players.

The vessels will be designed to have a flexible operational profile, enabling them to perform efficiently across many trades, and add flexibility regarding customer needs. They will feature a methanol propulsion configuration developed in collaboration with makers including MAN ES, Hyundai (Himsen) and Alfa Laval which represents a significant scale-up of the technology from the previous size limit of around 2,000 TEU. The vessels will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and sail under the Danish flag.

“We are very excited about this addition to our fleet, which will offer our customers unique access to carbon neutral transport on the high seas while balancing their needs for competitive slot costs and flexible operations. To us, this is the ideal large vessel type to enable sustainable, global trade on the high seas in the coming decades and from our dialogue with potential suppliers, we are confident we will manage to source the carbon neutral methanol needed,” said Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO, Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

Replacing Maersk tonnage reaching end-of-life

The new vessels come as part of Maersk’s ongoing fleet renewal program and will replace tonnage of more than 150,000 TEU which is reaching end-of-life and leaving the Maersk managed fleet between 2020 and Q1 2024.

CAPEX for the announced vessels is included in current guidance for 2021-2022 of USD 7bn. Maersk further reiterates its strategy of maintaining a fleet capacity in the 4.0 to 4.3 million TEU range, as a combination of Maersk managed and time-chartered vessels.

Customer Quotes

H&M Group

“As an industry leader, H&M Group has a responsibility to fight climate change. We have the ambition to become climate neutral by 2030 and climate positive by 2040. We truly believe that our climate actions should be co-created with our partners. Maersk’s investment in large vessels operating on green methanol is an important innovative step supporting H&M Group’s climate goals within International Freight and we are proud to take part in this pioneer journey. - Leyla Ertur, Head of Sustainability - H&M Group.

HP Inc

“Sustainability is embedded across our business and remains a core value at HP. We recently announced some of the most ambitious climate action goals in our industry and to achieve them we are implementing more sustainable transportation solutions within our supply chain, including this green fuels collaboration with Maersk. It’s an important step for all companies involved to make the greatest impact possible and help combat the climate crisis.” - Antoine Simonnet, chief supply chain officer - HP Inc.

Signify

Today, the world is finally waking up to the climate crisis. The next decade has to be one of ‘climate action.’ With Brighter Lives, Better World 2025 – our five-year sustainability program – we’ve set a new goal to go beyond carbon neutrality and to double the pace at which we will meet the 1.5°C scenario set out by the Paris Agreement. The pledge is to meet this ambitious target across our entire value chain and do this six years early. Our renewed partnership with Maersk will help us to scale zero carbon solutions in our supply chain and logistical operations, providing rich pickings for emission reductions.” – Maurice Loosschilder, Head of Sustainability - Signify.

Unilever

“Unilever is committed to accelerating the transition to clean transport solutions, not just in our own operations but along global value chains as we work to achieve net zero emissions by 2039. With logistics and distribution accounting for around 15% of our greenhouse gas emissions footprint, it’s important that we work with partners shifting to lower carbon fuels. We are proud to partner with Maersk as they pioneer carbon neutral transportation on the high seas.” – Michelle Grose, Head of Logistics and Fulfilment - Unilever.

About A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs around 80,000 people.

OSLO, Norway, Aug. 19, 2021 (Press Release) -Alaska Airlines has partnered with our customer in the US, Boxed Water Is Better, to start removing single-use plastic bottles from its flights.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airline industry generated 6.7 million tons of cabin waste in 2018. Their partnership with Alaska Airlines will remove 7.2 million plastic bottles a year, which is around 98,000 pounds of plastic from their flights.

This is the first national airline to address the plastic bottle issue and adopt water in cartons. Boxed Water was tested on select Alaska Air flights earlier this year and recently became available on all their first class flights in May.

Sustainability is part of the culture at Alaska Airlines who was also the first airline to remove plastic straws and stir sticks in 2018 and has been a carbon neutral airline since 2019. This is the latest initiative from the airline which plans to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2040.

The new carton was selected by the airline’s Green Team. Robbie Neff, Green Team member adds; “When researching alternatives to plastic water bottles, we considered a variety of factors on overall environmental impact such as water sourcing, packaging materials, recyclability, and shipping distance. Boxed Water scored better than the other options of glass bottles and aluminium cans, it has 36 percent lower carbon footprint and uses 43 per cent less fossil fuels than plastic counterparts.”

“Our partnership with Boxed Water enables us to offer our guests a significantly more renewable packaged water option,” adds Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines. “We have received positive feedback from employees and guests and are excited to be expanding to more flights.”

Alaska Airlines partners with Elopak's US-based customer Boxed Water Is Better to start removing single-use plastic bottles from its flights

Posted in: Logistics 08/23/2021 - 09:49

OSLO, Norway, Aug. 19, 2021 (Press Release) -Alaska Airlines has partnered with our customer in the US, Boxed Water Is Better, to start removing single-use plastic bottles from its flights.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airline industry generated 6.7 million tons of cabin waste in 2018. Their partnership with Alaska Airlines will remove 7.2 million plastic bottles a year, which is around 98,000 pounds of plastic from their flights.

This is the first national airline to address the plastic bottle issue and adopt water in cartons. Boxed Water was tested on select Alaska Air flights earlier this year and recently became available on all their first class flights in May.

Sustainability is part of the culture at Alaska Airlines who was also the first airline to remove plastic straws and stir sticks in 2018 and has been a carbon neutral airline since 2019. This is the latest initiative from the airline which plans to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2040.

The new carton was selected by the airline’s Green Team. Robbie Neff, Green Team member adds; “When researching alternatives to plastic water bottles, we considered a variety of factors on overall environmental impact such as water sourcing, packaging materials, recyclability, and shipping distance. Boxed Water scored better than the other options of glass bottles and aluminium cans, it has 36 percent lower carbon footprint and uses 43 per cent less fossil fuels than plastic counterparts.”

“Our partnership with Boxed Water enables us to offer our guests a significantly more renewable packaged water option,” adds Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines. “We have received positive feedback from employees and guests and are excited to be expanding to more flights.”

TOKYO, Aug. 20, 2021 (Press Release) -Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (President: Toru Nozawa, "Nippon Paper Industries") obtained two Eco Rail Mark certifications on August 20, 2021.　One of the certifications is in the "Companies" category, and applies to Nippon Paper Industries itself as a company, while the other is in the "Products" category, and applies to the company's paper products (newsprint, printing and writing paper, business communication paper, industrial paper, etc.)

Eco Rail Mark is a certification scheme established by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). It applies to companies (and the products of companies) which make use of rail freight transportation, which generates lower unit CO2 emissions. Nippon Paper Industries has long been engaged in a modal shift that switches the long-distance and mass transportation mode from trucks to railways and domestic ships. In the paper business, Nippon Paper Industries achieved a modal shift rate*1 of 85% in fiscal 2020, and maintains a high level of shipments utilizing rail for on-land transportation, at over 55%*2. These Eco Rail Mark certifications are considered as being in recognition of these efforts.

In its 2030 Vision (formulated in May 2021), Nippon Paper Industries emphasized contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through sustainable management in pursuit of social and environmental sustainability as well as corporate growth, with "Responding to the rapidly changing social landscape including CO2 emissions reduction and environmental issues" as one of its basic policies. Going forward, Nippon Paper Industries will continue working to build a logistics network with lower environmental impact.

*1 Rail or marine (including coastal shipping and ferries) transport as a percentage of general cargo transported over 500 kilometers.

*2 Percentage of cargo quantity transported on land over distances of at least 500km by rail

Nippon Paper Industries obtains two Eco Rail Mark certifications

Posted in: Logistics 08/20/2021 - 03:31

TOKYO, Aug. 20, 2021 (Press Release) -Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (President: Toru Nozawa, "Nippon Paper Industries") obtained two Eco Rail Mark certifications on August 20, 2021.　One of the certifications is in the "Companies" category, and applies to Nippon Paper Industries itself as a company, while the other is in the "Products" category, and applies to the company's paper products (newsprint, printing and writing paper, business communication paper, industrial paper, etc.)

Eco Rail Mark is a certification scheme established by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). It applies to companies (and the products of companies) which make use of rail freight transportation, which generates lower unit CO2 emissions. Nippon Paper Industries has long been engaged in a modal shift that switches the long-distance and mass transportation mode from trucks to railways and domestic ships. In the paper business, Nippon Paper Industries achieved a modal shift rate*1 of 85% in fiscal 2020, and maintains a high level of shipments utilizing rail for on-land transportation, at over 55%*2. These Eco Rail Mark certifications are considered as being in recognition of these efforts.

In its 2030 Vision (formulated in May 2021), Nippon Paper Industries emphasized contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through sustainable management in pursuit of social and environmental sustainability as well as corporate growth, with "Responding to the rapidly changing social landscape including CO2 emissions reduction and environmental issues" as one of its basic policies. Going forward, Nippon Paper Industries will continue working to build a logistics network with lower environmental impact.

*1 Rail or marine (including coastal shipping and ferries) transport as a percentage of general cargo transported over 500 kilometers.

*2 Percentage of cargo quantity transported on land over distances of at least 500km by rail

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, Aug. 18, 2021 (Globe Newswire) -Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco and the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging, and Korean Air, one of the world’s largest air cargo carriers, announced a global partnership agreement for the leasing of the new Pegasus ULD temperature controlled bulk shipping container. The agreement enables pharmaceutical freight forwarders access to Pegasus ULD containers directly from Korean Air. Korean Air and mutual clients will also have access to other Sonoco ThermoSafe containers as part of this agreement.

Sonoco ThermoSafe will support this partnership by adding ICN airport to its global service network. Services including ground handling, repairs, and preconditioning of Pegasus ULDs at ICN will be provided through Sonoco ThermoSafe’s global partnership with Unilode.

Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD® is the world’s first FAA and EASA-approved passive bulk temperature-controlled ULD container for pharmaceutical use, which enables it to speed through international air freight handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. With a focus on sustainability, the Pegasus is engineered with composite materials, offering a lighter solution that is also substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus ULD® contains a fully integrated, FAA-approved telemetry system, providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location.

Bourji Mourad, who heads Logistics & Partner Management for Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Bulk Rental group, said, “Sonoco ThermoSafe is proud to again drive innovation in temperature-controlled container design with our Pegasus ULD. This new and exciting partnership with an industry leader like Korean Air will accelerate the adoption of the Pegasus ULD during the world’s most demanding need for pharmaceutical distribution.”

“Global shippers select Korean Air based on strict standards such as our global network, cargo capacity and experience in handling pharmaceuticals,” said Terry Park, Managing Vice President of Korean Air Cargo Business Division. “In this light, the partnership with Sonoco ThermoSafe will eventually elevate customer satisfaction as the two parties will work closely to meet market demand.”

About Sonoco ThermoSafe

Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco, is the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging for the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products. Sonoco ThermoSafe shipping solutions mitigate risk for customers and ensure product efficacy throughout the extremes of a supply chain. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Sonoco ThermoSafe has a vast product offering featuring industry-leading technology that encompasses refrigerated, frozen or controlled room temperature applications. In addition, Sonoco ThermoSafe's ISC Labs deliver individualized design and testing services and innovative packaging solutions along with qualification and validation services to meet all regulatory requirements.

About Sonoco

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of consumer, industrial, healthcare and protective packaging. With annual net sales of approximately $5.2 billion, the Company has 19,000 employees working in approximately 300 operations in 34 countries, serving some of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products, services and programs for our customers, employees and communities that support our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life. The Company was listed as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2021 as well as being included in Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies for the third year in a row.

Sonoco ThermoSafe and Korean Air announce global partnership agreement to lease Pegasus ULD temperature controlled bulk shipping container

Posted in: Logistics 08/19/2021 - 09:39

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, Aug. 18, 2021 (Globe Newswire) -Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco and the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging, and Korean Air, one of the world’s largest air cargo carriers, announced a global partnership agreement for the leasing of the new Pegasus ULD temperature controlled bulk shipping container. The agreement enables pharmaceutical freight forwarders access to Pegasus ULD containers directly from Korean Air. Korean Air and mutual clients will also have access to other Sonoco ThermoSafe containers as part of this agreement.

Sonoco ThermoSafe will support this partnership by adding ICN airport to its global service network. Services including ground handling, repairs, and preconditioning of Pegasus ULDs at ICN will be provided through Sonoco ThermoSafe’s global partnership with Unilode.

Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD® is the world’s first FAA and EASA-approved passive bulk temperature-controlled ULD container for pharmaceutical use, which enables it to speed through international air freight handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. With a focus on sustainability, the Pegasus is engineered with composite materials, offering a lighter solution that is also substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus ULD® contains a fully integrated, FAA-approved telemetry system, providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location.

Bourji Mourad, who heads Logistics & Partner Management for Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Bulk Rental group, said, “Sonoco ThermoSafe is proud to again drive innovation in temperature-controlled container design with our Pegasus ULD. This new and exciting partnership with an industry leader like Korean Air will accelerate the adoption of the Pegasus ULD during the world’s most demanding need for pharmaceutical distribution.”

“Global shippers select Korean Air based on strict standards such as our global network, cargo capacity and experience in handling pharmaceuticals,” said Terry Park, Managing Vice President of Korean Air Cargo Business Division. “In this light, the partnership with Sonoco ThermoSafe will eventually elevate customer satisfaction as the two parties will work closely to meet market demand.”

About Sonoco ThermoSafe

Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco, is the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging for the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products. Sonoco ThermoSafe shipping solutions mitigate risk for customers and ensure product efficacy throughout the extremes of a supply chain. With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Sonoco ThermoSafe has a vast product offering featuring industry-leading technology that encompasses refrigerated, frozen or controlled room temperature applications. In addition, Sonoco ThermoSafe's ISC Labs deliver individualized design and testing services and innovative packaging solutions along with qualification and validation services to meet all regulatory requirements.

About Sonoco

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of consumer, industrial, healthcare and protective packaging. With annual net sales of approximately $5.2 billion, the Company has 19,000 employees working in approximately 300 operations in 34 countries, serving some of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products, services and programs for our customers, employees and communities that support our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life. The Company was listed as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2021 as well as being included in Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies for the third year in a row.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 19, 2021 (Press Release) -A.P. Moller - Maersk has identified its partners to produce green fuel for its first vessel to operate on carbon neutral methanol: REintegrate, a subsidiary of the Danish renewable energy company European Energy.

REintegrate and European Energy will establish a new Danish facility to produce the approx. 10.000 tonnes of carbon neutral e-methanol that Maersk’s first vessel with the ability to operate on green e-methanol will consume annually. Maersk will work closely with REintegrate and European Energy on the development of the facility.

“This type of partnership could become a blueprint for how to scale green fuel production through collaboration with partners across the industry ecosystem, and it will provide us with valuable experiences as we are progressing on our journey to decarbonise our customers’ supply chains. Sourcing the fuels of the future is a significant challenge, and we need to be able to scale production in time. This agreement with European Energy/REintegrate brings us on track to deliver on our ambition to have the world’s first container vessel operated on carbon neutral methanol on the water by 2023,” says Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

The methanol facility will use renewable energy and biogenic CO2 to produce the e-methanol. The fuel production is expected to start in 2023.

The energy needed for the power-to-methanol production will be provided by a solar farm in Kassø, Southern Denmark.

REintegrate has a proven track record for producing green e-methanol in its test laboratory in Aalborg. The new facility will be its third e-methanol facility, as they are also constructing an e-methanol facility in Skive with startup in 2022:

“We’re proud to be a part of the first large scale e-methanol production in Denmark. While renewable energy is becoming more and more common in the energy mix of electricity consumption, this is one of the first steps in heavy transportation towards using 100% renewable energy. This agreement marks a milestone in the journey towards green transition in the shipping industry,” says Knud Erik Andersen, CEO, European Energy.

While the renewable energy will be produced in Southern Jutland it is yet to be decided where in Denmark the power-to-methanol facility will be located.

Maersk announced the dual fuel vessel, an industry first, in February 2021. In June, Maersk announced that Hyundai Mipo Dockyards will be building the 2100 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent) feeder.

The world’s first methanol feeder will be 172 metres long and it is expected to join the Maersk fleet in mid-2023. It will sail in the network of Sealand Europe, a Maersk subsidiary, on the Baltic shipping route between Northern Europe and the Bay of Bothnia. It will fly the Danish flag.

About A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers' supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs around 80.000 people.

Maersk partners with REintegrate and European Energy to produce green fuel for its first vessel to operate on carbon neutral methanol

Posted in: Logistics 08/19/2021 - 02:08

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 19, 2021 (Press Release) -A.P. Moller - Maersk has identified its partners to produce green fuel for its first vessel to operate on carbon neutral methanol: REintegrate, a subsidiary of the Danish renewable energy company European Energy.

REintegrate and European Energy will establish a new Danish facility to produce the approx. 10.000 tonnes of carbon neutral e-methanol that Maersk’s first vessel with the ability to operate on green e-methanol will consume annually. Maersk will work closely with REintegrate and European Energy on the development of the facility.

“This type of partnership could become a blueprint for how to scale green fuel production through collaboration with partners across the industry ecosystem, and it will provide us with valuable experiences as we are progressing on our journey to decarbonise our customers’ supply chains. Sourcing the fuels of the future is a significant challenge, and we need to be able to scale production in time. This agreement with European Energy/REintegrate brings us on track to deliver on our ambition to have the world’s first container vessel operated on carbon neutral methanol on the water by 2023,” says Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller - Maersk.

The methanol facility will use renewable energy and biogenic CO2 to produce the e-methanol. The fuel production is expected to start in 2023.

The energy needed for the power-to-methanol production will be provided by a solar farm in Kassø, Southern Denmark.

REintegrate has a proven track record for producing green e-methanol in its test laboratory in Aalborg. The new facility will be its third e-methanol facility, as they are also constructing an e-methanol facility in Skive with startup in 2022:

“We’re proud to be a part of the first large scale e-methanol production in Denmark. While renewable energy is becoming more and more common in the energy mix of electricity consumption, this is one of the first steps in heavy transportation towards using 100% renewable energy. This agreement marks a milestone in the journey towards green transition in the shipping industry,” says Knud Erik Andersen, CEO, European Energy.

While the renewable energy will be produced in Southern Jutland it is yet to be decided where in Denmark the power-to-methanol facility will be located.

Maersk announced the dual fuel vessel, an industry first, in February 2021. In June, Maersk announced that Hyundai Mipo Dockyards will be building the 2100 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent) feeder.

The world’s first methanol feeder will be 172 metres long and it is expected to join the Maersk fleet in mid-2023. It will sail in the network of Sealand Europe, a Maersk subsidiary, on the Baltic shipping route between Northern Europe and the Bay of Bothnia. It will fly the Danish flag.

About A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers' supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs around 80.000 people.

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