父亲节快乐 Happy Father's Day

父亲节快乐

Happy Father's Day

Cheers! Cheers! Cheers!

Maersk joins CMA-CGM on FAL3 service

Maersk is becoming a vessel deployer on the CMA-CGM's Asia/ Europe FAL3 service from the beginning of July 2009. Maersk shall phase in a 9,600 TEUs vessel, which has previously deployed on the CMA CGM FAL1 service, from Qingdao on 7 July 2009.

For Maersk, the service will be operated as the AE23 service. An existing call on the FAL3/ AE23 service at Xiamen will be dropped and a new call at Chiwan will be introduced in mid-July 2009. Nine vessels averaging 8,740 TEUs weekly capacity will run the service, offering direct calls at Qingdao, Ningbo, Chiwan, Nansha, Yantian, Port Klang, Malta, Le Havre, Dunkirk, Zeebrugge, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton, Beirut, Jeddah, Port Klang, Chiwan and Qingdao.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6055/ 14 May 2009

MSC back into Asia/Black Sea trade with the resurrected Tiger Service

It's less than six months after suspending its Asia/ Black Sea Tiger Service, a move that took nearly 7,000 TEUs of weekly capacity out of the trade, Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) is resurrecting its Black Sea service and will resume offering direct calls at Istanbul, Constantza, Odessa and Ilyichevsk.

The re-instated Tiger Service will begin with the first westbound sailingfrom Ningbo on 22 May 2009 by the 6,732 TEUs MSC Alessia. Port rotation on the Tiger Service in the Mediterranean rotation shall include Beirut, Istanbul, Constantza, Odessa and Ilychevsk.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6054/ 13 May 2009

K Line continues Europe/ ISC service through SCI slot deal

K Line purchases slots on the newly-launched Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)/ Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) Europe/ Indian Sub-Continent service, a move that ensures the line will continue to serve the Europe/ ISC trade following the ending of the present ISES service between K Line, SCI and YML.

The K Line slot agreement is with SCI, and does not involve MSC. The present ISES service will end with the last westbound sailing expected to arrive in north Europe in early June. Under the new MSC/ ISC service, that will also operate under the name of ISES, the port coverage will be: Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Salalah, Port Said, Barcelona, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Felixstowe, Port Said, Jeddah, Colombo and Nhava Sheva.

Seven vessels averaging 4,300 TEUs will eventually be deployed, with the split being four from SCI and three from MSC. SCI will also offer direct calls at Gothenburg, but that call will not involve K Line. For MSC, the new ISES service is in addition to its own India/ Pakistan service known as the IPAK service, which is being upgraded from 4,300 TEUs to 6,300 TEUs vessels. The port coverage for this service will continue as Nhava Sheva, Gioia Tauro, Valencia, Felixstowe, Antwerp, Jeddah, Salalah, Mundra and Nhava Sheva.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6051/ 13 May 2009

Push up China/ Indian Sub-Continent capacity

Wan Hai, Evergreen and Hapag-Lloyd are increasing the capacity on the China/ India trade by over 60% replacing vessels of 1,600/1,800 TEUs with larger units of 2,300/3,300 TEUs on their joint China India Express (CIX) service.

Ports of call for the CIX include Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Port Kelang, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Port Kelang, Singapore and Kaohsiung.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6047/ 12 May 2009

YML & OOCL to double China/Pakistan capacity

YML and OOCL intend to double the capacity on their jointly-operated China/Pakistan Express (CPX) from the end of May 2009. Presently, the CPX service is operated with five vessels between 1,500 and 1,800 TEUs capacity, but through late May and June 2009, the Lines concerned will phase in vessel replacements between 2,700 and 3,600 TEUs capacity, boosting weekly capacity from the present 1,730 TEUs to 3,400 TEUs

The CPX will also include a new eastbound call at Nhava Sheva starting with the first call on 9 June 2009. The CPX shall thus cover Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Karachi, Mundra, NhavaSheva, Penang, Port Kelang, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6045/ 11 May 2009

Job Opportunities in Logistics & Transportation

An established Logistics Group requires

a) Sales & Marketing Executive(s) - Shah Alam/ Penang/ Johor

b) Customer Services Executive(s) - Shah Alam

c) Accounts Executive(s) - Shah Alam

For those who are interested, with or without experience, are invited to submit their application(s) with the relevant CV(s), to chang@sis.net.my as soon as possible.

# Fresh graduates in the related fields:

a & b) Logistics/ Transport/ Marketing/ Business/ Social Sciences

c) Finance/ Accounting

from the recognized institutions or universities

are encouraged to apply.

Grand Alliance and CKYH Alliance join efforts

PR News Service has learned that, the Grand Alliance is going to join up with the CKYH Alliance on the China North East Pacific (CEN) service on the Asia/ US West coast trade from the end of this month.

The CEN service has historically been a COSCO Container Lines operated service under the CKYH Alliance, but from the end of May, the Grand Alliance Lines will begin phasing in three 5,000/6,000 TEUs vessels, with the first, the 6,148 TEUs NYK Canopus expected to sail from Dalian on 30 May 2009.

All three vessels, which include the 5,888 TEUs siser vessels, OOCL Antwerp and OOCL Vancouver, are being switched from the Middle East Asia Express (MAX), which as reported (Copy 6042, 8 May 2009), is also becoming an OOCL, TSK (NYK), COSCO-operated service initially with COSCO capacity previously deployed on the CEN service.

The five vessels necessary to run a weekly service will be completed with two further vessels from Hanjin The CEN service offers direct port calls at Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Prince Rupert, Long Beach, Oakland, Yokohama and Dalian.

The vessel deployment on the CEN will be, as follows:-

OOCL Antwerp - 5,888 TEUs

OOCL Vancouver - 5,888 TEUs

NYK Canopus - 6,148 TEUs

Hanjin Ottawa - 5,608 TEUs

Hanjin Basel - 5,752 TEUs

Weekly capacity: 5,856 TEUs

Source: PR News/ Copy 6044/ 11 May 2009

Happy Mother's Day

从第一次拥抱，第一次摇篮曲...

总说，妈妈是最强的... 最关心我们的

她拥有平衡我们人生的作用

母亲节，让你妈妈感到特别的暖和

感谢她... 她暖呼呼的照顾方式

母亲节, 表达你真诚的母亲节问候... 让她微笑

让妈妈永远的高高兴兴!

She balances so many roles and does it all with a smile
She is your friend and is also your caring Mummy
She has her hand full and her heart is overflowing with love
Just show your sincere appreciation for her
on this Special Day...

Happy Vesak Day!

OOCL, TSK & COSCO shall launch new Far East/Middle East service

OOCL, TSK Line (NYK) and COSCO Container Lines (COSCO), are launching a new Far East/ Middle East service, which is known as the Middle East Express (MEX) service, with five vessels of 7,500 TEUs capacity.

The new service will start with the first westbound sailing from Shanghai on 17 May 2009 and will replace the existing Middle East Asia Express (MAX) service, which is presently run by OOCL and TSK with 5,500 TEUs vessels.

Emirates Shipping will have slots on the MAX service.

The port coverage of the new MEX service shall be Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

This is a good sign for the logistics industry as a whole.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6042/ 8 May 2009

CKYH Alliance suspends Pacific Northwest service

The CKYH Alliance lines (COSCO, K Line, YML, Hanjin), are going to suspend their joint Pacific Northwest 3 (PNW3) service, which covers the Far East/ Tacoma/ Vancouver trade, from this month.

The last outbound sailing from Kaohsiung is expected to sail on 11 May 2009 and the withdrawal of the service takes a further 3,800 TEUs weekly capacity, out from the Pacific Northwest trade route.

The port coverage of PNW3: Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Ningbo, Pusan, Tacoma, Vancouver, Pusan, Kaohsiung. The service deploys five YML vessels with the other alliance Lines taking slots. Both Tacoma and Vancouver continue to be served by the restructured K Line PNW service, the transpacific part of the terminated PDM USWC/ Asia/ Europe loop, which was terminated back in February/March

Source: PR News/ Copy 6041/ 8 May 2009

MISC leaves Europe/ Indian Sub-Continent service

MISC is leaving the Hapag-Lloyd/ Hamburg-Sud Indian Ocean Service (IOS)/ Europe/ Pakistan/ India service as a slot purchaser from June 2009.

MISC has a short term agreement with the Lines, to purchase slots on the service following the ending of its involvement as a vessel deployer in the joint ISES service run by YML, K Line and SCI, which is now closing down.

Instead of having a direct Europe/ Indian sub-continent service, MISC will, from next month, tranship westbound ISC volumes over Singapore onto one of the five Asia/ North Europe/ Mediterranean services of the Grand Alliance (GA).

Sources say, the utilisation on services on this trade, is presently ranging between 55-60%.

Last direct sailing for MISC will be Eastbound from Hamburg on 5 June 2009 and Westbound from Karachi on 6 June 2009.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6035/ 6 May 2009

Safmarine becomes a vessel operator on the Far East/Mediterranean trade

Safmarine is on the way becoming a vessel operator on the Far East/Mediterranean trade through the deployment of two 6,500 TEUs vessels on the new Maersk/ CMA CGM joint service. The Maersk involvement is being upgraded to a vessel sharing agreement from mid-May 2009, and Safmarine shall endorse its brand name on the service with the deployment of the 6,500 TEUs recently-delivered, Safmarine Kariba and Safmarine Kolmati from the beginning of June and July 2009 respectively.

Both Safmarine vessels are being switched from the Far East/ Central America service known as the AC2 that covered Far East/ Southeast Asia/ Lazaro Cardenas and Balboa.

Safmarine and Maersk will market the joint service as the Asia Europe 12 (AE12), and CMA CGM will retain the brand name of the New Phoex/Levex service.

Full vessel deployment from July 2009, shall be as follows:

CMA CGM Bizet - 6,627 TEUs
CMA CGM Balzac - 6,627 TEUs
CMA CGM Berlioz - 6,627 TEUs
CMA CGM Corneille - 6,447 TEUs
Maersk Kinloss - 6,478 TEUs
Maersk Kensington - 6,478 TEUs
Safmarine Kariba - 6,477 TEUs
Safmarine Komati - 6,477 TEUs

(Future) Average weekly capacity: 6,522 TEUs
(Present) Average weekly capacity: under CMA CGM vessel deployment : 4,308 TEUs

Direct port calls shall be Shanghai, Pusan, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Chiwan, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Port Said, Damietta, Trieste, Koper, Rijeka (feeder connection), Damietta, Port Saidm Jeddah, Port Kelang, Singapore and Shanghai.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6029/ 30 April 2009

Hamburg-Sud joins GA/Zim Atlantic service

Hamburg-Sud is to join the Grand Alliance Lines and Zim Integrated Shipping Services on the Atlantic Express (ATX) service from mid to late June 2009. Hamburg-Sud will initially purchase slots on the service, but at some later stage, could become a vessel operator.

The ATX service operates with four x 4,100/4,500 TEUs vessels with Hapag Lloyd deploying two vessels, and OOCL and Zim one each.

Port coverage for this service is : Rotterdam, Hamburg, Le Havre, Southampton, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Rotterdam.

The move comes less than a month after Hamburg-Sud announced it would launch its own transatlantic service as part of the restructured Trident service covering theEurope/ US/ Australasia trade.


Source: PR News/ Copy 6028/ 30 April 2009

PhD in Transportation/ Logistics/ Suppy Chain Management in Malaysia

Malaysia, reaching the age of 52 soon, should now be equipped with the necessary resources in all areas, including the pool of professionals or experts in logistics and transportation. But, despite the fact that logistics and transportation play an important role in the economic growth and international trading, the prominence is reasonably not there. They elevate the level of success and are well regarded as indispensible in the country.

Malaysia is very much in deficiency of such "authorities in logistics and transportation", especially those with a PhD in Transportation/ Logistics/ Suppy Chain Management. Of course, those are considered as professional logisticians, too.

There may be less than 20 PhDs in the related field(s) in Malaysia now?! Yes, to my best of knowledge and belief, there are very much less than 20 PhD holders of such in Malaysia. Some of those are as follows:-

01. Deputy Minister of MOE - Datuk Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong PhD

02. MOHE - Prof Dato’ Ir Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi PhD (formerly UPM)

03. MIROS - Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah PhD (formerly USM)

04. USM - Prof Dr Meor Othman Hamzah PhD

05. USM - Assoc Prof Dr Hassim Mat PhD

06. USM - Dr Leong Lee Vien PhD

07. UNIMAS - Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim PhD

08. UKM - Prof Ir Dr Riza Atiq O K Rahmat PhD

09. UKM - Prof Dr Ghani Md Nor PhD

10. UTM - Prof Dr Ho Chin Siong PhD, CMILT

11. UTM - Prof Dr Abdullah Ab Rahman PhD

12. UTM - Assoc Prof Dr Othman Che Puan PhD

13. UTM - Assoc Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Chik Ph.D

14. UTM - Dr Muhammad Zaly Shah PhD, CMILT

15. UM - Prof Dr Jamaliah Muhamad PhD, CMILT

16. UiTM - Dr Harlina Suzana Jaafar PhD, CMILT

17. UiTM - Dr Muhammad Akram Adnan PhD

Yes, it's very much in insufficiency. Anyway, almost all of them are having majored in road transportation or traffic engineering. Hopefully, Malaysian universities regardless of public or private universities, with the support from the Government, can encourage more enrolments and produce more PhDs in Transportation/ Logistics/ Suppy Chain Management or its related programme in Malaysia, of course it should not be only emphasized on road transportation related studies, but also maritime/ sea transportation and aviation/ air transportation.

Good Lucks to Logisticians.

CKYH makes China/Mediterranean service changes

The CKYH Alliance is planning to make a series of port changes to its China/Mediterranean Express (CMX) service from May 2009. In the Far East, an existing call at Tianjin will be dropped, and an additional call at Yantian will then be introduced, as well as a new eastbound call at Port Klang.

In the Mediterranean, Naples will be dropped, and replaced by Genoa, while Malta will become a double call, on its east and westbound, a move that underlines the importance of Malta as Hanjin's recently-established Med transhipment centre. The lines will offer an eastbound transit time of 19 days from Genoa to Port Klang, and the double call at Malta will provide a transit time of 13 days westbound from Singapore, and 13 days eastbound back to Port Klang.

Eight Hanjin vessels providing a weekly capacity of 5,400 TEUs will continue operating in the service. New CMX service will cover Pusan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Said, Malta, La Spezia, Genoa, Barcelona, Valencia, Malta, Port Klang, Singapore and Pusan.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6023/ 27 April 2009

Evergreen combines Asia/ISC/Gulf services

Evergreen is on the way merging two of its Far East/ Middle East/ Gulf services from May 2009, that will take around 2,800 TEUs of weekly capacity out of the trade.

From mid-May, the Far East/Arabian Persian Gulf (APG) and the China Araban Persian Gulf 2 (CPG2) services will be merged under one APG-style service that will also include calls in China. Presently, the APG service operates with 2,800 TEUs of weekly capacity and covers Taiwan, southern China, South East Asia, Indian sub-continent and Middle East, whereas the CPG2 service operates with 3,400 TEUs of weekly capacity and covers China, South East Asia, Indian sub-continent, Middle East.

Under the new APG service, port calls in China and Taiwan will be incorporated and the capacity presently operated on the CPG2 service will be deployed. New port rotation of the APG will be Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Damman, Bandar Abbas, Singapore, Laem Chabang, Hong Kong and Qingdao.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6022/ 26 April 2009

New Piraeus calls

CSAV Norasia and Zim Integrated Shipping Services (Zim), are to make new calls at Piraeus from next month on two separate services.

CSAV Norasia will introduce a new Piraeus call on the Asia Black Sea (ABS) service starting with the first call expected to be made by the 6,500 TEUs Palena on 15 May 2009. The ABS has recently been upgraded from 3,400 to 5,500/6,500 TEUs vessels.

Zim will re-introduce a direct call at Piraeus on the Zim Container Service (ZCS), which operates on the Asia/ Mediterrenan/USEC/ USWC trade with 15 x 5,000 TEUs vessels. The first new Piraeus call on the ZCS is scheduled for 17 May 2009 by the 4,992 TEUs Zim Panama. Anyway, Piraeus was dropped as a direct port of call in April 2008 mostly because of port congestion and strike disruptions.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6014/ 22 April 2009

CMA-CGM and Maersk run another Asia/Med service

According to PR News, CMA-CGM and Maersk are on the way starting up another new joint vessel sharing agreement on the Asia/Mediterraean trade, this time covering the central/eastern Mediterranean market.

Maersk has slots on CMA-CGM's Phoex-Levex (BEXII) service which it markets as the Asia/Europe 22 (AE22) service. But, as from mid-May, Maersk will begin phasing in four 6,500 TEUs vessels to become a vessel provier, and CMA-CGM will upgrade its own existing vessel capacity from 4,300 TEUs vessels to 6,500 TEUs vessels.

There will be port call changes, with existing calls in northern China and Korea dropped. Effectively, the new joint service will run with 8 x 6,500 TEUs capacity vessels and offer direct port calls at Shanghai, Pusan, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Chiwan, Tanjung Pelepas, Port Kelang, Port Said, Damietta, Trieste, Koper, Rijekea (feeder connection), Damietta, Port Saidm Jeddah, Port Kelang, Singapore and Shanghai.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6012/ 20 April 2009

Hamburg-Sud/Hapag-Lloyd going to terminate Europe/South America service

Hamburg-Sud and Hapag-Lloyd are going to terminate their joint North Europe/Eastcoast South America String 2 service taking out around 2,500 TEUs of weekly capacity from the trade.

The termination follows earlier confirmation that Hamburg-Sud, together with CSAV, CMA-CGM, Zim, Maruba and Niver Lines were streamlining their Mediterranean/East coast South America services (Sirius service network) to just one service from two.

The String 2 service operates with four vessels of 2,500 TEUs with Hapag-Lloyd deploying three, and Hamburg-Sud, one. The Port coverage is: Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antrwep, Le Havre, Paranagua, Santos, Salvador and Rotterdam. The service runs in conjunction with the Hamburg-Sud String 1 service whichdeploys 6 x 5,560 TEUs vessels.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6010/ 20 April 2009

Agilent to lay off workers in Penang...

NEC Computers Asia Pacific (NECCAP) is alarming...

NEC Computers Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd (NECCAP) (in Malaysia) will no longer market and distribute personal computers and notebooks bearing the trade mark of "NEC" with effect from June 2009. NECCAP shall continue to provide after sales services and support under its warranty and spare part commitments.

For service and spare parts purchase, end-users and customers of NEC PC products can continue to contact its Call Center or its Authorized Service Providers until further notice. However, you may still purchase its current products inventory from its Authorised Resellers.

NEC Computers Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd or NECCAP is a subsidiary of NEC Personal Products in Japan. NECCAP designs, manufactures and markets desktop and notebook personal computers in Asia Pacific with its regional headquarter office in Malaysia.

By leveraging on NEC's No.1* PC Brand position in Japan and NEC's leadership in Computers & Communications Technologies, NECCAP has been providing a full range of innovative desktop and notebook, home media network and enterprise PC solution ideal for consumers and commercial customers.

NECCAP is active in both business and marketing operations in the Asia Pacific regions.

Source: NECCAP

New Bahrain Gateway terminal officially opens for business

The new Bahrain Gateway terminal, operated by APM Terminals, officially opened for business today with the arrival of the 2,468 TEUs APL Dalian deployed on APL's Sub-continent Red Sea Service known as the SRX.

The arrival is expected to be shortly followed by a Maersk regional feeder service call.

Bahrain Gateway, situated at Khalifa Bin Salman Port will take much of the traffic now handled at the old port of Mina Salman which will cease commercial operations in May 2009.

The new terminal will have at least eight regular weekly calls from start up, is confident this year to achieve a 3-4% volume growth on the 270,000 TEUs handled at Mina Salmon in 2008, and expects capacity to rise to some 2.5m TEUs in the short term.

Among the services expected to call at the new terminal, will be a whole network of regional/ feeder loops operated by lines that apart from APL, also include, Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Co, UASC and Evergreen.

It's also expected to come through this year from other mainhaul lines' calls, particularly those involved in the Asia/Middle East trade. APM Terminals has a 25 year concession to run the 1,800m quay front terminal and has already invested in four new post-panamax gantry cranes with twin lift facilities, and a dozen RTGs.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6003/ 15 April 2009

Evergreen extends Asia/Med/Europe services

Evergreen Marine Corporation is to extend the USWC/Asia/Med pendulum service, known as the UAM service, to include a new direct call at Ashdod from mid-May 2009.

Ashdod was previously covered by Evergreen's Adriatic Express (ADR), which was suspended in February/March, and the Israel market was further served by the Asia/East Med (AEM), which was terminated back in mid-2008.

Through the addition of the Ashdod call on the UAM service, Evergreen will offer a direct 20 day westbound Taipei/Ashdod transit, and Tokyo/Ashdod in 28 days. UAM westbound port rotation shall be Tokyo, Osaka, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Ashdod, Dekheila, Taranto, Genoa, Barcelona and Valencia.

First Ashdod call scheduled for 21 May 2009.

Separately, Evergreen will introduce new call at Qingdao on the China/Europe/Mediterranean Asia/Europe (CEM) service from late April increasing coverage of China to include the northern region. The first scheduled Qingdao call is on April 22nd

CEM westbound port rotation : Kaohsiung, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Hong Kong, Tanjung Pelepas, Taranto, Le Havre, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Thamesport.

Source: PR News/ Copy 6000/ 15 April 2009

Norasia brand to disappear "within a month"???

The name of Norasia is set to disappear as a marketing brand of parent company, Compania Sud-Americana de Vapores (CSAV) "within a month" according to close sources.

It's understood that the brand, which was formed in 2000 following the acquisition of Norasia Lines by CSAV, will be dropped, and parent CSAV will take on overall responsibilities for the operations of both the CSAV Norasia East/West services, and the mainstay of the CSAV operations, that of the North/South trades.

Such market belief has been rife for many months, but this is the first instance that a time frame has been put on the speculation.

As first reported by PR News Service under Copy 5959, 16 March 09 CSAV has turned to the German bank, HSH Corporate Finance for professional advice and assistance in how to proceed in the way ahead through the present market downturn.

Also, on the agenda of the CSAV visit are believed to be top level talks with German shipowner, Peter Dohle, owner of a series of 12,500 teu vessels for delivery in 2010/2011 on long term charter to CSAV.

It will be recalled that CSAV Norasia suspended its Asia/North Europe (ANE) service at the beginning of this year, and after a short lay up period, redeployed the ex-ANE vessels - between 5,500/6,500 teu capacity - on the Asia/Black Sea (ABS) service, increasing capacity by over 20%. Effectively, the only CSAV Norasia East/West service now covering North Europe, is the India/Middle East/Europe (IMEX) service.

The India/Europe trade has seen the reduction of the size of the ISES consortium that previously involved, Shipping Corporation of India, K Line, YML, MISC, and Zim, to just include SCI, K Line and Yangming, and there is strong belief the consortium maybe reduced in size even further.

Separately, credit agency, Standard & Poor has reduced its long term credit rating of CSAV from B- to BB-, a move that reflects a strong degree of negativity within the market.

CSAV is also considering selling its 13.01% stake in fellow Chilean shipping line, Compania Chilena de Navegacion Interoceanica SA (CCNI), as well as its stake in port logistics company, Agencias Universal (AGUNSA).

Source: PR News/ Copy 5992/ 7 April 2009

Happy Thaipusam

The Malaysians, including the Hindu are passionate about the religion and usually take extraordinary measures to display the devotion. A good instance is the Thaipusam festival.

"Thaipusam" is the feast for the son of Shiva, Lord Subramanya.

The celebrations of this festival are carried out at almost all the temples of Lord Subramanya.

This year, 8 February (Sun) shall be the day of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

However, the celebrations take place from 7 to 9 February (3 days).

Happy Thaipusam!

Senator Lines goes BUST

The global economic recession claimed its first major victim in the container shipping sector.

German carrier Senator Lines announced on 4 February 2009 that it would cease operations, effective the end of this month.

The Bremen-headquartered line, which since 1997 has been 80% owned by the Korean shipping operator Hanjin Shipping, said its shareholders and board had decided on the shutdown "as a result of the financial and economic crisis and − as a consequence thereof − reduced volumes together with overcapacity and extreme unhealthy competition, especially on the east-west routes".

According to the board of Senator Lines, there are no positive signals to be foreseen for 2009 and there are not even any freight rate improvements visible in the long term. All these facts have resulted in this painful decision."

The remaining shares in Senator, which was founded in 1987, are held by Bremer Investitionsgesellschaft in Bremen and shipping company F. Laeisz in Hamburg, with 10% each.

The line specialised in serving Far East-Middle East-Northern Europe trade lanes.

They used to offer a total of 14 liner services involving approximately 1,570 voyages per year.

They are a shipping company that specializes in slot chartering, mainly having chartered the space from the members of CYKHS (Cosco, Yang Ming, K-Line, Hanjin, Senator) Alliance. However, they do have space arrangement with Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, CSAV, MSC and MOL, too.

Source: Supply Chain Leaders Intelligence

A criminologist in USM

A criminologist, holding the position of senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Dr P. Sundramoorthy PhD (South Dakota), MS (Minnesota), BA (Minnesota) has just been appointed Principal Investigator by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Malaysia YDH Tan Sri Dato' Seri Musa Bin Dato' Hj Hassan, to head the following nationwide research projects:-

1. "Crime Victimization"

2. "Public Perception on Policing"

The research works have already begun.

Dr Sundra, good luck! Cheers!

P/S: He taught me the subject on "Advanced Research Methodologies" at postgraduate level at USM.

Gong Xi Fa Cai 牛年行好运!

物流好，經濟好，大家一定好!

Logistics performs Well, Economy looks Well;

The people are sure Well!

May the year of Ox bring you and your family good health, peace, love and prosperity! Gong Xi Gong Xi... Cheers!

Intel in troubles?

The economic slowdown and slumping demand for personal computers, affecting the profit sharply!

Having received a news about Intel Corp...

The world's biggest computer chip maker, announced plans on Wednesday to close facilities in Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States?

This would affect more than 5,000 employees worldwide.

But, according to the news, not all employees would have to leave Intel, as some may be offered positions at other facilities.

In a manner corresponding, two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia and one in Cavite, Philippines, additionally the wafer production facilities in Santa Clara and Hillsboro, Oregon would be closed down.

The closures, will take place between now and the end of 2009.

A spokesman mentioned the moves are to "align its manufacturing capacity to current market conditions"...!?

A particular degree to which, the logistics and transportation sectors especially the airfreight and warehousing acted as distribution hub, may be affected in terms of cargo inducement.

Hopefully, Intel Corp could revise the decision or preferably the news are not truth...


Source: Washington (AFP)

Sharing of Thoughts in Logistics & Transportation in Penang

The blogger, being part of the international professional body of Logisticians - CILT, having bred in Penang of Malaysia, has humbly shared a few lines of thoughts for the following Logistics and Transportation related editions of the journal "Penang Economic Monthly" of Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI), which is a think tank of Penang, to formulate strategic planning and policy recommendations.

1. Enhancing The Penang Logistics Industry To Promote Overall Competitiveness

2. Penang As An Integrated Logistics and Transportation Hub Under NCER
3. Penang Economic Report 2008 - Year End Review and Outlook For 2009 (Part II)

Be a responsible Professional Logistician in Malaysia, one must tries the best in sharing or discharging the learned knowledge and experience for a better tomorrow of all Malaysians, from the overall perspectives of international trade and economic development.

The Blogger, does hope the present state government of Penang could realize the importance of logistics and transportation sectors and the professionalism of trained logisticians, that could bring prosperity and vigorousness to the state, like Singapore.

Insufficient Number of Certified Logisticians globally!

The "Logisticians", particularly the certified or chartered ones have been in great demand and have been admired by the general public, in other developed or developing countries, such as US, Australia, Singapore, China/ Hong Kong, Canada and those European countries.

In US...

The practice of logistics is a professional discipline. The SOLE's professional certification and recognition programmes recognize the professional stature and accomplishments of logisticians within commerce, industry, defense, international, federal and local government agencies, as well as in academic and private institutions. The adoption of a certification programme in October 1972 was a major step by SOLE to further the accreditation of professionals in the logistics field. This certification recognizes the functional interrelationships within the professional responsibilities of logisticians regardless of their occupational roles.

The title "Certified Professional Logistician" (CPL) is awarded to individuals of proven competence in logistics who pass an examination designed to test their broad knowledge of the entire logistics spectrum.

Effective 15 April 2004, Army officers/warrant officers in any branch/specialty that have been awarded the designation CPL by SOLE - The International Society of Logistics (SOLE) are authorized to add their CPL certification to their Officer Record Brief (ORB) and Official Military Personnel Folder (OMPF). This change to AR 600-8-104 (Military Personnel Information Management/Records) authorizes the inclusion of the CPL certificate in the OMPF.

The CPL joins, among others, the Certified Professional Engineer (CPE), the Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) as civilian-granted professional certifications authorized for documentation and recognition as specialized education and training. The CPL certification will be reflected in "Section X - Remarks" on the lower left portion of the ORB. Army National Guard (ARNG) CPLs can submit their documentation now to their State Military Personnel Officers.

The CPL programme and course syllabus was established in the United States many years ago. To qualify as a CPL candidate, individuals should have 9 years of professional experience in practicing logistics or, have a Bachelor's Degree plus 5 years experience, a Master's Degree plus 4 years experience or a Doctoral Degree plus 3 years of experience. In the United States the certification examination is ranked as the equivalent of a Masters' Degree for logistics managers and practitioners.

In Europe...

The European Logistics Association (ELA) introduced the standards, which form the foundation for the European Certification Board for Logistics (ECBL) to certify individuals who meet these Standards.

ECBL is an independent body consisting of member countries who voluntarily agree to share the Standards of Competence for Logistics and adhere to common levels of quality assurance procedures.

The European Certification Board for Logistics (ECBL) is the custodian of the Standards, and is responsible for updating the Standards as and when required.

The Board (ECBL) will be the sole authority for approving the award of a qualification, and no awards under this programme will be allowed without such approval. The Board will set up a system to monitor the performance of National Certification Centres to be established in each country, and will ensure that the Standards operating in each country are in line with the European directive. In this way, candidates for the qualifications from every country in the programme can be sure of the commonality of the Standards.

The Competence system - The ELA Standards of Logistics Competence reflect the expectations of workplace performance and the have been developed with and agreed by industry. The Standards are outcome-based and form the basis of assessment.

Assessment is independent of any learning programmes. The Swedish National Certification System in Logistics does not prescribe in any way the methods or courses by which candidates may attain or develop the knowledge and skills, however acknowledged programmes can contribute to the development of knowledge, skills and competencies required for ELA-Certification. The ability of candidates to meet the required Standards will be assessed by The Swedish National Certification Board.

ELA Certification – The European Certification for Logistics Professionals on three levels:-

EJLog – European Junior Logistician on the Supervisory/Operational Level

ESLog - European Senior Logistician on the Senior management level

EMLog - European Master Logistician on the Strategic management level

In Australia...

There are thousands of practicing and experienced logistics professionals in Australia. They range from executives, managers, senior managers of logistics or supply chain operations to probably, specialised IT experts for logistics and transportation sectors.

Professionals, like accountants have the CPA accreditation, real estate practitioners have the CPV and many other professional certifications. The Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) certification programme is now available in Australia, for all logisticians who are excellence in logistics and supply chain management, by both theorical and practicial assessments. Accreditation means something in a professional setting - it implies a focus on excellence and a commitment to personal development within the profession. Today, professionalism of a high standard is required to manage these complex, disparate functions in a seamless and integrated supply chain mode with a clear understanding of the need to track the physical goods flow, financial flow, and, of course, information flow.

The said Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) was launched by the Transport and Logistics Centre of Australia (TALC), that TALC grew out as a Commonwealth and NSW Government initiative aimed at building capability in the Transport and Logistics (T&L) industry, including road, rail, maritime, aviation and logistics. TALC, together with five industry or professional organizations ie. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia (CILT-A), Supply Chain Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA), Logistics Association of Australia (LAA), Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM) and Australasian Production & Inventory Control Society (APICS), form the panel of CPL certification council, which is known as Transport & Logistics Certification Council of Australia (TLCC, Australia).

The CPL is able to demonstrate that they have the capability to effectively master the technology and leadership skills required across the broad range of activities that today constitute logistics. The CPL is a professional certification in logistics that enables practitioners in this industry to develop themselves more effectively, and assists in defining the logistics profession. This CPL also signifies your commitment to a code of professional conduct and your respected professional integrity - ensuring the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

A profession that is dealing with a freight task that is expected to double over the next decade. The demand for professionals, technical experts and executives will continue to rise. Australia's logisticians, along with an efficient and effective land, sea and air infrastructure, will contribute to the future export success of the nation.

The CPL becomes the benchmark of excellence for measuring capability and proficiency within the profession of logistics and supply-chain management. The CPL programme represents the hallmark of logistics professionalism in Australia.

In Singapore...

The Singapore Trade Development Board (TDB), in collaboration with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Chartered Institute of Transport in Singapore (CILT-S) launched Asia’s first professional accreditation programme for logistics professionals. The Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) programme is part of the overall plan to develop a critical mass of logistics professionals to propel the industry towards the e-logistics frontier.

A benchmark of excellence for measuring competency and proficiency within the profession of logistics and supply-chain management, the CPL programme represents the hallmark of logistics professionalism.

Those who are certified would receive recognition like their counterparts in the finance, medical and engineering professions.

To ensure that the CPL programme remains a defined benchmark of excellence that will be earned only by a selected group of logistics professionals, 16 leading practitioners from the academic, public and private sectors in the logistics field have been enlisted to form a CPL Qualification Review Board (QRB). These members will assess the competency of each candidate seeking qualification. To ensure consistently high academic standards, senior professors from NUS and NTU will undertake the role of setting and marking the CPL examination.

In China...

The logisticians' certification or examination in China, is handled and conducted by the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFPL), which follows the relevant national occupational standards, like the requirements for other professionals in the country.

There are three different levels:-

Junior Logistician: focus on basic concept and knowledge.

Logistician: focus on basic concept and knowledge as well as analysis.

Senior Logistician: focus on the entire train of though, analysis and strategic decision on logistics plan.

The candidate must possess at least a recognized bachelor's degree (Hon), in addition to some years of practical experience, before they are considered and accepted for the above professional cerification(s) or qualifying examination(s), from a Junior to a Senior.

In Canada...

Canadian confers "PLog", which stands for Professional Logistician, if you're qualified theoretically and practically. The PLog is conducted by the Logistics Institute, that was founded in 1990 by 12 leading logistics industry organizations or associations to foster and promote the profession of logistics and create a recognized certification programme.

The Logistics Institute was a sector council that received most of its funding from Human Resources Services Development of Canada (HRSDC). The role of a sector council is to work with industry stakeholders to develop human resources that are specific to their sector or industry.

In 1993, the Logistics Institute launched a recognized certification programme called the Professional Logistician (PLog). The designation is to strengthen the business skills of individuals in the logistics and transport. In 1995, 52 people were conferred the PLog designation. The number of logisticians and supply chain managers who have earned their PLog designation has increased to nearly 2000, of late. But still, the number of PLog holders in Canada is very far less than other professionals such as architects, lawyers, engineers and medical doctors.

a CPL conferred by TLCC, Australia

The blogger is greatly pleased to have been admitted to the qualification of Certified Professional Logistician, by the Transport & Logistics Certification Council of Australia (TLCC, Australia), that enables the blogger the post-nominal letters of "CPL".

Logistics or its related branches of the supply chain system, have been classified as indispensable in the international trade and economic growth and/or in making the globalization possible for a developed or developing country, such as Malaysia.

Henceforth, the blogger is very much in great desire to witness the increasing number of professional logisticians or FCILT or CMILT or CPL in Malaysia, regardless of conferment or certification by Australia, Singapore, China, Canada, United States, Europe or others. Of course it can be further enhanced with the effort, co-operation and support from the governments (local, state and federal) and professional bodies (local, regional and international) . The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) is one of them internationally.

The CILT (UK) actively promotes "Humanitarian Logistics", too.

Serving the country through the professionalism of logisticians!

SIS is the Port Agent of TS Lines in Penang/ Malaysia

TS Lines starts calling the port of Penang.

The Welcoming Party, organized by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), for the new service, namely China-Middle East-Express Service (CME) of TS Lines at Penang, was held on 2 January 2009 (Friday), at 1500 hours.

Picture (1) – Plaque Giving Ceremony by PPSB to MV TS Qingdao, represented by Capt Wojciech Witold Nowicki and accompanied by the Port Agent - Sea Intergrated Services (SIS) and the Marketing Agent – Ben Line Agencies (BLA) of TS Lines in Penang:-

Pictured (from left): Mr Ghazali B. Jaafar (General Manager - Marketing, PPSB), Mr Steven Ooi (Branch Manager, BLA Penang), Mr Chang Kah Loon (Regional Manager, SIS Penang), Mr Obaid B. Hj Mansor (General Manager – Container, PPSB), Capt Wojciech Witold Nowicki (Master, MV TS Qingdao), Mr Roman Palyvoda (Chief Officer, MV TS Qingdao), Mr Sergiy Svitanko (Chief Engineer, MV TS Qingdao) and Mr Nazri B. Ismail (Head of Marketing, PPSB).

Picture (2) – The terminal operator PPSB, represented by Mr Obaid B. Hj Mansor (General Manager - Container) and the Port Agent of TS Lines, represented by Mr Chang Kah Loon (Regional Manager, SIS Penang) were duly invited to deliver the speeches at the ceremony:-

Pictured (from left): Mr Chang Kah Loon (Regional Manager, SIS Penang) and Mr Obaid B. Hj Mansor (General Manager – Container, PPSB).

TS Lines was established by Mr T. S. Chen in early 2000, primarily as an Inter-Asia Container Carrier with a full service range within North, South Asia, the Far East, India and East Africa. Mr Chen's energy and long-term knowledge of the regional trade has ensured both optimum reliability as well as rapid expansion of the range of service routes offered.