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Intermodal Transport

New railway line between China and North Sea Port in Ghent takes more Volvo cars to their destinations

The new rail connection from Ghent fits in with Volvo Cars’ strategy for faster, more sustainable and more cost-effective operations.

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1 year ago

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New railway line between China and North Sea Port in Ghent takes more Volvo cars to their destinations
New railway line between China and North Sea Port in Ghent takes more Volvo cars to their destinations. Image: North Sea Port
Several times every week Volvo Cars in Ghent ships vehicles from North Sea Port by rail to China, Italy and Austria. The first train carrying 190 XC60s from China arrived in Kluizendok on Thursday 4 July and will return with 180 XC90s, V90s and V60s to the Chinese port of Xi’an.

The new rail connection from Ghent fits in with Volvo Cars’ strategy for faster, more sustainable and more cost-effective operations, in terms of production as well as from a logistics point of view. Exporting part of the cars by rail instead of by sea or road, reduces the impact on the environment. Also, the cars will reach their destination faster. The lead time from factory to final destination can be shortened by half.

Multimodal port

North Sea Port has the aim to stimulate transport by rail and by water. “Volvo Cars makes full use of the good hinterland connections of North Sea Port in Ghent by opting for sustainable rail transport to the European inland countries and China. It will strengthen our position as a multimodal port,” says Daan Schalck, CEO of North Sea Port.

Fewer trucks on the road

Trains to Italy are loaded and unloaded at the DFDS terminal at Mercatordok. China trains arrive and depart from Kluizendok. Rail operator Lineas manages the rail exports from North Sea Port to China and Italy. Through its modal shift to rail Volvo Cars takes around 5,000 trucks off the road every year. A train will run twice a week from North Sea Port to Xi’an in China.

About Volvo Car Ghent

Volvo Car Ghent is a car factory in the port of Ghent, owned by Volvo Car Corporation. It consists of a welding plant, spraying plant and a final assembly plant. With 6,500 employees, it is one of the largest industrial employers in East Flanders. In 2018, Volvo Car Ghent produced 200,396 cars. These are the V40, XC40 and V60 models.

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Container Terminal

Eco-friendly intermodal solution connects Spain, UK and Ireland

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2 days ago

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August 10, 2020

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Eco-friendly intermodal solution connects Spain, UK and Ireland. Image: APM Terminals
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Together with Containerships (CMA-CGM group), APM Terminals Gijon has formed an eco-friendly logistic chain connecting major Spanish cities to the UK and Ireland. The solution uses block trains, LNG vessels and bio-fuel trucks for unbeatable eco-friendly credentials.

Block trains connect APM Terminals Gijon with Seville, Murcia, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid and Burgos up to twice a week. Scheduled to arrive at APM Terminals Gijon in time for a Friday departure, the vessel will arrive in Liverpool, UK on Monday and Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday. The service is suitable for all types of containerized cargo, including hazardous cargo.

Located on Spain’s northern coast, APM Terminals Gijon is ideally placed for the UK. “In addition to the clear environmental benefits offered by this service, customers can also cut the time to UK and Irish markets from Spain, compared to shipments made from other Spanish ports,” says Terminal Manager, Miguel Ruiz.

Each block train has a 52 TEU capacity and the potential to remove up to 26 trucks from the road. As well as reducing traffic congestion, the diesel locomotives used for this block train service are, according to statistics published by the Association of American Railroads, estimated to be three to four times more fuel efficient than diesel trucks and lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to trucks.

APM Terminals Gijon is equipped with a 450m on dock track for fast and efficient loading and a separate rail yard with two 350m tracks for optimum flexibility. In the future, the service has the capacity to scale up to a daily service for the cities currently served.

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Intermodal Transport

Ministry of Shipping waives waterways usage charges to promote Inland water transport

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2 weeks ago

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July 29, 2020

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Ministry of Shipping waives waterways usage charges to promote Inland water transport. Image: piqsels
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Ministry of Shipping has decided to waive waterway usage charges with immediate effect considering the Government of India’s vision to promote inland waterways as a supplementary, eco-friendly and cheaper mode of transport. The charges are waived initially for three years.

Union Minister of State for Shipping Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that currently only 2% of total cargo traffic moves through waterways. Decision of waiving waterway charges will attract the industries to use the national waterways for their logistical needs. As the mode of transport is eco-friendly and cheaper, it will not only reduce the burden on other transport modes but also promote the ease of doing business the Minister added.

Water usage charge was applicable on use of all the national waterways by vessels. It was a hindrance in administration of traffic movement and collection of traffic data. Presently, Inland Waterways Authority of India levies the waterway usage charges at a rate of Rs 0.02 per gross registered tonnage per kilometer for plying of Inland cargo vessels and Rs. 0.05 per gross registered tonnage per kilometer for plying of Cruise vessels on national waterways.

The decision is estimated to increase the inland waterway traffic movement to 110 MMT in 2022-23 from 72 MMTin 2019-20. It will benefit the economic activities and development in the region.

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Intermodal Transport

DP World to acquire majority stake in South Korea’s Unico Logistics Co. Ltd

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2 weeks ago

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July 27, 2020

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DP World to acquire majority stake in South Korea’s Unico Logistics Co. Ltd. Image: DP World
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DP World, the Dubai- based provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, has agreed to acquire a 60 per cent shareholding in UNICO Logistics Co. Ltd.
The transaction, subject to regulatory clearances, is expected to close in Q4 2020, and represents another strategic step in DP World’s vision to build an integrated suite of service offerings that will connect directly with end-customers and beneficial cargo owners to remove inefficiencies in the supply chain and accelerate trade growth.

Established in 2002 by H.J. Park and headquartered in South Korea, UNICO has a global footprint of 25 subsidiaries in 20 countries and is one of the largest independent NVOCC in South Korea. UNICO is a multimodal transport specialist with strong market position in the fast-growing transcontinental rail freight market between East-Asia and Central-Asia and Russia, in particular on the strategically important Trans-Siberian Railway and Trans China Railway.

The acquisition is in line with DP World’s global strategy to grow as a smart supply chain solutions provider and will provide a platform to drive synergies between UNICO and DP World operations in the Asia Pacific and European regions, while also continuing the expansion of logistics capabilities within DP World’s portfolio. In addition, UNICO’s expertise in handling automotive logistics is aligned with DP World’s strategic focus on this sector.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “DP World’s vision is to become the leading end-to-end supply chain solutions provider. By integrating Unico into our worldwide network we will be able to offer better service to our customers in South Korea and beyond. These new services further strengthen our logistics capabilities, which we are combining with our maritime services operations and our worldwide network of ports and terminals.”

H.J. Park, President and CEO, UNICO Logistics Co. Ltd., said: “UNICO has delivered significant growth over the years and we are proud of our success but we believe this partnership with DP World will allow us to take the business to the next stage of its growth. Being part of DP World will allow us to develop further from the Group’s deep relationship with end-customers and wide global network. We look forward to a prosperous future together.”

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