Blogs

The Cold Supply Chain and Its Connection with the Multi-Modal Freight Transport As we are aware of, the cold supply chain is a key factor that influences public health on a large scale. The cold chain logistics involve a lot of complexities that are highlighted in the multi-modal freight transport system, which includes the transfer of meat products across the globe. The transportation of meat products is successfully carried out across the oceans and the continents to fulfill the rising demands and needs of the clients. Throwing light on this matter, the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC) was held in Hong Kong and is especially focused on a cold supply chain logistics session. The session was very helpful in offering a thorough insight into the rather complicated process of transporting fresh pork from Eastern Canada to Japan. The President of the Chartered Institute Logistics – North American Chapter, Robert Armstrong, was acting as the session moderator and he believed that the cold supply chain was more integrated than an ordinary one and hence, require a lot of control and precision. Since meat can perish quite easily, the cold supply chain has to provide the customers with the best quality and also ensure that the food is safe for consumption. The chilled pork is transported all the way from Canada to Japan in a containership, which has to sail across the transpacific to reach its destination. It is very essential that the cargo has sufficient shelf life and reaches in good condition. Xeneta Introduces a New Shipping Index Hailing from Norway, the ocean freight rate benchmarking platform called Xeneta, has announced the launch of monthly box shipping index. The Xeneta Shipping Index (XSI) Public Indices report is actually a follow-up product to its previously launched index-linked contracting product in June of this year. You will find that the report showcases a neat overview of the most popular global trade corridors. Patrik Berglund, the CEO of Xeneta, has clearly stated the fact that XSI Public Indices will prove helpful in delivering insights on the newest developments of the long-term contracted market. Moreover, the report will provide the much-needed information about the complexities of the ever-changing ocean freight industry. The XSI Public Indices have been pretty successful in offering a high degree of visibility into the contracted market by bringing into light the frequency of updates and the breadth of rate data. With its help, the stakeholders can now track the different movements of the long-term market. The clients can draw benefits from this monthly picture of global developments and up-to-date trends occurring in the important regions of the US, Europe, the Far East, etc. Cochin Port Tries its Best to Promote Coastal Shipping Being an integral part of the ongoing Sagarmala programme, the Cochin Port is now focused on promoting coastal shipping in the country. As a positive consequence, a consignment consisting of 4,732 tons of rice packed in 182 containers has arrived at the Vallarpadum ICTT of the Cochin Port. The containership carrying the shipment is SSL Kochi and it has been revealed that the consignment belonged to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and was meant for public distribution in Kerala. SSL Kochi commenced its journey from the Kakinada Port and reached its destination by traveling via Visakhapatnam. Earlier the rice was transferred mainly by rail, but the FCI is satisfied with this modal shift to coastal shipping as the procedure is far more cost-effective for the organization. In fact, the FCI is hopeful that around 10,000 tons of rice will be shipped to Kerala from Andhra Pradesh in the near future. Dr. M. Beena, the Chairperson of Cochin Port Trust, has mentioned that the Port authority is thankful to the FCI and the carrier Avana Logistek Ltd. for supporting the coastal shipping movement. According to sources, sustained efforts are being made to facilitate the transportation of wheat from Punjab/Haryana to Kerala through the medium of coastal shipping, which will not only increase the overall volume at the port but will also reduce the traveling cost of the sender company. V.O. Chidambaranar Port Handled Its Largest Parcel Size Vessel till Date On November 28 th , the V.O. Chidambaranar Port has recently handled its largest parcel seize vessel till date, known as the MT. MV BOTTIGLIERI GIORGIO AVINO, which was docked at Berth-9 and had a draught of 14 meters. The Italian-flagged vessel made its journey all the way from the Port of Mina Saqr in the United Arab Emirates with a shipment of limestone on the accounts of the Naga Ltd. (Dindigul), Eastern Bulk Trading (Chennai) and the India Cements (Thalaiyuthu). Further information on the topic reveals that the Seaport Logistics Pvt. Ltd. (Tuticorin) was acting as the stevedore and the vessel agent. The Deputy Chairman of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Mr. N. Vaiyapuri, has congratulated the entire team on the success and has laid stress on the fact that the port is making a great effort to fulfill the needs of all the customers. Due to the maintenance dredging and developmental projects, the port is not well-equipped to handle more shipment. Singapore Maritime Port Authority Declares a Ban on Open-Loop Scrubbers Then Reuters have reported that the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) in Singapore has decided to ban the usage of open-loop scrubbers in accordance with the 2020 eco-friendly regulations put forward by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Incidentally, the ban will be declared effective from 1 st January 2020, when the new limitations on sulphur emissions will come into light. As per the IMO rules, ships are restricted from emitting more than 0.5% of sulphur during a journey. Moreover, it is mandatory that the carriers utilize alternative fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG) or perhaps, invest in a scrubber that acts as an exhaust gas cleaning system. Sources: http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/americas/the-complexities-of-cold-supply-chain-logistics-shipping-chilled-pork-from-eastern-canada-to-japan.html https://splash247.com/xeneta-launches-monthly-box-shipping-index/ http://www.maritimegateway.com/food-corporation-india-moves-rice-coastal-route/ http://www.eximin.net/NewsDetails.aspx?name=39893 https://www.porttechnology.org/news/singapore_announces_scrubber_ban