Your midweek round-up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
A Financial Times article suggests that the recovery of global powerhouse Siemens would be slow as the decline in oil price continues to batter profits, with the company's current financial year set to become the third in succession without revenue growth.
The FT quoted a financial analyst as stating that the lack of growth across most end markets, the collapse in the oil price and the structural headwinds in power generation markets have all gone against Siemens ceo, Joe Kaeser, who took up the position less than two years ago.
Kaeser has said before that Siemens' power generation business is the sector which needs most attention from the company, as cheap coal continues to push aside gas-generated power in Europe, and renewable energy snatches market share.
Demand for power in Siemens' primary markets is flagging and utilities are reluctant to invest in new gas turbines, and the company has had to adapt to these changes. This month Siemens announced that 4,500 German jobs would be cut across its power, gas and other underperforming businesses.
Evie is left wondering whether this is a situation particular to Siemens, or whether these circumstances are affecting other global power and industrial engineering companies - and what impact this is having on the project logisticians that provide services to such companies. Do you have any comments on the matter? Let the HLPFI editorial team know at editorial@heavyliftpfi.com.
In business
Maxim Crane Works has acquired Orlando, Florida based Crane Rental Corporation.
TNT Crane & Rigging acquired Denver, Colorado headquartered Rocky Mountain Structures.
Dunkerque proves environmental commitment
Dunkerque Port has been granted a local authority decree on protected species, which authorises the development of its DLI-Sud logistics park.
Members of the Cargo Equipment Experts (CEE) network came together in Antwerp from May 17-18 for the group's 6th annual membership conference.
Demand for freighter aircraft to keep growing, says ACMG
According to ACMG's latest freighter forecast, the airfreight market will need 125 new freighters per year to meet growth and replacement needs over the next 20 years.
Contractual obligations
"K" Line wins UK rail contract
"K" Line has signed a contract with Hitachi Transport System Group's dedicated forwarding arm for the shipment of Hitachi rail cars for the UK's IEP project.
Capacity developments
Duluth port project gets underway
The Twin Ports maritime community gathers today, May 27, to officially break ground on a USD17.7 mn intermodal project at the Port of Duluth.
Nicolas has designed, manufactured and delivered a bespoke self-propelled heavy transporter - the Multiwheeler - for Russian Gas Turbines (RGT).
Abu Nasir General Transport has taken delivery of a Terex AC 100/4L all-terrain crane.
On the move
CEA Projects has appointed Jean-Jacques Despert as its new regional manager for Bangkok.
Notable shipment
Vanguard was contracted to provide the warehousing, transportation and installation of heavy equipment for the Dedisa and Avon open-cycle gas turbine peaking power plants in South Africa.
