The Arctic is changing and future transport opportunities in the economy of the North have probably been one of the drivers behind this week's decision by BigLift Shipping and RollDock Shipping to create a joint company, BigRoll.
The new joint venture will operate two newbuild MC-Class Module Carriers with high ice class notation that makes them ideal to operate in the Arctic regions. The two vessels - which will enter service at the end of next year or early 2015 - are designed with a focus on short loading and discharging times, high service speed and low accelerations and will target the offshore and onshore oil and gas markets; as well as the renewables, power generation, container cranes and shipyard industries. The joint venture will work cooperatively with parents BigLift and RollDock on special projects worldwide.
The 13th annual membership conference of Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) concludes tomorrow in Prague, before the start of the Cargo Equipment Experts (CEE) fourth annual membership conference this weekend in Antwerp. WWPC director, Wolfgang Karau indicated that the presence of 100 or so delegates at the former event, representing around 50 countries from across the world, many of them long standing members of the WWPC, was a clear demonstration of the strength of the network.
This week's Friday Flyer is sponsored by DHL Industrial Projects which aims is to be the logistics partner of choice to the oil and gas, mining, power generation and construction industries. Its expertise in cargo scheduling and materials management means it can offer tailored solutions for unique outsize cargoes and heavy lifts.
In the corporate world
In Asia, bullish heavy lift activity boosted Tiong Woon Corporation Holding's results for the nine months ending March 31, 2013, to USD118.1 million. In Canada, Port Saint John saw cargo tonnage gains across all of its sectors last month.
In Scandinavia, Greencarrier Freight Services now completely owns Trana Spedition. Meanwhile in Africa, Hull Blyth has acquired Mainport Africa Shipping and Kestrel Maritime in South Africa.
In the wind energy sector, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says US wind energy projects posted their strongest-ever year. Meanwhile, Panalpina is in the money in Q1 2013 as it achieves a consolidated profit of USD14.97 million.
Mammoet has revealed that it now operates the full range of Liebherr crawler cranes following the purchase of a new 1,000-tonne Liebherr LR11000. Liebherr was also revealed that Transport Houmani has taken delivery of a new Liebherr LTM 1040-2.1 all-terrain crane.
Industry stakeholders are invited to discuss the impact of compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments with a view to removing administrative burdens. If you want to make a comment visit the IMO website.
Service developments
Nisa Maritime will sail the route Genoa and Mostaganem every 10 days using the ro-ro vessel Niolon.
Network news
Arnaud-Logis and four European branches of Embassy Freight have joined the XLProjects network.
Hatches, matches and dispatches
Andre Goedee has signed up to the management board of Royal Boskalis Westminster for one year to help smooth the integration of Dockwise into the group (pictured right). Meanwhile, Steve Hughes is settling in as regional vp sales, EMEA region Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Henrik Joergensen has joined ship management company J. Poulsen Shipping as its new cfo.
All about Evie
If diamonds are Evie's best friends, chocolate comes a close second for Ms Aufheben. In third place has to be handsome men in the heavy lift industry. So where to combine all these desires?
It took her about a nanosecond to put the pieces together and book a flight to Antwerp to enjoy Breakbulk Europe next week. She is already looking forward to meeting friends old and new at the Hilton Hotel in the city. Where better than the city of diamonds and chocolate, with a sprinkling of handsome heavy lift executives, to catch up on all the news and undertake a spot of trend-spotting in the industry? She hopes to see you there!
