Thanks to Nidec ASI's Made in Italy technology it will be possible to improve air quality and to mitigate the acoustic impact of ferries and cruise ships in the two Ligurian ports, for the benefit of local communities and the relaunch of tourism from a greener perspective

Nidec ASI, part of the Energy & Infrastructure Division of the Nidec Group, continues its growth path in Europe and in Italy under the banner of sustainability, consolidating its leadership in the ecological transition sector in our country by being awarded two turnkey projects for electrification of the quays (cold ironing) of the passenger ports of Genoa and Savona. In particular, as far as Genoa is concerned, 4 years after the first shore-to-ship project carried out by Nidec ASI for the port of Genoa Prà, the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, by signing a contract worth a total of approximately €18 million, has assigned the executive design and works to the Temporary Joint Venture (TJV) of which Nidec ASI is the leading company, and in which Ceisis, leader in the design, construction and management of port facilities, and the Molfino & Longo civil engineering firm are consortium partners. Nidec ASI is also at the head of the group of companies which, by decision of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, was awarded the contract for a project worth around €8 million in Savona, which once again involves Ceisis, together with Giuggia Costruzioni, the SV Port Company and the Fenoglio E Persico Engineering Firm. For the Ligurian capital, the order was acquired in June and the design phase has already started, while the order for the contract relating to the port of Savona was signed in September and it is estimated that both projects will be completed in around 2-3 years.

Thanks to the innovative electric power supply systems for ships developed by Nidec ASI in Genoa and Savona, it will be possible to reduce emissions and noise pollution with positive impacts on inhabitants and tourists in the areas bordering the two Ligurian ports, which are both located inside the cities, while at the same time having minimal impact on the operation of the ports. In Genoa, the project envisages Nidec ASI building six berths which will allow the cruise ships and ferries docked at the port to switch off their on-board generators, connecting to the electricity grid to meet their operational needs. In order to adapt the voltage and frequency of the power supply network to what the ships require, a conversion system consisting of distribution panels, transformers and converters that will allow the ships to be powered simultaneously will be implemented. In Savona a cold ironing system similar to that of Genoa will be developed for the cruise port, with a converter which will allow one ship to be powered at a time. For both projects, an automation, monitoring and control system will allow meeting all safety regulations.

The two orders comply with the necessity of following European Union directives which, since 2003, encourage ports to adopt quays electrification systems (shore-to-ship) to reduce polluting emissions of vessels in the port, while maintaining heating and air conditioning running, as well as the necessary vessel auxiliary systems. By 2025 this recommendation will become binding for all European ports. The planned investments for modernizing the ports of Genoa and Savona are co-financed by the EIB (European Investment Bank) for a total of projects equal to €789 million (approximately 300 covered by the EIB loan) and include various interventions such as moving the breakwater in the capital port, access to the railway terminals, cold ironing (electrification of the quays), restructuring the port moorings and IT security.

“These ambitious projects confirm our leadership in the development of shore-to-ship systems in Europe and in Italy. The two initiatives where we are protagonists represent a fundamental step in the process aimed at reducing the environmental impact of port activities, a central theme for promoting a sustainable development model in Italy and in Europe and that we trust will kick off many other similar projects for Italian ports, after the Ligurian ones, which have led the way. The transformation of logistics and port infrastructures towards greater safety and energy savings can also help improve the life of local communities and develop tourist activity, allowing a greater number of cruise ships to dock” said Dominique Llonch, CEO of Nidec ASI. “We are pleased to continue collaborating with the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority by providing the most advanced technology, thanks to 40 years of experience in the construction of conversion systems, combined with the ability to meet specific needs through customized solutions and proven know-how, developed through various applications already installed in the Port of Genoa Prà, Livorno, in the Muggiano Shipyards - La Spezia, in the Military Naval Bases of Taranto, in the port of Valletta and in Port de Séte (Southern France). And we have many other initiatives in the pipeline: we are in fact participating in all the tenders in the Mediterranean area for the development of electrification systems”.

These new projects, together with other shore-to-ship systems implemented last year in Malta, and in southern France, as well as those in the development phase in Greece and Spain, other major initiatives such as the supply of battery storage systems for onboard energy for full-electric and hybrid cargo ships, ferries and yachts (with the possibility of providing automatic fast-recharging from land), and solutions for automating cranes used in ports, make Nidec ASI a true leader in the evolution of the maritime and port sector towards all-electric, so key to navigation and logistics that are increasingly green and sustainable. The Group is also fully-active in the transport sector through promoting the development of electric cars utilizing an ultra-fast recharging system for e-vehicles and a recently launched Ultra-Fast charging station.

Nidec Industrial Solutions (NIS), the commercial platform of the Nidec group, offers complete electrical systems and brings together the products and services of Nidec ASI, Avtron Industrial Automation, Nidec Industrial Automation, Motortecnica and SSB Wind Systems. It offers customized solutions throughout the world for a wide range of industrial applications. Its reference markets are the petrochemical, traditional and renewable energy, steel, naval and industrial automation markets. The multinational is specialized in heavy duty applications in which high power and high performance are key: electric motors and generators up to 65 MW of power (87,000 HP); power electronic converters and inverters; automation and software for industrial processes; retrofitting of power plants and hydroelectric generators; integrated systems for the production and storage of electrical energy from renewable sources and their integration in power grids. Following the acquisition of the Motors, Drives and Electric Power Generation divisions of Emerson Electric Co., Nidec ASI has also made further improvements to its industrial and commercial activities, integrating the medium and low power drives into the overall range offered by Nidec. Thanks to the acquisitions of Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer, part of Nidec Corporation Group since February 1, 2017, it is able to offer technologies optimized for the control of motors and to develop automation solutions for specific applications, tailored to the needs of the client to provide a flexible response to each requirement.

The UK’s fastest-growing tile retailer, Tile Mountain, has renewed its contract with Pall-Ex following a successful seven-year relationship. The logistics firm will continue to manage Tile Mountain Group’s local, national and International palletised freight distribution.

Established in 2013, Tile Mountain has grown exponentially, offering a range of tiles for the home, from flooring to wall tiles for the kitchen and bathroom, plus a range of options for outside. The business has maintained its reputation for great service and enjoys consistent exceptional trust pilot reviews. 

Pall-Ex will help support Tile Mountain Group’s growth through its ongoing deployment of customer service expertise and dedicated integrated IT infrastructure.  In addition to the Pall-Ex team meeting with Tile Mountain on a regular basis to identify any changes that can be implemented, they have rolled out a successful implant scheme. 

An onsite customer service advisor, employed by Pall-Ex is now based at one of Tile Mountain’s offices, to support and coordinate between the two businesses. This enables both sides of the partnership to have one line of communication for the day-to-day deliveries and collections, while also ensuring we maintain the excellent customer service standards of both companies.

With business in London representing 18% of Tile Mountains overall sales volume, Pall-Ex provides a guaranteed service level into the capital, using its shareholder member network, to enable Tile Mountain to maintain a high-quality service in this key market area. 

Commenting on the renewal, Jeremy Harris, Managing Director of Tile Mountain said: 

“As an online retailer, Tile Mountain Group's business strategy relies heavily on distribution, and as the company continues to grow, we seek to further forge relationships with suppliers who can consistently deliver outstanding standards of service. Pall-Ex's tracking technology has aided the Tile Mountain delivery process and we are already seeing the benefits from      advancements in their systems, such as ‘what3words’ for first-time delivery.”

Pall-Ex Group’s UK Commercial Director Michelle Naylor commented: “We are delighted that our strong relationship with Tile Mountain is set to continue. As its business grows and customers service expectations grow, we will be able to support any changes with our dedicated customer service advisor which will remain active and responsive to market demands. We look at service needs for all parts of the country that Tile Mountain serves and will maintain our focus on supporting its important London delivery requirements.”

The contract renewal will build on the partnerships principal objective of achieving excellence together and providing the best customer service to all Tile Mountains customers.

To find out more about Pall-Ex visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/

For more information about the Tile Mountain Group please visit: https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/

Pall-Ex Group is an award-winning network of hauliers comprising two leading UK pallet networks (Fortec Distribution Network and Pall-Ex UK), four subsidiary UK logistics businesses, and ten European networks. A renowned name in logistics, Pall-Ex delivers an efficient and reliable palletised freight distribution service, backed by innovative technology and a first-class network of established shareholder SMEs. With its headquarters and central UK hub located in the heart of the Midlands, Pall-Ex is driving excellence in all areas, transporting more than 40,000 pallets across the globe every day.  

Tile Mountain Ltd has become the UK’s fastest-growing tile retailer. Operating from its headquarters in Stoke on Trent, the Company has made a significant investment in capacity and infrastructure with three purpose-built warehouses, nine showrooms, and an office complex. Since 2018 the Group has expanded further with the launch of Bathroom Mountain and the acquisition of Walls and Floors Ltd. 

Geek+, the global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has brought smart automation to Dr.Max’s e-commerce warehouse in Bucharest, which handles more than 25 000 SKUs monthly. The goods-to-person robots have vastly increased Dr.Max’s efficiency and storage capacity, while delivering order fulfillment accuracy of over 99%.

Dr.Max’s e-commerce platform is among the top 10 websites in Romania, measured by number of unique visitors, and offers a wide variety of OTC products, cosmetics, medical devices, food supplements, dermato-cosmetics, mother & baby products, diet and nutritional products, and natural remedies. With the help of nearly one hundred Geek+ autonomous mobile robots that can process orders 24/7, Dr.Max increases the order processing capacity and thus efficiently responds to the needs of online patients, especially in peak e-commerce order seasons. The flexibility to add more robots to keep up with Dr.Max’s growing e-commerce business was a key factor in the decision to automate with Geek+’s solutions.

The Geek+ Picking System uses AMRs to bring the products ordered from storage locations to picking stations, where operators package the goods and send them to Dr.Max’s patients. The algorithms and software place as many orders in each batch moved from storage as possible, keeping special orders to a minimum, and also takes into account the expiration date of goods, a key step in reducing waste.

Brian Lee, Managing Director of Europe at Geek+, said: ”Dr.Max is a key player in the pharmaceutical industry across central and eastern Europe, and we are very pleased to support them. The past couple years have driven home how important access to medical supplies is, and we are very proud that Geek+ technology is able to make such a direct impact on people’s quality of life.”

Sorin David, Supply Chain Director at A&D Pharma - Dr.Max Group, said: “As part of our group’s development strategy, we continue to make long term investments in the logistics infrastructure in order to respond efficiently to the needs of our patients. The technology provided by our partner Geek+ allows us to have a more accurate overview of our work processes. We are glad to have Geek+ as our trustworthy partner.”

Dr.Max is expecting rapid growth to continue over the coming years, and Geek+ will continue to support their progress with further applications of advanced AMR technology. Geek+’s robots are just beginning to assist in the provision of critical medicines and supplies to people around the world.

About Geek+  

Geek+ is a global technology company leading the intelligent logistics revolution. We apply advanced robotics and AI technologies to realize flexible, reliable, and highly efficient solutions for warehouses and supply chain management. Geek+ is trusted by over 500 global industry leaders and has been recognized as the world leader in autonomous mobile robots. Founded in 2015, Geek+ has over 1500 employees, with offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.geekplus.com/ 

About A&D Pharma Group, part of the Dr.Max family

With over 25 years of experience on the local market, A&D Pharma is one of the largest pharmaceutical groups in Romania, offering pharmaceutical retail and drug distribution services, with a turnover of over 1 billion euros in 2021 and over 5000 employees.

A&D Pharma has two business lines, both of strategic importance: The drug distribution line and the pharmaceutical retail line.

For more information about the Dr.Max brand, visit the website https://www.drmax.ro/

DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, and GoodShipping, the global pioneer and market leader in insetting to decarbonize the container shipping industry, are further expanding their long-standing partnership. With the latest purchase of approximately 60 million liters of Sustainable Marine Fuel, DHL will reduce a total of 180,000 tonnes CO2e TtW in shipping until 2024. This commitment is the equivalent to the amount of fossil fuel used to fuel 10 container vessels on their journey from Asia to Europe. DHL Global Forwarding has been working with GoodShipping for five years, sharing the same aspiration for greener ocean freight via insetting.

• As part of DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, Sustainable Marine Fuels play an important role in decarbonizing ocean freight transport 
• Expanded collaboration between DHL and leading insetting service by GoodShipping includes piloting a new insetting framework of the Smart Freight Centre 

“In 2017, we were the first logistics company to work with GoodShipping. An important lever in reducing our CO2 emissions is the use of sustainable fuel and GoodShipping's insetting service complements us perfectly in this regard. They have a thorough and controlled process, meet our high sustainability standards, and they share the same goal of making logistics emission-free. We are very proud to now continue and intensify this cooperation," says Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding.

As part of their joint industry impact, DHL Global Forwarding and GoodShipping also aim to pilot a new insetting accounting framework of the Smart Freight Centre. The new framework transfers the approach of allocating emission reductions from sustainable fuels to specific customers by decoupling the accounting of the fuels’ environmental attributes from their physical flow to a general industry standard. In that way, customers can contribute to and report on emission reductions in their transport value chain even if the reduction is not physically linked to their specific transport activity.

“DHL Global Forwarding really steps up as a frontrunner in the freight forwarding industry with this commitment,” says Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO GoodShipping. “DHL’s goal to achieve net zero-emission logistics by 2050 made them a perfect partner for a strategic and mutually beneficial long-term collaboration. We can only have the greatest respect for the leadership demonstrated by this huge commitment from DHL, deepening our collaboration even further.”

DHL’s GoGreen Plus service paves the way to transition to clean and sustainable transportation. As part of this service, customers across the different divisions of Deutsche Post DHL Group are offered various solutions for minimizing logistics-related emissions and other environmental impacts along the entire supply chain, such as the use of Sustainable Fuels. GoodShipping calculates how much fossil fuel the cargo owner would have used without any insetting service. Subsequently they facilitate a replacement of the corresponding volume with truly sustainable biofuels made out of waste and residues only. With the “Book & Claim” mechanism, DHL can pass on the benefits of lower greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3 emissions) to its customers, helping them achieve their climate targets. The product is part of the Group's mid-term sustainability roadmap for 2030 and contributes to the sub-target of having at least 30 percent of fuel requirements covered by sustainable fuels. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, the Group will spend €7 billion in sustainable fuels and technologies by 2030.

About GoodShipping   
GoodShipping accelerates the decarbonisation of shipping. GoodShipping enables companies to make an immediate climate impact by decarbonising their scope 3 emissions. Being world’s leading sustainable cargo initiative, GoodShipping facilitates a switch from fossil fuel to sustainable biofuel through an innovative concept called carbon insetting. This is based on the one atmosphere approach – the concept that all carbon is emitted into the same atmosphere. Any carrier running on biofuel, is a reduction of fossil fuel emissions in the atmosphere. Therefor it doesn’t matter which carrier runs on biofuel. GoodShipping’s strict sustain-ability criteria and independent audit ensure that partners meet their decarbonisation commitments.  

GoodShipping is proud to be part of the GoodNRG Group. Together delivering sustainable decarbonisation solutions for the global transport industry. 

www.goodshipping.com 

About DHL – The logistics company for the world 

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”. 

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81 billion euros in 2021. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050

Designed for the most demanding industrial applications, the NEF series is one of the best examples of FPT Industrial’s technological excellence, featuring lean design, modularity, efficiency and proven reliability. With four- and six-cylinder configurations – with either structural or non-structural design – available in diesel and natural gas versions, displacements ranging from 3.9 to 6.7 liters, mechanical and electronic injection systems, and power outputs from 46 to 419 kW (62 – 570 hp), the NEF series stands out for its versatility, with around 1,800 different versions available in total.

FPT Industrial’s innate ability to customize its products to customer needs has made the NEF series engines the preferred choice in all the main industrial applications such as agriculture, construction equipment, on-road vehicles, marine, and power generation.

A hugely successful propulsion concept worldwide, the NEF series engines are also manufactured at FPT Industrial’s plants in Sete Lagoas, Brazil, and Cordoba, Argentina, thus allowing the Brand to fully satisfy the ever-increasing demand for reliable power, outstanding performance, and real sustainability.

“Two million engines sounds an unbelievable figure,” says Giorgio Ricci, FPT Industrial’s Head of Manufacturing. “But no record is out of reach when we leverage our heritage, skills, and innovative production processes.”

“A highly-skilled and committed team is the key to achieving such results, because nothing is out of reach when people share the same goals and passion,” says Alessandro Sezza, FPT Industrial Turin Site Plant Manager. “Now, new challenges are coming, but we are ready thanks to the extraordinary change management program carried out with our people for the exciting path we have just started down together.”

In addition to the NEF series, FPT Industrial’s Turin plant produces light-duty engines for on-highway and off-highway applications, as well as transmissions and front/rear axles for light, medium and heavy vehicles. The site represents a true hub for both diesel and natural gas engines, now joined by the ePowertrain plant, inaugurated in Turin this month.

FPT Industrial is a brand of IVECO Group, dedicated to the design, production and sales of drives systems for On-Road and Off-Road vehicles, as well as marine and Power Generation applications. The company has more than 8,000 employees around the world, ten production plants and seven R&D centers. The FPT Industrial sales network is made up of 73 dealerships and about 800 service centers in almost 100 countries. The brand boasts an extremely vast range of products that includes six engine families with power that goes from 42 HP to 1,006 HP, transmissions with maximum torque from 200 Nm to 500 Nm and 2 to 32 ton gross axle weight (GAW) front and rear axles. FPT Industrial offers the most complete line-up of natural gas engines on the market for industrial applications, with power that goes from 50 to 460 HP. This vast range of products and the great attention dedicated to R&D make FPT Industrial a global leader in the industrial engines segment. For more information, go to www.fptindustrial.com.

TDG, Terminal Del Golfo, part of Tarros Group, has ordered an eco-efficient Generation 6 Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane for their operation in La Spezia, in northwestern Italy. The crane represents the latest in mobile harbor crane technology: it will be equipped with an external power supply that lowers operating costs while reducing noise and exhaust emissions. The order was booked in July 2022 and the crane will be delivered in the first quarter of 2023.

The new Generation 6 crane will increase capacity and improve flexibility at the terminal. It can handle containers, general cargo and heavy project cargo, and its external power supply will raise both operational performance and reduce local carbon emissions. When unplugged the crane uses a hybrid drive, consisting of an EU Stage V diesel engine paired with ultracapacitors refilled by lowering and braking energy.

The crane will work at Terminal del Golfo (TDG), a container and multipurpose terminal in La Spezia. TDG is operated by Tarros Group, a port operator with a network of depots and terminals across the Mediterranean region. 

“We are excited to utilize the latest eco-efficient mobile harbor crane technology to support our terminal enlargement project in La Spezia. We were convinced by the combination of productivity, flexibility and eco-efficiency that the Generation 6 offers,” says Andrea Natale, Terminal Manager at TDG.

The crane is TDG’s first Generation 6 mobile harbor crane. The decision to purchase one was supported by Konecranes’ MHC Product Advisor, a virtual tool that helps operators find the right mobile harbor crane. The crane will have smart features such as automatic lubrication to reduce maintenance work, an emergency ladder on the tower wall for added safety, and digital services that streamline operation in line with Italy’s National Industry 4.0 Plan, a state strategy that encourages industrial innovation.

“This order underlines the strengths of the Generation 6 crane, with its high productivity, reliability and eco-efficiency, and we are proud to support TDG in their terminal expansion” says Gino Gherri, Regional Sales Manager, Port Solutions, Konecranes.

This order is part of Ecolifting™, Konecranes’ continuous work to decrease the carbon footprints of our customers. From eco-optimizing diesel drives to hybridization and fully-electrified fleets, we will continue to do more with less.

A strong focus on customers and commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalization and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonize the economy and advance circularity and safety.

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment of all makes. In 2021, Group sales totaled EUR 3.2 billion. The Group has approximately 16,600 employees in around 50 countries. Konecranes shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (symbol: KCR).

AV Dawson, owner and operator of Port of Middlesbrough has acquired the dry bulk business, Cobra Middlesbrough, as part of its strategic investment and expansion plans.

The acquisition will see Port of Middlesbrough’s footprint grow by eight acres, unlocking further opportunities on what was previously a 100-acre site.

Cobra, based on North Road in Middlesbrough, operates a dry bulk handling terminal with processing and packing facilities. The company’s main area of focus and expertise is in the salt market, handling and distributing thousands of tonnes of salt every year.   

Much of the salt stored at the facility has been mined locally. Some of the salt is used in animal feeds, but the majority is distributed to councils across the country for gritting roads during the winter.

Cobra also provides a range of services for the farming industry. The business receives screens and bags polyhalite – which, like salt, is mined. This is then used as a fertiliser in the agriculture sector in the UK and overseas.  

Salt stocks at Cobra Middlesbrough, an 8-acre site recently acquired by AV Dawson

The Cobra site, which is directly adjacent to Port of Middlesbrough, boasts extensive rail infrastructure and has direct access to the East Coast Mainline – this provides additional rail capacity for the port to support existing and new customers.

Gary Dawson, AV Dawson managing director said: “We’re excited to acquire Cobra Middlesbrough. We have worked closely with the business for many years, handling the import and export of salt through our port facility and supporting their rail logistics. Bringing both ours and their operations together, within one business, enables us to provide job security to existing staff while delivering greater efficiencies for our customers.

“We recognise that the site requires some significant investment, but this actually fits perfectly with our strengths and our strategy to invest, develop and expand our site.   

“This acquisition is also strategically important for our wider business because of its excellent rail connectivity. We are working with more and more of our customers to help them identify opportunities to transition from road to rail, so we need to ensure we have the capacity to accommodate their requirements. This is particularly important as we look to put our net zero strategy into action with the ultimate aim to become carbon neutral – we see rail as a big opportunity to help us and our customers to achieve this.”  

This acquisition is not the first time AV Dawson has made a strategic investment to improve its rail infrastructure. In 2015, the business struck a deal with Network Rail to take full control of the seven-acre neighbouring Middlesbrough Goods Yard.

Scan Global Logistics opens in Abu Dhabi, its second office in the UAE in less than a year

On 1 September, only seven months after opening its first wholly owned operation in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the global logistics provider Scan Global Logistics (SGL) opened its second office in Abu Dhabi. Setting up business in the UAE capital, the fastest-growing international trade hub in the Middle East, is also a step towards enhancing SGL's presence in the economically flourishing region while expanding its global foothold.

Strategically located in the Abu Dhabi Airport Freezone, the new office is equipped with a dual license of a Freezone and a mainland company for offshore and onshore requirements. Located at the centre of the industrial zone close to the Khalifa seaport and the Etihad Cargo and International Airport, air and ocean customers will benefit from quick and easy freight handling, including expedited customs handling.

Operational 24/7/365
As the first logistics provider in Abu Dhabi, the new office is operational 24/7/365. For customers within verticals such as aid and relief or pharma often requiring urgent handling of shipments, the round-the-clock service hours enable fast customs clearance, even during night time.  

"By having customs close by, we can provide our air and ocean customers with fast inspections and efficient solutions in no time. Customs optimization can save considerable time and money and keep our customers' vital supply chain running smoothly," says Leslie Farnworth, General Manager, Abu Dhabi, who holds 23 years of experience in the industry.

He continues, elaborating on the power of proximity and collaboration with the Abu Dhabi office:

"Our proximity to import and export gateways enables us to provide speedy turnaround times, especially for our customers in the Abu Dhabi area. And, in close collaboration with our sister office, we can ensure smooth operations for customers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including land transportation to our neighbouring countries in the region." 

From left to right: Gennaro Moraca, Finance Director, UAE – Ayman Kabbara, Managing Director, UAE – Leslie Farnworth, General Manager, Abu Dhabi

Logistics of tomorrow
SGL offers a range of tangible, low-emission solutions to help decarbonize their customers' supply chains. For example, customers worldwide can opt for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

"Sustainable logistics can provide customers with a competitive edge. Therefore, we engage daily in helping our customers reduce their CO2 emissions, including long-term planning, allowing for choosing the most environmentally friendly modes of transport,” says Leslie Farnworth.

Ayman Kabbara, Managing Director, UAE, concludes:

"The opening of the Abu Dhabi office follows the trajectory of SGL's growth strategy, expanding our extensive, worldwide network, providing entrepreneurial logistics solutions to our global and regional customers. Our industry experts are handpicked within aerospace, pharma, aid & relief, retail, agriculture, and defence. Coupled with Abu Dhabi's logistical capabilities, connectivity, and strategic location as an important gateway to the African continent, Europe and Asia, we look forward to providing efficient logistics and helping uncomplicate our customers' world."

About Scan Global Logistics
Scan Global Logistics is a global full-service logistics provider headquartered in the Nordic, which excels in uncomplicating logistics through tailored solutions made by skilled specialists, proud problem-solvers, and passionate entrepreneurs.

Since 1975, the core of our DNA has been a 'can-do-attitude,' agility, and the willingness always to go the extra mile, and we are not afraid to go left when others go right. For us, every challenge is an opportunity. We go above and beyond to bring anything anywhere – whether by air, ocean, rail or road, or any other mode of transportation.

AV Dawson, owner and operator of Port of Middlesbrough has grown its transport fleet by 25% by investing in state-the-art trucks to support its diversification and expansion strategy.

The ten new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) aim to help support the growth of its transport division and aid with its diversification strategy.

The Middlesbrough-based businesses’ multi-million-pound investment will strengthen the core fleet and enable further growth of the division, by allowing the expansion into new sectors.

The Scania R500 XT’s - five of which are ADR compliant – the European agreement which regulates the international movement of hazardous goods by land - also boast the XT package that includes reinforced bumpers’ to prevent damage to the trucks and R500 engines.

The business, accredited to the FORS Bronze Standard, has fitted the new trucks with extensive road management software which includes reverse parking sensors and 360-degree CCTV. These trucks also have the Optidrive CanBus system installed, which AV Dawson currently uses to monitor safe driving standards, fuel efficiency & driver performance to promote efficient and safe driving.

Transport Commercial Manager, Alex Hugill said: “It’s an exciting time for our transport department, the investment will allow us to expand our customer base and explore new sectors.

“It also showcases the commitment the business has to the Transport department and the value this division brings to the wider company.

“Additionally, the investment has led to a restructure within the department which has made way for new roles to further strengthen the transport team.       

“This restructure will allow us to focus on offering an exceptional customer experience and provide a quality, value for money service.”

Transport Operations Manager, Paul Scott said: “Although there have been challenges in recent times regarding recruitment of HGV drivers due to a national shortage, this investment, along with other driver incentives, has allowed us to attract and retain our HGV drivers.    

“We look forward to seeing what the new changes bring to the department and wider business.”

The investment in the transport department is just one in a series of major investments the business has made over the past year including a new state-of-the-art head office at its Port of Middlesbrough site.

Plant investments, site infrastructure and the construction of a renewable energy facility – are just some of the incentives the port is investing in, in a bid to meet the Governments Net Zero targets.

Located on the River Tees in North East England, AV Dawson’s Port of Middlesbrough provides a multi-modal freight logistics service across a number of sectors including energy and renewables, construction, agriculture and automotive. The 40-hectare facility boasts deep-water berths, and market-specific rail terminals including a container park and climate-controlled metals hub, all supported by its road transport fleet.

AV Dawson Limited, the Teesside business which owns and operates Port of Middlesbrough, is a third-generation family business with an 80-year track record in logistics. With a local workforce of 200 people, AV Dawson is dedicated to the development and improvement of its employees and the community in which it operates.

AV Dawson is now embarking on a £10m master plan to invest further in its Middlesbrough port facility - supporting its customers and positioning the business for future growth. The three-year plan includes the construction of a renewable energy plant, a new head office and developments to the port’s quayside to accommodate larger vessels.   

Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE), a full-service locomotive leasing company, has ordered 14 Vectron MS multisystem locomotives from Siemens Mobility on the basis of an existing contract. With this order, MRCE will have a fleet of 147 Vectrons. MRCE plans to use the locomotives in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and the Netherlands.

• Delivery of 14 Vectron MS multisystem locomotives
• MRCE fleet includes 147 Vectron locomotives

“We are especially pleased that our long-standing customer MRCE is further expanding its fleet of Vectrons. MCRE’s trust in us shows that our Vectron locomotives stand for reliability and flexibility in European passenger and freight transport,” said Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility.

"We believe that Vectron will be the solution in the long run for meeting future cross-border needs in the European market, and we intend to steadily increase our Vectron fleet as a main asset in our portfolio," said Hayato Yanagisawa, CEO of MRCE.

The multisystem locomotives ordered by MRCE have a maximum power at wheel of 6.4 megawatts and a top speed of 160 km/h. The locomotives will be manufactured at the Siemens Mobility plant in Munich-Allach, and equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) as well as the required national train control systems.

Since their introduction, Siemens Mobility has sold more than 1,500 Vectron locomotives to 62 customers in 16 countries. The Vectron fleet has covered more than 600 million kilometers in service to date and the locomotives are approved for operating in 20 European countries.

Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio in its core areas of rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, intelligent traffic systems as well as related services. With digitalization, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2021, which ended on September 30, 2021, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €9.2 billion and had around 39,500 employees worldwide. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/mobility.

Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE) has the biggest fleet of modern cross-border locomotives in Europe. The fleet consist of over 300 electric locomotives. The product offered by MRCE is special as it combines the leasing and maintenance management of locomotives. MRCE is a subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and has strategically divided its business over the headquarters in Amsterdam and Munich. The MRCE Head office in Amsterdam is responsible for operational leasing, procurement, financing and sales of locomotives. The office in Munich manages the maintenance and technical servicing of the locomotive fleet. https://www.mrce.eu/