Rickmers celebrates 175th anniversary
How it all began: 175 years ago, in June 1834, Rickmer Clasen Rickmers, born on the island of Heligoland, founded the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven, thus laying the foundations for the family’s long involvement in the shipping business. In addition to the shipyard and the shipping business, the trained ship builder also became involved in rice trading.

By 1890, under the management of the second Rickmers generation, the Rickmers Rice Mill had developed into one of the leading rice processing companies in Europe. The following generations entered into steam shipping, the Asia trade as well as liner services. Wars and new beginnings also determined their actions. Thus the Rickmers history also reflects the social history of the early 19th century.

Today, Bertram and Erck Rickmers, the fifth generation of entrepreneurs, run two independent groups of companies, employing more than 5000 people both ashore and at sea.

More about the anniversary, publications and a press kit can be found at:
www.rickmers.com >> 175 years Rickmers

http://www.rickmers-linie.com

Ag shippers name APL No. 1 for second time in three years
Washington, D.C., 9 Jun, 2009: APL, the world’s 7th-largest container shipping line, is No. 1 in the eyes of U.S. agricultural exporters. That’s the verdict of shippers surveyed this spring by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC).

The nation’s leading trade association for agricultural shippers and forwarders, Washington-based AgTC announced this week that APL placed first in its annual Ocean Carrier Performance Survey. It was the second No. 1 ranking for APL in the three-year history of the survey.

“Notable is the consistency of the rankings over time,” said the coalition in announcing its results. It said that APL’s repeat performance atop the survey suggested that the carrier is “maintaining a superior level of service performance.”

APL is a top 5 carrier of U.S. exports. In the survey of leading agricultural shippers, it placed ahead of 19 other ocean carriers. The lines were rated on bookings, equipment and space allocation, documentation and customer service practices.

“The ocean carriers’ performance in these areas frequently matches and at times can prevail over freight rates as the basis for an ag shipper’s selection of carriers,” said the coalition. “The carriers that can perform well will be more likely to get the business.”

The coalition said the purpose of its annual survey is to recognize carriers who consistently perform well and to encourage others to do better.

“Recognition – especially for superior service – is always gratifying,” said Bob Sappio, Senior Vice President of PanAmerican Trades for APL. “Recognition from shippers who are our customers is the most satisfying honor of all.”

http://www.apl.com/

MOL relocates North America headquarters
MITSUI OSK Line Ltd (MOL) has unveiled plans to move its North America headquarters from Concord to Lombard, Illinois.

"The consolidation will allow for a greater synergy among the interactions between trade management and the product management Team, which is already located in Lombard," said MOL (America) president Noboru Kitazawa.

"This will improve our ability to optimise vessel and intermodal networks to enhance revenue and cost management, as well as broaden our employees' career opportunities."

The relocation of staff to the Lombard HQ is scheduled for early August 2009, a company statement said.

http://www.schednet.com/

UASC picks new CEO, makes senior management changes
UNITED Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has replaced former CEO Ken Bloch Sorensen with Jorn Hinge, who has served as the Dubai shipping line's chief operating officer for 15 years.

Mr Soerensen's four year-term at UASC has included his implementation of its strategic plan entitled Towards 2010, which has seen container revenues increase and the company's regional presence grow.

Mr Sorensen said of the carrier that is now working on plans Towards 2012: "I believe that UASC today has the necessary solid foundation and is positioned well to meet its strategic goals and to overcome the more immediate challenges of the current market situation."

In a report from SeaTrade Asia, Mr Hinge's promotion will reportedly lead the chief technical officer Waleed Al Dawood taking over as COO and the current CFO Basil Al Zaid will assume Mr Dawood's responsibilities.

Said UASC chairman Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim Al-Thani: "The chief executive and the executive management are entrusted to carry forward the long term strategic plans of UASC, to sustain its leader position in the region and bring the company to a viable size and capacity to compete on a larger scale."

http://www.schednet.com/

General Manager of Guangzhou Port Group Paid a Visit to CSCL
On the afternoon of May 14th, 2009, Managing Director Huang Xiaowen, together with Assistant General Manager Wu Yachun met Mr. Zhou Xiaoxi, General Manager of Guangzhou Port Group. The two sides discussed the business development of Nansha Port and the container market in Pearl River Delta. Relevant from Domestic Trade Division, Multimodal Transport Division and Commercial Division also attended the meeting.

http://www.cscl.com.cn/