Intra Gulf – Implementation of Emergency Risk Surcharge (ERS)
As a result of the increased piracy activity, and in light of continuous efforts to prevent piracy attacks and to protect crew and cargo in the Intra-gulf region, shipping lines will introduce an Emergency Risk Surcharge to mitigate the expenses incurred on securing and maintaining a reliable and safe service. The expenses are meant to cover the following:
- Sailing a longer distance
- Sailing at a faster speed
- Increasing the number of vessels on our services
- Equipping vessels with extra safety measures and devicesÂ
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Effective date: 1st June 2011
Scope: U. A. E., Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia to/from India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
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Empty Container Park Charges
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The Victorian Transport Association has advised that in an attempt to alleviate truck waiting time at empty container parks to de-hire empty  containers or take delivery of containers for packing for export several container parks are implementing a web based programme for carriers to electronically transmit their intent to deliver an empty container or pick up an empty container to or from the container park. The system should improve information visibility and exchange about proposed truck arrivals and hopefully alleviate the long delays carriers are currently experiencing at the container parks. The carriers will be issued with a ‘notification window’ which is not a time slot and does not guarantee that there will not be a delay upon arrival at the container park however it will assist to mitigate truck congestion and queuing. Each participating container park will apply a ‘Container Fee’ each time a ‘notification’ is made and this fee will be charged to transport company and will be on charged to their clients.  To date the fee cost is still being decided.
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Qantas faces pilots' wrath
 Pilots at Australia's Qantas Airways appear set to take industrial action after the Australian and International Pilots Association applied to Fair Work Australia for permission to ballot members. It is believed members will be asked to vote on a work-to-rule campaign plus stop work meetings of up to two days duration. The pilots say they are concerned about job security, and want all Qantas aircraft to be operated by Qantas pilots. It will take up to four weeks to ballot the airline's 1700 pilots. Elsewhere, Qantas also faces the prospect of the Transport Workers Union taking industrial action.
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US clears naked scanners ... Europe not so sure
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USA authorities have cleared full-body scanners deployed at airports, saying the radiation they emit is within acceptable levels. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said: "The latest reports confirm previous testing and
show that every backscatter unit currently used for passenger screening in US airports is operating well within applicable national safety standards."
There are some 486 full-body scanners in 78 airports in the United States, of which 247 are so-called backscatter machines.
Across the pond, the EU says body scanning should be voluntary for passengers at EU airports.
If scanners are used, health and fundamental rights must be safeguarded along with personal data, dignity and privacy.
No body images should be seen and, for health reasons, no X-ray-based scanners should be allowed at EU airports, say ministers at the European parliament, who also have confirmed they want the current ban on carrying liquids on planes lifted by 2013.Â
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NZ government to part-sell Air NZ
The New Zealand government has announced the part privatisation of Air New Zealand with unspecified proportions of the government's 74.6 per cent stake in Air New Zealand to be sold.
 Source: ACW
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Worldwide Container Availability
A recent report by the World Shipping Council, warns of tight container availability. Here are the numbers:
A)Â Number of ocean containers worldwide: 28,535,000
B)Â Number of ocean containers built per year on average: 3,000,000
C)Â Number of ocean containers scraped each year: 1,426,750
What does this all mean?
A)   Generally speaking the ocean carriers with the lowest rates have a smaller number of containers   available for booking than the major ocean carriers.
B)Â Â Â The ocean carriers will try to keep their old containers in service longer. Â
C)Â Â Â Â If the worldwide market for container cargo is strong, everyone will have problems getting containers for bookings.Â
D)Â Â Â The ocean carriers can increase their orders for new containers but there will be some lag time between order and delivery (3 to 6 months).Â
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First test 747-8F heads to Texas
In May Boeing sent the first 747-8 freighter test aircraft to its global services and support site in San Antonio, Texas. The manufacturer expects certification and first delivery to launch customer Cargolux in July.
In March Boeing began shipping early production 787-8’s to the same facility for modifications to conform with certification production standards prior to delivery. The freighters had test equipment removed and cargo loading equipment installed.
The first 747-8 freighter left Everett (Washington) factory on 12 November 2009. One month later, Korean Air became the first airline to order both the passenger and freighter versions of the 747-8. The first test flight was concluded on 8 February 2010.
The 747-8 freighter offers a range of 8130 km and a maximum structural payload capacity of 140 tonnes. It also offers and additional 120m3 of space and 16% more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400 freighter.
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Qantas Freight considers new 747/777 lease
Qantas Freight, which currently wet-leases three 747-300F freighters from Atlas Air, is reportedly considering a plan to lease a small number of 747-8F or 777F freighters in an agreement to announced within coming months.
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 ITM Staff News Appointment of a new CEO for ITM The Board of International Trade Management (ITM) is pleased to announce that Mr John Antoniou has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company effective 1st July 2011. The appointment follows Mr Peter Lilley’s decision some 12 months ago to step back from the role this year. A structured succession planning process ensued culminating in today’s announcement. Mr Antoniou brings to the role more than 28 years experience in the industry working across all facets of the business. During his 16 years with the company John has made a significant contribution in his role as CFO and later as COO implementing and delivering customer- focused strategies. He will bring continuity to ITMs’ successful growth strategy and its plans to further enhance the breadth and quality of client service to our existing and new clients. Mr Lilley will continue to contribute to the company in a senior capacity developing key clients as well as seeking out and managing further business acquisitions. The board wishes to acknowledge Peter’s contribution to the company during his tenure as CEO and looks forward to his ongoing contribution. Along with his extensive industry experience John is also a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Senior Member of the Australian Computer Society and holds an MBA from RMIT University in Melbourne
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Appointment of new Sales Staff for ITM It is with pleasure that ITM announces the appointment of a new member of the Sales Team in our Western Australia office, Mr Barrie Jones who joined the company in May 2011. We are also pleased to advise the appointment of a new member of the Sales Team in our Brisbane office, Mr Brett Mornard who joined the company in May 2011. Brett brings with him 20 years of experience in the forwarding industry. We welcome both these gentleman on board the ITM team.