Clarification on Antwerp vehicle throughput
In the last edition of Finished Vehicle Logistics magazine we reported that the port of Antwerp had show a 13% decline in the number of new vehicles handled in 2011 on the previous year. This was incorrect.
The figure provided for 2011, which correctly numbered throughput of new vehicles at just more than 600,000, was being compared with figures provided for 2010, which included both new and used vehicle throughput, distorting the growth as a decline. The port of Antwerp actually saw a slight increase in the number of new vehicles handled in 2011.
A spokesperson for the port confirmed that it handled around 600,000 new vehicles in 2011 compared to 528,000 in 2010. "If we count all units - new and used - we handled over 1 million units," said the spokesperson.
Ford to boost output by cutting summer downtime
Ford has said it will make nearly 40,000 additional vehicles this summer by cutting plant downtime in the US. There will be shutdowns of just one week instead of the traditional two weeks at 13 facilities, including six assembly plants.
The decision will mean extra business for the company's logistics providers on both the inbound delivery of parts and outbound transport of finished vehicles and components.
"We are working most of our North America plants at maximum capacity and we are adding production shifts in three of our assembly plants this month alone," said Jim Tetreault, vice president of North America Manufacturing. "Requiring more capacity from our plants is a good problem to have and having the flexibility to add a week of production in our plants goes a long way toward solving it."
The Ford assembly plants involved include Chicago Assembly, Dearborn Truck, Kentucky Truck, Louisville Assembly, Michigan Assembly and Kansas City Assembly.
Other plants taking one week of shutdown include Dearborn Engine, Chicago Stamping, Cleveland Engine No. 1, Lima Engine, Essex Engine, Sterling and Rawsonville.
Hyundai has contingencies for Middle East shipments
Korean carmaker Hyundai has said it is looking at alternative routes to ship cars to the Middle East should the international dispute with Iran over its nuclear programme escalate and disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with the Financial Times, ST Kim, Hyundai's COO, said the company had to think about how it could deliver cars to markets in the Middle East if the Persian Gulf became blocked. "We are prepared already for that kind of scenario," Kim told the FT.
According to the paper, Hyundai also said it would ship via alternative sea routes, including the Red Sea, and overland.
The carmaker has just launched its upgraded compact New Generation i30 in the Middle East. It is available in two models - the GL and GLS.
ABP begins work on Grimsby terminal development
Associated British Ports has officially marked the beginning of work on its new multi-million pound vehicle terminal development at the port of Grimsby in the northeast UK.
ABP is investing £25m ($39m) in the development of the Grimsby River Terminal, the largest-ever capital investment at the port, which, once complete, will offer significantly improved access to the international automotive industry and be capable of berthing ships that can carry nearly four times the number of vehicles than those currently using the Alexandra Dock.
The Dock is currently accessed via the Royal Lock entrance, which limits ship size to a maximum of 800 cars. The proposed terminal will offer lock-free access for two vessels carrying up to 3,000 vehicles, significantly increasing the port's capacity and making it more attractive to carriers It will link directly into the port's vehicle storage facilities.
The event was attended by Volkswagen, which has signed an agreement with ABP to be an "anchor tenant" for the development.
The first ships expected to berth at the new facility in autumn 2013.
Team 3 adds staff to meet VW production boost
Team 3 Logistics, the joint venture between US-based 3PL Kenco Logistic Services and Germany's Schnellecke Logistics, is increasing staff numbers to meet growing output at Volkswagen Group of America's plant in Chattanooga, which makes Passat midsize sedans.
Sales of the Chattanooga-built Passat have risen to more than 10,000 per month over the last two months, with record sales of 10,096 units in April.
As a consequence of the increased activity, Team 3 is adding 150 jobs bringing its full-time workforce to 350.
VW is adding 800 more jobs to meet production needs bringing the total number of added jobs in 2012 to 1,000 and boosting total employment at the plant to 3,500.
Since 2010 Team 3 has managed and operated the Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) storerooms at the VW plant. It handles receiving and warehousing, as well as issuing assembly line repair parts, tools and supplies in support of assembly plant operations.
FTA European Road Transport Guide published
The UK's Freight Transport Association has published the 17th edition of its annual European Road Transport Guide for UK-based road transport operators visiting countries in the EU and beyond.
The FTA European Road Transport Guide uses country profiles to equip transport managers with the information needed to avoid delays and deal effectively with roadside enforcement said the association.
Country-specific sections have been updated and include amended information on public holidays, weekend lorry bans, toll prices and other essential facts for fleet operators. This year Liechtenstein and Monaco have been added to the list of countries in the guide. More information is available here
