Lisa Kline moves to vehicle planning and logistics role at Subaru of America
Lisa Kline has replaced Matt Ritter as vice-president of vehicle planning and logistics at Subaru of America. Ritter has taken over as regional vice-president of the eastern region for the carmaker
Weathering the storm from the east
The Ukrainian conflict has had a profound impact on the inbound parts and finished vehicle logistics sectors in central and eastern Europe but carmakers and suppliers have shown resilience and bounced back quickly
A picture paints a thousand words for Ford’s quality inspection
Benjamin Pohl told delegates at this year’s FVL North America conference that Ford is looking hard at digital tools for real-time information to better identify where and when damage is occuring
Data visibility provides a crystal ball for VW’s port quality operations
Volkswagen Group of America is now able to provide more accurate information on port quality operations thanks to optimisation software from technology provider Inform
Vinfast delivers first EV exports to Canada
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker Vinfast has delivered its first shipment of 781 VF8 electric SUVs to Nanaimo port, British Columbia, Canada.
First order of business at Toyota
Missy Pearlman, general manager of Toyota Logistics Services, discusses the carmaker’s new process to improve sequencing at the North American ports of export and her division’s strategy on supply chain alignment at a time of upheaval for the car industry
The winds of change: welcome to Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2023
Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ludwig welcomes delegates to this year’s event during the opening cocktail reception.
Stellantis: Opportunities everywhere in North America to invest in outbound capacity
Nick Thompson explains how Stellantis is looking for more vehicle logistics capacity across the region, especially for Mexico.
Mercedes Benz: People are our most critical asset in vehicle logistics
Rory Hepner points to the partnerships and human capital that will help the Mercedes-Benz USA meet its ambitions for service and electrification.
VW Group of America: what data points in the delivery chain help us act?
Anu Goel says it’s important for Volkswagen to determine what visibility logistics teams need versus what the customer needs – as they are not always the same.
The FVL party has started: capacity, ETA, standards and network changes
Halfway through this year’s conference on the sidelines of the evening reception, Christopher Ludwig sums up the highlights so far.
State of freight in the golden state: how California aims to stay a global leader in sustainable logistics
State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin explains the policies, funding and technology supporting the state’s ambitious zero emission freight and transport targets.
Nissan’s zero emission journey to using electric trucks in North America
Steve Jernigan explains the new relationships and considerations Nissan has needed to make to bring several EV trucking initiatives to life, including for outbound haulaway in California.
Logistics in the virtual world: how Toyota is using AR/VR in training and logistics centres
Dave Kleiner, from Toyota’s Applied Technology Research Lab, explains the technology and benefits of immersive training and digital twins for the carmaker’s logistics operations.
That’s a wrap, but the conversation is just getting started for finished vehicle logistics
At the end of FVL North America 2023, Christopher Ludwig reflects on the top themes of the event, with one thing clear: things are changing faster in vehicle logistics than ever before.
Chinese automakers surge amid western withdrawal from Russian market
Analysts at last week’s ECG Spring Congress looked at the rise in Chinese vehicle exports to Russia in the wake of the withdrawal of western carmakers following the start of hostilties in Ukraine
Rebuilding trust is key to solving the European capacity crisis
At last week’s Spring Congress of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics’ (ECG) closer industry dialogue was seen to be helping repair a stubborn capacity crisis in the outbound sector
Bridging the gap for vehicle distribution in North America
The current shortage in deep-ocean ro-ro capacity for vehicle imports to North America has necessitated the rapid set up of a landbridge between the west coast ports and inland destinations to the east
Out of sight is not out of mind in today’s vehicle logistics
Carmakers and their logistics and technology providers are looking for greater transparency in the outbound network to manage customer expections on vehicle delieries in the face of supply chain disruption
Automotive logistics can empower Asian manufacturers globally
DP World is building a network of technologically advanced vehicle handling terminals that Asian carmakers stand to benefit from as they export globally
Co-operation helps calm the waters
Through 2022 and into this year the top North American vehilce handling ports have been dealing with sporadic volumes caused by disruption to vehilce production as well as a shortage in ro-ro vessel capacity
Toyota and Paccar build on fuel-cell truck partnership
Toyota Motor North America and Paccar are building on their collaboration to develop Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, for both inbound and finished vehicle deliveries
Ceva Logistics to offer carmakers sustainable ro-ro capacity
Ceva Logistics is leasing vehicle-carrying vessels from CMA CGM on a long-term basis to offer OEM customers end-to-end services, including between China and Europe
Amports invests in digital technology and EV infrastructure
Amports moved 1.5m vehicles through its eight vehicle terminals last year and invested in EV infrastructure and digital technology to support volume throughput, as well as opening a new pier in Antioch
Baltimore holds on to its position as top US vehicle-handling port
The US port moved more than 750,000 vehicles through its terminals in 2022 despite disruption to vehicle flows caused by volatile production and a shortage of ro-ro capacity
Accurate forecasts for the spring push at Vancouver
Dan Emerson, vice-president of Canada operations for WW Solutions, talks about developments at its vehicle terminal at the Canadian port of Vancouver and what it is doing with the port authority to increase capacity
Volatile output and tight ro-ro capacity disrupt auto volumes on US east coast
In the face of vessel disruption, automotive terminals at the ports of New York and New Jersey have seen a switch from ro-ro vessels delivering parts to vehicles being delivered in containers
BMW using Medway rail service for vehicle movements
BMW is moving more finished vehicles on the Medway rail service operating between its assembly plant in Regensburg, Germany and the Belgian port of Antwerp-Bruges
Containing the boom after the bust
The pickup in demand for container services by carmakers which Ceva is seeing is a reaction to the sudden shortage in ro-ro capacity following three years in which no new vessels were built
Barcelona port increases finished vehicle throughput in 2022
The port of Barcelona has increased throughput of vehicles with EVs now accounting for 20% of imports, the majority being shipped from China
Colin McLoughlin joins ABP to head operations in the Humber
Associated British Ports has appointed Colin McLoughlin to head operations in the Humber region, which includes four ports at Immingham, Grimsby, Hull, and Goole
Taking the smoke out of the chain
Vehicle makers including Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are working with logistics providers to clean up the inbound parts logistics supporting ambitious EV production targets
Turkey suspends automotive re-export to Russia
Turkey is reported to have halted the passage of sanctioned goods to Russia, including finished vehicles and automotive parts, which his adding additional pressure to the automotive supply chain in the country
Digital clouds on the horizon for finished vehicle logistics
Speakers from Volvo Cars, Inform and ECG debated the lack of transport capacity on road, rail and ocean at this year’s ALSC Europe conference and talked about how digital tools could make the most efficient use of existing equipment
Interview: Changing trade, technology and mindsets across BMW’s supply chain
BMW’s Dr Michael Nikolaides talks about how the OEM is adapting its supply chain to respond to geopolitical changes and new requirements, from vehicle logistics capacity to sustainable trucking
BYD delivers first vehicles to UK but rules out local production
Chinese EV maker BYD Auto is exporting its Atto 3 electric SUV for sale in the UK from this month while it looks for a production location in Europe, though UK is not in the running for that
Tanger Med boosts vehicle throughput and cuts emissions
Tanger Med port in Morocco handled almost 478,600 finished vehicles in 2022, an 11% rise on the previous year. The majority of vehicles were exports from Renault Group and Stellantis.
BLG expands capacity for handling high and heavy cargoes
BLG Logistics is leasing more space at Bremerhaven port in Germany to handle increasing volumes of high and heavy equipment, including rolling construction machinery, tractors and other heavy goods
VW Group forecasts increase in deliveries as logistics problems ease
VW Group says an easing of supply chain restrictions in 2023, including a more ready supply of semiconductors, will allow it to increase vehicle deliveries and meet a strong order backlog
FVL Cost Index shows increase across transport modes and compounds
Costs associated with the provision of finished vehicle logistics services in Europe increased by around 54% between January 2019 and September 2022, according to the first of a new cost index series of reports published by the Association of European Finished Vehicle Logistics and analyst PwC Austria.
A Russian market close to catastrophe
One year since Russia invaded Ukraine the consequent sanctions taken by global companies combined with the exodus of European businesses have shattered the manufacturing base
Nissan uses electric semi-trailers for vehicle deliveries to US
Nissan North America is working with Avant Garde Auto Logistics (Agal) on a project to move vehicles imported through the port of LA on electric semi-trailers, including the Ariya EV
Susan Serrano lands role at the port of Baltimore
Susan Serrano has moved from Höegh Autoliners to take up a new role responsible for increasing finished vehicle volumes at the US port of Baltimore
Grimaldi buys terminal for vehicle imports through Amsterdam
Grimaldi has invested in terminal space at the Dutch port of Amsterdam and intends to increase vehicle imports through the port alongside its other freight handling
CIMC to build automated parking facility at Lianyungang port
CIMC IoT is developing a five-storey automated parking garage at Lianyungang port, aimed at increasing storage capacity and throughput for vehicle exports
Axel Bantel moves to BLG Automobile Logistics
Axel Bantel has taken over a new role at BLG Logistics as managing director of sales in the Automobile division of German logistics provider
The swing of the post-Covid pendulum
Dennis Manns, executive vice-president of advisory group North Motors, talks in detail about the lessons learned from the disruption of the last three years and why better communication is crucial
Grimaldi increases orders for sustainable car carriers
Grimaldi now has build orders for 15 car carrier vessels from Chinese shipyards, each certified to run on ammonia as zero-carbon fuel and each able to carry 9,000 CEUs
Ro-ro capacity crunch means carmakers are looking for containers
A shortage in available ro-ro capacity and an increase in EV shipments from China means carmakers are looking for vehicle containerisation services, such as those offered by CFR Rinkens
Wallenius’ wind-propelled car carrier benefits from EU funding
The joint Orcelle project to bring a wind-powered car carrier into operation by 2027 has received €9 million funding from the European Union.
