Sponsored Suardiaz invests in sustainable vessels for a stronger Atlantic service Suardiaz Group is investing in two new dual-fuel car carriers that can run on LNG to move greater volumes of finished vehicles between north Africa and Europe in a cleaner way. Automotive Logistics
Foton Motor launches ocean freight joint venture with COSCO Shipping Foton Motor and COSCO Shipping have launched Guangzhou Yuanfu Automotive Supply Chain, a joint venture to establish an independent global maritime supply chain. James McLoughlin
Iran conflict threatens key shipping routes in the Middle East; shippers halt operations, re-route vessels and introduce surcharges Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted operations for all major global shippers as the Strait of Hormuz closed and Jebel Ali Port temporarily suspended operations. Ilkhan Ozsevim James McLoughlin
Sponsored Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025: Download now Download the inaugural Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 for the definitive playbook to navigate disruption, cut through uncertainty and stay ahead of global competition. Automotive Logistics
Tata-Iveco charts a new $4.3bn global industrial map Tata Motors will acquire Iveco Group’s commercial vehicle business for €3.8 billion, excluding its defence arm. The move aims to build a diversified global champion with combined revenues of €22 billion and a shared focus on sustainable mobility. Ilkhan Ozsevim
NYK Lines and partners open new finished vehicle terminal along Suez Canal The Suez Canal Automotive Terminal is Egypt’s first dedicated vehicle terminal and offers a new entry point to North African and Mediterranean markets. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Manuel Purwin moves to CCO role at Scan Global Logistics Manuel Purwin has moved to take the role of chief commercial officer (CCO) for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) region (excluding the Nordic countries) at freight forwarder Scan Global Logistics. Purwin moves from his role as global head of Automobility+ at logistics provider DB Schenker. Marcus Williams
Avtovaz looks for ro-ro capacity to strengthen vehicle exports Russian carmaker Avtovaz is looking to boost production through exports abroad in 2024, including target markets in Iran and Egypt, according to the carmaker’s president, Maxim Sokolov. It follows a two-year decline in foreign sales. Russian cargo carrier, Fesco said it would support the carmaker’s export plans with a specialised fleet of car-carrying vessels, which is subject to Avtovaz receiving a concrete export order. Automotive Logistics
Stellantis plans to make cars in South Africa by 2025 Stellantis has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to build a plant in the country by 2025. Currently, the carmaker imports all the vehicles it sells there. Marcus Williams
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. Marcus Williams
Grimaldi buys terminal for vehicle imports through Amsterdam Grimaldi has acquired 20 hectares of space at the Dutch port of Amsterdam with the intention of importing new vehicles to northern Europe. Marcus Williams
Floods hit auto production and supply in South Africa South Africa’s automotive industry has been badly affected by heavy rains and disastrous flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region. Operations are expected be disrupted to some extent for the rest of this year, with Toyota’s plant in Prospecton badly hit. Jason Dunn
Sallaum Lines adds BMW and Ford volumes to global shipments Sallaum Lines is well established in the movement of vehicles between the US, Europe and Africa, and has now signed new contracts with BMW and Ford for the shipment of vehicles from South Africa to Europe Automotive Logistics
Toyota begins assembly from SKD imports in Ghana Toyota has started assembling vehicles in the African republic of Ghana, beginning with the Hilux pickup truck. The truck is being built at the new Toyota Tsusho assembly plant in Tema from imported semi-knockdown (SKD) kits. Marcus Williams
GM Middle East to import more vehicles from China GM will be importing more vehicles from China to supply the Middle East following a re-evaluation of its sourcing strategy triggered by Covid-19, according to Sulaiman Pallak, head of purchasing and supply chain for GM Africa and Middle East. Marcus Williams
Watch: Middle East and North Africa supply chains – the route to recovery (EP.3) Watch this Livestream for the latest insight on vehicle demand, production and trade across Middle East and North Africa automotive supply chains, plus insights with General Motors’ head of purchasing and supply chain for the Middle East, Sulaiman Pallak. Forecast available for download.
Mercedes-Benz adopts mining standard initiative for ethical battery sourcing Mercedes-Benz is adopting a mining certification programme designed to ensure more ethical sourcing of materials used to make the lithium-ion batteries for its electric vehicles (EVs). The carmaker is also aiming to reduce the level of cobalt used in the batteries it uses to less than 10%. Marcus Williams
Easing off the gas: Is the shipping industry ready for Sulphur 2020? A new rule to cut sulphur emissions, coming into force next year, will require operational changes by ports and shipping lines. But some parts of the world are far from ready Gavin du Venage
Spate of violent attacks against trucks in South Africa threatens automotive industry Gavin du Venage
Seat looks to buy parts beyond Spain Though Seat sources the majority of its parts from domestic suppliers in Spain, the Spanish carmaker has just announced that it plans to buy more components from outside the country. Steve Garnsey
Ford Europe packaging: Heading to the pool Ford’s Kuly Malka has overseen a transformation in the carmaker’s European packaging and container management Marcus Williams
Containerisation: Why finished vehicle logistics needs to think inside the box While ro-ro is the traditional method of shipping finished vehicles, containerisation is becoming increasingly viable as the automotive industry decentralises and introduces more EVs. Growth in China and South East Asia offers particularly good opportunities Marcus Williams
Africa awakes Africa’s vehicle production and distribution sector still trails much of the rest of the world, but the signs are that this is beginning to change Gavin du Venage
Volkswagen Group part 2: Talking ‘then and now’ with head of group logistics, Thomas Zernechel The group’s head of group logistics talks about the major changes seen over the past two decades – and why he is optimistic about the future of logistics Christopher Ludwig
VW chief warns of ‘immediate end to South Africa’s motor industry’ if incentives are reduced and ownership targets are enforced Gavin du Venage
Ford part 2: Global strategies Ford intends to support dealers through its Professional Service Network, a proliferation of Quick Lane stores and extended parts retention. Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 1: Always looking ahead In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 3: Supply chain upgrades Ford is rolling out advanced global inventory and demand management tools in pursuit of greater efficiency in logistics and service Christopher Ludwig
Europe Conference: Planning for more than the Zeitgeist in the supply chain Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
India Conference: Ford switches to LLP model for inbound and export logistics Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Executive summary: Blue skies over Bonn as logistics returns to growth Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Kroon takes over Renault Nissan’s European logistics as MacDonald heads to India Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
